Arroe Collins Pod-Crashing

Pod-Crashing Episode 43 Love Stories

Today while sharing a conversation with published author Allison Ashley we spent a little time discussing the digital process. With the enormous amount of success murder and suspense podcasts have been experiencing, how far are we from everlasting love stories from becoming podcast seasons and episodes?
It doesn’t seem like anything knew right? Books on Tape was huge four decades ago whereas today Audible has picked up the reins. Kindle Unlimited has their connection and off to the side are the little guys like Chirpbooks.com who promise audio books up to 95% off.
Ronan Farrow has lifted the level of the experience. Rather than dropping words and paragraphs onto the vocal tracks, his podcast The Catch And Kill totally breathes new life into the soul of published books. Ronan shares the story. He’s not reading it. He’s developed a solid relationship with his followers in the way of saying, “This is not only how I lived it but why, when and where.”
Can that same approach be used with a love story? The narrator actually being a fly on the wall. The author discussing their story rather than reading it by way of well edited structure. Bill Burr is very good at taking his podcast into an area of, “Hey how are ya! Welcome to my house. Want a beer? Damn I’ve got a lot on my mind. Pull up a chair and let’s swap some talk.”
Radio Hall of Famer John Hancock once said to me, “Formatics and structure are there if you need it. Connections begin with trusting your research and show prep then do nothing more than talk about it. Don’t force it. Don’t try to impersonate someone you like listening to. Just talk about it. You and that person on the other side. You don’t need to know their name. Maybe one day. Right now you’re just trying to have a conversation.”
While in a moment with Allison Ashley the edge of my universe was interrupted by a fear for love story authors’ gone podcast. Can you sell a book if what you’re pouring the energy of the storytelling into a pair of earbuds?
Part of what drew me closer to podcasting was having the free spirit to promote promote promote. In late 2012 I announced to my blogging community that I was leaving to write a book. I invited them to tag along by way of this thing I just learned about. They call it podcasting. I’m not sure. Yet I feel a huge pull to begin from a seed and let something I can’t see grow.
As the chapters were coming together I used the digital talk box to not only share the uphill struggles, out of control inner visions but to take my sentences and set them on this new platform all in the name of seeing if a strong love story can actually be the subject of conversation without it sounding like its being read?
Not an easy task. Mainly because of the radio background I was carrying. Radio people and Podcasters are two completely different performances and expressions. The book is titled Scrambled Eggs. Because I’m all about branding. Everything had to somehow feature the title. So I dubbed the podcast Scrambled Egg Shells. It lasted thirteen episodes and or thirteen of the fifty three chapters on the View from the Writing Instrument platform.
I returned to it today. The first time I’ve heard it in seven years. As a radio person we were painstakingly trained to turn a liner card into a conversational subject. Liner cards versus chapters paints the perfect picture of me standing next to Godzilla and he’s in the mood to battle.
I do believe love stories can be talked about rather than read. I strongly feel the next level of podcast play should be where readers want to take their imaginations. Not by hearing their own voice reading the story but to experience by showing up as a listener. Less work when that’s all you have to do.
Back to the fear I had for Allison Ashley. While in the midst of creativity sharing my heart spoke out, “Get off the subject.” Ok here’s the reason why. Podcasting is listening on demand. How much money are listeners putting in the jukebox to hear your art? Yeah I know, let’s get sponsors! I mean Jack Brennan has them with Disgraceland. So can we! Not an easy of a task.
Putting the book out there on a podcast at no cost is a hardcore first step toward bringing an injury to the inner core of why the book even exists.
I know why I stopped recording. I wasn’t convinced that I was selling books. Wait! Wait! We’ve gotta break it down. The thirteenth episode was posted on April 28, 2014. The digital world wasn’t anywhere near what we’re experiencing today. I remember sitting in the production room with my face in my hands. I was screwing up the process of connection. In looking back the author who had spent two years writing the book wasn’t liking the idea of sharing it as a podcast. How dare the radio person try and dominate this project!
Through inflection readers turned listeners could hear my interpretation of Scrambled Eggs. They didn’t see the pictures hung on the walls of their imagination through their eyes meeting the page. Until I came across Ronan Farrow the idea of gripping onto a listener’s heart and lightly tugging on it was something Casey Kasum had mastered on American Top 40. It never felt like he was following a script. He was sharing a story.
Evolution is a cool thing. Moving through the emotional mountains podcasters make then detonate requires honesty, persistence, perseverance, loyalty and more importantly patience bathed in forgiveness. The writer in me had to figure it out. To make nice with the radio guy. To have playdates while taking long walks through late night battles with ideas and failures.
Here’s the fun part about all of this. If you want to podcast do it. You don’t have to be as passionate. That’s my sickness. But somewhere along the journey. Right before you say I quit. The chewed up seed in your stomach is gonna pop out a tiny little green leaf. Suddenly it’s no longer about reading but sharing a story. Test the waters endlessly. Build and rebuild constantly. Gift yourself with a mental bikini wax then rip out the stuff you don’t need.
What’s the moral of the story? Not everybody is blessed to have writers, producers, promoters and managers pushing your name and branding through the eye of a needle. Joe Rogan announced last week that there are 900,000 different podcasts out here to choose from. It’s not slowing down.
Yes love stories will make it to podcasting. Guys will secretly listen to them. When any story is shared right. There’s always going to be an attraction. Live in the moment. While there do all you can to share some love with the podcasters that show up to bring you an incredible place to escape.

