Podcast Discussion

Nobody Should Care How Often You Say “Like”

~ jen ~ 1 Comment

Voice waveThere are plenty of women who host, and co-host, podcasts. I’ve been involved in podcasting since 2005, which means I have more experience in it than a lot of people. When I started, it was undoubtedly a “man’s world”. Today, that is starting to change, but not without some backlash from men who simply don’t want to share the spotlight with women.

I think it’s safe to say that everyone who has ever done a podcast has received at least a few negative comments. There is a difference between the types of negative comments that male podcasters receive and the types that female podcasters receive. Men might get called an “idiot” because a listener disagreed with their opinion about something they discussed on their latest episode.

Women, on the other hand, are getting negative comments not about what they said – but about the woman’s voice. An article written by Senior Women’s Editor of the Huffington Post, Emma Gray, and Books and Culture Writer for the Huffington Post, Claire Fallon, discusses this. The article is titled: “Want a Lesson In How People Judge Women’s Voices? Start a Podcast”.

Emma Gray and Claire Fallon started a podcast about Season 11 of The Bachelorette TV show. It is a new podcast that has about 10 episodes (including the series preview episode). “We knew we would have some haters– as women who write for a living on the Internet, we’re no strangers to the backlash ladies who deign to have opinions tend to receive – but we weren’t prepared for how much of the critique we received would be centered around one thing: our voices.”

They got comments from men, via Twitter, in which they were told they said “like” too often. They were told that they sounded “immature” for using that word so often, and that it made them appear less intelligent. These kinds of comments have absolutely nothing to do with the content of their show. It is not a critique of the topics they chose or the opinions they shared. These comments are about the way women speak.

Other women who podcast have been told that their voice was too high pitched to listen to, or “whiney”, or that their vocal fry was annoying to listen to. These comments are literally about the voices of the women. These comments are the audio equivalent of judging a woman about her appearance instead of the quality of the work she is doing.

It is not a coincidence that the two comments left on their article came from a couple of white guys who felt the need to “mansplain”. One guy basically told the writers that they were wrong about everything. The other insisted that comments about the voices of women podcasters wasn’t sexism… and then went on to state that the writers were wrong about everything.

Women who podcast should not have to change the pitch of their voice, alter their normal speech pattern, or count how many times they have said “like”, or “just”, or “sorry” while they were recording a podcast. Doing so will not suddenly make a guy who felt the need to leave a nasty comment about the quality of a woman’s voice turn into a fan of that podcast. Don’t change yourself in the hopes of appeasing a hater.

I think the reason why this is happening has to do with power. Guys that pick apart women’s voices are trying to make that woman shut up. Those guys are realizing that women are part of the podcasting world – and growing in number – and they are flat out terrified about it. Keep on podcasting, ladies. Don’t let the bullies bar you from the treehouse. You have every right to be there.

An Open Letter to CEO Daniel Ek: Make Spotify an Open Platform for Podcasting!

~ shawn

spotify logoDear Mr. Ek,

You made a pretty big splash in the podcasting world when, earlier this year,  you announced that you’d be bringing podcasts to Spotify. Many of us in the podcasting community looked forward to having a new distribution channel for our shows. We learned during the announcement that Spotify would be partnering with a select group of content providers at launch. This seemed logical as a way for you to “test the waters” as far as adding a new type of media to your platform. But we assumed that you’d eventually open up Spotify’s podcasting platform to everyone. And that hasn’t happened.

I’ve been a user of the Spotify application since it launched in the U.S. It quickly became my preferred music player. I spent hours discovering new songs and rediscovering old favorites thanks to your platform’s ease of use and wide ranging catalog. That appreciation for Spotify as a music service created some real excitement at the possibility of others finding podcasts thru your platform. But due to the closed nature of Spotify’s current podcast directory, that’s simply not possible.

Surely, Mr. Ek, you can see that, in the way music listeners want more than just a slice of all of the music being made today, they’d also want more than a small fraction of all of the podcasts being produced? During last month’s announcement, the impression you gave is that you want Spotify to become a true world class media consumption platform. But how can that happen if users are clicking away from Spotify to listen to the podcasts that aren’t available on your application?

