Behind the scenes of podcasting
I really value being transparent. So, I’m not going to start this post with “a lot of people have been asking” because while that sounds way cooler and more important, it’s not true.
Definitely 2, maybe 3 people (it’s been a long month!) have asked me about how I got started with a podcast - what tools I needed, how I plan, etc. My approach to podcasting is very low-maintenance - I only have two rules: 1) it has to be fun, and 2) it has to feel authentic. I thought I’d pull back the curtain and share a bit about my podcasting process for anyone else who is interested in starting a podcast or feeling intimidated over overwhelmed by it all. I wanted to share what I do - because it is b.a.s.i.c.
For starters, I’ve wanted to start a podcast for many, many months. I have had it on my vision board since January when I cut out a little scrap of paper that read: “Be the start of your own show when you share stories" from a magazine. I put it on all my manifesting lists, and finally, after months of focusing on creating clarity, this summer the idea for “Graceful Rulebreakers’ came to me. I sketched my podcast art on my iPad, registered a domain, and I wondered whether or not I deserved to have a podcast.
WAS I EXPERT ENOUGH? INTERESTING ENOUGH? TECH-SAVVY ENOUGH?
I was nervous and I had doubts but I also felt inspired. As someone who appreciation inspiration when it comes, I didn’t want to lose it or kill my creativity with doubt or limiting beliefs about what I could or couldn’t or should or shouldn’t do. So, I got started the simplest way I could think of - I started my podcast by recording voice memos on my iPhone. It was a podcast for an audience of one. I didn’t share it, I just kept recording little tidbits for fun.
After a few weeks of that, when I felt like it was something I was going to stick with and got over my fear of running out of ideas - I bought a nicer microphone (Shure MOTIV MV51 because it wasn’t too expensive and Apple recommended it) to plug into my phone when recording.
As I go about my week, I transcribe "notes to self" on my phone, watch, iPad - whatever Apple device is nearest and then I get them transcribed using Temi. That's my "script."
Then, one night - usually Mondays (because my podcast releases on Tuesdays and I thrive on a deadline), around 9:30pm because that is when the construction outside my window has stopped and Calix is chill…
I hop into bed.
I tuck Calix in under the covers next to me (lol).
In total darkness minus my iPad, I carefully (so as not to disturb Calix) put my phone and microphone on a big stack of books, slip on my Beats by Dre, hit record, and allow words to flow.
Super glamorous, huh?
When I finish, I Airdrop the file into Garageband - sometimes I have to edit out (aka literally like highlight and click delete) a few hiccups. I drop in my intro and outro files at the beginning and end of the track. Then, it's off to Podcast.co where I upload the episode and add in a few details.
The whole experience takes an hour, maybe 90 minutes if I feel like I can hear my tongue clicking while I’m talking and I pause to obsess over my hydration levels.
The whole experiences makes me feel creative. It energizes me. Because it’s simple.
The simplicity of my approach is by design. It aligns with my two rules of podcasting, and really any creative undertaking of mine:
It has to be fun, and
It has to feel authentic.
I don't have a secret or strategic agenda with my podcast, and I don't obsess over the production (or the analytics). I felt called to share my story and experience as a #gracefulrulebreaker and lift up the experiences and stories of others in hopes of touching even just 1 person. So I went all in.
I think intention matters, and I believe that sharing our stories matters. We can wait until we are “ready “ to do things, make things a big production, and stress out over being perfect, or, we can tap into our hearts and shine our light. It isn’t that doing your best or nice production are bad, I personally don’t think you should hold yourself back because you don’t feel “professional enough” or “ready” - you are READY and the world needs your story.
You can check out my story below:
