Spark Media Conversations

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of the Spark Media Podcast Conversations. I'm your host, Larry Roberts, and today, we have a special guest joining us, Mark Cravens. In a world that has seen significant shifts in the past two years, where many feel lost and society may seem destitute, Mark is bringing hope to the forefront. In this episode, we dive deep into Mark's own journey and discover how he found hope after going through a devastating period where he thought there was none. Mark's personal experience led him to create a podcast, and now he's transitioning to radio broadcasting, expanding his reach and opportunities to impact an even wider audience. We'll also discuss Mark's upcoming book, "Finding Hope Along the Journey," which will feature 30 stories of hope and inspiration from his podcasts, aiming to uplift and encourage readers. Get ready for a heartfelt conversation as we explore the power of stories and understanding what people are truly looking for in times of adversity. So, grab your headphones, lean in, and let's ignite the spark of hope together in this episode of Spark Media Podcast Conversations. impactful, current state of society, significant shifts, lost, destitute, bringing hope, devastating period, no hope, world would be better off, podcast, radio broadcasting, shaping podcasts, reach a wider audience, book, Finding Hope Along the Journey, stories of hope and inspiration, seminar, congregations, finding hope, listening to episodes, constant laughter, annoying, frustration, finding a corner to cry, doubts, no one would listen, prayed, God asked, interview begins with prayer, popular topics, analytics and numbers, stories, Jesus, Christian counselors, authors, feedback, email mailing list, connecting with the audience, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, content creator, audience feedback, impact, success of a show, making a difference, comparing oneself, podcasters, essential for the soul, interviews, trauma, grief, loss, pain, ongoing challenges, desperately seeking hope.

On this episode of Spark Media Podcast Conversations, Mallory Allen joins host Larry Roberts to discuss the challenges of finding a balance in social media presence. They dive into the necessity of self-promotion to reach the audience, even if the show is not about self-promotion itself. Personal podcast branding is also explored, with an emphasis on walking a fine line. Mallory and Larry explore platforms like TikTok and LinkedIn, highlighting how these platforms can provide attention regardless of the size of the following. They also discuss how these platforms have evolved to provide opportunities to deliver messages, without the need for dancing.

Mallory shares her approach to structuring and planning content, revealing that she typically records episodes a month ahead and strategically plans topics. She is currently working on a monthly devotional for moms that is 15 minutes or less, as well as interviews. Occasionally, she releases bonus episodes with fun stories. Mallory also mentions a 53% growth in numbers since November, demonstrating the evolution and growth of creators in the podcasting industry.

The conversation continues with Mallory questioning the uniqueness of a podcast where only one person talks and how to stand out from other talking heads in the same space. The importance of grabbing the audience's attention and providing actionable or challenging content is emphasized. Larry praises Mallory's intentional approach and expresses admiration for her podcast about being a mother, which she considers her zone. They also discuss the importance of genuineness in one's relationship with Christ and their social media presence, and the need to rethink approaches if it feels forced or disingenuous.

Mallory represents a ministry under Love Worth Finding, known as Faithful 31, which aims to reach a younger audience and spread the gospel. The ministry encourages mothers to grow in their faithfulness and point their children towards Christ. The name Faithful 31 is inspired by Proverbs 31:26, which speaks about speaking with truth and wisdom. Mallory shares that the ministry officially started in the middle of the pandemic in 2020.

Throughout the episode, Mallory and Larry discuss the impact of the podcasting event they are attending, providing different perspectives on familiar concepts and fostering creativity. They also touch on the importance of filling oneself up spiritually in order to pour into one's children and the pressure to conform to social media trends, particularly dance videos. They emphasize the need to be visible for the purpose of pointing others to Jesus, not for personal gain.

As the episode concludes, Mallory mentions the Billy Graham award that Love Worth Finding is winning this year for NRB, leading her coworkers to stay for the event. Mallory mentions her plans to leave in the morning, feeling tired after a busy day compared to the person she's talking to who has done around 40 things.

BIO:

Mallory Allen is a devoted mother and the host of the popular podcast "Faithful 31 Moms." Through her show, Mallory emphasizes the importance of filling one's own tank in order to overflow into the lives of their children, pointing them towards Jesus. She believes that teaching starts with personal knowledge and understanding. Mallory has found great encouragement from speakers who remind her that life is not about her, but about a higher purpose. While she may feel overwhelmed by the pressure to conform to popular social media trends, Mallory remains true to herself and her mission to inspire and uplift others through her words and encouragement. She understands the importance of being visible in today's digital age, but always keeps her focus on sharing a message that is greater than herself.