If making that simple appeal isn’t enough, consider this: Historically, the two largest podcasting consumption platforms have been Apple’s iTunes and the Stitcher app. iTunes has always been a huge competitor to Spotify and Stitcher was acquired last year by Deezer, another one of your competitors. Both iTunes and Stitcher have massive podcast catalogs because they’re open. Anyone can submit a show to these services and usually get listed within a few business days. And it is these services that listeners (i.e. your customers) will go to when they can’t find their desired podcasts inside of Spotify.

I hope I’ve made it clear, Mr. Ek, that the current state of podcasting within Spotify has negative repercussions. Not only for podcasters but also for the Spotify platform. It’s not often in life you can make a true win-win decision. But opening up Spotify to all podcasters would be one of those rare instances. Why not take advantage of the opportunity now and let us in? We’d love to share our shows with you!

Sincerely,
Shawn Thorpe
Podcast Producer and Contributing Editor
Podcaster News

Women in Podcasting: Interview With Janet Blair

~ jen

Two Girls and a Bottle of WineJanet Blair is the host of the Two Girls and a Bottle of Wine podcast. She is joined by an alternating group of co-host guests (some of whom make repeat appearances). Her show is an opportunity for girlfriends to chat about whatever they would like to over a glass of wine.

When did you start podcasting?  What’s your experience in podcasting from then to now?

I started Two Girls and a Bottle of Wine about two and half years ago with my girlfriend, Ashley. When we started we were doing a video podcast in a studio in downtown Denver. When the studio closed, we wanted to continue the podcast so, with the help of my boyfriend, we set up a studio in our basement and continued the podcast in our basement. We found that working outside of a studio and outside of the supervision of others allowed us to have so much more fun and reach a larger audience. As life does, it got busy and Ashley and I found it difficult to make time to record each week. About a year ago, I opened the podcast up to other females in the area that wanted to sit and chat with me each week for the podcast. Surprisingly I had several Facebook friends that were interested. For the last year I have been alternating co-hosts each week and the variety has helped grow the audience and I think each woman has a special story to share. I believe that women feed off each other and sharing our experience can help us each grow and learn as women. A couple of months ago I started having co-hosts that were from outside of the Denver area. I have now recorded two podcasts via Skype and that has opened up our reach.

What inspired you to become a podcaster?

My boyfriend, Steve McGrew, had a career in radio for over ten years. When he left radio he started his own podcast, Remasculate. I had dabbled in radio and worked part time at a few stations. I would sit in on his podcast as his news girls but I decided I wanted more. I think that podcasting is a fun hobby that allows me to step outside of my cubicle job each week and tap into the creative parts of who I am. I also love the opportunity to sit down with my girlfriends and chat about whatever over a glass of wine.

How do you do interviews for Two Girls and a Bottle of Wine?  What types of wine do you enjoy?

I refer to each of my guests as co-hosts. Many of them are re-occurring. Most of my co-hosts come to my house and record with me. Skype has opened up the possibility of me having co-hosts that aren’t in the area. I have had Petra from Hillbilly Nerd Talk on as a co-host and Kim Eden, the Tornado Queen from Oklahoma, on as my co-hosts via Skype. I was able to participate in a panel interview Amy Schumer recently and that was a lot of fun. I brought my computer and a travel microphone with me and recorded the entire interview. I am still working on the sound to make it podcast quality.

Wine – I prefer wines that are less than $15 a bottle. Some of my favs are Relax Wines (Riesling, Pinot Grigio) and Cupcake Wines (Moscato and Red Velvet).

What words of wisdom do you have for women who are thinking of starting their own podcast?

Have fun with it. It’s so easy with technology now to just stop and record a podcast. Each of us are experts about different things. There is likely to be someone that is interested in the knowledge you have, so when starting share the expertise that you have about whatever your passion may be and build on that. Passion can be infectious. Also, consistency is key. If you want to build an audience, record new podcasts regularly.

Why Do You Podcast?

~ jen

Question MarksPodcasting takes a lot of time, effort, and commitment. Every episode requires setting up microphones and recording software, a plan for what topics will be covered, and some editing after the episode is done. More time is spent putting together show notes and posting links to your brand new episode on social media.

Have you ever asked yourself why you go through all this effort? Why do you podcast?

Podcasters tend to spend time talking with other podcasters. This is to be expected, considering that it is natural for people to seek out those whom they have a common interest with. Podcasters, as a group, all “get” why a person wants to start a podcast and why they continue to put in the effort it takes to continue it. Few feel the need to talk about it.

As such, discussion among podcasters can often lead into comparisons of microphones, debates about which audio recording software is the best, and questions about whether or not anyone has used a new podcasting service. At times, a podcaster might ask for advice about how to get their podcast to make money. Each of those topics can be useful, informative, and, in some cases “eye-opening”.

I think it is important for podcasters to question, from time to time, why they are podcasting. This is especially true for those who have been podcasting for years. Why do you continue to put in the time and effort to regularly make new episodes?

For the Money
There are some podcasters who have managed to turn their show into something that generates an income. The amount can vary from a few extra bucks to enough money to pay one’s bills. I suspect that only a small percentage of podcasters are able to “quit their day job” and live off of the money their podcasts earn. It makes sense to keep doing something that is paying your bills (especially if that something is enjoyable to do).

For the Fun
The majority of podcasters don’t make any money at all from their shows. Why do they podcast? It is probably for the fun of it. Those who are doing a podcast with a friend, or a group of friends, can end up having a lot of fun just “hanging out” together and talking about a shared interest. Often, podcasts that are done just for the fun of it have a main subject they stick to. Overall, though, it becomes a fun way for a group of friends to get together.

For a Cause
There are podcasts that were started in an effort to bring awareness to a specific cause. Some of them relate to a certain health condition, disease, or disorder. Others are primarily political. Those who do these kinds of podcasts have something that they feel is extremely important to share with the world. The commitment to the cause drives the podcaster to make more episodes.

There will be times, with every podcast, when things just aren’t working out as well as they used to. A change to a job schedule, a severe illness, or an addition to the family can make it more difficult for a person to put effort into podcasting. When this happens, it is helpful to take a moment and consider why you decided to start podcasting in the first place. That reason could provide you with the motivation to make things work, or to step away from or end a podcast.

Women in Podcasting: Interview With Kim Trumbo

~ jen

Kim Trumbo Generosity Philosophy podcast Podcaster NewsKim Trumbo is the host of the Generosity Philosophy podcast. The podcast focuses on highlighting heroes who live to give. The show features stories of generosity that can inspire people to get involved, help others, and be generous.

When did you start podcasting? What’s your experience in podcasting from then to now?

I started my podcast, Generosity Philosophy, in November 2013. In the past year and a half I have done my best to be consistent about putting out an episode each week. When I started I had no past broadcasting experience, so have learned so much over time. I feel having a show with great content is wonderful, but the audio needs to sound good as well. As a newbie podcaster I joined a mastermind group to get advice about getting the right equipment so my audio quality would sound great. Instead of recording into software I record from my Schure SM58 microphone into my mixer and then the audio file is saved to my Zoom H4N digital recorder. This set up has never failed me.

What inspired you to become a podcaster?

As I listened to many podcasts in 2013 I thought it would be fun to be a podcaster. I had no clue what I would podcast about though. Once I came up with the idea to interview nonprofits, charities, or anyone else who is making a positive impact in the world, I knew the show would inspire people and I just had to launch it. There was no going back. I felt I found my purpose in life.

How did you come up with the idea for the Generosity Philosophy podcast? What kinds of topics have you covered?

My family would often talk about our desires to volunteer more, and be more philanthropic, but weren’t sure who to contact to help. I was listening one day (while mowing my yard) to Michael O’Neal who was interviewing John Lee Dumas on The Solopreneur Hour and they were talking about how Podcasters seem to always be willing to help one another. I heard those words “help one another” and realized there are generous people and organizations I could talk to and turn into a show! I figured if I interview people who help one another and who make this world a better place, then our family would know who we could help out. If our family would be inspired to give by listening to these stories then I thought and hoped other people would be inspired to be generous as well. I’ve interviewed younger kids, teenagers, small nonprofits, and large organizations who have made appearances on Oprah and Ellen! It’s been a blast. I love each and every story. Some help the homeless, others help animals, and those are just a couple of examples. I do my best to find unique stories to inspire the listeners.

What words of wisdom do you have for women who are thinking about starting their own podcast?

You CAN do it. Even if it seems challenging and overwhelming, you can accomplish this. Make a list and take it one small task at a time. Before you know it you will have a show you’re proud of!

Women in Podcasting: Interview With Tawny Fineran

~ jen ~ 1 Comment

Tawny Fineran Podcaster NewsTawny Fineran is a host of the Mommy’s Cocktail Hour podcast and a co-host of the Podcasters Group Therapy podcast. You can also find her on the Vampire Diaries Podcast.

