<![CDATA[The Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice]]>a10b5a2d-6c48-5e4d-9a61-d90c0823df6fMon, 21 Sep 2026 18:02:25 +0000Captivate.fmMary Chanhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/d81f0450-12c4-4c6b-8293-62ee27bf4d2e/vv-graphic-look-for-the-leaf.jpgThe Podcaster's Guide to a Visible VoiceMary ChanMary ChanHow do you, as a podcaster, make an emotional connection with your listeners to create a place where they feel like they belong? This podcast about how to podcast for underrepresented podcasters doing good in the world, who want to build a community of belonging. You'll discover what it takes to be a powerful podcaster and support your listeners to feel like they belong. Go on your podcasting journey to reclaim and redefine what a successful podcast means to you, by thriving on your own terms, with Mary Chan as your host. As a Voice-Over Artist and former radio producer for almost 20 years, she'll share with you what she's learned from creating, recording, and editing, hundreds of thousands of voices; from newbie clients who had to read their very first script to seasoned professionals voicing the very same commercials you hear on the radio and TV. They all have one thing in common with you – they made an emotional connection to a listener, not by the words they use, but by how they use their voice. Now as a Podcast Strategist and founder of Organized Sound Productions, you'll gain the insights to keep you podcasting and have fun while you're at it! How do you want your listener to feel? Learn all the secrets at http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com and to work with Mary, check out https://www.organizedsound.ca.http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com/falseepisodichttps://feeds.captivate.fm/visiblevoice/nopodcastSupport the show!CanadaChoosing the Best Podcasting Events for Your Time and Budget - EP 119Choosing the Best Podcasting Events for Your Time and BudgetHow do you weigh conference pros and cons when there are so many options? Industry events are happening constantly in this age of global connection, and podcasting is certainly no exception. But when budget, travel, and work and family responsibilities all factor into our available time, how do we narrow down which conferences are worth it?

Live events are exciting. Meeting in real life the people you’ve heard in your ears for so long is invigorating and comforting—so how do you possibly narrow it down? To help you curb the FOMO, Mary walks you through her process for selecting yearly events: where, who, and how much are all essential considerations. From weighing the data to confirming the details, this episode provides a checklist to help you pare down the possibilities, so you get the most out of the educational and networking opportunities, without draining your bank account or your energy.

Start planning your podcast conference experience:

  • Why location drives so much of the decision-making;
  • Figure out what you want to get out of your excursions;
  • Why it’s important to double-check the details for events you’re excited about;
  • The benefits of attending an online event.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Support the Show!

Love what you're hearing? Support the show by donating to the tip jar! http://visiblevoicepodcast.com/support

Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How do you weigh conference pros and cons when there are so many options? Industry events are happening constantly in this age of global connection, and podcasting is certainly no exception. But when budget, travel, and work and family responsibilities all factor into our available time, how do we narrow down which conferences are worth it?

Live events are exciting. Meeting in real life the people you’ve heard in your ears for so long is invigorating and comforting—so how do you possibly narrow it down? To help you curb the FOMO, Mary walks you through her process for selecting yearly events: where, who, and how much are all essential considerations. From weighing the data to confirming the details, this episode provides a checklist to help you pare down the possibilities, so you get the most out of the educational and networking opportunities, without draining your bank account or your energy.

Start planning your podcast conference experience:

  • Why location drives so much of the decision-making;
  • Figure out what you want to get out of your excursions;
  • Why it’s important to double-check the details for events you’re excited about;
  • The benefits of attending an online event.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Support the Show!

Love what you're hearing? Support the show by donating to the tip jar! http://visiblevoicepodcast.com/support

Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>e436bdd3-dcf1-417b-bb0d-3a5df5cc6ac7Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -070021:18falsefull119119When Do I Stop? Existential Questions for the Hobby Podcaster - EP 118When Do I Stop? Existential Questions for the Hobby PodcasterHow do I figure out if my show is still working for me? Summer is a great time to take a break and reflect on your podcast so far. When that reflection leads to questioning whether it's time to stop producing your show or go on hiatus, a lot of tough queries and existential dread can surface. In the final episode of the season, Mary guides you in a thought exercise to help clarify this decision for you.

Especially when you're working on a passion project—something that developed from a hobby or avocation—it can be difficult to balance the capacity and financial demand of prepping, recording, producing, and publishing with the rest of your life. By identifying stand-out episodes and any shifts in the deeper why behind your project since it launched, you can design a future that fits. Whether you decide to stop cold turkey, continue as usual, or take a more manageable, stripped-down approach, this episode is required listening for all podcasters wondering whether to shutter their show or stay the course.

Reflect on these existential podcasting questions:

  • Why it pays to look back at your favourite episode;
  • The middle ground between the parts of production you love and the parts you don't;
  • Identifying the legacy you want to leave behind;
  • The reality of bankrolling a passion project.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How do I figure out if my show is still working for me? Summer is a great time to take a break and reflect on your podcast so far. When that reflection leads to questioning whether it's time to stop producing your show or go on hiatus, a lot of tough queries and existential dread can surface. In the final episode of the season, Mary guides you in a thought exercise to help clarify this decision for you.

Especially when you're working on a passion project—something that developed from a hobby or avocation—it can be difficult to balance the capacity and financial demand of prepping, recording, producing, and publishing with the rest of your life. By identifying stand-out episodes and any shifts in the deeper why behind your project since it launched, you can design a future that fits. Whether you decide to stop cold turkey, continue as usual, or take a more manageable, stripped-down approach, this episode is required listening for all podcasters wondering whether to shutter their show or stay the course.

Reflect on these existential podcasting questions:

  • Why it pays to look back at your favourite episode;
  • The middle ground between the parts of production you love and the parts you don't;
  • Identifying the legacy you want to leave behind;
  • The reality of bankrolling a passion project.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>96c5b244-6ccf-4426-92a5-1955bcb8ced2Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -070020:11falsefull118118How Your Podcast Can Help Dismantle the "Minority" Narrative with Jerry Won - EP 117How Your Podcast Can Help Dismantle the "Minority" Narrative with Jerry WonWhy is it so important for Asian Americans to keep loudly sharing their stories? Jerry Won launched Dear Asian Americans, an interview-style podcast, in 2020. He used this growing permissions-free platform to highlight the often overlooked and "unmarketable" stories of Americans from a vast range of backgrounds. Jerry's deliberate volume-based approach—producing 100 episodes in the first year—aimed to get as close to "sufficient coverage" of Asian American experiences as possible and led to cross-country work as a speaker and presenter.

It's impossible to tell every story, Jerry acknowledges in his conversation with Mary, since new ones are being created every day and everyone not featured on his show is just as worthy of sharing their life's account. His overarching goal reflects the significance many Asian cultures place on their ancestors, with a future-focused twist: by speaking up, he strives to be the kind of ancestor his kids will be proud to remember. Six years ago, Asian Americans faced backlash from the pandemic's supposed origins. Today, the tear down of DEI in the western world is another source of stifling. That's why Jerry encourages "minority" storytellers to get loud and not stop, "especially on days when the world is trying to silence you."

Raise your voice to tell as many diverse stories as possible:

  • How permission-based media built barriers against diverse storytelling;
  • The math behind the miscalculation of Asian American audiences;
  • How Jerry wound up live-interviewing Vice President Kamala Harris;
  • Navigating traditional familial expectations on an untraditional job path.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Jerry:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>Why is it so important for Asian Americans to keep loudly sharing their stories? Jerry Won launched Dear Asian Americans, an interview-style podcast, in 2020. He used this growing permissions-free platform to highlight the often overlooked and "unmarketable" stories of Americans from a vast range of backgrounds. Jerry's deliberate volume-based approach—producing 100 episodes in the first year—aimed to get as close to "sufficient coverage" of Asian American experiences as possible and led to cross-country work as a speaker and presenter.

It's impossible to tell every story, Jerry acknowledges in his conversation with Mary, since new ones are being created every day and everyone not featured on his show is just as worthy of sharing their life's account. His overarching goal reflects the significance many Asian cultures place on their ancestors, with a future-focused twist: by speaking up, he strives to be the kind of ancestor his kids will be proud to remember. Six years ago, Asian Americans faced backlash from the pandemic's supposed origins. Today, the tear down of DEI in the western world is another source of stifling. That's why Jerry encourages "minority" storytellers to get loud and not stop, "especially on days when the world is trying to silence you."

Raise your voice to tell as many diverse stories as possible:

  • How permission-based media built barriers against diverse storytelling;
  • The math behind the miscalculation of Asian American audiences;
  • How Jerry wound up live-interviewing Vice President Kamala Harris;
  • Navigating traditional familial expectations on an untraditional job path.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Jerry:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>8f2d8e6b-db37-4a41-a821-1fb05c8d4d90Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -070050:31falsefull117117Filler Words: Authentically Human or Unprofessional? - EP 116Filler Words: Authentically Human or Unprofessional?How do you decide which um's and er's to keep and which to cut? You probably grew up hearing that too many "um"s and "like"s when you speak means you aren't educated or eloquent enough. The truth is, these filler words have an important job to do in our speech and conversation: they contribute to emotional impact and authenticity, and generally don't detract from authority at all.

Despite the research supporting this, the past decade or so has seen a push by some podcasters and platforms to eradicate filler words from published episodes. Today, there are even one-click AI-driven options that claim to cleanly pull selected "er"s and "uh"s from your recordings. Spoiler alert: they aren't very good at it. All this serves to reinforce the narrative that filler words are "bad," but Mary pushes back on that erroneous assumption. In this episode, she discusses the disconnect between speaker and listener that comes from over-editing. Striking a balance between a stilted monologue that distracts your audience and authentic human connection isn't always easy, but it's always worth the effort.

Fight for the right to keep your conversations natural:

  • Why identifying your ideal listener is key to filler word frequency;
  • The reason letting AI edit out your filler words is bound to fail (aka: the context cue imperative);
  • How eavesdropping at your local coffee shop can improve your editing;
  • What the filler word controversy can reveal to you about your own speech patterns.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How do you decide which um's and er's to keep and which to cut? You probably grew up hearing that too many "um"s and "like"s when you speak means you aren't educated or eloquent enough. The truth is, these filler words have an important job to do in our speech and conversation: they contribute to emotional impact and authenticity, and generally don't detract from authority at all.

Despite the research supporting this, the past decade or so has seen a push by some podcasters and platforms to eradicate filler words from published episodes. Today, there are even one-click AI-driven options that claim to cleanly pull selected "er"s and "uh"s from your recordings. Spoiler alert: they aren't very good at it. All this serves to reinforce the narrative that filler words are "bad," but Mary pushes back on that erroneous assumption. In this episode, she discusses the disconnect between speaker and listener that comes from over-editing. Striking a balance between a stilted monologue that distracts your audience and authentic human connection isn't always easy, but it's always worth the effort.

Fight for the right to keep your conversations natural:

  • Why identifying your ideal listener is key to filler word frequency;
  • The reason letting AI edit out your filler words is bound to fail (aka: the context cue imperative);
  • How eavesdropping at your local coffee shop can improve your editing;
  • What the filler word controversy can reveal to you about your own speech patterns.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>36e4227c-8112-43d2-9a92-f2b715796840Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -070021:44falsefull116116What Publishing 2000+ Episodes Will Teach You with Dave Campbell - EP 115What Publishing 2000+ Episodes Will Teach You with Dave CampbellWhat keeps you podcasting in the margins of your days? For Dave Campbell, the answer to this question is, "having nine regular shows, including one that puts out daily episodes." As a podcaster, you probably have other responsibilities—a full-time job, kids, the continuous task list of being an adult. But when building connection or, as Dave says, "collecting people" is your calling, your podcast is an uplifting and resonant platform for exploring your interests, learning from brilliant and engaging guests, and fine-tuning skills that will serve you on and off the mic.

Dave has published more than 2000 episodes across his shows, and he's become something of an expert at squeezing podcasting into the margins. He self-identifies as "curious and improperly supervised," and the results are inspiring: he's building a community of interesting and interested people everywhere he goes. In their conversation, Dave and Mary talk about the experiences and impacts that come with passionate podcasting. Whether you're brand new to hosting or decades in, this consummate storyteller and enthusiastic host will remind you why you launched your show in the first place.

Reignite or reaffirm your enthusiasm for podcasting:

  • The many ways to build community when the industry feels lonely;
  • Why getting feedback is paramount to your show's success;
  • Why you should hit record even when your motivating flags;
  • What experimentation can teach you about your audience.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Dave Campbell:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>What keeps you podcasting in the margins of your days? For Dave Campbell, the answer to this question is, "having nine regular shows, including one that puts out daily episodes." As a podcaster, you probably have other responsibilities—a full-time job, kids, the continuous task list of being an adult. But when building connection or, as Dave says, "collecting people" is your calling, your podcast is an uplifting and resonant platform for exploring your interests, learning from brilliant and engaging guests, and fine-tuning skills that will serve you on and off the mic.

Dave has published more than 2000 episodes across his shows, and he's become something of an expert at squeezing podcasting into the margins. He self-identifies as "curious and improperly supervised," and the results are inspiring: he's building a community of interesting and interested people everywhere he goes. In their conversation, Dave and Mary talk about the experiences and impacts that come with passionate podcasting. Whether you're brand new to hosting or decades in, this consummate storyteller and enthusiastic host will remind you why you launched your show in the first place.

Reignite or reaffirm your enthusiasm for podcasting:

  • The many ways to build community when the industry feels lonely;
  • Why getting feedback is paramount to your show's success;
  • Why you should hit record even when your motivating flags;
  • What experimentation can teach you about your audience.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Dave Campbell:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>47f13e47-ac7d-4077-93b6-16a2af6fcc3dMon, 18 May 2026 09:00:00 -070036:31falsefull115115Headphones are Non-Negotiable in Podcasting - EP 114Headphones are Non-Negotiable in PodcastingHow important is it, really, to wear headphones when you record your show? These days, people immediately associate a person with a mic and headphones with podcasting. And yet, some hosts still push back against the idea—after all, their laptop speakers work just fine for video chats, right?

If Mary can convince you of anything this season, it will be to start wearing headphones when podcasting. In this episode, she acknowledges all the reasons you might be hesitant to pop on a pair before you hit record. But when you learn about echoes, feedback, voice monitoring, and the problem with Bluetooth, you'll probably come around. As it turns out, this particular piece of audio gear is so much more than just visual branding for your medium.

Turn up the volume on your headset (but not too loud) to find out:

  • The ins and outs of noise suppression settings on recording software;
  • Why you need to be mindful of your headphone volume;
  • Why you need to listen to yourself in your headphones (even if it feels cringey);
  • The question of comfort: how to work around irritating headsets.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How important is it, really, to wear headphones when you record your show? These days, people immediately associate a person with a mic and headphones with podcasting. And yet, some hosts still push back against the idea—after all, their laptop speakers work just fine for video chats, right?

If Mary can convince you of anything this season, it will be to start wearing headphones when podcasting. In this episode, she acknowledges all the reasons you might be hesitant to pop on a pair before you hit record. But when you learn about echoes, feedback, voice monitoring, and the problem with Bluetooth, you'll probably come around. As it turns out, this particular piece of audio gear is so much more than just visual branding for your medium.

Turn up the volume on your headset (but not too loud) to find out:

  • The ins and outs of noise suppression settings on recording software;
  • Why you need to be mindful of your headphone volume;
  • Why you need to listen to yourself in your headphones (even if it feels cringey);
  • The question of comfort: how to work around irritating headsets.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>14f78fed-ce01-4eac-b38d-50c691fafff8Mon, 04 May 2026 09:00:00 -070019:24falsefull114114Stop Broadening Your Podcast: How Super-Niche Podcasts Win with Susan Thompson - EP 113Stop Broadening Your Podcast: How Super-Niche Podcasts Win with Susan ThompsonWhat happens when your podcast topic gets super specific? The temptation to broaden your podcast subject matter, to capture a wide range of both guests and listeners, is understandable. But often, something magical happens when you narrow down your focus to the super-specific sub-sub-topic you're most passionate about: your fellow mega nerds find you and become your most loyal following.

Susan Thompson proves this point perfectly. For the last several years, she and her cohost, Holly, have produced "The Voices of the Ancestors", a podcast dedicated to an extremely niche topic: polyphonic folk songs of Georgia (the country, not the state) and the women who sing them. Susan went from not even knowing what a podcast was to speaking with conviction on microphone preferences and the rise of video in the industry. Her show has connected her with a global community of fellow devotees, uncovered numerous opportunities to speak at events all around the world, and elevated underacknowledged voices—precisely because she chose to project her niche passion full-throated across the airwaves.

Get inspired to double down on your specialized expertise in your podcast:

  • What's possible when you accept that "every day is a learning day";
  • Navigating the technological trials of recording;
  • Sharing the workload as a two-person podcasting team;
  • The reality and considerations of continuing a podcast amidst life's busyness.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Susan Thompson:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>What happens when your podcast topic gets super specific? The temptation to broaden your podcast subject matter, to capture a wide range of both guests and listeners, is understandable. But often, something magical happens when you narrow down your focus to the super-specific sub-sub-topic you're most passionate about: your fellow mega nerds find you and become your most loyal following.

Susan Thompson proves this point perfectly. For the last several years, she and her cohost, Holly, have produced "The Voices of the Ancestors", a podcast dedicated to an extremely niche topic: polyphonic folk songs of Georgia (the country, not the state) and the women who sing them. Susan went from not even knowing what a podcast was to speaking with conviction on microphone preferences and the rise of video in the industry. Her show has connected her with a global community of fellow devotees, uncovered numerous opportunities to speak at events all around the world, and elevated underacknowledged voices—precisely because she chose to project her niche passion full-throated across the airwaves.

Get inspired to double down on your specialized expertise in your podcast:

  • What's possible when you accept that "every day is a learning day";
  • Navigating the technological trials of recording;
  • Sharing the workload as a two-person podcasting team;
  • The reality and considerations of continuing a podcast amidst life's busyness.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Susan Thompson:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>86d0741c-9053-4ce8-be64-eb554272e09bMon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -070041:28falsefull113113Why Video is More Challenging for Podcasts - EP 112Why Video is More Challenging for PodcastsAs a woman, should you consider adding video to your show? Video podcasting is on the rise. The trend is being driven by huge celebrity players and, most recently, Apple Podcasts, who released HLS video support in late March 2026. And while there are benefits to this evolution, there's also a lot to unpack if you're considering adding video to your show.

In this episode, Mary shares a deeply personal take on this shift, interspersed with her podcasting expertise. There are two sides to every coin: video raises the barrier to entry beyond simple audio recording, and it provides an improved experience to people who are hard of hearing. Video gives you the opportunity to show and tell, and it requires a lot more work to edit. Most significantly, podcasting's visual evolution heaps the same unfair standards on women that the film and television industry has for generations.

Unpack the heavy demand of video, as a woman in podcasting:

  • Exploring the gender bias that has always plagued women in media;
  • How adding video to your podcast will affect you, mentally and physically;
  • The high-tech requirements of adding a video component;
  • The reality of how video could help your show.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>As a woman, should you consider adding video to your show? Video podcasting is on the rise. The trend is being driven by huge celebrity players and, most recently, Apple Podcasts, who released HLS video support in late March 2026. And while there are benefits to this evolution, there's also a lot to unpack if you're considering adding video to your show.

In this episode, Mary shares a deeply personal take on this shift, interspersed with her podcasting expertise. There are two sides to every coin: video raises the barrier to entry beyond simple audio recording, and it provides an improved experience to people who are hard of hearing. Video gives you the opportunity to show and tell, and it requires a lot more work to edit. Most significantly, podcasting's visual evolution heaps the same unfair standards on women that the film and television industry has for generations.

Unpack the heavy demand of video, as a woman in podcasting:

  • Exploring the gender bias that has always plagued women in media;
  • How adding video to your podcast will affect you, mentally and physically;
  • The high-tech requirements of adding a video component;
  • The reality of how video could help your show.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>884e7c8b-91ba-4769-9702-02bc34c23e12Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -070025:45falsefull112112Priority Production Tasks for the Solo Podcaster with Emma Krebs - EP 111Priority Production Tasks for the Solo Podcaster with Emma KrebsHow many different hats do you wear as host and producer of your own podcast? If you actually wrote out everything you do for your podcast besides speaking into the microphone, the list would be extensive. Podcasters often get asked what it means to be a podcast producer. As Emma Krebs explains, that's because "producer" is an umbrella term that encompasses a ton of different roles.

Emma is a seasoned podcast and YouTube producer who currently produces celebrity doctor Mark Hyman's show. While she's lucky enough today to have a robust team and suite of tools at her disposal, she remembers what it was like to fly solo. In this episode, she breaks down what her current role looks like and which of the many, many steps every hybrid host–producer should prioritize.

From heavy guest research to tracking spreadsheets to really perfecting that intro, Emma's tips and tricks will help you position your podcast as a meaningful contributor to the medium and to positive change across the industry.

Dust off the countless hats of a solo showrunner:

  • How spending more time on show prep will save you time later;
  • The ongoing inequality and hopeful future of women in podcasting;
  • Why you need to think about your intros long before post-production;
  • Why jumping on the video podcast bandwagon might be the wrong move.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Emma:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How many different hats do you wear as host and producer of your own podcast? If you actually wrote out everything you do for your podcast besides speaking into the microphone, the list would be extensive. Podcasters often get asked what it means to be a podcast producer. As Emma Krebs explains, that's because "producer" is an umbrella term that encompasses a ton of different roles.

Emma is a seasoned podcast and YouTube producer who currently produces celebrity doctor Mark Hyman's show. While she's lucky enough today to have a robust team and suite of tools at her disposal, she remembers what it was like to fly solo. In this episode, she breaks down what her current role looks like and which of the many, many steps every hybrid host–producer should prioritize.

From heavy guest research to tracking spreadsheets to really perfecting that intro, Emma's tips and tricks will help you position your podcast as a meaningful contributor to the medium and to positive change across the industry.

Dust off the countless hats of a solo showrunner:

  • How spending more time on show prep will save you time later;
  • The ongoing inequality and hopeful future of women in podcasting;
  • Why you need to think about your intros long before post-production;
  • Why jumping on the video podcast bandwagon might be the wrong move.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Emma:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>be432f20-2e82-486b-a6d2-36471415ae33Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -070044:11falsefull111111Start Strong with a Purposeful Intro - EP 110Start Strong with a Purposeful IntroHow do you draw in your listener, right from the very beginning? Don't lose your listener before you even have them. An overly lengthy, unintentional, or boring introduction at the top of an episode is a great way to do just that. Much like in radio and newspaper, the lede is your opportunity to seize and delight your audience, so it's important not to squander it.

Mary knows the pain of sitting through a dry, repetitive podcast intro. In this episode, she brings you the details you need to avoid that pitfall. There's a difference between show and episode intros, and all too many pods air what should actually be a stand-alone trailer at the top, every time. Discover the ingredients that deliver an impactful and purposeful lede and the factors that should guide your intro style choice. Now, the question is: what will you tweak or try in your next episode to land your listener right away?

Avoid boring beginnings with Mary's quick, high-impact tips:

  • The difference between show and episode intros and trailers;
  • The five building blocks of a show intro;
  • How your show's goal and ideal listener guide your lead-in.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How do you draw in your listener, right from the very beginning? Don't lose your listener before you even have them. An overly lengthy, unintentional, or boring introduction at the top of an episode is a great way to do just that. Much like in radio and newspaper, the lede is your opportunity to seize and delight your audience, so it's important not to squander it.

Mary knows the pain of sitting through a dry, repetitive podcast intro. In this episode, she brings you the details you need to avoid that pitfall. There's a difference between show and episode intros, and all too many pods air what should actually be a stand-alone trailer at the top, every time. Discover the ingredients that deliver an impactful and purposeful lede and the factors that should guide your intro style choice. Now, the question is: what will you tweak or try in your next episode to land your listener right away?

Avoid boring beginnings with Mary's quick, high-impact tips:

  • The difference between show and episode intros and trailers;
  • The five building blocks of a show intro;
  • How your show's goal and ideal listener guide your lead-in.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>8e9e0054-a5ac-4180-9718-4b32ff40de3dMon, 09 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -070015:41falsefull110110How to Create Transcripts That Benefit Accessibility and SEO with Jess Schmidt - EP 109How to Create Transcripts That Benefit Accessibility and SEO with Jess SchmidtHow are you creating impactful transcripts for your show? You've probably seen a bad podcast transcript. Maybe the creator was lazy in their transcription, maybe the AI was flummoxed by the proper nouns, punctuation, or audio labels—whatever the reason, such sub-par writing begs the question: is there even a point to having transcripts if they aren't very good?

That's one of the queries Mary poses to podcast producer and consultant Jess Schmidt. It turns out Jess isn't just an expert in the industry, she's also a font of historical transcript knowledge, thanks in part to her past career generating closed captions for live television. Jess and Mary get into the importance of timestamps, SEO, and accessibility. They tackle the many issues facing platforms and creators alike as automated transcripts take centre stage and the continued importance of human eyes when it comes to rendering written versions of human speech. If you're not already a transcript nerd, you will be after this episode!

Learn about the future of transcripts from the industry's storied past:

  • The limitations of and issues with AI-generated transcripts on hosting platforms;
  • How closed captioning is similar and different from transcripts;
  • The fascinating history of YouTube's AI-generated "craptions";
  • Jess's hopeful daydream for the future of podcast transcription.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Jess Schmidt:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How are you creating impactful transcripts for your show? You've probably seen a bad podcast transcript. Maybe the creator was lazy in their transcription, maybe the AI was flummoxed by the proper nouns, punctuation, or audio labels—whatever the reason, such sub-par writing begs the question: is there even a point to having transcripts if they aren't very good?

That's one of the queries Mary poses to podcast producer and consultant Jess Schmidt. It turns out Jess isn't just an expert in the industry, she's also a font of historical transcript knowledge, thanks in part to her past career generating closed captions for live television. Jess and Mary get into the importance of timestamps, SEO, and accessibility. They tackle the many issues facing platforms and creators alike as automated transcripts take centre stage and the continued importance of human eyes when it comes to rendering written versions of human speech. If you're not already a transcript nerd, you will be after this episode!

Learn about the future of transcripts from the industry's storied past:

  • The limitations of and issues with AI-generated transcripts on hosting platforms;
  • How closed captioning is similar and different from transcripts;
  • The fascinating history of YouTube's AI-generated "craptions";
  • Jess's hopeful daydream for the future of podcast transcription.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Jess Schmidt:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>e4fd2678-0c41-42b4-9bde-95d40ee68d7cMon, 23 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -070051:51falsefull109109Pause, Plan, Publish: A Podcaster's Blueprint for Slowing Down - EP 108Pause, Plan, Publish: A Podcaster's Blueprint for Slowing DownHow do you make your podcasting hours really count? You know the feeling—you plan to sit down and record your episode, and before you know it, that day has completely gotten away from you. There's a plan to make, research to conduct, and stretch breaks to squeeze in. It usually takes longer than expected to record, and afterwards, there's editing, marketing, design…if you don't have a robust team behind you, it's one heck of a job!

Inspired by the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse, full of intense energy and rapid transformation, Mary welcomes 2026 with a call to action for every podcaster: Slow down! Sure, you can create a podcast episode quickly—you can use the ever-transforming generative AI to write, record, and edit. You can blurt out whatever pops into your head as it comes. But a show that really lands with the target audience needs to be intentional.

This year, take the time to pause, strategize, and make meaningful decisions. The likely result? A rock-star show worthy of all the fiery passion you put into it.

Slow down and consider what you want out of your podcast:

  • How new technologies and breakthroughs are changing and challenging the industry;
  • Why you should time your whole podcast procedure;
  • The difference between a quick episode and a short episode.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How do you make your podcasting hours really count? You know the feeling—you plan to sit down and record your episode, and before you know it, that day has completely gotten away from you. There's a plan to make, research to conduct, and stretch breaks to squeeze in. It usually takes longer than expected to record, and afterwards, there's editing, marketing, design…if you don't have a robust team behind you, it's one heck of a job!

Inspired by the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse, full of intense energy and rapid transformation, Mary welcomes 2026 with a call to action for every podcaster: Slow down! Sure, you can create a podcast episode quickly—you can use the ever-transforming generative AI to write, record, and edit. You can blurt out whatever pops into your head as it comes. But a show that really lands with the target audience needs to be intentional.

This year, take the time to pause, strategize, and make meaningful decisions. The likely result? A rock-star show worthy of all the fiery passion you put into it.

Slow down and consider what you want out of your podcast:

  • How new technologies and breakthroughs are changing and challenging the industry;
  • Why you should time your whole podcast procedure;
  • The difference between a quick episode and a short episode.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>4ea072ec-00c2-43df-9717-0fefcb397da5Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -070022:48falsefull108108Reduce Impostor Syndrome By Listening Back to Your Voice - EP 107Reduce Impostor Syndrome By Listening Back to Your VoiceWhen's the last time you replayed your old episodes and really listened? It's the end of another year of podcasting, and that means looking back on how far you've come and planning the next steps. Whether you're taking some time off for the holiday or plugging away between the eggnog and the family time, Mary has one non-negotiable for you: you need to start listening back to your old episodes—and not just at 2X speed.

For a medium that celebrates the voice, podcasters are way too lax about auditing their primary instrument. Yes, it's awkward, and chances are you'll sound weird to yourself. You might even get a hint of that imposter syndrome you thought you quashed. But trust Mary: give yourself the gift of perspective and growth this year by running some personal airchecks. It really does get easier the more you do it, and you'll unlock so much potential for your show in 2026 and beyond.

Put aside the mic and queue up some past episodes. Discover:

  • How focusing on feelings helps you develop a discerning ear;
  • Efficiency hacks for reducing the cringe factor of listening to your own voice;
  • Reflection questions to consider as you review old episodes.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>When's the last time you replayed your old episodes and really listened? It's the end of another year of podcasting, and that means looking back on how far you've come and planning the next steps. Whether you're taking some time off for the holiday or plugging away between the eggnog and the family time, Mary has one non-negotiable for you: you need to start listening back to your old episodes—and not just at 2X speed.

For a medium that celebrates the voice, podcasters are way too lax about auditing their primary instrument. Yes, it's awkward, and chances are you'll sound weird to yourself. You might even get a hint of that imposter syndrome you thought you quashed. But trust Mary: give yourself the gift of perspective and growth this year by running some personal airchecks. It really does get easier the more you do it, and you'll unlock so much potential for your show in 2026 and beyond.

Put aside the mic and queue up some past episodes. Discover:

  • How focusing on feelings helps you develop a discerning ear;
  • Efficiency hacks for reducing the cringe factor of listening to your own voice;
  • Reflection questions to consider as you review old episodes.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>b3b2a10a-df5e-4a5c-b1fc-0bf4772e68adMon, 15 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -070021:20falsefull107107Accessibility and Ethics in Podcasting with Meg Wilcox - EP 106Accessibility and Ethics in Podcasting with Meg WilcoxWhat assumptions are holding you back from creating a more accessible show? If you knew more about your listener's accessibility needs, how would that change your show? Podcasting borrows so much of its policy and practice from more traditional forms of media, and while that's given us a great place to start, it's also slowed down innovation in this unique medium.

Meg Wilcox is a journalist and professor at Mount Royal University. Her research focuses on where podcasting could improve in terms of accessibility and ethics. In this episode, she shares how her experience producing an audio memoir for a woman with vision impairment prompted her to reconsider how we approach everything from recording and publishing to promoting our shows. You'll learn about the ethics of copyright ownership, the slow adoption of accessibility tools, and the ongoing barriers that, if dismantled, would give anyone with a podcasting dream the tools to make it come true.

Reframe how you think about your show's accessibility and availability:

  • The power of accessibility upgrades to make podcasting better for everyone;
  • The importance of understanding your audience and what they need;
  • What's still missing in the wider world of media accessibility;
  • Our flawed expectations around what's "professional" in audio.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Meg Wilcox:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>What assumptions are holding you back from creating a more accessible show? If you knew more about your listener's accessibility needs, how would that change your show? Podcasting borrows so much of its policy and practice from more traditional forms of media, and while that's given us a great place to start, it's also slowed down innovation in this unique medium.

Meg Wilcox is a journalist and professor at Mount Royal University. Her research focuses on where podcasting could improve in terms of accessibility and ethics. In this episode, she shares how her experience producing an audio memoir for a woman with vision impairment prompted her to reconsider how we approach everything from recording and publishing to promoting our shows. You'll learn about the ethics of copyright ownership, the slow adoption of accessibility tools, and the ongoing barriers that, if dismantled, would give anyone with a podcasting dream the tools to make it come true.

Reframe how you think about your show's accessibility and availability:

  • The power of accessibility upgrades to make podcasting better for everyone;
  • The importance of understanding your audience and what they need;
  • What's still missing in the wider world of media accessibility;
  • Our flawed expectations around what's "professional" in audio.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Meg Wilcox:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>20efe63c-4a2d-4833-8c0f-78afdff65a6cMon, 01 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -070047:48falsefull106106Simplify Your Podcast Production with a Show Map - EP 105Simplify Your Podcast Production with a Show MapHow can a solid structure make your podcast process easier? Your podcast starts with a great idea—a topic that fires you up, that you can passionately go on about at length. That's a great place to begin a show, but without some structure, producing episode after episode can become tedious and stressful. That's why Mary advocates for building a show map. Think of it as Google Maps directions that help guide both you and your listener on a journey that's just predictable enough to make it feel comfortable and familiar.

If the thought of "structure" makes you think of strict rules for every episode, think again! Mary explains how to create a show map that guides you from intro to outro with lots of wiggle room and just enough direction to prevent decision fatigue. You'll keep your options open and speak with confidence because you know just where you need to go. With tips for identifying your existing structure and drawing on the expertise (or mistakes) of other shows, this episode is a must-listen for new and established podcast hosts alike.

Map out your show to simplify your process:

  • Find your flow by setting some gentle boundaries for your podcast;
  • Use the structure you already have to fine-tune your show map;
  • Experiment to discover new components that keep it entertaining, for you and your listener.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How can a solid structure make your podcast process easier? Your podcast starts with a great idea—a topic that fires you up, that you can passionately go on about at length. That's a great place to begin a show, but without some structure, producing episode after episode can become tedious and stressful. That's why Mary advocates for building a show map. Think of it as Google Maps directions that help guide both you and your listener on a journey that's just predictable enough to make it feel comfortable and familiar.

If the thought of "structure" makes you think of strict rules for every episode, think again! Mary explains how to create a show map that guides you from intro to outro with lots of wiggle room and just enough direction to prevent decision fatigue. You'll keep your options open and speak with confidence because you know just where you need to go. With tips for identifying your existing structure and drawing on the expertise (or mistakes) of other shows, this episode is a must-listen for new and established podcast hosts alike.

Map out your show to simplify your process:

  • Find your flow by setting some gentle boundaries for your podcast;
  • Use the structure you already have to fine-tune your show map;
  • Experiment to discover new components that keep it entertaining, for you and your listener.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>60e6176f-b35c-4164-b83f-772a3894c444Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -070017:04falsefull105105The Perks of Being (or Having) a Co-Host with Darren Dukes and Jamie Weiss - EP 104The Perks of Being (or Having) a Co-Host with Darren Dukes and Jamie WeissHow do you find the perfect podcast host to share airtime with? If a podcast is your passion project but you don't have a technical background, an audio-savvy partner could help make your dream a reality. That's what Darren Dukes, a Vancouver Island physiotherapist and running enthusiast, discovered when he convinced fellow runner and former radio broadcaster Jamie Weiss to be his co-host. Darren's vision and Jamie's recording prowess have resulted in a podcast that's drawing in avid runners and jogging-curious listeners alike.

Darren and Jamie chat with Mary about podcast partnerships, the importance of strong show structure, and the challenges and skill-building opportunities they've already encountered as they forge a new touchpoint for the vibrant West Coast running community.

Keep your show—and your motivation—running smoothly:

  • The benefits of a local focus: a strong start without limiting your potential for growth;
  • Maintaining positive momentum through feedback;
  • The unexpected wins of shared airtime;
  • How strong audio cues and a consistent structure help your audience keep up.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Jamie and Darren:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How do you find the perfect podcast host to share airtime with? If a podcast is your passion project but you don't have a technical background, an audio-savvy partner could help make your dream a reality. That's what Darren Dukes, a Vancouver Island physiotherapist and running enthusiast, discovered when he convinced fellow runner and former radio broadcaster Jamie Weiss to be his co-host. Darren's vision and Jamie's recording prowess have resulted in a podcast that's drawing in avid runners and jogging-curious listeners alike.

Darren and Jamie chat with Mary about podcast partnerships, the importance of strong show structure, and the challenges and skill-building opportunities they've already encountered as they forge a new touchpoint for the vibrant West Coast running community.

Keep your show—and your motivation—running smoothly:

  • The benefits of a local focus: a strong start without limiting your potential for growth;
  • Maintaining positive momentum through feedback;
  • The unexpected wins of shared airtime;
  • How strong audio cues and a consistent structure help your audience keep up.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Jamie and Darren:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>5223508c-9abe-4f9b-8ad5-f7d12a311d64Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -070044:22falsefull104104How to Handle Listener Feedback - EP 103How to Handle Listener FeedbackWhat's the worst piece of feedback you've received about your podcast? We all have one—that cringe-inducing review or comment that fires up our impostor syndrome. The one that makes us question our hosting skills, our topic selection, and our whole show. And yet, feedback, even the negative kind, doesn't have to get you down.

In this episode, Mary takes on trolls and seasoned listeners alike to suggest a very different relationship between host and reviewer: one of thoughtful collaboration. Find out how to filter and process your feedback in a way that improves its production value and boosts your confidence—in your show and your unique voice.

Convert your podcast comments into actionable intel:

  • The track-and-tag system that helps you make the most of your feedback;
  • Why email feedback is the cream of the crop;
  • The real impact of platform reviews and ratings;
  • Why new shows shouldn't ask for reviews.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>What's the worst piece of feedback you've received about your podcast? We all have one—that cringe-inducing review or comment that fires up our impostor syndrome. The one that makes us question our hosting skills, our topic selection, and our whole show. And yet, feedback, even the negative kind, doesn't have to get you down.

In this episode, Mary takes on trolls and seasoned listeners alike to suggest a very different relationship between host and reviewer: one of thoughtful collaboration. Find out how to filter and process your feedback in a way that improves its production value and boosts your confidence—in your show and your unique voice.

Convert your podcast comments into actionable intel:

  • The track-and-tag system that helps you make the most of your feedback;
  • Why email feedback is the cream of the crop;
  • The real impact of platform reviews and ratings;
  • Why new shows shouldn't ask for reviews.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>4cb98b0f-f269-471c-b312-f5a59ad51b7eMon, 20 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -070016:45falsefull103103How to Keep Fear From Overpowering Your Voice with Kat Stewart and Kevin Ribble - EP 102How to Keep Fear From Overpowering Your Voice with Kat Stewart and Kevin RibbleWhat are you afraid of when you're recording your podcast? Training your voice doesn't start with what comes out of your mouth—it starts with what's going on in your head. Mary learned this 25 years ago from her radio school instructors, Kat Stewart and Kevin Ribble. In this episode, her former teachers take the mic to talk about finding your charisma and confidence as a podcaster and the vocal impact of fear and judgment.

Kat and Kevin want to make the world a better place, one confident, impactful podcast host at a time. Their insights stem from decades of experience and will have you reflecting on your podcast's ability to inspire change.

It's time to go back to school and learn:

  • Why dealing with your fear of death is an essential foundation of voice work;
  • The impact of tension and the nervous system on how you sound;
  • Why you should channel your bestie when you're recording;
  • The power of podcasting to make a difference in the world.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Kat and Kevin:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>What are you afraid of when you're recording your podcast? Training your voice doesn't start with what comes out of your mouth—it starts with what's going on in your head. Mary learned this 25 years ago from her radio school instructors, Kat Stewart and Kevin Ribble. In this episode, her former teachers take the mic to talk about finding your charisma and confidence as a podcaster and the vocal impact of fear and judgment.

Kat and Kevin want to make the world a better place, one confident, impactful podcast host at a time. Their insights stem from decades of experience and will have you reflecting on your podcast's ability to inspire change.

It's time to go back to school and learn:

  • Why dealing with your fear of death is an essential foundation of voice work;
  • The impact of tension and the nervous system on how you sound;
  • Why you should channel your bestie when you're recording;
  • The power of podcasting to make a difference in the world.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Kat and Kevin:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>09be97a0-f079-47e4-904e-6baea72f7fe4Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -070038:06falsefull102102Voice Prep for a Personality-Driven Podcast That Pops - EP 101Voice Prep for a Personality-Driven Podcast That PopsHow do you make your personality shine through as soon as you hit record? The podcast world is always evolving—that's what happens when a baby industry grows up! For better or worse, audio-first media is changing constantly, and the latest shift involves Amazon's decision to shut down the Wondery podcast studio. This kicks off a move away from those shows heavy on the music, sound effects, and research, toward more personality-driven podcasts. Like yours!

This is great news, because that special kind of pod that people tune in to for the host (which recent research shows is the listener's favourite part) will get more space on their app. It also means you'll have to work even harder to make sure your on-air personality is unique and your show stands out from the crowd. With that in mind, Mary shares three tips for getting your voice ready to resonate.

Get your #1 instrument prepped to steal the show:

  • Why you need to settle into your current state of mind before you start;
  • What your warmup should include, beyond lip trills and humming.
  • The memory trick that'll let you hit record with confidence.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How do you make your personality shine through as soon as you hit record? The podcast world is always evolving—that's what happens when a baby industry grows up! For better or worse, audio-first media is changing constantly, and the latest shift involves Amazon's decision to shut down the Wondery podcast studio. This kicks off a move away from those shows heavy on the music, sound effects, and research, toward more personality-driven podcasts. Like yours!

This is great news, because that special kind of pod that people tune in to for the host (which recent research shows is the listener's favourite part) will get more space on their app. It also means you'll have to work even harder to make sure your on-air personality is unique and your show stands out from the crowd. With that in mind, Mary shares three tips for getting your voice ready to resonate.

Get your #1 instrument prepped to steal the show:

  • Why you need to settle into your current state of mind before you start;
  • What your warmup should include, beyond lip trills and humming.
  • The memory trick that'll let you hit record with confidence.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>043fdb2a-d9a1-4e2c-a735-b51008276d7dMon, 22 Sep 2025 18:35:00 -070011:32falsefull101101Finding Joy in the Serious Work of Podcasting - EP 100Finding Joy in the Serious Work of PodcastingHow can reflecting on your podcast journey spark delight in your success? The process of podcasting is serious business. You have to be laser-focused on all the pieces of the spiral—from brainstorming topics to marketing the published episode to starting the next one—and sometimes the subject matter gets dark, especially in the daunting uncertainty of our modern world. But at the end of the day, if you don't enjoy what you're creating, the overwhelm that will come up eventually is going to keep you from coming back.

That's why Mary is dedicating her 100th episode (woo-hoo!) to reflecting on the genuine joy of podcasting and inspiring you to do the same. It's time, once again, to check in with that big, overarching Why. Turn up the gratitude for all the opportunities your show has afforded you, the connections you've cultivated, and the support of the people who listen in. Let this episode be your reminder to take the time—look back, laugh out loud, and bask a bit in the joy of your creation.

Consider the journey so far with storytelling and reflection prompts:

  • Where to look for joy when you're tempted to back-burner your show
  • The benefits and unexpected bonus points of having a podcast
  • A guided walk down memory lane to see how far you've come

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: Podcasting is serious work. Sure, most of the time we're just having a conversation with someone or hearing stories, and yet when it comes to the making of podcasts, you know, the tasks that take you from an idea to actually publishing the episode, right, the recording, the editing, and then the promoting when it's all done, it's not always rainbows and unicorns.

And even in some cases where podcasts are talking about very serious topics, I've worked on episodes that talk about food insecurity, war torn countries, child abuse, trauma, relationship issues, there still can be joy, when you're talking about serious issues and creating your show. The light and the joy that actually comes from sometimes being in these really dark spaces can brighten even more. I mean, to the lack of a whole cliche thing, you really need to be in the dark and to be in that seriousness, to really enjoy and know what it means to be appreciative of being in that light.

So, podcasting is serious work. But like I always say, podcasting is meant to be fun. So as we celebrate 100 episodes of this very show, I want us both to reflect on how much work podcasting really is. Through the struggle to complete and publish episodes. That struggle is real, and yet how there's actually so much joy that it can bring. Podcasting is serious work, yes, but it's also fun.

So, this is episode number 100, oh yeah! On the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Here we are, episode number 100. This is where you throw that, bah bah bah bah [HORN NOISE MADE WITH VOICE], celebrating horns confetti, right?

[MUSIC ENDS]

I don't know. I'm not usually that type of a person. And numbers are just numbers. I mean, yes, 100 is a milestone, but I decided for this episode that I just want to be very grateful. Grateful that I've created this many episodes for this particular show, but that you are here with me today and finding a bit of joy in whatever you've been up to so far and also by choosing to listen to this episode. So, first of all, thank you. Thank you for being here.

[MUSIC IN]

As I said on the top of the show, creating a podcast is not easy. And if you have a detailed checklist like I do, you can also see how much work it actually takes to get from idea to publish and even more work after that with the premiering and then planning for the next episode. It's a never ending spiral of stuff to do. One of the things I wanted to focus on for this episode was actually reflecting back on our whys. Why? Why are we doing this? So if you're not familiar. You'll always hear me talk about your why. That's the point of your podcast. Why do you want to create one? Because, like I said, it's a lot of work, so you have to know why it should exist in your world. It's not a matter of if, but when you'll be overwhelmed or when you'll be burnt out. So knowing your why will bring you back to your joy and the joy of creating a podcast.

[MUSIC ENDS]

I actually had this very conversation with a potential podcaster the other day. I was asking them about their goals for the podcast, and usually this is where I figure out if we're in alignment in how they think, what they want their podcast to do, and if I'm a good partner for that. And they talked about how they wanted to build a community, and I'm like, yep, bang on. Okay, this is it. It's not going to be about the numbers, right? It's not going to be about growing your listenership, which comes with it anyway, but, she wanted to build a community.

But the thing was, she works in the beauty industry, and usually all the beauty stuff, it's your typical physical side of things, right? Looking perfect. So all those stereotypes of the beauty industry, she wanted to showcase how the work she does is actually outside of all these stereotypes. What she does is really transformational and also restorative because it's about the confidence, the confidence within. I know, it's such a cliche, right? And in this case, it does kind of work, because her work can also deal with cancer patients losing their hair and the struggle of not only dealing with the cancer diagnosis, but then also the journey of going through all the therapies and all of that. But in amongst that, all beauty comes into play, right? What happens when you no longer have hair and you lose that part of you? So, long story short, it's not about the beauty. So her podcast isn't really about that either. She has another why for her podcast and the work she does.

[MUSIC IN]

As for myself, I've had these moments of overwhelm, too. You know, we're celebrating episode 100, so I'm walking down that memory lane, and I'm always glad that I have my breaks to set up what I do for this podcast and the joy it brings. So I know this is my last episode before my summer break. That was the plan. And actually it just lucked out that it was episode 100. That was all serendipity right there. I can't wait to do all the summer adventures that we have lined up as a family.

But to reflect on the past 100 episodes, I've had a very busy first part of the year this year with work, new clients, lots of podcasts to listen to. There was voice coaching clients as well. And then also now setting up for the remainder of my year having some speaking gigs. And there's lots of personal things too, right? Like, work and personal stuff intertwines. You can't really separate the two. So I was caring for my mom. I was away from home and my family for a bit, but then also coming back and being with my kiddo with her very first events, like her first track meet, and for me to volunteer with her. I was so grateful to be able to do that.

So with all of these responsibilities, there was always time to put the podcast on the back burner, right? You don't have to create the podcast in all the things that you...]]>How can reflecting on your podcast journey spark delight in your success? The process of podcasting is serious business. You have to be laser-focused on all the pieces of the spiral—from brainstorming topics to marketing the published episode to starting the next one—and sometimes the subject matter gets dark, especially in the daunting uncertainty of our modern world. But at the end of the day, if you don't enjoy what you're creating, the overwhelm that will come up eventually is going to keep you from coming back.

That's why Mary is dedicating her 100th episode (woo-hoo!) to reflecting on the genuine joy of podcasting and inspiring you to do the same. It's time, once again, to check in with that big, overarching Why. Turn up the gratitude for all the opportunities your show has afforded you, the connections you've cultivated, and the support of the people who listen in. Let this episode be your reminder to take the time—look back, laugh out loud, and bask a bit in the joy of your creation.

Consider the journey so far with storytelling and reflection prompts:

  • Where to look for joy when you're tempted to back-burner your show
  • The benefits and unexpected bonus points of having a podcast
  • A guided walk down memory lane to see how far you've come

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: Podcasting is serious work. Sure, most of the time we're just having a conversation with someone or hearing stories, and yet when it comes to the making of podcasts, you know, the tasks that take you from an idea to actually publishing the episode, right, the recording, the editing, and then the promoting when it's all done, it's not always rainbows and unicorns.

And even in some cases where podcasts are talking about very serious topics, I've worked on episodes that talk about food insecurity, war torn countries, child abuse, trauma, relationship issues, there still can be joy, when you're talking about serious issues and creating your show. The light and the joy that actually comes from sometimes being in these really dark spaces can brighten even more. I mean, to the lack of a whole cliche thing, you really need to be in the dark and to be in that seriousness, to really enjoy and know what it means to be appreciative of being in that light.

So, podcasting is serious work. But like I always say, podcasting is meant to be fun. So as we celebrate 100 episodes of this very show, I want us both to reflect on how much work podcasting really is. Through the struggle to complete and publish episodes. That struggle is real, and yet how there's actually so much joy that it can bring. Podcasting is serious work, yes, but it's also fun.

So, this is episode number 100, oh yeah! On the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Here we are, episode number 100. This is where you throw that, bah bah bah bah [HORN NOISE MADE WITH VOICE], celebrating horns confetti, right?

[MUSIC ENDS]

I don't know. I'm not usually that type of a person. And numbers are just numbers. I mean, yes, 100 is a milestone, but I decided for this episode that I just want to be very grateful. Grateful that I've created this many episodes for this particular show, but that you are here with me today and finding a bit of joy in whatever you've been up to so far and also by choosing to listen to this episode. So, first of all, thank you. Thank you for being here.

[MUSIC IN]

As I said on the top of the show, creating a podcast is not easy. And if you have a detailed checklist like I do, you can also see how much work it actually takes to get from idea to publish and even more work after that with the premiering and then planning for the next episode. It's a never ending spiral of stuff to do. One of the things I wanted to focus on for this episode was actually reflecting back on our whys. Why? Why are we doing this? So if you're not familiar. You'll always hear me talk about your why. That's the point of your podcast. Why do you want to create one? Because, like I said, it's a lot of work, so you have to know why it should exist in your world. It's not a matter of if, but when you'll be overwhelmed or when you'll be burnt out. So knowing your why will bring you back to your joy and the joy of creating a podcast.

[MUSIC ENDS]

I actually had this very conversation with a potential podcaster the other day. I was asking them about their goals for the podcast, and usually this is where I figure out if we're in alignment in how they think, what they want their podcast to do, and if I'm a good partner for that. And they talked about how they wanted to build a community, and I'm like, yep, bang on. Okay, this is it. It's not going to be about the numbers, right? It's not going to be about growing your listenership, which comes with it anyway, but, she wanted to build a community.

But the thing was, she works in the beauty industry, and usually all the beauty stuff, it's your typical physical side of things, right? Looking perfect. So all those stereotypes of the beauty industry, she wanted to showcase how the work she does is actually outside of all these stereotypes. What she does is really transformational and also restorative because it's about the confidence, the confidence within. I know, it's such a cliche, right? And in this case, it does kind of work, because her work can also deal with cancer patients losing their hair and the struggle of not only dealing with the cancer diagnosis, but then also the journey of going through all the therapies and all of that. But in amongst that, all beauty comes into play, right? What happens when you no longer have hair and you lose that part of you? So, long story short, it's not about the beauty. So her podcast isn't really about that either. She has another why for her podcast and the work she does.

[MUSIC IN]

As for myself, I've had these moments of overwhelm, too. You know, we're celebrating episode 100, so I'm walking down that memory lane, and I'm always glad that I have my breaks to set up what I do for this podcast and the joy it brings. So I know this is my last episode before my summer break. That was the plan. And actually it just lucked out that it was episode 100. That was all serendipity right there. I can't wait to do all the summer adventures that we have lined up as a family.

But to reflect on the past 100 episodes, I've had a very busy first part of the year this year with work, new clients, lots of podcasts to listen to. There was voice coaching clients as well. And then also now setting up for the remainder of my year having some speaking gigs. And there's lots of personal things too, right? Like, work and personal stuff intertwines. You can't really separate the two. So I was caring for my mom. I was away from home and my family for a bit, but then also coming back and being with my kiddo with her very first events, like her first track meet, and for me to volunteer with her. I was so grateful to be able to do that.

So with all of these responsibilities, there was always time to put the podcast on the back burner, right? You don't have to create the podcast in all the things that you have to do, podcasting isn't high on that priority list that I was just talking about. But I want to keep it going because in knowing my joy and my why, it's because A, I know it's going to grow my business, right? It's a long term marketing plan. And B, it's just really fun to do. And again, I only do things if it's fun, right? So if it stops being fun, I'm going to stop doing it. So we need to take a look at this reflection and to find our joy in podcasting.

[MUSIC ENDS]

In creating a podcast, not just for me, but I see this in the clients that I work with too. We get to use our podcast platform to also work things out that I've been chatting with, you know, the people in my lives, whether that is my clients, or maybe it's my clients chatting with their clients. So it really is, we are chatting with our listeners, right? We're trying to figure out what their challenges are so that on the podcast we can actually work out some of these strategies and tips or even playing through the ideas I have for an upcoming talk or workshop that I'll be facilitating. This can all be done through episodes of your podcast.

And then there's also, if you have interviews, connecting with a larger community in podcasting and hearing from others, right? I interview other podcasters, so I'm creating that network and really getting a new perspective from other people. And then another reason that my podcast exists is that I get to share very specific episodes with people who might need that support for a specific topic, right? Like I've had a client who's like, I don't know if I should be doing this or that. And honestly, she's so busy she doesn't listen to every single episode of my podcast, right? Even though she's my client. So I was like, hey, listen to this episode. It's a solo, it's short, it's got some prompt questions for you. And you know what, it worked for her. So, I love that they get to come back with this gratitude on what they learned and what they'll implement. So the podcast for me is more about connecting with my listener on a different level.

And outside of my work, my business personally. They also solidify friendships in my personal world who say they listen to some episodes and actually learn more about themselves and their voice. Which was really surprising to me because I don't ever expect any of my friends or family to listen to my episodes. Yes, they're out in the public. Yes, anybody can get them. But I don't know, I was like, if it's, I didn't make it for them, right? You have your ideal listener, and my friends and family were not my ideal listeners. So it's just bonus points that they listen to it and they actually tell me that they like it and they tell me why. So I know that they've actually listened to it because they'll mention something about the episode, right? So, that's just bonus points right there. So all in all to say that podcasting can, yeah, take up a lot of time, but that time is worth it because it goes beyond the podcast itself or your business, if you have one attached.

[MUSIC IN]

So what I want to do today with episode 100 to celebrate is that reflection piece. I've got some journal prompts for you if you are a journaling type like I am. Just walk through a few questions. And if you aren't a journaling type, let's just reflect quickly. You can just jot some notes down if you want to or not. But I just want you to start contemplating on some of these questions to help reflect and integrate the work that you do to make your podcast a success, whatever you define as success. Alright, so here are my five questions to contemplate and journal on to really solidify what you've done with your podcast success so far.

One. What is your first memory when you were surprised someone mentioned your podcast? You know, it could be what I was mentioning before, where one of my friends, she listened to it and learned a lot, even though she works in forensics with the police department. Far from what my ideal listener is, but she listened and she is still always a highlight for me as that first memory and really surprised to hear that she listens to the podcast. It could also be like when I get discovery calls with potential clients and they say they listened to the most recent episode and love XYZ about it. And I was like, yes, that's exactly one of the reasons why I have the podcast. It's working. Yes. So for you, think about that first memory, what comes to mind? So make note of that.

Two. What was recent and recent could be last week, monthly, or even the last year or two, depending on how many episodes you release in a year. What was some recent positive feedback you received? This could be tied to the first question and probably be the same answer, but I challenge you to think of a different scenario. Feedback, of course, doesn't have to mean a review that you got online. It could be a private message, it could be from someone you know. It could be a dm, maybe an email you got, or maybe a comment from a group that you're in. Or maybe you just had a coffee or tea with someone and they mentioned it to you in person. You know, real people in the moment, all novel these days, right? Real life people feedback. So take those all into consideration and figure out what was the most recent positive feedback that you received?

Three. What have you done to celebrate your success? And I highlight the word celebrate because, I know I am not one to celebrate. And I tend to go from task to task without recognizing all the hard work that goes into the projects, right? Sometimes it's like, yay, I did it. And then you move on and you do the next task. So yay, I did it. But in this question, it's time to do something. And for me, what I'm going to do is during my vacation next week, I'm going to make sure I buy myself, I might give my family, my daughter, especially a bite, a slice of cake from a local bakery. Now, I'm calling this a celebration because it's something I normally don't do, right? So a celebration is something that is outside your comfort zone.

I normally don't buy cake at a bakery and I'm not talking about like grocery store bakery. I'm like a bakery bakery. Okay. We love baking in our house. So we like to bake non fancy cake, usually a single layer, no frosting, lots of yumminess. So my version of that for celebrating is to take that cake idea but bring in that celebrating layer by one, by one, buying cake from a real like, bakery, bakery. And two, making sure it's a fancy looking one, right? Probably more than one layer. See, it doesn't have to be complicated to celebrate, but it's about that intentional choice that you make. So what have you done to celebrate your success?

Number four, we are talking about those intentional choices. What decision did you recently make about your podcast again? Recently can mean last week or even last year or two. That was a game changer. It could be something as simple as I stopped posting on social media and focused on my newsletter. Or something even bigger, like I revamped my whole branding and recreated all my intros and outros and audio assets. Remember, I'm not judging you here. Whatever works for you to make your show more simplified and fulfilling and, yes, fun for you to create, right? It doesn't matter what that is. What was that intentional choice that you made?

I had a client once say to me, it was as simple as just hiring you. I'm like, I love that. Yes, I can make things simpler for you. Creating that blueprint, doing the editing, it doesn't matter. It could also just be, you know, having someone on your team to help you out with your process, right? So whatever works for your capacity to make this podcast experience more joyful and fun. So what was that intentional decision you made that you love?

And finally, question number five of all the episodes that you created, and if you have way too many to narrow down, maybe the episodes you just created within this past year, or if you do a series, maybe just this last series that you did, which one really lit you up? Like, the one that lights you up the most thinking about it right now. It could be because it was so easy to edit, or that it was so personal for you, or that you just got so much feedback that you plan to make more episodes around that topic. Really, it could be anything, right? What was it that lit you up about that episode and brings you joy?

[MUSIC ENDS]

So that's my little walk down memory lane I wanted to do with you. I know we get so busy creating each and every episode, so especially if you have a weekly show, that overwhelm comes in, right? But we need to take that step back because if you just keep churning out the episodes, it almost seems like it's never ending. So thank you so much for taking the time with me today to reflect on the work that you've done with your podcast. These reflections really bring out the joy in the work that we do in podcasting, and it also helps you to keep going. It's a little incentive to dream a little bigger, to wonder when, not if, you'll feel those reactions again for the future episodes that you create.

To remember that podcasting is fun, even if you touch on very simple, serious subjects. It's not about the subject matter, but how you present it. So, yeah, you can be very, very serious, but we can also bring the light and the joy. And through that process, you'll be able to speak with spirit, as I always say, and then create the feeling that you want your listener to feel.

And since this actually is the last episode before my summer break, as I said, as part of question number five, I did review my last few episodes. So the series I did from the beginning of this year]]>60f0e210-a95d-4e6d-88f7-e841bbf9b423Mon, 30 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -070022:08falsefull100100Canadian Identity in the Indie Podcasting Ecosystem with Kattie Laur - EP 99Canadian Identity in the Indie Podcasting Ecosystem with Kattie LaurWhat differentiates Canadian podcasters from their American counterparts, eh? If you think about the first podcast that comes to mind, there's a pretty good chance it's American. That's because podcasting tends to feel—and in many ways actually is—pretty U.S.-centric. But that certainly doesn't mean there aren't a ton of fantastic, groundbreaking Canadian podcasters in the industry.

From the struggle to identify Canada-specific resources to the future of marketing metrics, join Mary for a must-listen episode for every podcaster seeking to set their show apart. Listen to fellow Canuck Kattie Laur as they dig into all things Canadiana and pods. Kattie is an award-winning podcast producer and the editor of Pod the North, a popular newsletter that keeps subscribers in the know about everything happening in our country's podcast ecosystem.

