In this episode of My Podcast Story, I had a fantastic chat with Bob Lement, the creative mind behind the long-running Static Radio. Bob took us back to the early days—pre-podcasting, when he was recording shows over the telephone and uploading RealAudio files to the web! We explored how the podcasting landscape has changed from a scrappy, no-rules hobby to a full-blown industry, and Bob shared all about keeping a show going for over 25 years (and why consistency beats perfection every time). We also dove into the behind-the-scenes of juggling two podcasts, creative partnerships, and how passion—not money—keeps you in the game. My hope is you walk away inspired by Bob’s dedication and reminded that the real magic of podcasting is about having fun, sharing stories, and connecting with people around the world. Thanks for tuning in!
Connect with Bob Lement
- Website: https://staticradio.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHvrrdLLj84w8-fp1UnBTAA
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Chapters
00:00 - Launching a Podcast Before Podcasting Existed
01:14 - Static Radio: Comedy, Paranormal, and the Unusual
03:46 - “Skype’s Dead!”: Tech That Built the Podcast
05:24 - Secret Origins: Pre-Podcast Underground
07:32 - The Struggle: Making Money—Or Not
09:51 - Why Monetization Was More Hassle Than Help
11:27 - Mondo Frico: Blending UFOs, Humor, and Heart
13:49 - The Dogman Song You Have to Hear
14:38 - Animated Cats & the YouTube Experiment
16:34 - “Podcasting’s Third Boom”: The 2020 Wakeup
17:32 - This Animation Broke My Podcast Workflow
19:14 - Predicting Podcasting’s Animated Future
19:35 - A Real-Time, Zero-Edit Podcast Process
22:43 - How A.I. and Music Transform Their Second Show
25:05 - The Industry Shift No One Expected
27:05 - Why Celebrities are Taking Over Podcasting
28:18 - Phones Killed Radio, and Changed Everything
29:28 - The Harsh Truth About Podcast Monetization
32:22 - A Listener’s Retirement Cake Changed Everything
35:24 - Managing Podcasts, Family, and a Full-Time Job
36:24 - “My House Burned Down—But I Kept Recording”
39:48 - Why Consistency Matters More Than Talent
42:14 - The Marketing Grind Every Podcaster Faces
44:23 - Burnout, Real Talk, and Making it Work
47:40 - The Unfiltered Secret to Audience Growth
49:18 - Why Your Show Doesn’t Need to Be Perfect