Finding My Voice: How Community Led Me to Podcasting
Remember . . . that one time I became a podcaster?
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Podcasting? Me?
I never set out to be a podcaster—it kind of just happened. When podcasts first emerged, I didn't have an iPod, so I couldn't listen to them. I also didn't really get it. I thought, "So it's downloadable radio? What?"
Then, in the early 2010s, when I got my iPod Touch, I was able to listen to podcasts and found myself addicted. I couldn't stop. Walk = podcast. Cleaning = podcast. It was a portable version of the internet that I could consume while multitasking. It allowed me to indulge my hyper-fixations, learn new things, and stay up to date with the news. I was hooked.
I spent a lot of time listening to "Rob Has a Podcast" about Survivor. I loved the game and strategy analysis from Rob and other former players or superfans during long trips or walks. I started listening to Rob when he was just podcasting as a side job—live from his apartment—and watched him build a thriving community and, eventually, a thriving business. All centered around reality TV competition shows. It was so cool to see someone take what they love and make it happen in real time.
Around the time Game of Thrones came out, Rob decided to start podcasting about scripted TV shows and partnered with Josh Wiggler. I couldn't wait to tune in to hear their takes on the latest in Westeros the day after the show aired. This was my kind of game-time analysis. I loved diving deep into the characters and storylines with them and comparing them to other shows on television. Eventually, the scripted part of "Rob Has a Podcast" branched off into its own thing—Post Show Recaps.
PSR Enters the Chat
The era of Post Show Recaps (PSR) was amazing. Now, on their own, they could cover more shows and bring on more podcasters and perspectives. They also built a huge community through Patreon. I was one of the first people to sign up, but I didn't really take part in the community for about three years.
Then COVID hit. I was single, living alone, and unable to socialize. It was rough. Not that I was a big socializer before, but I was at least able to get out of the house and hang at a coffee shop. With that taken away and the added threat of catching a disease we knew nothing about, I felt more isolated and alone than ever before in my life. That's saying a lot, since loneliness has always been a companion of sorts. I've always felt different, like I liked things that no one else liked.
So, I decided to lurk in the PSR Discord. I took a peek in some of the channels to see what people were talking about. I was amazed at the space this community held for each other—for everything from discussing the latest shows to providing emotional support and mutual aid when it was needed most.
I didn't post until Ted Lasso came out. Like most things, I was late to the game on that show and didn't really pick it up until the second season. As I watched, I listened to Josh and Antonio's recap podcasts and found myself talking back to the pod. I wanted to join the conversation. So I took a chance and posted something beyond just a hello.
I mentioned that I was listening to a Berne Brown podcast that reminded me of themes of the show. I posted it without thinking it would go anywhere. Who else would be interested in the intersection of self-development work and television?
I was driving when this post was mentioned on the show. I thought, "Whoa! They get it!" Maybe I did have something to add to the conversation. So I continued to post there and was encouraged when my thoughts were met with emojis and responses from the community. So often outside of this special corner of the internet, my thoughts and ideas were tossed aside for being too much or out there. But not here. "Go further," they told me. "Go further."
In 2022, this show called Cobra Kai was coming back. Yet another show that I dismissed at the start. (Can you see the pattern here? If I don't like something at the start, it will most likely be a success.) Cobra Kai is the continuation of the Karate Kid story with Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. It was one of the first streaming shows ever and premiered on something that doesn't exist anymore—YouTube Red. (You can now find it on Netflix.) When it came out, I thought, "I can't take this seriously."
Fast forward a few years, and Josh posted in the Discord that he thought I would like the show based on my posts about Ted Lasso. So I decided to find out. I binged all three seasons of Cobra Kai in about two weeks. I was hooked. The show had heart and pulled on all my millennial nostalgia. I posted in the Discord that I was ready for season 4, and to my surprise, Josh messaged me to ask if I'd like to come on the podcast for an episode. I was like, "What? Yes. The answer is yes." So I hopped on a pod with Josh and gave my best in-depth and totally unserious analysis of Cobra Kai Season 4, Episode 8—"Party Time."
I was thrilled and grateful for that opportunity, never imagining I'd do more. To my surprise, I was asked to cover shows at PSR for the next two years. I delved into everything from "Inventing Anna" to "You" to "Yellowjackets"—and yes, even "National Treasure: Edge of History" (don't ask). Collaborating with other podcasters to create content for our community, by our community, was incredibly fun.
Were there times I was scared? Of course! Were there times I didn’t think I had anything to say? Yup! Where there times I should have said no because I was burned out? Absolutely.
I learned so much from this experience! I'd spent a lot of time avoiding involvement in things because I felt out of place or unwelcome. But when I found the right space, this happened! I discovered that each voice is unique and deserves to be heard. Podcasting, I realized, is about starting conversations—not just with co-hosts, but with listeners too. The feedback I received often gave me new perspectives, making me a better podcaster and human.
Left to my own devices, I never would have stepped behind a microphone. I'd still be sitting here, wishing I was podcasting or creating content. I'd have lists of ideas and things I wanted to say, holding countless one-sided conversations with my television. All of this happened because of community. I finally found a safe space to be a part of, dipped my toe in, and was welcomed and encouraged from there.
Today, I find myself part of a writing community that has encouraged me to launch this Substack and share my thoughts with all of you. My journey has been—and continues to be—shaped by community, and for that, I'm deeply grateful.
TL;DR:
Your perfect community is out there—you just need to find it.
Say "yes" to unexpected opportunities that seem out of reach.
Listen closely to your trusted communities; they might lead you to surprising places.
Remember . . . That One Time The Podcast
Last week, I dropped a trailer for my own podcast related to this project. If you haven’t listened, hop over and give it whirl.
You can subscribe to RTOT (it was bound to happen) on multiple platforms ahead of the first official episode coming on Thursday!
Shoutouts!
It’s important to me that I walk the walk of building and expanding communities especially in the era of late stage capitalism.
Allison over at The Poetry Lab wrote about the importance of accessibility in virtual spaces.
Talicha has a treasure trove of community events. I recently attended her Solidarity Circle where space was held to learn more about what’s going on in the world and experience with others.
Priscilla over at
is continuing to evolve her community offerings to writers.Priscilla, Talicha, and Nikki are hosting Harvest Week this October! You’ll want to get in on this if you’re looking for a community that embraces you wherever you are in you writing journey.
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Loving this!! I definitely was intrigued from the start.