KEYWORDS:

balance in social media presence, self-promotion, personal podcast branding, TikTok, LinkedIn, attention, size of following, dancing, delivering messages, structuring content, planning content, recording episodes, strategic topics, monthly devotional, 15 minutes or less, interviews, bonus episode, growth in numbers, working on something, creators evolving, learning and growing, growth process, looking forward to conference, uniqueness of podcast, standing out, grabbing audience's attention, providing something actionable, praising intentional approach, great partner, podcast about motherhood, genuine relationship with Christ, rethinking approach, ministry under Love Worth Finding, reaching younger audience, spreading the gospel, Faithful 31, Magnificent Mother, mothers growing in faithfulness, Proverbs 31:26, starting ministry in pandemic, filling oneself up spiritually, pouring into children, not about the individual, social media trends, visibility for Jesus, impact of podcasting event, breaking free from traditional thinking, fostering creativity, contemplating engagement and value to busy listeners, purposeful content, valuable takeaway, Love Worth Finding winning Billy Graham award, coworkers sticking around for NRB, not staying for whole NRB event, boss and coworkers staying until end of the week, leaving in the morning, tiredness from daily activities.

"On this episode of Spark Media Podcast Conversations, we have the pleasure of speaking to Kathrine Seagers. She talks about the difficulty of having a baby twice in her 40s, experiencing grief, anger, and redemption after a miscarriage, and how she began a podcast called Christian Parent Crazy World. We also learn about her focus on Christian apologetics for parenting and simplifying complex ideas for busy parents. She brings her background in acting and apologetics to podcasting, making it more colorful than others in the field. Join us for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation!"

[00:02:33] Late start, motherhood, ministry, podcast success.
[00:04:06] Defending the faith, apologetics, theology, parenting tips.
[00:10:35] Trusting God's plan despite miscarriage and loss.
[00:12:34] God's plan, unexpected motherhood, podcast themes.
[00:14:42] LifeAudio hosts Catherine Seegers' Christian parenting podcast.

pregnancy, dreams, miscarriage, grief, perseverance, prayer, family size, decision-making, career, ministry, writing, podcasting, Christian apologetics, theology, culture, sexuality, marriage, life, freedom, politics, parenting, biblical worldview, moral truth, simplification, practical tips, conference, writing, LifeAudio.com, Catherine Seegers, platforms, challenges, acting, miracles.

On this episode of Spark Media Podcast Conversations, host Larry Roberts discusses the importance of living wholeheartedly for God with Mandy Moss. They explore the significance of building intergenerational relationships, specifically pairing spiritual mothers with spiritual daughters. The episode delves into how the lack of emphasis on the next generation in the church has led to their undervaluation. The conversation then shifts to challenges faced by podcast creators, including discoverability and fragmentation of data. The use of data analytics, particularly through Instagram Reels, to tailor content for the desired audience and make a larger impact is also discussed. The episode concludes with the importance of utilizing data to inform future content creation in the podcasting space.

Episode Summary:

- Living brave: The focus is on building community and intergenerational relationships, particularly by pairing spiritual mothers with daughters. It's about investing in the next generation.
- Reels and data analytics: Reels provides insightful data, including age and race demographics and watch time. The data helps creators to identify the impact and engagement of their content and address issues such as message meandering.
- The hosts and their podcast: The hosts started a podcast just to fill their time while stuck at home. They are interested in learning specific tools or tricks of the trade, and attending a conference has enhanced their view of the impact of Christian media, specifically podcasts.
- Discoverability and challenges: Discoverability is the biggest challenge in the podcasting space. Video is becoming more popular because discoverability is easier through its algorithm. Podcasts have multiple platforms, making it difficult to consolidate data and understand the impact of content.
- The organization and vision: The organization has a vision and mission to empower the next generation to live out their purpose bravely. The podcast is meant to encourage women and is being shared through the organization's ministry.
- Data analytics: People get a rush of adrenaline when they see their content is being watched, but it's important to analyze data behind popular content in order to inform future content creation and planning. Reels provide data analytics that can help creators understand who is watching their content.

Living brave, Joshua, Caleb, Promised Land, community, intergenerational relationships, spiritual mothers, spiritual daughters, undervalued, church, student ministries, Reels, data, impact, engagement, content improvement, high level of activity, podcast, filling time, talking to people, conference, God's calling, Christian media, discoverability, video, YouTube algorithm, audience reach, organization, next generation, tools, encouragement, rush of adrenaline, data analytics, IT background.

On this episode of Spark Media Podcast Conversations, Larry Roberts interviews entrepreneur and pastor Dawn Damon about her forthcoming book and how she empowers women over 40 to find purpose and make changes in their lives. The conversation delves into the importance of sharing personal experiences from a place of empowerment, not victimhood, and taking responsibility for one's actions after a difficult experience. The episode also touches on the podcasting principle that the more specific you become, the more universal you become, and how sharing personal stories can make one more relatable to a wider audience. Tune in to learn more about how to move past fear and take the first step towards fulfilling your dreams.

