A few weeks ago I had the privilege of interviewing the producer of the podcast Material Feels.
During our conversation, we talked about the role of being a podcast host and how this can change and shift as you make your show.
Here's a taste of our conversation:
Catherine: I wasn't planning on putting myself in the show. I was not part of the plan. And the reactions I get from certain listeners, like people will reach out to me and tell me 'I shared this with my dad and it was the first time we talked in a really long time' or 'I don't think I am creative, but I decided to pick up something after episode four'. I just was showing me that putting myself in there and talking to the listener intimately was working or was important. So I just keep doing it.
Hillary: Yeah, that's so funny. I had the same experience in the first two seasons of my show, like I'm in it in that I'm narrator. But I don't want to be in it beyond that. I want to just help illuminate the voices that I recorded and weave them together to hear everybody's story. And then I think it started out like, oh, I need to fill some time here. So I started telling stories of my own, or sort of adding snippets, but it's still never felt comfortable for me. And now in the season that's coming out right after this episode of your show that I'm sharing, it's like all me.
Catherine and I produce narrative podcasts, meaning that storytelling is at the core of each episode and we are weaving together voices sharing life experiences and giving perspective within a beginning, middle, end structure.
It also means that we can be characters in our own storytelling!
And as you can see above, we both struggled with the idea of being a character in our own podcast, but ultimately made the choice to put ourselves into each episode in a substantive way.
I listen to a lot of podcasts.
And for every narrative show that I listen to, I listen to two or three interview-style shows — many of which are independently produced and support the host's business in some way.
I'm endlessly impressed with the way these shows frame interviews in the context of the host's work that is typically separate from the podcast itself. Often the episode includes some sort of educational takeaway that allows me to understand the podcaster's work on a whole new level.
However, I rarely walk away from these interview-style podcasts feeling like I'm connected to the host and their guests on a deeper, more personal level. And in my brain I separate this type of show from the narrative ones which are filed away in my brain as "more meaningful."
Sure there's snappy ad copy to schedule a discovery call or to visit their website to "learn more", but I don't just want to learn more. Before I take my earbuds out of my ears, I want to spend time with the host and discover new perspective, have space to self-reflect, and feel all the feels.
Yes, I want to learn more. But what do I want to learn about? You, dear podcaster.
I had a Zoom call yesterday with someone who runs a podcast production company and brought this up to them. They have a training program for people who are interested in starting a podcast to support their business. In looking at the course outline for this program, there wasn't anything about how to find your voice as the show's host.
I pointed this out to them and they responded by saying,
"You're right. I'm missing the human side of podcasting."
There are over a million and counting podcasts. It's not a genre, but rather a platform for multiple styles and formats of talk audio — from the highly produced to the unedited voice memo.
With small shows that are used as a marketing channel for a small business, there's so much focus on the name, the branding, the logline and positioning, the prestigious guest list, the funnel placement, and the perfectly snappy copyright-free theme song. With all of the energy (and time and money) spent on those aspects of creating a show, it's likely the quality, specificity, and potential impact of the content will take a backseat or be completely ignored.
Not only is there an opportunity for podcast hosts with interview-style shows to insert themselves into their show in a more human way, but there's also an opportunity for them to support their guests in the same way by asking questions that elicit stories. And that makes the interview and editing process an exciting part of the day vs. another task to check off on a production to-do list.
I know that when I was making Season 1 and Season 2 of my storytelling show, I felt weird/uncomfortable/self-aggrandizing every single time I brought myself into these bigger family stories. I even hid a story of my own after the credits of Season 1 Episode 1. Any time someone said "Oh it's so nice to hear your stories in your podcast", I brushed off their comments and redirected the conversation back to the complex nature of telling a story with the voices of 14 different family members.
And though I am completely terrified to make Season 3 of my podcast and find my true podcast voice, I know that I'm choosing a path that will lead to a greater impact (and greater artistic fulfillment).
There are many of you reading this who have a podcast of your own and/or you are a guest (or aspire to be a guest) on other podcasts. And there are many more of you who do not have a podcast of your own, nor plan on having one.
The point I am making above applies whether your voice appears in the earbuds of others or not.
It's easy to neglect the human side of communication.
Period.
It can feel more comfortable to intentionally omit it.
Full stop.
Whether you're introducing yourself to a potential client or new colleague, leading a team meeting, sharing your business on social media, or recording a host intro for your podcast, take a moment to address the human side.
Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to ensure your human-ness will come through:
What story can I tell as part of my podcast host introduction this week?
What story will support the takeaway of this team meeting and create a stronger level of buy-in from my team?
How can I share a story to build this new professional relationship and walk away feeling like I represented myself and my work in the best way possible?
Want more blog posts about podcasting? Check out How to Introduce Yourself When You Have a Podcast and a Business