Why make a podcast anyway?

In our last blog, we talked about some of the equipment that we use to make our episodes. In this one, let us talk about why the Loose and Conversational podcast exists.

There are currently an estimated 1.5 million podcasts in the world, with over 34 million episodes. In the United States, over 100 million people listen to podcasts monthly, and over 60 million people listen weekly. Listeners tend to be disproportionately higher income and educated vs. the general population.

The Loose and Conversational Podcast is not a side gig to make money. Podcasts can be a source of revenue, especially if you are Joe Rogan, but they are more often a part of a wide-ranging marketing and branding effort. Other times, people have a passion that they wish to share with others. Podcasts can be a useful way to find an audience, especially if you have a clearly defined niche. Often, people who create podcasts are also active creators of other forms of content in other areas.

I am not sure that any of this is valid for me. I don’t ever expect to make money at this. There is a cost to produce a podcast but not a steep one. I am not marketing anything. If I have a personal brand, the “explicit” tag on this podcast probably hurts it more than helps. I’m not trying to share or teach anything to anyone. Nope, the reason for the Loose and Conversational Podcast is a selfish one.

This past summer, I took a look at my life, and I wasn’t happy with everything I saw. Although I have a lot to be grateful for, I don’t have enough connection in my life with others. My partner, my daughter, and work aside, I never seem to have time for other people.

I do love everything about having a couple of drinks, relaxing and having those conversations that you have with people when your inhibitions are lower. I always want to try to make time for it, but people are busy. I am busy. The desire is there but, there is usually something else going on. My reasoning is, this podcast will force me to make those connections.

The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.

Barack Obama

The next piece of the puzzle came when we were trying to figure out how to improve the quality of the sound for large virtual meetings at work. We learned how to take the signals from multiple microphones and run them into a PC. It dawned on me that this was how you would record a podcast.

All it took after that was a couple of drinks with Kylie and Jenn to put together the basic idea of the Loose and Conversational Podcast. We were having fun, and someone said, “you know, this would make a great podcast.”

All I needed then was a kick in the ass from the universe to proceed. The signal appeared one day while checking lottery tickets. I won a hundred or so dollars. That same day I saw two Shure SH55 microphones for sale second hand. Microphones like this are usually $250 each but, someone on Facebook was selling two for $200. I offered my lottery winnings, and the seller accepted. A few days later, I found a mixer for $90.

I was well into learning the technical side of things and adding equipment when I realized that I needed to figure out what the podcast was going to accomplish. Sure, drinking with friends is the basic premise, but it needed more. People don’t want to listen to ordinary people having ordinary conversations. If they are going to invest their time, they want to hear something more interesting.

After pondering this question and doing some reading, I came to this conclusion. The value that we can add to our listeners boils down to two options. We can have loose conversations with fascinating people; or fascinating conversations with loose people. Either option works. I am still learning how to make all of this happen.

I’ll close with an appeal to you. I need your support to make this podcast a success. I need listeners, and I need guests! You can help by following my page on Facebook and sharing posts, liking podcast episodes and following the podcast on your favourite podcast listening app. You can help by interacting with us too. You can comment on our podcasts on the LooseandConversational.com website or our Facebook page. As I get better at this, I’m sure there will be more opportunities.

The podcast might have started as a selfish endeavour, but I genuinely want to create something entertaining that will be enjoyed by the people who listen. I can not accomplish that without hearing from you and other listeners!

Stay Safe, Be Kind,

J. David