When did you start podcasting?

I started podcasting in 2008 with my husband, Corey. We discovered podcasts and were interested in creating a show that was based on something that we were both passionate about at the time, local independent music. Since our family was growing at the same time, we released only 36 shows over the course of a few years. Although we weren’t too consistent with our new hobby, this show was definitely my stepping stone into podcasting.

What’s your experience in podcasting from then to now?

In 2011, I began my second podcast, Mommy’s Cocktail Hour, with my sister-in-law Krissi and two close friends Beth and Lindsay. Once we started this podcast we couldn’t stop; it proved to be great therapy for us new moms. I feel the same way about podcasting in general. Once I started podcasting I wanted to podcast on everything I was interested in. I’ve co-hosted several TV show podcasts in the past and currently host Vampire Diaries Podcast (total guilty pleasure – no shame!). I’ve also contributed voice over work to The Quantum Leap Podcast and their audio drama Quantum Leap: The Impossible Dream, both produced by Barren Space Productions. My most recent podcasting venture is co-hosting Podcaster’s Group Therapy alongside my husband Corey and Nick Seuberling. This show isn’t just another how-to podcast, it stems from our real life google+ community and we discuss our experiences and ideas on various podcasting topics.

What inspired you to become a podcaster?

Deep down I’ve always wanted to entertain; podcasting seemed like a safe outlet to do this from the comfort of my own home. What inspires me to continue podcasting is the power it has to create a community, have engaging conversations, strengthen relationships and meet new people.

What topics do you cover on Mommy’s Cocktail Hour?

Mommy’s Cocktail Hour is a very honest look into the host’s lives as mothers. Since these conversations happen over cocktails, it gets real and may get explicit from time to time but mostly in a good way. We share our triumphs, struggles, seek advice from one another and our fabulous listeners frequently chime in too. We cover a wide range of parenting topics since our kids range in age now from 3 -13 years old. We’ve talked about the public meltdowns, potty training, tips for traveling with kids, diversity, handling loss, and issues raising a pre-teen, just to name a few.

What’s the story behind how this podcast got started?

At the time I was a new mom of two toddlers 14 ½ months apart so hanging out with friends for a “Girls’ Night Out” was seldom to say the least. The idea of setting aside one night a week to hang out with my other mommy friends to hash out our mommy issues over cocktails sounded like a dream come true. My co-hosts agreed and eagerly signed up for podcasting and cocktails!

What words of wisdom do you have for other women who are thinking about starting their own podcast?

1.) Do it! 2.) Be yourself 3.) Your podcast = your passion

Women in Podcasting: Interview With Kaila Prins

~ jen ~ 1 Comment

Kaila Prins Finding Our Hunger Podcaster NewsKaila Prins is a host of the Finding Our Hunger podcast. The podcast focuses on recovery and discovery for people who have an eating disorder and for those who have a complicated relationship with food. The “life is a journey” metaphor is important to this podcast.

When did you start podcasting? What’s your experience in podcasting been from then to now?

The idea for the Finding Our Hunger podcast was born in December of 2012, but my co-host Ito Aghayere and I recorded and released our first episode in March of 2013. We have a pretty cool origin story (if I do say so myself!): I had met my co-host in 2010, when we were both in grad school in NYC for theatre. I dropped out after a year because I had relapsed with anorexia and exercise addiction, and she and I lost touch while I was in recovery. I started a blog about my recovery in 2012 and began posting about it on Facebook. She saw it and reached out to me. We started talking on the weekends about our experiences with body image, food, and exercise. I had been thinking about starting a podcast for a few months, and at some point (and I can’t remember who suggested it to whom) one of us said, “We should be recording these conversations.” Of course, that’s exactly what we did.

I love podcasting so much that I wish it could be my full time job. I have had the absolute blessing to talk to almost 100 of the world’s most incredible, thoughtful, insightful, moving people so far—and that number keeps on expanding as the years go on. I knew almost nothing about recording, wordpress, or social media/email marketing when I started, and now I successfully record, edit, upload, and publicize the podcast on my own each week—which has actually helped me improve in my 9-5 job in marketing too! I’ve also finally started following my dream of becoming a voiceover artist after so many people reached out to tell me that they thought I should be “doing something” with my “podcast voice.”

