Force Five

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► Tell us about you and your podcast

During the pandemic, I really missed talking movies with friends, so I decided to come up with a podcast that allowed me to talk movies with strangers. I'm a screenwriter (2 of my screenplays have received a 6 or better on the Blacklist) and in my day job I'm a learning designer for a big electronics company.

My podcast has a new guest on each week (I've had directors, authors, artists, and musicians on) and the guest gets to pick the topic. I also do movie reviews during each show.

My listeners are both movie fanatics and those who just want to hear about films.
 

► Why & how did you start this podcast? 

I listen to a ton of podcasts! But really, it's just a way to talk movies with strangers each week.

My only real motivation is to have interesting conversations and to stretch myself creatively.

I started recording about a year ago and my first episode aired in late August, 2020.

I had the first episode done the week I recorded, but wanted to wait until I had 8 episodes recorded to start releasing things.
 

► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?

I release an episode every week. I have never missed a week. Each show runs about an hour but can take up to 8 hours in total to produce and promote.

With having an 8 hour/day job, a 3 year old, and a wife, it can be tough to find time to podcast, but I budget time and sleep less than I probably should to keep things going.

The only thing I really pay for is hosting through Squarespace. It's all funded by me.
 

► What do you gain from podcasting?        

I don't take sponsorship or make any revenue. I now have an audience size that I could, but I don't want it to feel like a job.
According to Squarespace, I have nearly 9,000 subcribers.

The main way it benefits me is by making friends across the world. I've had people on from three different countries now.
 

► How does your podcasting process look like? 

I have a background in video editing, so (this is probably an unpopular choice) I edit everything in Final Cut Pro. I have a quiet space to record in, so I use a Blue Yeti to record. I find all of my guests through either social media or they contact me.

I interview using Zencastr, and it's audio-only.
 

► How do you market your show?

Listeners can find my show on any Podcasting platform or can listen at www.forcefivepodcast.com. I do not have a breakdown of listeners, as the podcast client world is so fragmented.

I use Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, but I doubt their usefulness.
 

► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?

Two things - be prepared to spend more time than you might think on editing, and be open to change. I listened to my listeners and changed up my format about six months in.

I think the Reddit podcaster subreddits are pretty useful but most of my learning has been through trial and error.
 

► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?

Check out www.forcefivepodcast.com for everything, or follow at @ForceFivePod on Twitter and @ForceFivePodcast on Instagram.