Kattie takes a refreshingly optimistic perspective on creating and marketing shows in Canada. She and Mary explore the unique Canadian culture built around celebrating difference and how traits like this truly set them apart from American showmakers.

Make your podcast stand out, in Canada and beyond. Find out:

  • What makes Canadian podcasters unique
  • Why it's so hard to make a living as a podcast creator in this country
  • How to share the Canadian perspective in our podcasts without overdoing it
  • How to facilitate community interaction as an indie podcaster

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Kattie:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

]]>What differentiates Canadian podcasters from their American counterparts, eh? If you think about the first podcast that comes to mind, there's a pretty good chance it's American. That's because podcasting tends to feel—and in many ways actually is—pretty U.S.-centric. But that certainly doesn't mean there aren't a ton of fantastic, groundbreaking Canadian podcasters in the industry.

From the struggle to identify Canada-specific resources to the future of marketing metrics, join Mary for a must-listen episode for every podcaster seeking to set their show apart. Listen to fellow Canuck Kattie Laur as they dig into all things Canadiana and pods. Kattie is an award-winning podcast producer and the editor of Pod the North, a popular newsletter that keeps subscribers in the know about everything happening in our country's podcast ecosystem.

Kattie takes a refreshingly optimistic perspective on creating and marketing shows in Canada. She and Mary explore the unique Canadian culture built around celebrating difference and how traits like this truly set them apart from American showmakers.

Make your podcast stand out, in Canada and beyond. Find out:

  • What makes Canadian podcasters unique
  • Why it's so hard to make a living as a podcast creator in this country
  • How to share the Canadian perspective in our podcasts without overdoing it
  • How to facilitate community interaction as an indie podcaster

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Kattie:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

]]>149446e1-e023-43bc-ac31-5d50034eb767Mon, 16 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -070046:42falsefull9999Improve Your Interviews With Open-Ended Questions - EP 98Improve Your Interviews With Open-Ended QuestionsWhat kinds of questions do you ask your podcast guests? The most engaging podcast episodes—the ones that make for the best conversations and the best listening—are the ones that contain great stories. As the host, you're always aiming to draw all those details and deep disclosures from your guest. So why does getting the full picture sometimes feel like pulling teeth?

Mary recently taught her nine-year-old daughter how asking more specific questions will get her the answers she wants, and that conversation prompted this episode's exploration. An open-ended question—the kind that requires a more thorough answer than "yes," "no," or some other short word or phrase—is always going to elicit a stronger response. In return, you as the host don't have to work as hard; your guest's fascinating story, the whole reason they're chatting with you, stands a much better chance of tumbling out of them with the passion every podcaster (and podcast listener) is looking for.

Ask yourself these impactful interview-question questions:

  • What are the best W5 question prompts to ask in your interview?
  • How can you utilize storytelling statements to deliver more engaging episodes?
  • What should you look for in past episodes to start asking better questions in the future?

Links worth mentioning from the episode:

Episode 32, "Bad Interviewing Habits" - https://www.organizedsound.ca/bad-interviewing-habits-episode-32/

Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: How do you ask questions? I guess specifically on your podcast, maybe when you do interviews, how are those questions being asked? I know it's still quite a broad question, but have you ever gone back to your episodes, listen to them again to review how you have been asking questions? And if you want to get even more specific, I'm actually talking about open ended questions versus close ended questions.

So today I'm going to explore those types of questions with you and show you how open ended questions can make your interviews and your podcast more enjoyable. Not just for you as a host, but maybe as a guest as well if you're on someone else's show, but more importantly for your listener.

This episode actually stemmed from my conversation with my daughter. So, you know, lots of real life experience can come onto the podcast as well. And this idea of what it's like to pull stories from someone by asking them the different types of questions. So, how does your curiosity with these open ended questions play a significant role in your interviews? So there you go. The next generation of podcasters, through my daughter, is already teaching me about something that I can share with you on this very podcast.

This is episode number 98 on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Hey, welcome to the show. And yeah, things in real life this happens in radio all the time. It's just called show prep.

[MUSIC ENDS]

What's happening in your life as you go about your day that can help impact what you do on air. So in this case behind the mic on your podcast. And there are some real life situations that go on in my life that go behind the scenes on this podcast which you might not always know about, but this one I'm gonna share very much all the details of how I realized that this conversation that I had with my daughter is, I'm going to translate here on this episode today about open ended questions for you to ask during an interview with your guest.

And in fact I talked a lot about bad interviewing habits actually, that was episode 32 if you have not listened to that one. So definitely go back to that episode. It is a great companion to this one. Lots of details there on episode 32, bad interviewing habits. But briefly for this episode, a close ended question essentially closes the conversation very quickly. This type of question will either get a yes or no type of answer and if you don't want to elaborate more, you don't have to. It's really quite the conversation killer. But I know, when people come on a podcast, they're actually here to share stories. So even if you do ask those close ended questions, they will elaborate a bit more. However, it will be more enjoyable if you have open ended questions.

But back to the close ended questions. As an example, do you like chocolate? It's going to be a yes or no answer. Yep, chocolate's good. Or maybe a little bit more expanded, right? You don't have to go into details but you're like, maybe, it depends, I don't like milk chocolate, I like a dark chocolate. But then that's, that's really it until you come up with a follow up question. And there's a lot more interview techniques to go into this. However, if you start with an open ended question, you don't have to do as much of the hard work, you're already asking for more, all in that one question. So the guests can't just say yes or no. What kind of chocolate do you like? What are your favorite chocolate bars? Why is that your favorite chocolate bar, right? These type of questions are very specific and they can help the listener jog in their mind a story they want to share. And it makes your job just that much easier.

[MUSIC IN]

So as I alluded at the start of the show, my nine year old daughter sparked this idea for the episode. And if you've got some young ones in your life, like most kids, you might know that they do ask a lot of questions. And most of these questions are close ended aside from the ones that always ask, but why, but why, but why? Those kids already are on the uh, open ended question train. However, my daughter does ask a lot of questions and not always the and why. Sometimes they are just emulating the adults in their lives, right? So for example, sometimes I'll say to her, did you have fun at school today? Or she doesn't always eat her lunch. So I'm like, did you finish eating your lunch today? Did you play with so and so, or who did you play with? And they'll just list off a bunch of names, right? So these are very much close ended questions and it gives a very short answer or one word answer.

So what parents or you as a podcaster, you know, what you want are actually stories, not short answers. In this audio format, you need the stories to shine. So for them to share in conversation, whether that is your guest, or your child, or a young one in your life. For them to share, and also so that it's not so hard getting those kids to talk to you, right? So like I said, this whole thing started when my daughter asked me actually about specifically working at a petting farm in my teens. Now think of my daughter in this story, in this scenario I'm going to share with you as the podcast host and me as the guest to help you relate. Okay?

So I'm going to share this little conversation that from my memory, what I remember she said, it kind of goes something like this. My daughter says to me, do you have any stories from when you worked at the petting farm? Yes, yes, I have lots. And then she'll say, okay, tell me. I'm like, oh, which one? As I guest I'm like, wow, I got so many. Which one do I pull from? I can't just think of a story off the top of my head. So I ask her, what are you actually curious about? What do you want to know? And she's like, did you do anything gross or did the animals do anything gross? I'm like, well, yeah, I scooped poop for a living when I worked at the petting farm.

And I kind of just ended it at that. I'm like, yeah, of course, of course there was lots of gross stuff. And I didn't really elaborate on that more either. So, she got a little frustrated with me. But do you see what's going on here? She wasn't getting any stories. She was wondering why she had to keep asking questions. She just wanted me to tell a story. But I was just answering her questions and her questions were close ended. I mean, I could have...]]>What kinds of questions do you ask your podcast guests? The most engaging podcast episodes—the ones that make for the best conversations and the best listening—are the ones that contain great stories. As the host, you're always aiming to draw all those details and deep disclosures from your guest. So why does getting the full picture sometimes feel like pulling teeth?

Mary recently taught her nine-year-old daughter how asking more specific questions will get her the answers she wants, and that conversation prompted this episode's exploration. An open-ended question—the kind that requires a more thorough answer than "yes," "no," or some other short word or phrase—is always going to elicit a stronger response. In return, you as the host don't have to work as hard; your guest's fascinating story, the whole reason they're chatting with you, stands a much better chance of tumbling out of them with the passion every podcaster (and podcast listener) is looking for.

Ask yourself these impactful interview-question questions:

  • What are the best W5 question prompts to ask in your interview?
  • How can you utilize storytelling statements to deliver more engaging episodes?
  • What should you look for in past episodes to start asking better questions in the future?

Links worth mentioning from the episode:

Episode 32, "Bad Interviewing Habits" - https://www.organizedsound.ca/bad-interviewing-habits-episode-32/

Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: How do you ask questions? I guess specifically on your podcast, maybe when you do interviews, how are those questions being asked? I know it's still quite a broad question, but have you ever gone back to your episodes, listen to them again to review how you have been asking questions? And if you want to get even more specific, I'm actually talking about open ended questions versus close ended questions.

So today I'm going to explore those types of questions with you and show you how open ended questions can make your interviews and your podcast more enjoyable. Not just for you as a host, but maybe as a guest as well if you're on someone else's show, but more importantly for your listener.

This episode actually stemmed from my conversation with my daughter. So, you know, lots of real life experience can come onto the podcast as well. And this idea of what it's like to pull stories from someone by asking them the different types of questions. So, how does your curiosity with these open ended questions play a significant role in your interviews? So there you go. The next generation of podcasters, through my daughter, is already teaching me about something that I can share with you on this very podcast.

This is episode number 98 on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Hey, welcome to the show. And yeah, things in real life this happens in radio all the time. It's just called show prep.

[MUSIC ENDS]

What's happening in your life as you go about your day that can help impact what you do on air. So in this case behind the mic on your podcast. And there are some real life situations that go on in my life that go behind the scenes on this podcast which you might not always know about, but this one I'm gonna share very much all the details of how I realized that this conversation that I had with my daughter is, I'm going to translate here on this episode today about open ended questions for you to ask during an interview with your guest.

And in fact I talked a lot about bad interviewing habits actually, that was episode 32 if you have not listened to that one. So definitely go back to that episode. It is a great companion to this one. Lots of details there on episode 32, bad interviewing habits. But briefly for this episode, a close ended question essentially closes the conversation very quickly. This type of question will either get a yes or no type of answer and if you don't want to elaborate more, you don't have to. It's really quite the conversation killer. But I know, when people come on a podcast, they're actually here to share stories. So even if you do ask those close ended questions, they will elaborate a bit more. However, it will be more enjoyable if you have open ended questions.

But back to the close ended questions. As an example, do you like chocolate? It's going to be a yes or no answer. Yep, chocolate's good. Or maybe a little bit more expanded, right? You don't have to go into details but you're like, maybe, it depends, I don't like milk chocolate, I like a dark chocolate. But then that's, that's really it until you come up with a follow up question. And there's a lot more interview techniques to go into this. However, if you start with an open ended question, you don't have to do as much of the hard work, you're already asking for more, all in that one question. So the guests can't just say yes or no. What kind of chocolate do you like? What are your favorite chocolate bars? Why is that your favorite chocolate bar, right? These type of questions are very specific and they can help the listener jog in their mind a story they want to share. And it makes your job just that much easier.

[MUSIC IN]

So as I alluded at the start of the show, my nine year old daughter sparked this idea for the episode. And if you've got some young ones in your life, like most kids, you might know that they do ask a lot of questions. And most of these questions are close ended aside from the ones that always ask, but why, but why, but why? Those kids already are on the uh, open ended question train. However, my daughter does ask a lot of questions and not always the and why. Sometimes they are just emulating the adults in their lives, right? So for example, sometimes I'll say to her, did you have fun at school today? Or she doesn't always eat her lunch. So I'm like, did you finish eating your lunch today? Did you play with so and so, or who did you play with? And they'll just list off a bunch of names, right? So these are very much close ended questions and it gives a very short answer or one word answer.

So what parents or you as a podcaster, you know, what you want are actually stories, not short answers. In this audio format, you need the stories to shine. So for them to share in conversation, whether that is your guest, or your child, or a young one in your life. For them to share, and also so that it's not so hard getting those kids to talk to you, right? So like I said, this whole thing started when my daughter asked me actually about specifically working at a petting farm in my teens. Now think of my daughter in this story, in this scenario I'm going to share with you as the podcast host and me as the guest to help you relate. Okay?

So I'm going to share this little conversation that from my memory, what I remember she said, it kind of goes something like this. My daughter says to me, do you have any stories from when you worked at the petting farm? Yes, yes, I have lots. And then she'll say, okay, tell me. I'm like, oh, which one? As I guest I'm like, wow, I got so many. Which one do I pull from? I can't just think of a story off the top of my head. So I ask her, what are you actually curious about? What do you want to know? And she's like, did you do anything gross or did the animals do anything gross? I'm like, well, yeah, I scooped poop for a living when I worked at the petting farm.

And I kind of just ended it at that. I'm like, yeah, of course, of course there was lots of gross stuff. And I didn't really elaborate on that more either. So, she got a little frustrated with me. But do you see what's going on here? She wasn't getting any stories. She was wondering why she had to keep asking questions. She just wanted me to tell a story. But I was just answering her questions and her questions were close ended. I mean, I could have easily picked a story, right? I'm a storyteller. That's not hard for me to do. But I'm always of the mind about what does my listener actually want to hear or, or learn? How do they want to feel with the story that I share? And I kind of go through that with my daughter to show her, hey, if you ask those questions in a different way, you'll actually get the response that you want. So I taught her about being curious, being very specific, and the art of open ended questions.

[MUSIC ENDS]

So if you actually listen back to that little story that I just shared, they were all close ended questions. They always started with did, did you this or did you that? Another version could be like do, do you this, do you that, right? They would be yes or no or very, very short answers. So I asked my daughter what type of stories was she actually hoping to hear and if she could re-ask the question starting with either a what, when, or why, or sometimes even how. This comes from my radio days where I learned about W5. Maybe this was even like English class days in high schools, probably, but it really was like a journalism thing. In radio, W5 stands for who, what, when, where and why, and I say and sometimes how. Because in the interview process, how is also very crucial.

However, in this scenario, in the interviews, I usually only like to pick three of the W5 because of the specificity of storytelling. I want to know more about the what, where and why so that you can paint a picture of the scene. Who usually just gets a one word answer, right? Like my previous question to my daughter, who did you play with today? And then she just lists off a couple names. So not very specific in terms of getting a story out of you. Back to my daughter's original follow up question. She wanted to know more about gross things and very specifically when I was like, what do you mean? Poop, of course, right? What 9 year old doesn't like talking about poop? So I asked her, okay, you want to know about poop when I worked at the petting farm. So I asked her to rephrase it with an open ended question using that W3 method. What, where, and why? Pick one of those three and ask me an open ended question.

So she thought about it for a second and then came back to me with something like she wanted to say, when did she. When did you get pooped on? But then she was like, well, you didn't say when, so what was the time that you got pooped on? Because I guess she was sure that I would have been pooped on working at the farm, right? But that question alone sparked a story in me. It was just like, like, bam, aha. I know, ooh. And I went off. But that's a totally different topic when discussion for another time. But if you want to know about how a turkey pooped on me, you'll just have to email me or leave me a voice note to find out that whole story. Okay?

But back to podcasting. The point is the very specific question that was asked got a much better, very specific story out of me and the passion out of me. When I was sharing that stor. It wasn't something that I was just going to regurgitate, but it was something that I was like, oh, oh, you're gonna love this one. And that's when you really get the energy and the engagement and the listener is gonna love that story and you as the host will love that story as well. So now my daughter is always asking me open ended questions or storytelling statements.

[MUSIC IN]

Storytelling statements are something like tell me a time when, or paint a picture when, right? These statements are very direct and they're meant to tell and share a story. And so my dinner table these days with a nine year old are actually quite fun. She's always saying to me, tell me about and then blankety blank, fill in the blanks, right? Mostly it's, tell me about your day. And then we go around the table asking each other about their day. It's quite fun. We get to share stories and I get to practice my podcast interviewing skills without them even knowing it. And I get to actually hear about her day, which is a plus in the parenting world.

[MUSIC ENDS]

So that really sums up the episode. What has your experience been when asking questions in an interview with your guests? I dare you to go back, maybe just to your most recent interview episode, review it, listen to it again, or also, this is where transcript can come in handy. When you look through that transcript, take a look at how you asked your questions. Are there patterns that you're seeing? What are they? What are those patterns? Are you using the same words you know, are you using the W5? Are you using the W3? Perhaps there is also a pattern in your guest answers. Are they usually answering with yes as their first words out of their mouth? I've heard a lot of interviews done that way where they always just say yes, yes, yes. And then they get on with their thing, but it's only because the interviewer had asked a close ended question.

So if you don't want your guests to also sound repetitive, always ask an open ended question. And you know what, with this episode, if nothing else, tell me about your day is what my daughter always asks me. Also works really well. If you need to test your microphone or recording levels with your guest, you know they're there, they just showed up to the recording studio room online and you can just ask them about their day to see if their mic is working and check their recording levels. So tell me about your day.

[MUSIC IN]

So there you go. If you want, you can tell me about your day by dropping me an email at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com or as always, a voice note would be lovely. I'd love to hear from you. Go to my website, VisibleVoicePodcast.com and there is a purple button that says send voicemail. You drop me a voice note there and don't forget that you can pull from that curiosity piece that I lightly touched on. When you're curious, the best follow up questions can come from, from that. And when you make them open ended questions, your conversations are really going to fly.

[MUSIC ENDS]

So on the next episode. This is actually going to be my last guest episode of this series before my summer break. And it is of course leading up to Canada Day. Being Canadian, I'm going to bring on from the Pod the North newsletter, Kattie Laur. Pod the north is a great podcasting resource. So if you don't know about Kattie, she is hyper focused on Canadian content in podcasting, which is so rare in this space. Actually in the industry, when another Canadian sees another Canadian, well, at least for me, I always get surprised and delighted when I meet or see another Canadian podcaster. So I know we're all out there. But I think it's because we're so homogenized being North American that it feels like we get lumped into America as a whole. And at least it does for me because I grew up in Vancouver, being so close to Seattle, everything was very U.S. Centric. And the podcasting landscape is also very U.S. Centric, especially here in North America.

So, whenever I can highlight a fellow Canadian, I will do it. And since it is leading up to Canada Day, Kattie will share her experience not only with Pod the North, but also with her very Canadian podcast, Canardian, gossiping about Canadian hometowns. I love her show, actually. So we'll be talking about how being hyper niche works in podcasting and why Canadians should stand up proud to differentiate themselves in this media landscape. We'll chat with you then.

>

MARY: Thank you so much for listening to the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love it if you'd share it with a podcasting friend. And to reveal more voicing and podcasting tips, click on over to VisibleVoicePodcast.com. Until next time.

>

[MUSIC ENDS]

]]>a4fb37e2-1e23-4c2c-aa3d-7c8be081765bMon, 02 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -070015:34falsefull9898Embrace Curiosity to Grow a Vibrant Podcast Community with Chidinma Azubuike - EP 97Embrace Curiosity to Grow a Vibrant Podcast Community with Chidinma AzubuikeHow can curiosity and commitment to your listener drive your show's growth? From guest selection to generating advertising revenue, the process of running your own podcast is always challenging and fascinating, and it often calls on you to take big chances.

That's exactly what Chidinma Azubuike discovered when she started "But What Do I Know?" back in 2020. Her willingness to keep trying new tactics has paid off—all while working toward her primary goal of fostering a vibrant and thriving listener community. In this episode, Mary sits down with Chidinma to talk show prep, rebrands, and the difference between American and Canadian ad partners.

Discover some fresh ideas for building listener engagement on this passive medium and how to deliver an authentic community resource while also making money. Whether you're just starting your podcast or have been working away for years, Chidinma's perspective is sure to have you taking notes and making plans to take your show to the next level.

Learn an exploratory approach to creating an award-winning podcast:

  • How Chidinma turned to life experience to inspire her show
  • When and how to tackle a rebrand
  • Transforming listeners into a real community
  • Making moves to monetize your podcast

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Chidinma Azubuike:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: When looking at new podcasts for something to listen to on your podcast player, sometimes one just stands out. For me, it was quite a few years ago when the title But What Do I Know grabbed my attention. It was nominated for a podcast award and it really resonated with me because, the imposter syndrome behind that question, my need for continual learning, and also learning from a fellow Canadian, which was rare at that time. When I saw the show, Canadian podcasts weren't really highlighted as Canadian, but really it was all about that imposter syndrome part. That little girl's uncertainty that I have that still lingers inside of me even as I am a 45 year old woman today. Right. Like all of this stuff comes up, and it came up through that one question, the title of her podcast.

So I added But What Do I Know? to my list, even though I didn't listen to it, not in the beginning at least, because I wasn't ready to face my inner struggles with that little girl that I was talking about, right? That struggle of, ooh, I actually have to look at this now. Nah. But I'll still save it on my podcast player because you just never know, right? And then I fast forward to last year, 2024, and the podcast was rebranded and it spoke to me even more. I was like, wait a minute, why did this rebrand happen? What's different? What's going on? And it piqued my curiosity.

So I was like, okay, leaning towards the curiosity versus, ooh, do I have to face my inner demons? And that was the change for me. And I decided to hit play because I realized, yeah, what do I know? Because I could learn from Chidinma Azubuike. Chidinma and I chat about her podcasting journey and what success looks like for her now. Because as we know, podcasting is a lot of work. So how does her curiosity and drive to build community work for her podcast today?

This is episode number 97 on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Chidinma, thank you so much for joining me on the show, because when I saw the title of your show, But What Do I Know? I say that to myself all the time. It's like, but what do I know? What do I know? And I just really connected with you on that. And then the fact that we're both Canadian, like you, a lot of Canadian shows don't get highlighted as Canadian. So I'm really, really glad that you agreed to come on and chat with me today.

CHIDINMA: Yes, no, thank you so much for having me, Mary. I really do appreciate it. And yes, But What Do I Know?, is the story of my life and the story of the phase of life that I'm currently in. And when I landed on that name for the podcast, I was like, this is so good.

MARY: Yeah. Cause I mean, when I started my podcast production and consulting company, I had almost 20 years of radio background, but still I was doing the whole. But what do I know? It's podcasting, it's different, it's not radio. What can I do? What can I share? I don't know, I don't know. It's just, I kept saying that, so. Oh, uh, so connected with you over this.

CHIDINMA: Yeah, like it just so represents just all the questioning. I think it's been a really good place for me to like all the questions about any aspect of life. Like my main pillars for the podcast are, you know, like finances, wellness, and relationships of all different types. So whenever, you know, whatever, I'm sort of thinking, I honestly think of my episodes based on that. Like, you know, I'm going through a period of like, questioning my finances. Then I'm like, oh, let's have a conversation about that. But what do I know about how to build up my savings, but what do I know about how to invest more and stuff like that? So, yeah.

MARY: Oh yeah. So walk me through that process. You're like, okay, I'm having this trouble or challenge in my life.

CHIDINMA: Yeah.

MARY: What does that look like in terms of then building out a podcast episode and like figuring out who a guest to bring on and all of that? Walk me through the whole process.

CHIDINMA: So it's really like curiosity driven, I guess, and what I usually do and now it's become, I guess a well oiled machine, if I do say so myself. And so what I'll do is at the beginning of every season, so in January. My seasons typically run from March to December. Now I have an editor on the team, so thankfully I won't have to take that two month break. We can cut it down to one month. But what I do is in January I will, you know, just sit, kind of reflect, journal a bit and think of the different topics that I want to cover for that season.

So, you know, and again, it's related to whatever I'm going through. It's related to life. It's related to something maybe my girlfriends are asking me about. Like right now, I had a little bit of like a pre-launch event with a couple of women and the common themes were hair. Especially for black women, it's hair and hair extensions, braid in hair. Can you get someone to talk about that? And I was like, okay, cool. Questions have been like hair care or balancing or how to build a sustainable creative business. Like, stuff like that are comments that I get. And of course people love conversations around relationships. Whether it's relationships, your family or, you know, dating is always going to pull people's attention.

So when I kind of brainstorm them, I also have sort of like, an admin coordinator slash social media coordinator as well. She helped me sort of brainstorm some ideas and helps me manage socials right now as well. So the team is growing, but yeah, so we'll make a list of topics and then we'll start searching up guests through either Google or socials are really good, especially TikTok and IG because they help me to get a]]>How can curiosity and commitment to your listener drive your show's growth? From guest selection to generating advertising revenue, the process of running your own podcast is always challenging and fascinating, and it often calls on you to take big chances.

That's exactly what Chidinma Azubuike discovered when she started "But What Do I Know?" back in 2020. Her willingness to keep trying new tactics has paid off—all while working toward her primary goal of fostering a vibrant and thriving listener community. In this episode, Mary sits down with Chidinma to talk show prep, rebrands, and the difference between American and Canadian ad partners.

Discover some fresh ideas for building listener engagement on this passive medium and how to deliver an authentic community resource while also making money. Whether you're just starting your podcast or have been working away for years, Chidinma's perspective is sure to have you taking notes and making plans to take your show to the next level.

Learn an exploratory approach to creating an award-winning podcast:

  • How Chidinma turned to life experience to inspire her show
  • When and how to tackle a rebrand
  • Transforming listeners into a real community
  • Making moves to monetize your podcast

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Chidinma Azubuike:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: When looking at new podcasts for something to listen to on your podcast player, sometimes one just stands out. For me, it was quite a few years ago when the title But What Do I Know grabbed my attention. It was nominated for a podcast award and it really resonated with me because, the imposter syndrome behind that question, my need for continual learning, and also learning from a fellow Canadian, which was rare at that time. When I saw the show, Canadian podcasts weren't really highlighted as Canadian, but really it was all about that imposter syndrome part. That little girl's uncertainty that I have that still lingers inside of me even as I am a 45 year old woman today. Right. Like all of this stuff comes up, and it came up through that one question, the title of her podcast.

So I added But What Do I Know? to my list, even though I didn't listen to it, not in the beginning at least, because I wasn't ready to face my inner struggles with that little girl that I was talking about, right? That struggle of, ooh, I actually have to look at this now. Nah. But I'll still save it on my podcast player because you just never know, right? And then I fast forward to last year, 2024, and the podcast was rebranded and it spoke to me even more. I was like, wait a minute, why did this rebrand happen? What's different? What's going on? And it piqued my curiosity.

So I was like, okay, leaning towards the curiosity versus, ooh, do I have to face my inner demons? And that was the change for me. And I decided to hit play because I realized, yeah, what do I know? Because I could learn from Chidinma Azubuike. Chidinma and I chat about her podcasting journey and what success looks like for her now. Because as we know, podcasting is a lot of work. So how does her curiosity and drive to build community work for her podcast today?

This is episode number 97 on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Chidinma, thank you so much for joining me on the show, because when I saw the title of your show, But What Do I Know? I say that to myself all the time. It's like, but what do I know? What do I know? And I just really connected with you on that. And then the fact that we're both Canadian, like you, a lot of Canadian shows don't get highlighted as Canadian. So I'm really, really glad that you agreed to come on and chat with me today.

CHIDINMA: Yes, no, thank you so much for having me, Mary. I really do appreciate it. And yes, But What Do I Know?, is the story of my life and the story of the phase of life that I'm currently in. And when I landed on that name for the podcast, I was like, this is so good.

MARY: Yeah. Cause I mean, when I started my podcast production and consulting company, I had almost 20 years of radio background, but still I was doing the whole. But what do I know? It's podcasting, it's different, it's not radio. What can I do? What can I share? I don't know, I don't know. It's just, I kept saying that, so. Oh, uh, so connected with you over this.

CHIDINMA: Yeah, like it just so represents just all the questioning. I think it's been a really good place for me to like all the questions about any aspect of life. Like my main pillars for the podcast are, you know, like finances, wellness, and relationships of all different types. So whenever, you know, whatever, I'm sort of thinking, I honestly think of my episodes based on that. Like, you know, I'm going through a period of like, questioning my finances. Then I'm like, oh, let's have a conversation about that. But what do I know about how to build up my savings, but what do I know about how to invest more and stuff like that? So, yeah.

MARY: Oh yeah. So walk me through that process. You're like, okay, I'm having this trouble or challenge in my life.

CHIDINMA: Yeah.

MARY: What does that look like in terms of then building out a podcast episode and like figuring out who a guest to bring on and all of that? Walk me through the whole process.

CHIDINMA: So it's really like curiosity driven, I guess, and what I usually do and now it's become, I guess a well oiled machine, if I do say so myself. And so what I'll do is at the beginning of every season, so in January. My seasons typically run from March to December. Now I have an editor on the team, so thankfully I won't have to take that two month break. We can cut it down to one month. But what I do is in January I will, you know, just sit, kind of reflect, journal a bit and think of the different topics that I want to cover for that season.

So, you know, and again, it's related to whatever I'm going through. It's related to life. It's related to something maybe my girlfriends are asking me about. Like right now, I had a little bit of like a pre-launch event with a couple of women and the common themes were hair. Especially for black women, it's hair and hair extensions, braid in hair. Can you get someone to talk about that? And I was like, okay, cool. Questions have been like hair care or balancing or how to build a sustainable creative business. Like, stuff like that are comments that I get. And of course people love conversations around relationships. Whether it's relationships, your family or, you know, dating is always going to pull people's attention.

So when I kind of brainstorm them, I also have sort of like, an admin coordinator slash social media coordinator as well. She helped me sort of brainstorm some ideas and helps me manage socials right now as well. So the team is growing, but yeah, so we'll make a list of topics and then we'll start searching up guests through either Google or socials are really good, especially TikTok and IG because they help me to get a gauge of the person's personality and character and if they'll be a good fit for the podcast. And so, you know, we'll search, we'll kind of do some tags. We'll search by like, if we're looking for, let's say like a business coach, we'll type in like, business coach. And my podcast is for women of colour primarily, so I'll type in, you know, business coach WOC, and IG is pretty great with all the tags and filters. I'll end up finding somebody that fits the profile.

And then once we find someone, it's now a matter of reaching out, pitching someone, sending that email that includes, you know, the stats for the podcast and generally what we're about. And then it's a couple of back and forths with the gap with the potential guest before we then lock in a date. And then closer to our recording day, I'll send instructions, important instructions, like, you need a wired headset, I'm not doing the Bluetooth…

MARY: Oh, gosh no.

CHIDINMA: …anymore. Please don't show up, like, no, no, no, that's not acceptable. You know, like conversations, topics, things like that I used to do and I still do sometimes, like a pretty call before we record just to get to meet the guest and warm up a little bit. But sometimes if you're a repeat guest or if I kind of have a sense of who you are or you have a podcast yourself, we can kind of skip that phase. And then, yeah, and then we get to the time we record and then once we record, it's now on that post production end and market end. But yeah, that's, that's the process.

MARY: You were saying that, you know, the team's growing. You have some people working with you too.

CHIDINMA: Yeah.

MARY: But I'm sure like, like most people when they start this podcast like you started in 2020…

CHIDINMA: Mhmm, yeah.

MARY: …it was one woman show is my guess.

CHIDINMA: Yeah, it was a. It was a one woman show. I had another person, she was a good friend of mine, went to school together. She's a great graphic designer. And so, we went to school for like, urban planning, urban design together. So she really tapped into her design for me. Okay. Yeah, she designed like, the initial iteration of the logo and she was also, she also created the COVID art. She wasn't a photographer, but she was at my rebrand photo shoot for cover of the podcast right now, cover art…

MARY: Nice.

CHIDINMA: …Yeah. So Haley is her name. She has been with me through like day one. But in terms of producing the podcast, it was just me. So I was doing the research, I was reaching out to guests, I was recording, I was producing, I was cutting reels, I was posting. And initially I chose podcasting because it's audio. Like a podcast is an audio format. But now, you know, people want to introduce video, people want to call video shows podcasts.

MARY: Yes.

CHIDINMA: They're not. Okay, let's just get that clear.

MARY: It's a video show.

CHIDINMA: It's a video show. But I understand that y' all want me to do videos so you can push my content. I get that, but I am not, I'm not the biggest fan of that. Like, I chose podcasting for a reason, because I didn't want to feel pressured about, you know, your image on camera and looking good all the time and presenting and performing in a certain way. It has definitely made it a little bit harder, but I'm grateful because now I can tap into an audience on YouTube right, as we start to grow that way. But yeah, yeah, it's definitely come a long way. Yeah.

MARY: So why the rebrand, though? I know there was rebrand in the middle there.

CHIDINMA: Yeah.

MARY: What was that deciding factor to make that happen?

CHIDINMA: Mhm. The rebrand was in the beginning of 2024, last year. Yes. So the rebrand was because the initial cover art was not a cartoon, but it was like an animated cover art. Like it didn't have my face. Yeah, it was to represent me, but it didn't have my face. And I felt like, you know what, I've done this for three years. I'm on video now. I'm showing my face, I'm confident, and I wanted something that was a little bit more bold, more like fierce on the cover. And so I feel like the current cover really represents that. And I just look fire…

MARY: Yeah, it looks great.

CHIDINMA: …Right? But I felt like, yeah, I think it took time for me to kind of get, like, step into that. And so last year was the perfect time to kind of rebrand. I also wanted people to see the cover and see who they would be listening to. And so, yeah, yeah, that was sort of the cause for that.

MARY: Did you change anything about the show instead of just the cover?

CHIDINMA: What I did. I think when I did that subconsciously and maybe a little bit consciously, I think I started to become more personal. When you start a podcast and depending on who you are, for me, this. This was the case. I felt like I had to put on, like, a professional voice, quote, unquote.

MARY: Yeah.

CHIDINMA: And I didn't because I didn't want to fall into the trap of having a podcast where it was, quote, unquote, just two friends chatting-ish. Or just chilling. And I was like, I'm not like, you know, I feel like people don't take those podcasts seriously. So to combat that, I felt like I had to, you know, maybe like, sound uber professional or like, sound like I was like, I did like, research for certain topics and stuff. I still do, but it's just a lot more, like, personable now. Like, my personality is really showing through. I'm not afraid to, like, cuss here and there because it's, you're getting me, you're getting the full person, you're getting my stories now you're getting more of me, right?

So I think that is what I would say, especially 20, like, ending of 2023, 2024, you really start to see that, like, 2022, 2023, you got bits. But towards the end of 2023 and 2024, it was like, yes. And even more so this year, this year, just by virtue of where I'm at in life, the things that myself and my girlfriends are dealing with, a lot of our conversations are being more vulnerable. Like, we're talking about friendship breakups, where I was the one that made a mistake. We're talking about, you know, relationships and having to end them. We're talking about me, you know, losing my job due to the market. And we're combating and tackling those things, right?

I like it because then the audience gets to connect with not just the material, but with me, but still in a healthy way, because I'm never going to get on the mic and say, this is what I did, you should do it, too. This is for information. This is storytelling and a little bit of entertainment too, right? But I think that podcasting is a healthy medium to where people trust the voice, because I've been doing this for so long and I've been doing it based on research and having experts and reputable like girlfriends come on and we talk about it and we're doing it earnestly, we're not doing it maliciously. Like I'm never going to get on the mic and start chatting, ish. And not citing sources and stuff, right? So, yeah, I think that that's, that's been really, really something that I have focused on, you know?

MARY: Mhm. I can hear it too in like the different segments that you have.

CHIDINMA: Yes.

MARY: And how you are.

CHIDINMA: Yeah.

MARY: And in your most recent episode you talk about getting, losing your job and that's very personal. But you walked around that to be like, hey, let's talk about this when I'm ready to do it. You know, it is your show, so I feel like there is a lot of community that you've built. But describe to me when your podcast really became like a community for you and had an impact for you. What does that mean?

CHIDINMA: I think 2024 as well. I think when I did the rebrand, I pushed myself to do a pre-launch for that season and I invited about 10 women listeners, some of them were also podcasters themselves. And we did a pre-launch party where we watched 15 minutes of an episode that was to come and I revealed the cover art. So people, so they got to see the cover art before anybody else. And we just like, talked about what the podcast season was gonna look like. That was step one.

And then I think as much as social media has made it a little bit harder now in terms of reach and engagement, just showing up regularly, people are consistently seeing like, oh, she's serious about this. And people are, you know, commenting, sharing and they're also encouraging me. And I honestly think we might need to have this conversation again next year [LAUGHTER] because I think this year is when I'm really pushing myself to solidify the community aspect. So like, we have an upcoming movie, screening for Black Canadian film, yeah, Village Keeper. And I can actually share this if that's okay with you. Yeah, it's on May 29th in the evening and I'm sharing all about it on socials. So you can catch that there. Or if you listen to the most recent episodes of the podcast, the link is in the episode description.

But yeah, we're, we're screening that and it's virtual. And so now I'm kind of testing myself to say, okay, who feels connected to this? The conversations that we're having on the podcast, who is, who wants to show up because of podcasting, it's very passive. So it's one thing to have people listen to you and enjoy the conversation. It's another thing to have people start coming to events or to want to pay for content, or to leave their house and show up for in person events, right?

So now I'm really seeing...]]>d92d4606-2a1b-49cb-8966-0d0967f2a2a1Mon, 19 May 2025 09:00:00 -070037:23falsefull9797Podcast on Pause? How To Restart or Reimagine Your Show - EP 96Podcast on Pause? How To Restart or Reimagine Your ShowWhat does coming back strong from a podcast hiatus look like? In the day-to-day chaos of our lives—balancing work, family, personal time, household upkeep, etc, etc—it's perfectly understandable if it feels like a bit much to plan, record, publish, and market a podcast on top of that. If you're thinking about pressing pause on your show, or you already have, rest assured, you can take that step without derailing your past progress.

In this episode, Mary talks you through how to put your show on hiatus and set yourself up to return strong. Whether you plan to reimagine the whole thing or just take a break before diving back into business as usual, you'll want to ponder the goals of your podcast, your ideal workflow, and—maybe most importantly—the fact that taking breaks is a natural and healthy part of continuing to enjoy your podcasting journey!

Start preparing for your pause and your return right now:

  • Why it's important to keep your listeners in the loop
  • How to incorporate the role you want your podcast to play
  • What to include in an updated feature episode once you're back
  • Why it's a great idea to build in breaks ahead of time

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: With all this uncertainty in the world, podcasting is, spoiler alert, not going to be your number one priority in your life. Okay, I know. Maybe it's already on the back burner for you, actually, and you feel this nagging feeling to do something. It's like, oh, I have my podcast. I should put out an episode, or, oh, I want to talk about these things, but, oh, I don't know, how do I have time? It's kind of nagging you.

But the overwhelm of everything else in your life either A, doesn't give you the time to record, or B, the mental capacity to say a coherent sentence at this time is truly, truly lacking. So what is it like to take a pause from your podcast and also then come back too, with that intention? How do you restart or maybe reimagine your podcast if you're in a season of overwhelm or busyness? Or you know what, it's been on the back burner for a while and you're like, I want to come back now. So what can you do either to prep for this pause or figuring out what it can look like when you want to come back?

This is episode number 96 on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Hey there, welcome to the show. This is episode number 96, as I said.

[MUSIC ENDS]

But you know what? If you go back to episode 87, about doing less for your podcast, if you haven't listened to that one yet, do go and listen to that one, because it'll be a great companion episode for this one. It'll give you some ideas on shifting your podcast workflow and just giving you a few more details and expansion on what I'm going to talk about today. So, yeah, bookmark that. If you haven't listened to episode 87 yet, that is the one to get to after this one. All right.

[MUSIC IN]

So today we're going to talk about, hey, maybe somewhere along the way of your podcasting journey, you paused the show, or you, uh, plan to pause it now, or maybe you want to come back from your show. What does this all look like? Will you be getting back to the old workflow that you used to do? What worked for you then, and what would you change now? Another question could be, what did you never liked about that podcast workflow? So you would like to get rid of it or approve upon it altogether, right? Getting rid of it could just mean, like, skipping that step or passing it off to somebody else.

So we're going to deep dive into some of these things today. To maybe even reimagine what it could look like to restart that podcasting journey of yours. So, the foundational question, really, I'm going to ask you is, is this the same podcast that you want to create, or is there a new iteration for you right now in your podcasting journey? So if you're in that season of overwhelm right now and you want to reimagine what your podcast can look like in the future, we're definitely going to take a look at that in this episode. So what does restarting a podcast look like? But before we even get to that, let's take a look first at the pause.

[MUSIC ENDS]

So maybe you're in that overwhelm season right now, and you're like, I just have to stop cold turkey. I don't have time for this. But if you do have the bandwidth, if you do have that mental energy to create one more episode, it's best not to ghost your listeners. You know, as a listener myself, I always wonder, oh, is this person coming back? Or maybe I've noticed, you know, they used to have a weekly show, but they haven't published this week. Oh, sometimes I might not notice the first week, but then the second week, third week, fourth week a month, two months go by, and I was like, oh, yeah, I used to like listening to this show. What happened to it? It's not coming up on my feed anymore.

So if you have the bandwidth, create a final episode and provide them with what your plan is so that, you know, a few months down the road, they can still think, oh, yeah, what happened to that show? I wonder if they're back yet. Or, you know what? Even if you don't have a plan, let them know that you don't have a plan, [LAUGHTER] that you'd like to come back. Just depends on what the situation is, right? So it just depends on your transparency and what you want to share.

Some of the things that you can share are your hopes for the podcast. What do you love best about creating the show for your ideal listener? Share that as well, because they want to know what's going on in your head. So could be a short solo episode that you share this, or you can create one of your regular episodes. Especially if you do interview episodes, you can tag it onto your intro and outro for the next episode that you create.

The point of all of this is the intention and making sure that your listener is on that plan as well. You don't want to just leave them in a lurch, right? Especially if you've been creating a show for quite some time. They want to know where you are on that journey and go alongside with you. So, you might not have all your plans ironed out right now, but maybe this is also a good way to verbalize those ideas. I've had people do a solo episode and just start with a few bullet points and then just riff on that and figure out, okay, is this what I want to do? If I say it out loud, it might create a different meaning for you. So your episode doesn't have to be pre-planned and scripted, freestyling it as a brainstorming session out loud can really be beneficial as well.

However, if you do have a plan, great. Let your listener know. I know for me, I've always scheduled in breaks, so I talk about those pauses in my last episode before I do the break. And I'll also let my listener know when I'm back. Like, I could have an exact date or I could just say like, mid-September or something like that, right? But right now, let's take a step back, back. So we're taking a step back even further and think about some options that you have when you come back from your break. Whether it's a couple of months or it's been a whole...]]>What does coming back strong from a podcast hiatus look like? In the day-to-day chaos of our lives—balancing work, family, personal time, household upkeep, etc, etc—it's perfectly understandable if it feels like a bit much to plan, record, publish, and market a podcast on top of that. If you're thinking about pressing pause on your show, or you already have, rest assured, you can take that step without derailing your past progress.

In this episode, Mary talks you through how to put your show on hiatus and set yourself up to return strong. Whether you plan to reimagine the whole thing or just take a break before diving back into business as usual, you'll want to ponder the goals of your podcast, your ideal workflow, and—maybe most importantly—the fact that taking breaks is a natural and healthy part of continuing to enjoy your podcasting journey!

Start preparing for your pause and your return right now:

  • Why it's important to keep your listeners in the loop
  • How to incorporate the role you want your podcast to play
  • What to include in an updated feature episode once you're back
  • Why it's a great idea to build in breaks ahead of time

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: With all this uncertainty in the world, podcasting is, spoiler alert, not going to be your number one priority in your life. Okay, I know. Maybe it's already on the back burner for you, actually, and you feel this nagging feeling to do something. It's like, oh, I have my podcast. I should put out an episode, or, oh, I want to talk about these things, but, oh, I don't know, how do I have time? It's kind of nagging you.

But the overwhelm of everything else in your life either A, doesn't give you the time to record, or B, the mental capacity to say a coherent sentence at this time is truly, truly lacking. So what is it like to take a pause from your podcast and also then come back too, with that intention? How do you restart or maybe reimagine your podcast if you're in a season of overwhelm or busyness? Or you know what, it's been on the back burner for a while and you're like, I want to come back now. So what can you do either to prep for this pause or figuring out what it can look like when you want to come back?

This is episode number 96 on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Hey there, welcome to the show. This is episode number 96, as I said.

[MUSIC ENDS]

But you know what? If you go back to episode 87, about doing less for your podcast, if you haven't listened to that one yet, do go and listen to that one, because it'll be a great companion episode for this one. It'll give you some ideas on shifting your podcast workflow and just giving you a few more details and expansion on what I'm going to talk about today. So, yeah, bookmark that. If you haven't listened to episode 87 yet, that is the one to get to after this one. All right.

[MUSIC IN]

So today we're going to talk about, hey, maybe somewhere along the way of your podcasting journey, you paused the show, or you, uh, plan to pause it now, or maybe you want to come back from your show. What does this all look like? Will you be getting back to the old workflow that you used to do? What worked for you then, and what would you change now? Another question could be, what did you never liked about that podcast workflow? So you would like to get rid of it or approve upon it altogether, right? Getting rid of it could just mean, like, skipping that step or passing it off to somebody else.

So we're going to deep dive into some of these things today. To maybe even reimagine what it could look like to restart that podcasting journey of yours. So, the foundational question, really, I'm going to ask you is, is this the same podcast that you want to create, or is there a new iteration for you right now in your podcasting journey? So if you're in that season of overwhelm right now and you want to reimagine what your podcast can look like in the future, we're definitely going to take a look at that in this episode. So what does restarting a podcast look like? But before we even get to that, let's take a look first at the pause.

[MUSIC ENDS]

So maybe you're in that overwhelm season right now, and you're like, I just have to stop cold turkey. I don't have time for this. But if you do have the bandwidth, if you do have that mental energy to create one more episode, it's best not to ghost your listeners. You know, as a listener myself, I always wonder, oh, is this person coming back? Or maybe I've noticed, you know, they used to have a weekly show, but they haven't published this week. Oh, sometimes I might not notice the first week, but then the second week, third week, fourth week a month, two months go by, and I was like, oh, yeah, I used to like listening to this show. What happened to it? It's not coming up on my feed anymore.

So if you have the bandwidth, create a final episode and provide them with what your plan is so that, you know, a few months down the road, they can still think, oh, yeah, what happened to that show? I wonder if they're back yet. Or, you know what? Even if you don't have a plan, let them know that you don't have a plan, [LAUGHTER] that you'd like to come back. Just depends on what the situation is, right? So it just depends on your transparency and what you want to share.

Some of the things that you can share are your hopes for the podcast. What do you love best about creating the show for your ideal listener? Share that as well, because they want to know what's going on in your head. So could be a short solo episode that you share this, or you can create one of your regular episodes. Especially if you do interview episodes, you can tag it onto your intro and outro for the next episode that you create.

The point of all of this is the intention and making sure that your listener is on that plan as well. You don't want to just leave them in a lurch, right? Especially if you've been creating a show for quite some time. They want to know where you are on that journey and go alongside with you. So, you might not have all your plans ironed out right now, but maybe this is also a good way to verbalize those ideas. I've had people do a solo episode and just start with a few bullet points and then just riff on that and figure out, okay, is this what I want to do? If I say it out loud, it might create a different meaning for you. So your episode doesn't have to be pre-planned and scripted, freestyling it as a brainstorming session out loud can really be beneficial as well.

However, if you do have a plan, great. Let your listener know. I know for me, I've always scheduled in breaks, so I talk about those pauses in my last episode before I do the break. And I'll also let my listener know when I'm back. Like, I could have an exact date or I could just say like, mid-September or something like that, right? But right now, let's take a step back, back. So we're taking a step back even further and think about some options that you have when you come back from your break. Whether it's a couple of months or it's been a whole year or more since your last episode. What's the plan?

[MUSIC IN]

So even before you hit that record button, let's revisit our foundations. Here are some prompts for you to start thinking about what you want out of your podcast. Has your ideal listener changed? If so, how? Who is this person now? What are you passionate about currently? What new directions related to your business, or work, or organization that could drive new goals for your podcast? And finally, what role does your podcast play in those new goals? Does your podcast role need to shift?

Earlier this year, mid-April, I was actually speaking at NTEN's Nonprofit Technology Conference about just that. Your podcast role. That, in order to figure out the direction of your podcast, or in this case, maybe a new direction when you're coming back, we need to know what role your podcast will play for your goals. You know, things like your frequency, your length, how long your episodes are the types of resources that go into a podcast, like show notes, that will all change based on what the role of your podcast is.

For example, if you're looking just to create a lot more episodes, you're like, I want to come back and I want to come back strong. With weekly shows, a content role could be what you're after, but in this case, after a pause, really, do you have the bandwidth to continually create a weekly show and then repurpose that episode into other forms of content? You really gotta think about your capacity as well.

As another example, if you're looking to build relationships, this is usually the easiest way to create a podcast and one that you actually hear very often. They are mainly interview style shows where you are focused on finding aligned guests to solve your ideal listeners challenges. You are also spending time promoting that person before, during, and especially after each episode. But maybe you're looking at your podcast as a way to engage with your listeners more. So this time you want to think about spending more time on collecting questions and perhaps voice clips to add to those episodes. You're really asking for their feedback and getting those voice clips. You also could share like Q&As or Ask Me Anything, AMA type episodes to get their thoughts or opinions. So they are really engaged with you as the host.

But maybe your podcast role is to be more about moving people from the podcast to another platform that you have. So whether that is going to your email list where you do the majority of your sales or I've also seen nonprofit organizations use this to convert listeners from the podcast to paying donors and being on their email list there. So you'll be spending more time on your podcast creating story and compelling emotional connections. And knowing that this then requires more highly produced podcasts with like music and sound effects and clips of people's stories. So capacity wise, this is going to be upping your game.

Or maybe it's about thought leadership. You know what, I really want to hone in on this thought leadership piece for my podcast. You have ideas to share, so you mainly want to have solo episodes. Well, you'll never run out of things to talk about. So in this capacity piece, you're going to be doing a lot of that prep work. You want to be the authority in your industry where you're going to have high level conversations take place. So you really got to map out what you want to talk about. You'll focus on a lot of details for actionable items and takeaways for your listener beyond the show notes.

Because you know, if I'm learning from you, I also want to learn from you, maybe on your blog or newsletter. I want to sign up for that. You've got a whole ecosystem to spread your message and podcasting is just one part of that. So overall, what role do you see your podcast taking shape as? Because once you know that, we can take a look at options to coming back or reimagining your show.

[MUSIC ENDS]

So now when you do come back, what are you going to do differently, if any? I was talking with Craig Constantine. He was actually on my podcast a little while back, but then I was on his show called Podtalk. And that was an episode I think came out in late March. I've shared the link with you in the show notes. I was actually his first guest after he had a very long break. I think he said at least a year. It was a year before he had me as a published episode.

So he had a fantastic workflow that worked for him. Remember, he talked about that on my show. So what he did for restarting Podtalk was essentially the exact same show. He didn't do anything different. And he just came back with a new episode saying in his intro that he's back after a break and there's nothing wrong with doing just that. If you want to go back to what worked for you before, that's totally cool.

But if you want to change things up, especially due to that capacity piece, whether it's frequency, meaning how often you publish, or going with or without guests, or maybe the length of the episode, maybe you're like I just want to do a lot shorter episodes now, this would be great to either say it in your new episode or create a whole new trailer. Because if it's a totally different style of show, a new trailer would be great to help advertise that right, for that organic search. So this becomes your new featured episode.

And especially for those that are newly discovering your podcast, that organic search, they'll know exactly what the new shows is all about. And actually, even before you hit record, like I always say, it's all about the pre-stuff. What will your new workflow look like if you've never done guests before, how will you now incorporate a system into your show to bring guests on? If you were too busy before, does this new workflow actually work with your current capacity? And how are you integrating your podcast tasks, maybe into your calendar so that you actually do those tasks? Maybe you need some reminders on your phone. Do you have a team maybe you can assign some tasks to, or they can send you those reminders? I want to make sure that in three or six months time down the road, you are not back to this overwhelmed stage if you can avoid it.

The capacity to create a podcast is probably more than you actually think. I know a lot of people always go into podcasting thinking, oh, yeah, you know, you just hit record and then you publish it, right? Well, in fact, I know if your podcast is tied to your work, if you're an entrepreneur, or you have it tied to your organization, or maybe if it's just a huge passion project, it's going to take a few more hours than you think. Podcasting is a lot of work, but, you know, there's value to this work, and it's fun. Like, who doesn't love doing something fun? And it's when it stops being fun, when the overwhelm presents itself, that we feel like we need that break, right?

So I was thinking back to my show. You know, it feels like it's always been with a season. People always say, like, oh, yeah, you can create seasons, right? Like on TV shows, you create a season. Podcasting, similar. For me, I created my show with breaks in between these seasons to deal with that overwhelm piece. In my life, there are two sets or two, I guess. Two sets? Yeah, two series. Every year for me, I take a pause between December and February, and then also in the summer, July and August. So I need that time to recalibrate, to rest, and also to figure out, okay, what am I really passionate about right now that I want to talk about in this season, right?

So give or take a few weeks or so of that time frame, I usually have those breaks. And my podcast doesn't have any themes or true story arcs to justify, like, an actual season. So some people might call it a series, where you do a certain amount, maybe have a broad theme around it for a number of episodes, and then you take a break. I could more broadly associate with that, like a series versus seasons, but technicality rather doesn't matter what you call it. But in my mind, listeners are still going to listen as long as they understand what the cadence or frequency is. You don't ghost them. You let them know on the last episode before there is a break.

So a lot of my listeners know that I will take a break during my winter and my summer because we're all doing things during that time of year, and I need the break, and I need to spend time with my family so they'll know. Right? You know, right? Okay. So we're gonna take a look now at what you can do to shift it back to that fun piece I was mentioning earlier. There's no one way or one right answer to have fun, right? Everybody has fun in their own way. But I just want you to consider that breaks are totally okay.

In fact, they are needed. I know in the world of content and fear of missing out, you feel some outside pressure to continually create. Maybe it's just our society, but really, you don't have to. Like I said, I do it for my sanity. I do it for my family. The breaks come first. You schedule that in. You know, we might think we have to do weekly episodes, but we don't. So unless you are a big celebrity podcast with a big advertising revenue behind you, who says you need to have weekly content? We don't. That's not the podcast that we're creating. In fact, it's because of advertising that we have sort of this unspoken rule about content creation. But in podcasting, that kind of goes against that traditional idea, the traditional broadcast idea with advertisers, right. That you are, as a podcaster, are not tied to any fixed schedule, that you are not beholden to any advertisers that way. And yet, yet, even if you are, you do have...]]>7449ce8a-6499-41e9-9902-4f137d31cfc9Mon, 05 May 2025 09:00:00 -070018:33falsefull9696Generative AI: Understanding the Future of Podcasting with Amanda Cupido - EP 95Generative AI: Understanding the Future of Podcasting with Amanda CupidoHow are you using or avoiding artificial intelligence in your podcast? AI is a shiny new offering with loads of possibilities, but a lot of people are also understandably threatened by its wide-reaching and ever-growing abilities. On today's episode, Mary connects with Amanda Cupido, an adjunct professor, TEDx speaker, podcast producer, and author of the book "Let's Talk Podcasting."

Amanda has her finger firmly on the pulse of all things new in the world of podcasts, and she shares her deeply researched insights on the pros and cons of welcoming generative AI into our shows—just how wide should we be opening that door?

From concern around the inherent biases of AI outputs to the tool's potential to build the confidence of new voices in audio, Amanda's hot takes might just change the way you incorporate artificial intelligence into your podcast.

Learn to navigate generative AI from a 100% human expert:

  • How we can maintain the human touch in AI-assisted creations,
  • The struggle to stay transparent about our use of AI,
  • What to take away and leave behind from popular celebrity podcasts,
  • What other big changes are making waves in the podcasting world today.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Amanda Cupido:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: AI, artificial intelligence. People love it or they're afraid of it. On one hand it's this shiny new object, people flock to it. It's been helping us write better, maybe give us ideas and do that basic level of tasks that sometimes we don't want to do. But then on the other hand, it's the thought of robots taking over the world, making decisions that might be wrong, or even, gasp, replacing actual humans.

So yes, I too all those fears and the shiny new object syndrome more so the fears though. So I haven't really been jumping on the AI bandwagon. And yet when I look at the nitty gritty side of things that I do, a lot of it is AI involved. You know, there's a lot of automations and workflows that are just always happening in the background for me. So why are we so scared? Amanda Cupdio tells us that it's the generative AI that has us all fearful. The generative part, that's the AI that's gotten very, very good lately. So I wanted to know more about it to A, calm my fears, but also my curiosity to it for the whole side of podcasting.

Amanda came into my world through a mutual podcasting friend shout out to Aaron Johnson. Not only is Amanda an award winning podcast producer, TEDx speaker, and an entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Lead Podcasting, Amanda is also the author of the Amazon number one bestseller Let's Talk Podcasting: The Essential Guide To Doing It Right and now a kids' version of that book too. And if all of that wasn't enough to keep her busy, to top it all off, she's helping the next generation of podcasters as an adjunct professor to redefine the radio courses at both Seneca Polytechnic and Toronto Metropolitan University.

To top it all off yet again is also teaching a new generative AI course at Seneca, which is the thing that piqued my interest and why I really wanted to get her thoughts on how AI can be good for podcasting, so that we're not so afraid of what's to come. I also have such a love for her because we both are former radio people and she was the first woman to be a program director at a talk radio station in Toronto. Which really blows my mind because Toronto is the biggest market in Canada and this milestone is actually relatively new in our recent history, so how is that still possible? But kudos to her. Congrats on that one.

Okay, back to the topic at hand. Whether you are using AI or not in your podcast, in your podcast workflow, in the creation of your show, you are really going to enjoy this chat because, like I said, AI is a part of our podcasting world. So we need to be aware of how it's impacting our space and what unfolds for the industry itself and for the next generation of podcasters.

This is episode number 95 with Amanda Cupido on The Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Amanda, thank you so much for taking time out of your,

[MUSIC ENDS]

You're so busy, you've got so much going on to talk with little ol' me here.

AMANDA: Thank you. It's a true pleasure. Happy to be here.

MARY: One of the things that you're so busy with is this new class at Seneca Polytechnic…

AMANDA: Yep.

MARY: …out in your east coast, Ontario, from me, West Coast, BC.

AMANDA: Yes.

MARY: Brand new class, Generative AI for Communicators.

AMANDA: That's it, Yes.

MARY: I was like, whoa, what is this?

AMANDA: Yeah.

MARY: So, you know, I'm, I'm not a big AI fan. I'm still a little afraid of it. But when you think more about it, it's like, you know, back in the day when I remember when I was in high school, teachers were like, don't use your calculator. No calculators in math class.

AMANDA: [LAUGHTER] Yep.

MARY: And now look at us, right? So I feel like AI is similar to that so broadly. Tell us, especially for us who are fearing that AI, what is this class all about and why is it so important right now?

AMANDA: Well, the class is brand new and it's part of also a brand new program. So it's, it's all just spanking new. [LAUGHTER] It's a bachelor's program from Seneca for Communications Management. And they're teaching the students in general in this program about storytelling, content creation, communication strategies for corporate communication, strategies for individuals, brand building, personal thought, leadership development, right? So it's trying to paint this picture of like, what that, that whole, where this fits into the bigger picture of the, of the actual degree they're earning.

And this course comes now in, and this is the first cohort of students coming through this new program. So this is why it's all. I love this stuff. This excites me. I like, you know, building and testing and just experimenting. And so I am using AI in my podcast production company, Lead Podcasting, and I also have a certificate from the University of Oxford. And so they reached...]]>How are you using or avoiding artificial intelligence in your podcast? AI is a shiny new offering with loads of possibilities, but a lot of people are also understandably threatened by its wide-reaching and ever-growing abilities. On today's episode, Mary connects with Amanda Cupido, an adjunct professor, TEDx speaker, podcast producer, and author of the book "Let's Talk Podcasting."

Amanda has her finger firmly on the pulse of all things new in the world of podcasts, and she shares her deeply researched insights on the pros and cons of welcoming generative AI into our shows—just how wide should we be opening that door?

From concern around the inherent biases of AI outputs to the tool's potential to build the confidence of new voices in audio, Amanda's hot takes might just change the way you incorporate artificial intelligence into your podcast.

Learn to navigate generative AI from a 100% human expert:

  • How we can maintain the human touch in AI-assisted creations,
  • The struggle to stay transparent about our use of AI,
  • What to take away and leave behind from popular celebrity podcasts,
  • What other big changes are making waves in the podcasting world today.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Amanda Cupido:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: AI, artificial intelligence. People love it or they're afraid of it. On one hand it's this shiny new object, people flock to it. It's been helping us write better, maybe give us ideas and do that basic level of tasks that sometimes we don't want to do. But then on the other hand, it's the thought of robots taking over the world, making decisions that might be wrong, or even, gasp, replacing actual humans.