What inspired you to become a podcaster?

When I was in recovery for my eating disorder and exercise addiction (and while I was on disability for an exercise addiction induced injury), I had a LOT of time on my hands. While writing and blogging provided me with a great creative outlet and a huge sense of catharsis, I spent a lot of time away from the computer and on my feet, as I started walking again. I found myself drawn first to audiobooks—but those can get expensive quick, especially if you’re on disability. So I turned to podcasts.

I found myself really drawn to the idea of sharing stories and insights; however, most of the podcasts that I listened to were by “experts” who had already “figured things out” when it came to body size, nutrition, and fitness. As someone who has been duped too many times by the world of marketing, I wanted to share a different insight: that there’s no end of the journey, no after picture. Life is a process and we’re all on a journey to figure it out. So when Ito and I started talking about recording our insights into the matter, I knew that this was going to be the best podcast for me to produce.

What kinds of topics do you cover on your Finding Our Hunger podcast?

Finding Our Hunger is all about recovery and discovery—because you don’t have to have an eating disorder to have a complicated relationship with food, your body, exercise, and your identity. While many of our guests have recovered from eating disorders or exercise addiction, we try to balance the episodes with representatives from the fitness, nutrition, health at every size, feminist, etc. communities. Because we’re big into the “life is a journey” metaphor, we have each of our guests “unpack their bags” and “unashamedly air what they have inside.”

The podcast is less of an interview and more of a conversation. Listeners get the chance to hear what’s going on in the guests lives, and they also get the chance to get to know me and Ito and to be a part of our community of people who just want to have a little bit of extra positivity to pack in their bags.

What words of wisdom do you have for women who are thinking about starting their own podcast?

Do it. Do it, because it will change your life. Do it, because it will open doors. Do it, because it will give you the chance to meet and connect with people—from influencers to listeners—who will change your life.

Be consistent, and be prepared to do work. Podcasting is so easy that anyone can do it, but it also requires a little bit of blood, sweat, and tears for not a lot of monetary gain (unless you’re super famous with tons of sponsors, and then, more power to you, and can we talk?!). But while it may not be immediately financially lucrative, the things you’ll gain—like knowledge, friendship, the ability to help, inspire, and reach people all over the world, and even a sense of your own identity—are priceless.

One last thing: due diligence. Please…be aware that podcasting is a public forum. The things you say can hurt people if you are not careful. I do my best to vet my guests and to try to facilitate a discussion that will lead to the betterment of my listeners’ lives. I don’t “sell” anyone or anything that I do not believe in, even if it would be smart—for my financials or for my subscriptions or iTunes rank, because I do not want to ever trigger or hurt a single member of my audience. Please, if you pick up a microphone, add some positivity back into the world. I promise that it’s worth it. You may save a life—my podcast has, and knowing that is what keeps me going back to the mic each week.

Women in Podcasting: Interview with Jordan Reyne

~ jen

People's Assembly Podcast Podcaster News Jordan Reyne is the host of The People’s Assembly Against Austerity podcast. It is a political newscast that focuses on austerity measures in the United Kingdom and Europe. Jordan Reyne is also an amazing musician and you may have heard some of her music on various music-themed podcasts.

When did you start podcasting? What’s your experience in podcasting from then to now?
I started podcasting with the project I am doing now – the People’s Assembly Against Austerity podcast – so I am really still quite new to it. That said, I am lucky enough to have a background in production and experience in features writing (Sound on Sound, Kitmonsters and a few others). It’s by no means the same as actually running a whole podcast, but it meant I have had the advantage of a less steep learning curve. Having to learn all of the skills that podcasting entails at once would have been hellish: writing, presenting, interviewing, audio production and editing, promo etc. The other piece of luck is that I have friends who produce some great podcasts too, so I had been exposed to the tricks of the trade and involved in how it is done as well. The learning curve is probably terrifying if you are fresh to it on all fronts, but luckily I didnt have to go through all of that at once!

What inspired you to become a podcaster?
I’m very passionate about politics – particularly about tackling the injustices and threats to people who are already disadvantaged. I have always kept those themes within my music projects, but lyrics are so very nebulous sometimes and whoever said you can still change the world with a song clearly didn’t live under the kind of global capitalism we have today. My deep disapointment in the music industry eventually led me to look for something where ideas and meaning were still valued. I wanted to fight injustice in a more direct way so started looking for political work that fit my own beliefs.