Dawn Damon is the Bravehearted mentor and host of a podcast that inspires women over the age of 40 to rediscover their purpose and pursue their dreams. She helps women who feel stuck in the mundane and average, who wake up with regrets and are terrified to make a change. Dawn's mission is to guide these women to embrace their Braveheart and take the necessary steps towards a more fulfilling life. As a mentor, speaker, and author, Dawn has helped thousands of women find their voice and live their truth.

Spark Media Podcast Conference Conversations Inspiring conversations with the Spark Media podcast community recorded live at the 2022 Spark Media podcast conference and award ceremony at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN. Our episodes features encouraging conversations with keynote speakers, and attendees. Larry Roberts dives deep to get the behind the scenes scoop from faith-based podcast hosts, and content creators. We cover a range of topics including video, marketing tactics, discoverability, podcast goals, and conference experiences. Whether you are a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, our podcast offers valuable insights and practical advice. Join us for conversations that will inform, inspire, and motivate you to create your best podcast yet. Make plans to join us at our next Spark Media conference. For more information about Spark Media go to http://www.SparkMedia.Ventures. Grab a copy of our free gift Create and Grow a Stellar Podcast https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/Create-an-Grow-a-Stellar-Podcast.

Spark Media Podcast Conference Conversations

Inspiring conversations with the Spark Media podcast community recorded live at the 2022 Spark Media podcast conference and award ceremony at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN. Our episodes features encouraging conversations with keynote speakers, and attendees. Larry Roberts dives deep to get the behind the scenes scoop from faith-based podcast hosts, and content creators. We cover a range of topics including video, marketing tactics, discoverability, podcast goals, and conference experiences. Whether you are a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, our podcast offers valuable insights and practical advice. Join us for conversations that will inform, inspire, and motivate you to create your best podcast yet. Make plans to join us at our next Spark Media conference. For more information about Spark Media go to http://www.SparkMedia.Ventures. Grab a copy of our free gift Create and Grow a Stellar Podcast https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/Create-an-Grow-a-Stellar-Podcast.

Spark Media Podcast Conference Conversations

Inspiring conversations with the Spark Media podcast community recorded live at the 2022 Spark Media podcast conference and award ceremony at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN. Our episodes features encouraging conversations with keynote speakers, and attendees. Larry Roberts dives deep to get the behind the scenes scoop from faith-based podcast hosts, and content creators. We cover a range of topics including video, marketing tactics, discoverability, podcast goals, and conference experiences. Whether you are a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, our podcast offers valuable insights and practical advice. Join us for conversations that will inform, inspire, and motivate you to create your best podcast yet. Make plans to join us at our next Spark Media conference. For more information about Spark Media go to http://www.SparkMedia.Ventures. Grab a copy of our free gift Create and Grow a Stellar Podcast https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/Create-an-Grow-a-Stellar-Podcast.

Spark Media Podcast Conference Conversations Inspiring conversations with the Spark Media podcast community recorded live at the 2022 Spark Media podcast conference and award ceremony at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN. Our episodes features encouraging conversations with keynote speakers, and attendees. Larry Roberts dives deep to get the behind the scenes scoop from faith-based podcast hosts, and content creators. We cover a range of topics including video, marketing tactics, discoverability, podcast goals, and conference experiences. Whether you are a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, our podcast offers valuable insights and practical advice. Join us for conversations that will inform, inspire, and motivate you to create your best podcast yet. Make plans to join us at our next Spark Media conference. For more information about Spark Media go to http://www.SparkMedia.Ventures. Grab a copy of our free gift Create and Grow a Stellar Podcast https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/Create-an-Grow-a-Stellar-Podcast.

Spark Media Podcast Conference Conversations

Inspiring conversations with the Spark Media podcast community recorded live at the 2022 Spark Media podcast conference and award ceremony at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN. Our episodes features encouraging conversations with keynote speakers, and attendees.

Larry Roberts dives deep to get the behind the scenes scoop from faith-based podcast hosts, and content creators. We cover a range of topics including video, marketing tactics, discoverability, podcast goals, and conference experiences. Whether you are a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, our podcast offers valuable insights and practical advice. Join us for conversations that will inform, inspire, and motivate you to create your best podcast yet.

Make plans to join us at our next Spark Media conference. For more information about Spark Media go to http://www.SparkMedia.Ventures. Grab a copy of our free gift Create and Grow a Stellar Podcast https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/Create-an-Grow-a-Stellar-Podcast.