Why podcasting is creative
Did you realise that podcasting is a creative endeavour? All you need to become a podcaster is a microphone in a wardrobe. Oh, and a computer and a mission. (A doll is optional: she is my audience when I’m recording solo.)
Every now and then I’ll politely ask you to check a new episode in my podcast, Learning How To Be Old. (Of course if you follow my podcast or subscribe to it — same thing — you won’t need telling.) Today is one of those days: listen to A Good Conversation.
Podcasters have an annoying habit of saying they are “so excited!” about their every guest and every episode. I used to roll my eyes. And you know what? Turns out this is true! The entire experience of podcasting gives me one heck of a creative buzz. I love thinking about the podcast, choosing a new topic, inviting a new guest (heart in mouth), recording it, and editing it. I love putting the finished recording out there in the world. It’s new to me, the whole thing, and that fact alone gives me a thrill.
Committed, conscientious and creative
Being a conscientious and committed podcaster has become part of my identity — even at this point when I have very few followers. Very few. (Never fear, that will change.) I have a mission, so it is highly satisfying. My mission is to raise the level of realistic optimism about old age, at least in Aotearoa.
Yes, podcasting is hard work, and persistence is the key. It also involves creativity in bucket-loads — and you have no idea how big the buckets are.
I feel kind of silly saying this, because when you listen to podcasts, you are probably thinking most about the content. So do I when I listen, although I’m also thinking about the format, editing, and sound quality.
But Learning How To Be Old is an indie podcast, which means I do it as an unpaid job, all alone in my office. It’s just me. No strategist, fact checker, marketing team, editors, sound technician, fancy gear, studio, or IT team.
Just me. And a microphone in a wardrobe. And a computer and a mission. And a doll.
And therein lies both the danger and the fun. Know the feeling? That’s a sign that you’re riding on a wave of creativity.
Loved it, and you are to be commended for your sound effects!
You listened!!!! Yay!
What makes a good conversation is a great question to ask. Too often we are talked at now, rather than talked to!
So true. It gets trickier.
An excellent conversation on life-affirming communication strategies.
It was timely for me 🙂
It was timely for us all!!!
Thank you for posting the transcript. I prefer them to listening to podcasts. I especially appreciated the insight that we process more slowly. I find that a problem in group conversations now.
I’ve only just discovered a brilliant tool for making a transcript. It happens in seconds, then I only have to copy-edit. I plan to do the same for previous episodes. Thank you for this feedback, Elizabeth: it’s much appreciated.
News flash! I don’t need to do this in future! From now on, Apple Podcasts does it for me! They will provide transcripts of all new episodes. You need to listen on the Apple Podcasts app (not on my website), and you can even search the transcripts for something you missed. This was announced last week. And it is huge.
I listened to your first episode this morning while slogging through my 30 minute stairmaster routine (that I loathe but am intending to conquer) and your lovely voice and wise thoughts really got me through it. So I’m now following and will catch up on subsequent workouts. Thanks as always for your words and how lovely to discover that you have such a pleasant voice too!