Pod-Crashing Episode 42 Knowing The Dirt

This could be a touchy subject but I think it needs to be talked about. Since mid-summer 2019 I’ve noticed a very interesting trend. The growing number of promoters and producers tossing their energy into the podcast hat. I call them “Listener Locaters” and “Guitar Center Home Studios Are Us”
I’m endlessly flooded with emails and phone calls, “Hey man I can bring bigger days to your growing needs.” My response is always the same, “That’s so cool! Find me a sales person that’s interested in making new money.”
First… I get it! With the most recent increase of podcast listening business owners and everyday talkers are finding the digital sport to be entertaining as well as affective. We’re all doing the same thing. Reaching for the centerfield fence and all we’re getting is a fly ball over second base.
The really good news? Somebody’s always willing to help out. I also love that recording studios are popping up all over the nation guaranteeing high quality. Who wouldn’t want to tap into this fast moving beast?
The other night it hit me. Do any of these experts host their own podcasts? Do they post two or three episodes a week? Are they biting at the bit to maybe get 1/10th the numbers Joe Rogan’s pulling in?
The podcasting experience is more than being a communications specialist or setting up a couple of mics and hitting play and record. There’s a lifestyle to this. Being in the trenches is priceless. There’s a lot to be said about making absolutely no money and you’re still busting serious ass to make a listener connection.
Once again, I’m not saying Listener Locaters and Guitar Center Home Studios Are Us are wrong. What I see on their Linkdin posts and company emails is the total cost to make your podcast a reality. You can do it! For this amount of money! Join our team of professionals and put your brand out there in the shape of a podcast!
Guess this is where my heart gets bent out of shape. You want how much money for how much studio time? And how long will it take to start making my own money? I mean like right away right? This my take. Up to this moment. Golf and horse racing have been the world’s most expensive hobbies. We’ve gotta tuck podcasting into this picture.
I’m not saying your company podcast isn’t going to inspire new consumers to test and purchase your product. I’m totally into the idea of generating a conversation with podcast followers. Sharing products that bring comfort and security to their life. Helping them become knowledgeable about cars, computers, homes, medical issues and whatever else the business is willing to bring forward.
My initial question. How many Listener Locaters and Guitar Center Home Studios Are Us are hosting their own podcasts? Why would that be important? Simple. During these opening rounds of everybody can do a podcast it takes only seconds to get a bad taste in your mouth. The very second you get hooked up with someone that sounds pretty reliable but it flops like a fish. There’s a big chance those of us that are living this everyday won’t get your business.
It reminds me of a message I bring to future Broadcasters. Short and to the point. I’m glad you’ve got the ambition and drive to reach toward terrestrial radio. The requirement is years of hard work, dedication, sacrifice and in the beginning very little pay. Or you can create a podcast and instantly be the CEO of Me Incorporated.
I write to those who invite me to use their services. I’m very professional. One question, “Where can I listen to your latest podcast?”
In a really weird way this has to be how Marc Maron felt while I sat across from him in the studio. I was trying to convince him to help change the name of podcasting. He said, “Don’t mess up a good thing?”
He was right! I was just getting into podcasting. My only real experience was what I put down on paper. I hadn’t bled the blood. Sweat the tough times. Or looked at myself long enough in the mirror asking, “Seriously? Really? Come on! Take up professional bowling!”
In 2011 my good friend Nathan put me on the spot, “Why are you trying to get radio station advertisers to create a podcast? Dude! Just because you write and produce commercials doesn’t make you an expert in podcasting! You can’t lead people without knowing the ins and outs of what is or isn’t a good or bad podcast.”
Even after eight years of hardcore pushing and pulling the only thing I can truly offer you are simple questions that in the end could poison your wallet. But if we’re being truthful. Maybe that’s what you need. The first edition of Podcast Magazine is blessed with self-developed journeys that should’ve gone south but those involved didn’t give up.
What I got out their digital confessions is the same story I’ve picked up in my four decades of terrestrial radio. What you’re doing in the way of communicating isn’t in your hands. No matter how much it hurts or is pushed away it acts like hot sticky gum on the bottom of your shoe.
You should be able to look into the eyes of someone and know on the spot if they podcast. This is why I’ve chosen to invite so many podcasters to my podcast Unplugged and Totally Uncut. The behind the scenes stories are perfect tools for those wanting to podcast. Other listeners are getting a backstage pass into a world that’s just getting started on its long term design.
I received an email this morning from Age Of Radio.org. They clearly state, “We don’t believe that you should have to pay for podcast hosting and we don’t believe you have to have a minimum of 20,000 downloads per episode to be on a podcast network.” I sent them my RSS link. Got a quick reply with further instructions. Their choice for podcast delivery is Megaphone.
Videos instantly connect you to a ton of information about setting up the episodes then executing them. From the very beginning they introduce you to their CEO Jeremy Quintanilla who has built a strong team of supporters and relationship managers.
After signing up I still had questions. With so much attention placed on having Relationship Managers I wanted to test the water. Within three minutes a reply was received.
Let me also give a shout out to Anchor.fm as well. They’re also providing a free platform, plus they’re hosting specialized podcasts on how to bring yours forward. I’ve been with Anchor.fm for several months with no complaints.
Both platforms seem to get it. They know that in order for you to make a listener connection, they need to be connected to you. It makes you feel like you belong. You’re part of a new age of something that’s showing growth.
So what’s the moral of the story? If Listener Locators and Guitar Center Home Studios Are Us are going to help podcasters, producers, writers and planners please be in the same game. I can’t prove that church ministers practice what they preach. I just know that they usually say a bunch of stuff that’s taken directly from my street.

Pod-Crashing Episode 41: Trusting Evolution

Every singer songwriter I sit with, we end up getting locked in talk about how music never stops evolving. None of the artists seem to be bothered by it. It’s as if they expect change. This might be the reason why so many fans of music enjoy listening to a live album. The songs we love are there! It’s just performed a little bit differently.
The reason why I bring this up is because so many Podcasters have a difficult time moving through evolution. Great shows have totally disappeared off the map because the performers felt their episodes were moving in the wrong direction.
I get it. It’s an odd feeling that takes over. Bringing the podcast to life feels like a job more than a connection to content. Getting over that hurdle puts podcasters in a decision to “play out” a “timeout.” That in itself can easily turn into “drop out.”
The evolution of your podcast is completely natural. It’s one of the first things I cover when designing shows with businesses and solo performers. I get to know their vision. We discuss the highs and lows. The time required not only to show prep and layout the tracks but to market the episodes on social media.
Being that close to a project puts you in the center of podcast fatigue. The moment you try something new suddenly the censors are blaring like WWII air raid sirens. In the beginning you’ve got the confidence to participate with change but when the numbers aren’t instantly showing up? We revert to old habits. Which puts weight on every reason why you’re podcasting.
It’s decision time. Do you start an entirely different podcast or dump what feels like a bad taste. We’ve make it too easy to locate free time. Once you get that sweet surgery flavor in your creative system it becomes difficult to get back up on the horse. In the early moments of podcast building you were able to push your way through invisible walls and stumbles. Once you start getting the itch that something needs to evolve it’ll become that voice in the back of your head that won’t leave you alone.
The evolution of your podcast. There has to be change! Each episode is a new lesson learned. Through experience you’re able to strengthen your vocal delivery or tone it down. Through awareness a natural exchange begins to unfold. Don’t ever stop giving yourself permission to screw up.
My podcast Unplugged and Totally Uncut is always under the microscope. It’s nowhere near where it started. I wanted to be Casery Kasum or Dick Clark and share the journey of the singer songwriters and performers. I wanted to take it to massive level of this is what we did to get here. Then one day I asked myself, “Why are you doing what everybody else has already done?”
This is why I’d probably turn down a conversation with Paul McCartney. What’s he going to say that hasn’t already been lived? That oh wow moment. Does Mr. McCartney still have it in him? I keep practicing! Cuz the day the phone call chimes in he’s gonna know we aren’t talking about The Beatles, Wings or global tours.
While lecturing on campuses I invite students to participate with the famous people interviews. One rule. Don’t say anything about their past. All thoughts and conversation are based on what is in the now. I had to evolve to get there. Then believe in why it would be this way. A recent WTF moment was with legendary Rock drummer Deen Castronova talking about never becoming the front man of a band. He’ll sing lead vocals all day and night but he’s not going up there where the people are.
Unplugged and Totally Uncut went through a huge change about a year ago when I began posting a show called Unplugged Addiction to Creativity. I wanted to be real. Like most people we’re all getting tired of reading about which person of fame elected to take their life. The numbers are through the roof! I’ll never stop asking why while doing everything in my creative power to write and produce features that put focus on what it’s really like to be overtaken by the creative beast.
The evolution of your podcast can include extensions. I love what Jake Brennan is doing with his atmosphere. Disgraceland and Club 27 embrace the dark storytelling format of music’s unspoken history. Each of the podcasts feed the other. He uses the platform to cross pollinate other ventures he’s diving into at Double Elvis.
Lauren Bright Pachenco is the journalism force behind Murder In Oregon. A series of episodes digging deep into murder, government corruption and more. I asked her about life after this story is complete, would there be more unsolved Oregon murders? She paused. Then laughed. And said she couldn’t dive into the future at this time. My professional guess is yes. I can’t wait to see how she evolves her skills as a storyteller and investigator into a giant web of continuations.
Podcasting isn’t terrestrial radio. The one thing I took from the conversation between Bob Pittman of iHeart Media and Charlamagne Tha God is that it’s still an open platform for creative minds to explore. Because I’m so far out of the tower signal loop I reached out to Bo Thompson of WBT Charlotte. The kid has evolved into a master at designing and executing portraits of legendary Broadcast talent and more. It’s totally got his signature all over it. Is podcasting within the ranks of radio as free spirited as blogging was during its heyday?
In which direction will future podcast episodes grow now that Google has brought Audio SEO’s forward? The question Kraus Group Marketing is asking Podcasts and S.E.R.P’s or SERP’s the next big thing? Search Engine Result Pages.
SERPS are extremely important because it allows your fans and followers to get to know your website. If you’re truly into podcasting because it’s gonna make you money, this is a priceless part of your podcast evolution.
So what’s the moral of the story? Let your podcast presence go and grow. Let it have a life of its own! Somedays it may act like an out of control two year old child, a constantly demanding teenager or well-oiled seasoned middle aged expression of great content.
My podcast Poetic Elevation. In the beginning it had to be one path with no way off. I invited Southern Preachers to hang their messages and learned quickly how disconnected that thought was from how listeners want their podcasts. The evolution of the episodes began to put focus on Biblical studies but with my voice. They still wouldn’t have it. My friend Denny wrote to me, “Everything you’re saying has already be shared a trillion times. It’s nothing new. If you’re truly into this approach put lifestyle ahead of all things. You’re gonna have to get real.”
Play with your podcast. See if it bites you back. Pull on its history and see if it snaps. Bring an approach you thought you’d never try. Never stop taking chances. Evolve…

Pod-Crashing Episode 39: The Beginning

Between 2012 and 2016 I approached the decision makers of Broadcasting Schools and Universities to open their hearts and imaginations to accepting the platform dubbed Podcasting. I was losing the battle on the terrestrial radio side of the performance. Sales people loved it but didn’t know how to sell it and programmers wanted nothing to do with something that looked more like a hobby than a profession.
Outside of my daily journals only one person knew of my true drive to bring this medium forward. Nathan Richie. We’d talk for hours about laying out the foundation of a tangible object that very few people wanted to participate with.
I thought the adult educational system would leap all over it. They listened but wouldn’t act upon the request. It was always based on money, “Our students come here for career opportunities and at this time it doesn’t seem to be a great place to change our plans to invest in something that honestly has no success story.”
One of the nation’s top radio consultants, we’ll call him the D man, he believed so much in my visions as a radio talent and producer that in 1985 he brought me down from Montana to Carolina. Somehow I lost my luster in 2012 when I spoke of this new age of On Demand listening. I tried so hard to convince him of its potential. Interviewing huge musical acts and actors during an annual event with students from across the nation.
He wouldn’t bite. Which Nathan Richie and I talked about all the time. Nathan was a visionary that leaped onto the internet approach to growing radio years before the industry hopped on. Every word he spoke was a foreign language and yet I was able to trust the impression he was putting on my path.
He knew I was a rule breaker and willing to look at top dog decision makers and call them out for being disconnected. They made sure I knew that they always knew best. They endlessly screamed at me about how radio listeners didn’t mind ten minute commercial stop sets and if you play Maroon 5 six times in a three hour break it’ll grab you more.
The building of my podcast presentation between 2012 and 2018 was heavily influenced by Nathan’s attachment to where listeners were growing. We listened to each other. We built on a project based on how a martial artist positions themselves in a process of always reaching toward the community. He was a Master in Tae Kwon Do. I am a 3rd Dan or 3rd degree black belt. Together we had the guts to face an industry that was about to take a huge hit because the world was quickly becoming addicted to getting what they want right now.
The night I learned of Nathan’s death was a passing of the torch. To this day I scan every memory bank in my soul seeking every bit of information he gave me about internet airplay. What he planted was a huge seed based on one thing: Don’t just do a podcast. Get your ass on the real streets of where people are and put them inside the performance.
I was finally allowed to talk about podcasting in broadcasting schools in mid-2016. The D man has never invited me back to his gatherings. I’m sure I posted something on social media that ended that connection but that’s what you do when you want to make a difference.
It kills me that iHeart Media didn’t invest in where I stood in 2012 and yet they brag about being the biggest and best in podcasting today. I won’t complain. Without any type of monetary exchange I’ve busted serious ass to have ten podcasts on their platform. I believed in Bob Pittman’s nationwide address to terrestrial radio people. He asked us to step up and participate. The Production Director who just lost his position on the air due to an all music format leaped at the opportunity.
There were no rules. No program directors and no D man. Even if it meant leaving the corporate world of radio I had to believe in Nathan Richie’s empowerment. I can still hear his voice, “You have a product. How are you going to find people? More importantly how are you going to keep what you’re creating alive? It’s too easy to quit.”
Yesterday I sat with 13 future Broadcasters in a control room introducing them to podcasting. Asking someone what they want to talk about is far worse than screaming out something the devil said inside a church. People know about it or have heard about it but haven’t a clue as to how they can participate with it.
If Eric Nuzum of NPR was told he was too late for the game in 2005 why they hell would someone want to jump into the sport in 2020? Because in 2005 there were no true pioneers to learn from. There truly wasn’t a history or learning tool.
I read books and magazines about it today calmly saying, “Bull. Won’t work.” Everybody seems to have the answer in an age where we need to be putting focus on the listener and tomorrows talkers. I get it! Broadcasting student’s don’t get it. I put them in the room and broke the junk down. Starting first with huge groups talking for 15 minutes. They hated it. Nobody really got any air time.
Then we shot it down to three then two then one. I get it that they don’t get it. But if you don’t lay out the map of possibility on their worldly connections then the schools are ripping students off. This is podcasting 101. It comes with a kick in the pants. Enjoy the ride!
Eric Nuzum said podcasting shouldn’t be controlled by anyone. It’s what you’re bringing to the moment. As much as I want to agree with him is how much I want to stop him in his tracks. There are a ton of horrid podcasts on the platform screaming for some love. The moment I praise an episode for its bad quality is the day I’m picking up a full time job at Circle K.
Look… I’m not good at podcasting. I just happen to be incorporating a few messages that Nathan Richie made sure I heard.
What’s the moral of the story? Without a doubt I feel sorry for terrestrial radio talent being told how to bring a podcast to life by the likes of people like the D man. Unless you podcast you can’t teach podcasting. No matter how much you trust research we aren’t playing by the same listener rules and expectations.
The most recent move by iHeart Media to dismiss a huge collection of their performers from the party will bring thousands to this next level of play. They won’t go to a university or broadcast school to learn how to properly podcast. They’ll use their radio knowledge to reach what could be, might be, should be, hmmm maybe not next level of play.
Podcaster’s of past generations aren’t interested in radio people playing the stage. I disagree with that. Probably because I grew up through the ranks of those two speakers. We need radio people to push this platform to the advertisers. They understand quality and performance. They’ve been trained to promote and push the door wide open.
Welcome them by teaching them. Unite because Nathan Richie would agree.

Pod-Crashing Episode 38 Guts

Students, business leaders and everyday people constantly ask, “What’s the best way to come up with podcast ideas? Is there a place to research what people wanna listen to? Can you show me where to begin?”

I don’t mind being approached. I learned in 2012 that it’s all about building a community. Eight years ago I was asking myself, “What kind of gathering? Are there leaders and rules to follow? Is there any subject I can’t touch?” I’ve driven myself totally insane searching for the Holy Grail.

I do admit that I get a little leery about asking someone about their podcast. The situation puts you smack dab in the center of a huge empty hole. Trying to get an answer to what seems to be a simple question is absolutely like pulling teeth.

The best way I can describe it is to compare the moment with asking someone what their favorite song is. The question lands and out pops a dull facial expression followed by a solid, “ummm.”

I get why it’s tough to decide. Podcasting’s been around since the 1980’s. Every idea in the book has been gone! Naw not really. Even if you’re number 300 with a podcast about bowling in the big leagues, you’ve still got the skills to lift the level of play by introducing something new.

Personally…Ideas for podcasts come at me fast and furious. Usually while I’m driving or sitting in the center of a Hollywood movie premiere. 98% of what I think would be a good idea gets nowhere near the recording studio.

To write, voice and produce a single episode this show Pod-crashing requires a huge gunny sack of guts without the glory.

For this show to make it to iHeart and Spotify I had to lay out some rules, guidelines, reasons and a solid purpose. I didn’t need a 16th podcast.

Rule Number one: With a show like Pod-Crashing I have to endlessly gain the courage to step out of the box and cover a subject that could earn me a middle finger rating. Podcaster's personalize their walk and way and along comes Arroe with different tips and suggestions. I’ve never said, “Do it my way.” It’s always been, “Here’s one way.”

Let’s break this down. First… Let me give you a little background. The whole idea of starting the show Pod-Crashing was to be a critic. Movies and television have them. The sports world has its share of armchair quarterbacks. Why not Podcasting? The day came to lay down the tracks and I chickened out.

The original idea was missing something. If I was going to invest an amazing amount of time listening to podcasts and the artists that make them don’t check in with a good performance, as communicators what could we do to help improve their quality?

Bash them then smile and shake their hand. Oh hell no. Terrestrial radio has already perfected that performance. I laid low with critiquing because at recording time I failed to have a continuation.

I’m not the only one thinking like this. I talked with Steve Olsher of Podcast Magazine. We both agreed there’s a need for some cleaning up but neither of us feel being critics would be a great fit. His philosophy is to help inspire and introduce the listening audience not the podcaster to a better prepared and produced episode.

He’s putting the people first. Not the advertisers. Those invisible ears that just happen to land on your podcast. The next goal is to get them back again and again.

Let’s be honest. Having the guts to do any podcast demands a commitment. Especially if you’re pulling off a comic book style series, comedy skits, political news and reviews, religion studies, sports or creatively piecing together a murder mystery. Whew! Crime shows are big in listen numbers but require an amazing amount of research and post production.

Podcast ideas… Let the source of energy move toward you. If the long term goal of bringing a show to life is to hit several years down the road, you’re gonna burn up in digital space wandering through ideas that have turned you into an angry perfectionist.

Go into your desire to start a podcast with a forgiving heart. Be extremely nice to the creative self. The personality of your podcast identity could be a little moody and touchy. Because developing your podcast voice and approach is something we all reach down the road.

My Podcast The Choice first started out being a bunch of preachers sharing their Sunday messages. Then I’d tuck in my little message in between. It was missing something. Relationship. Although I had permission to post the ministers the experience felt like the message carriers were talking to a huge room of people and not being one on one.

In 2019 a friend convinced me to change the way I share experiences on The Daily Ray Of Light. He said “Make it less about Bible thumping and more about lifestyle experiences.” So I quit storm chasing and picked up a new name The Daily Mess. We’ve all got some good times and bad and putting a little love and hope into those tough moments needs more of a friend then boom biff bam from the man at the pulpit.

So what’s the moral of the story? There’s no such thing as a bad idea. Unless your most recent idea was to back out of doing a podcast. Get off that highway! Go into the game fully prepared to reach outward and far. Invest in your personal requirements. If it’s to bang out episode after episode without editing and processing, I still say go for it! Bust open a can of yes I can and start bouncing the ball. In martial arts we played by one rule: Nobody can become a master at kicking, punching, falling or winning unless you’ve done it 10,000 times.

How many episodes does your podcast have right now? Get your ass to work.

https://www.spreaker.com/user/arroe/pod-crashing-episode-38-guts

Chris Melton

Pod-Crashing Episode 37 Imaging

Not to step on any toes but a lot of non-radio people have probably never heard of imaging. They just know they want something kind of fancy to electrify the podcast. You can hear it when you jump into an episode. Woot there it is! A huge 30 to 60 second show open with sweepers layered within the presentation.

Imaging can be a great tool or a reason to drop you like a fool. It’s branding for a listeners ears. It’s speaks out in ways that keeps the talent in the host chair.

Terrestrial Radio loves using it because the days of using a jingle package pulled too many dollars from their pockets. Imaging a radio station actually began in the mid-80s when huge voices like Mark Driscoll and Bryan James invested a ton of money into building home studios. They made a lot of money for barking out call letters with attitude.

Why? Because everybody in radio and television wants to look and sound cool. You can physically see the importance of it while watching pro football. FOX cannot be compared to CBS. It’s an automatic to think fancy sound effects and filtered voices lure the listener and viewers to your stage.

I’m not sure that’s true. For every second you keep people away from why they tuned in is every reason why they’re taking off.

Old School Radio utilizes the strength of imaging to beef up the stations showmanship. I can see why podcasters would want to do it. One problem. Sometimes all you truly need to be is impressed listeners showed up without having to be wined and dined with too much glitz and glamour. Don’t push them away with a bunch of loud noises in a world created to be a one on one relationship.

Podcasting is about content. If the description of the episode says you’re talking to Paul McCartney or you’re reviewing movies and books. Hit the stage running.

Marc Maron uses a little bit of imaging. No big voices or crazy listeners shouting out his name. It almost sounds like he’s recorded a few guitar riffs that simply state yeah this is me get over it.

Howard Stern who isn’t a podcaster has the world’s longest show open. No large voice just Rob Zombie at the same time every day. Over and over. Not a bash. It’s imaging. You hear that song and you know Stern’s show is just getting started. Look at Rush Limbaugh with the Pretenders song intro!

But wait. I’m talking about incredible talent brought up through the veins of terrestrial radio.

Does podcasting in 2020 need imaging? It does in your social media! Spend time perking up the attention of a potential listener. Once they land on the episode they are yours to lose.

When I first got into podcasting in 2012 I was all over imaging the episodes. I wanted to be The King Biscuit Flower Hour. Lots of wow! No conversation or interview was posted unless it was thoroughly over produced. Zip bam pow up front and music always under the talk. Then Jesse Venture’s son wrote me a note, "My dad was talking about a lot of great things. You destroyed his impact by using music in the background. Thanks a lot.”

Dropping the hardcore showmanship approached changed my life and my analytic numbers. The moment I stopped trying to wow listeners the episodes gained in strength. Also gone were the brief bios about those I was talking with. I did it in the early days because I wanted my image to be that of someone that knew something about the subject. Get to the hook of the song! Again, listeners came to your episode because of the headline or the description.

Many times in the past we’ve talked about how we live in a world where listeners endlessly hit the Next button. Guess what else they know? Fast forward! That’s their way of giving you a second and third chance.

I love me some Joe Rogan but man I don’t like the 18 billion commercials at the start. Dax Shepard and Conan O’Brien salt and peppers them through the episode. I feel like I’m cheating on Rogan when I hit fast forward. His advertisers need to be heard! His image is being that MMA calm compassionate talker but man as a listener I’m ready to take him on during those endorsement commercials.

I’m not saying don’t image your episodes. By way of face planting in a pile of digital numbers I’ve noticed how much change I’ve gone through by not making a lot of noise.

Mike the terrestrial radio program direction told me in 1994, “The ears on the other side of your speaker aren’t interested in anything but what benefits them.” I totally got what he was saying. The average podcast isn’t blaring out of the speaker. It’s coming to a listener usually at a cool volume. Their imaginations are locked onto the moment you’ve designed and then Dax Shepard stops the interview and uses a fake radio disc jockey voice to remind his listeners that he’ll be right back. It might be me but that’s a trigger. I can hear my shouting, “Hey go see what Chelsea Handler’s doing on her podcast!”

I imaged terrestrial radio across the country between 1991 to 2005. It’s was brilliant fun because as the producer I was designing stages. It was more than being Johnny and Jack in the morning. They also played 50 minute Rock Blocks for your workday. Giving away $10,000 a day. You get the picture. Now see if it truly fits your image.

There are a lot of production houses and voice over people that would love to help you put an imaging package together. It comes with a price tag. That’s when many podcasters do the imaging themselves or get a student fresh out of broadcasting school. They might be good but they probably aren’t great. Ask yourself if you really need it.

I sat down for thirty minutes today to talked with Rock n Roll Hall of Famer Joe Elliott from Def Leppard. Dancing up the front of the conversation with a montage would’ve killed the moment. iPod listening was more than slam dunking a billion tunes into a tiny box. It was a continuation of sound with no interruption. There weren’t any sweepers, promos or top of the hour ID’s. Nope… Just the music.

Treat your podcast the same way. Imaging can come across as an attack. This is who I am. I am because I can. This is my podcast. Today we’re talking with Mary Wilson of The Supremes! Then when the conversation starts Mary’s incredibly soft voice whispers out a gentle, “Hello.” All of that imaging power for Mary to be a buzz kill.

One of the biggest reasons why imaging shouldn’t be used is based solely on copyright laws. Those zips, pows and swooshes are protected just like music beds. The bigger your podcast gets puts you on a different level of visibility. Using a production library without a license will earn you a letter. Why bury yourself in a puddle of stress?

So what’s the moral of the story? Whip out the paint brushes and put something on that blizzard white canvas. What are you listeners doing before they check into your episodes? What do you see them doing? Who are they? How old are they? What’s their name? Where do you think they work? Do they tune into your podcast to escape or to get information? Picture who you are breaking bread with. When you imagination taps into that portrait hang it on the wall. Talk with that person. Build a relationship in the way you think they want to listen. Be aware of who they are by researching what you think is their lifestyle.

When I produced commercials for iHeart I always asked questions about the client. What color of car do they drive? Are they openly fun and free spirited? Do they tap their pen on the desk when you meet? As a producer I wanted to know who I was producing for then I’d start researching who we were reaching out to.

Get your transmission out of bang it out mode and put some love for your listeners into the fuel tank. Know what image you’re trying to shove out there or share. To image or not to image! It’s always your choice. Take it for a test drive and keep your decision on the road.

Pod-Crashing Episode 36 Facing Podcast Burnout

How much work is actually required to create a somewhat successful podcast? Just being honest. The work isn’t the biggest challenge. Showing up is. If I can get you to faithfully be on that microphone committed to making great content...the workload doesn’t sting quite as much.

Podcast burnout flairs up when you pull off the performance then set it aside to edit another day. After it’s completed you push it away again. You’re too tired to post it on social media. Right away you’ve turned this one episode into a three day project. No wonder I keep hearing about the rising number of performers and guests that have chosen to not start a podcast or have walked away.

The more new listeners discover how cool listening to a podcast is the more they expect binge listening quality entertainment. In the beginning banging out your performance might have been the initial ear collector but just like Netflix and Hulu if you’re episodes aren’t bringing the goods, you’ve made it extremely easy to hit Next.

The man that got me onto the digital platform relentlessly kept pushing me beyond the podcast burnout. He was fighting the same low depressing times caused by walls that weren’t blazingly fun or entertaining to the creative genius inside your head and heart. He always complained about the team of three never showing up on time. So those involved waited around hoping they stayed in the mood. Then when they finally did the episode it was his job to do post production. They were there for the nifty cool show’s performance but left him to wash the dishes. Over and over again. He eventually walked away.

I was recently with the brilliantly funny Will Vought. An out of control expression artist and comedian with mind blowing characters that cause an overdose of laughs. He does it all. Television, live stages, he writes for late night hosts and more. But he doesn’t host a podcast. Because he knows what the beast expects to stay alive. He was more than happy to make sure I knew how much fun he has being a guest on a podcast.

Jessica Kirson is another extremely busy funny person camper. She uses podcasting as a way to blow off steam. All those people constantly saying do this and do that. Once she’s on that podcast microphone oh baby she hits that dance floor knowing there are no rules only a damn good episode.

I keep the day fresh by staying away from doing the same thing. My guests aren’t always Rock Stars or Movie makers and actors. National Geo Wild’s got two new shows headed our way that deal with two different types of veterinarians. Book authors of every type. Political news men and women wanting to always planning the next episode.

Another podcast I do deals with creativity being an addiction. I honestly thought oh maybe ten shows and I’ll drop it. I just did my 330th episode! You've gotta quit treating your podcasts like two old people no longer having sex. Ever been to a modern day assisted living? Wow! There’s a lot of love going on!

So back to the original question. How much work is actually required to create a somewhat successful podcast? Not to throw gas on a fire. Before you put focus on the work. Ask yourself if podcasting is really what you want to do and why? Who is your dream audience? Where would you like to take them? How often would you like to record an episode? There are no rules. Just know that in order to build a strong following requires a relationship. By showing up occasionally are you ghosting your listeners?

Those in the entertainment business not podcasting know of the command and demand and are honest enough with themselves to find better ways to participate with the growth of podcasting,be the forever guest.

But what happens if you don’t do interviews? What if you’re doing a sports show? Politics or something completely off the wall like sew clothing for dolls and other toys. The physical burnout may not be in the performance of the episode followed by post production and posting. It might actually be a lack of interest in the subject. Coming from terrestrial radio we were bombarded by program directors to never do a break on the air unless there was a benefit for the listener. So many times podcasters know what they’re talking about but the listener isn’t anywhere close.

Break up your shows! Make it one subject at a time. Keep it around 7 to 10 minutes in length. Information overload is like kicking a listener out of your private club. While you’re keeping the subject fresh and moving forward your followers are saying, “Don’t stop I want more!”

I go through the same challenges as a daily writer. I’ve been doing it for twenty five years. Not one day of burnout. If I feel something strange I revert to a page where I penned out subjects I might be interested in. Taking the time to make a list for future use serves as a net. Go ahead and fall into it knowing the importance of keeping your communication skills wide open.

So what’s the moral of the story? Burnout is completely natural. It’s not always easy to keep it under control and it’s always got the ability to bring your podcast fortress to the ground. Awareness is key. If you feel the pains moving in then call it what it is. I keep a daily de-frag journal where I am truthful to mind body and soul of podcasting. If I wasn’t feeling it or went numb on one particular episode. I make it clear to the creative process that maybe I need to change the time I’m recording or change up the way I show prep. Nobody’s asking you to be Happy Jimmy every time you pop that mic open. But you should have total control over what’s stealing your energy supply.

I’ll never tell you to step away from your podcast. It’s too easy to never come back. Try something new with your episodes or better yet create a second or third podcast. You can’t turn off creativity. You can only injure it by saying no.

Pod-Crashing Episode 35: The evolution of the podcast question


I love questions. It doesn’t mean I locate answers but it opens the gate to explore. Since I began my journey into the digital universe it’s been quite entertaining to see how the podcast questions keep evolving. In 2012 I was bombarded with, “Why am I doing this? Do I really need to do this?” To co-workers and bosses asking, “Are you gonna get any other work done? What are you doing and why?”

The biggest question from myself and all others has been, “How can I make money?” It’s a fair question that still doesn’t have a true answer. There’s a lot of people trying. I mean 700,000 plus. Which has evolved into a new age podcast question, “Why would I want to get started with podcasting when I’d be nearly next to invisible?”

Boom! How can your star be located when the Montana late night Big Sky is overflowing with light? What are you gonna do to bring people to your source of podcast art? Great questions! Do you have the energy or sound to grow a podcast organically? I’m blessed with the opportunity to sit with many different decision makers and podcast creator’s who want to jump into the rat race. Inside their tiny circles they invite two words, “What if?” I mean it seems pretty easy the what if should come with an earned bonus. Right? Until listeners can’t find you. You were last seen somewhere near the Big Dipper or was it Orion’s Belt?

Being fair to yourself. As we grow into a new pair of podcast slippers labeled 2020… You have the right to put it on the table, ”Why would I want to get started with podcasting when I’d be nearly next to invisible?”

Here’s my question, “Why not?” The other day I spent some time with Tom. He loves robotics but doesn’t like the podcasts that put focus on their importance. This huge global business leader feels in his heart that he and his company need to be pumping out two to four podcasts a week. Not so information driven but something listeners will be entertained by while learning new things about robotics. He’s doing it right. He’s asking podcast questions! Before he leaps into the project he’d like to understand its presence, growth, time well spent or wasted. All things that could or should lead him to serving current and future clients.

Then there’s Chris. He was calling for a major player in the advertising world, “We know we need to be podcasting. But we don’t know how. We can’t just start one. How will anyone know we exist? How much time should we put into social networking? Do we need to invest in a bigger team of players? What platform should we jump onto iHeart, Spotify or Apple Podcast?”

Very real podcast questions. Most of them didn’t exist when I first got in. If they did, it was probably in emails and text messages from the brilliant minds of pioneers that figured out a way to bring content to a new level of connection and conversation.

Look, I’m no expert at this game. An all-out armchair quarterback with a serious amount of passion to get people involved. Whether you create a podcast filled with 10 episodes to several hundred, the opportunity to reach an audience anywhere in the world sits in front of you.

You’re supposed to be asking questions. I’ve yet to meet a podcaster that won’t talk about your personal journey. There’s podcast groups on Facebook that love to chat it up. Always willing to share new ideas and ways to fix all that echo caused by recording your podcast in a poorly soundproofed atmosphere.

I walked in on a couple of people podcasting the other day and was shocked to see how far their faces were from the microphone. Even worse, one of them had their mic 45 degrees in the wrong direction.

With so much inexperience inside the podcast galaxy there’s bound to be baby Yoda’s trying to piece together what their hearts are screaming for. An opportunity to participate, be accepted, touch a little bit of success or just feed the beast that always wants to create.

Sometimes the podcast questions we ask others should actually be directed at ourselves first. Where is podcasting moving toward? Is it more than a fad? If podcasting is so big why are the politicians running for the White House campaigning on lesser known podcasts that still have an impact and reach? Why do I continue running into comedians that won’t waste a second of their day talking to a podcaster?

Grab a notebook or journal and start piecing together your side of the story. This show Pod-Crashing didn’t start out being a place to swap experiences. I actually wanted to team up with my good friend Gabe and be like Roger Ebert. Instead of talking about movies, we’d break down podcasts.

While sitting down to record the first episode I quickly dropped the plan. I came from the world of terrestrial radio where every player on the air is brutally judged by program directors, consultants, GM’s and OM’s. I didn’t need to invite that atmosphere here. I’m sure someone’s already doing it because like all things in podcasting you can search for any subject and find 600,000 different talkers expressing their opinions.

Will there ever be answers to our podcast questions? Chris wanted to know if there’s more money to be made producing episodes for the experience then there is for those physically being the voice? I know of three production houses that not only write and produce commercial copy but they’ve opened their digital stage for companies and performers who don’t have the luxury of a great sounding home studio.

As much as I truly and wholeheartedly support their business effort I took one look at the number of podcast episodes I’ve brought to life over the past seven years and know for a fact if I was shelling out money for studio time my deficit would be bigger than that of the United States.

I also run into a lot of people who’re afraid to ask podcast questions. The typical reaction, “I didn’t want to bother you. I don’t want to look like a beginner. You don’t the time.”

Always ask. We may have to set up a time to have a great conversation but always ask. I had no idea how fast time flew while I was with robotics man Tom. That 2pm meeting suddenly hit several ticks on the clock. Once podcasters get locked in on sharing each other’s information, you might as well set up ten to twenty more meetings.

So what’s the moral of the story? I learned one valuable lesson in high school with huge architect dreams. Never stop asking why. Nothing is drawn, built, rented or sold without questions straight out of the gate. Podcasting is something you build. It won’t happen overnight and you shouldn’t bombard yourself with stress filled expectations that may or may not be reached.

Find your peace of mind by hanging out with other podcasters. People that are living the life by way of never turning off the desire to constantly create or generate newer ideas. The one thing I’ve learned about sitting down with others playing the game is to do it one person at a time. You’ll get more out of it. The very second three or more begin to participate the questions usually stop a battle of I did this, well I did this, no I was first.

Podcasters use a lot personal energy to bring their styles forward. Please shy away from comparing analytic numbers and the size of your guests or subjects unless you’re willing to help each out. Your image as a podcaster has already been drawn by the way listeners digest your episodes. To walk into a conversation with a He Man attitude twists the stomach and creates an ache that’ll keep me from tuning back in.

There’s no such thing as a bad question. While creating together we can come up with brilliant answers.

Pod-Crashing Episode 34: Can We Talk Business

There’s so many different reasons why people get into podcasting. The love of the laugh, the openness to talk sports, freedom of speech to we’ve got to make some easy money! Yeah? How’s that working for ya?
My friend Ron wrote to me the other day physically excited that his podcast had finally started to collect pennies and cents. We’re talking 3 cents. I loved his attitude! Dude! You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to make anything!
Look… when I got into podcasting in 2012 I wasn’t in it for the cha and the ching. I was doing nothing but trying to feed my need to perform. Thirty three years of the daily hustle. Then Terrestrial radio saw better ways to lower daily costs. You don’t need a fulltime local on air staff. In the biz we call it Voice Tracking! To the average Joe Blow listener they couldn’t figure out how Ryan Seacrest drives to Charlotte every day to do a show.
Once I realized how planners and promoters were utilizing the availability of podcasting to help push the word out about their clients I was hit with a thought, “What if I created a platform that took our terrestrial radio advertisers to an area where they didn’t have to worry about getting their entire life story in a 30 second commercial?”
In my head it seemed like a hot ass plan! So I went to the GM. Talked to sales executives. Only to hear, “What are you doing again?” I’ll never forget the GM’s response, “I like what you’re saying but I can’t picture how it’s going to work. Keep working on it.”
As production director of the cluster of six stations it became my personal mission to locate the vein of gold. I kept digging for bigger interviews. Content that was lifestyle and affective. I tried religious podcasting to motivational thoughts for creative minds. I didn’t say no to anybody that wanted to talk. Until the day Comedian/Actor Rob Riggle began answering my questions on the show.
It was all about the Holiday Inn Express. I could ask anything and everything pointed back to the hotel giant. There was no way this conversation was going to be posted. My listeners didn’t need to hear a 7 minute commercial. That’s when it hit me. Every person I talk with is selling something.
I didn’t let it get me down. I studied the path. It’s all about endorsements! As host it became a game to sell their product without listeners calling the episodes an info-mericial. Practice! More practice! Make the mistakes so we can try new things!
Eva the promoter and I became extremely good friends because the guests she was bringing to my platform now one million strong were huge. I loved podcasting! It was time to take the plan back to the station GM. Plan? What plan? If you want famous people listeners go to TMZ or Entertainment Tonight. If you want religion you hook up with a church. There was no product.
I knew that Eva was making money off her clients. I was trying to create money by not cutting off my foot. Eva was a solid source of content and fame. If I charged her for my digital time and space the race would dry up like a California desert.
I knew in my heart somebody was making money. I just knew it wasn’t me nor the radio station. What kept me in the distance was the business world’s lack of knowledge about podcasting. It didn’t become a thorn in radio’s side until 2018. That’s when the top dog companies began to invite podcasters to appear on their digital platforms for free.
There’s that word again. Free. I’ve been a Broadcast instructor since 1988. Not a single class went by that didn’t hear my Free Radio People speech. Radio people are passionate about their performance. So passionate that 90 percent of us left our homelands to chase down the next big thing. We’d go from state to state, fired here. Fired there. Screamed at by listeners, sales people and whoever else needed to vent in the moment.
I was convinced in 1988 that one day Radio people would be doing it for free. Podcasting has given extremely creative minds the opportunity to play radio exactly what their hearts want to design. We already know about sacrifice! What’s one more tiny little podcast really gonna cost?
Can we talk business? Unless you’re Mike Rowe, Marc Moron or Joe Rogan you might have a fighting chance to collect some change for the candy machine. The real money being made is still connected to the hard working, deeply dedicated and extremely passionate promoters that have set up shop on their sacred grounds and increasingly blessed every day to connect the dots. Then call or send an email to the podcaster wondering when the interview will be posted.
We’ve talked about this before. Most podcasters put up one to two shows a week. I’m old school radio. I program every inch of the process. There’s so much structure on how the content is delivered that it might actually straighten the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
How do you make money? I drive Michael Greenspan of Greenspan Advertising crazy! 2am text messages that shout “I’ve got it! We can!” We work closely together introducing podcasting to clients. Selling their products without sounding like an info-mercial. Anybody can do it but can you do it being real and without dropping a price point? Practice it every day!
What about businesses that want to do their own podcasts? I brought this up to a very famous steakhouse totally ending the conversation after one thought, “It’s cool that you want to produce and performer your own episodes. I’ll be over to the restaurant in an hour to use your kitchen to cook my hotdogs.”
So what’s the moral of the story?
People are making money with podcasting. Promoters and Ad Agencies working with national brands seeking free appearances on podcasts all over the world. Well what about the talent, the hosts and the creators of the podcast? I had a comedian tell me a couple months back, “Nope not gonna get into podcasting. I’m too late. The time and energy required to barely scratch into an extremely overcrowded arena is time I can make money somewhere else.”