Coming of age diary in real time that opens up conversation for subjects not so openly talked about.

Summer of 2021 I was working a job that I really didn’t enjoy. I was essentially alone for most of the day doing mindless tasks. Luckily, I was allowed to listen to podcasts to help pass the time. I was never originally a big podcast consumer but the hosts began to feel like friends. One day I was listening to an episode of my favourite podcast when the host was reacting to hate comments and said that "If you think podcasting is so easy go start one". Even though that comment wasn't directed toward me I decided to start one in hopes of being able to connect to people the way I did to other podcasts. That's how diaries of a homosexual was born. Each week I talk about a variety of topics ranging from personal stories, issues I have dealt with and what. I have learned, to answering questions that listeners send in. My "homos" are truly an extension of my friends and are often, like me, a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
 

After having the idea to start a podcast I used my paycheck to pay for all of my equipment and learned how the whole process worked. Initially, I had no expectations and thought it would mostly just be my friends listening and we could all talk about it after. The amount of people that have listened, reached out, and related to what I talk about has astonished me. It's so heartwarming to feel like There are tens of thousands of people who have gone through everything I have and have the podcast be a place to open up discussion and maybe help a few people along the way.
 

I release an episode each week and it takes about one hour to record, two to edit, and then three of four for the full video and TikTok clips. I also probably spend at least an hour a day trying to market and grow the podcast so in a week I'd say I spend about 6-8 hours a week on it. Although it can feel hard at times to balance school, my job, my sports, the podcast, and other projects I would never complain about it because it's something I am so passionate about so I will always make time for it. When I first started it was definitely an expensive hobby and I spent most of my savings and my paychecks to get started. I didn't even know if it was a hobby I would continue so I was definitely risking a lot especially since I didn't have any expectations of it going anywhere.
 

The biggest thing I gain from podcasting is the amazing community. Through my podcast, I have been able to meet so many amazing people, some of which I have looked up to for a long time. I hope that it continues to grow and evolve but all I care about is that it helps someone.
 

Throughout the week I write down things in my notes that I want to talk about that week and also gather some questions and stories that listeners send in. The day before I record I organize it into an outline and use that while I record. I am very interested in continuing to have influential members of the LGBTQIA+ community on the podcast but booking people is quite the process. You get a lot of no's but eventually someone says yes and I truly believe it's meant to be. If my guests are not in my city I record over zoom but otherwise it's in person.
 

I have found TikTok to be the best marketing strategy as well as Instagram reels. When I first started out I made posters and called every gay bar in my city and begged them to let me hang a poster in their club. Some said yes so I brought my posters and they put them up for me because I was still only 17 so I wasn't allowed in. It was a really cool experience and I met some really cool people through that as well
 

If you want to start a podcast GO DO IT!!! it definitely was a little hard to start one with no prior knowledge but I found a few really good youtube videos on it that were super helpful. The hardest thing about podcasting is getting people in front of it. you can have the best podcast in the world but nobody knows about it. Be creative with how you market and be consistent. I uploaded almost every week for nine months before I started seeing real results. Post every day on TikTok and Instagram because it only takes one post to change your life.
 

you can find diaries of a homosexual on all streaming platforms. I also have a TikTok and Instagram page @diariesofahomosexual
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Mcq6vPKg97o8W1kQpgxaI
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/diaries-of-a-homosexual/id1597177807