Navigate through alcoholism, divorce, caregiving, blending families, and purposely discovering and owning my truth.

Hello! I went to broadcasting school back in 2002. Lifetime ago. I had aspirations to be a disc jockey on the radio. That dream never happened. I LOVED being in a studio! Wearing the headphones and playing my favorite music while I was working on a demo, felt like I was finding myself.

My podcast is about using storytelling to share with my listeners how I navigated through many obstacles, challenges and ultimately, finding out about a deep, dark secret which revealed WHO I really was. It was therapeutic for me to release all of the life experiences that others can relate to. Realizing that no matter how hard and difficult those real life issues are, I found joy, love, forgiveness and gratitude.

My listeners are everyday people who connect with my life's journey. I'm 58, and I'm still learning about myself. I'm still challenging myself. My podcast will be starting Season 4 before the end of this month. My first episode will be an interview. I want to share other people's stories with the hope that by speaking "your truth" will inspire my listeners to realize, they are not alone.
 

I was ready to put my voice out into the universe! It was the winter of 2021, Covid shut the world down. I was lucky enough to be in North Myrtle Beach with the glorious ocean's sea mist giving me clarity! I do not listen to a lot of podcasts, but will listen intermittently to one that might interest me at the moment. Most recently I listened to an 8 episode series, titled Inconceivable Truth, by investigative reporter Matt Katz. I could relate to his story. We both found out the fathers who raised us were not our biological fathers.

I took those months to come up with my concept. I have a very supportive husband! Actually, we didn't marry until the summer of 2022, but he proposed to me while in North Myrtle Beach! We have been in a healthy, committed relationship for over 12 yrs now. I would run some ideas by him. The name, the description, the music - which is an original piece by my son's college roommate who is talented! I bought David Hooper's book - Big Podcast, both in paperback and audible. I delved right into how David's wise words resonated with me.

Basically, I put myself in my own version of "podcasting school". It felt amazing putting something together for myself that I was proud of. For the first time in my entire life, I followed through with an idea that allowed me to be authentic, and vulnerable. Not only for myself, but to fully understand how my own choices led me to exactly where I needed to be. I want my listeners to understand that they have more power over themselves than they realize.

I'm not tech savvy. I have a 2015 MacBook Pro, with GarageBand, a scarlett 2i2 interface and a rod procaster condenser microphone, with a pop filter. My husband Woody, turned a basement corner into a 6 x 6 studio. He did some research to make it soundproof. I watched a lot of YouTube videos to help me understand the basics/troubleshooting. It took me from January 2021 until October 5th 2021 when my first episode was released through Buzzsprout.
 

I am lucky to be retired young(ish)! When I started podcasting, I was releasing an episode twice a month. Since I'm the writer, editor, and host, I get to decide how to manage all of these roles. It can sometimes feel overwhelming but I remind myself that the passion and drive comes from my heart.

It usually takes me 2-3 days to produce an episode, once I decide what the subject/story will be about. I write out my script. I try not to waste a word on random banter that will bore a listener. Once it's written, I walk away for a day and come back to re-read it, edit it, read it aloud to see how the flow sounds. Then it's ready for the studio. I might be unconventional, but I edit along the way, as I'm recording. It works for me!

I fund my podcast by myself. Under $30/per month for Buzzsprout's platform. I have no commercials. I use FaceBook/Instagram to help promote it. You can say it's got a grassroots vibe!
 

I'm not opposed to taking a sponsorship. As I'm growing, learning more, broadening my audience, I realize my podcast has the potential to be "big enough" to do so.

I have an abundance of knowledge since starting my podcast three years ago! The learning curve that evolved was due to my not giving up approach! There is so much free information that is great! You just have to weed through the - not really what I needed info that gets in the way - to the yes! this is the real useful/valuable info I needed!

I have cultivated new friendships along the way. Big bonus! I remember I received an email from a listener, who connected to my three part Discovering Italy episodes. She asked me for some advice about an area my husband and I stayed in. I was so glad she reached out! I absolutely love Buzzsprout! They have been with me since day one! Their customer service support and FaceBook page has been of tremendous help.
 

I use GarageBand on my 2015 ( oldie but goodie ) MacBook Pro. I edit using GarageBand. I take my wav file and drop it on my Buzzsprout website. I pay for Magic Mastering to make sure my recordings are level and CoHost AI for my podcast to be transcribed. After that, I will listen to the episode with my headphones on while looking at the AI generated transcript and correct any misspellings, or omitted verbiage etc. To me, it's worth the time for clarity and to hear how the episode sounds! I always have a title for my episode before I finish the script. That works for me, the title gives me the context of what the episode will be about. I put my show notes together - hoping I've done a good job with using words that a listener can find if searching for a certain topic.

I have done one interview. It was cool, we were able to do the interview in person on location inside an abandoned villa that was constructed in the late 1800's! I used a Sony Digital Voice Recorder with lapel microphones. My next interview, later this month, will be via Zoom. I'm in Puerto Rico for the winter with my husband and the person I'm interviewing lives in Los Angeles! So excited about this next phase for my podcast.
 

Another reason I love Buzzsprout is that they have great stats graphics that I can check out whenever I want. This allows me to see where my listeners are. I'm happy and amazed that at this time, I have 73 countries/territories like the Philippines, Germany, Ukraine, Israel and Japan! Almost 900 different cities/towns! It's exciting to realize how far away my listeners are! Apple Podcasts is the most used platform that my listeners use. My own website - Nearest And Dearest Podcast is the next most used platform. What's interesting is all the platforms that list my podcast have some traffic. Just goes to show that listeners have their favorite ways to listen! It's fun checking out where and how people have found my little podcast.

I feel I have a grassroots approach that is organic. I do use my own personal Facebook page and Instagram. I don't overkill with those, but will let my social media friends know when a new or Best Of episode is available. It is not my intention to use social media to necessarily gain new listeners. I do say things like "if you know a friend who might find some connection to this episode, please share!" I could do better with marketing. It's just not my main priority.
 

In my experience, I would tell an aspiring podcaster to not be fearful. In my own personal journey with past aspirations, fear was always a big factor to why I failed. Nothing is wrong with failure. You have to fail first in order to succeed. It's part of the process. The difference this time for me, was NOT letting fear - of the unknown, of what if I can't figure out how to go about this, of what if I'm not good enough - stop me from taking it one step, one learned chapter, one screw up, prevent me from putting myself out there.

I highly recommend David Hooper's Big Podcast book, this book is the Bible to me! He has a plethora of knowledge out there, even a newsletter for free advice. I even bought his book 101 Podcast Episode Templates. Shout out to David! His wisdom guided me to become a podcaster! Buzzsprout - still using it! Even before my first episode went live, their website, blogs, and weekly emails gave me invaluable information to help me become even better!

One last bit of advice. Ask yourself why you want to be a podcaster. Make sure you understand your reason(s). Remember, everyone has a story. It's by sharing it that keeps all of us connected.
 

www.nearestanddearestpodcast.com
julierogers@nearestanddearestpodcast.com
Thank you for your time and for considering my podcast to be featured! :)