► Tell us about you and your podcast
I began podcasting in 2005 with Vegan Radio, which ran for about 7 years. In 2019 I began interviewing for a new podcast that would be about things I love — yoga, psychedelics, crypto, music, and earth activism. Once lockdown hit in March 2020 I found myself writing songs that blended into the stories and interviews, and came up with a really unique podcast that blends it all together.
The podcast set out to answer the question, "How do we best live this one brief, magical life?" through interviews with folks who are doing what they love, living abundantly, and changing the world. It is quickly evolving with the music and storytelling aspect, and I am finding my groove. I am a funny person, so there is a lot of humor bleeding through.
The listeners so far are friends, and people from the yoga world. The first episodes are about yoga metaphysics and some politics and mythology and random silliness. As we move forward, I will be bringing in other communities.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I listen to a bunch of podcasts. From mainstream stuff like Conan OBrien Needs a Friend and Tim Ferris, to Behind the Bastards, Radiolab, Armchair Expert, Duncan Trussel, Akimbo, etc;
I have missed podcasting since I stopped doing Vegan Radio in 2012, and have been plotting this for a while. The pandemic gave me the extra time to get started. I took an Akimbo Podcasting Fellowship and got the 3 minute trailer done and all the hosting and artwork lined up in a couple months, and then the first episode took another month.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
I have been on a hiatus plotting the second season, and plan to release 1-2 episodes per month. I find time because I love doing it, and there is time for what I love. Also, I am single with no kids. Since there is songwriting and a lot of production, it takes a while. I am streamlining by making shorter episodes. Everything is funded by me so far, and I spend $20/mo on hosting, and have sunk a couple thousand into graphic design and equipment. I am considering doing advertising for the 2nd season.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Honestly, it makes me feel so fucking happy every time I write a song or publish an episode or even create 5 minutes of content. It is what I look forward to the most, and fills my creative heart up.
That said, I am doing some research on NFTs and trying to get ahead of the curve on some ideas for making money that are outside of the normal sponsorship routes. My podcast is so unique, and I want to keep innovating rather than doing what everyone else does.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
I have lots of connections in the yoga world, so my first guests came from there. I am starting to network in other communities, and find people who are a at a popularity level a bit above my own, so I can tap into their audiences.
I'm almost embarrassed to admit, but I use Garage Band for editing. I have a focusrite USB interface on a Macbook Pro.I have lots of stringed instruments and mics but nothing super expensive. I have a Zoom H6 for in-person interviews, which I prefer. I have done interviews on the Zoom app as well (just realized there are two Zooms haha!)
Because my show is highly produced, I have the audio from the interviews transcribed on Auphonic. I then write the song lyrics and narration out in a journal, and finally type it into Evernote. There is some variation on all of this, and it is tedious. But it brings me joy to do it this way.
► How do you market your show?
I have just started the marketing process. I have an Instagram that is graphically curated, and Twitter and Facebook and Linkedin a little less so.
As a blockchain/crypto enthusiast, I have just started posting some of the songs from the episodes on a platform called Audius. It is similar to Spotify, but its on the blockchain and artists can ear AUDIO tokens. People can become owners of the platform by buying AUDIO tokens, and listeners can earn tokens from having popular playlists. The idea is that artists make better percentages than the privately owned apps. I'm planning to advertise Audius on my podcast, and get some of my listeners over there to become followers and join the ecosystem. And hoping that I'll find some fans of the songs who will become podcast subscribers. Its free to listen, no ads, and some cool music you won't find anywhere else. So, we shall see how that goes.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
It's a lot of fun, and a great way to meet people that you admire. Interviewing is a skill that takes time to master. Editing is a skill that takes time to master. Marketing in a skill that takes time to master. So, make sure you have some time and a real desire to do it!
The Akimbo workshops are awesome. https://akimbo.com/