► Tell us about you and your podcast
Podcast guests can expect a conversational style with empathy and honesty versus a journalistic interview. As the host, I offer my opinions on the topics which are being discussed and I talk about my own life experiences that are connected to that topic. Guests are encouraged to speak freely and casually without self-censoring their language. Follow-up questions are often asked by me to elicit more elaborated guest answers or insights. I worked in Hollywood in the radio broadcasting industry where I was on the air playing music, but for the station I also wrote and produced short (under 4 minutes running time) nonfiction segments about topics of interest in Southern California at the time. I wrote and produced a multiple segment series about the original Star Trek television series and presented comments I got from the show's creator, Gene Roddenberry. I decided to launch this podcast because I want to share taboo topics with listeners who are interested in first-person anecdotes from real people talking in their own words.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I started this podcast series about taboo truths in late 2021. My motivations were to share interesting people and their first-person stories with listeners. In addition to being a podcast host, I also create original 3D digital art and provide coaching/mentoring to adults who want to improve their lives. This series is now in its second season and there are eight episodes per season. I had previous audio production and broadcast journalism experience so producing and hosting a podcast series was well within the sets of skills and talents I have. I also previously produced and hosted another podcast series that started in 2019 and had twelve episodes which concluded in 2021. That podcast series covers topics about cannabis usage for medicinal outcomes. Typically, I am able to move from writing to interviews to recording to post-production within a right 48-hour time frame.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
I release a new episode every few days or weeks. I takes 48 hours to produce each episode. The funding for this podcast series is provided solely by me. I have no advertisers or patrons who contribute any money. I choose to make the time (48 hours) to produce each new episode within a busy work schedule doing other tasks.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
I have no advertisers or patrons who contribute any money. This is a new podcast series that is growing slowly, so there may be future advertisers or patrons. Podcasting is engaging for me and I find talking to guests very stimulating especially because what they have to say is taboo in polite society.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
For audio recording and editing I use Audacity (a free app); for post-producing I use Camtasia 2021 (which is over $200.) I call my guests on a cell phone or using Google Voice. I acquire guests directly by contacting them. I also use podmatch.com for finding guests. I personally research and write the outline for each episodes. Sometimes I write starter questions in advance, but I like to ask follow-up questions which typically cannot be scripted in advance.
► How do you market your show?
I use a variety of social media channels (but especially the most useful ones--Facebook and Twitter.) This is a start-up of a new podcast series so the listener stats are no yet available for publication.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
Each new guest teaches me new things about taboo topics. As such, this is a totally fun journey. I listen to or view many other podcast episodes to learn new approaches and to feel inspired. My advice to aspiring (new) podcasts is to feed your curiosity constantly and without hesitation.
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
The best single resource for learning more about me and all my creative works is:
https://allmylinks.com/madeiradesouza