I came across the People’s Assembly Against Austerity during an anti racism protest. I started there as a coder, but came up with the idea of the podcast shortly after I started. They are a really great group and very open to ideas so we had a brainstorm about how it should go, what it should include and we went forward with it. I have to say it’s a new passion for me as well: doing something directly informative, helpful and that covers some of the news that mainstream media shy away from. I’m very behind what they do, so working on this project with them is very fulfilling indeed.

What is the People’s Assembly Podcast about?
It’s basically a newscast, but focused on themes surrounding the austerity measures in the UK and Europe. Austerity, in dictionary terms, means a state of increased frugality. It is basically a word used by governments to make cuts in areas like health, welfare and education sound more palatable. Under the umbrella of “austerity” our government is doing the usual things that have already debilitated other countries in the EU: privatisation of health, welfare, infrastructure and education, and cuts that effect primarily those who are already financially very badly off.

Many laws surrounding cuts and privatisation get pushed through with little media coverage for fear that people will object – because they WOULD object if they knew what the implications were. Similarly, agreements that allegedly relate to other sectors only, but actually directly effect citizens are shuffled through mostly under the radar. TTIP is a good example. If it goes through, our national health system faces irreversible privatisation, and workers face a world without a minimum wage or the ability to bargain over work conditions. Then there are laws like the gagging law, the anti lobbying law, and the pay to protest law that produce a code of silence ensuring we won’t be ABLE to effectively object to future proposals by government. Our podcast focuses on these things and interviews those who are directly involved or expert in the field.

What words of wisdom do you have for women who are thinking about starting their own podcast?
As someone so new to podcasting, I doubt I have the experience to give good advice in that area specifically. What I do think is helpful to keep in mind with anything where women have to venture into a territory that is either traditionally male, or male dominated: gender is a social contruct. It is learned and then performed. The performance of gender in accordance with what people expect makes your life easier, yes, because people see a confirmation of what they already think. That doesn’t stop gender constructs (and performances) from being essentailly utterly arbitrary and damaging.

Saying “women are not as good at ‘thing x’ as men” is exactly akin to saying “people from a particular culture are not as good as people from western culture are at ‘thing x'”. Anyone with any brains recognises the latter as racism, but somehow they don’t yet always get that the former is sexism. They are simply people parroting what society has foreced on them as “fact” since they were born. Ignore them.

There are a lot of well meaning older men in podcasting, and they have had those ideas pushed on them for even longer. They are most often really caring and helpful actually, but can still come out with casual sexisms that make you feel small or excluded. Pull them up on it, if you can. I always do, but I know it is sometimes hard to, especially when that person is also trying to be helpful. Even if you are new to something and don’t yet feel expert enough to argue though, remember that the assumption that you wont get to be as good cos of your gender is also sexism. Just point out politely that that is what it is. Some forms of sexism are just borne of ignorance rather than malice. The ones that are malice driven – just walk away and have nothing to do with them. They aren’t worth knowing.

Women in Podcasting: Interview with Addy Saucedo

~ jen

Addy Saucedo Podcaster NewsWhat does “intentional transformation” mean? You can find out all about it, and how to use it to improve your life, in Addy Saucedo’s DO I.T. podcast. The show provides what some have decided to call “self help” and also gives you concrete examples of how she has used intentional transformation in her life.

When did you start podcasting? What’s your experience in podcasting been from then to now?
In January 2013 I launched my first podcast called The Modern Vintage Radio Show (MVR). It was an attempt at having a variety show discussing “Timeless Topics with Today’s Views.” That whole show was a trial and error experience from the tech side (website and rss) to the talent, content and marketing. I put the show on hiatus so that I can immerse myself with all that podcasting consists of – recording, producing, social media, and marketing.

Since then I’ve hosted 5 other podcasts, still currently hosting two of those 5, the DO I.T. Podcast and Beyond Storybooke. Along with hosting those two shows, I’m now a professional podcast producer for other podcasters and also working with Ben Krueger of Authority Engine. That’s me going from not having a clue other than knowing I wanted to podcast (makes me laugh now) to now feeling very comfortable with the amazing medium.

