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# The ugly stuff is part of the package
- URL: https://www.howardgray.net/the-ugly-stuff-is-part-of-the-package/
- Published: 2021-08-11T15:44:27.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-24T18:05:37.000Z
- Description: Why the edit can't - and shouldn't - save you.
- Author: Howard Gray
- Tags: Battle Scars, Creative Business, Podcast, Portfolio Career, #red, #post-red, Howard's Riffs

I’ve had a few sleepless nights before recording podcasts. The worst ones are when I’m a bit rusty and I find the guest to be intimidatingly impressive.

For one such episode, all was well until 27 minutes in.

I asked a question I instantly knew I shouldn’t have. It was cheap, leading, and provocative. They were understandably irked. I crumped, feeling like a total fool.

The rest of the episode came easy enough, though; I knew I could edit out the error.

Except I couldn’t. I spent 3 hours trying to remove the dressing down without losing the flow of the conversation. It was impossible.

With time up, I could either butcher the whole edit to save myself, or just publish.

Now, you may be thinking the moral of this riff is to ask authentic questions; to put your ego to one side; or to let others shine.

But I think it’s something else. Even though it still feels embarrassing, I can’t imagine that episode without the cringe moment.

The ugly stuff is part of the package. And even if it doesn’t always feel like it, it’s proof of our work.