► Tell us about you and your podcast
I'm the owner of a technology consulting business, the author of nine books, a pilot and creator of a coaching system I created both conceptually and programmatically (as a full stack web developer). I write, speak and coach and love talking to other humans about their time, energy and resources while coming up with amazingly easy but impactful things people can do.
Alchemy for life is all about Time, Energy, and Resources and what we can do to get more of each one in ways that seem like cheating.
My listeners tend to be those who are open-minded, wanting to have less stress, more control of their schedules and lives, and are also fascinated by the human condition (as well as those I interview).
Alchemy for life is all about Time, Energy, and Resources and what we can do to get more of each one in ways that seem like cheating.
My listeners tend to be those who are open-minded, wanting to have less stress, more control of their schedules and lives, and are also fascinated by the human condition (as well as those I interview).
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
A podcast seemed like a logical step to disseminate all of the fascinating information and structures I was discovering.
My goal was simply to provide a short, concise digestible bite of information that people could use in their lives, balanced by the one-hour interviews I did with relatively well-known individuals.
It was started in 2016 and I remember that very moment. I got divorced and raised my kids full-time while juggling my business. I took them to a psychologist to make sure I wasn't going to be Ben Kenobi creating Darth Vader accidentally. She said my kids were suprisingly well-adjusted considering the circumstances and that I was doing everything I could for them. But then asked, "But Mark, what are you doing for YOU."
I wasn't.
So then I had to figure out what life was made of, the facets we spend our energies on, and what 'balance' actually is.
And that's when I started the podcast.... and writing... and developed a coaching system... and...
I hit the ground running and released it only after a day or so. I tend to immerse myself in a task and try to get it right on the first try (there's actually a podcast episode on this phenomenon).
My goal was simply to provide a short, concise digestible bite of information that people could use in their lives, balanced by the one-hour interviews I did with relatively well-known individuals.
It was started in 2016 and I remember that very moment. I got divorced and raised my kids full-time while juggling my business. I took them to a psychologist to make sure I wasn't going to be Ben Kenobi creating Darth Vader accidentally. She said my kids were suprisingly well-adjusted considering the circumstances and that I was doing everything I could for them. But then asked, "But Mark, what are you doing for YOU."
I wasn't.
So then I had to figure out what life was made of, the facets we spend our energies on, and what 'balance' actually is.
And that's when I started the podcast.... and writing... and developed a coaching system... and...
I hit the ground running and released it only after a day or so. I tend to immerse myself in a task and try to get it right on the first try (there's actually a podcast episode on this phenomenon).
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► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
Because of all the stuff I am involved in—weekly podcast, writing articles, coaching, speaking, publishing books, teaching classes, aerial photography, building a dating site, technology consulting, people often chide me and ask "How do you have time for all that" and my response is always, The question should be "How do you have the energy." There's an episode about this concept (of course!). :)
I release an episode about once a week, and have been consistent for more than 250 episodes.
Everyone finds the time to do the things they want most, is something I have said in the past (and it has been quoted back to me). So, i find the time because I want it to happen.
The podcast is a labor of love to distill and disseminate information people otherwise would not receive. It is self-funded (software, hardware, research, etc).
I release an episode about once a week, and have been consistent for more than 250 episodes.
Everyone finds the time to do the things they want most, is something I have said in the past (and it has been quoted back to me). So, i find the time because I want it to happen.
The podcast is a labor of love to distill and disseminate information people otherwise would not receive. It is self-funded (software, hardware, research, etc).
► What do you gain from podcasting?
I am not sponsored, in spite of the large audience and popularity. I've been approached for in-episode sponsorships but they are never for things congruent with me (toddler clothing, women's jewelry, pet stuff. etc. lol).
I am exploring new creative avenues for sponsors, and am very open to almost anything as long as I can maintain the integrity of the show.
The podcast is a corner in my quadfecta of Speaking, Books, Coaching and Podcast. Each benefits and enriches the others. People I coach can listen to the podcast for more tips, people who listen can pursue a more interactive experience by hiring me to coach, those who listen can get my books for a much deeper dive, etc.
I've met some good people through interviewing as well as listeners who have reached out. I am constantly learning a researching and the podcast allows me to teach and in turn embed the information deeper.
I am exploring new creative avenues for sponsors, and am very open to almost anything as long as I can maintain the integrity of the show.
The podcast is a corner in my quadfecta of Speaking, Books, Coaching and Podcast. Each benefits and enriches the others. People I coach can listen to the podcast for more tips, people who listen can pursue a more interactive experience by hiring me to coach, those who listen can get my books for a much deeper dive, etc.
