7th May 2025
I've had some lovely feedback about the debut episode. I didn't know Dani prior to us speaking that day, and I feel very honoured and lucky! I've got a few recordings (in need of editing now I know how) under my belt, so I feel confident I have things to share for the next few weeks. I'm a bit nervous about tomorrow's episode as it touches on some slightly adult topics. It sounds silly but there's a little bit of me that's apprehensive about certain people that know me hearing it. But, I think it's a good thing to be myself! There are some things I would eventually like to share, including some very painful and personal life experiences. Maybe one day. If you're reading this, thank you.
31st May 2025
It's podcast eve. Tomorrow my first attempt will be released into the world. I owe my friend Iain an enormous thank you for the lesson in editing and the advice about free software.. my own explorations have been painful to say the least. There's so much to learn.. but I have to remember this is a project, a hobby. It doesn't matter if things aren't perfect! I need to share the podcast across different platforms but I'm currently stumped by my "logo" not being acceptable. I think it's related to the size/quality. If a couple of people listen (and hopefully enjoy) episode one then I'm going to class it a success. Wish me luck!
15th May 2025
It appears I am wildly unprepared to record/edit/release a podcast! I did consider hiding this fact and going with the "fake it til you make it approach" but that's not me. It's been a very frustrating and time consuming experiment so far, but I am DETERMINED to at least publish a few episodes in June.
I thought the "just having a chat bit" would be fairly easy. But here's a shortlist of things that have gone wrong so far in my journey to become the next big thing (don't worry I'm aware it's highly unlikely).
- My intros for the guests were emotionless as I was trying soooo hard to get all the words out in the right order!
- The first ever recording (remote guest) I tried to do was video because I was told it's more interesting...the video continuously froze and crashed (not sure if it's the platform or, more likely, my connection or laptop. In the end I just did audio, but kept recording as a video accidentally, just with the cameras off!
- My technophobe brain then had to ensure it had saved and try to salvage the audio. I kept saving it in the wrong format and it wouldn't upload because it was a video not mp3. I kept losing it in the depths of my different files.
- The second recording (remote guest) I used a different platform which promised easy group recording. This felt a lot better and my confidence grew when I realised there was a pause button! Unfortunately there were no sound effect options but I thought I could pop them in later...as well as remove all the barking my darling puppy added..
- I have been through a plethora of free editing apps that I'm sure are perfectly good, but I am even more clueless than I realised. I've got the hang of merging, but sorting out volume levels, audio quality and adding in intros/outros that don't sound like a drowning Nokia 3310 remains problematic. I am also terrified of getting arrested for breaking some sort of copyright law.
- On the plus side I have been having some fun getting to know ChatGPT which has been fairly productive. Well, to an extent. I had to laugh at my attempt to make a cute ad with my face on.... FML.
The photo I wanted to use for an image...
Well that was a bit weird.. why is it not me??
Howling. I give up.
6th May 2025
I really have no idea what I'm doing. Earlier today a friend said to me that they admire me for "going for it and worrying about the details later". In all honesty thats exactly what I've done. Technology is NOT my friend, nor is marketing or production. But you know what, I'm going to give it a go. I care passionately about understanding people and giving them a voice (even if its distorted because I don't know about media, microphones or headphones?!) Another friend expressed disbelief that I'm embarking on this project when I haven't actually been dealing with life basics - house is a mess, fridge is empty.. but that's who I am. I get an idea and either mull on it for years (to be fair the seed of this podcast has been gently germinating for some time) or I take crazy amounts of action and set things up without any idea how to actually make it work. Today was my dog's 4th birthday.. I will tell you more about her soon...and I planned a social event for her and a special meal (yep, I am that dog mum) yet I am filthy, haven't brushed my hair and haven't had my first meal at 8pm. But that's me. Hopefully people will like me. Oh God what if they don't?? Eh, let's see what happens!
