► Tell us about you and your podcast
This podcast is simply about listening and telling life stories to know that real people also struggle and can find their positivity, while finding some things to get a good laugh (and possibly) while losing brain cells. The general audience is mainly anyone who is wanting to try new things and/or any person(s), despite the separated categories of different interests.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
At first, I listened to some people I knew OF like, Matthew West, or Duck Dynasty for example for at least almost a year (still listen to them when I have time lol). And I was struck by how outspoken they all were about what they showed both in faith and life itself. Eventually, I started my podcast in mid-October technically, but I never knew what to do with the recordings to upload for people to hear. So, I found a place to upload and about 4 to 5 episodes were uploaded in early-December. So, my podcast was released in December; BUT it was made in October (somewhat confusing I know). At first, the very first was about an hour and a half and took about somewhat almost a few more to cut out the errors and mistakes in the first episode (plus hearing my voice in a recording that anyone could hear made me cringe at first) and winded it down to about an hour and 14 minutes (I think, I don't have the precise full time). And, I've known a lot of shy people who've been afraid to speak (even though they may be popular in social media) that they don't know what to say-even if they did they would most likely be afraid of public judgement-and I was that kind of person for a long time. So, I needed to step out of my comfort zone and be a voice for the people who couldn't speak and for those who were afraid and be a representative.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
Usually, when I had about 4 or 5 episodes with uploaded, I felt pressured to upload all of them at once to smother almost the week. But now I usually do it weekly (occasionally biweekly if there's an announcement or special), regardless of the time delay of the recordings to the date the episode was released. Usually, I want to make each episode about 30min minimum, sometimes between 40 to a little over an hr. At the moment currently, I usually do it with people (voluntarily) when I can, and the day after I take my time on filtering out the episodes on where I made mistakes and the guest(s) make theirs. Right now, its self-funded until otherwise.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Usually, I don't have any sponsors at the moment (but I'm always happy to do that if I'm given the opportunity), and if you hear some of the episodes that say any sponsors, THEY'RE NOT REAL. Currently, I get about 20ish downloads per week, and I hope to get more per week as I want to keep podcasting. It just all started one day when I became bored and barely had any hobbies, and I was hearing about podcasts and people doing them. And since I had nobody to share anything or to make basic conversations, I thought keeping them on record would make them more lasting, so I would remember. And, in both benefits for me, my guests, and hopefully the audience too, it would boost some positivity that this society sorely lacks and also to know from others on how they've traversed life and are still going. So, in hearing each and every one of these people, it has also boosted confidence to suppress any depression or anxiety or any of the sorts.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
For my podcast, it was built on Buzzsprout; currently how I find guests is I'm currently at a private bible school college that I just find people to ask them if they want to be a participant as an option. And eventually it became a local talk (but not too big that it pops up so much on social media), and some people even feel ecstatic and wanted that they want to be on it just simply not only to have a talk about spontaneous things, but also to reach out to people that need to hear something in their lives. Most of them were in person just because it was much easier, a couple of them at first were over the phone cause COVID got in the way. Nevertheless, it still has people not only interested in becoming a part of an episode, but also to spark up some inspiration for them as well.
► How do you market your show?
Mostly through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, Google Podcasts, iTunes, Buzzsprout, just basically anywhere that has a streaming platform (except YouTube). Usually, email was helpful to receive feedback and comments from other apps, and a new podcast app called Wisdom as well.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
There's so much to say and not enough to write down, so I would say to choose what is right not what is easy. Because, if you always choose an easy route, you will always stay in your comfort zone and expand on your introversive lifestyle. Whereas, choosing what is right, you would be choosing a moral life decision that will not only spread on your extroversive personality but also in growing more mentally healthy to be more outgoing and recollective in subconscious motivation for positivity instead of being alone and dwelling on self-pity and depression. In other words, there are only two ways to go: the wide road that will lead to worldly pleasures or the righteous, narrow road. Where are you at and where do you wanna go?
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
email: westover101.5@comcast.net
Podcast website: https://kindasortamaybe.buzzsprout.com
(Popular places to look for) Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Buzzsprout (KindaSortaMaybe - search as one word, not three)