So yes, I too all those fears and the shiny new object syndrome more so the fears though. So I haven't really been jumping on the AI bandwagon. And yet when I look at the nitty gritty side of things that I do, a lot of it is AI involved. You know, there's a lot of automations and workflows that are just always happening in the background for me. So why are we so scared? Amanda Cupdio tells us that it's the generative AI that has us all fearful. The generative part, that's the AI that's gotten very, very good lately. So I wanted to know more about it to A, calm my fears, but also my curiosity to it for the whole side of podcasting.

Amanda came into my world through a mutual podcasting friend shout out to Aaron Johnson. Not only is Amanda an award winning podcast producer, TEDx speaker, and an entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Lead Podcasting, Amanda is also the author of the Amazon number one bestseller Let's Talk Podcasting: The Essential Guide To Doing It Right and now a kids' version of that book too. And if all of that wasn't enough to keep her busy, to top it all off, she's helping the next generation of podcasters as an adjunct professor to redefine the radio courses at both Seneca Polytechnic and Toronto Metropolitan University.

To top it all off yet again is also teaching a new generative AI course at Seneca, which is the thing that piqued my interest and why I really wanted to get her thoughts on how AI can be good for podcasting, so that we're not so afraid of what's to come. I also have such a love for her because we both are former radio people and she was the first woman to be a program director at a talk radio station in Toronto. Which really blows my mind because Toronto is the biggest market in Canada and this milestone is actually relatively new in our recent history, so how is that still possible? But kudos to her. Congrats on that one.

Okay, back to the topic at hand. Whether you are using AI or not in your podcast, in your podcast workflow, in the creation of your show, you are really going to enjoy this chat because, like I said, AI is a part of our podcasting world. So we need to be aware of how it's impacting our space and what unfolds for the industry itself and for the next generation of podcasters.

This is episode number 95 with Amanda Cupido on The Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Amanda, thank you so much for taking time out of your,

[MUSIC ENDS]

You're so busy, you've got so much going on to talk with little ol' me here.

AMANDA: Thank you. It's a true pleasure. Happy to be here.

MARY: One of the things that you're so busy with is this new class at Seneca Polytechnic…

AMANDA: Yep.

MARY: …out in your east coast, Ontario, from me, West Coast, BC.

AMANDA: Yes.

MARY: Brand new class, Generative AI for Communicators.

AMANDA: That's it, Yes.

MARY: I was like, whoa, what is this?

AMANDA: Yeah.

MARY: So, you know, I'm, I'm not a big AI fan. I'm still a little afraid of it. But when you think more about it, it's like, you know, back in the day when I remember when I was in high school, teachers were like, don't use your calculator. No calculators in math class.

AMANDA: [LAUGHTER] Yep.

MARY: And now look at us, right? So I feel like AI is similar to that so broadly. Tell us, especially for us who are fearing that AI, what is this class all about and why is it so important right now?

AMANDA: Well, the class is brand new and it's part of also a brand new program. So it's, it's all just spanking new. [LAUGHTER] It's a bachelor's program from Seneca for Communications Management. And they're teaching the students in general in this program about storytelling, content creation, communication strategies for corporate communication, strategies for individuals, brand building, personal thought, leadership development, right? So it's trying to paint this picture of like, what that, that whole, where this fits into the bigger picture of the, of the actual degree they're earning.

And this course comes now in, and this is the first cohort of students coming through this new program. So this is why it's all. I love this stuff. This excites me. I like, you know, building and testing and just experimenting. And so I am using AI in my podcast production company, Lead Podcasting, and I also have a certificate from the University of Oxford. And so they reached out to me with the opportunity to bring this class to life, which was great. And so I'm also just responding to where the students are at. And so from a high level, the class is teaching really practical use cases, as the name says, to use AI for communications and that can be with more formal comms plans for corporate, but also as a freelancer who's maybe trying to get a gig as a copywriter.

And so it really ranges and we'll do different case studies. I brought in guest speakers. We've also been just following the news in general and talking about that. So one interesting thing that I was surprised by, I was getting ready, these are, you know, early 20s, the students in the class are in their early 20s and, I was ready for them to teach me too. I was ready. No, but they were really open to learning. They, a lot of them had not experimented with AI at all.

Some of them just truly had not even touched ChatGPT. Some had said, oh, they've used ChatGPT and that's it. Have not experimented with a single other thing. And I was shocked by that. I was expecting the younger generation to be all over this and, uh, telling me what apps they were using, but which I think, you know, for no matter what your age, just goes to show we're all in this together. I'm trying to figure this out. There's no advantage for anybody. We could all just dive in, even just me. I personally experiment with things and then I bring it into the classroom. So it is really evolving.

But some of the programs we're using, if you're curious and you want to do some experimenting, we've used Suno to create songs and in that use case for, in a comms plan, you know, a custom song for a presentation or an anthem for a campaign. And Suno, you could like put in your own lyrics or have it generate lyrics for you. You pick the genre, the voice and then it like creates a song for you. So that's one app and one in class activity that we just did and shared our songs. And then we're also doing. We used Boardy AI. I don't know if you've heard of this, but this is, uh, an app that is an AI generated voice that will call you and you have a conversation. So first off, it's really interesting just to be chatting with an AI agent…

MARY: Yeah.

AMANDA: …and so this was like day one of my class, I called and we like had the whole class listen into me talking with this AI agent. Cool. A great intro, right? And then I gave them the number so they could all have their own calls if they wanted. And essentially this agent tries to network for you and says, you know, we're a more global community. Work has become more globalized and going to networking events just doesn't cut it anymore. So you have a chat with me and then I look in my network of all the other people I've chatted to, and I see who might be a good fit for you to meet and you get to share what you're looking for.

And for students, it was great because they're all looking to network. They're trying to break into an industry. And so, yeah, that was really awesome to hear some students who on their own time did the call and it like went down a networking path with that agent. So there's a lot of experimenting and case studies like this. But on the other side, we're also getting really granular and looking at privacy policies line by line ethics. What do you think? You know, we're, we're getting into the, to the other side too. So it's, we're trying to have a very balanced approach of excitement and caution, you know so yeah…

MARY: Yeah.

AMANDA: …it's very interesting. Yeah, it's fun.

MARY: I know that the other day I saw, you know, Google Gemini doing that AI agent type thing that you were talking about. It's how you can in real time talk to them and figure out what it is that you, you know, you're googling or whatnot or like if you're cooking something and like, should I be doing this temperature or should I fry or should I whatever. And it would help support you in that. And that's kind of interesting because it means that it's coming to the everyday user, so it's not going to be as scary anymore.

However, I do have a big ethics question which you lightly touched on there. You know, there is a huge bias of AI who don't see outside of that normative, white, patriarchal ecosystem that we live in. You know, AI generates voices that may sound like the person. Like if you get it to learn your voice, it learns your pitch, your frequency, pacing. But, what about for like people who are second language learners or those who are just podcasting as a passion and it's not meant to sound polished and, you know, corporate at all. What about that side of things?

AMANDA: I think there's two parts to this answer. The first one is about the bias. And what I say to that is that is, just a reflection of humanity. AI, we built AI. So unfortunately it's pulling from things that we've also created as humanity and the biases that are showing up are the biases that exist in our world. So I think it feels scary because it's being reflected back to us so blatantly…

MARY: Mhmm.

AMANDA: …but it's all already here. This is our world. So I, and, and the biases are going to change. Like, I think it's going to be interesting as users experiment. The biases will change depending where we are in the world. And the AI agents will be trained and learn biases in local contexts, right? Where if you're in Afghanistan, unfortunately, there are brides that are 11 years old. And so if you ask an AI that's been trained over there to generate the image of a bride, you might get a gal that looks really young…

MARY: Right.

AMANDA: …And that's just because of the images it's sourcing from the users there. So we have to just recognize, you know, our role in all of this. And the, the optimist in me is like, maybe when it's so starkly reflected back to us, maybe actually we'll be challenged to be better as a, as a human race.

MARY: So should it be like we need to use AI more just so it can learn about the diverse population?

AMANDA: Yeah, I, that's how I look at it. I say, I'm going to learn it, I'm going to teach it, I'm going to teach this thing, I'm going to tell it. I don't want a white man being representative of a CEO, when I put it…

MARY: Yes.

AMANDA: …right, a CEO. And so I can prompt that and then it's learning from me. And I think we have this opportunity to, to make it better and change some of the, you know, there's so much data out there that would take so long to replicate and over surpass from a content creation perspective. But if we could, with prompts, start shifting the narrative, it'll learn faster from prompts than from, you know, and you can tell it, don't use database, use my prompts, right? And you can just guide it to being better. So I think there is a, there is a silver lining to this. Not to say it's not, it's not going to be perfect. It's going to take time.

And that kind of answers your second part of your original question, which was, you know, what about the real and raw authentic elements and how do we not make it so, you know, slickly polished when that's not what we want? And that's going to be part of, I mean, that's the human touch that you can add in or tell it to not alter. There's going to be opportunities for hybrid approaches to content creation which we can.

MARY: What do you mean by hybrid?

AMANDA: Like, let's say somebody wants to make a podcast and they're, I don't know, 12 or 13. They're a young teen who doesn't even know really who their group of friends is yet. They're trying to figure themselves out and they don't really have a community of people they could invite onto their podcast. Maybe they could have a podcast with an AI agent that builds their confidence, makes them love their voice, feels more comfortable in conversation and interviewing, and then it's half human, half AI agent, and then eventually they develop into doing a full fledged one with two humans. But, like they're able to start in this hybrid format.

MARY: Oh, I see what you mean. Yeah. It's like this playing in the sandbox. It's not going to be full on, like public consumption. People are going to judge you. It's a very safe space.

AMANDA: It can be. And then you have to be careful and you have to understand what apps you're using and what the privacy policies of those apps are. One of the things I do in my classes, like, we actually pull up the privacy policy and start reading line by line, because we know that nobody reads the fine print.

MARY: Yes. [LAUGHTER]

AMANDA: And so I'm like, let's read it together. And then we actually. So we took the fine print from Deep Seek, which was an AI agent developed out of China, but we put it into ChatGPT to say, what are the privacy concerns that you see in Deep Seek? Right. Like, that was an interesting experiment. So you could use AI against itself.

MARY: Yeah.

AMANDA: Yeah, it was neat. So anyway, I do think that there, it's going to be this, this moment of, of the wild, wild west where we're all just trying to figure it out. And also we have to recognise that there's a social acceptance around it all too. So, if you look in a lot of countries overseas, like in Korea, they have celebrities already, influencers, singers that are completely AI generated and people are following them on Instagram, showing up to their concerts. And there's fandom, there's true fandom around it. We in North America are not there yet. Like, we…

MARY: Not even close.

AMANDA: …not even close. But I think we'll get there. It's just...]]>7c3aff40-7a13-4fdc-aefd-c35d3c7ec502Mon, 21 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -070042:38falsefull9595Be More Choosy About Your Podcast Guests - EP 94Be More Choosy About Your Podcast GuestsHow can you take your guest episodes beyond a basic Q&A? When you think of a podcast, what comes to mind? If "a mic and two people talking" is your first thought, you're in good company, but in this episode, Mary encourages you to expand that definition. Your show is about so much more than the interview. That one-time guest isn't the person who keeps listeners coming back week after week—that's you! So, how can you use strategic guest selection to leverage the values, interests, and timing of both the host and the listener?

When you bring on not just the most popular guest but the one who is truly the best fit, you gain a stronger episode, a more dedicated listener base, and a more cohesive show.

Get picky about your guest picks with these helpful tips:

  • Why this month's most sought-after podcast guest might not be the right choice for you
  • Why platforms that match guests to podcasts aren't ideal
  • How your podcast values play into your guest selection every time
  • How to tweak your publishing schedule to get the most out of every episode.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: When you think of a podcast these days, what do you envision? Like, what is a podcast? Most people I talk to tend to say that if there's a microphone and there's two people talking, you've got a podcast. So, yes, that could be a good barometer. Like, a lot of the celebrity type podcasts are going that route. But podcasting is more than just interviews.

I mean, this episode alone is a solo episode where there is no guest, but it still is a podcast. With the exceptional growth in podcasting since the pandemic, when we were all at home listening away, connecting to other humans through our earbuds and headphones, we've seen this interview style show get replicated over and over and over again. And I see the allure you want to emulate your favourite thought leaders. It's an easy route to get started, and we want to have a connection with someone. So an interview style show is definitely the way to go.

However, what if we can make interview style shows better? What if it's more than just two people talking? On this episode, we're going to take a look at what we can be doing differently for our podcast and how being choosy about your guests will actually make a better show for you as the creator and for your listeners.

This is episode number 94 on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Over the years, as I created my show, this very podcast, almost at 100 episodes, yay, I'm gonna get there.

[MUSIC ENDS]

I've evolved based on my interests, capacity, and curiosity too, like wanting to experiment for myself and for my clients, using this podcast as a testing ground. Some of the things I did was change up my branding, my frequency, and even my format. So if you actually look back on the history of this very podcast, you'll see in my first year, I did only solo episodes every single week. And that was tough. It was a slog to get through, but it was my goal because I wanted to see what that felt like, to do an episode every single week, because that's what everybody was saying. You had to produce content every single week. And I'm glad I met that goal. But I totally knew that path was not for me. I am not a weekly content creator in that sense. Proud to have done it, but glad it didn't stick.

And then when you look back, my second year, I went to rotating guest and solo episodes. That publishing every two weeks format, which I still have today. And it's a pace that really challenges me, yet gives me the pauses I need during the summer and winter and so, this every two weeks with the little mini breaks in between. I really fell into this and really loved this frequency and really loved what this gave me in terms of joy of creating the podcast, yet still something that I could do in my capacity with running my business. And still actually at that time when I was starting recovering a lot from my traumatic brain injury from my accident that I had and you know, having a family and life and all that stuff too. So that was great to figure out in my second year.

My third year, I refreshed my branding to see what that impact was like, because like with all things, you know, things evolve and you want to change how things look a bit. So why not? Tried that out in my third year, which is still the branding that you see today. Year four, I was more particular about my guest choices. This is where I was experimenting more about this theme for this episode, about strategic interviews and how do I choose my guests and what does that really entail in the whole grand scheme of things and the value of my podcast and in the industry too. I started seeing trends towards guesting companies popping up like those matchmaker type things, and I wanted to see how those worked and why some guests were always not such a great match for your show. I really wanted to experience what that was like.

And then that takes us to last year and now this year. Years five and six, I've gotten into a really good rhythm, at least from this recording, right? Like, I feel very in line with what I'm doing with my guests and making sure that the ones that I choose to come on the show are aligned with certain themes or my curiosities. And you know, your curiosities too, because you asked me questions about podcasting and sometimes those themes are very timely or sometimes they're just have been simmering in the background for a while and I've just been waiting for the right person to show up.

My point is everyone grows and learns and so does your podcast. So looking at how you choose your guests can also change. And that is okay.

[MUSIC IN]

As I said earlier, many of the big name shows we want to emulate because we look up to them. They look like they're doing something right. Right? So if they're doing X, why can't we, they have success with guests on their show, so why can't we have guests as well? Many of the big name talk shows are big names because of the very fact that they have a talk show. An interview style podcast, of course, is very similar and in line with that same structure. You pretty much have your own talk show.

But what many people don't realize is that those huge big name shows also have a huge team behind them, whether that's for the actual production and editing of the show or for things like guest coordination. And this is where my episode here is really landing. I'm getting tired of that guest coordination side of things on podcast episodes. On one hand, I get it, you are the star of your show. You don't have time to schedule guests for those big name talk shows. That makes sense.

But on the other hand, it smells like they're only focused on the publicity cycle. You know, like A, these guests are an easy land as long as you talk about what they want to promote, that's the whole promotional publicity cycle. B, makes it easy for you to fill a spot on your publishing schedule. Nothing like some easy guests to have, right? And C, they are on all the other big name shows already, so they're doing a publicity circuit, the cycle or in the podcast world, usually it's a podcast book tour, instead of in person book tours....]]>How can you take your guest episodes beyond a basic Q&A? When you think of a podcast, what comes to mind? If "a mic and two people talking" is your first thought, you're in good company, but in this episode, Mary encourages you to expand that definition. Your show is about so much more than the interview. That one-time guest isn't the person who keeps listeners coming back week after week—that's you! So, how can you use strategic guest selection to leverage the values, interests, and timing of both the host and the listener?

When you bring on not just the most popular guest but the one who is truly the best fit, you gain a stronger episode, a more dedicated listener base, and a more cohesive show.

Get picky about your guest picks with these helpful tips:

  • Why this month's most sought-after podcast guest might not be the right choice for you
  • Why platforms that match guests to podcasts aren't ideal
  • How your podcast values play into your guest selection every time
  • How to tweak your publishing schedule to get the most out of every episode.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: When you think of a podcast these days, what do you envision? Like, what is a podcast? Most people I talk to tend to say that if there's a microphone and there's two people talking, you've got a podcast. So, yes, that could be a good barometer. Like, a lot of the celebrity type podcasts are going that route. But podcasting is more than just interviews.

I mean, this episode alone is a solo episode where there is no guest, but it still is a podcast. With the exceptional growth in podcasting since the pandemic, when we were all at home listening away, connecting to other humans through our earbuds and headphones, we've seen this interview style show get replicated over and over and over again. And I see the allure you want to emulate your favourite thought leaders. It's an easy route to get started, and we want to have a connection with someone. So an interview style show is definitely the way to go.

However, what if we can make interview style shows better? What if it's more than just two people talking? On this episode, we're going to take a look at what we can be doing differently for our podcast and how being choosy about your guests will actually make a better show for you as the creator and for your listeners.

This is episode number 94 on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Over the years, as I created my show, this very podcast, almost at 100 episodes, yay, I'm gonna get there.

[MUSIC ENDS]

I've evolved based on my interests, capacity, and curiosity too, like wanting to experiment for myself and for my clients, using this podcast as a testing ground. Some of the things I did was change up my branding, my frequency, and even my format. So if you actually look back on the history of this very podcast, you'll see in my first year, I did only solo episodes every single week. And that was tough. It was a slog to get through, but it was my goal because I wanted to see what that felt like, to do an episode every single week, because that's what everybody was saying. You had to produce content every single week. And I'm glad I met that goal. But I totally knew that path was not for me. I am not a weekly content creator in that sense. Proud to have done it, but glad it didn't stick.

And then when you look back, my second year, I went to rotating guest and solo episodes. That publishing every two weeks format, which I still have today. And it's a pace that really challenges me, yet gives me the pauses I need during the summer and winter and so, this every two weeks with the little mini breaks in between. I really fell into this and really loved this frequency and really loved what this gave me in terms of joy of creating the podcast, yet still something that I could do in my capacity with running my business. And still actually at that time when I was starting recovering a lot from my traumatic brain injury from my accident that I had and you know, having a family and life and all that stuff too. So that was great to figure out in my second year.

My third year, I refreshed my branding to see what that impact was like, because like with all things, you know, things evolve and you want to change how things look a bit. So why not? Tried that out in my third year, which is still the branding that you see today. Year four, I was more particular about my guest choices. This is where I was experimenting more about this theme for this episode, about strategic interviews and how do I choose my guests and what does that really entail in the whole grand scheme of things and the value of my podcast and in the industry too. I started seeing trends towards guesting companies popping up like those matchmaker type things, and I wanted to see how those worked and why some guests were always not such a great match for your show. I really wanted to experience what that was like.

And then that takes us to last year and now this year. Years five and six, I've gotten into a really good rhythm, at least from this recording, right? Like, I feel very in line with what I'm doing with my guests and making sure that the ones that I choose to come on the show are aligned with certain themes or my curiosities. And you know, your curiosities too, because you asked me questions about podcasting and sometimes those themes are very timely or sometimes they're just have been simmering in the background for a while and I've just been waiting for the right person to show up.

My point is everyone grows and learns and so does your podcast. So looking at how you choose your guests can also change. And that is okay.

[MUSIC IN]

As I said earlier, many of the big name shows we want to emulate because we look up to them. They look like they're doing something right. Right? So if they're doing X, why can't we, they have success with guests on their show, so why can't we have guests as well? Many of the big name talk shows are big names because of the very fact that they have a talk show. An interview style podcast, of course, is very similar and in line with that same structure. You pretty much have your own talk show.

But what many people don't realize is that those huge big name shows also have a huge team behind them, whether that's for the actual production and editing of the show or for things like guest coordination. And this is where my episode here is really landing. I'm getting tired of that guest coordination side of things on podcast episodes. On one hand, I get it, you are the star of your show. You don't have time to schedule guests for those big name talk shows. That makes sense.

But on the other hand, it smells like they're only focused on the publicity cycle. You know, like A, these guests are an easy land as long as you talk about what they want to promote, that's the whole promotional publicity cycle. B, makes it easy for you to fill a spot on your publishing schedule. Nothing like some easy guests to have, right? And C, they are on all the other big name shows already, so they're doing a publicity circuit, the cycle or in the podcast world, usually it's a podcast book tour, instead of in person book tours. Podcast book tours are now a thing.

This is the same when you think about actors who are promoting a new movie. All you see are the same actors, actors going on a different "Jimmy like" talk show, right? You get the same guests and sometimes the same stories.

Now I know what you're thinking. I'm not a big time show. Yes, I might want to try and emulate some things, but I'm still an independent podcaster, so I don't have this problem. You know, we're not going to get a listers on our show, right? In an ideal world, I'd love to have them, but they're probably not going to come on my show. I can still dream, but in reality, let's bring it back down to reality. This can still relate. Think about this from a listener standpoint.

If you are taking people who are releasing a book, are they doing their own podcast book tour that you might not know about? So, from a listener standpoint, if you are hearing and seeing the same guests on all your favourite shows, yes, sure, they might tell different stories, but mostly they are all doing the same tour cycle. That means the same messaging. They're going to talk about their book. So why should I, as a listener, tune into your show instead of my favourite show that already has that guest on? I may not necessarily actually want to listen to a new show when this guest has already been on my most favourite show.

Will having this bigger name guest do more for you than just say, like a download spike the day or week that that episode has been published? Will you actually bring in more listeners for your show on a longer term basis? My bet is no, because on that show you haven't enticed them to stay for other episodes. Because interview style shows are all about the guest, not the host. So as a host, what can you do differently and try and sway those listeners to stay?

[MUSIC ENDS]

I mentioned earlier about using those platforms that match hosts with guests. While those are convenient, they don't provide very compelling content. Meaning sometimes it's just your standard questions. I mean sometimes they even come prepared with questions for you to ask. So it's just a ask, answer, ask answer. It's again, not very compelling. I would also dare to say that they actually require you to do more work because you don't know who they are. You're required to do more research coming up with those questions, spending hours of your time or someone you've hired, their time, if you're lucky enough to hire someone because you've got the funds for it, spending all that time doing that research and coming up with those questions and that journey and theme for that episode.

So I would argue that if you were more choosy about which guests you wanted on your show up front, you'll have an easier time to come up with question and themes around the episode because you already have a natural curiosity about what you want to ask them. As I always say, it's the follow up questions that really brings out the best conversations. So you can't pre write or prep for that. That will naturally come to you because you've done the research on this guest and especially when you are curious about their topic. So how do you be more choosy?

[MUSIC IN]

First, I want to touch back on your podcasting values to refresh yourself on that. I do have episode number 71, Celebrating With Values To Nourish Your Podcasts. Go back and listen to that one. In that episode, I do talk about one of my values, which is to have fun. My podcast has to be fun in order for me to make it. If it's not fun, I'm not doing it. And one of those things that I do to make it fun is to have system and processes. I know systems and processes might not sound like fun, but if I get bogged down by my system and processes, then it's not going to be fun. See what I mean? So, I focus more of my time on the fun stuff when I have my systems and processes in place.

So before making any decisions on who will be your guest. I always ask myself, will this be fun? Because that's my value. Does this person sound fun, or fun meaning passionate? Fun doesn't always have to mean, like, laughter and parties. Are they passionate about their subject? When you listen to them on other podcasts, you'll find out you'll hear that passion in their voice. Second question would be, would you actually want to be in a physical room with them for over an hour? You know, think about, like, networking, where you have to saddle up to a stranger and like, talk about, hi, this is what I do, who are you? In that room would you want to hang out with them for about an hour? If you answer no to any of those two questions, then the guest is not worth it. At least for me and my values. Right?

So for your show, which value does this guest bring out? What makes them intriguing to be on your show? What will your ideal listener learn from them? That last question actually is quite vital because everything you do needs to be focused on your listener.

[MUSIC ENDS]

The next thing, actually I allude to this in episode 62, How To Land Someone From Your Dream Guest List is the why? Why do you even want them on your show? This why has to be part of your values. So this why, for me, has to be fun. You'll need to know this why, so that A, you can figure out if it's in alignment with your show, your values, and your ideal listener. B, have that why ready to share with your email invite to your guest if that's part of your workflow, and C, so that it's part of your show prep.

You're already doing the heavy lifting of research and coming up with questions when you're searching out for that ideal guest, right? You're being choosy when you're doing your research. So it's not like you pick your guest and then you do your research. No, you're already doing your research when you're trying to figure out if you want this guest on your show or not. So you're doing like, two birds, one stone type of deal.

So by the time you actually invite the guests, I already have a list of questions or themes that I want answered even before they have said yes. So it can go both ways. You can either come up with questions and the theme first to land a guest, or you can hear about a guest and then start doing your research and having your curiosity piqued to write down those questions and then see if you want them on your show.

[MUSIC IN]

The last thing we'll talk about is around scheduling and publishing the episode. Is there a date that would maximize this conversation? Now, most of the time for interviews, if they're doing the publicity tour, they're going to request that the episode gets published around the publishing date of their book. So when you think about that talk show circuit or the podcast book tours, that's what their publicists are hoping that you will do. This is because they're hoping when they hear about the book on your podcast from the guest that they want to immediately go out and buy it and then it will be available.

Plus there will be a spike in sales because all the episodes are being published that week. But is this really going to maximize the conversation? Like I was saying before, everyone's going to hear the same stuff on all the shows. So what if you publish before the book gets released? More and more authors I've seen talk about pre-sales I don't know how many times in my email inbox. Authors are talking about how pre-sales are really important to signal to the publisher that the book is valuable. This creates momentum for the author, you know, things like that.

So why not pre-sale talk before the book is out? Doing the publicity tour essentially, but a lot sooner so it's not all bombarded at the same time. You're creating a conversation that probably hasn't happened yet on other shows. This could be months in advance. I've seen authors newsletters talk about pre-sales for months before the book is out. So why can't this be done on podcasts too? And you create this really unique opportunity for you and for the author.

The strategy of course will only last until all the talk shows and interview style podcasts pick up on it. And they'll all start doing it too. But if you're allowed to, I would go that route because it creates uniqueness for your show.

[MUSIC ENDS]

So how can you reimagine interviews for your podcast? Let me know where can you make room for improvement? If you've been doing the same thing day in and day out for your interview style podcast or your interview style episodes like I have, it's not a total makeover, but what you can tweak to improve your process, your flow and your podcast in general, I would love to know.

So definitely send me a voice note on my website VisibleVoicePodcast.com email is also lovely, VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com I'd love to hear your thoughts on, uh, things you want to tweak or what you learned from this episode. So what are you going to evaluate on your show for your interviews? Are you already incorporating guests on your show? And if you do, how are you going to utilize their appearance to make your show better?

[MUSIC IN]

On the next episode, we're going to dive a little bit into the celebrity podcast stuff that we're talking about, because we're going to learn from Amanda Cupido, who is an amazing legendary podcaster and legendary in the radio space too. That's how we were mostly connecting. We're like, oh, my gosh, radio, you and me and in Canada and a woman. Don't know if those things are so rare, but it feels like it's so rare.

But mostly, Amanda and I, you'll love this. We will actually chat about generative AI and how]]>25e69589-32f9-4fc5-a45d-8024b4e4875cMon, 07 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -070017:55falsefull9494Get Serious About Being a Podcast Guest with Julie Fry - EP 93Get Serious About Being a Podcast Guest with Julie FryWhat's the right way to go about being a guest on other podcasts? When's the last time you went on another show as a guest? As a podcast host, it's easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day requirements of running a podcast. After all, you're expected to find guests, record episodes, edit episodes, post everything online, and find fresh ways to get the word out.

Here's the good news: being a guest on other podcasts is an excellent way to market your own show. Need more convincing? In this episode, we spell out the benefits with Julie Fry, the CEO of Your Expert Guest. Julie and her team are dedicated to finding their clients opportunities to be podcast guests. Turns out, there are plenty of reasons for podcast hosts to moonlight as guests, from positive impacts on your mission and messaging to growing your mailing list. Julie is brimming with tips for streamlining your pitch and plan, highlighting your call to action, and building lasting relationships with hosts and audiences alike.

Guest better (or better yet, start guesting) with Julie's practical, insightful suggestions:

  • Why you need to nail down your guest goals before you dive in
  • What really works to get your target host's attention
  • Why you need to purge your pitch of "I" statements
  • Key steps for the post-interview follow-up.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: How do you figure out what success looks like when you're a guest on another podcast? What is that return on investment of your time? You know, a lot of people might think, is it really worth it, or is it something I can really do? Is that possible? Spoiler alert. Yes.

In this episode, we're going to talk all about that, but we're also going to focus on what's changing today in the podcast guesting landscape that can really affect you and your podcast. So in this episode, you're going to hear from Julie Frey, the Founder of Your Expert Guest, a podcast visibility agency for women making an impact who want to be heard by their ideal client without spending hours on social media. We're talking effortless visibility by using strategic podcast guesting to grow your own podcast.

This is episode number 93 with Julie Fry on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Julie, thank you so much for coming on the show. I'm so glad we get to reconnect and have this time together.

[MUSIC ENDS]

JULIE: Me too. Thank you so much, Mary. I'm really excited for this conversation.

MARY: Yes. Because I think there's a lot of, like, myths and things that people have just been doing because it's stuff that is kind of, like, secondhand now. They're like, oh, yeah, I'm a guest, or, oh, if I want to be a guest, I just do XYZ and ta da done. [LAUGHTER] But I feel like it's more than just that. There's strategy involved. And so I was like, ooh, you're the person that needs to come on to talk about podcast guesting.

JULIE: I love that. Yes. There is a lot more to just saying, okay, I'm in a guest on podcasts.

MARY: Yeah. I'm just gonna ask and everything will be okay, but okay. In the work that I do, there's two sides of being a guest. That's just being a guest and not having your own show. And so you're just going on different shows and talking about your message and promoting your work and stuff like that. But there's also the other side of it when you are a host and you have guests. So there's like, the hosting side of it, but in your line of work, you kind of have to deal with both. You know, you're working with people who want to be guests and those that also have their own shows to host them.

So I want to first dip into why it's really important for hosts who have their own shows to also be a guest, because sometimes I feel like hosts are doing all this work, and then they're like, well, I don't have time to be a guest. So lay that out a little bit about that importance of why it is important to also be a guest when you have your own show.

JULIE: I am often surprised at how frequently I talk to podcasters who tell me that, one, it never occurred to me to guest on other podcasts to grow my own audience, or two, that they have a lot of imposter syndrome around reaching out to other podcasters to be a guest on their show. I'd be curious to see what you find in talking to other podcasters, but those are two of the main things that I hear podcasters saying.

So I can definitely speak to both of those. We work with clients that have their own podcast and guests on other shows, and then we also have clients that do not have their own show. For the folks that have their own podcast, usually they come to work with us. And because they either don't have the time nor do they have the desire or the they feel like they're just not well equipped…

MARY: Yeah.

JULIE: …to pitch themselves to be a guest. It is fascinating, this peek behind the curtain into human psychology, [LAUGHTER] but in terms of why a host would want to guest on other podcasts, and I'm sure you talk to a lot of your clients about this, is it is a tremendous way to reach new audiences for your own podcast, which, again, if you're guesting, if you have a podcast because you have a business, can ultimately end up driving more referrals or relationships or revenue into your business.

If you have a passion project, and that's your podcast, it still helps you connect with new listeners, new potential listeners, potential guests for your show. There's just a multitude of reasons of why you would want to do it if you have a show. But those are really kind of the driving factors.

MARY: I totally agree with that. Especially when you were saying how people have, like, maybe that imposter syndrome where they're like, I didn't know I could be a guest. I'm like, yes, you already have all your equipment. I mean, you might as well go and be a guest as well. And to showcase your own show, you can talk about your own podcast on other people's podcasts. And I feel like there's, yeah, that piece that's missing from host's mind, where they're like, oh, that is a way of promotion. And I never, ever thought about that.

JULIE: Yeah, I mean, it's really because you're already doing your own podcast, which is an investment of time and or money to keep it going. So if you are committing to that marketing strategy, then this is a really great way to run alongside of it and really maximize what you're doing in the podcasting space.

MARY: Okay, so let's say someone's decided, alright, I'm going to be a guest. But you know, it's nice to go out and have a conversation with someone...]]>What's the right way to go about being a guest on other podcasts? When's the last time you went on another show as a guest? As a podcast host, it's easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day requirements of running a podcast. After all, you're expected to find guests, record episodes, edit episodes, post everything online, and find fresh ways to get the word out.

Here's the good news: being a guest on other podcasts is an excellent way to market your own show. Need more convincing? In this episode, we spell out the benefits with Julie Fry, the CEO of Your Expert Guest. Julie and her team are dedicated to finding their clients opportunities to be podcast guests. Turns out, there are plenty of reasons for podcast hosts to moonlight as guests, from positive impacts on your mission and messaging to growing your mailing list. Julie is brimming with tips for streamlining your pitch and plan, highlighting your call to action, and building lasting relationships with hosts and audiences alike.

Guest better (or better yet, start guesting) with Julie's practical, insightful suggestions:

  • Why you need to nail down your guest goals before you dive in
  • What really works to get your target host's attention
  • Why you need to purge your pitch of "I" statements
  • Key steps for the post-interview follow-up.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: How do you figure out what success looks like when you're a guest on another podcast? What is that return on investment of your time? You know, a lot of people might think, is it really worth it, or is it something I can really do? Is that possible? Spoiler alert. Yes.

In this episode, we're going to talk all about that, but we're also going to focus on what's changing today in the podcast guesting landscape that can really affect you and your podcast. So in this episode, you're going to hear from Julie Frey, the Founder of Your Expert Guest, a podcast visibility agency for women making an impact who want to be heard by their ideal client without spending hours on social media. We're talking effortless visibility by using strategic podcast guesting to grow your own podcast.

This is episode number 93 with Julie Fry on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Julie, thank you so much for coming on the show. I'm so glad we get to reconnect and have this time together.

[MUSIC ENDS]

JULIE: Me too. Thank you so much, Mary. I'm really excited for this conversation.

MARY: Yes. Because I think there's a lot of, like, myths and things that people have just been doing because it's stuff that is kind of, like, secondhand now. They're like, oh, yeah, I'm a guest, or, oh, if I want to be a guest, I just do XYZ and ta da done. [LAUGHTER] But I feel like it's more than just that. There's strategy involved. And so I was like, ooh, you're the person that needs to come on to talk about podcast guesting.

JULIE: I love that. Yes. There is a lot more to just saying, okay, I'm in a guest on podcasts.

MARY: Yeah. I'm just gonna ask and everything will be okay, but okay. In the work that I do, there's two sides of being a guest. That's just being a guest and not having your own show. And so you're just going on different shows and talking about your message and promoting your work and stuff like that. But there's also the other side of it when you are a host and you have guests. So there's like, the hosting side of it, but in your line of work, you kind of have to deal with both. You know, you're working with people who want to be guests and those that also have their own shows to host them.

So I want to first dip into why it's really important for hosts who have their own shows to also be a guest, because sometimes I feel like hosts are doing all this work, and then they're like, well, I don't have time to be a guest. So lay that out a little bit about that importance of why it is important to also be a guest when you have your own show.

JULIE: I am often surprised at how frequently I talk to podcasters who tell me that, one, it never occurred to me to guest on other podcasts to grow my own audience, or two, that they have a lot of imposter syndrome around reaching out to other podcasters to be a guest on their show. I'd be curious to see what you find in talking to other podcasters, but those are two of the main things that I hear podcasters saying.

So I can definitely speak to both of those. We work with clients that have their own podcast and guests on other shows, and then we also have clients that do not have their own show. For the folks that have their own podcast, usually they come to work with us. And because they either don't have the time nor do they have the desire or the they feel like they're just not well equipped…

MARY: Yeah.

JULIE: …to pitch themselves to be a guest. It is fascinating, this peek behind the curtain into human psychology, [LAUGHTER] but in terms of why a host would want to guest on other podcasts, and I'm sure you talk to a lot of your clients about this, is it is a tremendous way to reach new audiences for your own podcast, which, again, if you're guesting, if you have a podcast because you have a business, can ultimately end up driving more referrals or relationships or revenue into your business.

If you have a passion project, and that's your podcast, it still helps you connect with new listeners, new potential listeners, potential guests for your show. There's just a multitude of reasons of why you would want to do it if you have a show. But those are really kind of the driving factors.

MARY: I totally agree with that. Especially when you were saying how people have, like, maybe that imposter syndrome where they're like, I didn't know I could be a guest. I'm like, yes, you already have all your equipment. I mean, you might as well go and be a guest as well. And to showcase your own show, you can talk about your own podcast on other people's podcasts. And I feel like there's, yeah, that piece that's missing from host's mind, where they're like, oh, that is a way of promotion. And I never, ever thought about that.

JULIE: Yeah, I mean, it's really because you're already doing your own podcast, which is an investment of time and or money to keep it going. So if you are committing to that marketing strategy, then this is a really great way to run alongside of it and really maximize what you're doing in the podcasting space.

MARY: Okay, so let's say someone's decided, alright, I'm going to be a guest. But you know, it's nice to go out and have a conversation with someone like we're doing right now online. That's great. But also we're busy people. A lot of the people that you work with, and I work with too, they're impact driven leaders. You know, they're busy, they have their business, they have their messages to send out and all this stuff. So, what does success actually look like for them when they are guesting? What is that goal that they have in mind?

JULIE: Yeah, I think it's very specific to each individual. That's how we always start a new relationship. Or even a discovery call with a client is what are you hoping to accomplish by guesting on podcasts? And so we have a client right now where she has a book coming out in May. She has her own podcast, but what she is trying to do is grow the awareness of her book. And so we've talked about what sort of metrics that looks like at the end of a certain period of time. And that would be her definition of success with podcast guesting.

We have another client who's had a show since 2019 and it's very, very niche. But what her success metrics are is the number of discovery calls that she is generating…

MARY: Mhmm.

JULIE: …as a result of being a guest on podcasts. So it really varies. It is personal. Some people, I mean, we once had a podcaster who worked with us to get on other shows and it was truly a personal development exercise for him. Like he had no goals other than he just wanted to go meet people, talk on other people's shows. Granted, he was a very wealthy individual and not many of us have those resources to just do a personal development exercises.

But it truly kind of comes down to you asking yourself, what does success look like at the end of a certain time period? Is it a certain number of shows? Is it a certain number of increased downloads for my own podcast? Is it certain number of new leads? Is it revenue goals? So it could be any number of things.

MARY: I really love that because people sometimes think, you know, when they do things like that, they're like, what's the return on investment?...

JULIE: Mhmm.

MARY: …What are the numbers? What are these download numbers telling me? But I'm like, There's so much more intangible value to having a podcast, to being a guest on a podcast. Like you say, that personal development piece. I mean, that doesn't have to be the main goal, but I think that should be a lot of people's goals, especially when they have a podcast. Because you're just practicing how to say something maybe a little bit differently this time, and then you can hear it back and feel like, oh, I can slightly change the words this way or the meaning this way, and just get a clearer picture of what you're trying to say. When you get to practice as being a guest on other people's shows.

JULIE: Absolutely. We have a client, and one of the first things she said to us after maybe her fourth guest appearance, and she does not have a podcast, but she said, you know what I'm loving about this process is I'm getting so much better at my messaging and hitting the points that I want to make sure I hit in each interview. So, like you said, I think it pushes you to get better at whatever it is that you're talking about. So. Absolutely.

MARY: Yeah, it's that, it's the process of saying things again and again, and it's that piece of practice that I find a lot of people are like, well, yeah, but how do I practice? I don't want to just keep saying the same thing over and over again. I'm like, but that's why you go on shows, so that you get to try out a different flavour of something on a different show.

JULIE: Yes, yes. And part of the fun of this is you get to speak to different audiences, so different segments of listeners, and so you can tweak what you're saying so that you're not saying exactly the same thing over and over again.

MARY: Yeah, exactly. Okay. You know, there's a lot of things that you can Google on how to be a guest. Yet, like we were saying, each show is very different. Everyone sets up their workflow very, very differently. But like, the recommendation for quite a while there was like, everyone needs to have a one sheet. You need to pitch a show with an email, attach the one sheet. It's something, if you Google, you'll probably find it.

But is that actually something hosts are looking for? Because I know as a host myself, I get bombarded with guest requests, and most of them, I say 99% of them are done very poorly. And I just hit the delete button on that email. So what is actually working to get a host's attention?

JULIE: I'm very curious to know what of the 1% that you say yes to, what is it?

[LAUGHTER]

MARY: Well, it's usually because they haven't said I, I, I, this, like this is an X…

JULIE: Yes.

MARY: …or so and so is an expert at this and they can talk about xyz. I'm like, that's great, but why would my listeners care?

JULIE: Yes, yes, that is what. Uh, in fact I just shared this in our Team Slack channel because somebody pitched me. It was, you know, a cold pitch to have me book a call with someone and it was so eye focused. And as a host, when they're reading a pitch, they don't care about you, they care about their audience and themselves and how you are going to inform them, educate them, entertain them, whatever the case may be.

So going back to, what do you need to do when you're pitching a host, the first thing that we always suggest is to go to their website. If it's not readily available, do some googling, figure it out, look at the website, read about the host, learn about what they're doing, who are their listeners, do they have any services that they provide that maybe you're a complimentary service provider? So really familiarize yourself with the host. Listen to their episodes, get a sense of what their energy is. So whenever I go on a show, I always listen beforehand. And if the host is like a real fast talker, then I will try to up, I'm a west coast girl, I'm a little bit of a slower talker, [LAUGHTER] but I will try to amp up my speed so that our energies match. Similarly, if they're very slow and methodical, I will slow down so that we're in a similar energy pattern.

But backing up to that. So you're listening to the episode you're wanting to see. Hey, if I go on this show, is it a podcast that I would be proud to share that I was a guest on? That should always be your number one metric of would this be a good fit for me and am I a good fit for the host? And making sure that there is a reason for you to guest on the show that can benefit the host audience.

The one sheet, and for those of you that don't know what that is, it's basically a one pager, says who you are, what do you talk about? What other podcasts have you been on or whatever their media appearances have you been on? It's a nice to have. It's not a must have, so if you don't have one, you don't have to let that stop you from reaching out to hosts. So those are just a couple of things to think about. Definitely approach from the standpoint of service and how can I be of service to the host?

MARY: And, you know, people are always busy. So then I start thinking about, well, how much time does this actually take?

JULIE: Again, that kind of comes down to your goals. So if you have very aggressive goals of your marketing a book, or there's something tangible that you are hoping to have come from your podcast appearances, you may need to do more guesting over a shorter period of time. And you knowing that most hosts book about an hour of time for you to record the episode, we usually recommend about a half an hour of prep time beforehand. So you're looking at an hour and a half per guest appearance. So then you can think about how much time you have to budget for that. And then there's, of course, if you are pitching yourself to be a guest on the show versus if you're hiring it out. So, you need to take those things into consideration as well.

MARY: Yeah, that's right. On the show, though, we talk a lot about, like, audio quality and things that support hosting a show. So like I said earlier, right? Like, as a host, you already have the equipment. It easily translates into being a guest. But beyond those basics, like you were saying, you know, it takes usually people book an hour of the time, but what else can podcasters do that they aren't doing right now in the industry enough to prepare for a show? So what are those prepare pieces that we need to do that you aren't seeing people talk about enough?

JULIE: That is a really interesting question. So the approach that we take when we're working with clients is it's kind of a 3R. You're guesting on shows to grow your relationships, increase your referral partners, or drive revenue. Like, those are kind of the three pieces that really can be a great outcome from podcast guesting. So when you're thinking about what your strategy should be is, which of those tenants are most important to you? And so if you're looking to generate, say, more referrals from your podcast appearances, then you're looking at you're really spending more time on the person's website. You're understanding how your business might relate to their business. If you're looking for more downloads or more subscribers for your podcast, what are some really unique ways that you can position yourself when you're pitching and then guesting on the show and then also staying in touch with the host afterwards?

We're definitely seeing a trend towards being more relational rather than transactional. There were a lot of agencies a few years ago that were like, we're going to book you...]]>1b508aed-b64e-47d4-91a8-6a39d9e0eeb2Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -070037:05falsefull9393Add Video To Your Podcast with Intention - EP 92Add Video To Your Podcast with IntentionVideo has taken podcasting by storm, but how do you know if it's right for your show? As a podcaster, how are you interacting with and utilizing video? More and more, we're hearing about creators tacking on this visual element, and platforms like YouTube and Spotify are eagerly showcasing all the success stories of podcasters giving their audience a fresh way to consume content.

Sure, it's relatively easy and inexpensive to get your hands on video recording equipment these days, and it's straightforward to drop the final video into platforms like YouTube. But what about editing, and lighting, and additional preparations like your hair, outfit, and background? Video requires a lot of moving parts, and you still have to generate high-quality audio on top of all that.

In this episode, Mary breaks down the meteoric rise of video podcasts and encourages you to really ponder how adding video would affect your workflow and your budget. How will video get you closer to your podcasting goals, or is it a timesuck you just don't need?

Dig into the pros and cons of tackling this extra format:

  • How easy is it really to "just" add a video component?
  • How do you figure out if your audience even wants to watch your podcast?
  • Just how helpful will AI be for editing and marketing?

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

​​MARY: Video. It's one of the biggest things that people talk about these days for podcasting, because it feels like video is all the rage in the digital world. For podcasting you see clips of those interviews on social media. You hear of big names creating a studio and filming their podcast. You also see people talking with microphones. Like that visual aspect of a podcast is people with microphones. So the lines of audio first podcasting versus video podcasts are kind of blurring. But are they really? What's driving this need for video? And is it worth it for you as a podcaster to create a video for your podcast?

I touched on this a little bit in episode 89, that's the episode on Your Podcasting Questions Answered as my last episode of 2024. But I wanted to bring this topic back up for an entire episode of its own because, like I said, there's so much talk about video these days that I wanted to address it. But like anything in tech, things change quickly. So know that this is recorded in March of 2025, and I may have a new episode in the future for more video talk, because I'm sure this isn't the end of it, and I'm sure that there's a lot more things I want to add, but there's only so much that can go into this short little solo episode. So as of today, I figure, let's talk video podcasts as of right now, and are they right for you and how you can potentially integrate video into your podcasting workflow if you choose to record visuals as well.

This is episode number 92 of the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Hey, welcome to the show. Thanks for listening. Yeah, we're going to talk about video.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

The appeal of video for podcasting is growing. It's making a huge shift. And you know what? It actually started a while ago, too. Spotify started to offer video podcasts in 2020. So that's five years ago now. Toward the end of last year, Spotify reported that more than 50% of their creators are actively publishing videos monthly on Spotify. But video for podcasting isn't new. There's been a version of that called vidcasts, or videocasts that have been around since the early 2000's. So why the push now? Why video podcasts today?

And it all has to do with tech, right? With the rise of TikTok, YouTube focusing on podcasting, which they started in about 2023, so two years ago now. And of course, the integration of easily recording video, it's so accessible for everyone now. Cameras on laptops, your devices, your phones, right? Easily bought camera gear that is, you know, accessible. You can go to a store and just pick up some stuff and it's a pretty good price point for the pretty good quality. Video's point of entry has gotten easier and easier over the years. So that brings us to today. It is easy to record your podcast online with platforms like Riverside, Squadcast, Zencastr, you know, even straight into your phone, and then easily take that video and drop it into YouTube, video podcast done, right? Check. But in fact, many of those platforms come with AI as well, so they can cut your interviews into bite sized little clips.

And some of my clients seeing all this on those video platforms like Riverside, Squadcast, Zencastr, et cetera, they're asking me about video for their podcasts. Should I be recording video too? They used it mainly just to facilitate the conversation with that video portion, but they never published the video, but now they're asking about doing that. So with all these new tools, it sounds like a no brainer. I mean it's already there. You can easily just record it with a hit another button, right? But is it really that easy? Or maybe the question is, is video really that effective for your podcast?

[MUSIC IN]

So I want to make my first argument here that making a video podcast is not as easy as it sounds. It's not like, okay, we're hitting record anyway, might as well just record video for it. Bang, you're done. Video podcast isn't easy, especially in terms of creating one that is engaging. Because today in our world of video zoom conferences, all that stuff, are we really excited to see talking heads talk back and forth, does that make for a good video?

So sure, anyone can record video, but to have video of a certain quality that also has good audio, because if video doesn't have good audio, people are going to turn that off. So a good video with good audio doesn't come easily. There's a lot of setup and different workflow flows to make sure that not only are you recording your audio, but you are also going to be recording your video now, it's an additional step or multiple steps as, uh, you'll hear. You have to think about camera. Are you going to use more than what that camera is already on your laptop? Do you have to get a separate webcam? The quality of that webcam, the tech aspects of it all. Better lighting, especially when we're getting into daylight savings and it's darker later in the day and you might be recording episodes later in the day as well. Lighting is great. You need that.

What's your background gonna look like? Some people are still recording their podcasts in their closet. Do they want to have their closet in the background? And then talking about closets, what are you gonna wear? You gotta wear something from like, waist up at least, right in your video. So you gotta put on some decent clothes and if you're inclined to also put on some makeup and even wash your hair, make sure it's a hair washing night the day before you do your podcast, right? That's a lot of extra effort.

You might not have thought about all...]]>Video has taken podcasting by storm, but how do you know if it's right for your show? As a podcaster, how are you interacting with and utilizing video? More and more, we're hearing about creators tacking on this visual element, and platforms like YouTube and Spotify are eagerly showcasing all the success stories of podcasters giving their audience a fresh way to consume content.

Sure, it's relatively easy and inexpensive to get your hands on video recording equipment these days, and it's straightforward to drop the final video into platforms like YouTube. But what about editing, and lighting, and additional preparations like your hair, outfit, and background? Video requires a lot of moving parts, and you still have to generate high-quality audio on top of all that.

In this episode, Mary breaks down the meteoric rise of video podcasts and encourages you to really ponder how adding video would affect your workflow and your budget. How will video get you closer to your podcasting goals, or is it a timesuck you just don't need?

Dig into the pros and cons of tackling this extra format:

  • How easy is it really to "just" add a video component?
  • How do you figure out if your audience even wants to watch your podcast?
  • Just how helpful will AI be for editing and marketing?

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

​​MARY: Video. It's one of the biggest things that people talk about these days for podcasting, because it feels like video is all the rage in the digital world. For podcasting you see clips of those interviews on social media. You hear of big names creating a studio and filming their podcast. You also see people talking with microphones. Like that visual aspect of a podcast is people with microphones. So the lines of audio first podcasting versus video podcasts are kind of blurring. But are they really? What's driving this need for video? And is it worth it for you as a podcaster to create a video for your podcast?

I touched on this a little bit in episode 89, that's the episode on Your Podcasting Questions Answered as my last episode of 2024. But I wanted to bring this topic back up for an entire episode of its own because, like I said, there's so much talk about video these days that I wanted to address it. But like anything in tech, things change quickly. So know that this is recorded in March of 2025, and I may have a new episode in the future for more video talk, because I'm sure this isn't the end of it, and I'm sure that there's a lot more things I want to add, but there's only so much that can go into this short little solo episode. So as of today, I figure, let's talk video podcasts as of right now, and are they right for you and how you can potentially integrate video into your podcasting workflow if you choose to record visuals as well.

This is episode number 92 of the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Hey, welcome to the show. Thanks for listening. Yeah, we're going to talk about video.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

The appeal of video for podcasting is growing. It's making a huge shift. And you know what? It actually started a while ago, too. Spotify started to offer video podcasts in 2020. So that's five years ago now. Toward the end of last year, Spotify reported that more than 50% of their creators are actively publishing videos monthly on Spotify. But video for podcasting isn't new. There's been a version of that called vidcasts, or videocasts that have been around since the early 2000's. So why the push now? Why video podcasts today?

And it all has to do with tech, right? With the rise of TikTok, YouTube focusing on podcasting, which they started in about 2023, so two years ago now. And of course, the integration of easily recording video, it's so accessible for everyone now. Cameras on laptops, your devices, your phones, right? Easily bought camera gear that is, you know, accessible. You can go to a store and just pick up some stuff and it's a pretty good price point for the pretty good quality. Video's point of entry has gotten easier and easier over the years. So that brings us to today. It is easy to record your podcast online with platforms like Riverside, Squadcast, Zencastr, you know, even straight into your phone, and then easily take that video and drop it into YouTube, video podcast done, right? Check. But in fact, many of those platforms come with AI as well, so they can cut your interviews into bite sized little clips.

And some of my clients seeing all this on those video platforms like Riverside, Squadcast, Zencastr, et cetera, they're asking me about video for their podcasts. Should I be recording video too? They used it mainly just to facilitate the conversation with that video portion, but they never published the video, but now they're asking about doing that. So with all these new tools, it sounds like a no brainer. I mean it's already there. You can easily just record it with a hit another button, right? But is it really that easy? Or maybe the question is, is video really that effective for your podcast?

[MUSIC IN]

So I want to make my first argument here that making a video podcast is not as easy as it sounds. It's not like, okay, we're hitting record anyway, might as well just record video for it. Bang, you're done. Video podcast isn't easy, especially in terms of creating one that is engaging. Because today in our world of video zoom conferences, all that stuff, are we really excited to see talking heads talk back and forth, does that make for a good video?

So sure, anyone can record video, but to have video of a certain quality that also has good audio, because if video doesn't have good audio, people are going to turn that off. So a good video with good audio doesn't come easily. There's a lot of setup and different workflow flows to make sure that not only are you recording your audio, but you are also going to be recording your video now, it's an additional step or multiple steps as, uh, you'll hear. You have to think about camera. Are you going to use more than what that camera is already on your laptop? Do you have to get a separate webcam? The quality of that webcam, the tech aspects of it all. Better lighting, especially when we're getting into daylight savings and it's darker later in the day and you might be recording episodes later in the day as well. Lighting is great. You need that.

What's your background gonna look like? Some people are still recording their podcasts in their closet. Do they want to have their closet in the background? And then talking about closets, what are you gonna wear? You gotta wear something from like, waist up at least, right in your video. So you gotta put on some decent clothes and if you're inclined to also put on some makeup and even wash your hair, make sure it's a hair washing night the day before you do your podcast, right? That's a lot of extra effort.

You might not have thought about all that, but the little details and nuances that it takes, not just your time, but that mental capacity to get ready for a video. I mean, you don't have to wash your hair, but I bet most of you will think twice about how you look. If you know there's going to be a video portion to any recording, right? We're gonna put in that extra effort to look a certain way because it's just human nature in us to want to look presentable on a stage that is going to be recorded.

So although there are many tools to facilitate the video recording process, it makes things easier these days. You still have to think about what's going to happen after you record that video. What happens next? So we're talking about how you're going to edit it. Will you be creating a thumbnail? YouTube likes to see thumbnails. Do you have to go the YouTube route? What are their rules? Back to the editing. What sort of edits will you make? Will it just be the two heads side by side, or will you have multiple camera angles that you can make those smooth edits and jump from one person to the next?

There's also the publishing side, after the edits. Many podcast hosting companies don't host the video. So you'll have to take an additional step or two to upload that video to YouTube or Spotify or wherever you want to host your video podcast versions. And then we get to those video clips too, because video clips are part of that promotion, that marketing of your episode. Are you using those types of video for your podcast? Since you recorded the interview, the episode, you might as well use that clip, right? We're talking about reusing content, so get some video clips out on social media. Another thing to add to the list. But again, we'll get into more of those video clips later. But just to say first that although recording video might sound easy, there's a lot of steps you need to consider before hitting that additional record button.

[MUSIC ENDS]

I think the next thing we need to also consider is your listener. Is your listener going to be the same as a podcast viewer for the video? Sounds Profitable, it's an organization that I follow. They had some great research on the comparisons of audio versus video podcast consumption. They were saying that and music to my ears. Of course, the majority of podcast consumers listen mainly to audio versus video. However, in that same report, they did say the two audiences are not that drastically different. But I still beg to differ because sure, I can see how an audio listener could also be a podcast viewer. I've done that. Sometimes I'll see a podcast on YouTube, but then I'll go back to my podcast player app and listen to it there.

And I do know of people who prefer YouTube versus listening to a podcast. They like that the video is also passive. They can look at it if they want to. It's in the background. But one of the main differences I think that a lot of researchers might be missing here is those habits. Why one listener would choose one format over the other. And it's not just a audio first, video only, video passive. Some people like to look at faces sort of a thing, but actually their habits and why they choose one over the other. You know, think about it yourself. How and when do you use YouTube versus using your podcast listening app? Or just why do you use YouTube? You know, for me, I use YouTube for two very different things. One, I might be looking for very specific information. I'll scan what I need and I'll watch for that one small thing.

An example could be like cooking, right? I want to see technique or doing home renovations. I want to see the technique for that as well. There's that whole visual aspect so that those videos are great. I can look for exactly what I want in that video, that specific part, and then close that video and get out. The number two reason for me to look at YouTube is entertainment. I don't actually want to turn on the TV or Disney Plus or Netflix or whatever streaming service you have and be bombarded by all the options. The nice thing about YouTube is that it's mind numbing. You can just go there. And their algorithm's pretty good for choosing what you want to watch next. So it's very passive. And I think that's why YouTube works so well.

On the other hand, listening to a podcast on YouTube prevents me from multitasking, which is what I love. And I am an audio first person. And I feel like that's why audio consumption is higher on an audio only platform because you have that convenience of listening to podcasts without the video. And I don't have YouTube Premium. So if I want to listen to a podcast without the video, I still have to keep my screen on even though like, I put it in my pocket or something, the video is still playing in the background. But the beautiful thing about that convenience of audio only podcasts is that you can go for a walk, work in the garden, be at the gym, walk your dog, commuting. It's all about multitasking while listening to a podcast.

And with video podcasts it's hard, because I'm either starting and stopping because I missed something either visually or the audio isn't as great when there is a video only podcast and I have to rewind, or maybe I'm doing dishes and my hands are wet and I can't rewind anyway because the touchscreen doesn't work with wet hands. So I can't even rewind the darn thing. It's got a level of annoyance for long term dedicated listening, or at least for me. Is it for you? I'd love to know.

But okay, back to listeners. Audio podcast listeners. Each show is going to be very, very different. So for your show you need to gauge and research what's your audience's preferred platform and habits? Are they even asking for a YouTube feed? Do they use YouTube a lot for this long term listening? Not like that mind numbing stuff that I was talking to you about and how I use YouTube? Would they prefer to read something that's digestible like a blog on your website? There's other ways to consume that podcast content that this whole repurposing thing is good for. And video might not be a great repurpose for you for your podcast, but we can talk more about that later.

Essentially, what is the end goal of the video in relation to the goal of your podcast? Meaning if your goal of the podcast is to reach more listeners, sure, maybe video is the way to go. You have that great reach now with YouTube's search algorithm. But if your goal is to be a thought leader in your industry or to nurture your customers and clients, YouTube might not be those listeners preferred platform. It's about figuring out your listeners habits, how they listen, where they listen, and how can you create a show for their needs. Back to that foundational piece of starting your own podcast.

[MUSIC IN]

Another reason why you're seeing more and more big names in the industry use video is because YouTube and Spotify want you to. They are pushing for this platform and they have big pull. So they are changing the way their algorithm works and how they are curating the space to include video first. And when they've created a space where it feels like now, you could be missing out if you don't do video too. That can hurt sometimes, right? You're like, ooh, but am I missing something? I want to get into this. Should I get into it? But let's get real. Just because a large tech company says video is the way to go, it doesn't mean you have to follow suit.

There are other ways to market and grow your show without having to resort to high tech, multi-camera, 1080p video files and oh my gosh, okay, 1080p video files. I was just thinking too that those files are huge in comparison to an audio only file. I'm talking about storage here. When you are doing video, you'll also start noticing a large uptake in your usage of data storage. Audio files don't take up a lot of space, but when you include that video portion and depending on how it's encoded, meaning like 1080p, 720p, all that sort of stuff, the quality of your video, how long the episode is, the longer the episode, the bigger file it is, you can start getting into very, very large files.

