Most independent podcasters will tell you that they go through many iterations of their podcast. Having started my own in December of 2017 (with a few major pauses in between) and hitting 150 episodes, here are a few nuggets I have learned (some are just my opinion…but I’m right).
Your first 50-ish episodes are really just practice. A warm-up, if you will. Like most things, it takes time and consistency to find your voice, your audience, your format, your jokes. Podcasting is HARD. Unless you’re already famous and well, if you are, call me and support a sister (hi Dax Shepard).
Amplifi and Podnews,- 44% of the podcasts have less than 3 episodes. Only 720k podcasts have more than 10 episodes. Out of those 720k podcasts, only 156k are releasing a weekly episode. So when you hear there are 4.4 million podcasts out there, well, yes technically. But also, no.
For any creative (god, that word) who has built something on their own, changing your format or your approach is scary. Yes, people are listening and you feel like you could potentially lose your audience. But also, there is so much content out there that audiences honestly aren’t paying close attention to any one particular show. If you feel the need to pivot your content, your logo, your format, do it. Your loyal audience will follow you no matter what. Again, if you’re famous and need to dial-a-indie-podcaster for charity purposes, call me.
When I initially started this podcast, I decided to go the whole South Asian route because 1) strong network of Brown folks 2) niche, niche, niche 3) of course, my desire to share the South Asian story.
And it’s been great. I’ve met so many interesting people, shared many laughs with guests who were initially strangers, learned SO much about myself (this has basically been a 6-year therapy session for me) and really started appreciating our community and the myriad of identities and stories that define our vast population around the globe. I also think living in India, Dubai, and in many cities around the US has helped me understand the South Asian story a little more. Although, Arkansas, we still need to talk…but I love you.
It’s been an education I never expected to get in my 30s and 40s.
Since I’m on a list kick, here are a few takeaways I have from my 300+ hours of chatting with the community-
We really do have so much more in common than we think. Yes, our stories are unique and the way we have embraced being Brown (in many parts of the world) definitely varies, but underneath it all- the angst, the desire to belong, our relationship to parents, to our culture, to dating and marriage- these aspects remain complicated parts of our DNA that we all share and the same web of questions tend to come up in regards to these major pillars in life. And no, I’m not talking about the stupid ABCD stuff. Because, dumb. Just dumb.
Our community still has a hard time supporting each other, lifting each other up. I’m not going to get into the whole “not enough room at the table” analogy because we all know it. Experiencing it as a podcaster is a whole other story (we are at the bottom of the totem pole in the creative world) and frankly another article. I know there are many of us in the podcast industry that are ready to open up doors to others whenever we can and I love that about this crew of audio nerds. They are some of the best people I’ve met in recent years.
The past few months, I had a nagging feeling I needed a change. While I love amplifying the South Asian voice, it hit me that I didn’t solely need to interview South Asians to do that. I am the South Asian voice (shocking discovery, I know). And this simple idea has freed me and opened me up to a world of endless possibilities. The word ‘universal’ kept flashing in my mind.
Because let’s face it, being Tuckered Out is universal. High five.
So when a few agents I have recently collaborated with (love you guys) reached out to me about interviewing guests outside the diaspora, I jumped at the chance to get them on the podcast.
Enter documentarian and a true music enthusiast Bill Teck. Bill is known for One Day Since Yesterday: Peter Bogdanovich & the Lost American Film (2014), Generation ñ (1998) and A Peña Family Album: The Best of Que Pasa USA (1999). Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Bill coined the term and created the Latinx brand 'generation ñ'.
His latest doc, Stevie Van Zandt, Disciple, is a portrait of a true renaissance man and passionate activist. The film chronicles the artist throughout his remarkable career while illuminating the influential and enduring legacy he continues to have as a fervent champion of rock ‘n’ roll and social justice.
First of all, I had no idea how much I love this guy (Zandt..and you too Bill)- I mean, what a human being. Second, I totally forgot about his extensive resume- the amazing music he has produced, written, sang-just incredible. The documentary took me on a high nostalgia ride which basically made me put on my old Depeche Mode shirt (that I stole from big brother and never gave back and this is the first time I’m admitting it) and put on my old school jams.
To say Stevie is a quiet pioneer-in so many ways-is an understatement. He is a pioneer in mixing in soul with rock n’ roll, collaborating with white and black musicians, for being partially responsible for bringing down a government, and for being one of the few rockstars that stayed married (and truly in love) to his wife his entire journey.
Featuring a wealth of never-before-seen footage, the film traces Van Zandt’s career as a producer, musician, songwriter, activist, actor, and more, from the clubs of Asbury Park, N.J. to arenas and stadiums, to the Bada Bing Club and the Underground Garage.
Chatting with Bill about music for an hour, listening him talk about growing up in the Miami music scene, swapping our best concert stories, and realizing that the nerdy minority child in us wasn’t so bad….well, it was all pretty refreshing for this podcaster.
Another part of me woke up.
All this being said, I will continue spotlighting my South Asian people because I am so proud to be an Indian-American and maybe even more than that, I’m proud of my parents story. Looking back, I may have launched this podcast in honor of them.
Over time though, after hundreds of hours of interviews, I’ve realized it is time to do this for me too.
The HBO Original documentary is available to stream on Max….watch it.
Thank you to Mr. Van Zandt for saving rock n’ roll and to Mr. Bill Teck for sharing his story.
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