Tawny 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