And podcasting media hosting platforms are not going to start hosting these very large files. That will cost them a lot of money. So that means you have that extra step of uploading the video as well to YouTube and Spotify, et cetera. Not a big problem with that extra step. But with that storage component, if you are sharing that file out and you have a team member who works on your podcast, it really can add up for you on the storage side, your Google Drive, your Dropbox, or wherever you store your files in the cloud, videos take up a lot of storage real estate. And I don't think people really realize the kind of snowball effect of that. Unless you have like unlimited data storage somewhere. Just remember, videos will take up a lot more storage space.

[MUSIC ENDS]

The last thing I'll say, and not to poo poo, on the whole video thing, because I can see the draw. I understand that visuals help. It's also a very inclusive piece for people who need those visual aids. And people do like to see faces. I do get that. But what I'm saying is you don't also have to produce a video podcast along with your audio podcast. Sure, you can record the video during the podcast recording and then use that to create the little teaser clips or the promotional clips to promote the episode and market your show. That's awesome. But that takes time too, making those clips. But again, I know there's also time shortened with the use of AI. So are those AI tools worth it as well? You might have to pay, pay something else. You got to pay out to use some of these tools. So are those AI clips any better than human...]]>505fa7fb-8e7a-4872-a5fa-8f1d9641f02cMon, 10 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -070019:35falsefull9292Podcast Marketing Without Social Media with Amanda Laird - EP 91Podcast Marketing Without Social Media with Amanda LairdHow do you know if social media is really worth it? Social media inundates almost every aspect of our lives these days, from communicating with friends to deciding what to listen to, watch, or buy—all the way down the line to actually listening to, watching, and buying it. So, of course, many podcast creators worry that leaving social media behind is an enormous marketing faux pas.

But what if it isn't? Amanda Laird is the marketing pro behind Slow and Steady Studio. She wields more than two decades of PR and management experience to help small businesses and non-profits do just enough marketing to reach their goals in ways that make sense for them. In this episode, Amanda shares plenty of tips for figuring out whether that social media slog is paying off.

You'll discover the link between podcasting and social media, as well as the first steps to determining exactly how social media marketing serves your podcast—and how your podcast serves you—so you can make strategic decisions that drive success rather than drive you crazy.

Hear Amanda's insights on how essential social media really is to podcast marketing:

  • What benefits are social media providing for your show?
  • Where does podcasting fit in your marketing sandwich?
  • What is your podcast's consistent call to action?
  • Should you consider moving your podcast to Substack?

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: There's no shortage of distraction these days. We are digitally connected, and there's so much we can learn or be entertained by, especially from the world of social media. And today it's even more heightened because of all the research into how social media is playing a negative role in our mental health, and especially with kids growing up in this digital, like, hyper digital age. You know, recently, last year, there was Jonathan Haidt's wildly popular book called The Anxious Generation, how it connects social media to the epidemic of teen mental illness.

Yet, as podcasters, we use social media without thinking much about it sometimes. We use it to promote our show. And if you have a business or organization that's tied to the podcast, that you need to talk about your message too, and it's all done on our screens, and it feels as if social media is the number one way to market the show, or sometimes even, like, the only way to market your show. So as a podcaster, we might think without social media, your message might sink without it. However, there really are alternatives. We marketed way before social media even existed. And so I've always thought, why can't we still market today like we did back in the day before social media existed?

So on today's episode, we're talking about marketing without social media with Amanda Laird. Amanda is the Founder of Slow and Steady Studio and a marketing communications strategist. She has more than 20 years of experience in communications and PR and management, and now helps solopreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations do what she calls "just enough marketing to reach their goals their way".

And I love the idea of just enough marketing because I worked with her on one of her Clarity Sessions about two years ago. You know, my side of the story, which I tell briefly on the episode, is basically realizing how social media actually plays a role in my business and podcast, or actually the lack of a role social media actually plays and what I can be doing instead of social media. But also knowing it might play a little part in what I do. So I am still on it. So it's about talking about how to best use my time and stop that doom scrolling.

Amanda and I also get into Substack. I really wanted to highlight this with her because it's the new shiny object for podcasters and the Internet. So Substack is heavily using podcasting and video on their platform. So if you're wondering about Substack, listen through to the whole episode and how that can or cannot integrate with your podcast. So, yeah, if you're curious or just wondering if you should be giving up on social media or even figuring out if you want to do less on these social platforms. Today's episode is for you.

This is episode number 91 with Amanda Laird on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Amanda thank you so much for coming on the show and rescheduling with me due to my sick brain fog. You know how it is.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

AMANDA: Thank you for having me, Mary. I will always find the time to chat with you.

MARY: Oh, thank you. I know, like, we were, I was thinking back before this, I was like, oh, when did we first, like, meet online? And it was like, when I first started my podcast production business, was it freelance? I was like, I don't know what I'm doing. And I don't remember how we were connected, but we were connected. And I was like, oh, sparks are flying.

AMANDA: That was many, many years ago, too.

MARY: Yeah, that was like, 2018, I believe.

AMANDA: I think it was.

MARY: Anyway, things have shifted in more ways than one between, like, what we do and social media these days. And that's what we're going to talk about. So I always say podcasting is not social media because sometimes people are like, well, isn't it social media? So I just want you to give the lay of the land, first of all, and help us define, what is social media?

AMANDA: Oh, is this not the question of our times Mary? Okay, so I went to Wikipedia. Wikipedia defines social media as, interactive technologies that facilitate the creation, sharing, and aggregation of content among virtual communities and networks. So in simple terms, that's your Facebook, your Twitter, your X, your Blue Sky threads, Instagram. These platforms that have become, like, the backbone of our communications personally and professionally. Where we are logging on and posting, there's text, videos. Oh, I can't believe I forgot TikTok on that list.

MARY: Oh, yeah.

AMANDA: Videos, images, whatever content we're posting on these platforms that's then distributed to our friends, followers, whatever the platform calls it.

MARY: So then would podcasting be under that category?

AMANDA: I don't think so. Okay. I'm taking a pause.

MARY: Yeah. [LAUGHTER]

AMANDA: I mean, okay, in some ways, I guess you could argue that perhaps it's social media, but at the same time, I don't think it is. Because podcasting is distributed to a lot of different channels, right?Like, when I upload my podcast to my podcast host, then it's going out to Apple podcasts. It's going to, you know, all the places where people...]]>How do you know if social media is really worth it? Social media inundates almost every aspect of our lives these days, from communicating with friends to deciding what to listen to, watch, or buy—all the way down the line to actually listening to, watching, and buying it. So, of course, many podcast creators worry that leaving social media behind is an enormous marketing faux pas.

But what if it isn't? Amanda Laird is the marketing pro behind Slow and Steady Studio. She wields more than two decades of PR and management experience to help small businesses and non-profits do just enough marketing to reach their goals in ways that make sense for them. In this episode, Amanda shares plenty of tips for figuring out whether that social media slog is paying off.

You'll discover the link between podcasting and social media, as well as the first steps to determining exactly how social media marketing serves your podcast—and how your podcast serves you—so you can make strategic decisions that drive success rather than drive you crazy.

Hear Amanda's insights on how essential social media really is to podcast marketing:

  • What benefits are social media providing for your show?
  • Where does podcasting fit in your marketing sandwich?
  • What is your podcast's consistent call to action?
  • Should you consider moving your podcast to Substack?

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: There's no shortage of distraction these days. We are digitally connected, and there's so much we can learn or be entertained by, especially from the world of social media. And today it's even more heightened because of all the research into how social media is playing a negative role in our mental health, and especially with kids growing up in this digital, like, hyper digital age. You know, recently, last year, there was Jonathan Haidt's wildly popular book called The Anxious Generation, how it connects social media to the epidemic of teen mental illness.

Yet, as podcasters, we use social media without thinking much about it sometimes. We use it to promote our show. And if you have a business or organization that's tied to the podcast, that you need to talk about your message too, and it's all done on our screens, and it feels as if social media is the number one way to market the show, or sometimes even, like, the only way to market your show. So as a podcaster, we might think without social media, your message might sink without it. However, there really are alternatives. We marketed way before social media even existed. And so I've always thought, why can't we still market today like we did back in the day before social media existed?

So on today's episode, we're talking about marketing without social media with Amanda Laird. Amanda is the Founder of Slow and Steady Studio and a marketing communications strategist. She has more than 20 years of experience in communications and PR and management, and now helps solopreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations do what she calls "just enough marketing to reach their goals their way".

And I love the idea of just enough marketing because I worked with her on one of her Clarity Sessions about two years ago. You know, my side of the story, which I tell briefly on the episode, is basically realizing how social media actually plays a role in my business and podcast, or actually the lack of a role social media actually plays and what I can be doing instead of social media. But also knowing it might play a little part in what I do. So I am still on it. So it's about talking about how to best use my time and stop that doom scrolling.

Amanda and I also get into Substack. I really wanted to highlight this with her because it's the new shiny object for podcasters and the Internet. So Substack is heavily using podcasting and video on their platform. So if you're wondering about Substack, listen through to the whole episode and how that can or cannot integrate with your podcast. So, yeah, if you're curious or just wondering if you should be giving up on social media or even figuring out if you want to do less on these social platforms. Today's episode is for you.

This is episode number 91 with Amanda Laird on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Amanda thank you so much for coming on the show and rescheduling with me due to my sick brain fog. You know how it is.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

AMANDA: Thank you for having me, Mary. I will always find the time to chat with you.

MARY: Oh, thank you. I know, like, we were, I was thinking back before this, I was like, oh, when did we first, like, meet online? And it was like, when I first started my podcast production business, was it freelance? I was like, I don't know what I'm doing. And I don't remember how we were connected, but we were connected. And I was like, oh, sparks are flying.

AMANDA: That was many, many years ago, too.

MARY: Yeah, that was like, 2018, I believe.

AMANDA: I think it was.

MARY: Anyway, things have shifted in more ways than one between, like, what we do and social media these days. And that's what we're going to talk about. So I always say podcasting is not social media because sometimes people are like, well, isn't it social media? So I just want you to give the lay of the land, first of all, and help us define, what is social media?

AMANDA: Oh, is this not the question of our times Mary? Okay, so I went to Wikipedia. Wikipedia defines social media as, interactive technologies that facilitate the creation, sharing, and aggregation of content among virtual communities and networks. So in simple terms, that's your Facebook, your Twitter, your X, your Blue Sky threads, Instagram. These platforms that have become, like, the backbone of our communications personally and professionally. Where we are logging on and posting, there's text, videos. Oh, I can't believe I forgot TikTok on that list.

MARY: Oh, yeah.

AMANDA: Videos, images, whatever content we're posting on these platforms that's then distributed to our friends, followers, whatever the platform calls it.

MARY: So then would podcasting be under that category?

AMANDA: I don't think so. Okay. I'm taking a pause.

MARY: Yeah. [LAUGHTER]

AMANDA: I mean, okay, in some ways, I guess you could argue that perhaps it's social media, but at the same time, I don't think it is. Because podcasting is distributed to a lot of different channels, right?Like, when I upload my podcast to my podcast host, then it's going out to Apple podcasts. It's going to, you know, all the places where people listen to podcasts. And I think one of the defining differences, too, with social media, and I'm putting, like, my Old PR school hat on when I say this like also with social media or what the promise of social media was way back at the turn of the century was a two way conversation.

MARY: Yeah, I think that too…

AMANDA: Right?

MARY: ...That's what I was thinking.

AMANDA: Yeah. And so yes, I do think that podcasts do facilitate a two way conversation, but that conversation isn't happening on the podcast, right? Like we put the podcast out into the ether and then that two way conversation might actually happen on social media that the podcast instigates, but it's not happening like on the podcast…

MARY: Yeah.

AMANDA: …if that makes sense.

MARY: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, so then, now that we can sort of have like, a good foundation of what that is. Like marketing existed before social media. You know, we were marketing snake oil back in the day, right? So like, how can we market today without social media? What foundations should we be looking at first? What should we be considering?

AMANDA: These are great questions and definitely some of the most topical questions with my clients and in communities that I'm a part of, running a mostly online business. First, before I dive into some of the practical things, I just really cannot say enough that if you want to market your business without social media, or put it another way, if you don't want to use social media to market your business, then that is 100% possible. I really think, and I'm thinking about what I just said a couple minutes ago about how social media has become such a critical part of our professional and personal communications, but as social media has risen in popularity, we have all kind of forgotten that yeah, there is other ways to do this online and offline as well.

So if you are feeling like you're getting that little intuitive hit that you'd like to do less social media marketing or you would like to leave entirely for relying on social media, it's 100% possible. So that said, whenever I'm chatting with somebody about marketing with social media, without social media, or really any tactic for that matter, I think the first place to start is to get really, really clear about what role social media marketing is currently playing in your business. So when I'm talking about marketing communications in my framework, which I like to call the Just Enough Framework, we have layers of different marketing objectives that we want our marketing to achieve for us, right? We and this very similar to a classic marketing funnel. So this will likely feel familiar to anybody who's familiar with the funnel.

MARY: The funnel, the funnel. [LAUGHTER]

AMANDA: I mean, we could do a whole other episode on the funnel, right?

MARY: You'll have to come back for that. [LAUGHTER]

AMANDA: So we are never ever just marketing for the sake of marketing. Like marketing is this great big vague umbrella term. But when we think about, okay, what are we actually trying to do when we're marketing our business? Number one, we're trying to attract new clients and customers, build an audience, build awareness of our brand. Then once people know who we are, we want them to connect with us in some way, right? This is where your brand story comes into play. This is where content marketing or even just your website comes into play so people can understand your business, understand your service offerings, your products, your point of view, what makes you unique, differentiates you from your competitors. How do I work with you? All of those good things.

Some, you know, common term is like, this is the know, like, and trust type layer of your marketing. And then once people know who we are, once they have decided that we can solve their problem or meet their needs, right? Then it links in with our sales process. So we have marketing tactics that are designed to sell our products and services.

So when you're evaluating your social media, I like to go through all of the ways that we're using social media and kind of map them to those objectives, right? Like, are we using social media to find new clients? Are we just using it as a way to share our point of view or to talk about our approach or what makes us unique? And are we using some of those social selling tools that are available on these platforms? Or is there a call to action that's like a buy now kind of call to action in your social media content?

Now, I did a workshop about this recently and as I was talking about this, I could just hear that David Beckham meme from the Beckham's Netflix documentary where he was like, be honest, be honest. [LAUGHTER] Because what I see a lot is we think social media is doing one or more of those things that I just outlined, but maybe it's not. Maybe it's not actually moving the needle in our business. And so this is why it's so important to start at ah, this point. Because number one, if it is contributing to building awareness, connecting and converting clients, then you need to plan how you are going to fill those gaps. And if you take a look at your social media and you audit your social media and you realize, oh, wait a second, it's not really doing any of these things or it's not doing what I thought it was, then you want to maybe take another step back and look at the bigger picture and think, okay, well, how actually are my clients finding me?...

MARY: Yeah, exactly

AMANDA: …How am I marketing? Because what I have this. It's. I mean, I'm kind of laughing because it seems so simple, but I've had countless conversations with folks who are like, oh, well, social media doesn't do anything for my business, but I don't know what else to do. And then when I start to pull at those threads, oh, it turns out that actually they are doing a lot of marketing. Often it has to do with word of mouth, referrals, relationships, networking. But we have just come to equate marketing with social media. And even beyond that, I feel like we have come to equate it with Instagram in particular, especially for online businesses. And people are actually doing a lot of marketing outside of social media and then they don't even realize it because for some reason they think it doesn't count.

MARY: Yeah, because they're like, oh, if you have a business or you have an organization or you want to market something, you have to be on social media. You have to have an Instagram account or you have to be on LinkedIn. And if you don't have that, you're not an established legitimate business. And so like, I think we get that fear of, oh, well, we, we want to look professional. So we, I guess we have to be in all the places, you know? So when you're talking about tactics, I think a lot of people are like, tactic, social media, check.

AMANDA: Mhmm, Mhmm.

MARY: So is that the approach for tactics? Like what, what is this?

AMANDA: Well, you know, one thing I will also say too is like, I have a lot of empathy and you know, I'm a small business owner too, right? So I have been in this place myself. I have done all of these things before. But what I, I talk a lot about, like social media also feels like we have a lot of control over it in a way that maybe some other marketing tactics feel like we have to relinquish a little bit of control. Like if I'm relying on referrals from my past clients or my network, well, doesn't that just mean that I have to wait for Mary to recommend me to her clients…

MARY: Right.

AMANDA: …and there's nothing I can do? Oftentimes, especially with solo service provider, especially women entrepreneurs, although I don't think it's expensive, exclusive to women. We are like freaking out about our business in some way and committing random acts of marketing…

MARY: Random acts of marketing, yes. [LAUGHTER]

AMANDA: …Which is just like the totally unstrategic, like posts that you just throw up on social, right? Or maybe you just throw it up there on social where you're like, my books are open. I've got two spots available. And now we can cross marketing off of our to do list check, right? We get that dopamine hit the likes. If we're lucky, people see it…

MARY: Yes.

AMANDA: …And then the likes and the shares and the comments start rolling in. And now we feel good, right?

MARY: Right, right.

AMANDA: Which is part of the reason why giving up social media maybe feels so scary, right?

MARY: Yeah. I mean, I remember I booked a session with you. We worked together, I think, like, two years ago now, and you had asked me that same question, and I was like, well, I think I'm on social media, but I don't really like it, but I'm on there. And actually I was looking back, I was like, oh, actually I get, like, a lot of my work through referrals, or actually, Google right now is working for me. So then you were like, then why are you on social media? I was like, oh, yeah, right. Why am I? [LAUGHTER]

AMANDA: It's true, because, half of the reason why I even started my business was because I was so tired of, like, just seeing social media at the top of every listicle for how to market your small business, right?

MARY: No, it doesn't have to be that way.

AMANDA: Exactly. And like, I don't want to sound too much like a conspiracy theorist here, but, like, think about it. Who is benefiting from our belief that we have to be on social media? It's not my business. My business isn't making...]]>a84c6bda-6bec-4350-be0d-ffd1ff6b8e3cMon, 24 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -070046:36falsefull9191Your Podcast As Your Own Media Platform - EP 90Your Podcast As Your Own Media PlatformWhat shifts in podcasting have you noticed in the last few months? In the first episode of 2025, Mary dives right into the changes we've seen in podcasting just since last fall. More and more hosts are leaning into partisan politics and using their shows to share their thoughts and concerns with a huge audience. This has further legitimized the industry, similar to when celebrities started to don the mantle of podcast host several years back.

This mainstream growth has a real impact on your show, even if you aren't interviewing Canada's Prime Minister or the Democratic presidential candidate. Mary explores how you, as a podcast creator, can seize this opportunity to transform or elevate your show—ultimately your own media platform—to refresh stagnant formulas and revisit the most essential question: how does your podcast align with your values?

Whether you're brand new or years into podcasting, let's think about:

  • How podcasting becoming more mainstream affects you and your show
  • How you can lean into the shifts to bring a fresh perspective
  • Why you should use your podcast to control the message you want to spread

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: Although it's February, and this is my first episode back from my year end break. Welcome back. It feels like a lifetime ago because so much has changed in this short little bit of time from my last episode that I published in early December. It's amazing what a few months can do for you. And toward the end of last year, too, in episode 87, called Find Podcast Success While Doing Less, that episode is a good one to listen to before this one, because it's kind of a continuation or maybe like a little addendum to that episode. Where are you on your podcasting journey to make your podcast more integrated with what you do and your values, especially in today's world when, yeah, we're still trying to figure out what to do with less time, less money, less capacity, all of that sort of stuff.

So if you haven't listened to episode 87 yet, make sure you go find that one and then continue on to this one. Because, yeah, the world has changed. It doesn't matter which part of the world you live in. And I usually don't get very political. This podcast isn't political at all. And I don't slide into that realm. But I feel like with everything that I do, whether that is my personal life, my podcasting life, my business life, everything is all intertwined. So what does that political landscape actually mean for podcasting as a whole? And then more specifically, what does it mean for your show? A few things, actually. So listen in.

This is episode number 90 of the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Hey, welcome back to the show. Oh, my gosh. This is episode 90.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

And as I usually start my year, I like to go back on, okay, what did I do on my podcast? What do I want to talk about this year? And things like that? And I realized I'm going into my sixth year of this particular podcast. I've done podcasting before with a different show, but this one, this is my sixth year for this. And that also means I'm going into my eighth year in my podcast production company. Who would have thought when I started this adventure?

So thank you so much. Whether you are a longtime listener, whether you've known me from the beginning of my podcast production company or even before then, if I'm lucky enough to have a few listeners that are from before that time, or if you're relatively new here, or this is your first episode, you know, it also still feels, very much new to me, because every time I produce an episode, every time I come up with an idea, I take it from that curiosity and learning angle, what can I learn in this moment and how can I share that learning piece with you? So thank you so much for coming on this ride, listening to this specific episode, and we're going to talk a lot about what's shifted in the past few months since I last recorded an episode from December and what is going on right now in February and into the future of podcasting, of course, for your show.

[MUSIC IN]

So what is shifting in podcasting? Like I said at the top of the show, I don't usually go political, but podcasts as an industry have gone political. It really has taken that mainstream effect because of the U.S. election back in November and we're starting to see like how that all played out with the podcasting space. So the way I see things is in some ways this is all a good sign for the podcasting industry as a whole. Just like when celebrity podcasts were starting to be a big thing, that started to drive the industry even more. I'm thinking maybe like Dax Shepard has this podcast, Armchair Experts, that started in 2018 and then a few years after that you're starting to see like, podcasting mention in TV shows.

And in fact there are shows that are based on this idea of podcasting, like Only Murders in the Building, which I love, love, love. And what are they just finished their fourth season or they're going into their fourth season. Either way it's a hilarious show and there's all these goofs on like how the podcast is actually made and as an audio person I'm like, oh, you can't do that. But whatever, it's a TV show, it doesn't matter, right? And it's fun, but it's good to see it in mainstream. There's also Based On A True Story, which is about podcasting as well, and how do you make money and that celebrity status of a podcast and stuff like that.

So it's really good to see that the podcasting industry as a whole, because of these celebrity type podcasts, has made it more accessible for you, an independent podcaster. Like, why do you care that there are celebrity podcasts? Why do you care that there are politics in podcasting now? As an independent and someone who is not on a network show, how does this really impact you? And the whole bottom line is that it legitimizes the platform, meaning if your show is produced well and it stands out in your industry, you become the leader.

I mean even before the U.S. election, being Canadian, myself, Justin Trudeau, our Prime Minister in June of 2024, he was on Adam Grant's podcast ReThinking. Love Adam Grant. And I'm not saying to, like, listen to this episode because, oh, my gosh, Justin Trudeau was on and politics and this stuff, but it was just that Adam is also using this podcast as a little bit of behind the scenes of how he even got the Prime Minister onto his show. Like, he's an American going to Ottawa to meet Justin Trudeau. Like, I don't think that would have normally happened in an everyday scenario. But now, 2024, 2025, into the future, podcasting is a legitimate media platform.

So taking this into consideration for your podcast, how are you using your podcast as a media platform? Meaning, what is it doing for you? Whether that is having a business behind it or you're...]]>What shifts in podcasting have you noticed in the last few months? In the first episode of 2025, Mary dives right into the changes we've seen in podcasting just since last fall. More and more hosts are leaning into partisan politics and using their shows to share their thoughts and concerns with a huge audience. This has further legitimized the industry, similar to when celebrities started to don the mantle of podcast host several years back.

This mainstream growth has a real impact on your show, even if you aren't interviewing Canada's Prime Minister or the Democratic presidential candidate. Mary explores how you, as a podcast creator, can seize this opportunity to transform or elevate your show—ultimately your own media platform—to refresh stagnant formulas and revisit the most essential question: how does your podcast align with your values?

Whether you're brand new or years into podcasting, let's think about:

  • How podcasting becoming more mainstream affects you and your show
  • How you can lean into the shifts to bring a fresh perspective
  • Why you should use your podcast to control the message you want to spread

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: Although it's February, and this is my first episode back from my year end break. Welcome back. It feels like a lifetime ago because so much has changed in this short little bit of time from my last episode that I published in early December. It's amazing what a few months can do for you. And toward the end of last year, too, in episode 87, called Find Podcast Success While Doing Less, that episode is a good one to listen to before this one, because it's kind of a continuation or maybe like a little addendum to that episode. Where are you on your podcasting journey to make your podcast more integrated with what you do and your values, especially in today's world when, yeah, we're still trying to figure out what to do with less time, less money, less capacity, all of that sort of stuff.

So if you haven't listened to episode 87 yet, make sure you go find that one and then continue on to this one. Because, yeah, the world has changed. It doesn't matter which part of the world you live in. And I usually don't get very political. This podcast isn't political at all. And I don't slide into that realm. But I feel like with everything that I do, whether that is my personal life, my podcasting life, my business life, everything is all intertwined. So what does that political landscape actually mean for podcasting as a whole? And then more specifically, what does it mean for your show? A few things, actually. So listen in.

This is episode number 90 of the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Hey, welcome back to the show. Oh, my gosh. This is episode 90.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

And as I usually start my year, I like to go back on, okay, what did I do on my podcast? What do I want to talk about this year? And things like that? And I realized I'm going into my sixth year of this particular podcast. I've done podcasting before with a different show, but this one, this is my sixth year for this. And that also means I'm going into my eighth year in my podcast production company. Who would have thought when I started this adventure?

So thank you so much. Whether you are a longtime listener, whether you've known me from the beginning of my podcast production company or even before then, if I'm lucky enough to have a few listeners that are from before that time, or if you're relatively new here, or this is your first episode, you know, it also still feels, very much new to me, because every time I produce an episode, every time I come up with an idea, I take it from that curiosity and learning angle, what can I learn in this moment and how can I share that learning piece with you? So thank you so much for coming on this ride, listening to this specific episode, and we're going to talk a lot about what's shifted in the past few months since I last recorded an episode from December and what is going on right now in February and into the future of podcasting, of course, for your show.

[MUSIC IN]

So what is shifting in podcasting? Like I said at the top of the show, I don't usually go political, but podcasts as an industry have gone political. It really has taken that mainstream effect because of the U.S. election back in November and we're starting to see like how that all played out with the podcasting space. So the way I see things is in some ways this is all a good sign for the podcasting industry as a whole. Just like when celebrity podcasts were starting to be a big thing, that started to drive the industry even more. I'm thinking maybe like Dax Shepard has this podcast, Armchair Experts, that started in 2018 and then a few years after that you're starting to see like, podcasting mention in TV shows.

And in fact there are shows that are based on this idea of podcasting, like Only Murders in the Building, which I love, love, love. And what are they just finished their fourth season or they're going into their fourth season. Either way it's a hilarious show and there's all these goofs on like how the podcast is actually made and as an audio person I'm like, oh, you can't do that. But whatever, it's a TV show, it doesn't matter, right? And it's fun, but it's good to see it in mainstream. There's also Based On A True Story, which is about podcasting as well, and how do you make money and that celebrity status of a podcast and stuff like that.

So it's really good to see that the podcasting industry as a whole, because of these celebrity type podcasts, has made it more accessible for you, an independent podcaster. Like, why do you care that there are celebrity podcasts? Why do you care that there are politics in podcasting now? As an independent and someone who is not on a network show, how does this really impact you? And the whole bottom line is that it legitimizes the platform, meaning if your show is produced well and it stands out in your industry, you become the leader.

I mean even before the U.S. election, being Canadian, myself, Justin Trudeau, our Prime Minister in June of 2024, he was on Adam Grant's podcast ReThinking. Love Adam Grant. And I'm not saying to, like, listen to this episode because, oh, my gosh, Justin Trudeau was on and politics and this stuff, but it was just that Adam is also using this podcast as a little bit of behind the scenes of how he even got the Prime Minister onto his show. Like, he's an American going to Ottawa to meet Justin Trudeau. Like, I don't think that would have normally happened in an everyday scenario. But now, 2024, 2025, into the future, podcasting is a legitimate media platform.

So taking this into consideration for your podcast, how are you using your podcast as a media platform? Meaning, what is it doing for you? Whether that is having a business behind it or you're marketing your personal brand, or maybe you're just getting awareness for an organization, or a brand, or something that you work with or work for. What is that point of that podcast? Because now you're creating your own media assets. That's what your podcast is. So in order to do that, we need to start thinking about what you want that podcast to do and to make your listeners feel, because that feeling then translates into action. So let's dig into that feelings bit first.

[MUSIC ENDS]

When you're creating your podcast, what's feeling new? So if you're trying to figure out, okay, do I still want to do interviews, do I want to add solo episodes? What does the format of my show look like and feel like right now, and do I want to change anything? What's feeling stagnant, either for you or maybe for your listeners? And how do you want that refresh to happen? Because, again, you're going to look at this from a media platform lens. How does your podcast play into your overall work? If it's a passion project or, like I said before, part of a business or organization, what are these goals and how does your podcast align with that for this specific year? Because, like I said, everything's changing, everything's new. It's a great time to have that fresh eyes on something.

And it's never too late. If you're listening to this episode and it's way past February and not the week that it is published, then that's totally fine. It's never too late to think about your podcasting journey that you've been on so far, even if you haven't launched a show yet. Like, you were still on this podcasting journey, because it all started with that spark of an idea. Where are you on this journey? Have you created hundreds of episodes? Are you only on your 5th episode? Are you on your 100th episode? What has shifted for you since that spark of an idea until today? What's different?

[MUSIC IN]

I mentioned earlier the episode Doing Less For Your Podcast. That's episode number 87 that I did at the latter half of 2024. This is still happening now in 2025, in the beginning stages of the year, I'm seeing people wanting to rest, uh, to shift away from that constant productivity and the daily grind. So listen to that one if you haven't yet. But part of that episode, too. I talk about finances and being Canadian, paying a lot more for things online because they're in U.S. dollars. And our dollar right now is what, 68 cents? 68 cents per U.S. dollar. It's not, not as great as it used to be. So it means that, as Canadians, we are even paying more and more and more for the same product or service from last year.

You know, for me, on the business side, that's great because I am getting a lot more Canadians who want to work with me, right? Working with a fellow Canadian, few and far between in the audio world and the podcasting space. So, love to support the Canadians where I can. But what that means is that everything at the start of the year is playing out with a lot of uncertainty. You know, people are trying to figure out, do you want to pay more for this, or should I streamline and not pay for a lot of things here and don't pay for this there?

And, you know, podcasting isn't cheap to run your own show, to host a show, at least it does take some money or time. It's not an easy thing to do if you want to put some intention behind it. So with all this uncertainty and all this back and forth, what do we do now in this climate that we're in? I want you to take a step back as well. What can we control to keep the fear of the unknown at bay?

[MUSIC ENDS]

Sometimes these tips can feel like very broad and very nebulous. But I think for one, this one is something I didn't want to mention at first because it feels kind of like cliche. But the more I thought about it, I didn't want to edit my own thoughts and kind of stay true to my speak with spirit ethics that I've got. It's gratitude. And you might see it online and be like, oh, yeah, I want to be grateful for this and thankful for that, but it really does help. And from a personal standpoint, I do journal every single night. It's quick bullet form. It's not a bullet journal, per se. I don't know if you've heard that type of journal before, but this is what I do. And I find it works simply for me because they're easy points and it's just to get things out of my head so I'm not constantly thinking about stuff before I go to bed.

So I do this every night. Again, whatever works for you. If you are a morning person, maybe you do this in the morning, but for me, five things that were a success could be as simple as tasks, you know, that you checked off. That still counts. Then the next section is three things I'm grateful for and my role in it. What did I do to actually make that happen? So usually I don't do, like, I thank the warm weather today. I thank the sunshine. Well, what did I do to make the warm weather happen? Or what did I do to make the sunshine happen, right? So, not just this nebulous gratitude, but how did this gratitude happen? Because of something that you did.

The last section is three actions I took to drive any big dreams or made my day really, really happy. What were those three things? And I've been writing down these points every night since 2019. I would probably say I may have only missed one or two nights because I was sick. Like, if I was traveling, I'd bring my journal with me, my notebook. It's not really like a formal journal. It's just a notebook of blank pages. And then I just put in these notes and headers every day so I can say that the gratitude changes the perspective.

And when you are grateful for others and yourself, your brain's chemistry changes, and it can shift your experiences. There's actually a lot of research about how gratitude changes mental health for the better. Even last September, there was research from Harvard Medical School saying how gratitude not only brings happiness, but also lengthens lives. So living longer. Woo! Who wouldn't like that, right? Living longer is amazing. So throw a little gratitude in your space. It's that creation of a habit can be easy as taking down those notes. Like I say that I do every night before bed. But this habit that I really enjoy too, because this way I have time to myself, I get to wind down for a better night's sleep. And I actually do this as the very last thing. Not to get too intimate here, but it is the last thing I do in the bathroom before I literally get into bed.

The house is really quiet. I'm usually the only one left awake, and then I do my journaling and I go straight to bed. And actually, you'd be pretty surprised how podcasting actually comes up in my nightly journal. Comes up more often than you might think. Whether that is, you know, something I've been listening to that I learned from a podcasting client that I'm working with. Actually, maybe something that I learned from one of my clients, right? Like, there's just so much that goes into podcasting that you can actually be grateful for. Even though this isn't a podcasting gratitude journal, it's not specific to podcasting, but it does help in your podcasting world.

[MUSIC IN]

And another thing, during all of this uncertainty, a podcast as your media platform is a way for you to control the message, unlike all the bro culture that is there that I've been trying to stay away from. And we are seeing play out in the real world when we as a podcaster speak with spirit. And I mean it in a heartfelt, tactful way. Not like I'm gonna yell, and scream, and speak on what's on my mind. Like, that is a really unkind move, right? Like, we're not being mean spirited here. We are not just saying whatever we want on our mind when we're speaking with spirit, it is in a way that we say it with the intention of love, with an understanding that we are doing our best with the situation that we have and that we have this platform now, this podcasting platform to share that message.

So what do you want to say? It's your podcast. It's not social media, which can shut down, or change algorithms, or do all sorts of weird things that you can't control, but this idea that you can still be a leader in, in your industry with your podcast, because you have created your own media platform, your message never goes away until you want it to.

[MUSIC ENDS]

So I hope you got a little bit of something out of this episode to start your year or to continue that fresh podcasting energy for the year. Keeping this one short, because trying to stay away from all the doom scrolling and all the news. I watch a lot of news, so trying to stay away from that right now. So food for thought, how do you feel in this climate, this political climate that is affecting your podcast, if any, because I'm sure you never even thought about that connection, right? But there is, because now podcasting, it's a legitimate media platform. People are coming to the space to share their message as well. So how are you going to promote other people's voices with intention?

We're going to dive deeper into a lot of nuance in this sort of realm this season. So I would love your hot take on what do you want to hear? What do you want to move towards this year? Leave me a voice note. I'd love to hear your voice, VisibleVoicePodcast.com There's a purple button that says send voicemail. Leave me a note there. Or email, as always VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com.

And on the next episode, like I said, we're going to continue a bit on this theme here. It's an extension where you're going to talk social media. No, no, it's not what you think. I'm not a big fan of social media either. I don't know if you've noticed...]]>56a7b9cb-d0a7-4a8c-9ce8-927bbde5397dMon, 10 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -070019:02falsefull9090Your Podcasting Questions Answered and a Year End Break - EP 89Your Podcasting Questions Answered and a Year End BreakHow are your values guiding your voice, schedule, and future plans for your show? The holiday season is upon us, and that makes this the final 2024 episode of The Podcaster's Guide to the Visible Voice! Throughout the year, Mary fields tons of questions about all things recording, speaking, and producing. So, here's a round-up of some of the impossible-to-Google questions most podcast creators ask at some point.

From embracing the volume of your voice to easy-to-implement recording hacks for guest episodes, wrap up your year and feel empowered to launch or continue your show in 2025 with these practical tips from a seasoned podcast strategist and voice coach.

Get inspired for your upcoming podcast season:

  • How to reframe the "professional" voice in podcasting
  • Consider capacity: taking breaks as a solo creator
  • The future expectations of adding video
  • Easy tips to take your recording process to the next level

Listen to this year's guest episodes:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: Over the course of the year, I get plenty of podcasting and audio or voice related questions, as you could guess from the work that I do. And like we've talked about on the podcast before, no question is a dumb question. Podcasting questions come up all the time. Whether they might be a bit more foundational, like, what mic do you buy? How do you record online, how do you get the best sound? Those are more technical questions, but for this episode I wanted to go beyond that, because if you can google it, does it really make for an interesting or exciting podcast episode? Probably not. So I wanted to get under those almost superficial layers. So as we wrap up the year, I'm going to answer three very common questions that I get a lot. And as always, touch upon your podcasting values as we close out this year.

This is episode number 89, the last episode for 2024, on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Hey, thanks for listening to the show, but before we get to the questions, a little Q&A. I wanted to share a voice note with you first, from someone's voice story.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

This is back in episode 85 about your voice health and treating your podcasting instrument with care. I asked you to say and complete the following sentence stems. The first time someone said something about my voice, it made me feel, dot, dot, dot, fill in the blanks, and then end with the second sentence stem, today, what I love about my voice is, dot, dot, dot, so this is one of the voice notes I got.

[VOICE NOTE AUDIO]: I'm calling from New York City, New York. The first time someone said something about my voice, it made me feel very self conscious. Today, what I love about my voice is that I've learned to speak slower. My ideal voice is that of many hosts on NPR public radio, which I listen to all day. And I've often been reprimanded by friends and family for having a very loud voice when I become excitable. And I don't notice that I have such a loud voice. So I'm always really thrilled to listen to voice coaches and experts when it comes to voice. Thank you so much. [VOICE NOTE AUDIO ENDS]

MARY: Thank you so much for sending the voice note. I love it. I wish more people would send voice notes. Honestly, I talk about them all the time and a lot of people don't have that bravery. And so the voice notes that do come into my inbox, I love them. So thank you so much for sharing.

Now, when I heard that voice note, I do have to say I heard the words loud voice, and I too was reminded about how when I was a kid or, you know, even when I was working in radio, when other people use their voices for a living, I was told I was too loud. My coworkers would do that, if you kind of squish your fingers trying to pinch together with your thumb that pinching together to tell me to be quiet, softer, I'm like, no. Because that's when, you know, I am passionate about something. [LAUGHTER] But what I have to say is that it's okay to be loud because it is that passion coming through. It can be.

When I get loud that way, I am passionate about something. But that doesn't mean you have to speak that way all the time, right? It's when we can play with our voice to be loud and passionate, but also soft and vulnerable when we need it. So thanks again for your note. Thank you so much for recording it and sending it. I'm glad you have a loud voice when you need it, as I do as well, because loud doesn't always equal bad.

[MUSIC IN]

So this leads to my first question for this little Q and A episode. How do I sound more professional? I get this one all the time because, yes, I worked in radio, as you know, and so when people hear my voice, they're like, oh, you've got a great radio voice. And I'm like, yeah, well, been in the business for]]>How are your values guiding your voice, schedule, and future plans for your show? The holiday season is upon us, and that makes this the final 2024 episode of The Podcaster's Guide to the Visible Voice! Throughout the year, Mary fields tons of questions about all things recording, speaking, and producing. So, here's a round-up of some of the impossible-to-Google questions most podcast creators ask at some point.

From embracing the volume of your voice to easy-to-implement recording hacks for guest episodes, wrap up your year and feel empowered to launch or continue your show in 2025 with these practical tips from a seasoned podcast strategist and voice coach.

Get inspired for your upcoming podcast season:

  • How to reframe the "professional" voice in podcasting
  • Consider capacity: taking breaks as a solo creator
  • The future expectations of adding video
  • Easy tips to take your recording process to the next level

Listen to this year's guest episodes:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: Over the course of the year, I get plenty of podcasting and audio or voice related questions, as you could guess from the work that I do. And like we've talked about on the podcast before, no question is a dumb question. Podcasting questions come up all the time. Whether they might be a bit more foundational, like, what mic do you buy? How do you record online, how do you get the best sound? Those are more technical questions, but for this episode I wanted to go beyond that, because if you can google it, does it really make for an interesting or exciting podcast episode? Probably not. So I wanted to get under those almost superficial layers. So as we wrap up the year, I'm going to answer three very common questions that I get a lot. And as always, touch upon your podcasting values as we close out this year.

This is episode number 89, the last episode for 2024, on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Hey, thanks for listening to the show, but before we get to the questions, a little Q&A. I wanted to share a voice note with you first, from someone's voice story.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

This is back in episode 85 about your voice health and treating your podcasting instrument with care. I asked you to say and complete the following sentence stems. The first time someone said something about my voice, it made me feel, dot, dot, dot, fill in the blanks, and then end with the second sentence stem, today, what I love about my voice is, dot, dot, dot, so this is one of the voice notes I got.

[VOICE NOTE AUDIO]: I'm calling from New York City, New York. The first time someone said something about my voice, it made me feel very self conscious. Today, what I love about my voice is that I've learned to speak slower. My ideal voice is that of many hosts on NPR public radio, which I listen to all day. And I've often been reprimanded by friends and family for having a very loud voice when I become excitable. And I don't notice that I have such a loud voice. So I'm always really thrilled to listen to voice coaches and experts when it comes to voice. Thank you so much. [VOICE NOTE AUDIO ENDS]

MARY: Thank you so much for sending the voice note. I love it. I wish more people would send voice notes. Honestly, I talk about them all the time and a lot of people don't have that bravery. And so the voice notes that do come into my inbox, I love them. So thank you so much for sharing.

Now, when I heard that voice note, I do have to say I heard the words loud voice, and I too was reminded about how when I was a kid or, you know, even when I was working in radio, when other people use their voices for a living, I was told I was too loud. My coworkers would do that, if you kind of squish your fingers trying to pinch together with your thumb that pinching together to tell me to be quiet, softer, I'm like, no. Because that's when, you know, I am passionate about something. [LAUGHTER] But what I have to say is that it's okay to be loud because it is that passion coming through. It can be.

When I get loud that way, I am passionate about something. But that doesn't mean you have to speak that way all the time, right? It's when we can play with our voice to be loud and passionate, but also soft and vulnerable when we need it. So thanks again for your note. Thank you so much for recording it and sending it. I'm glad you have a loud voice when you need it, as I do as well, because loud doesn't always equal bad.

[MUSIC IN]

So this leads to my first question for this little Q and A episode. How do I sound more professional? I get this one all the time because, yes, I worked in radio, as you know, and so when people hear my voice, they're like, oh, you've got a great radio voice. And I'm like, yeah, well, been in the business for like 20 years. Like, this isn't the way I started out. This is not how I sounded when I started. So, how do I sound more professional? My short answer is, you don't. Not exactly at least, for podcasting. Like, even in that voice note earlier, she mentioned NPR. For me, it's CBC in Canada or in Europe, it might be the BBC voice. Those are broadcast voices. And even those are slowly changing.

But when we podcast, listeners are looking for someone to connect with. So that means also sounding like them, not someone sitting behind a big desk with a microphone. I think the deeper question that someone is actually wanting to ask, when they ask about that professional sounding question, it's that confidence piece with their voice. Like, how do I know when to bring the emotion? Or when should I sound like that journalistic voice? But I think that's the key, though, in podcasting you're not reporting a story or being a journalist. That's a totally different kind of podcast. So unless you are creating a true crime podcast, we really need to reframe this.

The professional, quote unquote sound in podcasting is essentially that confidence in your voice. Because in the podcasting industry, most of the popular podcasters don't have a broadcast background. The podcasters, they sound like you, or your friends, or your family. It's when you have confidence to play with your voice, to bring out the anger when you need it, or that sadness when it comes to share your happiness, your excitement, and joy. We're along for that ride with you.

So as I said earlier, it's not a one note show. As humans we have many emotions and expressions to play with, and that can also be expressed through your voice. Your listeners are going to get it when you're loud and excited, like I said before, because they'll be there with you. How do you want them to feel? How do you want your listener to feel? Feel that way too. Because we're sharing the feelings. We're not just talking heads.

[MUSIC ENDS]

The next question is a big question I get all the time. It's usually around taking breaks. Do I take a break from my podcast? Can I take a break on my podcast? The productivity aspect in us, in our society, that accountability part where we hear everyone saying, you need to create content, you need to have a weekly show, podcast once a week, post something once a week, or twice a week at this specific time, et cetera, et cetera. You know, you got to work ahead, so you never take a break. But you know, that doesn't work for everyone, especially if you don't have a team behind you. In all honesty, podcasting is a lot of work.

So producing a weekly show on top of if you have your own business, your work, your family life, personal life, taking time to have some fun, there's not a lot of time in one person's life to produce that much content, you know, to have that many episodes. So we have to look back at what our podcast means to us. Why are we building this show? Does your ideal listener expect this productivity from you? Or is this something that you've absorbed from, I don't know, reading something on the Internet that, you know, society is kind of saying to you, this is what you need to do.

But I truly believe any creative pursuit. Podcasting, yes, is included as a creative pursuit has their own cycles. So for me to create my best show, I need to include breaks or else burnout is going to set in. So these breaks include the year end break. This is the last episode before 2024 ends. As I told you, I always take a break roughly around the last two weeks of December, and then I come back sometime after Chinese New Year. And Chinese New Year moves, right? It's either in January or February, anywhere between mid-January to early mid-February, because I take that time to go over to Vancouver, see my family, celebrate with everybody.

In the summer as well. I take a break usually in July and August because it's the summer here. It's amazing where I live, I want to be outdoors. I'm an outdoorsy person. I want to go out there and really experience the environment that I am in. And so there's not a lot of time for podcasting. I mean, there could be, but honestly, I don't really want to, [LAUGH] right? Podcasting isn't the end all and be all. It is really fun to do though. And I get it too. Like some people might say, you need to keep podcasting or else you'll lose your listeners. But I also understand if your listeners know where you're coming from, they understand your values for your podcast. They will come back.

So take a look at those foundations for your podcast again, what was the point of your podcast? Why are you creating the show? And for me, it's not about making money. So my podcast goals are not to monetize and make money, but it is to establish my thought leadership, showcase my work so that down the line I can have clients and make money, right. People hear what I can do and they're like, oh yeah, you know what you're talking about. I'd love to hire you. So it's a long term marketing strategy. This podcast of mine is a marketing platform. But yes, I do love sharing my knowledge and that is fun for me. So that thought leadership aspect of the podcast really works. But that also means I don't have to produce a weekly podcast. That is not important.

So what is your plan to take a break as the year is winding down? I challenge you to think about what your production schedule is like and how does that fit into the capacity of your life? What do you need to tell your listeners so that they are kept in the loop and they'll come back, when you're back from your break?

[MUSIC IN]

This next question is a recent one, because it's a recent discovery. It's what's with Spotify for Creators? If you haven't heard what Spotify for Creators is yet, maybe you don't read the industry news like me, or you don't check your email from Spotify. That might not be your main question actually. When I get that question asked, to me, it's really around the idea of videos in podcast. Because Spotify has been making huge investments into podcasting in recent years, buying up podcast shows with big names. But then also buying up podcast businesses to integrate those platforms and those solutions onto the Spotify platform.

So their latest is Spotify for Creators, which really is just a rebrand of Spotify for Podcasters, which you might be familiar with. That's where you go to upload your show, your RSS feed, to put onto Spotify for people to listen to. And originally, like most podcasting, it all starts as audio-only. But because the podcasting landscape is now blurring with video, this rebrand is to incorporate video content creators too. So it's not niching down to podcasts only and making sure that they're getting more than just podcasters, meaning they want to include video podcasts.

Last year, October, actually in 2023, I had the episode Organic Discovery For Podcasts. That was episode number 67. This one was about when YouTube made a huge shift in their podcasting landscape to announce that they were shutting down Google Podcasts and integrating podcasting into YouTube. So a whole year later, now we see Spotify going head to head with YouTube to try and compete in this space with Spotify for Creators. So really, the question that I also get is, do I have to do video now, too? You hear it in their voice. They're like, oh, not one more thing, [LAUGHS] right? Like I said, podcasting is a lot of work. Now we have to do video, too. Short answer, no, you don't.

So here's where that line gets blurred again. When listeners or viewers on the video side, see, there's already a distinction in the wording, at least viewers versus listeners, they understand that a podcast is a show where essentially there's a microphone and people talk to each other. So when you think of podcasting, you might think of the really big shows that have video. But you also have to remember that these big shows, they were also paid big bucks to be on Spotify. And some of them to, then when they got on Spotify, to include video in their strategy to compete all with YouTube. That was Spotify's whole grand plan.

So now people think that a successful podcast must have video because those big names have video. But again, you also have to remember, those quote, unquote, successful podcasts, they have a big team behind them, they understand video and how to integrate that video audience, the viewers, into the goals of their podcast. So you might want to ask yourself, do you have the resources to make a highly produced show? So, I mean, highly produced, because it's not just a basic video call like over Zoom, and then you put it out on the Internet, if you have those resources, then good on you. Go and make that podcast on video happen. You will use Spotify and YouTube to their fullest advantage.

But for most podcasts, consumption is still mostly done on a podcast listening or audio only app. And as I hinted earlier, audio only is a very different medium and listener type than a video watcher. You need to be mindful to cater to either one of those. So, if you're doing both, not just to cater to the video side or not just to cater to the audio side, because then the video side loses out or the audio side loses out, right? No one is a winner. So the other platform will always suffer. If you're only catering to one and thinking like, oh, we'll just do the video, because YouTube has so much algorithm that we'll just strip the audio from the YouTube and then we'll just post it for audio only, that's great but, your audio will suffer because you're not focusing on that. And the audio only listeners will probably not listen to the show as much as...]]>164403b9-e0b7-4d76-884d-bf66dd9e76adMon, 09 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -070025:23falsefull8989Accessibility in Podcasting for Hard-of-Hearing Listeners with Kellina Powell - EP 88Accessibility in Podcasting for Hard-of-Hearing Listeners with Kellina PowellHow can you make your podcast more accessible to people who are deaf and hard of hearing? It goes without saying that we don't know what we don't know. When it comes to how people with auditory differences—such as those who are deaf and hard of hearing—interact with our podcasts, the only way to learn how to do better and make those episodes more accessible is to ask. And that's exactly what this episode does.

Kellina Powell is an author and speaker who helps deaf and hard-of-hearing women express themselves with confidence in a hearing world. Tuck in your earbuds and get ready to listen and learn as Mary and Kellina discuss the nuances of engaging with podcasts as a hard-of-hearing listener. How big a role does video play? Is all the effort we put into creating transcripts paying off? Kellina weighs in with helpful transparency from first-hand experience about the accessibility questions you've always wanted to ask.

Learn from Kellina's unique perspective of the audible world:

  • How your microphone affects sounds picked up during recording
  • The difference in how hearing and hard-of-hearing people filter ambient noise
  • How we can make our transcripts more accessible to those who need them
  • How to respectfully ask questions about accessibility

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Kellina:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

>

MARY: You don't know what you don't know. And that goes for all sorts of things, not just any podcasting. But in the world of accessibility that is especially true. We can't create an environment to support accessibility features until we understand how someone actually interacts with it. Not what all the gurus and experts are telling us, but actual people. All the good and the bad things, what works, what doesn't. This usability aspect is really important to know.

But in podcasting, an audio medium, how accessible are they to people who are hard of hearing? How do you create podcasts that can be more accessible in an audio-focused world? For some insight, I reached out to Kellina Powell, the Deaf Queen Boss. Kellina empowers deaf and hard of hearing women to express themselves fully and be heard in the hearing world with confidence. We recorded this conversation at the height of 2024, in the summer heat. So it was really hot out where she lives in the Toronto area. And I took this opportunity to let her A, feel at ease with the tech that she wanted to use for our recording. So in this case an iPad, so she could have captions automatically since we were not using video for the recording. And then B, I also realized for you as the listener, since she's outside, you can actually hear how things are recorded and heard from her point of view.

So you'll hear it all and I want you to hear all of it. Not all podcasts are recorded in quiet rooms. So I wanted to use this episode as a great example of what it can be like when audio is used in a natural outdoors environment versus a closed environment. You'll hear the difference, because she'll be outside and I'll be in my quiet space. So what I've done differently with this episode is the editing. I slowly faded out her side of the recording when I'm speaking, so you can hear the difference. But there were also some spots that I left in while I was speaking. So you can hear her background too, because different mics record differently and the environment you're in plays a significant role in the outcome of your audio.

So there were spots where I was talking and her background was full of great noise. As in you could hear the wind, birds chirping, traffic in the background, and there was even a siren happening at one point. It all gets amplified when a microphone comes into play. A lot of people, for those who do have full hearing capabilities, they block out all of that stuff. Your brain knows that's background, and in that natural environment, your brain just filters it out. But with the microphone, it's recording all of that and playing it back into your headphones or your speakers. And I feel like that's how someone who is hearing impaired and uses a hearing device might actually hear the world.

So keep that in mind when you record your podcast or have a guest on, because even someone like Craig Constantine, who was my guest from episode 84, he talked about being hard of hearing, an invisible disability that I didn't even know about, until he mentioned it on the show. So you never know who is hearing or wants to hear your show, but has a really challenging time. So I want you to listen in not only for what Kellina is saying in this episode, which is so really important to elevate accessibility in podcasts, but also for the sound itself of the episode and what role sound plays into your own podcast recordings.

This is episode 88 with Kellina Powell on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Kellina, thank you so much for joining me on the show.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

I'm really excited to talk to you about your experience as a listener, as a guest, all the stuff for podcasting.

KELLINA : Woohoo! I'm excited to be here. Thank you so much for having me.

MARY: Okay, let's talk first about your listening experience. As a listener of podcasts, Take me through some of your struggles that happens when you're listening to podcasts.

KELLINA: So I guess I would start with is when, during COVID So during COVID it was not acceptable for people who had deaf or hard of hearing. And I think it was just because technology was very new to everybody. Not everybody knew how to be accessible at the time. And for me, when I started listening to a podcast through my cell phone, even though I had a hearing aid Bluetooth in my ears, it was really great and everything. But until I realized that it's very hard to find, like, a subtitle that can go along with or even just a description of the podcast alone and what's happening. It was very hard in the beginning because I couldn't follow through until I actually started listening to podcasts on YouTube. So that actually helped me to listen to podcasts.

MARY: I didn't even think about that aspect of it because YouTube does have that captioning.

KELLINA: Yes.

MARY: Do you ever use Apple podcasts?

KELLINA: I did a couple of times, but not often.

MARY: Okay. Because since March of this year, in 2024, they've included transcripts that you can follow along with. So I was just also wondering, from a listener perspective, do transcripts actually help at all?

KELLINA: Sometimes it does. And sometimes it doesn't, unfortunately. Sometimes it cuts off. So know when you're speaking or even when someone's speaking fast, sometimes it doesn't pick up everything that someone's talking, unfortunately. Or sometimes it's not active all the time, like consistent, right? Sometimes your iPhone may act up or, you know, maybe you need to upgrade a new software, because I know a lot of people have been complaining about they always have to be consistent with new iPhone software, which is...]]>How can you make your podcast more accessible to people who are deaf and hard of hearing? It goes without saying that we don't know what we don't know. When it comes to how people with auditory differences—such as those who are deaf and hard of hearing—interact with our podcasts, the only way to learn how to do better and make those episodes more accessible is to ask. And that's exactly what this episode does.

Kellina Powell is an author and speaker who helps deaf and hard-of-hearing women express themselves with confidence in a hearing world. Tuck in your earbuds and get ready to listen and learn as Mary and Kellina discuss the nuances of engaging with podcasts as a hard-of-hearing listener. How big a role does video play? Is all the effort we put into creating transcripts paying off? Kellina weighs in with helpful transparency from first-hand experience about the accessibility questions you've always wanted to ask.

Learn from Kellina's unique perspective of the audible world:

  • How your microphone affects sounds picked up during recording
  • The difference in how hearing and hard-of-hearing people filter ambient noise
  • How we can make our transcripts more accessible to those who need them
  • How to respectfully ask questions about accessibility

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Kellina:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

>

MARY: You don't know what you don't know. And that goes for all sorts of things, not just any podcasting. But in the world of accessibility that is especially true. We can't create an environment to support accessibility features until we understand how someone actually interacts with it. Not what all the gurus and experts are telling us, but actual people. All the good and the bad things, what works, what doesn't. This usability aspect is really important to know.

But in podcasting, an audio medium, how accessible are they to people who are hard of hearing? How do you create podcasts that can be more accessible in an audio-focused world? For some insight, I reached out to Kellina Powell, the Deaf Queen Boss. Kellina empowers deaf and hard of hearing women to express themselves fully and be heard in the hearing world with confidence. We recorded this conversation at the height of 2024, in the summer heat. So it was really hot out where she lives in the Toronto area. And I took this opportunity to let her A, feel at ease with the tech that she wanted to use for our recording. So in this case an iPad, so she could have captions automatically since we were not using video for the recording. And then B, I also realized for you as the listener, since she's outside, you can actually hear how things are recorded and heard from her point of view.

So you'll hear it all and I want you to hear all of it. Not all podcasts are recorded in quiet rooms. So I wanted to use this episode as a great example of what it can be like when audio is used in a natural outdoors environment versus a closed environment. You'll hear the difference, because she'll be outside and I'll be in my quiet space. So what I've done differently with this episode is the editing. I slowly faded out her side of the recording when I'm speaking, so you can hear the difference. But there were also some spots that I left in while I was speaking. So you can hear her background too, because different mics record differently and the environment you're in plays a significant role in the outcome of your audio.

So there were spots where I was talking and her background was full of great noise. As in you could hear the wind, birds chirping, traffic in the background, and there was even a siren happening at one point. It all gets amplified when a microphone comes into play. A lot of people, for those who do have full hearing capabilities, they block out all of that stuff. Your brain knows that's background, and in that natural environment, your brain just filters it out. But with the microphone, it's recording all of that and playing it back into your headphones or your speakers. And I feel like that's how someone who is hearing impaired and uses a hearing device might actually hear the world.

So keep that in mind when you record your podcast or have a guest on, because even someone like Craig Constantine, who was my guest from episode 84, he talked about being hard of hearing, an invisible disability that I didn't even know about, until he mentioned it on the show. So you never know who is hearing or wants to hear your show, but has a really challenging time. So I want you to listen in not only for what Kellina is saying in this episode, which is so really important to elevate accessibility in podcasts, but also for the sound itself of the episode and what role sound plays into your own podcast recordings.

This is episode 88 with Kellina Powell on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Kellina, thank you so much for joining me on the show.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

I'm really excited to talk to you about your experience as a listener, as a guest, all the stuff for podcasting.

KELLINA : Woohoo! I'm excited to be here. Thank you so much for having me.

MARY: Okay, let's talk first about your listening experience. As a listener of podcasts, Take me through some of your struggles that happens when you're listening to podcasts.

KELLINA: So I guess I would start with is when, during COVID So during COVID it was not acceptable for people who had deaf or hard of hearing. And I think it was just because technology was very new to everybody. Not everybody knew how to be accessible at the time. And for me, when I started listening to a podcast through my cell phone, even though I had a hearing aid Bluetooth in my ears, it was really great and everything. But until I realized that it's very hard to find, like, a subtitle that can go along with or even just a description of the podcast alone and what's happening. It was very hard in the beginning because I couldn't follow through until I actually started listening to podcasts on YouTube. So that actually helped me to listen to podcasts.

MARY: I didn't even think about that aspect of it because YouTube does have that captioning.

KELLINA: Yes.

MARY: Do you ever use Apple podcasts?

KELLINA: I did a couple of times, but not often.

MARY: Okay. Because since March of this year, in 2024, they've included transcripts that you can follow along with. So I was just also wondering, from a listener perspective, do transcripts actually help at all?

KELLINA: Sometimes it does. And sometimes it doesn't, unfortunately. Sometimes it cuts off. So know when you're speaking or even when someone's speaking fast, sometimes it doesn't pick up everything that someone's talking, unfortunately. Or sometimes it's not active all the time, like consistent, right? Sometimes your iPhone may act up or, you know, maybe you need to upgrade a new software, because I know a lot of people have been complaining about they always have to be consistent with new iPhone software, which is annoying for some people, right? Like for me, I didn't know that there was a closed caption that was coming up in March until I tried in April and I couldn't find it on my phone. And it was so hard because I had to upgrade my phone. I'm like, are you kidding? So sometimes it gets annoying.

MARY: Yeah, it's like the tech is helpful, but not always.

KELLINA: Exactly.

MARY: Yeah, and then there's also, I think as an industry as a whole, when we talk about transcripts, there is that difference between like a caption or subtitles, which is normally like a YouTube visual aspect, and then transcript, where it can be a separate document. And sometimes for myself, if I'm looking for a transcript just to like, figure out like the exact words somebody said or to do some research, or something like that. Transcripts are hard to find in terms of, is it on the website? Do I have to go into an app to find it? So that type of a transcript, when you're actually getting a document to read through, is something like that helpful at all?

KELLINA: It gets annoying, right? There's some people that don't even bother looking. For me personally, I don't have the energy to do that. People always ask me like, do you ever look for them? And I said no, if I can't find where it's coming from and I have to do the extra work, unfortunately they're going to lose me as a listener, because you didn't have an easy way of getting access to subtitle or description.

