► Tell us about you and your podcast
After years of working in hospitality, non profit and retail, I realized that my true passion was helping people move their lives forward. I'm an empathic person - It's hard sometimes - I had to give it purpose, so I started coaching people to improve their work lives. It's very rewarding work. I also have an interest in history and politics, so these things tend to play a big role in what I'm doing. I'm born in Canada, and based in Vancouver.
My podcast is about work - what makes it good and bad, the role we play in a team, and how the way we feel affects our success. It's also about trying new things. I want to encourage my listeners to break out of their comfort zones, while I break out of mine. At its core, it's a show about my journey of becoming a career coach. I'm not doing a step by step narration, it's an exploration of my ideas.
My listeners are overwhelmingly women between 28- 49. Maybe they like my voice?
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
Why Podcast? I started the show originally as a means of publicizing my career coaching business, though it rapidly took on a mind of its own. I had a number of goals when I set up my business, I wanted something that would stimulate me artistically and intellectually. The podcast helps me to organize my thoughts and develop my systems as a coach.
I released my first episode back in March - I actually wrote it and recorded it in about a day. The motto was (and continues to be), don't worry about being terrible at it. Just get it done.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
I release an episode every 2 to 3 weeks. I have to want to do it, and I have to want to keep up a standard. It's only after I convince myself to just do it, that it gets done. In all it takes about 20 hours of research, scripting and recording to put together a 25 minute episode. I do much of the work in between calls, and I rehearse the script at night. I reserve an entire day for recording.
How much do I spend? Not much - yet, My equipment needs to be replaced / upgraded, so I can see this getting expensive in the future
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Sponsorship? Nope - not yet anyway. My podcast was started to help me grow backlinks for my website, but then I started noticing that having my own voice in my ear, telling stories and giving new perspectives to be incredibly motivating. It has helped me to organize my thoughts and make decisions on how to move forward.
What I found really interesting was when I started to tell my clients stories (with permission, and without names or specifics). That became a whole new way to get through to people. I could speak to them in a way I couldn't over the phone. I write each episode now with one or two people in mind. If you think I am talking to you directly, I probably am.
I hope that it will become the centre point of my career coaching business. Allowing me to branch out beyond the client calls into public speaking etc.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
I use pretty basic stuff. I record via a Razor usb mic on my laptop. I use audacity to edit the audio.
The central premise of my show is that it's ok to suck, and you are learning as you go. Well, I'm doing that too. At first I was heavily reliant on Chatgpt to write scripts, but I'm finding myself trusting my own words more and more. The music I play is all non-copyrighted stuff, but I like talking about the artist; I want to celebrate people who are doing things for the sake of doing them.
For now it's an audio only show - I've used Podbean to record the call - It's not the best audio quality, but the files are manageable and easy on my computer.
I have found guests on Linkedin and Reddit - Guests have found me via this site, linkedin and reddit.
As for my setup, I built a studio out of a closet in my apartment. I live on a busy street, so it's the only space I can soundproof. Keep it simple, that's my motto.
► How do you market your show?
The show is about 60% spotify, and 30% youtube, and the rest on itunes etc. The youtube audience is growing because I've been focusing a lot of effort there making shorts, which is fun.
I don't like social networks very much - It's also hard to break it out of my immediate friend group - I'm not all that interested in forcing my content down their throats any more than I already do.
Having said that, it's a Career podcast, so I use Linkedin to find guests and advertise my show. Word of mouth has so far been my best friend
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
Don't expect to be good at first - I think it's important to push ahead regardless. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good - people will see things differently than you will.
My second episode is all about how my process and just how cheaply it's done, and how amateurish the whole thing is. And many people have told me it's their favourite, because it sounds authentic. Now as my production value is improving, my confidence with script writing, and using my voice effectively, I'm shocked by how much better my production has become.
I think it's also important to set your goals after a few episodes. What are you trying to achieve with this show? It's a lot of work, and if you don't really know why you are doing it, you won't continue.