Two long time friends share their ridiculous views and mix in real life tales of debauchery over the years

I met my co-host Todd a year before graduating high school in '93. We always found a way to get into and out of trouble, laughing all the while. For years, we partied together, ran from the cops together, and matured together. Our podcast is a platform to take a time out from the severity of the current day, as well as reminisce on our reckless youth. Our listeners encompass these aspects of our lives; from the bold young person to a now wise veteran.
 

The idea of podcasting never crossed my mind. Todd brought it up one night and kept mentioning it. What was once a fleeting thought has become an ever growing legacy spanning 57 countries. Our discussions centered around the peculiar, and sometimes helped us navigate through life but always kept us laughing. My goal became to share this release with whoever would listen, and to present our friendship as proof that there are people out there just like you, thinking things that they know they shouldn't say. So in October of 2018, I gathered up an old Tascam mixer, my laptop, and a microphone and we gave it a shot.
 

My co-host and I always found time to get together and get loaded all night. And I'm a musician, so I already had enough equipment to get a recording down. Our frequency of posting has varied over the years, from the far too hectic schedule of every five days, to the present every ten days. After equipment set up, the show lasts an hour. Then it takes me roughly four to five hours to edit, notate and post the show, and create an edited audio/ visual promo for social media. And I could not count the hours spent on learning how to build our website, Reloaded504.com. I'm a Captain by trade, so production must occur during my time home and last until I return a month later. This is accomplished in large blocks and can be exhausting. The only costs we have are booze, weed, and hosting.
 

This show costs us money. I suspect we are too foul to sponsor. The ONLY things I personally gain from this podcast is the idea that 1. This is a time capsule of sorts; of our friendship, our thoughts, where our minds are at this point in our lives. 2. There are people out there that can relate to who we are, and hopefully come to understand that it's ok to be who they are. The media paints such a dismal picture of humanity. We are the antithesis. Our trackable downloads run between 250 and 400 a month, and span 57 countries and counting. I have had listeners tell us we help them get through the rough times, which is humbling. I've had listeners tell me they are learning about American culture through our show, which is frightening. And I have had countless tell me how much we make them laugh. These contributions are worth the world to me.
 

I use FL Studio to compose, edit, mix, and master our show audio, music promo, and any prerecorded skits. Our mics are made by Neewer and get the job done affordably, They are run through a Behringer USB 1204 into my laptop. I use a free iPhone app to store and pipe in the sound effects and music I compose. Show preparation occurs the month I am away at sea. Any thoughts that cross my mind are jotted down in my phone and become talking points for the show. As far as what our podcasting "process" looks like, I turn on a bunch of black lights and psychedelic visuals on a big screen, we catch a buzz, and at some point hit record.
 

I don't track how we gain listeners. I use Instagram because I like the ability to create visuals for an audio podcast. We film for Youtube. But I prefer the additional creative outlet of animated video presentation. Through branding visually, I have been able to affix an unmistakable image that has become Reloaded504. Instagram auto-posts to several other social platforms which saves me time. I use Google stats to see what search terms we arise from. And since day one, I have made it a mission to have a presence on EVERY podcast platform out there. We have not spent any money on advertising because this is a hobby, not a business. And we seem to be doing great without it.
 

Taking on a project for me is cumbersome. You could tell me to organize your garage. And instead of just doing that, I'll have everything pulled out of it, painting murals on the walls, redesigning its layout, etc. I can't help myself. So what was once a simple idea has become a myriad of challenges and expansive efforts. I can say that it has made me rise to the challenge, strive for endurance, and learn so many technical aspects that I will undoubtedly use in other ventures. So my advice would be this. Don't encumber your mind when it comes to your goals. Think about what you want your show to become, break that down into an ordered priority list, break apart each task into technical skills, and acquire those skills. Teach yourself!
 

Website: Reloaded504.com
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/reloaded504?lang=en
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Tumblr: https://reloaded504.tumblr.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK6kKRlmsBAO74nsROaAFng
E-mail: reloaded504@yahoo.com
Hotline: 504-457-8011
- AND ALL PODCAST PLATFORMS!!!