MARY: Yeah, it's that layer of friction, right?

KELLINA: Mhm.

MARY: So you gravitate towards YouTube because that currently it works for you?

KELLINA: Exactly. 100%, yeah.

MARY: Huh. What else works for you though?

KELLINA: What else helped me, especially listening to a podcast, is the microphone. A lot of people don't realize this. A lot of times, when they're talking on the microphone. I can tell the difference when someone talking through the headset versus the microphone, the professional microphone. Some people did not realize that.

And I remember, I think it was a lady I did a podcast for and she was talking through her headset right before the bluetooth AirPod came out, the long wired one. So those long wired ones are not good. And I could tell, remember, I'm like, oh, are you using the long wired headset? And she's like, how do you know? I said, oh, because there's down with the microphone on it. So a lot of time people need to be mindful when they're using the microphone.

MARY: Yeah. Because it does record and pick up, like all the nuance and the different frequencies. And is that one of the issues where you're missing a frequency that you can't hear?

KELLINA: Yes, 100%.

MARY: So then I also wonder, what about like, then on Zoom? Because a lot of interviews are done over Zoom, and I'm sure, like now in our digital post-pandemic world and stuff, like, zoom is a huge thing, but they have the noise cancellation algorithm, and so it actually cuts a lot of the higher end frequencies too. Like as an audio editor, that's what I see. So, how much of a struggle is it to listen to a podcast that you can probably tell has been recorded on Zoom?

KELLINA: It's okay on Zoom. As long does the closed caption on it, I'm okay with it, but again, it really depends on someone's background noise or if they have a lot of like something that rubbing against the microphone, right? Because sometimes people. I remember one time I had to pause the sky and I said, hey, like, there's a lot of noise on your microphone. I don't know what's going on, but it's irritating my ears, because a lot of people don't know this. My hearing aid is bluetooth, so I actually hear it straight through my hearing aid instead of the speaker, so. Which is kind of cool. So, I could tell like so many different ways, especially through Zoom, it's kind of tricky because sometimes Zoom clash a little bit, especially with the microphone, and sometimes it's not always clear.

MARY: Yeah, I think a lot of people don't realize how much a microphone can actually pick up sound. This is something that I learned when I worked in radio, right? Like, somebody would be like, jangling their keys in their pocket while they're talking and the microphone just picks that all up. So it amplifies that sound.

KELLINA: Yes. [LAUGHTER]

MARY: Or like click, clicking a pen. That happens a lot too. And then you're like, all you can hear is the pen clicking and not the person talking.

KELLINA: Yeah. Especially the pen that is clicking. And you know when people need something to play with on their hand. Oh, my god. Yes. It happened A couple of times. Even when I'm listening to a podcast, I hear a lot.

MARY: Yeah, because like you said, it's like, right in your ear with the. With the bluetooth hearing aid.

KELLINA: Yeah, exactly.

MARY: I can only imagine it's like that pen is clicking right next to your head.

KELLINA: Yes, it is. Yes, it's annoying. But I mean, hey, like, they always say they're superpowers, so.

MARY: Oh, totally. Hearing is your superpower now. Let's get into, like, more of this side of being a guest on a show. You know, we can make as much of an educated guest, you know, me as a host, to try and be more accessible. But I'm sure it really varies person to person. But on an overall level, what do you want podcast hosts to think about when we are hosting our podcasts? From your perspective, when you are a guest on our show.

KELLINA: I would say definitely prepare a script for people, right? You don't want to put people on the spot, especially someone who is deaf and hard of hearing. You don't want them to not follow the dialogue. How do you want the podcast to go? That's one. And number two, be prepared, right? What I mean by be prepared is just, you know, ask someone come on the call five or ten minutes before the actual podcast time to test out technology. Because technology has its own days, honestly. It really does. You just never know.

And so I always tell people, you know, prepare, right? It's very important so that way we can understand you just in case if there's some changes that needs to be addressed. Just making sure the closed caption is there. Just really prepare. Because I know like, a lot of time when I go on podcast, they don't prepare. And then until the time comes, and then we go through a little, you know, conflict. But that's number two. Number three, definitely, definitely, you know, let people know about your sound quality. A lot of time, podcasters don't think about it. Like you said, they just go on, the guests just go on there and just talk. But sometimes they don't understand and realize that sound quality is super important, especially if you need someone to hear you very well.

And lastly, I would say your speech. Be mindful how you're speaking to someone, because I noticed that sometimes when I go on podcasts, it's okay to be nervous, but some people need to talk a little bit slower. Some people need to talk more softer when they're interacting with someone who is hard of hearing, especially being a podcast, knowing that it's not face to face because we are lip readers and some of you may not know this, a lot of deaf and hard of hearing individuals rely on lip reading. So if you want to make sure that your guest can see your lips during the call, right? Don't be in the dark. Don't have anything covering your mouth. It's very important that you have the space bright and very clear. So that way we can read your lips during the conversation.

MARY: Oh, that's such a good point too. Or like with me, I have this big microphone, so making sure like the microphone isn't blocking that angle so that you could see, if you needed it. Yeah, that's, that's some great points especially too, like my show, there is no video portion and we met first on Zoom. So like, as the listener can paint a picture of what was happening with me and you and the beforehand before we recorded, again yeah, I wasn't sure if you needed that video portion or not and I asked you ahead of time and then we moved on to clean feed.

So now that we're partway through this conversation and we're on cleanfeed.net recording this, there is no video portion. You said you have the captioning going on. How is this experience for you so far being a guest on my show, at least?

KELLINA: [LAUGHS] It's pretty wild because your microphone very clear. For me is to follow through and your tone is very well. I'm not like struggling to hear because you're talking too fast or you have background noises or anything like that. So far it's okay, but I do love having the caption. Sometimes on my iPad it does have automatic caption, so sometimes I don't have to ask for a caption. So first of all, it's okay.

MARY: Okay. Is your captioning working with this? Just curious.

KELLINA: Yes, it is.

MARY: Okay, awesome. Okay good to know for like future for myself [LAUGHS] or for anyone who is going to use this similar setup.

KELLINA: Yeah.

MARY: Okay. If you hosted your own show though, what would you incorporate that you find would be helpful, but many shows aren't doing.

KELLINA: That's a really good question. I have been seeing a lot of improvements with a lot of podcaster hosts. I would say if I were to have my own show, it would have been a lot more like YouTube short, just talking, discussion. And obviously it's going to have closed caption and I'm not going to have a big microphone in front of my lips. I will...]]>fc979f21-9da9-4e12-9ddb-fddb83979aefMon, 25 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -070032:17falsefull8888Find Podcast Success While Doing Less - EP 87Find Podcast Success While Doing LessWhat could doing less look like for your podcast? Life is chaos these days. The hours often seem to fill up instantly with all the things on your plate, so don't feel bad if publishing podcast episodes start to slide to the bottom of your to-do list. Stumbling on the podcasting flow is totally normal—and totally fixable. The good news is that you can cut back on your workload and still release an impactful, exciting show.

Curbing the number of hours you spend prepping, recording, editing, publishing, and promoting doesn't have to result in lower-quality episodes. By circling back to your original goals and finding ways to trim, rearrange, and even cut tasks that don't serve you, a process emerges that keeps you excited to create but not bogged down for hours and hours you just don't have.

Yes, you have the potential to balance more rest and a meaningful show:

  • How to check in on your definition of success
  • Why you're getting better with every show, even if you didn't notice
  • How to go out with heart if you decide to take a break

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: What's possible if you can do less on your podcast, but still achieve your goals. This very specific moment in time. We're looking at the very end of 2024. We're in early November. As I record this, I feel like the collective Western world is at a standstill, kind of waiting in the wings, in limbo to see what's going to drop next. Whether that is interest rates for housing, local or federal elections, cost of living, like grocery prices rising. And you know, there's still like the day to day stuff like managing your work and your podcast is part of that.

So there's a lot happening in your world, and podcasting might not be at the top of your list of to do's. I know. And you know what? I'm here to say that it's okay if that's what you're thinking. Like, I got other things to do than to work on my podcast right now. And yeah, it's okay. And this is coming from someone who makes a living editing, managing and strategizing other people's podcasts. Podcasts is mainly what I do. So that's a scary thought for me that if I'm telling people to podcast less, is that going to be less for me as well? How do I survive that?

But once you take a step back, less is more. As they say, doing less at this time in history can reap many benefits in the future. During your podcasting journey, just like any other parts of your life, it's always good to take a step back. Ask yourself, is there anything I can optimize or do less of, while still enjoying making my show? So let's get into how you can reassess your podcast, so you can still have fun creating a show that you love and have the work of making a podcast that meets your capacity.

This is episode 87 on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

In our fast paced, moving, technological world, many things are grabbing our attention.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

And as creators of content, how do you want to create content for this world? I would like to think that we're not creating content just for the sake of creating content, adding noise to what is already out there. But you know what? If you want to create content for the sake of creating content, that's your goal? All the power to you. But if you're here to nurture those relationships, get more clients, practice your messaging, and maybe experiment with your thought leadership, then you're in the right place.

But a podcast with those values is not easy to create. We're not just here plugging in a microphone, sitting around a table, and just shooting the breeze with your best friend. To create a podcast with intention, the effort is a long game. And some days, those days of creating the podcast can feel long as well, and very isolating. Especially with the digital world, we're always on screens and have a lot of technology in our faces and in our ears, but we're also busy with our real, quote, unquote, real life. You know, outside of work, friends, family, life in general, there's so much busyness that we are looking to slow right down, in our world.

In the last few months, I've been hearing this a lot. I've been hearing you say you want to do less, or pare down this chaotic life that we're in to be less, do, do, do, and just be for once, just be in your space. Everyone is also, you know, looking at your bank statements or, you know, if you don't go through it in a fine tooth comb like most average people, then at least you're looking at the bottom line, right? We're scrimping, saving, hoping for the same, or having more with spending less.

And that was the scary thing I was alluding to at the beginning. It's like, oh, man, if people aren't investing in a podcast, what am I doing? What am I here for, right? And there's been a lot of talk in the podcasting world, too, where people have put their shows on pause or they stopped it all together because of health reasons. Health is a big issue right now, too. So many of my clients either went through a huge health concern themselves that, impacted their capacity, or they became a family caregiver to someone, focusing their time on that. And, yeah, they still want a podcast, but figuring out, what does that look like now?

So in my world, it's less scary, because people still want to podcast. It is still something that's fun and that people see meaning from it. So podcasting isn't going away, but in this world that we're in, what does it look like to do less for your podcast?

[MUSIC IN]

Let's switch over to the podcast listeners themselves. Today, listeners are listening less, in terms of how many shows they dedicate themselves to. So listening to an average of nine shows a week last year in 2023 to only eight shows this year in 2024. That's all from Edison Research's Infinite Dial Reports for those years. Links in the show notes if you want to go back and prove stats, if you're a big stats lover. But okay. Although listening time has gone up, so there's probably more shows now. There's more choice, and the episodes have gotten a little longer. But the thing here is that each listener is choosing to have fewer individual shows to listen to. They still want the content. Doesn't matter how long the content is, but they're being more choosy about which shows they're sticking around for. And overall, like I said, podcasting is still popular. It still grows year over year.

So I'm not saying to stop your podcast, you know, unless that really is your goal, and it hasn't been fun for you to produce podcasts, so I get that. But these listeners are being choosy. So let's be choosy, too, about how we create our shows. We want to keep them fun and interesting and engaging for your listeners. Because if your listeners are choosing quality over...]]>What could doing less look like for your podcast? Life is chaos these days. The hours often seem to fill up instantly with all the things on your plate, so don't feel bad if publishing podcast episodes start to slide to the bottom of your to-do list. Stumbling on the podcasting flow is totally normal—and totally fixable. The good news is that you can cut back on your workload and still release an impactful, exciting show.

Curbing the number of hours you spend prepping, recording, editing, publishing, and promoting doesn't have to result in lower-quality episodes. By circling back to your original goals and finding ways to trim, rearrange, and even cut tasks that don't serve you, a process emerges that keeps you excited to create but not bogged down for hours and hours you just don't have.

Yes, you have the potential to balance more rest and a meaningful show:

  • How to check in on your definition of success
  • Why you're getting better with every show, even if you didn't notice
  • How to go out with heart if you decide to take a break

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: What's possible if you can do less on your podcast, but still achieve your goals. This very specific moment in time. We're looking at the very end of 2024. We're in early November. As I record this, I feel like the collective Western world is at a standstill, kind of waiting in the wings, in limbo to see what's going to drop next. Whether that is interest rates for housing, local or federal elections, cost of living, like grocery prices rising. And you know, there's still like the day to day stuff like managing your work and your podcast is part of that.

So there's a lot happening in your world, and podcasting might not be at the top of your list of to do's. I know. And you know what? I'm here to say that it's okay if that's what you're thinking. Like, I got other things to do than to work on my podcast right now. And yeah, it's okay. And this is coming from someone who makes a living editing, managing and strategizing other people's podcasts. Podcasts is mainly what I do. So that's a scary thought for me that if I'm telling people to podcast less, is that going to be less for me as well? How do I survive that?

But once you take a step back, less is more. As they say, doing less at this time in history can reap many benefits in the future. During your podcasting journey, just like any other parts of your life, it's always good to take a step back. Ask yourself, is there anything I can optimize or do less of, while still enjoying making my show? So let's get into how you can reassess your podcast, so you can still have fun creating a show that you love and have the work of making a podcast that meets your capacity.

This is episode 87 on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

In our fast paced, moving, technological world, many things are grabbing our attention.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

And as creators of content, how do you want to create content for this world? I would like to think that we're not creating content just for the sake of creating content, adding noise to what is already out there. But you know what? If you want to create content for the sake of creating content, that's your goal? All the power to you. But if you're here to nurture those relationships, get more clients, practice your messaging, and maybe experiment with your thought leadership, then you're in the right place.

But a podcast with those values is not easy to create. We're not just here plugging in a microphone, sitting around a table, and just shooting the breeze with your best friend. To create a podcast with intention, the effort is a long game. And some days, those days of creating the podcast can feel long as well, and very isolating. Especially with the digital world, we're always on screens and have a lot of technology in our faces and in our ears, but we're also busy with our real, quote, unquote, real life. You know, outside of work, friends, family, life in general, there's so much busyness that we are looking to slow right down, in our world.

In the last few months, I've been hearing this a lot. I've been hearing you say you want to do less, or pare down this chaotic life that we're in to be less, do, do, do, and just be for once, just be in your space. Everyone is also, you know, looking at your bank statements or, you know, if you don't go through it in a fine tooth comb like most average people, then at least you're looking at the bottom line, right? We're scrimping, saving, hoping for the same, or having more with spending less.

And that was the scary thing I was alluding to at the beginning. It's like, oh, man, if people aren't investing in a podcast, what am I doing? What am I here for, right? And there's been a lot of talk in the podcasting world, too, where people have put their shows on pause or they stopped it all together because of health reasons. Health is a big issue right now, too. So many of my clients either went through a huge health concern themselves that, impacted their capacity, or they became a family caregiver to someone, focusing their time on that. And, yeah, they still want a podcast, but figuring out, what does that look like now?

So in my world, it's less scary, because people still want to podcast. It is still something that's fun and that people see meaning from it. So podcasting isn't going away, but in this world that we're in, what does it look like to do less for your podcast?

[MUSIC IN]

Let's switch over to the podcast listeners themselves. Today, listeners are listening less, in terms of how many shows they dedicate themselves to. So listening to an average of nine shows a week last year in 2023 to only eight shows this year in 2024. That's all from Edison Research's Infinite Dial Reports for those years. Links in the show notes if you want to go back and prove stats, if you're a big stats lover. But okay. Although listening time has gone up, so there's probably more shows now. There's more choice, and the episodes have gotten a little longer. But the thing here is that each listener is choosing to have fewer individual shows to listen to. They still want the content. Doesn't matter how long the content is, but they're being more choosy about which shows they're sticking around for. And overall, like I said, podcasting is still popular. It still grows year over year.

So I'm not saying to stop your podcast, you know, unless that really is your goal, and it hasn't been fun for you to produce podcasts, so I get that. But these listeners are being choosy. So let's be choosy, too, about how we create our shows. We want to keep them fun and interesting and engaging for your listeners. Because if your listeners are choosing quality over quantity, let's make sure your show is the best quality it can be, but also with the time and energy that you have to create it.

[MUSIC ENDS]

You know, Nic Redman actually talks about this, too, in the latter half of our conversation on episode 86. That's just the episode before this one. How after a year of her podcast, she reconvened and wondered, you know, what is this all about? Who am I serving? How does this podcast serve, you know, that ecosystem of what you're doing? And I bet a lot of podcasters, and I bet you are thinking about this, too, you know, even though we are continuing to create, we also need to take a step back to wonder, okay, is this doing what I want it to do? And if not, how can I make a shift, but still keeping up a consistency and quality, that's integral to the values of the show, and, of course, your ideal listener.

[MUSIC IN]

So I'm going to break down a couple of ideas here. These are some ideas that my clients have actually taken on. And like I've always said, each podcast is going to be unique, and so everyone's going to have a different approach. And like anything else, there's no one right answer. Because we're here to redefine success. At the top of the show. I talked about your goals. Your goal is going to be different from everybody else's goal. So what is your goal? How do you want to redefine your success for your podcast? Because it's not going to come down to just the download numbers. What does that even mean? So what does success look like to you? And how can you do less and save your sanity, all while still having some fun podcasting? Sounds like a tall order, but like I said, we're going to break it down.

[MUSIC ENDS]

One of my personal mantras is, if it's not fun, I'm not doing it. But like everything else in my life, that's not a hard or fast rule. There are many factors to consider, what fun is and what I can control and cannot control to make that experience more enjoyable. So when you take a look at everything you do on your podcast, and I mean everything, what stands out to you? So on a very general level, I'm just going to go through some very general things on creating your podcast.

So first I want you to actually write it all down. If you already have a checklist of items, awesome. Go through that too. If you don't, take a few minutes, let's write it all out right now and I'll help you brainstorm here. Start with the idea that you have for an episode. You know, how do you organize that? Do you have an organization system for that? And then from there, how do you draft your episode and your thoughts? If you have guests, what are those steps to make that guest happen to come on your show? Including, you know, asking them first, the follow up, the scheduling, the recording, collecting their information. I touched on the recording. So let's get into that.

Recording of the episode. What is that process? Like, what is that process? If you have guests, what is that process? If it's a solo episode, what is that process? If you do more of a narrative style and you're pulling clips from different things, how do you actually record and create your podcast episodes? And then of course after that, the podcast isn't finished. It still has to be polished up and get out into the world.

So the post production side, this can include editing, scheduling. Do you also have to publish it to a blog? Do you write transcripts, show notes, create graphics, images? These graphics and images, they could also be part of the promotion. What are you doing to share the episode and market your show? Do you email the guest and thank them? Do you make social media posts? What about a newsletter? All of that is a lot of work and I'll be the first to admit it, not all of it is that fun. My mantra, if it's not fun, I'm not doing it. But back to your values. Let's not have this whole overwhelming thing derail you and this list.

On a general overview from that list, what sticks out like a sore thumb or maybe even as you're writing, the one thing on the list, what made you go, ugh, or even make a really cringey face. What was that that made that emotion creep up? Or maybe another way to look at it could be asking yourself, why do you have that on your checklist in the first place? Does it actually align with your values for your podcast? Or did you add it because, well, everybody else seems like they're doing it. So if it's there, can you do it differently so it's more efficient, or can you take it out altogether? Would you be able to do that one thing alongside something else so that you can get two for the price of one under one task?

This reminds me a lot, actually, with episode 84 with Craig Constantine. He talks a bit about publishing schedules and quote, he says, if you're doing things all by yourself, weekly is insane. And I would even say if you have a little bit of support, that is still insane. I mean, just listen to that very general list I rattled off a few minutes ago. Podcasting is an insane amount of work. But like Craig says in the episode, he streamlines what he's not liking and constantly auditing his workflow so that it continues to stay fun for him in the capacity that he needs.

[MUSIC IN] Remember, too, that your podcast is a learning journey. What you did on episode 1 is not the same as what you'll do for episode 10, 20, or even 100. Yes, they still could sound the same. You might have, you know, same intro, you have the guest, and then you have an outro. The format could still be the same. But, how you create those episodes can differ. You learn with each and every episode you create, even if you're not, like, fully aware that's happening. Yeah, each time, you get to improve one small thing with each episode, whether that's the actual content of what people will hear, or the process in creating that episode. The podcast grows alongside you as a podcaster.

And since each podcast is unique, each host is unique, you are your own unique selling point, and your voice is a unique thumbprint, that nobody else has. You get to decide what works, what needs improvement, and what can stop. So, experiment, no one magic blueprint is going to solve all your problems.

[MUSIC ENDS]

So say you want more capacity. You need more time. Like Craig was saying, it's insane, a weekly show. So maybe think about changing to every other week instead of weekly. You can always go back to weekly when your capacity is not as limited, in this current season, every other week gives you more time to incorporate breathing space and spacing out your workload. But that doesn't mean, if you're still recording, editing, and publishing right up to the deadline, even when this schedule is adjusted and you feel like it's still a lot to handle, you might need to actually take a look at your calendar as a whole and schedule in time to do specific tasks, so it doesn't feel so overwhelming at the last minute.

So what I mean is, if, for example, on your previous schedule you had one week to record, edit, and publish, you can now spread that out over two weeks. So maybe record on one day, take a break for a few days, do anything else you need to do, then come back, edit your show, then take a break, do what you need to do, and then come back again and do the post production, like the scheduling and the publishing and all that sort of stuff.

You can implement this by adding it to your calendar. So scheduling in those editing and publishing dates, so they are there and blocked out for you. For example, I know a lot of my clients, they like to double check on things and make sure that the scheduling is done like two days before the publishing date. That gives you some buffer time in case you get sick or you're like, I'm going to procrastinate and not do the podcast. But at least it's in your calendar to remind you that you've got to do this this week.

[MUSIC IN]

Another option could be thinking about shorter episodes. For example, if you like editing but it still feels like a slog, think about shorter episodes. Nothing says you have to create an episode of a certain length. That's actually some old mindset from the old TV standards, when you had to create 22 minutes, there was eight minutes of commercial time to fill. On a podcast, whatever time the content needs is the time it will be. Shorter episodes on interview style shows can also look like doing a bit more on the show prep side of things.

So, what you could do is review your current interviews that you've done and think about, you know, are you hitting record and stop only because you scheduled a one hour recording time. You know, you're just chatting away and then you're like, okay, well the time's almost up, so I'm gonna ask you one last question. Well, maybe you don't need to schedule a one hour recording time. Maybe start changing that to a 45 minute recording time. So as the times get shorter, over time you're gonna get better at getting to the meat of the conversation and what you want to get out of the conversation so it doesn't just sort of like, drag out for that one hour timeframe. This way you're honing in on your interview skills and you're forced to kind of focus on the topic at hand and have less tangents.

Or perhaps just to make things shorter, skip the pleasantries, skip the big bios, skip the how did you get here History stuff, and just get straight to the meat of the episode. There are various ways to cut down on an episode time, and these were just some little examples.

[MUSIC ENDS]

One last advice is, maybe not a popular one, but like I've said before, I'm not here to do...]]>5c7581ba-9989-4c49-9335-dbab18d0a8faMon, 11 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -070023:49falsefull8787Warm Up to a Healthier, More Confident Voice with Nic Redman - EP 86Warm Up to a Healthier, More Confident Voice with Nic RedmanWhat can you do to keep your voice in tip-top shape? As podcasters, we use our voices a lot. Chances are, that essential instrument of yours has temporarily abandoned you in the past. Whether the symptom stems from getting sick or from overuse, waking up to croaks, rasps, or silence is an awful feeling, especially if deadlines or interviews are looming. In this timely episode, Mary returns to the mic on the heels of her own voice loss to talk swollen vocal folds and slug tongue with Nic Redman, a vocal coach and voiceover artist who has spent almost 20 years helping professional speakers hone their voices.

Nic is a font of healthy voice inspiration, sharing everything from the importance of hydration (and the truth about which beverages count) to warmups that will get your tongue trilling, your lips flapping, and your vocal cords folding. Come to terms with what you can and can't control about your listener's reaction to your unique voice and be reminded about what a privilege it is, literally and figuratively, to have a voice. This episode is packed with light science and exaggerated facial expressions you can practically see, all in the interest of keeping you talking for years to come.

Join Nic and Mary for interactive vocal warmups and other voice health tips:

  • Silly faces and weird noises that can help your voice even when you're sick
  • Why you need to get out of your own head and stop self-editing your voice
  • How to sound just as energized at the top of your episode as you do at the end
  • The benefit of vocal warmups beyond just keeping your voice healthy

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Nic:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

>

MARY: > That is a good lion roar. That's what I like to do. The trills and the lion roars. Ah, vocal warmups. They are really, really handy. Actually, you know, on my last episode, I did talk about losing my voice and how your voice is truly what makes or breaks your podcast. And, you know, it's been a month since that and I still feel a little dry in the throat. So, you know, these vocal warmups are really, really helping.

And luckily enough, if you can see a silver lining to losing my voice, I already had this interview scheduled with Nic Redman when I lost my voice. So kind of good timing because she gives us some really great tips. Nic has recorded and spoken for a living for nearly 20 years and coaches people to vocally free at home on the mic every day. She has been featured multiple times on BBC and Times Radio, as well as the Guardian, Irish Times and the Metro. So she really knows what she's talking about here. And some of these tips about podcasting while you're sick is so great because we're doing it real live in the moment with me, but also that preventative side that so many podcasters don't think about. And you know what, sometimes I skip over it myself.

So this episode is really great about learning that preventative side too. So it's all about before you ever even lose your voice from using it too much, you gotta listen to Nic and what she has to say. But aside from the vocal health, we also get into the depths of the problems of self monitoring your own voice. That leads to a lot of concern for how we sound and how we're perceived versus owning our voice. She gives a lot of great examples for this during this episode. So make sure you practice along, when we're doing our vocal warmups and start thinking about how you can also get out of your own head, because these vocal warmups are about more than just warming up those vocal cords.

So, yeah, get ready. Let's do some shoulder rolls while we are listening to the intro music of this episode. I always forget about the shoulders. Oh, you're gonna love these tips from Nic, it's just reminding me about all the things I need to do.

All right, this is episode 86 with Nic Redman on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Nic thank you so much for joining me here on my podcast. I love that we finally get to meet over this platform.

>

NIC: Me too. Thanks for having me.

MARY: Okay, first off, let's just get right to the nitty gritty about the health of your voice, because one, podcasters never think about that until they get sick. And two, I lost my voice four days ago before this recording, so I'm still a little froggy. Excuse the frog in my throat.

NIC: That's alright.

MARY: And I remember too, actually, in my radio days when I used to work in radio, coaching voices, reading scripts, and getting the announcers behind the mic and stuff. Whenever the announcers got sick, they lost their voice, but they still needed to talk. And I feel like that is also the same as a podcaster. It's a podcaster's worst nightmare come to life.

So what can podcasters do? Aside from, oh, just stop using your voice, because we get that advice a lot.

NIC: Yeah, not useful, is it?

MARY: No…

NIC: We can't.

MARY: …so what can we do?

NIC: Okay, I love this conversation because, like you say, often with podcasters and professional speakers, it's they come to me when they need a cure, not for prevention. You know, it's always cure rather than prevention. So I love when we get to talk about prevention, how lucky all your listeners are to get a few wee tips before it happens. Because I have to say, I've been in your position as a, as a voiceover artist and as a podcaster, and I've lost my voice and, you know, lost money and lost work, and it's just so stressful. So I'm so sorry that you're going through it.

If we were going through this as a consultation, she says metaphorically pushing her glasses off her hose, the first thing I would ask you, of course, is what's happened. So it's always important for the, as the voice user to sort of clarify for yourself if the voice loss is because of illness, like a cold, or cold and flu season, or allergies, or whether it's overuse, that's the first thing.

Because if it's overused, it's often not as simple as, oh, this will pass in a few days. Rest, hydrate, extra vitamins, you know, a few little rehab exercises, they'll be fine. If you're losing your voice a lot or you feel tired towards the end of your batch recording days or big interviews or live episodes where the adrenaline's pumping, then it is worth having a little natter to someone like me just to work out what's going on with the technique. So, that's the first thing I would always ask, but I know that yours is illness. So we'll go from an illness perspective > for this particular consultation.

MARY: Yes. Thank you.

NIC: The first thing is definitely hydration. That's easy, right? Just drink loads. Loads, and loads, and loads of extra fluids. People...]]>What can you do to keep your voice in tip-top shape? As podcasters, we use our voices a lot. Chances are, that essential instrument of yours has temporarily abandoned you in the past. Whether the symptom stems from getting sick or from overuse, waking up to croaks, rasps, or silence is an awful feeling, especially if deadlines or interviews are looming. In this timely episode, Mary returns to the mic on the heels of her own voice loss to talk swollen vocal folds and slug tongue with Nic Redman, a vocal coach and voiceover artist who has spent almost 20 years helping professional speakers hone their voices.

Nic is a font of healthy voice inspiration, sharing everything from the importance of hydration (and the truth about which beverages count) to warmups that will get your tongue trilling, your lips flapping, and your vocal cords folding. Come to terms with what you can and can't control about your listener's reaction to your unique voice and be reminded about what a privilege it is, literally and figuratively, to have a voice. This episode is packed with light science and exaggerated facial expressions you can practically see, all in the interest of keeping you talking for years to come.

Join Nic and Mary for interactive vocal warmups and other voice health tips:

  • Silly faces and weird noises that can help your voice even when you're sick
  • Why you need to get out of your own head and stop self-editing your voice
  • How to sound just as energized at the top of your episode as you do at the end
  • The benefit of vocal warmups beyond just keeping your voice healthy

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Nic:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

>

MARY: > That is a good lion roar. That's what I like to do. The trills and the lion roars. Ah, vocal warmups. They are really, really handy. Actually, you know, on my last episode, I did talk about losing my voice and how your voice is truly what makes or breaks your podcast. And, you know, it's been a month since that and I still feel a little dry in the throat. So, you know, these vocal warmups are really, really helping.

And luckily enough, if you can see a silver lining to losing my voice, I already had this interview scheduled with Nic Redman when I lost my voice. So kind of good timing because she gives us some really great tips. Nic has recorded and spoken for a living for nearly 20 years and coaches people to vocally free at home on the mic every day. She has been featured multiple times on BBC and Times Radio, as well as the Guardian, Irish Times and the Metro. So she really knows what she's talking about here. And some of these tips about podcasting while you're sick is so great because we're doing it real live in the moment with me, but also that preventative side that so many podcasters don't think about. And you know what, sometimes I skip over it myself.

So this episode is really great about learning that preventative side too. So it's all about before you ever even lose your voice from using it too much, you gotta listen to Nic and what she has to say. But aside from the vocal health, we also get into the depths of the problems of self monitoring your own voice. That leads to a lot of concern for how we sound and how we're perceived versus owning our voice. She gives a lot of great examples for this during this episode. So make sure you practice along, when we're doing our vocal warmups and start thinking about how you can also get out of your own head, because these vocal warmups are about more than just warming up those vocal cords.

So, yeah, get ready. Let's do some shoulder rolls while we are listening to the intro music of this episode. I always forget about the shoulders. Oh, you're gonna love these tips from Nic, it's just reminding me about all the things I need to do.

All right, this is episode 86 with Nic Redman on the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Nic thank you so much for joining me here on my podcast. I love that we finally get to meet over this platform.

>

NIC: Me too. Thanks for having me.

MARY: Okay, first off, let's just get right to the nitty gritty about the health of your voice, because one, podcasters never think about that until they get sick. And two, I lost my voice four days ago before this recording, so I'm still a little froggy. Excuse the frog in my throat.

NIC: That's alright.

MARY: And I remember too, actually, in my radio days when I used to work in radio, coaching voices, reading scripts, and getting the announcers behind the mic and stuff. Whenever the announcers got sick, they lost their voice, but they still needed to talk. And I feel like that is also the same as a podcaster. It's a podcaster's worst nightmare come to life.

So what can podcasters do? Aside from, oh, just stop using your voice, because we get that advice a lot.

NIC: Yeah, not useful, is it?

MARY: No…

NIC: We can't.

MARY: …so what can we do?

NIC: Okay, I love this conversation because, like you say, often with podcasters and professional speakers, it's they come to me when they need a cure, not for prevention. You know, it's always cure rather than prevention. So I love when we get to talk about prevention, how lucky all your listeners are to get a few wee tips before it happens. Because I have to say, I've been in your position as a, as a voiceover artist and as a podcaster, and I've lost my voice and, you know, lost money and lost work, and it's just so stressful. So I'm so sorry that you're going through it.

If we were going through this as a consultation, she says metaphorically pushing her glasses off her hose, the first thing I would ask you, of course, is what's happened. So it's always important for the, as the voice user to sort of clarify for yourself if the voice loss is because of illness, like a cold, or cold and flu season, or allergies, or whether it's overuse, that's the first thing.

Because if it's overused, it's often not as simple as, oh, this will pass in a few days. Rest, hydrate, extra vitamins, you know, a few little rehab exercises, they'll be fine. If you're losing your voice a lot or you feel tired towards the end of your batch recording days or big interviews or live episodes where the adrenaline's pumping, then it is worth having a little natter to someone like me just to work out what's going on with the technique. So, that's the first thing I would always ask, but I know that yours is illness. So we'll go from an illness perspective > for this particular consultation.

MARY: Yes. Thank you.

NIC: The first thing is definitely hydration. That's easy, right? Just drink loads. Loads, and loads, and loads of extra fluids. People get a bit hung up on what you can and can't drink. The truth about hydration is it's very, very simple. All fluids count except alcohol. I'm really sorry if that's your tipple. Just chase that whiskey with water. > You can drink tea. It will still help you hydrate systemically within the body, which will hopefully, at some point, help the vocal folds and the mucus and the vocal folds. Even coffee, shock, horror, it's still fluid, it still counts as systemic hydration in the body. There are some elements of diuretic, i.e. it makes you go to the toilet a little bit more. But the actual more recent research about coffee is that you would have to drink an absolute tonne of it for it to actually have any effect on your voice.

So people can relax about coffee, espresso, martinis, whatever you need before you hit record, it's fine. I mean, of course, the caffeine might exacerbate reflux or the dairy might have an impact on the thickness in your mouth, but you can still just have your coffee for hydration. So, look, just hydrate loads. Because if you're coughing or if you're ill and creating more mucus that's thick, you will need the extra fluids to help counterbalance that. The first thing is hydration.

Two easy things, hydrate and rest. But we all know that rest is not easy. Sometimes it's a privilege to say that rest is easy…

MARY: Mhmm.

NIC: …shout out to anybody with a job or caregiving responsibilities or small people in their lives…

MARY: Yes.

NIC: …but if you can rest, that can really help because your body needs time to process the illness. And the more you can rest, the quicker you'll get over it. If you have to, like, record straight away, like, there's no getting over it. There are some rehab exercises you can do, but I say this with caution because obviously, if you have no voice, sometimes there's nothing to do but rest. As in rest your voice as well. I always say to people, manage the expectations of the person who's expecting you to record.

So if you can at any, any possibility delay it, push it back, you know, give yourself an extra day, because you do want to be on point. And it's better waiting a day and be slightly after deadline and sounding great than, you know, showing up half-cocked, as it were.

So that aside, if you do need to record, there's a group of exercises called, um, well, shorthand. We call them SOVT or Semi Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises. And they're designed to help release tension in the body, in the vocal tracts, regulate the breath flow, the airflow, so that the vocal folds vibrate nice and easily. And when they're swollen a little bit, if you're ill, or covered in extra thick mucus, these exercises are really good at just waking them up, encouraging them to close in a more consistent and easy way, which makes speaking better. So those exercises, although they have a big fancy name, are very simple. It's just gliding up and down your range with a partially occluded mouth space. For example…

MARY: Yeah, I need an example.

NIC: …Yeah. Oh, it's fine. I've got loads. Uh, this one > gentle lip trill is a nice one.

MARY: Oh, I love those. Yes.

NIC: Those do elude some people, though, so please don't worry, they're not for everybody. And a couple of nice other examples are big puffy TH sounds. So if you stick your tongue out and let your cheeks get nice and puffy like a hamster or a chipmunk and just go as if you're. > You've got your tongue right, like you're doing a TH sound, you know, like this. > So imagine you're just saying this, but you never get past the TH. >

MARY: That's a good one.

NIC: Okay. These. > That creates exactly the same environment as the lip chill does in your sort of throat area. And then the other ones you can do are any puffy fricatives, really. So these sounds like a puffy V. > You want to be aiming for a lovely feeling. Like the sound is all vibrating at the front of the mouth, rather than stuck at the back. So you don't want, like, >...

MARY: Yeah, that would hurt.

NIC: ...you just want to. > Or a Z > or because different accents and different languages have different sound inventories, a puffy worse sound, like you're, you know, you're doing a trumpet with your mouth. >

MARY: I can totally picture you doing that. That's awesome.

NIC: What a great job I have. I'm glad there's no video. > I've got my face on the Internet doing this far too much. So it's a real free treat to not have my face in. So those exercises, I won't go into the science of it, but basically they put your larynx in a really happy, easy, free place, and they make it really easy for the vocal folds to close.

So if you're ill, what you might find when you glide up and down. And you could try this if you want you might find a few gaps in that glide. So you might end up with something that sounds like M. > Right? Which is because there's swelling because you've been coughing a lot or there's a lot of mucus and mucus in the way. But the thing to do is just keep gently gliding and keep gently gliding because what you'll find is your body, your incredible brain and body go, oh, that's weird. We usually make a sign there what's going on, you know, and I mean, this is not obviously the science, like the, there's real proper neuron stuff happening here. But this is how my brain processes it. It like sends everybody to work fixing basically inside.

So if I'm used to going, > and my body goes, > then my brain's going to go, whoa, we need to fix that. There's something wrong. And it starts helping you. And basically it encourages the vocal folds to close nicely and that will help you sound a little bit more healthy, vocally healthy, and get the mucus moving as well.

MARY: Oh, I like that because yeah, so I lost the voice on Sunday, didn't do anything without it. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, got a little bit of it back. And I was doing some of this stuff yesterday because I thought, oh, like, what's taking it so long?

So I like your idea of like, the brain needs to make this happen. And so I think that's why I was like, ooh, today, yay. I have this interview. My voice is actually working for once all week. So this is nice.

NIC: Oh, that's good. The other things I would add to complement the sort of comfort whenever you're getting through this is, people often love steaming. So taking a, well I have this peculiar looking sort of ceramic inhaler with a tube that looks a little bit dodgy to be honest, but you fill it with hot water and you suck on it gently and it's a really nice soothing in the vocal tract.

And then the other thing you can do as well is the sort of. The newest modern day version of steaming is using a nebulizer, like a personal nebulizer. So a little handheld device. There's one internationally you can get that's called VocalMist. They use a 0.9% saline solution and you use that for 10 minutes. And what it does is it helps the mucus on the vocal folds and it reduces, here comes the science, it reduces phonation threshold pressure for up to one hour, i.e. and makes your vocal folds vibrate more easily for a period of time. So they're really good for supporting your health, your vocal wellness, if you're under the weather.

MARY: Wait, how does a nebulizer work? When you were describing it, I was thinking of those neti pots for your nasal sinuses. But is that similar?

NIC: Yeah. So it's like an electrical device. If you Google, like, handheld, handheld nebulizer, you'll see it's like a little white sort of rectangular cube, like box, > I suppose, with a little spout on it. And you screw off the top, and you put a little vial of saline, note 0.9%. Very important. That's the same makeup as the saline in your body, as your mucus and stuff. And then you turn it on, and it mists, turns it into a mist.

MARY: Oh.

NIC: And the mist actually reaches your vocal folds, which, with steaming, they're not sure. The droplets of steam actually hit the vocal folds. These days, the droplets of steam are bigger than the drops of mist, so it soothes your throat when you steam, and it helps thin out the mucus in your mouth. It feels nice. It's like an internal hug. But they're not actually sure if it gets to the vocal folds anymore. Whereas the nebulizer, the science and the research today, it currently shows that the mist does reach your vocal folds and hydrates them from the outside in. So the mist is absorbed at a cellular level because it matches the chemical makeup of the mucus in there, and therefore it creates a friendlier environment for the vocal folds.

So they're really good if you can get your hands on one. In the interest of disclosure, if I've been out to a party and had a few too many whiskeys, sometimes the next morning, a little hit on the nebulizer really helps bring my voice back to life. > I've been on the karaoke, doing a bit of a Bon Jovi.

MARY: Yeah, those are the hacks that most people are, like, looking for. What's the hack?

NIC: But, like, not pretend. We're all perfect. I have an episode of my podcast, actually, called how to keep your voice healthy during a festive party season. Nice. Because that's when I lost my voice, was when I went to, so I used to do a podcast called the Voiceover Social Podcast. And we have meetups, and I went to the Christmas do. I was already a bit under the weather because I host that party. It was like chat, chat, chat, chat, chat, like a wedding. And then my husband to stand up, and he was doing a gig in the evening, and me and a load of the people from]]>b990083c-3607-47d6-9c86-f9625ed47227Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -070042:48falsefull8686Voice Health: Treat Your Podcasting Instrument With Care - EP 85Voice Health: Treat Your Podcasting Instrument With CareHow much do you prioritize your vocal health? Most of us, even if we work in the voice acting, podcasting, or broadcast industries, don't think too much about our voices. But remember: if you don't have a voice, you don't have a podcast!

In this episode, Mary breaks down what we can all do to take better care of our most important business asset. The solution can't be to never speak or raise your voice except while you work, but preemptive planning, some mind-body connection, and a little (or a lot of) self-love go a long way to keeping those chords healthy for when you need them.

Give your voice the TLC it deserves! Listen in to find out:

  • Why glugging water right before you speak doesn't cut it
  • How to balance those fun, loud nights out with your podcast-related voice work
  • The mental component of taking care of your voice

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: Your voice is your number one instrument. This is something I talk about a lot. I mean, it's also one of the first things you see on my website, because without your voice, and take it from me, I lost my voice in the middle of September for almost a whole week. Without your voice, you don't have a podcast. So why is it, as podcasters, we don't think about our voice as much as, say, the person we want to interview, or the titles, the artwork, those aspects always get a lot of focus. But your voice, not so much.

So in this episode, we're talking voice. Why it's not exactly what you hear in your head and how we can move forward to record more episodes with more love for your vocal cords and your heart.

This is episode 85 of the Podcasters Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Welcome back to the show. And like I said at the start, I did lose my voice in the middle of September,

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

and I still feel like it's a little dry and scratchy. So bear with me. But I do sound so much better even my daughter was like, you sound like a grumbly bear. Before I was kind of talking like this, and I actually didn't do any talking because I couldn't talk. So when you're a podcaster, it's like, your worst nightmare, losing your voice.

[MUSIC IN]

You know, it's funny how most people, even those who work in the industry, like voiceover artists or broadcast media, they don't always think about their voice until they lose it, like I did. I remember one of my coworkers back in the radio days. She hosted a four hour Monday through Friday show, but she lost her voice because she was screaming and having fun at a concert the night before. Long haul voice usage, so talking to people is one thing, but when you're a podcaster, you're actually performing with your voice. That's a totally different thing. That's like presenting, or teaching, or voicing audiobooks, and, yeah, like I said, when we're podcasting, this is when we are being intentional with our voice.

Whether you are actually thinking about that on purpose or not, it isn't just about having a conversation. In the back of your mind, you want to make an impact with your podcast episode. So before you get to the, oh, my God, I've lost my voice like I did.

Let's talk about prevention. I know, my version of getting sick and losing my voice, that's harder to prevent. You know, you can't prevent the fact that my daughter brought home a cold and then she passed it on to me. That's just part of the September back to school blues. But what I'm talking about is maybe that concert that my coworker was screaming at or talking all night at a loud dinner party, that part, we can do more to nurture our voice. And just whenever we use our voice on a day to day process, we can nurture our voice at any point in time.

[MUSIC ENDS]

I think more and more people these days are more aware of hydrating. So drinking water, you know, those Stanley tumblers that have been out on social media, huge water bottles that people are drinking out of, because they want to stay hydrated. But what podcasters might not realize is that you're just not hydrating your body. That also means you're hydrating your voice. But when you drink, the interesting thing that most people often think is that drinking water will immediately hydrate your vocal cords. But really, your vocal cords live in the same world as where you breathe air makes them work, not your digestive system.

So when you drink fluids, the water actually isn't coating or washing out your vocal cords. You actually need to hydrate, meaning drink well before you speak in order for that hydration to reach your vocal cords, because what we drink or eat, those fluids need to be transported through the body system in order to be absorbed by cells for it to work, and that could take 24 hours. If you're more of a science nerd, you can read more about it in an article called The Effects Of Hydration On Voice Acoustics from the American Speech Language Hearing association. I'll put that link in the show notes. But, yeah, when we're breathing, we're using our vocal cords, but when we hydrate, we need to drink well in advance. Stay hydrated is what that means. You gotta drink well in advance to make sure that your vocal cords are hydrated.

[MUSIC IN]

So the Internet myth of lemon and honey or gargling salt water won't actually fix your voice. Oh, the Internet. We love busting myths. Rest is also key, and I know you can't just not talk. You know, we still have to do our day to day work. But with some advanced planning, rest could help.

For example, you know, you're heading out to a loud restaurant for dinner one night. When you plan your podcast recordings, make sure you give your voice a break. So don't schedule any recordings the day after or even first thing the next morning. Give your voice time to get back to normal. You have to think of your voice like other]]>How much do you prioritize your vocal health? Most of us, even if we work in the voice acting, podcasting, or broadcast industries, don't think too much about our voices. But remember: if you don't have a voice, you don't have a podcast!

In this episode, Mary breaks down what we can all do to take better care of our most important business asset. The solution can't be to never speak or raise your voice except while you work, but preemptive planning, some mind-body connection, and a little (or a lot of) self-love go a long way to keeping those chords healthy for when you need them.

Give your voice the TLC it deserves! Listen in to find out:

  • Why glugging water right before you speak doesn't cut it
  • How to balance those fun, loud nights out with your podcast-related voice work
  • The mental component of taking care of your voice

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: Your voice is your number one instrument. This is something I talk about a lot. I mean, it's also one of the first things you see on my website, because without your voice, and take it from me, I lost my voice in the middle of September for almost a whole week. Without your voice, you don't have a podcast. So why is it, as podcasters, we don't think about our voice as much as, say, the person we want to interview, or the titles, the artwork, those aspects always get a lot of focus. But your voice, not so much.

So in this episode, we're talking voice. Why it's not exactly what you hear in your head and how we can move forward to record more episodes with more love for your vocal cords and your heart.

This is episode 85 of the Podcasters Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Welcome back to the show. And like I said at the start, I did lose my voice in the middle of September,

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

and I still feel like it's a little dry and scratchy. So bear with me. But I do sound so much better even my daughter was like, you sound like a grumbly bear. Before I was kind of talking like this, and I actually didn't do any talking because I couldn't talk. So when you're a podcaster, it's like, your worst nightmare, losing your voice.

[MUSIC IN]

You know, it's funny how most people, even those who work in the industry, like voiceover artists or broadcast media, they don't always think about their voice until they lose it, like I did. I remember one of my coworkers back in the radio days. She hosted a four hour Monday through Friday show, but she lost her voice because she was screaming and having fun at a concert the night before. Long haul voice usage, so talking to people is one thing, but when you're a podcaster, you're actually performing with your voice. That's a totally different thing. That's like presenting, or teaching, or voicing audiobooks, and, yeah, like I said, when we're podcasting, this is when we are being intentional with our voice.

Whether you are actually thinking about that on purpose or not, it isn't just about having a conversation. In the back of your mind, you want to make an impact with your podcast episode. So before you get to the, oh, my God, I've lost my voice like I did.

Let's talk about prevention. I know, my version of getting sick and losing my voice, that's harder to prevent. You know, you can't prevent the fact that my daughter brought home a cold and then she passed it on to me. That's just part of the September back to school blues. But what I'm talking about is maybe that concert that my coworker was screaming at or talking all night at a loud dinner party, that part, we can do more to nurture our voice. And just whenever we use our voice on a day to day process, we can nurture our voice at any point in time.

[MUSIC ENDS]

I think more and more people these days are more aware of hydrating. So drinking water, you know, those Stanley tumblers that have been out on social media, huge water bottles that people are drinking out of, because they want to stay hydrated. But what podcasters might not realize is that you're just not hydrating your body. That also means you're hydrating your voice. But when you drink, the interesting thing that most people often think is that drinking water will immediately hydrate your vocal cords. But really, your vocal cords live in the same world as where you breathe air makes them work, not your digestive system.

So when you drink fluids, the water actually isn't coating or washing out your vocal cords. You actually need to hydrate, meaning drink well before you speak in order for that hydration to reach your vocal cords, because what we drink or eat, those fluids need to be transported through the body system in order to be absorbed by cells for it to work, and that could take 24 hours. If you're more of a science nerd, you can read more about it in an article called The Effects Of Hydration On Voice Acoustics from the American Speech Language Hearing association. I'll put that link in the show notes. But, yeah, when we're breathing, we're using our vocal cords, but when we hydrate, we need to drink well in advance. Stay hydrated is what that means. You gotta drink well in advance to make sure that your vocal cords are hydrated.

[MUSIC IN]

So the Internet myth of lemon and honey or gargling salt water won't actually fix your voice. Oh, the Internet. We love busting myths. Rest is also key, and I know you can't just not talk. You know, we still have to do our day to day work. But with some advanced planning, rest could help.

For example, you know, you're heading out to a loud restaurant for dinner one night. When you plan your podcast recordings, make sure you give your voice a break. So don't schedule any recordings the day after or even first thing the next morning. Give your voice time to get back to normal. You have to think of your voice like other muscles in your body. You just did a huge workout with it the night before. Talking loudly at that dinner party. So are you going to be doing a marathon the day after? Probably not.

So when we have the luxury of time and planning, think about what you've got planned around any big vocal events. And I know vocal events might be hard to grasp, like, okay, concerts, dinner parties, but what else? Sometimes you just never know when you need to speak loudly for long periods of time. And one of those things too is like a networking event. You know, I go to those, but I make sure because they're once a month or what have you. I'm not scheduling anything after that networking event, I'll make sure my voice has time to rest. It's like having a little vocal nap. Naps are lovely, so why not one for your voice?

Another vocal event could be like recording a podcast episode. Yeah, you might think, okay, I'm gonna record back to back, to back, to back, so I can just batch record everything and get things out of the way. But are you scheduling time in between to rest? Those vocal cords need a little bit of a rest before you take it out for another workout. So, make sure little voice snaps are scheduled in for you when you're even batch recording podcast episodes.

[MUSIC ENDS]

And using your voice goes beyond the physical aspects we've been talking about. Your voice is really multi-layered, and there's always going to be a mental component as well. We worry about every word and how we sound, but imagine being able to strip away all of that. But I know it's easier said than done. When we use our voice all that muck from our past, the subconscious stuff. It all gets kinda in the way. When I use my voice too. I think about all the times my family told me not to say anything because it's quote unquote private. Which in my mind equals to. Should I share this one story on a podcast? Can I talk about this with a friend? When should I hold back? How much do I share? There's some mental gymnastics going on there. Or I might also be thinking about my experiences in grade six. My teacher giving me the nickname motormouth Mary all year.

So today I still wonder at times, am I talking too fast? I'm just going on and on and on and on. All that history with your voice comes back every time you do some vocal work, the little nuances creep up. But what I found is that, as you heard, I've made those little connections with my voice story. That grade six moment, my family moments. I've realized how past experiences affect my voice today.

I can acknowledge it and be quicker at moving past it so that mental gymnastics doesn't take as long and realize things like, nope, not talking too fast. This is just my energy. It's my speed. It's just the way I'm passionate about expressing something. When you know your voice story, you get to rewrite that ending. So we're rewiring our brain at the same time we're doing this. And I've got a great step by step for figuring out your voice story. I talked about that in episode 55, How To Find Your Podcasting Voice. So make sure you listen to that one if you haven't yet.

[MUSIC IN]

Recently, I also had a chat with Andrea Klunder of the Creative Impostor Podcast, all about voice. You can hear the whole conversation on her podcast link in the show notes, of course. But one of the main things I got to was that need to love our voice as much as we love other parts of ourselves, or as much as we love our loved ones in our life. When you're listening back to your episodes, and I recommend that you do want to check out episode 50, Stop Thinking About Yourself, or episode 54, The Process Of What's Working, What's Not Working, And What To Celebrate For Your Podcast. Those are some good ones. If you're not so great about listening back to your episodes anyway.

The point is, when you listen back to your episodes, I want you to listen like a friend. What would you say to your voice? Write down those notes as you listen, and write down those examples when it made you go, ooh, that's nice? We don't love our voice enough. So when you're writing down your notes, they're like little love notes to your voice, because your voice is doing a big job every single day, and it's really been underappreciated up until this point. So now that you've got that awareness, what are some little love notes that you're gonna leave for your voice?

And if you wanna learn more about how to use your voice, Andrea and I, along with Brienne Hennessy, will be on a panel all about voice, called your voice, using it, shaping it, and protecting it. I would love for you to join us. We'll be at the podcasting for business conference. It's happening November 13 to 15th. It is all online, so this conference is going to be great for you. It was created by Megan Dougherty of One Stone Creative. She was actually a guest on this very podcast, episode 70, How To Use Research And Reporting To Guide Your Podcast. So make sure you listen to that one. If you haven't listened to Megan yet she is a fount of information. She is the one that's creating the conference. So make sure you head to the link to attend the conference and I'll see you there on my panel about using your voice. Of course, as always, as I've already said, link will be in the show notes.

[MUSIC ENDS]

Ooh, also, thank you for listening this far along. I'd also love to give you a free ticket to join us. I have a ticket for the conference for you, so if you would like to enter to win between now, so now, meaning when this episode is published on October the 14th until the end of the day on November 1st, if you want to win a ticket to the conference, all you need to do is leave me a voice note from my website because I want you to share your voice. Head to VisibleVoicePodcast.com, there's a purple send voicemail button to the right of your screen.

From there, I want you to leave a 90 second voice note from your device. One, state your name where you're calling from. Two, say and complete the following sentence stems I want you to say, the first time someone said something about my voice, it made me feel dot, dot, dot fill in the blanks and then end with, today, what I love about my voice is dot, dot, dot. This is part of the voice story that I mentioned early on in the episode. So, this is part of the inner work, the mental work that we're doing with our voice, and I would love for you to share that with me, please. So yes, state your name, where you're calling from and then complete the following sentence stems. The first time someone said something about my voice, it made me feel and then end with, today what I love about my voice is.

So thank you so much in advance for sending in ah, your voice note, your little love note for yourself, and I'll do a random draw for a free ticket to the podcasting for business conference. So good luck. And again, thank you in advance.

[MUSIC IN]

So I hope this was a good little reminder or love note to you and your voice. Don't forget, stay hydrated, give your voice a nap when it needs it, and I'll see you at the Podcasting For Business Conference online in November.

On the next episode, we're going to talk more vocal health and warm ups with Nic Redmond. She shares some really great short exercises to love your voice before you settle in behind the mic. She also gives some really solid tips for when you need to podcast while you're sick. And yeah, it was more personal for me because when I recorded the episode, I was just recovering from losing my voice, and I was still a little scratchy. So you're not gonna want to miss this, it's cold and flu season. We all need these tips, and, uh, they're such great reminders for your voice. So join me next time with Nic Redmond. We're gonna talk vocal health and voice warm ups. We'll talk to you then.

[MUSIC ENDS]

>

MARY: Thank you so much for listening to the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love it if you share it with a podcasting friend. And to reveal more voicing and podcasting tips, click on over to VisibleVoicePodcast.com. Until next time.

>

[MUSIC ENDS]

]]>2310d004-6067-4169-a848-0a9b6e2d9e96Mon, 14 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -070015:38falsefull8585Simplify Your Workflow to Keep Your Podcasting Passion Alive with Craig Constantine - EP 84Simplify Your Workflow to Keep Your Podcasting Passion Alive with Craig ConstantineHow do conversation skills make your podcast process more enjoyable? Even if we're lucky enough to "do what we love," work tends to have tedious aspects we don't like. Craig Constantine is a passion podcaster who, through the creation of thousands of episodes and rigorous reflection, has built a workflow that simplifies every step of his method, from prep to publication.

A consummate conversationalist, Craig's overarching goal is to use understanding and compassion to have exciting exchanges that inspire listeners to dive directly into meaningful dialogues. In this episode, he gets into the nitty-gritty of the personal process that led him to discover his devotion to podcasting.

Let Craig's passion inspire you to:

  • Understand the difference between compassion and empathy in conversation

  • Consider why you might not want to bring your prepared questions into the conversation

  • Approach AI tools to create the perfect research assistant

  • Simplify your process to make it more fun in the long run


Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Craig:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

>

MARY: Every podcast is unique, not only in its content, but also how you produce and create it. That workflow that I've talked about before, no one way is the right way or wrong way to create a podcast. And that's actually what I love about today's guest Craig Constantine.

He's all about his passion project, podcasts of having conversations. His goal of having a podcast will be different from yours, but what I really resonated with him is his desire to audit his own workflow. What's working for him before, during, and after the recording.

Craig Constantine, who's on a mission to create better conversations, to spread understanding and compassion, is a passionate podcaster. He does a lot of things that I know podcasters want to do, but never make the time to do it. So he's here to share how he's got multiple shows to his name with hundreds and hundreds of conversations published to share his podcasting journey. You can hear the passion in his voice for the work and the dialogue that he wants to have. So take a listen to this episode on how he analyzes his podcast to make things simpler for his world and how you can make similar reflections on yours.

This is episode number 84 of the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Craig, thank you so much for coming on the show. We've had a great little preamble so far, so I know this is going to be a good one.

>

CRAIG: Oh, no pressure. But thank you so much for inviting me. You get the prize for, of all the people who ever asked me to be on their show, you're the one who worked the hardest. So thank you so much for that.

>

MARY: A lot of logisticals behind the scene, and, you know, personal schedules and stuff.

CRAIG: You actually hunted me down. You asked me through a service that we're both on, and I totally ghosted you, like a lot of people. And then you went and found my website and found my contact form and emailed me, and I'm like, wow, all right, this person is motivated. Yes, I want to be on the show.

MARY: Well, what you do is intentional practice of conversations, and I think that is so unique because a lot of people find podcasting as like, oh, I can talk, I'll just plug a microphone in and start talking. > But what is intentional conversation? Why is it so important to you?

CRAIG: Well, it's important to me because I found myself having more and more really great conversations, and that's like a whole separate story. And the more that I learned how to shut up and listen, which took me longer than it should have, the more I shut up and listened, the more I enjoyed the conversations and the more other people seemed to enjoy them. And then the people lurking around it enjoyed them too.

So I started wondering, well, this isn't new. Humans have been doing this for a long time. And the more that I looked into it, now I have a books problem. You know, like, oh, here's a book from 150 years ago where somebody had all these things. And then I started having conversations that I was intentionally picking challenging guests. Not that the people were challenging, but, like, I have no knowledge about the topic we're going to have this conversation about, then, what would the skills be that I would need to have that be a good conversation when I'm totally floundering every second of the way?

And I'm like an autodidact nerdy self learner. So it works well for me to be like, whoa, that sucked. That was horrible. And then I, like, write down, why did suck? What was wrong with it? How could I make it better? So I'm always preaching, like, you know, take notes and reflect, um, on your conversations, reflect on your life in general, and figure out, could I try something different next time? Or maybe that just, it happened. The bird flew into my head. That, that went weird.

MARY: So then what do you need then to have a conversation? Because, you know, you were saying, I stopped talking, so I listened. But when people think of dialogue, well, you gotta talk. So how do you define that art of conversation?

CRAIG: That's a really hard question. That's two different questions. How do I define the art of conversation? I'm gonna ignore how I define it. That's hard. I would say that you actually, you don't really have to talk for it to be a good conversation. And a lot of times when I'm having conversations with people, they are already aware of my, my issues of, like, wanting to dig into the meta.

But even when I'm talking to people who don't know anything at all about me, they have an agenda and the real question is, when you're having a conversation with someone, is the other person aware of their own agenda? That's really, like, determines are we going to have a spectacular conversation. So Mary has ideas about where this conversation is supposed to go, ideas about what she wants the two of us to find here for the people who are listening. So that's like the biggest switch or choice. Like, when I'm having a conversation with someone, I'm, as best I can, always intentional about why I'm here, what I'm saying, why I'm saying, and I'm always curious, like, what is the other person thinking when they started talking? Were they just talking at me because they haven't seen me in a week, or are they really interested in something?

