A Cross-race Conversation On Race

Simma Lieberman. I'm a white 71 year old LGBTQ woman. I produce and host a cross-race conversation on race "Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People." 

I bring people together across race and other differences to share personal stories, backgrounds and perspectives. People say my show is enlightening, educational and often entertaining. We can get real and deep. Most people (especially white people) have never engaged in these conversations with people who are different. Topics range from race and incarceration to race and corporate America, ex-cops talking to former Black Panther leaders, Black/Asian dialogue and more.

My listeners are people who are curious and want to know more about race, corporate leaders, recovering drug addicts, and everyday people who want to understand how other people think.

I had been facilitating dialogues across race for over 40 years. I also have an interracial family so what affects them affects me. I realized that people from every background would talk to me about race because I talk about it to anyone, but that people were not talking to each other.

Also I noticed that most shows about race were hosted by Black people and I thought they they shouldn't have to have all the responsibility and I needed to step up. I wanted to reach a larger audience to get my message out of stopping fear of differences and spreading love across the globe.

I had been listening to programs like "Ebro in the Morning," "The Breakfast Club," and Larry Wilmore and was inspired by the conversations. I didn't want to do an interview or racial tourism show.

I try for every week but don't always get there. It takes a few hours because I record, then do shownotes, look for quotes and clips and send to my editor to add intro, outro and post. I could do it myself but I'd still be on my first episode.

When I first started I didn't have money for equipment. I was going to write letters to famous people who talked about race (rappers and musicians, etc.) but someone worked next to me at a shared workspace said he believed in my podcast and bought my equipment for me. Friends and people who thought it was a good idea gave me seed money. (If I was going to do it again, I'd spend the money more strategically)

I have my own consulting business and use that money now and just put in the time.

I don't know exactly how much I spend but including subscriptions, social media, editing etc. it costs around $700.00 a month. (I probably need to find better ways to cut costs or use my money more efficiently. There were times when I had to do it myself or ask friends for help in exchange for free food at my house.

I would love sponsorship but need to learn more about how to get it. Tell me and I'll do it. I'm really doing everything myself in terms of strategy. I outsource to the Philippines.

I get about 1,000 downloads per month. Podcasting benefits me in terms of getting my message out, positioning myself in my business as a speaker, consultant and facilitator on race and diversity, equity and inclusion. Plus I've had people tell me that listening to my podcast changed their thinking and made them want to look at themselves and their biases.

Right now because of Covid, I don't use my in-person equipment (mixer, mics, headsets, etc.). I just use my blue snowflake mic, audio-technica headset, Macbook laptop and Zoom. I outsource editing to a person in the Philippines but do very little editing. In the beginning most of my guests were my friends, then they recommended their friends and now people hear about me and send requests. I'm also listed on Muckrack as a journalist.

I'm on all the podcast platforms that I know of. I don't do a breakdown anymore since so many people get it from links on my site raceconvo.com and platforms. I have newsletter that I send out, a following on social media and word of mouth.

Get help. Talk to other podcasters. Read books from the best podcasters, attend webinars and share info with other podcasters. Join podcast groups on Facebook. That's been amazing for me. Podcast Global, Podcast Movement, She Podcasts and more. Don't be afraid to ask for advice.

To learn more about me simmalieberman.com
podcast is raceconvo.com. Hit me up on email simma@simmalieberman.com or text 510.697.8226

simmalieberman.com raceconvo.com @theinclusionist (twitter). Linkedin SimmaLieberman. Instagram simma.lieberman
Patreon patreon.com/raceconvo Simma@Simmalieberman.com