Never one to back down from something I don't have a clue how to do; I am starting a podcast. For those that don't really know what a podcast is; it is basically your own personal radio show that is hosted on a website and pushed out to all sorts of arenas like Apple, Spotify, YouTube, etc. The podcast world is typically very specific, for example, if you were to enjoy fitness you may start a podcast in that world but narrow it down to strength training for the figure skater. It can be solo (like a blog), it can have a host/guest format (like an interview); or perhaps multiple guests (like a panel on Hockey Night in Canada). There are all shapes and sizes.
My decision was to go with an interview format, which for me is more of a long conversation than an actual interview. It's something new. There are a ton of little nuances that must be learned along the way, which I am still feeling out, but in the day of Google and YouTube anything is possible. My studio is a laptop with a microphone or two, and some headphones which all depends on if the show is in person or if I am chatting with someone in the virtual web world.
A couple of people have asked me "Why did you start this?". That's a good question and there are a few answers but one of them that sticks out is that it made me nervous. It made me nervous to figure out all of the equipment that I would need, to ensure that I could find the right software to use, and to be a good host. In my podcast, I don't actually have any idea who my next guest is going to be! That is a little scary but also puts into practice the ability to talk with a stranger and truly listen to their story.
The podcasts so far have been anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hrs long. It's typically something that you as a listener would throw in your headphones while you are going for a walk, or doing the dishes, maybe over the car speakers on your way to work. The cool thing about the podcast is when you shut it off, there is an automatic "bookmark" that just picks up from where you left off so you can listen at your leisure.
I'll share my idea here now. The premise of my podcast was to try to link each of the guests that I have on the show to the one that immediately preceded them. What I did was ask four people from different walks of my life that I found to be inspirational, interesting, motivating, and positive; and recorded my conversation with them to introduce them and their stories to the world through the podcast. In turn, they recommend the next guest that I should be talking with. The same caveat applied for them. Maybe it is a mentor, or a role model, or someone that they feel just needs their story told. The cool part is that after my initial launch, I am literally waiting to find out who I will be talking with next! In most other podcasts, the host seeks out who they will feature...mine are being introduced by my last guest. My job then is to make sure that I do right by my initial guests and really connect with the people that they recommend to ensure that the world hears what my initial guests know about these people, and so on in perpetuity.
The entire project could fall flat on it's face. It could fail miserably, there could be glitches in technology which I am sure will happen at some point. I may have a guest whose recommendation doesn't work out, effectively pruning that chain of guests back at that point. I could fumble and conduct the worlds worst interview. All of these things may happen...but maybe they won't. Maybe it will be overwhelmingly successful and the show will become the number one podcast in podcast world. Maybe guests on this show will help to turn some listener's life around, and that person will become a world leader and impact millions. My point here is if it merits consideration for the worst things that can happen, then consider the best as well and in all likelihood it will fall somewhere in the middle; but why not try?
The fact that this idea made and still makes me nervous means to me that there is an opportunity for growth. On top of that, think of all of the people that I will get to meet and chat with! That in of itself widens the circle and creates relationships out of simple conversation. It is my opinion that the world can always use a little more positivity. I have effectively left social media on a personal basis. I do still monitor my music accounts; however, the barrage of negativity that is often found in the roulette wheel of a thumb scroll on your phone can leave one feeling a little discouraged. It made me ask what I am doing to help. This upcoming podcast, this blog, and the self-improvement that will come with both are my answer. I become a better teammate by improving myself. Sharing the stories of the people who you may pass in your own grocery store should help illuminate and serve as a reminder that we don't need to be a superstar with a huge social platform to be an inspiration and a positive influence on the world. Everyone has some greatness in them.
My hope is that this project turns out. It isn't something that I am doing for financial gain, in fact it actually costs me money to get it done but so does a gym membership. I really don't have any gauge on how it would be declared a success to someone that might ask. My true belief is that just by launching it, it becomes an immediate success. That's the point of using a little creativity isn't it? To come up with something where there was nothing before? To bring an idea to life? To improve on that something over time and build it and help shape it into whatever direction it goes?
If you are interested and want to follow along to see how it turns out; and to listen to what I am certain will be some great stories from some great people, then check out the "Who Should I Be Talking To?" podcast. The initial 4 episodes with the starting guests will be available on 16 February 2022 on your favourite podcast platform. I will have links to it on my website here as well. I hope that you get as much out of listening to it as I have so far with the conversations that I have gotten the opportunity to have already.