So that's like, the first thing is like, are both people on the same page about what does it mean to have a good conversation? Some people, they just talk. I'm not saying that's bad. It's just, you know, that's a deli conversation that's going to be a little more shallow maybe, or a little different.

MARY: Yeah. What about then in the role of podcasting? That being intentional piece, do you then prep your questions and you have your set...]]>How do conversation skills make your podcast process more enjoyable? Even if we're lucky enough to "do what we love," work tends to have tedious aspects we don't like. Craig Constantine is a passion podcaster who, through the creation of thousands of episodes and rigorous reflection, has built a workflow that simplifies every step of his method, from prep to publication.

A consummate conversationalist, Craig's overarching goal is to use understanding and compassion to have exciting exchanges that inspire listeners to dive directly into meaningful dialogues. In this episode, he gets into the nitty-gritty of the personal process that led him to discover his devotion to podcasting.

Let Craig's passion inspire you to:

  • Understand the difference between compassion and empathy in conversation

  • Consider why you might not want to bring your prepared questions into the conversation

  • Approach AI tools to create the perfect research assistant

  • Simplify your process to make it more fun in the long run


Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Craig:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

>

MARY: Every podcast is unique, not only in its content, but also how you produce and create it. That workflow that I've talked about before, no one way is the right way or wrong way to create a podcast. And that's actually what I love about today's guest Craig Constantine.

He's all about his passion project, podcasts of having conversations. His goal of having a podcast will be different from yours, but what I really resonated with him is his desire to audit his own workflow. What's working for him before, during, and after the recording.

Craig Constantine, who's on a mission to create better conversations, to spread understanding and compassion, is a passionate podcaster. He does a lot of things that I know podcasters want to do, but never make the time to do it. So he's here to share how he's got multiple shows to his name with hundreds and hundreds of conversations published to share his podcasting journey. You can hear the passion in his voice for the work and the dialogue that he wants to have. So take a listen to this episode on how he analyzes his podcast to make things simpler for his world and how you can make similar reflections on yours.

This is episode number 84 of the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

MARY: Craig, thank you so much for coming on the show. We've had a great little preamble so far, so I know this is going to be a good one.

>

CRAIG: Oh, no pressure. But thank you so much for inviting me. You get the prize for, of all the people who ever asked me to be on their show, you're the one who worked the hardest. So thank you so much for that.

>

MARY: A lot of logisticals behind the scene, and, you know, personal schedules and stuff.

CRAIG: You actually hunted me down. You asked me through a service that we're both on, and I totally ghosted you, like a lot of people. And then you went and found my website and found my contact form and emailed me, and I'm like, wow, all right, this person is motivated. Yes, I want to be on the show.

MARY: Well, what you do is intentional practice of conversations, and I think that is so unique because a lot of people find podcasting as like, oh, I can talk, I'll just plug a microphone in and start talking. > But what is intentional conversation? Why is it so important to you?

CRAIG: Well, it's important to me because I found myself having more and more really great conversations, and that's like a whole separate story. And the more that I learned how to shut up and listen, which took me longer than it should have, the more I shut up and listened, the more I enjoyed the conversations and the more other people seemed to enjoy them. And then the people lurking around it enjoyed them too.

So I started wondering, well, this isn't new. Humans have been doing this for a long time. And the more that I looked into it, now I have a books problem. You know, like, oh, here's a book from 150 years ago where somebody had all these things. And then I started having conversations that I was intentionally picking challenging guests. Not that the people were challenging, but, like, I have no knowledge about the topic we're going to have this conversation about, then, what would the skills be that I would need to have that be a good conversation when I'm totally floundering every second of the way?

And I'm like an autodidact nerdy self learner. So it works well for me to be like, whoa, that sucked. That was horrible. And then I, like, write down, why did suck? What was wrong with it? How could I make it better? So I'm always preaching, like, you know, take notes and reflect, um, on your conversations, reflect on your life in general, and figure out, could I try something different next time? Or maybe that just, it happened. The bird flew into my head. That, that went weird.

MARY: So then what do you need then to have a conversation? Because, you know, you were saying, I stopped talking, so I listened. But when people think of dialogue, well, you gotta talk. So how do you define that art of conversation?

CRAIG: That's a really hard question. That's two different questions. How do I define the art of conversation? I'm gonna ignore how I define it. That's hard. I would say that you actually, you don't really have to talk for it to be a good conversation. And a lot of times when I'm having conversations with people, they are already aware of my, my issues of, like, wanting to dig into the meta.

But even when I'm talking to people who don't know anything at all about me, they have an agenda and the real question is, when you're having a conversation with someone, is the other person aware of their own agenda? That's really, like, determines are we going to have a spectacular conversation. So Mary has ideas about where this conversation is supposed to go, ideas about what she wants the two of us to find here for the people who are listening. So that's like the biggest switch or choice. Like, when I'm having a conversation with someone, I'm, as best I can, always intentional about why I'm here, what I'm saying, why I'm saying, and I'm always curious, like, what is the other person thinking when they started talking? Were they just talking at me because they haven't seen me in a week, or are they really interested in something?

So that's like, the first thing is like, are both people on the same page about what does it mean to have a good conversation? Some people, they just talk. I'm not saying that's bad. It's just, you know, that's a deli conversation that's going to be a little more shallow maybe, or a little different.

MARY: Yeah. What about then in the role of podcasting? That being intentional piece, do you then prep your questions and you have your set questions, or do you allow that conversation to unfold? Because, like you said, everyone's got an agenda.

CRAIG: Yes. It depends on what you mean by you. So if you mean, does Craig? I generally don't write down my questions anymore in the very, very beginning, which would be like 2017. So I was kind of late to the party, but when I started, yes, I used to be intentional about, the show was all about movement, I would be intentional about, I'm going to talk to this person because I have this question or this story I want to know. And I would write down my questions, and I would imagine, like if I wasn't thinking story arc, but I was kind of imagining a story arc about, I want to start here and then I want to go here, and I want to end over there if I can.

So in the beginning, yes, I totally did that. And I got heavily involved in coaching podcasters. I've literally helped thousands of people as an assistant coach in courses. And that's a very good question for people to ask. So I say yes, in the beginning, write literally, preferably with a pencil, not like typing on your computer, because writing is different than typing.

MARY: Yeah,

CRAIG: Write your questions out in whatever your chicken scratch looks like. And then when you get to the recording, don't bring your notes. That's what I tell people, because the notes will distract you. I have a blank piece of paper on the table in front of me just in case I need to write something down. But when you go into those recordings as the host, all of that homework that you did, you're not going to forget it. It's going to be in the back of your head.

So I would say yes, I used to write things down, and I do recommend that that's a great place to start. And then eventually I can hold the questions in my head for weeks. I think about someone, you know, and I listened to one of your episodes as I was preparing for this, and I had, oh, that's interesting. And I see the kinds of things that Mary is attracted to, and I feel like I have enough things in my head that I could, I don't want to, but we could probably flip this around, and I could probably, you know, be the host if I had to, but I don't want to. > That's, if you ask Craig, how Craig does it, how does everybody else do it? I don't think people write their questions down based on what I hear, When I hear people.

MARY: Certain shows, there are some shows where it's like, bam, bam, bam, question, question. There was, like, no follow up. And I feel like, yeah, that's not good either.

CRAIG: Right. That's the other problem. That's the opposite of prepared.

MARY: Yeah, exactly. So then if you don't write your questions, it feels a lot to me, too, about when I worked in radio, we called this show prep. You know, it's all about being prepared and kind of knowing, like you said, that agenda. But having the follow up questions are the sparks in that conversation. So do you then, have, like, a toolbox of ways to guide a conversation, or like,...

CRIAG: Oh yeah.

MARY: …those. Oh yeah? Yeah. Okay, What is that?

CRAIG: So there's a whole bunch of them, and rather than try to rattle them off, but just kind of, like, paint kind of what they are.

MARY: Yeah.

CRAIG: I have these ideas in mind about, I have a visual, I live, like, 2 hours from Manhattan, so I've been there a bunch of times. And if you ever walk down Broadway is, like, the biggest street, you can walk the whole length of the place. I imagine that in conversations, I'm walking with someone.

So if I'm talking with someone and something strange happens, like, they ask me a question that I wasn't expecting, or they give me a strange answer, or they stopped, like, something weird happens. I'm imagining they, like, turned left into a side street. And my reaction needs to be not, wait, where are you going? Yeah, come back. My reaction needs to be, well, that's interesting. And follow, like, go with them. So I'm always trying to listen, air quoting is useless, you can't even see. I'm trying to listen not only to the words that they're saying, but the emotions that they're conveying. The emotions maybe they're trying to convey, which could be different, and try to imagine what is the experience that that person is having.

So I'm always yammering about my mission is about creating better conversation to spread understanding and compassion and empathy is close, but I think empathy is a thing that might come later after understanding and compassion. And I feel like that is what I'm trying to do, is I'm trying to deploy understanding and compassion as a tool.

So in a conversation, when something weird happens, I'm thinking, do I understand? Like, that's my first thought is, do I really understand what just happened here? Like, maybe I don't understand and I should ask a question about what just happened here. So I have, like, lots of nerdy tools that I can bring up, but they all fit in that toolbox of my first, you know, do I understand? And then, am I being compassionate? Is this person freaking out because Craig's too energetic for them? Like, that happens to people. I understand.

MARY: You mentioned empathy, and I feel like empathy is very similar to compassion.

CRAIG: Yes.

MARY: So how do you differentiate that?

CRAIG: The way that I think of it is that empathy is about the feeling and compassion is about, I don't want to say doing something about it, but imagining what could be done, either generally or that I should be doing. So, empathy, if you're empathic and you can't distance yourself from that, that's really hard. That's people who, like, if the elections go bad and then they have, like, a nervous breakdown, I'm like, well, okay, I mean, you're feeling for those other people, but you really need to be able to control that. You have to have boundaries. You have to be able to protect yourself physically and emotionally.

So, empathy, I think of as like, a feelers reaching out, sensitivity. And even I would say I'm pretty empathic. But even if you're really empathic, you really never know. You really can't say, I know what you're feeling, but that would be the goal, would be to feel outward. And then the compassion is, all right if I understand what's going on and I have some empathy for the person, the situation, or whatever we're talking about, then I might, if I'm a compassionate person, I might begin to imagine, is there something I could do about that? Could I help that person pick up whatever they dropped? Or could I donate money to this charity? Or could I help push this car out of a snowbank? That's the kind of thing that I do because I'm a large guy, you know.

But if you didn't have empathy for the person who was stuck in the snowbank, you'd just be like, sucks to be you. And you'd walk right by, you know? So that's why when I wrote my mission. That's why I wrote compassion rather than empathy, because I feel like empathy, I don't want to say it's easier, but I felt like I already had enough empathy and I wanted to work on the compassion part. So very, the mission is very specific to me, of course.

MARY: What about then, if you're in a conversation with someone and you don't agree?

CRAIG: That depends on why I'm in the conversation. So I don't do journalistic interviews, just because it's not my cup of tea. But I've listened to a lot of journalists talk about their process. And, yeah, if you're a journalist and you're supposed to be getting facts or truth or you're trying to, you know, uncover a particular story, if people say something you disagree with, you need to push back, and you can push back nicely. You can ask clarifying questions. You can, you know, throw in juxtapose. I thought it was X. You can make jokes. There are ways to reveal questions without actually asking questions, which then lets the two of us stand in one place and point at the question over yonder without it getting very antagonistic.

So there are things you can do to sort of direct, or in this case, redirect the conversation where you hope it would go. But that's not normally what I do because I'm not a journalist looking for something I don't have, like a target I'm aiming for, which kind of cuts both ways. Not having a target makes it harder because I think it would be easier if I knew where I was supposed to be going. So I don't often find myself in situations where, no, that's wrong, and I need to get you to tell me the other thing, so.

MARY: Yeah, it's just a matter of, okay, yes, you've said what you've said now. Oh, I'm going to ask you this question to, to redirect.

CRAIG: Yeah, ask more questions. Ask different questions. You were asking for about tools earlier. I sometimes talk about people's salience, the word salience. Humans are spectacular at noticing salience. I always say I'm afraid of three kinds of snakes, little snakes, big snakes, and any stick that looks anything at all like a snake. So snake fear and, like, falling. These are wired in.

So there are other things, in conversations when you're listening to someone and you have an agenda and a story arc and a plan, and your brain suddenly goes, wait, what? And, like, it grabs these two things. The thing that you thought you were going to ask about and the thing that just lit you up, you have these two. Those things are related. I'm telling you, they are. That's what your brain just went, these are related. And you could just say, I wonder if these two things are related. You can just say that I do that and give people two, you know, like cheese and sneakers, and...]]>738ee428-e918-4415-bf60-0aee4f421e3eMon, 30 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -070041:19falsefull8484Podcast Manners Matter: Setting Guest Expectations - EP 83Podcast Manners Matter: Setting Guest ExpectationsHow do you create clear and open communication with your podcast guest? Every podcast—and every episode, for that matter—has a lot of moving parts. As podcast hosts, we know that in order to stay organized, we need systems in place. But those systems should extend to more than your recording and editing tools, and how you publish your episode. You need systems in place for your guest interactions, too.

An unfortunate experience shared by a fellow podcast host prompts Mary to explore podcast etiquette and guest/host interactions. She outlines how to approach this important relationship before, during, and after the interview to make sure you're setting the clearest possible expectations.

Consider how you could fine-tune your own podcast guest etiquette:

  • Ace the early interaction that will set you up for that "easy yes"
  • Keep your guest in the know as the interview begins
  • Make sure you're both set up for success once the episode airs
  • Red flags to watch out for when you're the guest!

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: Having a podcast means you've got to have your systems in place. What do you do before you record an episode? How do you manage the actual recording? Then finally, what do you do after you record that episode and have that file? What's next?

There are so many things and variables involved when creating each episode that this also extends to being on a guest on podcasts as well. What are your routines to get on a show? And then when you're on that show, what are you doing? And then after the show, then what do you do with your guest appearance? There are a lot of similarities here when it comes to having your own show or being a guest on one. So when you do have your own show, how do you treat your show and your potential guests? That all matters.

Today, let's get into some podcast etiquette. What happens with your guests before, during, and after the interview? How you respond will set the success for your show and your guests.

This is episode number 83 of the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Hey, welcome back to the show. Thanks for joining me today. It's my first episode back from my little summer break.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

And if you had a summer break as well, I hope you got to do at least one thing on your list that made you happy, because we all have, like, a list of things to do, right? Like, you're away from work and you got all these other things to do on the to do list. For me, it was honing in on my family value of adventure. So we hopped on a ferry and visited family on the mainland in Vancouver, stayed for a little staycation and did some camping and just got to explore our beautiful part of the world with our friends and family and meeting some clients, too, who came for their summer vacation. So it's been a really joyful, adventurous, and relaxing summer for me. And so I hope you had the same of, ticking off a couple things on your list for you as well.

And then, of course, now that I'm doing the back to school thing with my daughter, it's time to also do the back to podcasting thing with you. And just before I went on my little break there, I was chatting with my previous guest, Christian Klepp. He was episode number 66. We were talking about the continuous improvement as a podcaster. So we're hooked up on LinkedIn, and he was asking me about my opinion, and he wanted to run something past me. It's one of those, quote, unquote, if you were in my shoes or my show, what would you do?

[MUSIC IN]

So let's first just lay out the situation. Okay? He said that this guy reached out and asked him to be a guest on his podcast, which was really nice because it is focused on B2B marketing, which is what he does, business to business marketing. So Christian reciprocated by interviewing this guy on his podcast as well.

So here's the thing he says. One, he never told me when my interview was going live. He just published it and shared the link.

Two, I was completely transparent with him and told him when I'd publish his interview.

Three, I sent him an email with the links, no reply.

Four, I added him on LinkedIn and tagged him when I published the episode, no reply. And he didn't share it. He even removed me as a connection.

Five, I introduced two guests to him based on his request, no reply.

A few weeks ago, he adds me back as a connection and asks me to refer leads to him. I said, nobody comes to mind, but I'll keep my eyes open.

Today he sent me another email to follow up and ask if I have any leads for him. So back to that main question. If you were me, how would you respond?

[MUSIC ENDS]

I had a lot of feelings percolating. It just like, escalated, right? All through those numbers. We got five points there. Okay. My response was this, like that initial, oh my god, that's the worst. But two parts of this really come to mind. Initially, I was all, this guy is all, take, take, take. If he ever disconnects from you, I would disconnect from him as well and remove those connections and never reconnect again. Cut it, cut it all off, cold turkey. [LAUGHTER]

But then the more logical side of my brain was thinking of what were the parameters around being a guest? Did he mention beforehand if he was going to tell you when it would go live? I know not everybody does. No one's as prepared to know ahead of time. But did he mention that or what did he say he was going to do to prep you for this episode being published?

So as I kept saying to Christian, my initial response would be no response. I'm too busy to deal with this type of relationship that is clearly not mutually beneficial. Emails get lost, buried, and forgotten. So, no response. I mean, he had no response. I'm gonna have no response. It's my quick, petty little response to that.

However, Christian and I had a good back and forth about this because I think it's a lot to do with those expectations. Christian was very, as he said in point number two, completely transparent with him and told him when I'd publish his interview. But he was getting no replies on those other points that he was making. Right? There was, 3, sent him an email with links, no reply. Added him on LinkedIn and tagged him, no reply. Introduced two guests to him, no reply. And I think at that point, with all the no replies, those are the red flags they are signalling to me, this is not a reciprocal relationship.

And then the more and more we chatted, he came to his own conclusion on what he wanted to do. But I realized this really is about the care. You, as a host, care a lot about your show. So, like Christian, you are doing all, you know, all the things that you would like to do and show that you care about this person as your guest. And when the two expectations don't line up, because it doesn't seem like that guest had the same care, there will be the feelings.

So how do we make sure this doesn't happen again? How do we make sure that for you as a podcaster, for your show, that you've got a framework in place so that you are laying down all your expectations? And as I always say, you are the host of...]]>How do you create clear and open communication with your podcast guest? Every podcast—and every episode, for that matter—has a lot of moving parts. As podcast hosts, we know that in order to stay organized, we need systems in place. But those systems should extend to more than your recording and editing tools, and how you publish your episode. You need systems in place for your guest interactions, too.

An unfortunate experience shared by a fellow podcast host prompts Mary to explore podcast etiquette and guest/host interactions. She outlines how to approach this important relationship before, during, and after the interview to make sure you're setting the clearest possible expectations.

Consider how you could fine-tune your own podcast guest etiquette:

  • Ace the early interaction that will set you up for that "easy yes"
  • Keep your guest in the know as the interview begins
  • Make sure you're both set up for success once the episode airs
  • Red flags to watch out for when you're the guest!

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript with Audio Description:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: Having a podcast means you've got to have your systems in place. What do you do before you record an episode? How do you manage the actual recording? Then finally, what do you do after you record that episode and have that file? What's next?

There are so many things and variables involved when creating each episode that this also extends to being on a guest on podcasts as well. What are your routines to get on a show? And then when you're on that show, what are you doing? And then after the show, then what do you do with your guest appearance? There are a lot of similarities here when it comes to having your own show or being a guest on one. So when you do have your own show, how do you treat your show and your potential guests? That all matters.

Today, let's get into some podcast etiquette. What happens with your guests before, during, and after the interview? How you respond will set the success for your show and your guests.

This is episode number 83 of the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Hey, welcome back to the show. Thanks for joining me today. It's my first episode back from my little summer break.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

And if you had a summer break as well, I hope you got to do at least one thing on your list that made you happy, because we all have, like, a list of things to do, right? Like, you're away from work and you got all these other things to do on the to do list. For me, it was honing in on my family value of adventure. So we hopped on a ferry and visited family on the mainland in Vancouver, stayed for a little staycation and did some camping and just got to explore our beautiful part of the world with our friends and family and meeting some clients, too, who came for their summer vacation. So it's been a really joyful, adventurous, and relaxing summer for me. And so I hope you had the same of, ticking off a couple things on your list for you as well.

And then, of course, now that I'm doing the back to school thing with my daughter, it's time to also do the back to podcasting thing with you. And just before I went on my little break there, I was chatting with my previous guest, Christian Klepp. He was episode number 66. We were talking about the continuous improvement as a podcaster. So we're hooked up on LinkedIn, and he was asking me about my opinion, and he wanted to run something past me. It's one of those, quote, unquote, if you were in my shoes or my show, what would you do?

[MUSIC IN]

So let's first just lay out the situation. Okay? He said that this guy reached out and asked him to be a guest on his podcast, which was really nice because it is focused on B2B marketing, which is what he does, business to business marketing. So Christian reciprocated by interviewing this guy on his podcast as well.

So here's the thing he says. One, he never told me when my interview was going live. He just published it and shared the link.

Two, I was completely transparent with him and told him when I'd publish his interview.

Three, I sent him an email with the links, no reply.

Four, I added him on LinkedIn and tagged him when I published the episode, no reply. And he didn't share it. He even removed me as a connection.

Five, I introduced two guests to him based on his request, no reply.

A few weeks ago, he adds me back as a connection and asks me to refer leads to him. I said, nobody comes to mind, but I'll keep my eyes open.

Today he sent me another email to follow up and ask if I have any leads for him. So back to that main question. If you were me, how would you respond?

[MUSIC ENDS]

I had a lot of feelings percolating. It just like, escalated, right? All through those numbers. We got five points there. Okay. My response was this, like that initial, oh my god, that's the worst. But two parts of this really come to mind. Initially, I was all, this guy is all, take, take, take. If he ever disconnects from you, I would disconnect from him as well and remove those connections and never reconnect again. Cut it, cut it all off, cold turkey. [LAUGHTER]

But then the more logical side of my brain was thinking of what were the parameters around being a guest? Did he mention beforehand if he was going to tell you when it would go live? I know not everybody does. No one's as prepared to know ahead of time. But did he mention that or what did he say he was going to do to prep you for this episode being published?

So as I kept saying to Christian, my initial response would be no response. I'm too busy to deal with this type of relationship that is clearly not mutually beneficial. Emails get lost, buried, and forgotten. So, no response. I mean, he had no response. I'm gonna have no response. It's my quick, petty little response to that.

However, Christian and I had a good back and forth about this because I think it's a lot to do with those expectations. Christian was very, as he said in point number two, completely transparent with him and told him when I'd publish his interview. But he was getting no replies on those other points that he was making. Right? There was, 3, sent him an email with links, no reply. Added him on LinkedIn and tagged him, no reply. Introduced two guests to him, no reply. And I think at that point, with all the no replies, those are the red flags they are signalling to me, this is not a reciprocal relationship.

And then the more and more we chatted, he came to his own conclusion on what he wanted to do. But I realized this really is about the care. You, as a host, care a lot about your show. So, like Christian, you are doing all, you know, all the things that you would like to do and show that you care about this person as your guest. And when the two expectations don't line up, because it doesn't seem like that guest had the same care, there will be the feelings.

So how do we make sure this doesn't happen again? How do we make sure that for you as a podcaster, for your show, that you've got a framework in place so that you are laying down all your expectations? And as I always say, you are the host of your show. You're driving that bus. So are you going to be driving this bus left and right, through the lanes, over the curves, past the yellow line, or are you following a direct route? And what is that route? You can share it with everybody. Let them know where you're going.

[MUSIC IN]

So let's lay down some of these tracks for this framework as a host. When contacting your guests, give them some of that framework right off the bat, they haven't even said yes to your show yet, but when you give them this framework, they're going to think, whoa, you're really professional. You know exactly what you want. You sound like you know what you're doing. I want to be on your show. That's also one of the first things that they'll see. And they haven't even talked or met with you yet, right? Sometimes this can just be a cold email to someone or a message. What do you expect from them at this point in time? What should they expect from you? You laid this all out now, so there's no disappointment. We'll know exactly what each person gets.

So, for me and this show, I let them know what days I have available for publishing or spots I'm hoping to fill. This way, they could start thinking about, oh, um, at that time of year, I might want to talk about this or that, and they can already start thinking about certain topics that they want to talk about. Then I let them know that they have to fill out my form first. After filling out the form and giving me all the information I need, that will then automatically send them to my calendar to pick a time to record the episode. All of that is in my initial email to them.

So it makes for an easy yes. You know, this might be an initial email to them, but you've already done your homework. Or you may have already chatted with them a little bit about, oh, yeah, I'd like to have you on my show. But this initial email is the how to. They want that blueprint. And if you want more details on this process, I talk about exactly this on episode 62. So go through the back catalog number 62 almost 20 episodes ago, How To Land Someone From Your Dream Guest List.

[MUSIC ENDS]

Okay, so that's all pre-interview stuff. Now we're going to talk about during the interview. Like, you've got the person on the line, you may or may not have hit record yet, but you're going to set some expectations here, too. Remind them of when you plan on publishing this. You might not have an exact date, but you could always say, oh, this will be released sometime in November. So that way you could also be in the moment. If you know that you'll be publishing this months later than you recorded it, then you don't mention timely things, such as, I had a client who recorded something in the new year, and so she was talking about New Year's resolutions and all the stuff, yet it was being published in the summer when it is hot out. They're thinking about vacations. Maybe they're on vacation, and all of those things.

So you might want to talk about something that's more important to the publishing date. And your guest might also want to talk about something that's more relevant. Such as, maybe if you're publishing in the new year, they can then talk about all the new year's resolutions. Or you're publishing in the summer, and they want to talk about some fall retreats that they're hosting. This would give them permission to talk about those things.

And since we're on the topic of permission, this also gives them the permission to make mistakes, because we all do. Whether that is going to be something we're saying and we stumble and fumble on, or that our tech isn't working and everyone is feeling a little awkward, like, I'm so sorry this is happening. This normally doesn't happen or what have you. But that permission allows everyone, you and your guest, to be more human. And when you're more human, you care. And when you care. That interview is going to sound so much better.

[MUSIC IN]

Okay, after the interview. Now, this is actually the important part and what Christian was actually alluding to in his question to me. And I wonder, now that I'm putting this episode together, was some of these steps implemented either on Christian's show, which it sounded like he did because he said, I sent him the link and da da da da da. But also on the other show that Christian was a guest on. So when you are a guest on another show, what is their framework like? And maybe if you're getting some red flags, then you don't want to be a guest on that show.

But, okay, let's go back to after the interview. What do you do when the episode is published? What are those expectations? And how, if you want to, how do you share that message? So I have a client. She shares this message with an email to the guest the day before. This email has all the details about the episode and all the shareable audiograms all linked or attached to the email as part of the promotional campaign. She also makes a suggestion that you don't have to, but you would be really honoured to if you did share the episode and also provided, uh, the graphics so the episode artwork and the links to the episode so that the guests can share it.

But also, what she's doing is making a reminder for this guest. It's doing two things, reminding them that their episode, that they probably recorded months ago, is being published tomorrow. It's giving them a heads up. The second thing is that it's reminding them what they talked about. When guests come on shows, they usually have more than one topic that they're talking about. And this email is a great reminder.

And for you as the host, it's easy to remind them what you talked about because you're just basically copying pasting parts of the show notes here. Usually I'll have bullet points of the major points of the episode, and that's what I will paste into the email. And I guess another thing of this reminder is that you're gonna let them know that you're gonna start tagging them on their social media accounts tomorrow.

So my client will give them this expectation, hey, this is what's coming up. And this gives your guest an expectation that it will happen tomorrow. They can be prepared for that. They can be excited for it and relive the conversation through your email and then be excited to share it. And this, of course, might sound like a lot of work as you, as a host, you're like, I have to send out this email with how many things? But it's all a format and templated. It's essentially the same email that goes out to each and every guest. You just need to update the relevant details for each guest and ta da, done.

But it doesn't sound like from Christian's original question, the host did not do that for him when he was a guest on that show. And that is where some of the expectations that he thought was supposed to happen wasn't happening.

[MUSIC ENDS]

So yes, all podcasters are going to podcast their own way. I mean, this industry really still is the wild, wild west, although we'd like to think there's similar things. And sometimes people go their own way, and that's not necessarily a good or bad thing. In this circumstance, though, it's getting to know what your red flags are. Your value of integrity for your podcast, and the care you are receiving from that person to determine if their etiquette is what you want to follow.

So thanks for Christian for asking that question to me over on LinkedIn and allowing me to share it on this episode. And if you have a podcasting question that you want to share, feel free. Hit me up on LinkedIn like Christian did. And that's where I usually hang out. Or I would love it if you left a voicemail on my website, visiblevoicepodcast.com.

And hey, when you leave that feedback, let me know. How would you respond to Christian's scenario and what's your podcast etiquette that you follow? And if you need some support on some of those templates I'm talking about, I'd love to have a chat with you. We can set you up with your own system so that you can do the copy and pasting and send this out really easily so you can create your own template and your own workflow that aligns with your values and sort of some of this podcast, unofficial podcast etiquette that is in the industry about guesting on a show.

[MUSIC IN]

And diving into the next episode. We're going to talk about the art of conversation and what intentional conversation means for your podcasting journey. We chat with a podcaster who's defying certain rules about editing and how his experience with multiple shows that he's created can support you on assessing your needs for your own show. We'll chat with Chris Constantine next time. We'll see you then.

[MUSIC ENDS]

>

MARY: Thank you so much for listening to the podcaster's guide to a Visible Voice. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love it if you share it with a podcasting friend. And to reveal more voicing and podcasting tips, click on over to VisibleVoicePodcast.com. Until next time.

>

[MUSIC ENDS]

]]>6cc6bb49-854c-4dee-91a4-f035e0c05ef4Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -070016:34falsefull8383How to Audit Your Podcast Effectively - EP 82How to Audit Your Podcast EffectivelyHow do you make sure your show evolves along with your listener? As an independent podcast creator, chances are you wear a lot of hats. You're the host, of course, as well as the producer, the audio editor, the marketer, the designer… When you're so focused on doing all the things for your show, it can be easy to forget that your podcast isn't about you at all. It's about your listener.

Being a podcaster means you're responsible not just for putting out a show you think your ideal listener will connect with, but for diving deep into your current listener and making sure that your episodes evolve alongside them. In the last episode before the summer break, Mary takes you through the many steps she follows when she conducts a podcast audit, so that your show can evolve to serve your audience better.

Take these pro tips on a test drive to guide the evolution of your podcast:

  • How to learn more about your current and ideal listener
  • Why defining success is directly linked to podcast growth
  • How to evaluate your show, inside and out

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: In podcasting, creating your show can feel so much about that overwhelm because of what the host does. Many shows are a one person show. So not only are you the host, but also the audio editor, the writer, the producer, showrunner, marketer, executive assistant, and the list really does just go on and on. But remember, your podcast is actually about your listener, not you.

Without your listeners, your podcast is basically a fancy place to leave yourself some voice notes. If that's what you're looking for, great. I mean, hit stop on this episode and move on. But if you want to grow alongside your podcast, you need to learn more about your listeners so that you can evolve along with them. So today we're getting into auditing your own podcast so that you can grow and learn from it.

This is episode 82 of The Podcasters Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Thanks for joining me today on this episode. And, yeah, it's about auditing your podcast.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

And part of that process is learning about your listeners. So, before we get started into the meat of the episode, I want to learn from you. I'd love to hear what your feedback is. And really, that is the main theme of the episode. So, knowing your show and auditing your podcast comes down to knowing your listeners.

I'm doing a listener survey to learn more about you. This way, I can create more episodes with you in mind. What do you want to hear more of? What can I improve on? What do you actually not like to hear? You know, all the good stuff, all the feedback. And as a thank you for taking your time to share your thoughts. The survey is anonymous, but if you provide me your contact information, you'll be submitted to one entry to win a deck of my Voice Connection Cards. They'll give you a boost of compassion before you hit that record button. It's kind of like a little affirmation card deck for you.

Plus, I'll also throw in a 30-minute strategy session to talk to me about voice or podcasting and everything in between. So that's for you to choose. Kind of like a choose your own adventure session. You bring your questions and fire them at me, and I'll help support you on your voice and podcasting journey. So head on over to visiblevoicepodcast.com/offers, and on that page will be a link to the survey.

So, like I said, as part of the theme of this episode, you can also go through my listener survey. And yeah, use it for yourself, too. Why not? Go through the survey, fill it all out. But then you can use those questions as a template for your own listener survey, if you want. It's okay. You can steal my ideas, because point number one here, this whole episode, is to know your audience, your ideal listener. So let's get into that.

[MUSIC IN] Your ideal listener can change over time as your podcast evolves. I have a client who does a yearly survey, and I was like, that is amazing. Go you. Of course, she's got a team behind her, too, so she has that support. So for myself, as essentially one person show creating my podcast, I thought to put one out for years. And so I finally made the time to do that. And I truly believe it will help you understand your listeners and to help you grow your show.

Because I may have an idea of who my ideal listener is. That's a foundation that I take all of my clients on, is to create that ideal listener avatar, essentially. But it doesn't exactly mean that is who my current listener is. It's always good to check in and see how your listeners are evolving along with your show. You know, do you want to grow alongside them, or are you sticking with your ideal listener and gaining new listeners all the time to align with that creation? At some point, it'll be good for you to gather listener insights so that you can, A, validate what you're doing and give yourself a good pat on the back, and B, know what you can tweak so that you can serve those listeners and not abandon them. Through a survey you can also generate ideas for episodes because it's what they want, it's the challenges that they're working through. So how can you create an episode that is for your current listener in mind? Because remember, your show is not about you. It is about your listeners. What do they want and how do you want them to feel?

[MUSIC ENDS]

So point 2 here is, knowing your goal and what success looks like to you as well. There is one question I ask everyone, whether I work with them as a client or they are a guest on my show. So, if you've been listening to my show for a while and you've been following along, this is a question that comes up quite a bit.

What does success look like to you? Because knowing what you want out of your podcast will drive what you do with your podcast. Is your goal just to have a hobby, passion-based project podcast? Or is it used as a platform for creating a marketing space for your business or having listeners be aware of your brand?

A podcast is a great way to do that. It's an extension of who you are and your brand. Knowing these things will drive your show with part of that foundational work, you'll know exactly what little tweaks you want to make to be one step closer to that success that you're hoping for.

Now, success can also evolve over time. We are human, so we grow, and so will your podcast. What success looks like for you today may not be what you started out with or what will be success for you in the future. And, yeah, we can't predict the future, but we can make a plan for it. So let's do that.

[MUSIC IN]

Some powerful questions that I posed for one of my clients recently was around her solo episodes. Now, not just for this client, but a few of my clients actually say solos are really a big, heavy lift for a weekly show. Or you know what? Even a bi-weekly show, myself included sometimes. It seems easier to come up with the guests, make the invite, then ask those questions than to come up with the content yourself. Organize your thoughts and ideas, create your episode, record the whole thing. Right? Like, there's so, so much more going on to create that solo episode. And sometimes, because of that heavy lift, one would then lead to think, let's not do these anymore, and create more flow in the recording and publishing process. We can get more out if I don't have the stumbling block of my solo episodes. But my question is, what if you can create flow with your solos so that they are working for you and nothing against you? Because sometimes week after week of recording and publishing can get you out of the mindset of your podcast. And...]]>How do you make sure your show evolves along with your listener? As an independent podcast creator, chances are you wear a lot of hats. You're the host, of course, as well as the producer, the audio editor, the marketer, the designer… When you're so focused on doing all the things for your show, it can be easy to forget that your podcast isn't about you at all. It's about your listener.

Being a podcaster means you're responsible not just for putting out a show you think your ideal listener will connect with, but for diving deep into your current listener and making sure that your episodes evolve alongside them. In the last episode before the summer break, Mary takes you through the many steps she follows when she conducts a podcast audit, so that your show can evolve to serve your audience better.

Take these pro tips on a test drive to guide the evolution of your podcast:

  • How to learn more about your current and ideal listener
  • Why defining success is directly linked to podcast growth
  • How to evaluate your show, inside and out

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


Transcript:

[MUSIC IN - GHOSTHOOD FEATURING SARA AZRIEL "LET'S GO" BEGINS]

MARY: In podcasting, creating your show can feel so much about that overwhelm because of what the host does. Many shows are a one person show. So not only are you the host, but also the audio editor, the writer, the producer, showrunner, marketer, executive assistant, and the list really does just go on and on. But remember, your podcast is actually about your listener, not you.

Without your listeners, your podcast is basically a fancy place to leave yourself some voice notes. If that's what you're looking for, great. I mean, hit stop on this episode and move on. But if you want to grow alongside your podcast, you need to learn more about your listeners so that you can evolve along with them. So today we're getting into auditing your own podcast so that you can grow and learn from it.

This is episode 82 of The Podcasters Guide to a Visible Voice.

>

Thanks for joining me today on this episode. And, yeah, it's about auditing your podcast.

[INTRO MUSIC ENDS]

And part of that process is learning about your listeners. So, before we get started into the meat of the episode, I want to learn from you. I'd love to hear what your feedback is. And really, that is the main theme of the episode. So, knowing your show and auditing your podcast comes down to knowing your listeners.

I'm doing a listener survey to learn more about you. This way, I can create more episodes with you in mind. What do you want to hear more of? What can I improve on? What do you actually not like to hear? You know, all the good stuff, all the feedback. And as a thank you for taking your time to share your thoughts. The survey is anonymous, but if you provide me your contact information, you'll be submitted to one entry to win a deck of my Voice Connection Cards. They'll give you a boost of compassion before you hit that record button. It's kind of like a little affirmation card deck for you.

Plus, I'll also throw in a 30-minute strategy session to talk to me about voice or podcasting and everything in between. So that's for you to choose. Kind of like a choose your own adventure session. You bring your questions and fire them at me, and I'll help support you on your voice and podcasting journey. So head on over to visiblevoicepodcast.com/offers, and on that page will be a link to the survey.

So, like I said, as part of the theme of this episode, you can also go through my listener survey. And yeah, use it for yourself, too. Why not? Go through the survey, fill it all out. But then you can use those questions as a template for your own listener survey, if you want. It's okay. You can steal my ideas, because point number one here, this whole episode, is to know your audience, your ideal listener. So let's get into that.

[MUSIC IN] Your ideal listener can change over time as your podcast evolves. I have a client who does a yearly survey, and I was like, that is amazing. Go you. Of course, she's got a team behind her, too, so she has that support. So for myself, as essentially one person show creating my podcast, I thought to put one out for years. And so I finally made the time to do that. And I truly believe it will help you understand your listeners and to help you grow your show.

Because I may have an idea of who my ideal listener is. That's a foundation that I take all of my clients on, is to create that ideal listener avatar, essentially. But it doesn't exactly mean that is who my current listener is. It's always good to check in and see how your listeners are evolving along with your show. You know, do you want to grow alongside them, or are you sticking with your ideal listener and gaining new listeners all the time to align with that creation? At some point, it'll be good for you to gather listener insights so that you can, A, validate what you're doing and give yourself a good pat on the back, and B, know what you can tweak so that you can serve those listeners and not abandon them. Through a survey you can also generate ideas for episodes because it's what they want, it's the challenges that they're working through. So how can you create an episode that is for your current listener in mind? Because remember, your show is not about you. It is about your listeners. What do they want and how do you want them to feel?

[MUSIC ENDS]

So point 2 here is, knowing your goal and what success looks like to you as well. There is one question I ask everyone, whether I work with them as a client or they are a guest on my show. So, if you've been listening to my show for a while and you've been following along, this is a question that comes up quite a bit.

What does success look like to you? Because knowing what you want out of your podcast will drive what you do with your podcast. Is your goal just to have a hobby, passion-based project podcast? Or is it used as a platform for creating a marketing space for your business or having listeners be aware of your brand?

A podcast is a great way to do that. It's an extension of who you are and your brand. Knowing these things will drive your show with part of that foundational work, you'll know exactly what little tweaks you want to make to be one step closer to that success that you're hoping for.

Now, success can also evolve over time. We are human, so we grow, and so will your podcast. What success looks like for you today may not be what you started out with or what will be success for you in the future. And, yeah, we can't predict the future, but we can make a plan for it. So let's do that.

[MUSIC IN]

Some powerful questions that I posed for one of my clients recently was around her solo episodes. Now, not just for this client, but a few of my clients actually say solos are really a big, heavy lift for a weekly show. Or you know what? Even a bi-weekly show, myself included sometimes. It seems easier to come up with the guests, make the invite, then ask those questions than to come up with the content yourself. Organize your thoughts and ideas, create your episode, record the whole thing. Right? Like, there's so, so much more going on to create that solo episode. And sometimes, because of that heavy lift, one would then lead to think, let's not do these anymore, and create more flow in the recording and publishing process. We can get more out if I don't have the stumbling block of my solo episodes. But my question is, what if you can create flow with your solos so that they are working for you and nothing against you? Because sometimes week after week of recording and publishing can get you out of the mindset of your podcast. And again, back to that, what does that success look like for you?

Think about, why did you start the podcast in the beginning? What were some of those fundamental things that drew you to wanting to create solo episodes.

For this particular client, I think they lost sight about the reason behind the solos and how they wanted to structure them. Not only the structure of the episode itself, but also the structure of how they're used in the entire ecosystem of the show. She really wants to be a thought leader in her space, so you can't be a thought leader without imparting your opinion. And your opinion is really crucial in those solo episodes because it's just you in a conversational piece. The guest is doing all the talking. They're the expert. So you're not really showcasing your thought leadership when it's a fully interview style podcast.

So when reviewing reasons for why we created this structure or format with the solo episodes, there will be a clear direction on what that episode is supposed to do for you and for your listeners.

What are you aligning with your offer for this solo episode? What is the theme that you are working on with this particular episode, and does it align with the surrounding episodes before and after it? Are there ties to each episode for repetition? Because audio retention can only work with that repetition.

Things have to be repeated over and over again. Repetition is key, and if you feel like you're talking too much about it, you're not.

This is something that was drilled into me in radio as well. Because in radio, we may be talking about something constantly because people are coming in and out listening to the radio, and it is a similar thing in podcasting. You may feel like you're talking about it too much because maybe you're recording all your episodes back to back or within a very short time frame from one episode to the next. But know that your listeners will get these touch points over the course of several weeks, or a month, or longer, depending on how often you publish episodes.

So even if they are a raving fan and they are listening to you every single week, and you publish an episode every single week, that's only once or twice in an episode that you're going to mention this, which is only once or twice in a week that they are going to hear this messaging. So, repetition means you're actually not talking about it too much.

So when you go back to these foundational questions, you can then realize, okay, like for this particular client, are solo episodes really working out? And if you want to continue with them, how are we going to integrate it into the workflow of what you're doing with the entire podcasting ecosystem?

[MUSIC ENDS]

Now that we have the foundations laid out, let's also get into the details of a podcast audit. These are more questions that I would always go through when auditing a podcast.

First thing I'll look for is your title. Does your title still reflect your theme and mission for your show? Most of the time people are going to say yes, but if not, do you need to do a whole rebrand, including your artwork, your music, your show description? All of it? But yes, most of the time the title is still great and includes your main keywords of your theme. Then yay. Okay, let's move on.

[MUSIC IN]

Next is your artwork, or also known as your cover art. This is what everyone sees when they are listening to your podcast before they click play. It's almost like judging a book by its cover for new listeners, it's your cover art, your book cover, but it is also for existing listeners, for your fans.

Is it recognizable? If I scanned my podcast listening app with all the podcasts I follow, does your artwork stand out? At the very least, does it stand out in your category of choice? And at the very, very least, does it look good on a small scale?

That's my main question. Because no matter if you're a new listener or a raving fan coming back all the time, the title of your podcast needs to stand out. If you have a photo of you in your podcast artwork, great, that's totally fine. But not everybody is going to recognize your face. So it all comes down to the title, especially when it comes to word of mouth, when people are like, oh, I listened to this podcast. It's called, you know, XYZ. Can you read that title at a small scale? When it's tiny, tiny, tiny on your phone or device?

And not just the text font, but is there enough colour contrast that I can actually read the printhead even when it's big enough? Nothing's worse than having like, a lemon yellow as your brand color. But white is the background colour or secondary colour. You won't be able to read anything with yellow on a white background. There's just not enough contrast.

So this isn't only a brand thing, but it is also an accessibility feature too. So I always look at that and make sure that you're doing everyone a favour to make sure that people can read the title of your artwork and that it becomes recognizable.

[MUSIC ENDS]

For the next show level review, I go with show description right off the bat I want to know who this show is for. Remember, a podcast really works when it's niched down. So you're not talking to everyone on the planet that can listen to a podcast. Hey everyone, how are you doing today? But a very specific person.

When someone is new coming to your show and they scan through your show description, this is where they want to see themselves in that description. Your ideal listener is gonna come into play here. Who is your ideal listener? Let them know right here in the show description that this show is for them.

[MUSIC IN]

Visibility on platforms would be my next look on this audit. So not just where you yourself, as the podcast hosts, likes listening to shows, but what about all the other apps? What does your show look like on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon?

You know, I'm an Android user. I used to use Google Podcasts, but that's gone. Now I like to use Pocket Casts. That's my app of choice. Wherever your podcast listener can access your podcast, you gotta check there too. Such as, your website. That's another place that's huge on podcasts listening.

If you have multiple devices. Also check there. Like I said, I have an Android, but luckily I also have a used iPad in the house that my kiddo plays on and reads from and learns on and stuff. So I use that and check that as well.

So, for example, if you've ever made tweaks to your podcast title, artwork, show description, things like that, if you've made changes in the past, do all the places still look the same? Is your branding the same on all the different platforms? And if you're not on all the places, make sure your show gets listed on all the places. Yes, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, those are the top, but there's the other places too. Now, while you are on these platforms, don't just look on the show level. So all the things I've been talking about so far, the artwork, the description, the title of your show, we're going to look at the episode level as well.

When you click on an episode, you'll get to see your show notes. You get to see how everything is displayed. Does the podcast listening app use episode specific graphics? Do you use episode specific graphics as well? Also, most platforms these days do use hyperlinks in the show notes, but not all do. So are your links clickable? Like when you say the link is in the show notes, is it there available for them to go click, or is there another layer of friction for them to get to that episode link?

Also, does the platform have truncated text? So, this means that they will only show a certain amount of letters or characters in the show notes or episode description.

Sometimes some apps will actually truncate based on where you put in a paragraph. So if you have one line on its own as a paragraph, but they give you a lot more text to show you're missing out on that little bit of real estate. So don't use just one line as a paragraph on its own, but give it a good chunk of text so it doesn't get truncated just on that one line. And still on the show level now, you're going to look at the overall titles of each episode. Is there consistency on how you're naming them?

Meaning are you including or not including episode numbers? Do guest names come at the beginning or the end of titles? Are you even including guest names? Do your titles even have a good description of what your potential listener will be hearing? Episode titles are great for SEO points. This is a field where search engine optimization is crucial.

So this is another piece where more listeners will judge a book by its cover, meaning they will judge the episode based on the title, if I'm looking at a new show, I may listen to the latest episode, sure, but I will also scroll the episodes and see if any other titles jump out at me in terms of interest and then wanting to hit play on that one.

[MUSIC ENDS]

So, so far, woo, we've covered a lot. That's a big list, and I haven't even gotten to any of the actual listening parts of the podcast audit. So when you're finally listening to review your show, what is that experience like? Is the episode intro too long? If you listen to episodes back, to back, to back, to back, what's annoying to you that stands out? Or if you're listening while multitasking, do you have to turn up the volume to max on your device so you can hear your own voice? Is your voice rich and clear and full bodied?

And I'm not talking about like, understanding what you're saying in terms of accents or the way you're speaking, but the actual sound quality of it all. Do I have to strain to hear the sound of your voice? Is there too much background noise? It's the same with the guests.

So...]]>270b2ceb-696a-46b6-815d-a70356842810Mon, 08 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -070023:57falsefull8282Start a Ripple Effect of Continuous Learning with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 81Start a Ripple Effect of Continuous Learning with Beth Cougler BlomHow can activating your beginner's mind help you facilitate an authentic podcast experience? For many podcast hosts, the draw of creating a show is two-fold: we are eager to engage with and educate our listeners on topics we're passionate about, and we look forward to the personal learning and professional development our interviews and solo episodes can foster.

Beth Cougler Blom is a facilitator, learning designer, and author crafting impactful learning experiences for organizations making a difference in the world. She also funnels her passion for transformational learning into her own podcast, Facilitating on Purpose. In this episode, she and Mary discuss the challenges, joys, and vast potential of kicking "Instagram Perfect" to the curb and creating an authentic podcast.

Explore how your podcast facilitates learning for yourself and your community:

  • Facing down the fear of reaching out to potential guests
  • The benefits of receiving (and giving) listener feedback
  • Balancing vulnerability and professionalism in your episodes
  • Prioritizing the pursuit of greater inclusivity on your podcast

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Beth:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How can activating your beginner's mind help you facilitate an authentic podcast experience? For many podcast hosts, the draw of creating a show is two-fold: we are eager to engage with and educate our listeners on topics we're passionate about, and we look forward to the personal learning and professional development our interviews and solo episodes can foster.

Beth Cougler Blom is a facilitator, learning designer, and author crafting impactful learning experiences for organizations making a difference in the world. She also funnels her passion for transformational learning into her own podcast, Facilitating on Purpose. In this episode, she and Mary discuss the challenges, joys, and vast potential of kicking "Instagram Perfect" to the curb and creating an authentic podcast.

Explore how your podcast facilitates learning for yourself and your community:

  • Facing down the fear of reaching out to potential guests
  • The benefits of receiving (and giving) listener feedback
  • Balancing vulnerability and professionalism in your episodes
  • Prioritizing the pursuit of greater inclusivity on your podcast

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Beth:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>b7358b97-0b5f-42d9-82bb-8f7398d9da52Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -070039:57falsefull8181Level Up Your Listening Skills to Improve Your Podcast - EP 80Level Up Your Listening Skills to Improve Your PodcastHow has being a podcaster changed how you listen? There are plenty of ways AI can make podcasters' lives easier, but there's one human ability Mary firmly believes AI will never be able to replicate (or at least not for a very long time): true listening. We humans have the incredible potential to distill the emotional impact underlying the words a person speaks. Artificial intelligence bots, on the other hand, can only record the words themselves and "react" with whatever follow-up is programmed into their databanks.

As podcasters, we learn to hear and listen differently than other people. We hone in on the nuances in our guests' voices, which enables us to strengthen that shared connection in our interviews. We also pick up on background sounds that wiggle in around our recorded words, affecting the quality of our episodes in a big way. So, when you're podcasting—what are you listening for?

Explore the emotional nuances of the human voice:

  • The significant difference between listening and hearing

  • What's behind the "zoom-quality sound" fatigue we all experience

  • How deep and supportive listening can make you healthier


Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>How has being a podcaster changed how you listen? There are plenty of ways AI can make podcasters' lives easier, but there's one human ability Mary firmly believes AI will never be able to replicate (or at least not for a very long time): true listening. We humans have the incredible potential to distill the emotional impact underlying the words a person speaks. Artificial intelligence bots, on the other hand, can only record the words themselves and "react" with whatever follow-up is programmed into their databanks.

As podcasters, we learn to hear and listen differently than other people. We hone in on the nuances in our guests' voices, which enables us to strengthen that shared connection in our interviews. We also pick up on background sounds that wiggle in around our recorded words, affecting the quality of our episodes in a big way. So, when you're podcasting—what are you listening for?

Explore the emotional nuances of the human voice:

  • The significant difference between listening and hearing

  • What's behind the "zoom-quality sound" fatigue we all experience

  • How deep and supportive listening can make you healthier


Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Show Credits:


]]>e209cf3b-8c3b-4af9-85a9-75ccd2974e81Mon, 10 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -070023:35falsefull8080Making Accessibility Possible in Podcasting with Joel McKinnon - EP 79Making Accessibility Possible in Podcasting with Joel McKinnonHow can we make sure your podcast is accessible to everyone? Everyone in the podcasting world is talking about accessibility these days, as more and more platforms release improved transcription services aimed at making the process easier for creators and meeting growing expectations around equitable access. Of course, AI tools are leading this charge, and simply publishing whatever that tool spits out—misspelled guest names, garbled industry terms, and all—just doesn't cut it.

Joel McKinnon is a podcaster and an accessibility engineer—the ideal expert to discuss the future of podcasting accessibility. The creator of two podcasts and a rock opera, Joel turns his expertise to exploring the future role of AI in all things podcasting and websites. He has an inspiring take on striking a balance between making the most of robot efficiency and maintaining that essential humanity.

Gaze off into the fantastic future of podcasting and explore:

  • The quickly changing accessibility landscape of podcasting
  • How to incorporate equitable access into every layer of your podcast
  • How to efficiently and effectively manage the extensive podcast-creation workflow

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Joel:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>How can we make sure your podcast is accessible to everyone? Everyone in the podcasting world is talking about accessibility these days, as more and more platforms release improved transcription services aimed at making the process easier for creators and meeting growing expectations around equitable access. Of course, AI tools are leading this charge, and simply publishing whatever that tool spits out—misspelled guest names, garbled industry terms, and all—just doesn't cut it.

Joel McKinnon is a podcaster and an accessibility engineer—the ideal expert to discuss the future of podcasting accessibility. The creator of two podcasts and a rock opera, Joel turns his expertise to exploring the future role of AI in all things podcasting and websites. He has an inspiring take on striking a balance between making the most of robot efficiency and maintaining that essential humanity.

Gaze off into the fantastic future of podcasting and explore:

  • The quickly changing accessibility landscape of podcasting
  • How to incorporate equitable access into every layer of your podcast
  • How to efficiently and effectively manage the extensive podcast-creation workflow

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Joel:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>daf205ce-9755-488c-b870-6e912ae7a2bfMon, 27 May 2024 09:00:00 -070034:40falsefull7979Podcast Transcripts and the Future of Accessible Audio - EP 78Podcast Transcripts and the Future of Accessible AudioHow can transcripts positively impact your podcast? Podcasts have always had an audio-first following, but as-is, audio isn't accessible for everyone. In the wake of Apple Podcasts' announcement to begin including transcripts with their latest update, it seems likely other platforms will begin to follow suit. This raises an important question for podcast creators: is it worth preparing transcripts for each of your episodes?

After two years of exploring transcripts for her and her clients' productions, Mary dives into their potential to transform both creator and listener experiences. You'll hear (or read!) about everything from SEO (search engine optimization) and AI to the proven benefits of many other accessibility initiatives. If you've been considering taking the leap and creating text alternatives for your episodes, or you want tips on fine-tuning your transcript process, add this episode to your queue.

Get a better grasp on how transcripts can impact your show:

  • Why are platforms making the move to include transcripts?
  • How can transcripts improve the podcast experience for both creators and listeners?
  • What are the professionals doing to make sure their transcripts perform?

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>How can transcripts positively impact your podcast? Podcasts have always had an audio-first following, but as-is, audio isn't accessible for everyone. In the wake of Apple Podcasts' announcement to begin including transcripts with their latest update, it seems likely other platforms will begin to follow suit. This raises an important question for podcast creators: is it worth preparing transcripts for each of your episodes?

After two years of exploring transcripts for her and her clients' productions, Mary dives into their potential to transform both creator and listener experiences. You'll hear (or read!) about everything from SEO (search engine optimization) and AI to the proven benefits of many other accessibility initiatives. If you've been considering taking the leap and creating text alternatives for your episodes, or you want tips on fine-tuning your transcript process, add this episode to your queue.

Get a better grasp on how transcripts can impact your show:

  • Why are platforms making the move to include transcripts?
  • How can transcripts improve the podcast experience for both creators and listeners?
  • What are the professionals doing to make sure their transcripts perform?

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>7fca09d1-d11f-427c-a2b8-1e6459113bebMon, 13 May 2024 09:00:00 -070019:23falsefull7878Why We Need To Highlight Our Humanity In Podcasting with Erin Moon – Episode 77Why We Need To Highlight Our Humanity In Podcasting with Erin MoonHow do you bring your humanity to your podcast? Sharing your voice isn't always easy. Factor in the painstaking writing of your script or copy, all those edits and revisions, and some nerves about speaking into the mic, and even the most heartfelt story can wind up either flat and unemotional or encased in that "reporter voice" from the dawn of radio.

Unlock some podcasting inspiration through this conversation with Erin Moon, a classically trained actor who has narrated more than 450 audiobooks. To deliver the sincere and evocative narration for which she's known, Erin centers her humanity in every character she adopts, embracing both the muse that first inspired the author and the physical reactions—the literal human responses—the writing evokes. Because connecting to the text means connecting to the listener and, as Erin says, "we don't exist without each other."

Align your true self with Erin's thought-provoking insights:

  • Why it's vital to bring your humanity even when you're reading off the page
  • How to avoid "just reading" as a podcast host or audiobook narrator
  • What the explosion of podcast popularity says about our need for connection
  • What we risk losing if we let AI voice our stories and write our scripts

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Erin:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>How do you bring your humanity to your podcast? Sharing your voice isn't always easy. Factor in the painstaking writing of your script or copy, all those edits and revisions, and some nerves about speaking into the mic, and even the most heartfelt story can wind up either flat and unemotional or encased in that "reporter voice" from the dawn of radio.

Unlock some podcasting inspiration through this conversation with Erin Moon, a classically trained actor who has narrated more than 450 audiobooks. To deliver the sincere and evocative narration for which she's known, Erin centers her humanity in every character she adopts, embracing both the muse that first inspired the author and the physical reactions—the literal human responses—the writing evokes. Because connecting to the text means connecting to the listener and, as Erin says, "we don't exist without each other."

Align your true self with Erin's thought-provoking insights:

  • Why it's vital to bring your humanity even when you're reading off the page
  • How to avoid "just reading" as a podcast host or audiobook narrator
  • What the explosion of podcast popularity says about our need for connection
  • What we risk losing if we let AI voice our stories and write our scripts

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Erin:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>f730f029-5770-4da9-8254-ed13d1ab0011Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -070044:24falsefull7777Audiobook Inspiration to Master Your Microphone - EP 76Audiobook Inspiration to Master Your MicrophoneWhat's the connection between audiobooks and podcasts? You already know the right tone and voice is essential for building a connection with your listeners. It just makes sense, then, that you can turn to different kinds of audio media for inspiration when looking to further hone your skills behind the mic. Take, for example, audiobooks.

Especially in the last year or so, the connection between audiobooks and podcasts has expanded beyond the shared audio medium. Platforms like Spotify are putting a lot of their chips on audiobooks, and podcasters need to start considering this angle more closely from a marketing perspective. Luckily, plenty of the takeaways Mary has gleaned over years of working in the biz of spoken audio apply to both podcast and audiobook narration, and in this episode, she's sharing her tips.

Uncover the secrets to speaking more engagingly no matter which spoken audio platform you use:

  • The importance of nailing down your tone and style
  • Why recording an audiobook isn't just "reading your own words"
  • How to make your audio listeners feel as seen as your print audience
  • Why you don't have to read your book word-for-word

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>What's the connection between audiobooks and podcasts? You already know the right tone and voice is essential for building a connection with your listeners. It just makes sense, then, that you can turn to different kinds of audio media for inspiration when looking to further hone your skills behind the mic. Take, for example, audiobooks.

Especially in the last year or so, the connection between audiobooks and podcasts has expanded beyond the shared audio medium. Platforms like Spotify are putting a lot of their chips on audiobooks, and podcasters need to start considering this angle more closely from a marketing perspective. Luckily, plenty of the takeaways Mary has gleaned over years of working in the biz of spoken audio apply to both podcast and audiobook narration, and in this episode, she's sharing her tips.

Uncover the secrets to speaking more engagingly no matter which spoken audio platform you use:

  • The importance of nailing down your tone and style
  • Why recording an audiobook isn't just "reading your own words"
  • How to make your audio listeners feel as seen as your print audience
  • Why you don't have to read your book word-for-word

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>d54c37d5-2fa6-453c-984c-c3b29c11c546Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -070020:56falsefull7676Writing For Your Podcast with Shannon Kirk - EP 75Writing For Your Podcast with Shannon KirkHow do you create the written content for your podcast? You've probably heard actors say that they can't bring themselves to watch their own films. As a podcast host, maybe you relate to the cringe factor that comes from listening to your episodes after you've recorded them, but if you've decided to write episode-accompanying blog posts and show notes yourself, you don't have that luxury—you have to tune back in. And if you don't consider yourself A Writer, this process can feel a bit overwhelming.

Shannon Kirk is the writer behind the blogs and show notes for the podcasts Mary produces. She shares what goes into crafting the written portion of a podcast episode. From engaging in active listening while taking notes to preserving the parts of speech that are essential to your authentic voice, she and Mary discuss professional writer tricks and tips to help you create captivating blogs and show notes that add a readable and search-friendly layer to your audio offerings.

