Zoom, Zoom, Zoom. Make My Heart Go...
We're halfway through season 1 of my latest podcast, The Boom. Here's what I've learned.
Remember when I did the Gaining Ground podcast with Rembert and I was essentially in a state of panic the entire time? LOL NO ONE TOLD ME HOW STRESSFUL AND HECTIC PUTTING OUT A NARRATIVE-STYLE, WEEKLY PODCAST WOULD BE.
Fast forward to today and I’m working on the interview-style podcast The Boom for WABE. With 24 episodes under our belt, The Boom is only halfway through season one. Instead of a large production team, my producer Kevin (and our boss Scotty) are typically working closely together to publish an episode every Friday and prep future shows. We’re not in the crazy world of politics and we’re not narrative driven, but the rush of trying to put out weekly episodes remains.
Here are a few quick things I’ve learned from podcasting this time around:
The more you bank episodes, the easier you can breathe. But, also don’t work too far in advance or risk feeling dated. I love to get the show booked out a few weeks in advance whenever possible. (This has become easier to do now that we’re not brand new and have a few episodes to share with people during the pitching process.) Banking epsisodes allows us to not be in a state of panic if a guest falls, through, while remaining nimble if timely news occurs. It also gives us time to plan for more complex episodes such as this week’s episode exploring Trilith Studios.
There are so many parts of production that are time consuming but often forgotten. I spend time once or twice a week reaching out to guests to get future episodes scheduled, while also juggling writing and addressing edits for forthcoming scripts, listening to future episodes to make any necessary changes, etc. My producer is A GODSEND and takes on script writing or booking guests when I’m too busy to do so.
Promotion matters. It’s easy for me to forget to actually promote the show when it comes out on Friday, because I’m already working on the next episode. WABE has been making this easier recently by sending me clips of the show to add to social media. I hope maybe some of you have become new listeners as a result.
Anyway, in honor of the show’s title, here’s a classic…
Current Favs.
Jeezy’s Tiny Desk concert
The YSL trial has made think about tiny desk concerts being brought up in court and added stress to my life, but I will always take the opportunity to celebrate the music of Jay Jenkins. Zero stars to the live audience who did not seem to know a single word from this man’s music.
A Beautiful Mind by Kaitlyn Greenidge for Harper’s Bazaar
In which Solange says her recent musical obsession is the tuba...
Tweencore: What the 13-and-under set is shopping for. by Casey Lewis for The Cut
Every single month The Cut earns my lil subscription fee. Easily.
“I’m over coats and the drama of zipping them up.” —Joni, 11
Thicker Than Water: A Memoir (Little, Brown and Company) by Kerry Washington
I listened to this on Audible and loved hearing Kerry tell her story. Her voice work is captivating, as is the amount of self-reflection she’s willing to do about her childhood and early adulthood. I was surprised by how vulnerable the notoriously private celebrity was willing to be, although she admittedly eschews the same level of openness once we get to the Scandal years and beyond.
YSL Corner
The biggest news from the past two weeks regarding our favorite chaotic court case…
A juror who is moving out of Fulton County has been removed from the case as of today. The juror previously told she judge she was contemplating a move last year during jury selection.
Angela D’Williams previously asked to withdraw from the case and said the length and scope of the trial made it impossible for her to take on any other work and created a financial hardship. D’Williams, who represents Rodalius Ryan, sounded the alarm about the low pay and attempted to withdraw last year, too.
ICYMI (And I don’t know how you would’ve): Attorney in YSL RICO Trial Nabbed on Gang Charges [The Daily Beast]