I remember the thrill I felt when geometry made sense for the first time. Sadly the feeling didn’t last long as the maths got harder.
Ever since then, I have loved circles and triangles and their interactions. Particularly triangles. I see podcasting through different metaphors and lenses and have shared a number through this newsletter. Today it is triangles.
I see the relational dimensions of podcasting as me, us, and them. Me, as the creator producer. Us, as the community, created between listeners and creator. Them, as the not interested or not aware – my not-yet listeners.
Me
I have a reason for creating my podcast. I receive enough benefit (though not financial!) from it as a creative outlet to keep going. It is more than a masochistic effort so I can say I did it. It has purpose and a benefit for others at its heart. There needs to be a reason.
The sides of a triangle can not become detached without the triangle becoming something else. In the same way, our podcasting joins me, us and them, or it ceases to be a podcast.
The relational connections need to be seen together, in tension. My voice, your ears, the others with a currently unmet need – all in tension.
Where do we give our attention as we work on our podcast?
I think it varies but to stay in shape we must not neglect any of the dimensions.
The podcast is for me, and that is OK but it is not the full story.
Us
I want to be heard. I want to make a difference. I make the podcast for “us“.
This is an expression of my ongoing search for connection, for community. It is for me but it is not just for me.
I plan to meet a need and be relevant for some people rather than all people.
I might even have an avatar of my ideal listener. The person I speak to when I record or craft my show notes. The other part of us.
With guest interviews I ask questions on behalf of us and explore issues of mutual interest and importance. What a privilege. What a responsibility.
This focus of who I am here for is something I remind myself of regularly. I love Evo Terra’s question – “who are we for, and why do they come?”. It motivates me to dig deeper.
Them
Of course, not everybody has heard of me or my podcast. Surprising I know!
There are some people who will never like what I make. It just isn’t for them, literally.
I am not trying to be relevant or attractive to everyone – or am I? Oh, the temptation to try.
Out there in the big wide world there are others like us and it would be nice to find them. Content so good that people share it for me is something I aim for. Going where they hang out is another. It is OK to try and spread ourselves around a bit while still avoiding the hype of trying to shout loudly to the whole world, just in case they might be interested.
We make it for them so they can join us. But they don’t have to.
Three questions
- What is in it for me? There should be something and I can be honest with myself that it meets my need.
- What helps me focus on what the audience needs and wants?
- Where else could I look to find even more people like us?
Something to see
The BBC do some interesting explorations of science. Here Dr Helen Czerski examines the world of sound waves and the physics behind it. Fascinating.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b08h5gk8/sound-waves-the-symphony-of-physics
Something to hear
The Carbon Connection – highlights conversations about the many facets of climate change. These conversations are about hope, advocacy, and changing our future. One of four podcasts by the Carbon Almanac Network.
In this episode, Climate Changers host Ryan Flahive interviews Seth Godin on the most pressing issue of climate change. Seth is there with straightforward, easy-to-process options on how to address some of the most significant problems.
Something to read
Transom.org is always good value if you have some reading time. Here Francine Powers, host of “Post Reports,” the Washington Post’s daily podcast gives an insight into news, newspapers and audio and the approaches that work in the different medium. And there is an inverted pyramid in the mix and some advice to think differently!
And finally
- Find the story to get them to listen
- Tell the story so they keep listening