Let me update you on the Loose and Conversational Podcast.

Jenn and I record the podcast just outside of Edmonton, Alberta. It is currently against public health orders to have any gatherings. Ergo, we are not able to get together with people to record the podcast.

I bought a piece of equipment to hopefully allow Jenn to record from her house while I record from mine. Over the next day or so, I will sign up for a trial with Zencstr.com as a solution to recording remotely. If that works, Jenn and I can reschedule guests and get the show going again. It will be different, but we will see how it goes.

During this downtime, I have been reading up on how to reach a wider audience. One of the flaws in our approach to the Loose and Conversational Podcast is a common one. At first, we envisioned a fun show about nothing. As we have talked about previously, this is not engaging enough to have people listen. We changed our focus to “loose people having interesting conversations or interesting people having loose conversations.” 

After more research, we still need to refine our raison d’être. Comedians with podcasts make it look easy to grow an audience because they already have one. Nobody knows who I am, so it seems my podcast needs to be about something to grow.

If you are like me, you think the concept of drinking and talking is enough. Many, if not most of you, are not like me. You are smarter than I am and have wondered, “what is the point of this podcast?” At this stage, I would stare at you a little embarrassed and answer, “I don’t know.” I would shrug for emphasis.

I will ponder this over this Christmas that is not really to be, as I try to burn through a book called “Social” by Matthew D. Lieberman for more information. It is important to remember why I started the podcast; I promised myself that I would stick to the original motivations and goals. I want to force myself to make new connections in my life. I thought if I scheduled time to have drinks with people, I would do it. The podcast is a means to an end, and I want it to be successful as well.

I think the point of the Loose and Conversational Podcast needs to be around the idea of connection. Maybe. That means that everything that flows out of the podcast also needs to be about making connections. I must ponder this. 

I have also learned that the audience is the most crucial part of a podcast. Any podcast needs to ensure that it is serving its audience; and creating value for the people who listen to it. Screaming into a crowd from a street corner can only accomplish so much. First, the audience needs to develop. Speaking to an audience that knows who they are, is a lot more productive. Of course, I have no idea how to grow this audience. 

Suggestions on “creating an online community” involve; creating a Facebook group and a Discord server, being active in social media, posting a lot of additional content through those channels, and engaging as much as you can. I wonder if this is less daunting to someone in Gen Z? Maybe I should consider asking an 18-year-old to teach me how to do all of this?

If you have listened to the podcast and enjoyed it, you are the audience. If you would like to help me make it better, would you consider engaging with us? We need to know what works and what doesn’t. We are on a voyage of discovery right now. Feedback from listeners would be great. The goal is to have something that creates connection and eliminates separation. I am adding a contact form to the website; in the meantime, you can like and follow our Facebook page and interact with us there.

Finally, I’ll throw this out there. If you would like to help with this, let me know. It is a lot of work to produce the podcast and blog already. I am not sure how much time I have to do this work as well. Who knows, maybe there is some budding developer of online communities that would like a challenge. 

Well, I have a lot of work to do. I need to get the podcast stuff figured out! Take it easy and enjoy the holiday season, friends.

J. David