Explore how women create meaningful fulfilling lives & careers as moms

Hi, I spent nearly a decade as a TV News Reporter & Anchor. My show features stories and interviews with experts and moms who have paved interesting career paths. My goal is for my audience of new, expecting and first-time moms to learn that it's possible to have a fulfilling career while putting family first. While exploring the challenges, sacrifices and accomplishments of my guests, I hope my audience feels courage to pursue their dreams and live the life they imagine!
 

I fell in love with podcasts while falling in love with my husband. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true! While we were dating, we lived 2 hours apart. During the time spent driving back and forth, I listened to podcasts. I love the storytelling, connection and knowledge a podcast can provide. I first began podcasting while working as a reporter in Sacramento. The narrative series, Exposed focused on the Golden State Killer. Now, I channel my love for storytelling techniques and my curiosity to creating a show for ambitious women striving to build fabulous lives as mothers! After ruminating on the idea for months, it took about 3 months to launch my show!
 

I release episodes weekly and I keep the cost as low as possible! I record from home and use equipment inherited from a family member. Finding time is the tricky part. I launched the show in the midst of moving to a new city and into a new house with a baby! I often woke up at 5am to get solid alone time to podcast before starting the day as full-time childcare for my daughter. It's a grind but my love for the craft fueled me... and lots of coffee!
 

Podcasting is my creative outlet. If I don't create, I feel frustrated!! I signed with the Bleav network and they sell ads for my show. This isn't for everyone, but as a busy mom I know I didn't have the time to sell ads for my show. Podcasting has opened me up to a new community of creators and I absolutely love how collaborative and supportive other podcasters are! I also connect deeply with my guests - they often become dear friends, collaborators and supporters of the show too! They are a huge part of my growth because if they love the episode enough to share, it opens me up to a whole new audience.
 

I keep it fairly simple (I think). I was lucky to get a shure mic and stand second hand, I also use a podtrack interface plugged into my macbook. I record my interviews on zoom and for editing I use imovie! I know there are better recording and editing programs but this is what works for me, so I stick with it - for now! I would like to interview my guests in person but virtual interviews open you up to people around the world, which I find pretty spectacular.
 

Marketing has been an experiment for me. I never had to market my work as a journalist because I got wide distribution naturally from TV broadcasts. I post video snippets of all my episodes on instagram and facebook along with quotes on the grid, stories and other teasers. I also tweet images and quotes weekly. Additionally, I post at least once a week on linkedin and pinterest - these two are underrated but work great for my target audience. I already have a decent following on all of those platforms. I also post to itunes, google, spotify and all the main podcast channels. I don't do email marketing but it's on my list to start doing! I think all the social media promotion works well because I am consistent with it. It seems like a lot but it's basically all the same content repurposed.
 

My biggest advice is to go in with a plan and plenty of passion. Create a mission statement for your podcast and outline the biggest topics you'll cover. Create a list of possible guests and episodes. Treat it like a business from the start! With that, be open to pivots and changes. If your original idea isn't working, be flexible and open to pivoting or switching your format or focus. Finally, remember that podcasting is a long game. Unless you already have a huge platform and audience, it takes time to grow. If you love the craft it's worth it!
 

My website https://awolftv.com/ has all my podcast episodes along with more info about me!
I am very active on Social Media:
https://twitter.com/awolfTV (tip jar)
https://www.facebook.com/awolftv
https://www.instagram.com/momscallingpodcast/
https://www.pinterest.com/babystepsxyz20/_created/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliwolf/