How We Podcast

Ever wondered what it's like to write true crime stories? Join Sean and Nicole Engelbrecht, a seasoned podcaster and author, as she opens up about the highs and lows of the industry.

She reveals the crucial role of authenticity in storytelling, the emotional toll of discussing sensitive subjects, and how her podcast has shaped a community of listeners.

Nicole also shares her aspirations for growth and tackling the intricate web of crime in South Africa.

Nicole's commitment to creating stories that resonate and the profound influence of podcasting is truly inspiring.

Finding the Right Story (00:00:02) Nicole discusses her approach to choosing stories, emphasizing the importance of involving families and the impact it has on the episodes.

Becoming an Author (00:01:22) Nicole talks about her newly released book on a hate crime, highlighting the various aspects she delves into and the reasons behind writing it.

Podcasting Landscape Changes (00:03:58) Nicole reflects on the evolution of podcasting in the five years she has been involved, emphasizing the growth and impact on storytelling in South Africa.

Building a Support Network (00:05:26) Nicole discusses the challenges of starting a true crime podcast and the support she received from international podcasters, highlighting the collaborative nature of the podcasting community.

Creating Human-Centered Narratives (00:08:38) Nicole explains her process for humanizing victims in her storytelling, emphasizing the importance of portraying their humanity to engage listeners and potentially generate leads on cold cases.

Scripting and Storytelling (00:16:25) Nicole shares her approach to scripting, focusing on victim-centered narratives and the challenges of condensing extensive research into compelling podcast episodes.

Workflow and Involvement (00:21:44) Nicole details her workflow from choosing a story to publishing, highlighting her hands-on involvement in every step of the process, from research to publishing.

Finding My Voice (00:23:06) Nicole discusses finding her authentic voice and overcoming initial self-doubt.

Challenges and Motivations (00:25:00) Nicole shares the challenges of podcasting, including managing emotions, and the motivation she finds in listener feedback and real-world impact.

Future Plans and Challenges (00:36:12) Nicole outlines her initial expectations, achievements, and future plans for her podcast and production company.

Worst Moments in Podcasting (00:40:52) Nicole reflects on her difficult experiences, including blocking a family member and dealing with factual errors.

Influence of South African Crime (00:43:07) Nicole discusses how the unique nature of crime in South Africa influences her podcast content and approach.

Misconceptions in Podcasting (00:45:53) Nicole shares insights on common misconceptions and challenges faced by podcasters, including the risk of "pod fade" and wrong mindsets.

Nicole Engelbrecht's thoughts on podcasting (00:46:38) She emphasizes the value of scripted, researched podcasts and the hard work required in podcasting.

The importance of hard work (00:47:57) Discussion on how hard work leads to luck and the commitment needed to stay passionate. The Podcast Catalyst newsletter

"Mother Lovers" is a great name for a fanbase! This week, Sean hosts Charlene Armstrong and Sam Herbst from "The Great Equalizer" podcast.

Their conversation covers the importance of content consistency, accountability, and the shift in measuring success from social metrics to listener connections. Sam and Charlene also share insights for aspiring podcasters and express their passion and commitment to the podcasting community.

The fan base (00:00:02) Discussion about naming a fan base and the impact of fan bases like Swifties and Beliebers.

The start of "The Great Equalizer" (00:00:29) Introduction of the hosts, Sam Herbst and Charlene Armstrong, and their podcast "The Great Equalizer."

Discovering podcasts (00:01:28) Sam Herbst shares how she discovered podcasts and the impact it had on her during postpartum.

Workload division (00:06:10) Discussion on how the workload for creating the podcast is divided between Sam and Charlene.

Production process (00:07:57) Insight into the production process, including research, guest selection, and technical aspects.

Transition to video (00:12:07) Transitioning from audio-only to video podcasting and the challenges it brings.

Measuring success (00:15:14) Exploration of different methods used to measure the success of the podcast, including social media engagement and listener feedback.

Success and motivation (00:18:33) Discussion on evolving measures of success, including personal interactions with listeners and the importance of remembering the initial purpose of the podcast.

Finance and Sponsorship (00:23:21) Discussion about approaching sponsors for finance-related episodes and the importance of targeting the right audience.

Challenges of Consistency (00:25:16) The struggle with maintaining a weekly podcast schedule, the industry's transition to seasonal content, and the importance of consistency in content creation.

Balancing Sponsorships and Time (00:28:33) Challenges in prioritizing the podcast due to other commitments, the pressure of delivering content to sponsors, and the desire for creative freedom.

Mother Lovers Fan Base (00:32:37) The concept of naming their fan base "Mother Lovers" and the significance of the term in relation to their podcast's focus on supporting mothers.

Merchandise and Brand Expansion (00:34:23) Plans to release limited edition merchandise and the vision for expanding their brand through merchandise sales.

Podcast Availability and Platforms (00:37:36) Information on where to find and listen to "The Great Equalizer" podcast, including various streaming platforms and social media links.

https://thegreatequalizer.co.za The Podcast Catalyst newsletter

Ever wondered what goes into making a movie-themed podcast?

Sean welcomes Jody and Ross from Bioscope Brasse for the first episode of THIS IS HOW WE PODCAST recorded in front of a live studio audience at Latitude Aparthotel in Cape Town.

Learn about the vision for the Bioscope Brasse, how "producer Abi" keeps the show running and get all the the hilarious behind-the-scenes stories.

CHAPTERS

[00:00:10] The podcast intro

[00:00:24] Naming the hosts

[00:02:02] Creation of the artwork

[00:02:39] Roles in production

[00:04:01] The role of the producer

[00:07:49] Recording schedule and challenges

[00:09:52] Batch recording and production process

[00:11:24] Post-production work and editing

[00:14:01] Effort in podcast production

[00:14:08] The preparation and production

[00:15:45] Learning and evolving in podcasting

[00:16:55] Technical aspects and editing challenges

[00:18:27] Improving sound quality and equipment

[00:22:11] The role of video in podcasting

[00:27:42] Vision for the podcast

[00:31:06] Guest Episodes Evolution

[00:32:51] Developing Podcast Concept

[00:34:32] Monetizing the Show

[00:36:24] Retention Rate and Audience Engagement

[00:37:52] Podcast Promotion and Contact Information The Podcast Catalyst newsletter

Have you ever wondered how your favorite podcasts come to life? Well, wonder no more!

On this show, we're peeling back the curtain and revealing the secrets behind the podcasts you love. From hosts to producers, marketers and everyone in between, on This is How We Podcast, host Sean Loots elevates the craft of podcast creation.

In each episode Sean unpacks the podcast journey from concept to final product and aims to celebrate podcasters through the event series of the same name.

This Is how We Podcast is a companion podcast for The Podcast Catalyst newsletter and serves as a resource for both novice and veteran podcasters, fostering a community for sharing expertise. SeanLoots.com · The Podcast Catalyst newsletter