I made it through the VC fund application process and had a series of interviews and meetings, pitching my plans for the future of the podcast. Ultimately, the VC fund passed because of my current audience numbers and my overly ambitious P&L productions. Once I shrugged off the disappointment and feelings of failure, I saw the positive the experience: I 100% made it through those several rounds of conversation because I pitched my show, my path, and my plans through telling stories. The podcast is also really good. But that's what got me in the door. The rest of the pitch rounds were successful because of storytelling.
5 Reasons to Skip Canned Podcast Interview Questions
If this story was taking place in 2019, Chuckles would definitely have had a podcast. And Kevin wouldn’t have been there just for an in-person one-off interview. All of us indoor campers would have been the studio audience for a live taping of said podcast. (Chuckles with Chuckles?). And based on what happened when I was 10, all of the podcast interview questions for Kevin Bacon would have come straight from a quick Google search.
Communicating With Ease Doesn't Come Easy
I left college in NYC with a degree in Vocal Performance and crippling stage fright. For the first few years out of school I could hide from the fear because I wasn’t putting myself out there to be seen, judged, evaluated, or even praised. After one Summer of auditions, I took an office job and spent most of my free time at brunch, watching reality TV, and going to DJ nights.
6 Ways Personal Narrative Will Help You Professionally
Last week I moderated a panel discussion on developing your personal brand. There was a lot of debate amongst the panelists and audience members regarding how much we share from our personal lives when in a professional setting. Should you have two Instagram account? (My intern recently told me about FINSTA vs. RINSTA, and my mind was blown.) Do we stay buttoned up - both on the inside and outside - and keep our hobbies, passions, and feelings at bay?
Here’s my philosophy. Meld the professional with the personal. Be yourself and use storytelling as your guide. Here are six ways that crafting your personal narrative will help you professionally.