I Called It Years Ago YouTube just announced last week that they've reached 1 BILLION monthly active viewers of podcast content. Let that sink in for a moment. While the podcast industry has been obsessing over Spotify acquisitions and Apple's legacy platform, YouTube quietly became the podcast king. And I've been saying this would happen for years. The Silent Takeover This wasn't some overnight success story. It was inevitable. A silent takeover that happened because YouTube offered...
5 days ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, This week on the Habit Chess newsletter: How our minds filter what matters most to us Today I've got 5 notes from my week and a quick story to share with you on high agency thinking and skill acquisition. Ideas: 💡 Does it help more than it hurts? A simple but powerful filter for decision-making that cuts through complexity. 💡 You're not going to get the yellow pages delivered to your doorstep next year. Seemed impossible to accept this. Yet we're going through a similar leap in...
10 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Most people think podcasts are about going viral. But for businesses, chasing downloads is a waste of time. I know this because I used podcasting to land my dream job and later to build my business. Back when I was coaching fitness, I saw firsthand how a podcast brought in paying clients. And when I launched my business in 2020, I used these same strategies to grow it—making all the mistakes along the way so you don’t have to. And I don’t just use these strategies for myself—I’ve...
13 days ago • 5 min read
Hi Reader, Today I'm diving into why we're about to have the hardest job of our lives and what we can do to actually prepare for it. Of course, I don't have all the answers. But I've been thinking about this deeply, and I'm sure you have too—just like the rest of the world. My name is Misbah Haque by the way. In 2016, I launched a podcast out of my childhood bedroom that landed me my dream job in the Bay Area coaching Fortune 1000 executives and professional athletes. I've also produced shows...
17 days ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, Most people don't start a podcast because they're afraid nobody will listen. But here's the plot twist: that's actually the best reason to start. Because podcasting isn't just about download numbers. It's about learning in public and building an unfair advantage that compounds over time, even when nobody's asking you to do it. Let me share something personal. When I started my first podcast in 2016, I was absolutely terrified. I'd sweat through my shirt, blank out mid-episode, and...
25 days ago • 8 min read
Hi Reader, Most people focus on learning hard skills—things like coding, marketing, or finance. But what actually determines whether those skills translate into real opportunities? Soft skills. And they don’t just stand alone. They act as force multipliers for every skill set we develop. There are three types of skills we build over time: Primary Skills → The main craft (e.g., writing, coaching, programming, sales). Meta Skills → The ability to learn, adapt, and problem-solve faster....
28 days ago • 10 min read
Hi Reader, How many ideas have you forgotten this year? Most people forget around 50% of new information within an hour and approximately 70% within 24 hours. That means that by this time tomorrow, most of what you thought today will be gone. And if you’re not actively capturing your best ideas, you’re letting them slip away forever. What's even worse is we don't capture our own ideas, our minds become a storage unit for everyone else's. I used to write down dozens of ideas every day. But you...
about 1 month ago • 6 min read
Hi Reader, If you’re starting a video podcast this year or leveling up your production quality, one of your first big questions will be: “What’s the best camera to use?” In my latest video, I cover: The camera I recommend for remote setups Why I’ve changed my stance on using an iPhone for podcasting And the ultimate all-around camera for podcasters in 2025 Whether you’re filming solo or running a multi-angle setup with guests, this video will save you time, money, and plenty of headaches. 🎥...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, If everything can be built, automated, or outsourced…what’s left for us to do? Here’s the answer: Skills. But not just technical skills anymore. The real differentiators today are soft skills. The kind of skills that make you adaptable, indispensable, and the person everyone wants to work with. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, 39% of skills required on the job are set to change by 2030, trending towards more human centric skills. And a staggering...
about 2 months ago • 10 min read