Build confidence in your podcast's written components:

  • Why you need to listen to your episodes from a listener's perspective
  • The benefits of a set template and process to guide your posts
  • Why you shouldn't edit the charming "you-isms" out of your written words
  • How to hook your reader in your show notes

Links worth mentioning from the episode:

  • Ologies Malacology (Snails & Slugs) episode - https://www.alieward.com/ologies/malacology

Connect with Shannon:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>How do you create the written content for your podcast? You've probably heard actors say that they can't bring themselves to watch their own films. As a podcast host, maybe you relate to the cringe factor that comes from listening to your episodes after you've recorded them, but if you've decided to write episode-accompanying blog posts and show notes yourself, you don't have that luxury—you have to tune back in. And if you don't consider yourself A Writer, this process can feel a bit overwhelming.

Shannon Kirk is the writer behind the blogs and show notes for the podcasts Mary produces. She shares what goes into crafting the written portion of a podcast episode. From engaging in active listening while taking notes to preserving the parts of speech that are essential to your authentic voice, she and Mary discuss professional writer tricks and tips to help you create captivating blogs and show notes that add a readable and search-friendly layer to your audio offerings.

Build confidence in your podcast's written components:

  • Why you need to listen to your episodes from a listener's perspective
  • The benefits of a set template and process to guide your posts
  • Why you shouldn't edit the charming "you-isms" out of your written words
  • How to hook your reader in your show notes

Links worth mentioning from the episode:

  • Ologies Malacology (Snails & Slugs) episode - https://www.alieward.com/ologies/malacology

Connect with Shannon:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>a46331ae-b110-479e-8c35-2ce922de76a7Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -070043:24falsefull7575Better Writing For Podcasting: Takeaways From Radio School - EP 74Better Writing For Podcasting: Takeaways From Radio SchoolHow do you write for your podcast when you're "not a writer"? A lot of podcast hosts are drawn to the audio medium because they have always felt they can express themselves better and more easily through speaking than through writing. In this episode, Mary shares how a lackluster introduction to writing in her youth spurred her into radio—she wanted to speak instead of write! Then, she discovered that radio and podcasting still call for a fair bit of writing.

Facing that demon created the a-ha moment that led Mary to fine-tune a writing-for-speaking approach that works and doesn't leave you dreading every keystroke. Your podcast writing doesn't have to be clunky, like grammatically correct prose so often sounds when read aloud. If you use your awesome speaking skills to craft your written words, then the writing you need to do for audio projects can elevate your creation and enable you to speak with spirit.

Let Mary talk you through these podcast writing insights:

  • Why using both sides of your brain results in your most authentic podcast writing
  • How intentional brain dumps and organization can relieve that writing stress
  • One word you should always use to captivate your target audience
  • Why writing for your podcast is freeing rather than restricting

Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>How do you write for your podcast when you're "not a writer"? A lot of podcast hosts are drawn to the audio medium because they have always felt they can express themselves better and more easily through speaking than through writing. In this episode, Mary shares how a lackluster introduction to writing in her youth spurred her into radio—she wanted to speak instead of write! Then, she discovered that radio and podcasting still call for a fair bit of writing.

Facing that demon created the a-ha moment that led Mary to fine-tune a writing-for-speaking approach that works and doesn't leave you dreading every keystroke. Your podcast writing doesn't have to be clunky, like grammatically correct prose so often sounds when read aloud. If you use your awesome speaking skills to craft your written words, then the writing you need to do for audio projects can elevate your creation and enable you to speak with spirit.

Let Mary talk you through these podcast writing insights:

  • Why using both sides of your brain results in your most authentic podcast writing
  • How intentional brain dumps and organization can relieve that writing stress
  • One word you should always use to captivate your target audience
  • Why writing for your podcast is freeing rather than restricting

Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>fdf8fc78-a7cc-453f-b2fb-71b24ff23506Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -070021:15falsefull7474Crafting a Consistent Brand Story with Brigitte Bojkowszky - EP 73Crafting a Consistent Brand Story with Brigitte BojkowszkyHow does branding tie into your podcast? As a podcast host, figuring out how to communicate why your episodes are worth listening to is one of your most important tasks. Downloads are nice and all, but it's the strength of your brand—and really nailing down how you want your listener to feel—that encourages them to earmark some of their extremely valuable time for listening to your show. This is what truly sets you apart from the competition.

Dr. Brigitte Bojkowszky is a brand strategist and educator with more than 20 years of experience in her field, and she's also a podcast host herself! She joins Mary to chat all things branding, marketing, and the audio experience. They cover everything from what the potential podcaster needs to consider before pressing record to the importance of consistency and accessibility across every iteration of your brand voice.

Discover Brigitte's secret sauce for successful brand integration:

  • Why knowing your values is essential to building your brand and your podcast
  • When a podcast isn't the right move for your business
  • What to ask yourself before you launch your show
  • How the interplay between your podcast and AI is like music

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Brigitte:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>How does branding tie into your podcast? As a podcast host, figuring out how to communicate why your episodes are worth listening to is one of your most important tasks. Downloads are nice and all, but it's the strength of your brand—and really nailing down how you want your listener to feel—that encourages them to earmark some of their extremely valuable time for listening to your show. This is what truly sets you apart from the competition.

Dr. Brigitte Bojkowszky is a brand strategist and educator with more than 20 years of experience in her field, and she's also a podcast host herself! She joins Mary to chat all things branding, marketing, and the audio experience. They cover everything from what the potential podcaster needs to consider before pressing record to the importance of consistency and accessibility across every iteration of your brand voice.

Discover Brigitte's secret sauce for successful brand integration:

  • Why knowing your values is essential to building your brand and your podcast
  • When a podcast isn't the right move for your business
  • What to ask yourself before you launch your show
  • How the interplay between your podcast and AI is like music

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Brigitte:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>6bd3856c-abfc-49a6-9a1b-3fa6c14f92bdMon, 04 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -070040:17falsefull7373Speak With Spirit: Stop Editing Out Your Authentic Voice - EP 72Speak With Spirit: Stop Editing Out Your Authentic VoiceThe 2024 podcasting season is gearing up to be an exciting one, with lots of changes on the horizon. New ventures like YouTube integration have raised this huge existential question—what is a podcast? And while this fresh take brings up questions of video components, RSS feeds, and more—at the end of the day, the road forward for podcasting is still paved with audio-first emotional connection.

In this episode, Mary ties her year-end 2023 values into the exciting future of this innovative medium, underscoring the power and necessity of remaining authentic and captivating as we use our voices to share our unique stories with the world.

Discover practical tips and the nuances of creating a captivating podcast:

  • How video integration continues to blur the lines around podcasting
  • The importance of uncovering the full potential of your heart voice
  • Why you should embrace (and not edit out) the filler words you speak aloud

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>The 2024 podcasting season is gearing up to be an exciting one, with lots of changes on the horizon. New ventures like YouTube integration have raised this huge existential question—what is a podcast? And while this fresh take brings up questions of video components, RSS feeds, and more—at the end of the day, the road forward for podcasting is still paved with audio-first emotional connection.

In this episode, Mary ties her year-end 2023 values into the exciting future of this innovative medium, underscoring the power and necessity of remaining authentic and captivating as we use our voices to share our unique stories with the world.

Discover practical tips and the nuances of creating a captivating podcast:

  • How video integration continues to blur the lines around podcasting
  • The importance of uncovering the full potential of your heart voice
  • Why you should embrace (and not edit out) the filler words you speak aloud

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>845361e6-15e9-4c69-9f84-589109767d26Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -070023:11falsefull7272Celebrating with Values to Nourish Your Podcast - Year End Break - EP 71Celebrating with Values to Nourish Your Podcast - Year End BreakWhat values are at the heart of your podcast? As 2023 draws to a close, most of us are preparing for some kind of annual review, whether it's for our business or our personal lives. When you're looking back on your professional or family values and how they showed up this year, don't forget your podcast!

With all those moving parts, your show is almost like a business in and of itself. That means it deserves its own values. In the final episode of the year, Mary explores how to identify those values and incorporate them into every fibre of your podcast. This is a great way to make sure your show keeps striking the most authentic note, for you and your listeners, in every single episode of 2024!

Mary's tips for aligning your podcast's vision show you:

  • A step-by-step method to figure out the feelings your podcast evokes
  • Tricks to really hone in on your most essential values
  • How to keep your podcast values front and centre throughout the year

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>What values are at the heart of your podcast? As 2023 draws to a close, most of us are preparing for some kind of annual review, whether it's for our business or our personal lives. When you're looking back on your professional or family values and how they showed up this year, don't forget your podcast!

With all those moving parts, your show is almost like a business in and of itself. That means it deserves its own values. In the final episode of the year, Mary explores how to identify those values and incorporate them into every fibre of your podcast. This is a great way to make sure your show keeps striking the most authentic note, for you and your listeners, in every single episode of 2024!

Mary's tips for aligning your podcast's vision show you:

  • A step-by-step method to figure out the feelings your podcast evokes
  • Tricks to really hone in on your most essential values
  • How to keep your podcast values front and centre throughout the year

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>1239830f-6dc1-4e6a-99b8-34d76c3bcf5fMon, 18 Dec 2023 17:00:00 -070017:11falsefull7171How to Use Research and Reports to Guide Your Podcast with Megan Dougherty - EP 70How to Use Research and Reports to Guide Your Podcast with Megan DoughertyHow does a report full of podcast stats make you feel? Chances are, you either pore over every page or close the tab, afraid those nasty numbers will tell you things you don't want to know! Lucky for all of us podcasters out there, Megan Dougherty—a brilliant digital marketing strategist, podcast producer, and creator of the State of Business Podcasting Report—is here to break down how to really get the most out of these statistics.

The great news is, if you take them as gentle nudges instead of mandatory prescriptions, all those pie charts and bar graphs offer awesome guidance (and validation!) as you fine-tune and fire up your podcast. Megan's informed and lighthearted approach to this year's intel banishes the statistics scaries, empowering you to balance your creative passion with some firm data that could make a big difference in 2024.

Get ready to uncover what the numbers have to say about:

  • Why it's time to revisit your approach to your show's hook
  • What it takes to establish yourself as a thought leader
  • How to navigate video and social media without the overwhelm
  • Where to change your approach so you can see more podcast success

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Megan:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>How does a report full of podcast stats make you feel? Chances are, you either pore over every page or close the tab, afraid those nasty numbers will tell you things you don't want to know! Lucky for all of us podcasters out there, Megan Dougherty—a brilliant digital marketing strategist, podcast producer, and creator of the State of Business Podcasting Report—is here to break down how to really get the most out of these statistics.

The great news is, if you take them as gentle nudges instead of mandatory prescriptions, all those pie charts and bar graphs offer awesome guidance (and validation!) as you fine-tune and fire up your podcast. Megan's informed and lighthearted approach to this year's intel banishes the statistics scaries, empowering you to balance your creative passion with some firm data that could make a big difference in 2024.

Get ready to uncover what the numbers have to say about:

  • Why it's time to revisit your approach to your show's hook
  • What it takes to establish yourself as a thought leader
  • How to navigate video and social media without the overwhelm
  • Where to change your approach so you can see more podcast success

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Megan:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>5af0dbc3-ce0e-47c6-9242-48a8178f6a6aMon, 04 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -070037:03falsefull7070Intangible Values of a Podcast: What It Means For Stats, Metrics, and Monetization - EP 69Intangible Values of a Podcast: What It Means For Stats, Metrics, and MonetizationWhat metrics are you using to measure your podcast's success? Podcasting is a fantastic business marketing option. It's a uniquely transparent and personal way to showcase your thought leadership, your services, and your authentic self—all without having to style your hair. Like any marketing strategy, podcasters inevitably want to see how successful their show is, and it's understandable that they turn to popular metrics like downloads to figure this out.

In this episode, Mary breaks down why traditional advertising-focused stats might not be the best pick for independent podcasters. Instead, she suggests exploring value-based metrics like evidence of audience trust and indirect benefits to your business. These values, while harder to measure, tend to create a more telling picture of just how successful your podcast truly is.

Discover hard-hitting tips that will reveal your podcast's full impact:

  • The harder-to-measure values that matter as much or more than "vanity metrics"
  • How building your credibility helps increase your publicity
  • The very real action your calls to action can ignite
  • How to combine traditional metrics and meaningful values for comprehensive proof of your podcast's success

Links worth mentioning from the episode:

Full Funnel Effectiveness, report by Acast - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gnqXjNlAqTyKqRm4GYevBmAr3TcoTB41/view?usp=drivesdk

Fun for Advertisers Across the Funnel, Canadian Listeners report by Acast - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1apIE5MIxV6aYYWxIIyqeOmT9S990VUwJ/view?usp=drivesdk

Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>What metrics are you using to measure your podcast's success? Podcasting is a fantastic business marketing option. It's a uniquely transparent and personal way to showcase your thought leadership, your services, and your authentic self—all without having to style your hair. Like any marketing strategy, podcasters inevitably want to see how successful their show is, and it's understandable that they turn to popular metrics like downloads to figure this out.

In this episode, Mary breaks down why traditional advertising-focused stats might not be the best pick for independent podcasters. Instead, she suggests exploring value-based metrics like evidence of audience trust and indirect benefits to your business. These values, while harder to measure, tend to create a more telling picture of just how successful your podcast truly is.

Discover hard-hitting tips that will reveal your podcast's full impact:

  • The harder-to-measure values that matter as much or more than "vanity metrics"
  • How building your credibility helps increase your publicity
  • The very real action your calls to action can ignite
  • How to combine traditional metrics and meaningful values for comprehensive proof of your podcast's success

Links worth mentioning from the episode:

Full Funnel Effectiveness, report by Acast - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gnqXjNlAqTyKqRm4GYevBmAr3TcoTB41/view?usp=drivesdk

Fun for Advertisers Across the Funnel, Canadian Listeners report by Acast - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1apIE5MIxV6aYYWxIIyqeOmT9S990VUwJ/view?usp=drivesdk

Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>a1693619-94f0-4981-b32b-3cf603574ae6Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -070015:57falsefull6969Find Your Purpose and Impact with Podcasting with Shobna Kannusamy - EP 68Find Your Purpose and Impact with Podcasting with Shobna KannusamyHow well do you know your ideal podcast listener? If you can figure out—like, really, deeply identify—the purpose of your podcast and who you're creating it for, you'll discover the huge impact this can have on your show's success; it helps make every part super cohesive, from selecting your guests and topics, to reaching your ideal audience, to achieving personal growth along the way.

Multi-hyphenate entrepreneur Shobna Kannusamy has experienced all these benefits firsthand while creating her podcast, Colour Me Brave, where she amplifies the voices of women of colour through conversations that dive into their diverse experiences with identity, culture, and connection.

In this episode, Shobna explains how getting really deep into determining her show's purpose has fostered the safe space she set out to establish for the women she speaks with, her podcast listeners, and herself. She shares her experience of building out a super tangible, relatable, and complex ideal listener and the ways this has helped her leave the fear of judgment behind to focus on authenticity and impact in her newest passion project.

Consider how your own identity and culture influence your show as we explore:

  • The impact your values and personal experiences have on your podcast voice
  • How creating a strong ideal listener profile is directly connected to a stronger podcast and audience
  • Navigating your fears and expectations around creating your show
  • Why you can stop worrying so much about how many people are listening

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Shobna:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>How well do you know your ideal podcast listener? If you can figure out—like, really, deeply identify—the purpose of your podcast and who you're creating it for, you'll discover the huge impact this can have on your show's success; it helps make every part super cohesive, from selecting your guests and topics, to reaching your ideal audience, to achieving personal growth along the way.

Multi-hyphenate entrepreneur Shobna Kannusamy has experienced all these benefits firsthand while creating her podcast, Colour Me Brave, where she amplifies the voices of women of colour through conversations that dive into their diverse experiences with identity, culture, and connection.

In this episode, Shobna explains how getting really deep into determining her show's purpose has fostered the safe space she set out to establish for the women she speaks with, her podcast listeners, and herself. She shares her experience of building out a super tangible, relatable, and complex ideal listener and the ways this has helped her leave the fear of judgment behind to focus on authenticity and impact in her newest passion project.

Consider how your own identity and culture influence your show as we explore:

  • The impact your values and personal experiences have on your podcast voice
  • How creating a strong ideal listener profile is directly connected to a stronger podcast and audience
  • Navigating your fears and expectations around creating your show
  • Why you can stop worrying so much about how many people are listening

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Shobna:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>decd2a35-0ce5-4a78-aa12-beeaebf1e230Mon, 06 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -070042:47falsefull6868Organic Discovery for Podcasts - EP 67Organic Discovery for PodcastsHow are you helping new listeners discover your podcast? When the news dropped that Google Podcasts would be shutting down in early 2024 (RIP), the industry was a-buzz. Google's upcoming relocation of podcasts to YouTube Music will mean impactful changes for podcast creators, but those changes don't have to be negative!

Mary breaks down what was great about Google Podcasts and how you can make sure your show's organic discovery doesn't suffer in this shift. You'll want to save this episode for future reference—it's packed with tons of practical suggestions!

Ready to future-proof your podcast? Mary shares her insights on:

  • The perks that came with Google Podcasts, for creators and listeners
  • Why you'll want to get your podcast on YouTube if it isn't already
  • What the stats say—is video killing the podcast star?
  • How to increase your organic discovery, including some SEO insights!

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>How are you helping new listeners discover your podcast? When the news dropped that Google Podcasts would be shutting down in early 2024 (RIP), the industry was a-buzz. Google's upcoming relocation of podcasts to YouTube Music will mean impactful changes for podcast creators, but those changes don't have to be negative!

Mary breaks down what was great about Google Podcasts and how you can make sure your show's organic discovery doesn't suffer in this shift. You'll want to save this episode for future reference—it's packed with tons of practical suggestions!

Ready to future-proof your podcast? Mary shares her insights on:

  • The perks that came with Google Podcasts, for creators and listeners
  • Why you'll want to get your podcast on YouTube if it isn't already
  • What the stats say—is video killing the podcast star?
  • How to increase your organic discovery, including some SEO insights!

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>33fce6ea-146e-4dd4-86d2-060de1be9ad0Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -070020:15falsefull6767Continuous Improvement as a Podcaster with Christian Klepp - EP 66Continuous Improvement as a Podcaster with Christian KleppIn our rapidly changing, heavily digitized world, we need to level up our skills and improve or we run the risk of being left behind. This very fact led Christian Klepp, the co-founder of EINBLICK Consulting, to launch his podcast, B2B Marketers on a Mission, to help fellow marketers improve and succeed.

In his role as a podcast host, Christian continuously applies the growth mindset he teaches. Whether you're just planning your foray into podcasting or you're well-established and looking to level up your abilities, his experiences are sure to resonate with you and inform your own podcasting journey!

You'll want to take notes on Christian's podcasting insights:

  • The importance of getting clear on your podcast's raison d'être
  • An unorthodox method of getting inspiration from other podcasts
  • Actionable tips for improving your hosting and interviewing skills
  • How to approach getting your podcast in front of your ideal audience

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Christian Klepp:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>In our rapidly changing, heavily digitized world, we need to level up our skills and improve or we run the risk of being left behind. This very fact led Christian Klepp, the co-founder of EINBLICK Consulting, to launch his podcast, B2B Marketers on a Mission, to help fellow marketers improve and succeed.

In his role as a podcast host, Christian continuously applies the growth mindset he teaches. Whether you're just planning your foray into podcasting or you're well-established and looking to level up your abilities, his experiences are sure to resonate with you and inform your own podcasting journey!

You'll want to take notes on Christian's podcasting insights:

  • The importance of getting clear on your podcast's raison d'être
  • An unorthodox method of getting inspiration from other podcasts
  • Actionable tips for improving your hosting and interviewing skills
  • How to approach getting your podcast in front of your ideal audience

Links worth mentioning from the episode:


Engage with Christian Klepp:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>8b440420-c873-4786-8b62-b2393dfb6947Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -070036:00falsefull6666Healing Wounds: You Are Worthy of Being a Podcaster - EP 65Healing Wounds: You Are Worthy of Being a PodcasterEveryone has that Inner Voice—you know, the one that pipes up now and then to say you aren't worthy enough, your ideas aren't worthy enough, to share with the world or on your podcast. Mary has had her own struggle with that negative dialogue, and, to this day, it can sneak in to cast uncertainty on this very podcast. The good news is the process for shifting that inner voice into positive energy, the kind that will fuel your podcasting endeavours, can start right now!

We're going to get emotional as we dive into:

  • Why it's so important to make time for reflecting on your podcast
  • How to accept the inner voice that questions our worthiness and transform its message
  • What solo episodes can offer your listener and why they're so important
  • A few tools for digging deeper into recognizing your worth

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>Everyone has that Inner Voice—you know, the one that pipes up now and then to say you aren't worthy enough, your ideas aren't worthy enough, to share with the world or on your podcast. Mary has had her own struggle with that negative dialogue, and, to this day, it can sneak in to cast uncertainty on this very podcast. The good news is the process for shifting that inner voice into positive energy, the kind that will fuel your podcasting endeavours, can start right now!

We're going to get emotional as we dive into:

  • Why it's so important to make time for reflecting on your podcast
  • How to accept the inner voice that questions our worthiness and transform its message
  • What solo episodes can offer your listener and why they're so important
  • A few tools for digging deeper into recognizing your worth

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>21d0cb6c-9bd0-44e8-9bde-e8d559f4d8e2Mon, 25 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -070014:43falsefull6565Share Your Story To Help Others - Summer Break - EP 64Share Your Story To Help Others - Summer BreakYour story is yours to share and it can serve a bigger purpose for your listener - it could change their whole world. Getting personal about your stories and experiences can make your listeners feel included, seen, and heard. Even if you prefer to avoid the spotlight, keep in mind that your podcast isn't about you. It's about what you can bring to the table through your lived experience. Being vulnerable enough to share a glimpse into what has made you, you, helps build a real connection with your listeners. What will you say today that will help someone else tomorrow?

Share Your Story By:

  • Understanding why getting outside of yourself and your worries will broaden your relatability
  • Knowing what level of intimacy to share in your stories
  • Creating awareness around how even the smallest story could have a real impact on your listener.

Links to Explore From This Episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>Your story is yours to share and it can serve a bigger purpose for your listener - it could change their whole world. Getting personal about your stories and experiences can make your listeners feel included, seen, and heard. Even if you prefer to avoid the spotlight, keep in mind that your podcast isn't about you. It's about what you can bring to the table through your lived experience. Being vulnerable enough to share a glimpse into what has made you, you, helps build a real connection with your listeners. What will you say today that will help someone else tomorrow?

Share Your Story By:

  • Understanding why getting outside of yourself and your worries will broaden your relatability
  • Knowing what level of intimacy to share in your stories
  • Creating awareness around how even the smallest story could have a real impact on your listener.

Links to Explore From This Episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>6c2f1907-f623-417e-be19-848aba482740Mon, 10 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -070018:33falsefull6464Permission to Speak to Redefine the Sound of Power with Samara Bay - EP 63Permission to Speak to Redefine the Sound of Power with Samara BayThe voice you have today is not the same voice you were born with. The things you experience and the media you're exposed to, all contribute to how you sound and frame what your idea of a powerful voice "should" sound like. But when you step out of the parameters set by culture, and abandon the idea of sounding "professional" you will discover that true power in your voice.

Today's episode is a revolution in how to think about your voice with Samara Bay, author of "Permission to Speak". We nerd out on redefining what power sounds like, why other people's voices and words impact your own voice, and what you can do to shift that narrative. Speaking with our "heart voice", we dare you to consider what it would be like to have a different, more empowering relationship with your voice.

Listen in as we break down the new sound of power including:

  • How to authentically show up and be taken seriously
  • Owning the words coming out of your mouth
  • The importance of audaciously choosing to sound like you

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Samara Bay:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>The voice you have today is not the same voice you were born with. The things you experience and the media you're exposed to, all contribute to how you sound and frame what your idea of a powerful voice "should" sound like. But when you step out of the parameters set by culture, and abandon the idea of sounding "professional" you will discover that true power in your voice.

Today's episode is a revolution in how to think about your voice with Samara Bay, author of "Permission to Speak". We nerd out on redefining what power sounds like, why other people's voices and words impact your own voice, and what you can do to shift that narrative. Speaking with our "heart voice", we dare you to consider what it would be like to have a different, more empowering relationship with your voice.

Listen in as we break down the new sound of power including:

  • How to authentically show up and be taken seriously
  • Owning the words coming out of your mouth
  • The importance of audaciously choosing to sound like you

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Samara Bay:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>05f191e5-aa97-4bbe-9b11-6e417f623929Mon, 26 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -070041:03falsefull6363How To Land Someone From Your Dream Guest List - EP 62How To Land Someone From Your Dream Guest ListReaching out to potential guests to appear on your podcast, especially those on your dream guest list, can feel overwhelming. Where do you start to create the perfect email so that they'll open up your email and say, "Yes!" Listen in as I unveil my blueprint for reaching out to potential guests so they'll want to be on your show. Plus, make sure you stay until the end of the episode because you'll hear a real life example of an email that was sent off, so you'll see how this all works in real life.

Key points from this episode:

  • The step-by-step formula for creating the perfect reach-out email

  • How to make your dream guest jump at the chance to be a guest on your show

  • Why a relaxed follow-up is important


Links to Explore From This Episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>Reaching out to potential guests to appear on your podcast, especially those on your dream guest list, can feel overwhelming. Where do you start to create the perfect email so that they'll open up your email and say, "Yes!" Listen in as I unveil my blueprint for reaching out to potential guests so they'll want to be on your show. Plus, make sure you stay until the end of the episode because you'll hear a real life example of an email that was sent off, so you'll see how this all works in real life.

Key points from this episode:

  • The step-by-step formula for creating the perfect reach-out email

  • How to make your dream guest jump at the chance to be a guest on your show

  • Why a relaxed follow-up is important


Links to Explore From This Episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>ca586d65-63d6-42d8-bd04-ee6b9d1af0a8Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -070024:07falsefull6262What's Stopping You from Starting a Podcast? with Kelly Geisler - EP 61What's Stopping You from Starting a Podcast? with Kelly GeislerGoing down the rabbit hole of Google can sometimes suck the life out of doing the actual thing you were Googling to do. This happens a lot in podcasting, especially at the start! Whether you haven't started your podcast yet, are only a few episodes in, or are publishing episodes in the double or triple digits, this episode will unlock your mindset into the world of podcasting. Being able to break up with your self-doubt and escape the "shoulds" of other people's opinions, will be key to creating a successful - and ultimately fulfilling podcast. Unleash your voice upon the world, chart your own podcasting path, and embrace the podcasting journey!

Hit play for a transformative conversation with Kelly Geisler, an unstoppable force as a Business & Mindset Coach for Spiritual Entrepreneurs and the visionary creator of The Butterfly Guide. Join us as we discuss limiting beliefs, mental blocks that hold you back from success, and how she is stepping into her next journey as a podcaster herself!

Join Kelly and me as we discuss:

  • How mindset matters
  • How to ignore the opinions of others
  • Being brave enough to ask for help
  • How regrounding yourself can help bring clarity to your next step

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Kelly Geisler:

Website: https://www.thebutterflyguide.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thebutterflyguide/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebutterflyguide

FB Community: Generator & Manifesting Generator Coaches Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/wdbd.community

Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>Going down the rabbit hole of Google can sometimes suck the life out of doing the actual thing you were Googling to do. This happens a lot in podcasting, especially at the start! Whether you haven't started your podcast yet, are only a few episodes in, or are publishing episodes in the double or triple digits, this episode will unlock your mindset into the world of podcasting. Being able to break up with your self-doubt and escape the "shoulds" of other people's opinions, will be key to creating a successful - and ultimately fulfilling podcast. Unleash your voice upon the world, chart your own podcasting path, and embrace the podcasting journey!

Hit play for a transformative conversation with Kelly Geisler, an unstoppable force as a Business & Mindset Coach for Spiritual Entrepreneurs and the visionary creator of The Butterfly Guide. Join us as we discuss limiting beliefs, mental blocks that hold you back from success, and how she is stepping into her next journey as a podcaster herself!

Join Kelly and me as we discuss:

  • How mindset matters
  • How to ignore the opinions of others
  • Being brave enough to ask for help
  • How regrounding yourself can help bring clarity to your next step

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Kelly Geisler:

Website: https://www.thebutterflyguide.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thebutterflyguide/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebutterflyguide

FB Community: Generator & Manifesting Generator Coaches Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/wdbd.community

Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>576265ed-ed2f-40f2-961c-84d772545f07Mon, 29 May 2023 09:00:00 -070036:24falsefull6161Planning, Structure, and Mindset Before You Hit Record: a Sample Workflow for Recording Your Episodes - EP 60Planning, Structure, and Mindset Before You Hit Record: a Sample Workflow for Recording Your EpisodesWhen prepping for your next podcast episode there are many steps you might want to consider before you hit record. Implementing a great workflow with structure, planning, and a healthy mindset, will make the recording process so much smoother. It doesn't matter if you are recording an interview, creating your own solo episode, or even if you have a roundtable of experts, you'll need a plan to create episodes that your listener is going to love each and every time!

Before you hit that record button, learn:

  • The steps you need for planning each episode
  • How your mindset matters before pressing record
  • Why giving yourself room to pause allows you to capture the perfect voice for your listeners

Links to Explore From This Episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>When prepping for your next podcast episode there are many steps you might want to consider before you hit record. Implementing a great workflow with structure, planning, and a healthy mindset, will make the recording process so much smoother. It doesn't matter if you are recording an interview, creating your own solo episode, or even if you have a roundtable of experts, you'll need a plan to create episodes that your listener is going to love each and every time!

Before you hit that record button, learn:

  • The steps you need for planning each episode
  • How your mindset matters before pressing record
  • Why giving yourself room to pause allows you to capture the perfect voice for your listeners

Links to Explore From This Episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>05041a05-14f5-4265-bac5-77e10806d21dMon, 15 May 2023 09:00:00 -070016:31falsefull6060How to Speak with Your Body Using the Mind Body Connection with Kathryn Yarborough - EP 59How to Speak with Your Body Using the Mind Body Connection with Kathryn YarboroughHow do you connect the mind, body and emotions to push your speaking skills to new heights? Movement in your body plays a huge role in how your podcasting voice gets amplified behind the mic. Becoming in tune with yourself and revealing the healing work that needs to be done, will help you discover a deeper connection with your voice as a podcaster!

Holding a true passion for breaking the previously set limits of our minds, Kathryn Yarborough, the creator of Manifesting Clients Academy, talks about listening to your whole body through movement as it holds the key to freedom with our voice. Kathryn is a speaker coach, Manifesting Clients mentor, author, speaker, and event coordinator. You are going to get some new insights about your body with this episode!

Dive in with Kathryn as she shares:

  • Her top three tips for integrating the body, mind, and emotional connection
  • How she discovered the freedom in movement
  • How to listen when your body is speaking

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Kathryn Yarborough:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>How do you connect the mind, body and emotions to push your speaking skills to new heights? Movement in your body plays a huge role in how your podcasting voice gets amplified behind the mic. Becoming in tune with yourself and revealing the healing work that needs to be done, will help you discover a deeper connection with your voice as a podcaster!

Holding a true passion for breaking the previously set limits of our minds, Kathryn Yarborough, the creator of Manifesting Clients Academy, talks about listening to your whole body through movement as it holds the key to freedom with our voice. Kathryn is a speaker coach, Manifesting Clients mentor, author, speaker, and event coordinator. You are going to get some new insights about your body with this episode!

Dive in with Kathryn as she shares:

  • Her top three tips for integrating the body, mind, and emotional connection
  • How she discovered the freedom in movement
  • How to listen when your body is speaking

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Kathryn Yarborough:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>81468b86-7752-4cb2-a81a-027d72222644Mon, 01 May 2023 09:00:00 -070039:04falsefull5959Why What You Wear Matters in Podcasting - EP 58Why What You Wear Matters in PodcastingWhat you wear can affect everything from your mood to your voice itself. As podcasters, constricting or uncomfortable clothing can negatively impact how your voice comes alive. In today's episode, you'll discover how your clothes impact your voice.

Listen in to hear:

  • Why it's important to be comfy and confident in your wardrobe
  • Why you should wear what you love
  • Tips for mic-friendly clothing options

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>What you wear can affect everything from your mood to your voice itself. As podcasters, constricting or uncomfortable clothing can negatively impact how your voice comes alive. In today's episode, you'll discover how your clothes impact your voice.

Listen in to hear:

  • Why it's important to be comfy and confident in your wardrobe
  • Why you should wear what you love
  • Tips for mic-friendly clothing options

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>70dd675f-961f-472d-9373-3da951465e68Mon, 17 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -070010:37falsefull5858Attract More Listeners By Building a Compelling Brand for Your Podcast with Lindsay McMahon of All Ears English Podcast - EP 57Attract More Listeners By Building a Compelling Brand for Your Podcast with Lindsay McMahon of All Ears English PodcastHow do you attract more listeners and organically grow your podcast? Despite what popular algorithms will have you believe, success in promoting your podcast does not have to be focused on social media! Come along as we discuss ways to make your podcast branding stand out to grow your show!

In today's episode, we start with the phrase: "Connection, not perfection", trademarked by Lindsay McMahon. Lindsay is the co-host of All Ears English, a podcast that's been downloaded 8 million times per month globally and ranked in Best of Apple Podcasts categories in 2018 and 2019, and as well as #1 in US Education Language Courses. Lindsay and her podcast have been featured in Podcast Magazine, Language Magazine, and Forbes.

Get tips from this veteran podcaster on:

  • Creating a perfect marketing strategy for your podcast
  • How hiring help will grow your brand to new heights
  • The importance of designing a brand with your ideal listeners in mind

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Lindsay McMahon:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>How do you attract more listeners and organically grow your podcast? Despite what popular algorithms will have you believe, success in promoting your podcast does not have to be focused on social media! Come along as we discuss ways to make your podcast branding stand out to grow your show!

In today's episode, we start with the phrase: "Connection, not perfection", trademarked by Lindsay McMahon. Lindsay is the co-host of All Ears English, a podcast that's been downloaded 8 million times per month globally and ranked in Best of Apple Podcasts categories in 2018 and 2019, and as well as #1 in US Education Language Courses. Lindsay and her podcast have been featured in Podcast Magazine, Language Magazine, and Forbes.

Get tips from this veteran podcaster on:

  • Creating a perfect marketing strategy for your podcast
  • How hiring help will grow your brand to new heights
  • The importance of designing a brand with your ideal listeners in mind

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Lindsay McMahon:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>cc7cf931-793c-4ed1-9956-0d4cb7b5145fMon, 03 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -070038:57falsefull5757Why Reliable Backups are Vital for Your Podcast Episode Production Process - EP 56Why Reliable Backups are Vital for Your Podcast Episode Production ProcessReliable backups are key for your podcast production process. They can help when you inevitably lose your audio or interviews. When tech issues, human error, or unpredictable circumstances happen, having backups can provide peace of mind for you and your workflow. Avoid the frustration of losing it all when creating your podcast by taking a page from my real-life podcasting disaster!

You'll uncover:

  • How backups are a vital part of the podcasting process
  • Programs and processes to implement backups
  • How to add backups into your daily, weekly or monthly tasks for your podcast

Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>Reliable backups are key for your podcast production process. They can help when you inevitably lose your audio or interviews. When tech issues, human error, or unpredictable circumstances happen, having backups can provide peace of mind for you and your workflow. Avoid the frustration of losing it all when creating your podcast by taking a page from my real-life podcasting disaster!

You'll uncover:

  • How backups are a vital part of the podcasting process
  • Programs and processes to implement backups
  • How to add backups into your daily, weekly or monthly tasks for your podcast

Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>3d1273f5-2c74-4eb6-bcde-1130c0c4b1acMon, 20 Mar 2023 22:55:00 -070014:22falsefull5656How to Find Your Podcasting Voice: Why Authenticity is 100 Times Better Than a Traditional Radio Voice - EP 55How to Find Your Podcasting Voice: Why Authenticity is 100 Times Better Than a Traditional Radio VoiceWherever you are on your podcasting journey, your voice plays a vital role. It's your number one instrument for your podcast! Think about it. No voice, no podcast. In this episode, we'll deep dive into how self-confidence and the opinions of others can impact how we feel about our own voice. Together, let's go through five super-simple, thought-provoking questions that will help you uncover the pieces of your voice that will make you feel more confident. So get ready to unleash your inner podcasting voice that your listeners will quickly fall in love with.

We'll explore:

  • What makes your podcasting voice your own

  • How to fall in love with your own voice

  • Taking note of how your voice affects others

  • Practical ways to encourage you to discover your true voice


Links worth exploring from this episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>Wherever you are on your podcasting journey, your voice plays a vital role. It's your number one instrument for your podcast! Think about it. No voice, no podcast. In this episode, we'll deep dive into how self-confidence and the opinions of others can impact how we feel about our own voice. Together, let's go through five super-simple, thought-provoking questions that will help you uncover the pieces of your voice that will make you feel more confident. So get ready to unleash your inner podcasting voice that your listeners will quickly fall in love with.

We'll explore:

  • What makes your podcasting voice your own

  • How to fall in love with your own voice

  • Taking note of how your voice affects others

  • Practical ways to encourage you to discover your true voice


Links worth exploring from this episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>53cd9543-a689-4bd6-a0ff-5d89ec807bf3Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -070017:01falsefull5555The Process of What's Working, What's Not Working, and What to Celebrate For Your Podcast - Winter Break - EP 54The Process of What's Working, What's Not Working, and What to Celebrate For Your Podcast - Winter BreakHappy New Year! It's the perfect time of year to reflect on and celebrate your podcast! As a podcaster, it's easy to get caught in the behind-the-scenes of your show. So, let's make time to contemplate what worked, what didn't, and what you want to tweak in this new year. It can really make all the difference in your growth as a podcaster.

Also to note that I'll be on my usual new year break for the podcast. This will be a great time for you to do some planning for yourself. I'll be back in early March!

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>Happy New Year! It's the perfect time of year to reflect on and celebrate your podcast! As a podcaster, it's easy to get caught in the behind-the-scenes of your show. So, let's make time to contemplate what worked, what didn't, and what you want to tweak in this new year. It can really make all the difference in your growth as a podcaster.

Also to note that I'll be on my usual new year break for the podcast. This will be a great time for you to do some planning for yourself. I'll be back in early March!

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>7a60686d-8fc9-45c5-b9e6-3da8a54f2089Mon, 02 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -070025:55falsefull5454Discernment In Vulnerability When You're Behind the Mic with Lizzie Allan of Hilarapy - EP 53Discernment In Vulnerability When You're Behind the Mic with Lizzie Allan of HilarapyFeelings are great for when you're behind the microphone. But when it comes down to being behind the mic, how much do you reveal? That can get a little tricky when you haven't worked through what's really holding you back.

My guest today coined the term Hilarapy, the creation of comedy as therapy. Lizzie Allan is a self-designed comedy therapist and professional comedian. Whilst embracing her own healing journey from madness and addiction, she discovered that comedy and vulnerability had the power to change the world.

We also reveal what it's like to:

  • Take ownership of your story
  • Show discernment in vulnerability
  • Get comfortable with failure

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Lizzie Allan:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com/

]]>Feelings are great for when you're behind the microphone. But when it comes down to being behind the mic, how much do you reveal? That can get a little tricky when you haven't worked through what's really holding you back.

My guest today coined the term Hilarapy, the creation of comedy as therapy. Lizzie Allan is a self-designed comedy therapist and professional comedian. Whilst embracing her own healing journey from madness and addiction, she discovered that comedy and vulnerability had the power to change the world.

We also reveal what it's like to:

  • Take ownership of your story
  • Show discernment in vulnerability
  • Get comfortable with failure

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Lizzie Allan:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com/

]]>3f1e2794-41b1-4a31-854b-f34448b9fd98Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -070042:19falsefull5353Code Switching - Change Your Voice Behind the Mic - EP 52Code Switching - Change Your Voice Behind the MicA new to me phrase is "code-switching," a term I learnt recently about cultural differences in speech. It's where you switch from one language to the next or adopt both languages at the same time interchangeably. But what about beyond racial culture and language? The culture of your community and who you are actually speaking to? It's something we all do in everyday situations and in podcasting, you code-switch a lot more than you think.

Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com/

]]>A new to me phrase is "code-switching," a term I learnt recently about cultural differences in speech. It's where you switch from one language to the next or adopt both languages at the same time interchangeably. But what about beyond racial culture and language? The culture of your community and who you are actually speaking to? It's something we all do in everyday situations and in podcasting, you code-switch a lot more than you think.

Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com/

]]>be2ca0b8-33e6-447d-90a7-6bcee47d2e2fTue, 06 Dec 2022 16:00:00 -070013:00falsefull5252Honing Your Podcast Voice Though Second Language Learning with Stephanie Fuccio - EP 51Honing Your Podcast Voice Though Second Language Learning with Stephanie FuccioNo matter your background or the experience level you have to start a podcast, you have a wealth of knowledge to bring to the table. Think of the many past experiences you've had up until this point - all of which can be beneficial for your show. That experience isn't only what's on your resume, but also what you're taught by your community - classmates, teachers, and even your parents.

My guest today is Stephanie Fuccio, an American podcast editor and podcaster, currently living in Europe. Before podcasting, Stephanie taught English language skills to adults while living all over the world.

We also explore:

  • How our upbringing shapes the way we speak
  • The importance of living abroad to hear cultural differences in languages
  • What happens to people after speaking for 20 minutes

Engage with Stephanie Fuccio:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>No matter your background or the experience level you have to start a podcast, you have a wealth of knowledge to bring to the table. Think of the many past experiences you've had up until this point - all of which can be beneficial for your show. That experience isn't only what's on your resume, but also what you're taught by your community - classmates, teachers, and even your parents.

My guest today is Stephanie Fuccio, an American podcast editor and podcaster, currently living in Europe. Before podcasting, Stephanie taught English language skills to adults while living all over the world.

We also explore:

  • How our upbringing shapes the way we speak
  • The importance of living abroad to hear cultural differences in languages
  • What happens to people after speaking for 20 minutes

Engage with Stephanie Fuccio:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>71651dfe-4b03-407e-913c-3edcbbbfa20cMon, 21 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -070035:54falsefull5151Stop Thinking About Yourself - EP 50Stop Thinking About YourselfAs humans, we are people pleasers. We want connection, community, and a feeling of belonging. As young kids, we do things to please our parents, our teachers, and friends. Then as adults, we want to fulfill the needs of our bosses, partners (romantic or otherwise), and so on.

Podcasting can have that same reflection. We want to delight our listeners, teach or entertain them with our thoughts and stories. But when you think about how you feel and how you may sound, all of those feelings impact your listeners and how they feel. It's not about you. It is about them. So let's get into that feeling.

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com/

]]>As humans, we are people pleasers. We want connection, community, and a feeling of belonging. As young kids, we do things to please our parents, our teachers, and friends. Then as adults, we want to fulfill the needs of our bosses, partners (romantic or otherwise), and so on.

Podcasting can have that same reflection. We want to delight our listeners, teach or entertain them with our thoughts and stories. But when you think about how you feel and how you may sound, all of those feelings impact your listeners and how they feel. It's not about you. It is about them. So let's get into that feeling.

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com/

]]>0ac0865e-26d0-4d1b-8e78-2ff470b57763Tue, 08 Nov 2022 16:00:00 -070010:06falsefull5050Overcoming Fear and Stigma To Tell Your Story with Jay Shifman - EP 49Overcoming Fear and Stigma To Tell Your Story with Jay ShifmanWhen you hit that record button, how does stigma play a role in keeping your story to yourself? What if you can choose to ignore that stigma and be open and vulnerable behind the mic?

My guest today is Jay Shifman, a vulnerable storyteller and the host of the Choose Your Struggle podcast. In our conversation, Jay shares his experience about his speaking and podcasting journey that reveals how to use effective storytelling to break down walls and stereotypes, why the fear of oversharing plays a part in the role of stigma, and how his transition from speaking on stage to podcasting behind the mic can create a growing network to be seen and heard.

You will also learn:

  • Great techniques about what to do as a host of your own show
  • How to audit your podcast through timing conversations
  • Starting a podcast vs keeping up with the podcast

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Jay Shifman:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>When you hit that record button, how does stigma play a role in keeping your story to yourself? What if you can choose to ignore that stigma and be open and vulnerable behind the mic?

My guest today is Jay Shifman, a vulnerable storyteller and the host of the Choose Your Struggle podcast. In our conversation, Jay shares his experience about his speaking and podcasting journey that reveals how to use effective storytelling to break down walls and stereotypes, why the fear of oversharing plays a part in the role of stigma, and how his transition from speaking on stage to podcasting behind the mic can create a growing network to be seen and heard.

You will also learn:

  • Great techniques about what to do as a host of your own show
  • How to audit your podcast through timing conversations
  • Starting a podcast vs keeping up with the podcast

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Jay Shifman:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>2aca0624-0b6e-4595-8eaa-1524493e6cabMon, 24 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -070038:21falsefull4949Challenge What a Powerful Voice Sounds Like - EP 48Challenge What a Powerful Voice Sounds LikeWhen you're behind the mic, how often do you second guess yourself, pause and try not to say those ums and uhs? Or you put on your "podcast host" hat and start speaking with a different voice? In today's episode, I break down the limiting beliefs about what makes a "strong voice" so we can rewrite our subconscious brain about what we believe that is. You'll learn how to reclaim your voice and go from being restricted and nervous to being magnetic and unapologetically yourself behind the mic.

The idea of what power sounds like these days is shifting. So let's explore that and let's change things together.

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>When you're behind the mic, how often do you second guess yourself, pause and try not to say those ums and uhs? Or you put on your "podcast host" hat and start speaking with a different voice? In today's episode, I break down the limiting beliefs about what makes a "strong voice" so we can rewrite our subconscious brain about what we believe that is. You'll learn how to reclaim your voice and go from being restricted and nervous to being magnetic and unapologetically yourself behind the mic.

The idea of what power sounds like these days is shifting. So let's explore that and let's change things together.

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>8d543f0e-b307-473b-981d-3016183d9cf7Mon, 10 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -070014:53falsefull4848Normalizing Stuttering for Verbal Diversity with Maya Chupkov - EP 47Normalizing Stuttering for Verbal Diversity with Maya ChupkovHow we perceive strong and confident voices gets manipulated from the big screen and from everyday media. These platforms tinker with our minds to make us think that certain voices or tones represent one way of strength or weakness. And the media will have us all believe that self-assured, confident people sound smooth and never say "um" or "uh" or "like." But being in the real world, that's not true.

Today, I'm bringing on Maya Chupkov, the executive director of Proud Stutter, a podcast about shifting the stuttering narrative and embracing verbal diversity.

We dive deep into:

  • How Maya has incorporated her stutter as part of her podcast
  • The defining moment that led her to be an advocate for verbal diversity
  • The difference between a nervous stutter vs a natural stutter

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Maya Chupkov:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>How we perceive strong and confident voices gets manipulated from the big screen and from everyday media. These platforms tinker with our minds to make us think that certain voices or tones represent one way of strength or weakness. And the media will have us all believe that self-assured, confident people sound smooth and never say "um" or "uh" or "like." But being in the real world, that's not true.

Today, I'm bringing on Maya Chupkov, the executive director of Proud Stutter, a podcast about shifting the stuttering narrative and embracing verbal diversity.

We dive deep into:

  • How Maya has incorporated her stutter as part of her podcast
  • The defining moment that led her to be an advocate for verbal diversity
  • The difference between a nervous stutter vs a natural stutter

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with Maya Chupkov:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com

]]>cf48bfc4-6473-4b96-922d-f2114f592efdMon, 26 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -070036:31falsefull4747My Day One in Podcasting with Imposter Syndrome - EP 46My Day One in Podcasting with Imposter SyndromeI'm back from my Summer break and after reflecting on my personal life and my story so far, I had a few thoughts come up that tie into podcasting. How do we know when to share things, how much do we share, and what is important to share when we're behind the mic?

In this episode and the next few episodes for the rest of 2022, I'm diving deeper into that mindset and how to share your story behind your voice. Today, I'll share mine.

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com/

]]>I'm back from my Summer break and after reflecting on my personal life and my story so far, I had a few thoughts come up that tie into podcasting. How do we know when to share things, how much do we share, and what is important to share when we're behind the mic?

In this episode and the next few episodes for the rest of 2022, I'm diving deeper into that mindset and how to share your story behind your voice. Today, I'll share mine.

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com/

]]>e79148e9-c027-485e-b508-79cc8cc45aceMon, 12 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -070029:50falsefull4646Be Vulnerable Through Laughter - Summer Hiatus - Episode 45Be Vulnerable Through Laughter - Summer HiatusOne of my values is to have fun. Have fun doing what you're doing. Have fun podcasting. Have fun using your voice, and giggling and laughing are part of what I do. So, today we're talking about being vulnerable through laughter and embracing the most authentic version of yourself. Laughter plays an important role, so listen in to find out why it's huge for your podcast.

Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com/

]]>One of my values is to have fun. Have fun doing what you're doing. Have fun podcasting. Have fun using your voice, and giggling and laughing are part of what I do. So, today we're talking about being vulnerable through laughter and embracing the most authentic version of yourself. Laughter plays an important role, so listen in to find out why it's huge for your podcast.

Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com/

]]>76577b4e-d9ea-4204-8075-4b0f5e59cb31Tue, 12 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -070014:11falsefull4545Know Yourself - Personal Branding Wisdom with DP Knudten - EP 44Know Yourself - Personal Branding Wisdom with DP KnudtenWhat does it mean to know yourself and then to be it? This question pretty much sums up what your personal brand can mean. This week's special guest, DP Knudten, joins me as we decipher what a personal brand can mean for you and your podcast.

We'll also share the importance of podcasting for building your self-confidence and growth and how podcasting is more than just a marketing platform. So listen in about his tips for your next iteration of your personal brand.

You'll also learn:

  • The difference between a conversation vs an interview
  • Tips and tricks on how to write for audio
  • The power of podcast guesting

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with DP:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com/

]]>What does it mean to know yourself and then to be it? This question pretty much sums up what your personal brand can mean. This week's special guest, DP Knudten, joins me as we decipher what a personal brand can mean for you and your podcast.

We'll also share the importance of podcasting for building your self-confidence and growth and how podcasting is more than just a marketing platform. So listen in about his tips for your next iteration of your personal brand.

You'll also learn:

  • The difference between a conversation vs an interview
  • Tips and tricks on how to write for audio
  • The power of podcast guesting

Links worth exploring from the episode:


Engage with DP:


Connect with Mary!


Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. https://www.artiodesignco.com/

]]>045cef0b-b8f7-4e66-92c1-02dab9c17979Mon, 20 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -070036:32falsefull4444How Your Personal Brand Creates Success for Your Podcast - Episode 43How Your Personal Brand Creates Success for Your PodcastA brand is a feeling and so is your podcast. Brands tell a story and when you tell that story with your own voice, it creates a strong emotional connection to your listener. That's what your podcast is doing for you. Through your voice, they get to know you as a person versus reading up on what it is that you do.

In this episode, learn how to convey those emotions and showcase your authority and talent by building your personal brand.

Resources mentioned in the episode:


Connect with Mary!


]]>A brand is a feeling and so is your podcast. Brands tell a story and when you tell that story with your own voice, it creates a strong emotional connection to your listener. That's what your podcast is doing for you. Through your voice, they get to know you as a person versus reading up on what it is that you do.

In this episode, learn how to convey those emotions and showcase your authority and talent by building your personal brand.

Resources mentioned in the episode:


Connect with Mary!


]]>782c6d77-e162-49af-b3ad-a18ce353a39cMon, 06 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -070014:19falsefull4343Accept and Elevate Your Accent with Maggie Perotin - EP 42Accept and Elevate Your Accent with Maggie PerotinLike computer software, your brain is programmed to keep you safe, but sometimes it's doing its job all too well. One area of that is judgement. When we receive judgement, especially when we use our voice, we have this fear of judgement from ourselves and especially from others. What will they think of me? Will I be perceived as smart and knowledgeable versus weak and not knowing what I'm talking about?

Maggie Perotin is a business and leadership coach who recently launched her podcast and touches on this very thing. She reveals how she's reconnected with her voice without changing the way she speaks and has continued to showcase who she is behind the mic on her podcast.

We also discover:

  • How Maggie uses her voice fully and embraces her accent.
  • Her entire workflow from idea to recording a podcast episode.
  • The mindset blocks she had to overcome along the way.

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Engage with Maggie:


Connect with Mary!


Find more secrets and the full transcript of the episode at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

To learn more or work with Mary, check out https://www.OrganizedSound.ca

]]>Like computer software, your brain is programmed to keep you safe, but sometimes it's doing its job all too well. One area of that is judgement. When we receive judgement, especially when we use our voice, we have this fear of judgement from ourselves and especially from others. What will they think of me? Will I be perceived as smart and knowledgeable versus weak and not knowing what I'm talking about?

Maggie Perotin is a business and leadership coach who recently launched her podcast and touches on this very thing. She reveals how she's reconnected with her voice without changing the way she speaks and has continued to showcase who she is behind the mic on her podcast.

We also discover:

  • How Maggie uses her voice fully and embraces her accent.
  • Her entire workflow from idea to recording a podcast episode.
  • The mindset blocks she had to overcome along the way.

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Engage with Maggie:


Connect with Mary!


Find more secrets and the full transcript of the episode at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

To learn more or work with Mary, check out https://www.OrganizedSound.ca

]]>221e82b0-1a19-4400-85bb-538937376283Mon, 23 May 2022 09:00:42 -070031:42falsefull4242Embrace Your Accent - EP 41Embracing Your AccentThere is nothing wrong with having an accent because everyone has an accent based on where you were born, where you grew up, and where you live. It's associated with where you're from. So why are we trying to erase who we are or assimilate into the same accent?

Be you on your podcast and empower yourself to know that you can alter certain sounds or syllables based on your muscles, your tongue, your lips, and how you say something because we're not going to erase who you are.

Come along this ride with me so your listeners can get to know you first, instead of trying to assimilate with the crowd.

Connect with Mary!

Find more secrets and the full transcript of this episode at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Send feedback with a voicemail message at https://www.speakpipe.com/visiblevoice or email Mary with your thoughts at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Keep in touch on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at https://www.organizedsound.ca.

]]>There is nothing wrong with having an accent because everyone has an accent based on where you were born, where you grew up, and where you live. It's associated with where you're from. So why are we trying to erase who we are or assimilate into the same accent?

Be you on your podcast and empower yourself to know that you can alter certain sounds or syllables based on your muscles, your tongue, your lips, and how you say something because we're not going to erase who you are.

Come along this ride with me so your listeners can get to know you first, instead of trying to assimilate with the crowd.

Connect with Mary!

Find more secrets and the full transcript of this episode at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Send feedback with a voicemail message at https://www.speakpipe.com/visiblevoice or email Mary with your thoughts at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Keep in touch on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at https://www.organizedsound.ca.

]]>72a0134d-5d57-4324-bd88-c085566faa57Mon, 09 May 2022 09:00:46 -070013:41falsefull4141Tips to Thrive in Finding Perfect Guests for Your Podcast with Alex Sanfilippo - EP 40Tips to Thrive in Finding Perfect Guests for Your Podcast with Alex SanfilippoToday's episode is going to highlight some really important aspects of how finding "good" guests is integral to your show. Joining me today is the host of Podcasting Made Simple and the founder of podmatch.com, Alex Sanfilippo. He shares some clever insights from his journey in podcasting as a host and professionally as well in the podcasting space.

Tune in to hear about:

  • How to evaluate your audience and hone in on your ideal listener.
  • The importance of having a strong "why" before starting your podcast.
  • Alex's exact pitching process landing him A-list authors to be guests on his podcast.

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Engage with Alex:


Connect with Mary!

Find more secrets and the full transcript at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Send feedback with a voicemail message at https://www.speakpipe.com/visiblevoice or email Mary with your thoughts at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Keep in touch on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at https://www.organizedsound.ca.

]]>Today's episode is going to highlight some really important aspects of how finding "good" guests is integral to your show. Joining me today is the host of Podcasting Made Simple and the founder of podmatch.com, Alex Sanfilippo. He shares some clever insights from his journey in podcasting as a host and professionally as well in the podcasting space.

Tune in to hear about:

  • How to evaluate your audience and hone in on your ideal listener.
  • The importance of having a strong "why" before starting your podcast.
  • Alex's exact pitching process landing him A-list authors to be guests on his podcast.

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Engage with Alex:


Connect with Mary!

Find more secrets and the full transcript at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Send feedback with a voicemail message at https://www.speakpipe.com/visiblevoice or email Mary with your thoughts at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Keep in touch on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at https://www.organizedsound.ca.

]]>996f83b5-1b96-432b-b3fa-40cdb7025966Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -070031:56falsefull4040How to Be a Podcast Guest - EP 39How to Be a Podcast GuestPodcasting can get overwhelming and feel like another full-time job, but in order for you to leverage the podcasting platform, you don't have to have your own show. Instead, be a guest. It's a great way to figure out if having your own show is really for you. So, here's how you can leverage the podcasting space without hosting your own.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:


Connect with Mary!


]]>Podcasting can get overwhelming and feel like another full-time job, but in order for you to leverage the podcasting platform, you don't have to have your own show. Instead, be a guest. It's a great way to figure out if having your own show is really for you. So, here's how you can leverage the podcasting space without hosting your own.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:


Connect with Mary!


]]>4f76b6f8-f62e-4714-9b5e-450bfea94aa0Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -070025:04falsefull3939How Human Connection Is Nurtured Through Your Voice and Podcasting with Megan Hamilton - EP 38How Human Connection Is Nurtured Through Your Voice and Podcasting with Megan HamiltonThe work of showing up and having a voice can sometimes be draining or overwhelming. There's the anxiety of wondering if we are going to say the right thing or that we don't want to step on other people's toes.

Joining me today is Megan Hamilton. She's a speaking, visibility, and confidence coach for women and non-binary people. Megan brings up a lot of useful tips for you to use before you're ready to speak up.

We also discuss:

  • How to overcome the fear of judgement when doing a presentation or being a guest on a podcast
  • Using shadow work to tune into your intuition and uncover the root problems
  • Becoming an ally in a world where we want more diversity and more inclusion.

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Engage with Megan:


Connect with Mary!


]]>The work of showing up and having a voice can sometimes be draining or overwhelming. There's the anxiety of wondering if we are going to say the right thing or that we don't want to step on other people's toes.

Joining me today is Megan Hamilton. She's a speaking, visibility, and confidence coach for women and non-binary people. Megan brings up a lot of useful tips for you to use before you're ready to speak up.

We also discuss:

  • How to overcome the fear of judgement when doing a presentation or being a guest on a podcast
  • Using shadow work to tune into your intuition and uncover the root problems
  • Becoming an ally in a world where we want more diversity and more inclusion.

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Engage with Megan:


Connect with Mary!


]]>93496db8-28c1-4b46-ac5f-00fc7e2824c6Mon, 28 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -070037:19falsefull3838How to Start Each Episode of a Podcast - EP 37How to Start Each Episode of a PodcastWhy are there so many different ways to start a podcast? What's the point of each one? And which one should you use on your podcast? Well, no "one answer" is going to be the right answer for you.

So let's dive into some typical ways how you can start each and every one of your episodes on your podcast.

Connect with Mary!


]]>Why are there so many different ways to start a podcast? What's the point of each one? And which one should you use on your podcast? Well, no "one answer" is going to be the right answer for you.

So let's dive into some typical ways how you can start each and every one of your episodes on your podcast.

Connect with Mary!


]]>8a8f4e3f-c84d-4b64-a6ff-6bfee8e839deMon, 14 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -070011:17falsefull3737How to Use Your Creative Inspiration To Revolutionize Your Podcast with Ame-Lia Tamburrini - EP 36How to Use Your Creative Inspiration To Revolutionize Your Podcast with Ame-Lia TamburriniWhen helping new podcasters launch their podcast, they don't necessarily have to continue working with me. I teach them the ins and outs of how to do it yourself and off they go. But one of the best things I love is being able to continue to work with them on their show with editing or management. This way I get to see their growth from the very beginning stages of an idea to the evolution over multiple episodes and sometimes even years into the making.

So for today's episode, I am so happy to bring on a client of mine, Ame-Lia Tamburrini of Hum Consulting. You are going to get a real-life experience of what it's like to launch a podcast as she shares her "why" of starting a podcast, and the creative approaches we took to revolutionize her show to its current state.

We also break down:

  • Mindset blocks and challenges Ame-Lia faced at the very beginning of her podcasting journey
  • How to best serve your audience and the people you want to reach when starting your podcast

The change of seasons and how to implement creative inspiration from everyday life into the podcast

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Engage with Ame-Lia:


Connect with me!


Engage with Mary on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

]]>When helping new podcasters launch their podcast, they don't necessarily have to continue working with me. I teach them the ins and outs of how to do it yourself and off they go. But one of the best things I love is being able to continue to work with them on their show with editing or management. This way I get to see their growth from the very beginning stages of an idea to the evolution over multiple episodes and sometimes even years into the making.

So for today's episode, I am so happy to bring on a client of mine, Ame-Lia Tamburrini of Hum Consulting. You are going to get a real-life experience of what it's like to launch a podcast as she shares her "why" of starting a podcast, and the creative approaches we took to revolutionize her show to its current state.

