► Tell us about you and your podcast
My name is Lance John, Executive Producer, Gifted Sounds Network. The Defended is a Marvel Universe-focused entertainment podcast. Pretty much just a few Black enthusiasts talking about the #MCU and its TV tangents and compliments. Oh, and they like math too. Because somebody’s gotta explain why Danny Rand is here!
The podcast is for all Marvel universe followers, comic books/superhero stories consumers, and general fandom fans.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I was a listener way before the current hotness of podcasts, since I had my iPod over a decade ago. Creating a podcast made sense to me because of its accessibility.
Being able to edit lots of new media, sharing common niche interests alongside other hosts and with a wider public, and explore/learn about/share information on general Marvel entertainment.
Our podcast was first published on September 23rd, 2017. Our first episode didn’t take too long; Not even a week.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
Our podcast is released weekly and it takes up to two days for final planning and recording, and less than a week for editing. I don’t find time to podcast, it’s my second full time job!
I spent and continue to spend my own money to finance all of the expenses, and am currently seeking sponsorship.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
I’m currently looking for sponsorship. If any money comes in it goes right back into the costs of running the network (hosting, equipment, marketing, etc).
The first sponsor we had was not financial, it was in-kind. It was through a connection I already had with another media entity. We have over 14,000 new subscribers per month internationally across the network, and growing consistently.
Podcasting, and eventually building a strong podcasting network, benefitted me in too many ways to list here, not to mention my other GSN team members.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
Too many details to list but I make sure that my recording equipment is top notch for what I can afford at the moment. The Defended has covered one live event so far: A Black Panther screening. There we interviewed fans of the comic book character. We plan on interviewing more in the future.
The hosts communicate daily about personal ideas, entertainment news, Netflix shows to bingewatch, etc. for possible topics to cover for the show. We are capable of doing both and more.
► How do you market your show?
Listeners can search for “The Defended Podcast” on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, as well as listen from our website at giftedsounds.com/the-defended. Listeners can also keep an eye out for the following tags: #Marvelchat #comics #television #Netflix #ByeDanny .
I would say social media platforms, especially ones you’re always on yourself, like Facebook for example.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
Do not quit right away when it gets hard, don’t get too serious about it all, and have fun with it!
Search for the answers to any questions you have on Youtube, Reddit, and Stack Exchange; and having a tech-savvy network around you can’t hurt