Get Flushed

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Claimed

► Tell us about you and your podcast

Hi, I'm Pete, the host and creator of Get Flushed.

I worked as a manager for several organisations before moving into the tertiary sector as a lecturer in leadership and management. In a completely random decision in 2016, I joined a national restroom provider with responsibility for regional operations and large scale events. You can imagine the horrors that I've seen.

I started Get Flushed in April 2020 because I wanted to improve the restroom experience for users around the world. The show covers best practice, operational procedures and all things that go into providing and maintaining clean restrooms. Some episodes are scripted monologues, where I delve deep into a particular issue or theme. Others include guests, typically with a role or association with the sanitation industry.

The show was originally aimed at portable restroom operators (PROs), but has established a broader appeal among general podcast listeners. The bulk of listeners are based in the US, although at the last count, the show had listeners in 67 different countries across every continent.
 

► Why & how did you start this podcast? 

I've been an avid podcast listener since the early 2010s and listen to lots of different genres and shows. I started Get Flushed after seeing an advert for the 2020 MyRodecast competition held by Rode Microphones. I recorded the first two minutes on my phone, arranged it using GarageBand and uploaded it through Anchor. The whole thing happened over the course of a Lockdown weekend, with a few beers along the way. Although I didn't win the competition, Rode did send me a baseball cap. And the whole thing gave me the impetus to start and continue the show.
 

► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?

I'm still quite surprised at how quickly my original two-minute idea turned into a weekly podcast. I was fortunate to find a corporate sponsor at an early stage and their investment allowed me to buy some proper equipment, upgrade my software, commission the Get Flushed artwork and cover the hosting fees.

I've been lucky enough to spend the last year travelling around New Zealand with my family in a caravan. The podcast has really been my main creative focus during that time.

I map out the episodes for each season at the start of the year and record as I go along. Eat episode takes about a week to put together. I usually spend a couple of days researching and writing, a couple of hours recording and a lot longer editing. I like to remove the incidentals and accidentals to give my listeners the best possible podcast experience.

The rest of the week is taken up with promoting and sharing the show, connecting with potential guests or monitoring industry news and events. It all sounds like a full-time job, but I'm able to do lots of little bits on a regular basis.
 

► What do you gain from podcasting?        

Financially, the show has been fairly successful in a way that probably isn't expected from an independent, niche podcast. As well as significant financial support from the title sponsor, I've been commissioned to produce feature episodes and to run paid adverts. I don't accept dynamic inserts because, to be honest, my numbers don't work for the usual formula.

With over 60 episodes published so far, the show has become recognised as an established voice for the restroom industry. I have been able to use that to offer my services as a consultant advisor.
 

► How does your podcasting process look like? 

I record using a Rodecaster Pro deck, Rode Podmics with Klark Tekniks CL1 boosters to give them a boost without having to use high gain. I've tried pretty much every platform or app for remote interviews and don't especially have a favourite. I edit in Logic Pro X and use Isotope Essentials if I need to de-noise or de-click. I write a script for my solo episodes, but recently started using Descript to produce interview transcripts.

Of the whole process, editing is definitely the part I enjoy most and I've done some editing work for a couple of other shows.
 

► How do you market your show?

Although my name is Pete, I decided to use the name 'Pete from Get Flushed' before I recorded the first episode and have built my online presence around that. I promote the show on all social media platforms, but especially try to target my posts at potential listeners. For me, that means taking part in lots of industry forums and groups.

My hard work has paid off because Get Flushed has been reviewed on BBC Radio 4's Podcast Hour and in The Guardian newspaper's weekly podcast column.
 

► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?

As a niche podcaster, go an inch wide and a mile deep.

Start simple and build from there.

Go at your own pace.

Don't be afraid to give yourself and your listeners a regular break between seasons.

Pretty much everything I've done has been self-taught. I'm sure there are easier ways, but it has been an organic process.
 

► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?

Get Flushed is available at https://www.getflushed.online and on all other podcast platforms.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getflushedpodcast/
Instagram: @getflushedpodcast
Twitter: @getflushedpod
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/getflushed
Email: podcast@getflushed.online