I've met some good people through interviewing as well as listeners who have reached out. I am constantly learning a researching and the podcast allows me to teach and in turn embed the information deeper.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
Adobe Audition, Mac Mini, Wordpress & Powerpress. As a web dev I have ample knowledge and facilities for storage and hosting.
For the 10 min segments: Concept ---> research if necessary --> formulate internally --> record --> listen --> write article in a different voice (athorative vs. conversational) --> publish --> create artwork --> post on social.
I'm odd in that I go the extra step of writing a separate article that isn't just a transcript.
Sometimes a single idea turns into a book. Often it becomes an episode.
For interviews: Similar but research always --> interview with concepts in mind (I hate bullet questions as they ruin the flow of a proper discussion. It's a distinct skill to mine properly and respect the individual while asking questions that the AUDIENCE would ask.
Interviews are don't vide Zencastr, Google Meet or Zoom.
For the 10 min segments: Concept ---> research if necessary --> formulate internally --> record --> listen --> write article in a different voice (athorative vs. conversational) --> publish --> create artwork --> post on social.
I'm odd in that I go the extra step of writing a separate article that isn't just a transcript.
Sometimes a single idea turns into a book. Often it becomes an episode.
For interviews: Similar but research always --> interview with concepts in mind (I hate bullet questions as they ruin the flow of a proper discussion. It's a distinct skill to mine properly and respect the individual while asking questions that the AUDIENCE would ask.
Interviews are don't vide Zencastr, Google Meet or Zoom.
► How do you market your show?
iTunes, https://Alchemyfor.life, YouTube, Instagram, etc. (see below).
I do not have a breakdown but suspect iTunes & Spotify are largest sources.
My Alchemy for Life as well as MarkBradford.org sites seem to get a good deal of traffic.
I don't find socials to be particularly effective but am trying to change that.
I do not have a breakdown but suspect iTunes & Spotify are largest sources.
My Alchemy for Life as well as MarkBradford.org sites seem to get a good deal of traffic.
I don't find socials to be particularly effective but am trying to change that.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
Perception really is everything.
A strength stretched too far becomes a weakness.
Don't ascribe to malice what can be explained by ineptitude & laziness.
There are some really good people out there—finding them is sometimes a challenge.
People will tend to undervalue things that are inexpensive or even free (like a podcast).
Most podcasters quit after only a few episodes!
Resources:
If you have an idea, text it to yourself. That one tip can save you from losing a great episode!
Recording audiobooks is a serious amount of tedious work—far more than any podcast episode or episodes.
I have amassed a huge amount of helpful tips and methods for time and energy management, so I daresay that my podcast & books are a really good resource—as much as that sounds self-serving. But it's true!
Also, watch short documentary youtube videos, get a feel for how they present information. Listen to your own voice, LIKE your own voice. Explore textures and sounds.
A strength stretched too far becomes a weakness.
Don't ascribe to malice what can be explained by ineptitude & laziness.
There are some really good people out there—finding them is sometimes a challenge.
People will tend to undervalue things that are inexpensive or even free (like a podcast).
Most podcasters quit after only a few episodes!
Resources:
If you have an idea, text it to yourself. That one tip can save you from losing a great episode!
Recording audiobooks is a serious amount of tedious work—far more than any podcast episode or episodes.
I have amassed a huge amount of helpful tips and methods for time and energy management, so I daresay that my podcast & books are a really good resource—as much as that sounds self-serving. But it's true!
Also, watch short documentary youtube videos, get a feel for how they present information. Listen to your own voice, LIKE your own voice. Explore textures and sounds.
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
My hub for my books and writing is at https://markbradford.org. This includes book club questions, extra supplements and worksheets for my nonfiction.
My coaching and podcast can be found at https://alchemyfor.life. This includes a special page that lists ALL episodes and is searchable.
I have 3 million views on Quora.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/1mark.bradford/
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfordweb/
email: media@alchemyfor.life
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/41ScE09jdXplWvf7JLJ2kg?si=d413e2ecc0194f80
My books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mark-Bradford/author/B004TGQ7WQ
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/markbradford
Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Mark-Bradford-25
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alchemy-for-life/id1281710932
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MarkBradfordbiz
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/authormarkbradford/
My coaching and podcast can be found at https://alchemyfor.life. This includes a special page that lists ALL episodes and is searchable.
I have 3 million views on Quora.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/1mark.bradford/
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfordweb/
email: media@alchemyfor.life
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/41ScE09jdXplWvf7JLJ2kg?si=d413e2ecc0194f80
My books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mark-Bradford/author/B004TGQ7WQ
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/markbradford
Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Mark-Bradford-25
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alchemy-for-life/id1281710932
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MarkBradfordbiz
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/authormarkbradford/