We also break down:

  • Mindset blocks and challenges Ame-Lia faced at the very beginning of her podcasting journey
  • How to best serve your audience and the people you want to reach when starting your podcast

The change of seasons and how to implement creative inspiration from everyday life into the podcast

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Engage with Ame-Lia:


Connect with me!


Engage with Mary on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

]]>1a033c94-ca94-4a09-9ba2-da8a62d24a74Mon, 28 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -070031:38falsefull36363 Tips To Start A Podcast - EP 353 Tips To Start A PodcastLooking ahead to 2022, we will continue to see a lot of growth in the podcasting industry. Many new shows will come to life as people realize this is the new way to connect. But if you haven't started your podcast yet, this episode is for you.

I'm sure you've been thinking about one for a long time now. Is this really the time? Can you really show up each and every week? The answer is yes. So, here are three quick tips to help motivate you to start your podcast this year.

Find more secrets and the full transcript at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Looking ahead to 2022, we will continue to see a lot of growth in the podcasting industry. Many new shows will come to life as people realize this is the new way to connect. But if you haven't started your podcast yet, this episode is for you.

I'm sure you've been thinking about one for a long time now. Is this really the time? Can you really show up each and every week? The answer is yes. So, here are three quick tips to help motivate you to start your podcast this year.

Find more secrets and the full transcript at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>ce67428b-92e1-4239-9b55-9789cfbab369Mon, 14 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -070010:53falsefull3535Be the Creator, Not the Critic - Winter Break - EP 34Be the Creator, Not the Critic - Winter BreakHere we are, the end of 2021. This brings me to what I love doing at the end of the year. Resting. And you deserve a break, too!

It's not just a time to rest and not think about your podcast, but a time to reflect and to celebrate. We need to celebrate our accomplishments, and the only way we can do that is really take the break. Rest, relax and look back on what we did, because sometimes it doesn't have to be big milestones. I'm talking about those areas you see as a success. Not what somebody else thinks, but what you think your success has been for your podcast.

So what are you celebrating with your podcast from the past year?

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Find more secrets and the full transcript at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Here we are, the end of 2021. This brings me to what I love doing at the end of the year. Resting. And you deserve a break, too!

It's not just a time to rest and not think about your podcast, but a time to reflect and to celebrate. We need to celebrate our accomplishments, and the only way we can do that is really take the break. Rest, relax and look back on what we did, because sometimes it doesn't have to be big milestones. I'm talking about those areas you see as a success. Not what somebody else thinks, but what you think your success has been for your podcast.

So what are you celebrating with your podcast from the past year?

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Find more secrets and the full transcript at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>5be05f83-f063-4a9d-9595-0d8827929032Mon, 27 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -070014:36falsefull3434How Storytelling Builds Emotional Connections for Podcasters with Sophie Wadsworth - EP 33How Storytelling Builds Emotional Connections for Podcasters with Sophie WadsworthStorytelling is at the heart of podcasting. Whether you have an interview show creating a scripted podcast or even a solo episode of your own, it's all about being authentic, truthful, and to be confident in sharing your story through your voice. Even though, traditionally, podcasting is an audio-only platform, through our storytelling, we can still feel, smell, and visualize all through how we tell a story. One of the best things about podcasting is that we can paint a picture to create the theatre of our minds. Our sensories are heightened through our voice alone.

Sophie Wadsworth joins me to discuss how we can nurture a culture of storytelling for podcasting. She brings a passion for helping leaders craft and deliver personal, mission-centred stories. She draws on her experience as a writer and executive leader to collaborate with you in creating unique presentations. We'll tackle what a story actually is, how storytelling builds on emotional connections and what the building blocks to storytelling are to crafting a unique story for podcasters.

We'll also build on:

  • How to improve your communication to nurture empathy and inclusivity.
  • What you can do today to improve the way you communicate solo and with guests.
  • The importance of being a good listener, how to provide value, and how to maintain a natural and conversational pace.

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Engage with Sophie:


Find more secrets and the full transcript at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Storytelling is at the heart of podcasting. Whether you have an interview show creating a scripted podcast or even a solo episode of your own, it's all about being authentic, truthful, and to be confident in sharing your story through your voice. Even though, traditionally, podcasting is an audio-only platform, through our storytelling, we can still feel, smell, and visualize all through how we tell a story. One of the best things about podcasting is that we can paint a picture to create the theatre of our minds. Our sensories are heightened through our voice alone.

Sophie Wadsworth joins me to discuss how we can nurture a culture of storytelling for podcasting. She brings a passion for helping leaders craft and deliver personal, mission-centred stories. She draws on her experience as a writer and executive leader to collaborate with you in creating unique presentations. We'll tackle what a story actually is, how storytelling builds on emotional connections and what the building blocks to storytelling are to crafting a unique story for podcasters.

We'll also build on:

  • How to improve your communication to nurture empathy and inclusivity.
  • What you can do today to improve the way you communicate solo and with guests.
  • The importance of being a good listener, how to provide value, and how to maintain a natural and conversational pace.

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Engage with Sophie:


Find more secrets and the full transcript at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>d96520de-905d-4139-a4fe-d7c9d2d44f5eMon, 13 Dec 2021 13:00:00 -070023:22falsefull3333Bad Interviewing Habits - EP 32Bad Interviewing HabitsAs a podcaster, we don't have much training on how to be a podcaster but we do have a whole lot of passion and motivation to create something to spread our message. However, I think all podcasters should have a good baseline on how to do a proper interview so you sound better and have less editing to do.

In this episode, I'm exposing the top 4 bad and good interviewing habits I see among podcasters. Which have you been guilty of using?

Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>As a podcaster, we don't have much training on how to be a podcaster but we do have a whole lot of passion and motivation to create something to spread our message. However, I think all podcasters should have a good baseline on how to do a proper interview so you sound better and have less editing to do.

In this episode, I'm exposing the top 4 bad and good interviewing habits I see among podcasters. Which have you been guilty of using?

Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>837e6b3e-8f33-45b7-b79a-07a035a12681Mon, 29 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -070014:07falsefull3232Why Looking Good On Camera Is Important For Your Podcast with Suzanne Glover - EP 31Why Looking Good On Camera Is Important For Your Podcast with Suzanne GloverA common theme I hear among Podcasters is that we chose podcasting as our medium because we don't have to deal with visuals or video. You can podcast in your pajamas, if you like. We love the virtual space and you don't even have to bother with your hair if you don't want to. That's actually one of my favourite things about it. But more and more, we hear that video is needed as well for anything to be successful. Today's guest, Suzanne Glover, joins me to explain why we need to embrace video and how we can leverage video alongside our podcasts.

Suzanne is a professional actress, sales pro and internet marketer with a combined 35 years of experience in those areas. She gained recognition in the TV and film industry with award-winning work and has been in the top percentage of earners in the Screen Actors Guild. She teaches how to connect through the camera and sell successfully in the new virtual world that we're in as well as how to successfully integrate video into your very busy podcasting life.

Hit play to hear about:

  • How to become more comfortable on camera.
  • Market sophistication - what it is and how to adapt yourself to the different mediums available.
  • What podcasters should be doing to encapsulate video to their advantage.
  • The biggest challenges that podcasters face today and how to overcome the struggles of camera anxiety.

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Engage with Suzanne:


Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>A common theme I hear among Podcasters is that we chose podcasting as our medium because we don't have to deal with visuals or video. You can podcast in your pajamas, if you like. We love the virtual space and you don't even have to bother with your hair if you don't want to. That's actually one of my favourite things about it. But more and more, we hear that video is needed as well for anything to be successful. Today's guest, Suzanne Glover, joins me to explain why we need to embrace video and how we can leverage video alongside our podcasts.

Suzanne is a professional actress, sales pro and internet marketer with a combined 35 years of experience in those areas. She gained recognition in the TV and film industry with award-winning work and has been in the top percentage of earners in the Screen Actors Guild. She teaches how to connect through the camera and sell successfully in the new virtual world that we're in as well as how to successfully integrate video into your very busy podcasting life.

Hit play to hear about:

  • How to become more comfortable on camera.
  • Market sophistication - what it is and how to adapt yourself to the different mediums available.
  • What podcasters should be doing to encapsulate video to their advantage.
  • The biggest challenges that podcasters face today and how to overcome the struggles of camera anxiety.

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Engage with Suzanne:


Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>b3ac4557-33bf-447b-a897-bf632d04fa56Mon, 15 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -070029:05falsefull3131Buying Podcasting Mics and a User Guide - EP 30Buying Podcasting Mics and a User GuideMost mics can be plug and play for podcasting, but you do need a user guide before you make that investment and to even know how to use it properly for optimal sound.

In this episode, let's dive into some general ideas on mic techniques, which mics I would recommend and why, to ultimately have you sound optimal with the mic you're using!

Resources mentioned in the episode:





Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Most mics can be plug and play for podcasting, but you do need a user guide before you make that investment and to even know how to use it properly for optimal sound.

In this episode, let's dive into some general ideas on mic techniques, which mics I would recommend and why, to ultimately have you sound optimal with the mic you're using!

Resources mentioned in the episode:





Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>081eee6f-9aaa-4a3c-a780-220849588a51Mon, 01 Nov 2021 12:00:00 -070026:10falsefull3030Transform Self-Doubt Into Self-Mastery So You Can Put Your Meaningful and Creative Work Out Into the World With Amber Campion - EP 29Transform Self-Doubt Into Self-Mastery So You Can Put Your Meaningful and Creative Work Out Into the World With Amber CampionWhen you're podcasting, you're always learning. There's always something new to try or new conversations to be had. This learning is a journey of practice and how we don't have to take things so seriously, especially in podcasting when it's meant to be fun. This fun practice means we get to record many episodes, sometimes week in and week out. When you do something long enough, something is bound to go wrong! And even if something does go wrong, it's OK, it's part of the learning process and podcasting in general. We are all on a podcasting journey together.

Get ready to go from your inner critic and transform that into your inner leader. I'm so happy to share with you my conversation with Amber Campion.

Amber is a trauma-informed yoga teacher, breathwork facilitator, & mindfulness-based life + leadership coach. For more than a decade, Amber's work in the field of emotional intelligence, personal leadership, and self-discovery has led her to create embodied trainings, workshops, retreats, masterminds, and online courses supporting wisdom seekers to bring their Full Self to the world.

We talk about:

  • Breathwork and how it impacts our creative work as Podcasters.
  • Beating self-doubt when "we don't know what we don't know" where she provides tools of grounding to deal with self-doubt in podcasting.
  • Tips on what you need to do before hitting that record button.
  • Finally, we include a beautiful breathing exercise I think we should all do before we ever get behind our mics [28:37].

We also talk about the seven mind traps briefly in this episode, but if you'd like to go deeper on all seven mind traps that include yoga, breathwork and insight journaling, you can access Amber's 5-day embodiment experience called "Keep the Channel Open".

Resources mentioned in the episode:


Engage with Amber:

http://www.ambercampion.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ambercampion/

https://www.youtube.com/c/ambercampion

https://www.facebook.com/campionamber/

Connect with me!

Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>When you're podcasting, you're always learning. There's always something new to try or new conversations to be had. This learning is a journey of practice and how we don't have to take things so seriously, especially in podcasting when it's meant to be fun. This fun practice means we get to record many episodes, sometimes week in and week out. When you do something long enough, something is bound to go wrong! And even if something does go wrong, it's OK, it's part of the learning process and podcasting in general. We are all on a podcasting journey together.

Get ready to go from your inner critic and transform that into your inner leader. I'm so happy to share with you my conversation with Amber Campion.

Amber is a trauma-informed yoga teacher, breathwork facilitator, & mindfulness-based life + leadership coach. For more than a decade, Amber's work in the field of emotional intelligence, personal leadership, and self-discovery has led her to create embodied trainings, workshops, retreats, masterminds, and online courses supporting wisdom seekers to bring their Full Self to the world.

We talk about:

  • Breathwork and how it impacts our creative work as Podcasters.
  • Beating self-doubt when "we don't know what we don't know" where she provides tools of grounding to deal with self-doubt in podcasting.
  • Tips on what you need to do before hitting that record button.
  • Finally, we include a beautiful breathing exercise I think we should all do before we ever get behind our mics [28:37].

We also talk about the seven mind traps briefly in this episode, but if you'd like to go deeper on all seven mind traps that include yoga, breathwork and insight journaling, you can access Amber's 5-day embodiment experience called "Keep the Channel Open".

Resources mentioned in the episode:


Engage with Amber:

http://www.ambercampion.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ambercampion/

https://www.youtube.com/c/ambercampion

https://www.facebook.com/campionamber/

Connect with me!

Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>7eadfe5c-ce96-456f-a489-c5053a4dc174Mon, 18 Oct 2021 12:00:39 -070030:50falsefull2929Podcasting is NOT Social Media - EP 28Podcasting is NOT Social MediaWelcome back to the show! I'm so excited to be back after a nice, long summer break.

Did you take a break as well on your podcast? I hope so. I hope you had time to reflect and really examine what you've been doing with your own podcast and making some tweaks along the way just like I was mentioning in the previous episode. It's time to continue on the theme of how to create a more visible voice for your show and to elevate your own voice to be confident in your show by creating that beautiful workflow of yours to go from episode to episode to episode. Creating success for whatever it is that you have for your goals of your podcast.

Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Welcome back to the show! I'm so excited to be back after a nice, long summer break.

Did you take a break as well on your podcast? I hope so. I hope you had time to reflect and really examine what you've been doing with your own podcast and making some tweaks along the way just like I was mentioning in the previous episode. It's time to continue on the theme of how to create a more visible voice for your show and to elevate your own voice to be confident in your show by creating that beautiful workflow of yours to go from episode to episode to episode. Creating success for whatever it is that you have for your goals of your podcast.

Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>84b7e013-07f1-476e-9672-35b4dc2a3747Mon, 04 Oct 2021 19:00:00 -070013:53falsefull2828Sustainable Podcasting - Summer Break - Episode 27Sustainable Podcasting - Summer BreakSustainable and sustainability are big buzzwords these days, but what does that mean in terms of podcasting? Sustainable podcasting in my mind has to do with your capacity, making sure that your podcast doesn't create burnout for you. Let's take a look at where podcasting fits into your life.

Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Sustainable and sustainability are big buzzwords these days, but what does that mean in terms of podcasting? Sustainable podcasting in my mind has to do with your capacity, making sure that your podcast doesn't create burnout for you. Let's take a look at where podcasting fits into your life.

Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>ba767e4a-b67c-4633-9908-6f9249450479Mon, 28 Jun 2021 15:00:00 -070012:23falsefull2727Getting Over Stage Fright and the Power of Storytelling with Tyler Foley - Episode 26Getting Over Stage Fright and the Power of Storytelling with Tyler FoleyStories are so crucial in the podcasting space. You can be more engaging with your audience when you have a story to share because we all know and love stories; it's how our brain best processes information. So I'm so happy to bring on Tyler Foley, who shares his perspective, through his acting and film and TV world. He's been in that world since he was six years old and is an accomplished film and stage performer as well. He has appeared in productions including Freddy vs. Jason, Door to Door, Carrie, and the musical Ragtime. Tyler is passionate about helping others confidently, take the stage and impact their audience with their stories, and that's why I've brought him on today.

He also is the author of the number one best-selling book, "the Power to Speak Naked". We're going to talk a bit about that which includes overcoming stage fright and learning the secrets to being a more engaging speaker. Because Sean comes from that visual media world of film, TV, and stage and I am from the radio world where there are no visuals involved, I wanted to dig into his brain a little bit to see what the difference is and how that visual world can help in the podcasting space as well.

You are going to love his stories. He really walks the walk and shows you how stories can really connect you with your audience. So get ready to hear his stories because it is all about learning how to speak with confidence and communicate effectively using your power with your story.

Resources mentioned in the episode:


Engage with Tyler:

  • Free download of The Method - https://themethod.seantylerfoley.com/
    • The Method Will Reveal:
      • 5 Insider Secrets Every Speaker Needs to Know
      • How New Speakers Can Quickly Inspire Their Audience
      • ​Discover How to Fill All Your Seats Every Time You Speak
      • Why Visualizing Your Audience Naked Never Helps to Let Go of Stage Fright
      • How to Speak With Confidence, Communicate Effectively & Win Your Audience




Connect with me!


]]>Stories are so crucial in the podcasting space. You can be more engaging with your audience when you have a story to share because we all know and love stories; it's how our brain best processes information. So I'm so happy to bring on Tyler Foley, who shares his perspective, through his acting and film and TV world. He's been in that world since he was six years old and is an accomplished film and stage performer as well. He has appeared in productions including Freddy vs. Jason, Door to Door, Carrie, and the musical Ragtime. Tyler is passionate about helping others confidently, take the stage and impact their audience with their stories, and that's why I've brought him on today.

He also is the author of the number one best-selling book, "the Power to Speak Naked". We're going to talk a bit about that which includes overcoming stage fright and learning the secrets to being a more engaging speaker. Because Sean comes from that visual media world of film, TV, and stage and I am from the radio world where there are no visuals involved, I wanted to dig into his brain a little bit to see what the difference is and how that visual world can help in the podcasting space as well.

You are going to love his stories. He really walks the walk and shows you how stories can really connect you with your audience. So get ready to hear his stories because it is all about learning how to speak with confidence and communicate effectively using your power with your story.

Resources mentioned in the episode:


Engage with Tyler:

  • Free download of The Method - https://themethod.seantylerfoley.com/
    • The Method Will Reveal:
      • 5 Insider Secrets Every Speaker Needs to Know
      • How New Speakers Can Quickly Inspire Their Audience
      • ​Discover How to Fill All Your Seats Every Time You Speak
      • Why Visualizing Your Audience Naked Never Helps to Let Go of Stage Fright
      • How to Speak With Confidence, Communicate Effectively & Win Your Audience




Connect with me!


]]>ef753442-6e19-4864-9aa0-f170f4d49d67Mon, 14 Jun 2021 15:00:00 -070035:43falsefull2626Inspiration for Show Notes and Episode Descriptions - Episode 25Inspiration for Show Notes and Episode DescriptionsWhat exactly are show notes and how are they used for your podcast? Although there are many different ways to create show notes and there isn't a "standard" or a one-size-fits-all for all podcasts, I like to think show notes are part of the listener experience. Take a listen to why it's essentially part of the customer service experience!

Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/ Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/ To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>What exactly are show notes and how are they used for your podcast? Although there are many different ways to create show notes and there isn't a "standard" or a one-size-fits-all for all podcasts, I like to think show notes are part of the listener experience. Take a listen to why it's essentially part of the customer service experience!

Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/ Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/ To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>a2784238-ef87-4ea0-b685-462d8321d017Mon, 31 May 2021 18:56:21 -070010:15falsefull2525Breathing & Voice Through the Lens of Speech Language Pathology with Kathryn Woods - Episode 24Breathing &amp; Voice Through the Lens of Speech Language Pathology with Kathryn WoodsPart of having interviews on your podcast, is meeting like-minded people and sharing their stories. Not only is it an intimate way to connect with your listeners, but also to your guests as well! One example is with Kathryn Woods, my guest today. I was introduced to Kathryn when someone we both know thought we'd have lots to talk about since we did very similar work through voice coaching. And boy, was she right!

Kathryn is a Communication and Voice Coach with over 20 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist. She is also a recovering shy person, and fuses those aspects of her background to teach speakers, business owners, and executives how to use their voice to connect with their listeners when they speak, so they can have more influence and make a bigger impact.

Although we are both voice coaches and share the same love of amplifying people's voices, it was her background as a speech-language pathologist that perked my interest! Since I do not have a medical background, I brought Kathryn on today to share her medical perspective to voice work. We chatted about tips for your voice from an SLP perspective. How breath is the foundation of your voice. Plus, what hurdles she overcame as a recovering shy person.

Links mentioned in the episode:


Engage with Kathryn:


Connect with me!


]]>Part of having interviews on your podcast, is meeting like-minded people and sharing their stories. Not only is it an intimate way to connect with your listeners, but also to your guests as well! One example is with Kathryn Woods, my guest today. I was introduced to Kathryn when someone we both know thought we'd have lots to talk about since we did very similar work through voice coaching. And boy, was she right!

Kathryn is a Communication and Voice Coach with over 20 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist. She is also a recovering shy person, and fuses those aspects of her background to teach speakers, business owners, and executives how to use their voice to connect with their listeners when they speak, so they can have more influence and make a bigger impact.

Although we are both voice coaches and share the same love of amplifying people's voices, it was her background as a speech-language pathologist that perked my interest! Since I do not have a medical background, I brought Kathryn on today to share her medical perspective to voice work. We chatted about tips for your voice from an SLP perspective. How breath is the foundation of your voice. Plus, what hurdles she overcame as a recovering shy person.

Links mentioned in the episode:


Engage with Kathryn:


Connect with me!


]]>4f98ec80-b61f-46e8-b095-d0f9f6c4da69Tue, 18 May 2021 03:37:22 -070026:13falsefull2424The Future of Podcast Monetization - Episode 23The Future of Podcast MonetizationWhat will podcast monetization look like in the future and is it even really your best move? Have you thought about that? I bet you have. When a lot of people start a podcast, they think, "How am I going to make money from this?" It's all about money. Or is it? In a capitalistic world, we want to make money. But how does a podcast make money? That's one of the leading questions I also get when people want to talk about podcasting. And there are various ways, but it depends on where you're at, to see if you can even facilitate having monetization for your show. So let's break that down a little bit more in this episode.

Connect with me!

Leave me a voicemail through the "Send Voicemail" purple button on my website http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with Mary on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

]]>What will podcast monetization look like in the future and is it even really your best move? Have you thought about that? I bet you have. When a lot of people start a podcast, they think, "How am I going to make money from this?" It's all about money. Or is it? In a capitalistic world, we want to make money. But how does a podcast make money? That's one of the leading questions I also get when people want to talk about podcasting. And there are various ways, but it depends on where you're at, to see if you can even facilitate having monetization for your show. So let's break that down a little bit more in this episode.

Connect with me!

Leave me a voicemail through the "Send Voicemail" purple button on my website http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with Mary on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

]]>69adb038-4c7b-4aee-b7d6-0caf4ff98726Tue, 04 May 2021 00:03:47 -070017:14falsefull2323Disrupting Voice Stereotypes and Accents with Hadar Shemesh - Episode 22Disrupting Voice Stereotypes and Accents with Hadar ShemeshI first heard of Hadar Shemesh going down the rabbit hole of looking for new podcasts to listen to and her Influency Podcast caught my eye - or ears in this case. Her passion to have her listeners own their voice was very much aligned with mine and I kept hearing myself say, yes, yes! Agreeing with her content and how her words were very similar to my own passion and values of empower women's voices and creating a diverse voice in podcasting. So I had to reach out and I am so glad that she decided to come on the show!

Hadar is an Israeli entrepreneur who helps non-native speakers of English find clarity and freedom in English. She is committed to dismantling the notion that English belongs to native speakers with a standard accent and shares her work on her YouTube channel Accent's Way English with Hadar and her podcast which I mentioned earlier - the InFluency Podcast.

Today we chat about owning your voice (with a non-standard accent), impostor syndrome, showing up publicly (whether on a podcast or video) when English is not your first langauge, the lack of diverse voices and the impact it has on how we perceive our own voices.

Hadar is so inspiring and I know you are going to find a lot of great insight from listening to this episode. So let's get started!

Links mentioned in the episode:

  • EP 20 with Katherine Kinzler http://www.organizedsound.ca/changing-social-power-through-linguistic-diversity-with-katherine-d-kinzler-episode-20/
  • EP 100 from the Influency Podcast https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/100/
  • Connect with Hadar on Instagram @hadar.accentsway https://www.instagram.com/hadar.accentsway/

Connect with me!

Leave me a voicemail through the "Send Voicemail" purple button on my website http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with Mary on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

]]>I first heard of Hadar Shemesh going down the rabbit hole of looking for new podcasts to listen to and her Influency Podcast caught my eye - or ears in this case. Her passion to have her listeners own their voice was very much aligned with mine and I kept hearing myself say, yes, yes! Agreeing with her content and how her words were very similar to my own passion and values of empower women's voices and creating a diverse voice in podcasting. So I had to reach out and I am so glad that she decided to come on the show!

Hadar is an Israeli entrepreneur who helps non-native speakers of English find clarity and freedom in English. She is committed to dismantling the notion that English belongs to native speakers with a standard accent and shares her work on her YouTube channel Accent's Way English with Hadar and her podcast which I mentioned earlier - the InFluency Podcast.

Today we chat about owning your voice (with a non-standard accent), impostor syndrome, showing up publicly (whether on a podcast or video) when English is not your first langauge, the lack of diverse voices and the impact it has on how we perceive our own voices.

Hadar is so inspiring and I know you are going to find a lot of great insight from listening to this episode. So let's get started!

Links mentioned in the episode:

  • EP 20 with Katherine Kinzler http://www.organizedsound.ca/changing-social-power-through-linguistic-diversity-with-katherine-d-kinzler-episode-20/
  • EP 100 from the Influency Podcast https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/100/
  • Connect with Hadar on Instagram @hadar.accentsway https://www.instagram.com/hadar.accentsway/

Connect with me!

Leave me a voicemail through the "Send Voicemail" purple button on my website http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with Mary on Instagram at @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

]]>33a60c55-df74-461c-83fe-b371b1215fccMon, 19 Apr 2021 17:00:00 -070030:57falsefull2222The Fear of Being Judged - Introducing the Visible Voice Program - Episode 21The Fear of Being Judged - Introducing the Visible Voice ProgramYou don't necessarily have to be an extrovert, in order to have an engaging voice or that fear that I'm just an introvert so I speak more meekly and more quietly, and I don't really want to express myself. No, that label of introvert and extrovert doesn't apply to your voice. You have a voice and I want you to use it to have people hear you in your fullest capacity and to share your story. What is your message? Your voice is the number one way to connect with a listener. Even if you have the video portion, or you do a lot of social media lives, it is still going to come down to your voice. How are you saying something? What are you going to say? That fear of being judged will hold your voice back. So let's dive deeper into this through this episode!

Apply now to the Visible Voice Program! http://www.organizedsound.ca/program

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>You don't necessarily have to be an extrovert, in order to have an engaging voice or that fear that I'm just an introvert so I speak more meekly and more quietly, and I don't really want to express myself. No, that label of introvert and extrovert doesn't apply to your voice. You have a voice and I want you to use it to have people hear you in your fullest capacity and to share your story. What is your message? Your voice is the number one way to connect with a listener. Even if you have the video portion, or you do a lot of social media lives, it is still going to come down to your voice. How are you saying something? What are you going to say? That fear of being judged will hold your voice back. So let's dive deeper into this through this episode!

Apply now to the Visible Voice Program! http://www.organizedsound.ca/program

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>cfd74cbc-a02e-48bb-9d7e-89b748fac7a5Tue, 06 Apr 2021 04:07:17 -070019:50falsefull2121Changing Social Power Through Linguistic Diversity with Katherine Kinzler - Episode 20Changing Social Power Through Linguistic Diversity with Katherine KinzlerSpeech can either cause some of our biggest social divides or it will bring us all together. One way to create diversity and unity in our speech is found in the value of learning multiple languages. Growing up in a home experiencing more than one language means that you are able to perceive people's speech in different ways. Having grown up with Cantonese being my primary language, yet living in an English dominant world, I saw that first hand which is why it brings me great joy to share to bring on Katherine Kinzler to the podcast.

Katherine is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago. Her work has appeared regularly in the New York Times and other outlets, and she was named a "Young Scientist," one of 50 scientists under age 40 recognized by the World Economic Forum. Her book "How You Say It: Why You Talk the Way You Do—And What It Says About You" exposes linguistic prejudice and that is the reason why I wanted her on the show.

Originally, I was so drawn to her work with kids showing why multilingualism is beneficial for kids and our society as at the time, my kiddo was getting ready to start kindergarten and I was teaching her some basic Cantonese and French (as French is also an official language of Canada). It struck me how Katherine's work mirrored a lot of how I grew up and wondered how this would impact my own daughter. But then as I poured through the rest of her book, I realized her work lines up exactly with podcasting as well.

You need to share your voice, join the conversation, and contribute to the world's voices. As I say, there are no mistakes, just open your mouth and try because it's all a journey. If you don't try and speak up, how will you learn for the next time? Because there will always be a next time.

If that thought of a next time brings up some fear and other emotions, I'd love for you to join me on my webinar. A reminder that "Master Your Voice to Create Confidence in Your Message" is happening on March 31st. All the details to register for the free webinar are on my website. Scroll over to http://www.organizedsound.ca and on the top of the screen is a purple button for you to register for the webinar. Save your seat and I'll see you on March 31st!

Links mentioned in the episode:

Connect with Katherine Kinzler on Twittter @K_Kinzler https://twitter.com/k_kinzler

Read her book! "How You Say It: Why You Talk the Way You Do--And What It Says about You" https://bookshop.org/books/how-you-say-it-why-you-talk-the-way-you-do-and-what-it-says-about-you/9780544986558

Check out Katherine's work at the Univerity of Chicago: The Development of Social Cognition Laboratory https://dsclab.uchicago.edu/

World Economic Forum "Young Scientist" of 2018: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_YS_Community_Brochure_2018.pdf

Connect with me!

Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Leave me a voicemail through the "Send Voicemail" purple button on the right of your screen.

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Speech can either cause some of our biggest social divides or it will bring us all together. One way to create diversity and unity in our speech is found in the value of learning multiple languages. Growing up in a home experiencing more than one language means that you are able to perceive people's speech in different ways. Having grown up with Cantonese being my primary language, yet living in an English dominant world, I saw that first hand which is why it brings me great joy to share to bring on Katherine Kinzler to the podcast.

Katherine is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago. Her work has appeared regularly in the New York Times and other outlets, and she was named a "Young Scientist," one of 50 scientists under age 40 recognized by the World Economic Forum. Her book "How You Say It: Why You Talk the Way You Do—And What It Says About You" exposes linguistic prejudice and that is the reason why I wanted her on the show.

Originally, I was so drawn to her work with kids showing why multilingualism is beneficial for kids and our society as at the time, my kiddo was getting ready to start kindergarten and I was teaching her some basic Cantonese and French (as French is also an official language of Canada). It struck me how Katherine's work mirrored a lot of how I grew up and wondered how this would impact my own daughter. But then as I poured through the rest of her book, I realized her work lines up exactly with podcasting as well.

You need to share your voice, join the conversation, and contribute to the world's voices. As I say, there are no mistakes, just open your mouth and try because it's all a journey. If you don't try and speak up, how will you learn for the next time? Because there will always be a next time.

If that thought of a next time brings up some fear and other emotions, I'd love for you to join me on my webinar. A reminder that "Master Your Voice to Create Confidence in Your Message" is happening on March 31st. All the details to register for the free webinar are on my website. Scroll over to http://www.organizedsound.ca and on the top of the screen is a purple button for you to register for the webinar. Save your seat and I'll see you on March 31st!

Links mentioned in the episode:

Connect with Katherine Kinzler on Twittter @K_Kinzler https://twitter.com/k_kinzler

Read her book! "How You Say It: Why You Talk the Way You Do--And What It Says about You" https://bookshop.org/books/how-you-say-it-why-you-talk-the-way-you-do-and-what-it-says-about-you/9780544986558

Check out Katherine's work at the Univerity of Chicago: The Development of Social Cognition Laboratory https://dsclab.uchicago.edu/

World Economic Forum "Young Scientist" of 2018: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_YS_Community_Brochure_2018.pdf

Connect with me!

Find more secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Leave me a voicemail through the "Send Voicemail" purple button on the right of your screen.

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>3f985614-22b1-45cb-8853-06f28004503aMon, 22 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -070023:26falsefull2020Breaking Through Societal Pressure About Your Voice - Episode 19Breaking Through Societal Pressure About Your VoiceWhen you feel small or made to feel small, so does your voice. Your voice will shift and sound smaller or quieter.

In this episode, I'm sharing my live session from the Extraordinary Asian Women event hosted by Claudia Chan. This was recorded back on January 30th, 2021, yet is still so relevant today. I was so happy that Claudia said I could share my session with you on this podcast because even though I touch on growing up in a Chinese immigrant household which has its own societal pressures of what a girl or woman is supposed to be, how I'm supposed to act, a lot of the tips I shared is essential to anyone wanting to share their voice and do it in a way that creates so much confidence in what they have to say.

And if you already know that you have something important to say, yet you're still holding back on your voice, I'd love for you to join me on my free webinar happening on March 31st. It's called "Master Your Voice to Create Confidence in Your Message". It'll be 60-minutes which will also include some time in the end for live hot seat voice coaching. So if you have a question about how to speak more confidently, to get rid of the crackly voice at the of your sentences, how to not feel so scared to speak up, I'd love to have you join me for this webinar and I'll do some quick one-on-one coaching on the spot as well to immediately shift the way you speak to showcase who you really are.

Head on over to my website https://www.organizedsound.ca and on the top of the homepage is a purple button for you to register for the webinar.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Connect with Claudia Chan on Instagram @ExtraordinaryAsianWomen https://www.instagram.com/extraordinaryasianwomen/

Register for my voice webinar! https://www.organizedsound.ca

Continue the conversation with me!

Find more secrets and leave a voicemail at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>When you feel small or made to feel small, so does your voice. Your voice will shift and sound smaller or quieter.

In this episode, I'm sharing my live session from the Extraordinary Asian Women event hosted by Claudia Chan. This was recorded back on January 30th, 2021, yet is still so relevant today. I was so happy that Claudia said I could share my session with you on this podcast because even though I touch on growing up in a Chinese immigrant household which has its own societal pressures of what a girl or woman is supposed to be, how I'm supposed to act, a lot of the tips I shared is essential to anyone wanting to share their voice and do it in a way that creates so much confidence in what they have to say.

And if you already know that you have something important to say, yet you're still holding back on your voice, I'd love for you to join me on my free webinar happening on March 31st. It's called "Master Your Voice to Create Confidence in Your Message". It'll be 60-minutes which will also include some time in the end for live hot seat voice coaching. So if you have a question about how to speak more confidently, to get rid of the crackly voice at the of your sentences, how to not feel so scared to speak up, I'd love to have you join me for this webinar and I'll do some quick one-on-one coaching on the spot as well to immediately shift the way you speak to showcase who you really are.

Head on over to my website https://www.organizedsound.ca and on the top of the homepage is a purple button for you to register for the webinar.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Connect with Claudia Chan on Instagram @ExtraordinaryAsianWomen https://www.instagram.com/extraordinaryasianwomen/

Register for my voice webinar! https://www.organizedsound.ca

Continue the conversation with me!

Find more secrets and leave a voicemail at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>a21d1fed-54c1-47f2-8567-19b5efd1738aTue, 09 Mar 2021 00:59:14 -070026:24falsefull1919Why Filler Words Like "Like" Are Powerful with Alexandra D'Arcy - Episode 18Why Filler Words Like "Like" Are Powerful with Alexandra D'ArcyNot all filler words are created equal. Did you know there's a difference between "ah" and "um"? Yeah, neither did I!

As a podcast editor, I hear people speak, a lot. All the nuances in their voice, the words they choose, and how they present themselves. And in this work, when I'm scrolling in the forums, other editors gripe about people's overuse of filler words like "um", "ah", and "like" all the time.

Alexandra D'Arcy is my first guest on the podcast. She is a Professor of Linguistics and the Director of the Sociolinguistics Research Lab at the University of Victoria, where she is also the Associate Dean Research for the Faculty of Humanities.

Alexandra debunks the notion that 'like" is a modern crutch word used only by the young and flighty. In fact, it's more complicated than you think. Her book is titled "Discourse-Pragmatic Variation in Context; 800 Years of LIKE". That is a mouthful for me, so I asked her to dumb it down for me who's only been to radio school, not an academic, and wanted to know what the heck does discourse-pragmatic variation even mean!?!?!

We discuss the many jobs that "like" has, the criticism of women's language, and what really is modern language.

Here are Alexandra D'Arcy's "like" examples:

  • FINAL LIKE (adverb, 'as it were')
    • He was quite gentle and quiet LIKE. (Corpus of Historical American English/Uncle Tom's Cabin/1852)
    • We need to smarten it up a bit LIKE. (Toronto, woman, born 1927)

  • DISCOURSE MARKER (adverb, 'for example, 'approximately', 'in this way', 'let me illustrate', etc.)
    • They never went out in a small canoe. LIKE, we went from here to Cape Beale. They had great large war canoes. (Victoria BC, woman, born 1875)
    • Och, they done all types of work. LIKE they ploughed and harrowed. (Southwest Tyrone, man, born 1943)
    • It's probably about a bit longer than this room. LIKE it's probably like that wide and like a bit longer. (Victoria BC, boy, born 2006)

  • ALSO THE DISCOURSE MARKER, but after a verb that introduces quoted speech
    • He said LIKE "Stored water is just like stored dollars." (Victoria BC, man, born 1935)
    • Imagine being told by your parents LIKE "We know you have it in you." (Victoria BC, man, born 1959)

  • DISCOURSE PARTICLE (adverb, but put focus on what follows or allows speaker to mitigate claim on truth or authority)
    • Well right in front of that they had boards LIKE built across. (Victoria BC, woman, born 1874)
    • They were just LIKE sitting, waiting to die. (Scotland, man, born 1925)
    • His father had LIKE a restaurant cafe in Regent Street. (New Zealand, man, born 1955)


Links mentioned in the episode:

Connect with Alexandra D'Arcy on Twitter @LangMaverick https://twitter.com/langmaverick?lang=en

"Wordslut" by Amanda Montell https://bookshop.org/books/wordslut-a-feminist-guide-to-taking-back-the-english-language/9780062868886

Continue the conversation with me!

Find more secrets and leave a voicemail at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Not all filler words are created equal. Did you know there's a difference between "ah" and "um"? Yeah, neither did I!

As a podcast editor, I hear people speak, a lot. All the nuances in their voice, the words they choose, and how they present themselves. And in this work, when I'm scrolling in the forums, other editors gripe about people's overuse of filler words like "um", "ah", and "like" all the time.

Alexandra D'Arcy is my first guest on the podcast. She is a Professor of Linguistics and the Director of the Sociolinguistics Research Lab at the University of Victoria, where she is also the Associate Dean Research for the Faculty of Humanities.

Alexandra debunks the notion that 'like" is a modern crutch word used only by the young and flighty. In fact, it's more complicated than you think. Her book is titled "Discourse-Pragmatic Variation in Context; 800 Years of LIKE". That is a mouthful for me, so I asked her to dumb it down for me who's only been to radio school, not an academic, and wanted to know what the heck does discourse-pragmatic variation even mean!?!?!

We discuss the many jobs that "like" has, the criticism of women's language, and what really is modern language.

Here are Alexandra D'Arcy's "like" examples:

  • FINAL LIKE (adverb, 'as it were')
    • He was quite gentle and quiet LIKE. (Corpus of Historical American English/Uncle Tom's Cabin/1852)
    • We need to smarten it up a bit LIKE. (Toronto, woman, born 1927)

  • DISCOURSE MARKER (adverb, 'for example, 'approximately', 'in this way', 'let me illustrate', etc.)
    • They never went out in a small canoe. LIKE, we went from here to Cape Beale. They had great large war canoes. (Victoria BC, woman, born 1875)
    • Och, they done all types of work. LIKE they ploughed and harrowed. (Southwest Tyrone, man, born 1943)
    • It's probably about a bit longer than this room. LIKE it's probably like that wide and like a bit longer. (Victoria BC, boy, born 2006)

  • ALSO THE DISCOURSE MARKER, but after a verb that introduces quoted speech
    • He said LIKE "Stored water is just like stored dollars." (Victoria BC, man, born 1935)
    • Imagine being told by your parents LIKE "We know you have it in you." (Victoria BC, man, born 1959)

  • DISCOURSE PARTICLE (adverb, but put focus on what follows or allows speaker to mitigate claim on truth or authority)
    • Well right in front of that they had boards LIKE built across. (Victoria BC, woman, born 1874)
    • They were just LIKE sitting, waiting to die. (Scotland, man, born 1925)
    • His father had LIKE a restaurant cafe in Regent Street. (New Zealand, man, born 1955)


Links mentioned in the episode:

Connect with Alexandra D'Arcy on Twitter @LangMaverick https://twitter.com/langmaverick?lang=en

"Wordslut" by Amanda Montell https://bookshop.org/books/wordslut-a-feminist-guide-to-taking-back-the-english-language/9780062868886

Continue the conversation with me!

Find more secrets and leave a voicemail at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at http://www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>86083e3a-e617-4ae5-9765-3733fcacaaf5Mon, 22 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -070031:03falsefull1818Dropping the Facade with Your Heart Voice Connection - Episode 17Dropping the Facade with Your Heart Voice Connection2021 will continue to be digital as we connect online. How are you showing up? Your heart voice is perfect for podcasting because it showcases who you truly are. You are not creating a fake version of yourself behind the mic. You are being yourself because that's what your listener wants to connect to; real human beings to connect to.

So what is holding you back from revealing your true heart voice? Listen to today's episode to reconnect to your voice.

We also talk briefly about Podcast Global Summit with the Pre-Week event happening February 22nd-26th and the main event March 1st-5th.

Enter to win a VIP pass (includes all access + lifetime recordings!), Valued at over $200 USD. Contest closes on Feb 18th, 2021. http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com/podfest

Or get $49 off any ticket (which means if you select the "Entry Level" ticket, it'll be FREE by using the promo code VOICE (Note all caps and enter the promo code at the top of the page.) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podfest-global-2021-virtual-tickets-97379335213

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/ Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/ To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>2021 will continue to be digital as we connect online. How are you showing up? Your heart voice is perfect for podcasting because it showcases who you truly are. You are not creating a fake version of yourself behind the mic. You are being yourself because that's what your listener wants to connect to; real human beings to connect to.

So what is holding you back from revealing your true heart voice? Listen to today's episode to reconnect to your voice.

We also talk briefly about Podcast Global Summit with the Pre-Week event happening February 22nd-26th and the main event March 1st-5th.

Enter to win a VIP pass (includes all access + lifetime recordings!), Valued at over $200 USD. Contest closes on Feb 18th, 2021. http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com/podfest

Or get $49 off any ticket (which means if you select the "Entry Level" ticket, it'll be FREE by using the promo code VOICE (Note all caps and enter the promo code at the top of the page.) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podfest-global-2021-virtual-tickets-97379335213

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/ Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/ To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>1e3d90f5-dff7-4ca7-ac24-b19654c27cddMon, 08 Feb 2021 20:02:56 -070012:03falsefull1717Returning Feb 8thReturning Feb 8thWelcome back! I've got a little bonus episode for you today to do a bit of housekeeping and get you back into the swing of things!

It's the start of 2021 and like you, have you had a chance to review your podcast yet from the last year? Take a listen to the last episode (episode 16 "Defining Goals for Your Podcast" - the last episode of 2020) for your own review, tweak, and repeat process!

We all evolve and I hope you are too on your podcast. I'm happy to announce, that I will be back on February 8th! Listen to this bonus episode to hear all the details!

I'll also be starting a new publishing schedule as well, with new episodes for you to hear every other Monday. So hit that subscribe button to make sure you don't miss an episode and take the show with you wherever you go.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Welcome back! I've got a little bonus episode for you today to do a bit of housekeeping and get you back into the swing of things!

It's the start of 2021 and like you, have you had a chance to review your podcast yet from the last year? Take a listen to the last episode (episode 16 "Defining Goals for Your Podcast" - the last episode of 2020) for your own review, tweak, and repeat process!

We all evolve and I hope you are too on your podcast. I'm happy to announce, that I will be back on February 8th! Listen to this bonus episode to hear all the details!

I'll also be starting a new publishing schedule as well, with new episodes for you to hear every other Monday. So hit that subscribe button to make sure you don't miss an episode and take the show with you wherever you go.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>a7d631fd-55be-421a-95e0-ed260e142defMon, 01 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -070005:51falsebonusDefining Goals For Your Podcast - Episode 16Defining Goals For Your PodcastMany Podcasters have been focused on their day-to-day work, including myself, focusing on the work I do with my clients rather than working on my own podcast. Yeah, believe it or not, I teach people about podcasting and can't even maintain my own podcast. Hey, it happens but that doesn't mean that your podcast is for not. When you started your podcast, what was the goal? What was the defining moment? What was your reason and your why, I keep talking about this, what was your why in beginning your show? I want you to go back to your original goals or, again, if you don't have any goals to start them. Why are you podcasting? Why does it matter to share your voice? And so, are you?

Let's dive into this episode to review, tweak, and repeat what worked and didn't work for our podcast this year!

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode16 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/ To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Many Podcasters have been focused on their day-to-day work, including myself, focusing on the work I do with my clients rather than working on my own podcast. Yeah, believe it or not, I teach people about podcasting and can't even maintain my own podcast. Hey, it happens but that doesn't mean that your podcast is for not. When you started your podcast, what was the goal? What was the defining moment? What was your reason and your why, I keep talking about this, what was your why in beginning your show? I want you to go back to your original goals or, again, if you don't have any goals to start them. Why are you podcasting? Why does it matter to share your voice? And so, are you?

Let's dive into this episode to review, tweak, and repeat what worked and didn't work for our podcast this year!

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode16 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions/ To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>9fd09a7d-1a1f-4c3a-9673-961e9265d501Tue, 24 Nov 2020 17:36:28 -070011:39falsefull1616Identifying Your Audience for Podcast Growth - Episode 15Identifying Your Audience for Podcast GrowthIdentifying your audience one of the key foundations for your podcast. Whether you already have a show or you're launching a new one, you need to know who is your audience. You may have taken some free podcasting courses or did some Googling and many people say you need to shape your ideas and find your ideal listener. True, I am no different. But what does that really mean? Why does finding your audience matter to your podcast? Without knowing who you are talking to, you also may not find your voice as easily.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode15 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Identifying your audience one of the key foundations for your podcast. Whether you already have a show or you're launching a new one, you need to know who is your audience. You may have taken some free podcasting courses or did some Googling and many people say you need to shape your ideas and find your ideal listener. True, I am no different. But what does that really mean? Why does finding your audience matter to your podcast? Without knowing who you are talking to, you also may not find your voice as easily.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode15 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>b3674e30-72d3-4853-971d-2ecbc4951d18Mon, 09 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -070009:19falsefull1515Discover Your True Voice By Uncovering Your Past - Episode 14Discover Your True Voice By Uncovering Your PastThink about your voice. Why do you sound the way you do? Why do you speak the way you do? The words you choose, the pitches you make, although comes naturally to you now, it all had to start somewhere.

As kids, we emulate the adults around us, the community that we live in, and the culture that is ingrained in our bones. Media plays a big role too. The voice you currently have probably isn't your true voice. Or it's not your true voice when you get behind the mic. The sounds you make are for others to hear, so why not make it as true to you as possible?

In today's episode, listen to how your past experiences impact your voice.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode14

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Think about your voice. Why do you sound the way you do? Why do you speak the way you do? The words you choose, the pitches you make, although comes naturally to you now, it all had to start somewhere.

As kids, we emulate the adults around us, the community that we live in, and the culture that is ingrained in our bones. Media plays a big role too. The voice you currently have probably isn't your true voice. Or it's not your true voice when you get behind the mic. The sounds you make are for others to hear, so why not make it as true to you as possible?

In today's episode, listen to how your past experiences impact your voice.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode14

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>896d8dbd-0e05-4e51-aaf5-31d538dbaab0Mon, 26 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -070011:09falsefull1414Permission To Be Yourself Behind the Mic - Episode 13Permission To Be Yourself Behind the MicBeing a Podcaster can be really exciting. The fun part is always the recording. You've got your gear set up and you're ready to hit that record button. But then you get behind the mic and bam, you freeze or stumble over your words and start thinking what if they don't get what I'm trying to say? What if I sound weird and not like myself? I've seen it countless times before in radio. But as Podcasters, you might not be reading a 30-second commercial, however, being behind the mic for podcasting is very much the same. You want to convey a certain emotion to connect with your listener. To make them take action. To make them care about what you have to say. How are you relating to your audience with your voice? Find out in today's episode.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode13

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Being a Podcaster can be really exciting. The fun part is always the recording. You've got your gear set up and you're ready to hit that record button. But then you get behind the mic and bam, you freeze or stumble over your words and start thinking what if they don't get what I'm trying to say? What if I sound weird and not like myself? I've seen it countless times before in radio. But as Podcasters, you might not be reading a 30-second commercial, however, being behind the mic for podcasting is very much the same. You want to convey a certain emotion to connect with your listener. To make them take action. To make them care about what you have to say. How are you relating to your audience with your voice? Find out in today's episode.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode13

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>077402c7-3214-49b6-9832-bc486d553e67Mon, 19 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -070008:44falsefull1313How to Podcast When You're Sick - Episode 12How to Podcast When You're SickIt's cold and flu season, on top of COVID, so what are we to do as Podcasters? This time of year Podcasters ask, what can do they to improve their voice while sick? Should we take cough drops or drink lemon with tea or fancy throat calming teas on the market? Sure, sure you can! But none of those things are going to make your voice any better or even cure you of the common cold. In today's episode, you'll learn why eating or drinking certain foods will not get you back behind the mic any quicker and how an easy technique to clear that gunk out of your throat will be better for your voice in the long run.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode12 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>It's cold and flu season, on top of COVID, so what are we to do as Podcasters? This time of year Podcasters ask, what can do they to improve their voice while sick? Should we take cough drops or drink lemon with tea or fancy throat calming teas on the market? Sure, sure you can! But none of those things are going to make your voice any better or even cure you of the common cold. In today's episode, you'll learn why eating or drinking certain foods will not get you back behind the mic any quicker and how an easy technique to clear that gunk out of your throat will be better for your voice in the long run.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode12 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>8ba5b9a7-00bd-417f-96da-a3e03c07989eMon, 05 Oct 2020 20:29:22 -070010:44falsefull1212Recording Podcast Interviews on Zoom and CleanFeed - Episode 11Recording Podcast Interviews on Zoom and CleanFeedWith today's need to still see each other virtually and the rise in use of video, today's episode features a question about whether we can get good audio quality and record a video at the same time for our podcasts. Although traditional podcasts are audio-only, listen to today's episode to also find out about video recording options for podcasters. This question comes from Ya-Ling Liou, host of the podcast "Conversations About Everyday Pain".

Links mentioned in today's episode:


Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode11

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>With today's need to still see each other virtually and the rise in use of video, today's episode features a question about whether we can get good audio quality and record a video at the same time for our podcasts. Although traditional podcasts are audio-only, listen to today's episode to also find out about video recording options for podcasters. This question comes from Ya-Ling Liou, host of the podcast "Conversations About Everyday Pain".

Links mentioned in today's episode:


Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode11

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast

To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>a7044727-2bd2-45d1-8e14-b4838cb7fcf0Mon, 28 Sep 2020 16:59:48 -070014:23falsefull1111Honour Yourself Because September is the New January - Episode 10Honour Yourself Because September is the New Januarywww.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode10 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.]]>www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode10 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.]]>60bb6a6b-e98a-48b6-bca9-40609210d738Mon, 21 Sep 2020 17:30:12 -070010:44falsefull1010Starting A Perfectly Imperfect Podcast - Episode 9Starting A Perfectly Imperfect PodcastPodcasting is about the journey and the practice of doing through imperfection. One of the reasons why podcasters don't start their own show is because they don't think it's good enough. But, the mistakes we make as podcasters means a lesson we'll learn for our next episode. We all publish imperfect episodes because no one is perfect. If we wanted to publish perfect episodes, there wouldn't be very many podcasts to listen to at all. I'd even dare to say none. Speak your truth and do it confidently by not needing to be perfect. Learn more about creating a perfectly imperfect podcast in this episode!

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode9 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>Podcasting is about the journey and the practice of doing through imperfection. One of the reasons why podcasters don't start their own show is because they don't think it's good enough. But, the mistakes we make as podcasters means a lesson we'll learn for our next episode. We all publish imperfect episodes because no one is perfect. If we wanted to publish perfect episodes, there wouldn't be very many podcasts to listen to at all. I'd even dare to say none. Speak your truth and do it confidently by not needing to be perfect. Learn more about creating a perfectly imperfect podcast in this episode!

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode9 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>1f8ebee1-d533-46ac-9ca4-e0aed0ac079cMon, 14 Sep 2020 16:59:14 -070009:32falsefull99How Wearing Masks Affects Your Vocal Health - Episode 8How Wearing Masks Affects Your Vocal HealthIn these challenging times, unprecedented event, whatever you want to call it, it's not very common to go out and meet people anymore during the pandemic. So when we do, there are rules to abide by, protocols we should follow, and generally, for my own peace of mind and safety, we are all wearing masks. However, when you wear a mask, that changes your voice. It shifts how you speak. In today's episode, I'll show you what it sounds like to wear a mask, how it changes your voice, and what we need to do as Podcasters for our vocal health.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode8 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>In these challenging times, unprecedented event, whatever you want to call it, it's not very common to go out and meet people anymore during the pandemic. So when we do, there are rules to abide by, protocols we should follow, and generally, for my own peace of mind and safety, we are all wearing masks. However, when you wear a mask, that changes your voice. It shifts how you speak. In today's episode, I'll show you what it sounds like to wear a mask, how it changes your voice, and what we need to do as Podcasters for our vocal health.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode8 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.

]]>7f6ee109-67a4-4259-ae18-00f7589e345dMon, 07 Sep 2020 09:00:00 -070011:56falsefull883 Secrets About Podcasting That No One Tells You at the Start - Episode 73 Secrets About Podcasting That No One Tells You at the Startwww.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode7 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.]]>www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode7 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast To learn more about or work with Mary, click on over at www.OrganizedSound.ca.]]>09afb214-2045-4776-8c7a-e0a7add2ebe5Mon, 31 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -070011:21falsefull77Your Story Cultivates Your Authenticity - Episode 6Your Story Cultivates Your AuthenticityThe Merriam-Webster online dictionary states that authentic means to be true to one's own personality, spirit, or character; is sincere and authentic with no pretensions. It's that authenticity that ties your listener's emotions to you. Finding your voice means sharing your story. Stories are who we are. Sharing your story means you are serving others. Your listeners may have had similar experiences and that forms an instant bond.

Learn more about what it means to be authentic with your voice with this episode!

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode6

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast

]]>The Merriam-Webster online dictionary states that authentic means to be true to one's own personality, spirit, or character; is sincere and authentic with no pretensions. It's that authenticity that ties your listener's emotions to you. Finding your voice means sharing your story. Stories are who we are. Sharing your story means you are serving others. Your listeners may have had similar experiences and that forms an instant bond.

Learn more about what it means to be authentic with your voice with this episode!

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode6

Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast

]]>ce7e61fa-0ec0-46df-8640-ce0e5491af1dMon, 24 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -070008:58falsefull66Unlocking Barriers to Create Content for a Podcast - Episode 5Unlocking Barriers to Create Content for a PodcastVisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com. Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode5 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast]]>VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com. Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode5 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast]]>357f6ed1-dd41-44bf-af7d-06500a315764Mon, 17 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -070007:40falsefull553 Quick Tips to Sound Natural for an Authentic Voice - Episode 43 Quick Tips to Sound Natural for an Authentic VoiceWhen I worked in radio, clients would come into the studio, never having been behind the mic before. So my job was not only to produce a commercial for them, but to make sure they sounded like as much of themselves as possible. I believed, even then, that your voice is your selling feature. It was the way to connect emotion to emotion with your listener to move people to take action.

In today's quick episode, I've got three main tips I always share with podcasters that I work with.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode4 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast

]]>When I worked in radio, clients would come into the studio, never having been behind the mic before. So my job was not only to produce a commercial for them, but to make sure they sounded like as much of themselves as possible. I believed, even then, that your voice is your selling feature. It was the way to connect emotion to emotion with your listener to move people to take action.

In today's quick episode, I've got three main tips I always share with podcasters that I work with.

Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode4 Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast

]]>ac543242-6ee2-4b58-9a56-5a4cd643f7aaMon, 10 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -070006:05falsefull44Podcasting Is A Natural Springboard From Radio - Episode 3Podcasting Is A Natural Springboard From Radio
  • My first podcast the Homestay Kitchen

    • To learn more, head to www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode3 Engage with Mary on Instagram @VisibleVoicePodcast! To get started on your own podcast or to get assistance with your podcast, check out www.OrganizedSound.ca.]]>
  • My first podcast the Homestay Kitchen

    • To learn more, head to www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode3 Engage with Mary on Instagram @VisibleVoicePodcast! To get started on your own podcast or to get assistance with your podcast, check out www.OrganizedSound.ca.]]>    02150ace-7954-45cc-b2b6-805b19126331Mon, 03 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -070011:52falsefull33    How To Speak Confidently On Video - Episode 2How To Speak Confidently On VideoWe're all online these days in our weird times, it's 2020. We're getting on Zoom calls daily and getting Zoom fatigue. It's a real thing. What is happening is that we're uncomfortable in the situation we're in and overthinking things. That affects our voice.

    So today, I've got some tips on how to speak confidently on video. When you put these into practice this week, let me know how it goes!

    Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode2

    Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

    Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast

    ]]>    We're all online these days in our weird times, it's 2020. We're getting on Zoom calls daily and getting Zoom fatigue. It's a real thing. What is happening is that we're uncomfortable in the situation we're in and overthinking things. That affects our voice.

    So today, I've got some tips on how to speak confidently on video. When you put these into practice this week, let me know how it goes!

    Find more secrets at www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/episode2

    Email Mary at VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com

    Engage with the show on Instagram at @VisibleVoicePodcast

    ]]>    914789c7-75fd-481c-bf77-8282edcdfcdfMon, 27 Jul 2020 15:00:00 -070010:10falsefull22    Why Audio is More Powerful than Video - Episode 1Why Audio is More Powerful than Video

    Everyone is looking to video these days as the next marketing move. But did you know that with bad audio, no one will be watching or listening to your video? They'll click away. Crappy audio can ruin the best looking videos, so make sure your audio is representative of your brand. Find out why audio is more powerful than video in this first episode of "the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice". Send Mary your podcasting questions to answer on the show by emailing VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com. Engage with the podcast on Instagram @VisibleVoicePodcast.

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    Everyone is looking to video these days as the next marketing move. But did you know that with bad audio, no one will be watching or listening to your video? They'll click away. Crappy audio can ruin the best looking videos, so make sure your audio is representative of your brand. Find out why audio is more powerful than video in this first episode of "the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice". Send Mary your podcasting questions to answer on the show by emailing VisibleVoicePodcast@gmail.com. Engage with the podcast on Instagram @VisibleVoicePodcast.

    ]]>    12a44753-1abd-4cd8-98c0-66d5c57802a7Mon, 20 Jul 2020 09:00:00 -070009:14falsefull11    TrailerTrailerHow do you make an emotional connection with your audience? It's done through the power of your natural voice. This is "the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice", a podcast for podcasters who want to reach their full potential. Be more confident to share your authentic voice through bite-sized episodes on voice coaching and podcasting tips. You'll discover what it takes to be a powerful podcaster with your host, Mary Chan, as she shares techniques, mindset shifts, and go beyond the typical how-to talk into a microphone, although she loves to talk about that too. She'll guide you on your podcasting journey to level up your show or even start one. As a Voice-Over Artist and former radio producer for almost 20 years, Mary will share with you what she's learned from creating, recording, and editing, hundreds of thousands of voices; from newbie clients who had to read their very first script, to seasoned professionals voicing the very same commercials you hear on the radio and TV. They all have one thing in common with you - they made an emotional connection to a listener, not by the words they used, but how they use their voice. Learn all the secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/ and subscribe to "the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice" for free on your favourite podcast listening app such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.

    ]]>    How do you make an emotional connection with your audience? It's done through the power of your natural voice. This is "the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice", a podcast for podcasters who want to reach their full potential. Be more confident to share your authentic voice through bite-sized episodes on voice coaching and podcasting tips. You'll discover what it takes to be a powerful podcaster with your host, Mary Chan, as she shares techniques, mindset shifts, and go beyond the typical how-to talk into a microphone, although she loves to talk about that too. She'll guide you on your podcasting journey to level up your show or even start one. As a Voice-Over Artist and former radio producer for almost 20 years, Mary will share with you what she's learned from creating, recording, and editing, hundreds of thousands of voices; from newbie clients who had to read their very first script, to seasoned professionals voicing the very same commercials you hear on the radio and TV. They all have one thing in common with you - they made an emotional connection to a listener, not by the words they used, but how they use their voice. Learn all the secrets at http://www.VisibleVoicePodcast.com/ and subscribe to "the Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice" for free on your favourite podcast listening app such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.

    ]]>    e4dd3fa1-8abd-44b5-9ba1-a8ee0852b01cMon, 06 Jul 2020 16:41:51 -070001:49falsetrailer