What inspired you to become a podcaster?
My grandmother loved listening to talk radio and when I was a about 3 years old, she would call into the radio station and ask the DJ to put my cousins and I on-air to talk to him and make song requests. A tradition that went on for a few years ha ha…I always found the fact that the city can hear us kids on-air to be very cool! I would then dream to one day have my own “radio” show.

Fast-forward to when I got the iPhone 3. I had found out that my favorite talk radio show (The Frosty Heidi and Frank Show) was available for free as a podcast. Because of their podcast, they have a passionate following (very fun and supportive) that helped get them through the thick and thin of what the radio industry is currently going through. It was that moment when I just knew that once I finished with school I was going to start planning for my own “radio” podcast show, because now I no longer needed a mainstream network to hire me as a DJ. 😉

Can you explain a bit about what the “I.T.” in the title of your podcast means?
The “I.T.” is an acronym for Intentional Transformation. With that said, it’s all about putting our best efforts forward (intentional actions) to accomplish the dreams, hopes, and personal freedom we truly desire (the transformation). Hey, let’s “DO IT” to experience intentional transformation.

Mainstream named this type of content to be “self help” but my listeners know that they are not alone. I’m there for my audience to share my personal journey and lessons I’ve learned so they can have support and inspiration to achieve their transformation – be it in their health, relationships, career or lifestyle. Just like them, I can’t do it alone so I also feature amazing individuals who share their journey of intentional transformation.

What advice do you have for women who are thinking about starting their own podcast?
You can plan your content, learn the tech side, learn marketing strategies, even take talent coaching courses, but what the medium demands is for you to be true to yourself. As I mentioned, I took time to immerse myself in all of that stuff, but what made the biggest impact in my life and passion for podcasting is finding my OWN voice. I did that by being real with myself and letting that into the microphone and out to the ears of my listeners.

When you’re passionate about the message you want to share and you be yourself when sharing it, you’ll instantly connect with those who need to hear your message and you’ll fall in love with podcasting and not find it as a task or just a marketing strategy. One last thing, for future and present podcasters…#WeGotThis 😉

Women in Podcasting: Interview with Jessica Cook

~ jen

Jessica Cook Podcaster NewsJessica Cook is involved with two podcasts, both of which focus on gaming, yet are different from each other. She is a host of the Cat Context podcast and also a host of the Game On podcast.

When did you start podcasting? What’s your experience in podcasting from then to now?

I started podcasting in 2012 with my own show Cat Context, which discusses video games and geek culture. Back then I actually worried that I was getting on the podcasting bandwagon too late. It seemed like a potentially outdated technology, while everyone was moving to video.

Now I know how wrong I was! In 2015 podcasting is alive and well and in fact probably in better shape than it’s been in for years. The popularity of NPR shows like Serial have brought in new listeners to the genre and inspired those of us who have been around for a while.

What inspired you to become a podcaster?

When I was a little kid I used to sit under the kitchen table with a tape recorder (oops, showing my age) and record “radio” shows. Later in college I joined the campus radio station and had a great few years playing obscure rock and taking silly phone calls. Moving into podcasting in modern times seems like a pretty natural extension — apparently I just love talking into a microphone.

You’re involved in two different podcasts and each one covers gaming. How do the two differ?

Cat Context is a very free-form show that I do with two close friends. We started out planning everything down to the minute, but at this point we barely have show notes or even an list of topics ready when I hit the “record” button. I think people tune in for our rapport as much as our subject matter, and our number one goal is to make the listener laugh even (particularly!) when that means being goofy. I do edit each show diligently to remove anything I think is not interesting to our audience or too “inside baseball”, but the recording can be pretty chaotic!

GameOn, on the other hand, is a tight 30 minute show with a focus on news and current events in the game industry. I probably spend more time writing the show notes than I do recording, with a focus on doing things like finding the hot stories from the week, writing short summaries, and making sure that we give even coverage to all games. It’s also a show for a professional audience, many of whom are in the game-making industry themselves, so I try to act accordingly: no swearing, no rumormongering, no being rude or overly negative.

What words of wisdom do you have for women who are thinking about starting their own podcast?

My advice is: just go for it! I have found the podcasting community to be very inclusive, intelligent, and friendly. Whereas some places on the internet have “clickbait” headlines or mean comments from viewers, I think the pace and content of podcasts means that listeners are generally a pretty calm, thoughtful group. And you don’t need much: just get a microphone, a free piece of audio editing software, and something to say. I look forward to listening!