438 What Podfest 2026 Taught Us About Community
What happens when you go from feeling like an outsider to being named Community Hero? We’re reflecting on last week’s Podfest 2026 in Orlando, Florida. After five years of walking through those doors, unsure of where I fit, receiving an unexpected award caught me completely off guard. But this isn’t just my story. It’s about what happens when podcasters show up for each other. Many of us from the Empowered Podcasting community were there, sharing the moments that mattered most and why Podfest continues to feel like a family reunion even for first-timers. Whether you attended or followed along from afar, this conversation brings you right into the room with us. Maybe it’s time you showed up and let the community meet you where you are.
Episode Highlights:
[02:08] PodFest recap begins
[03:42] Memorable moments and awards
[08:01] Networking and community building
[10:31] Full-circle moments and collaborations
[13:22] Challenges and overcoming obstacles
[17:35] Surprising moments and early reflections
[28:16] Navigating PodFest with practical tips and experiences
[31:26] Reflections from a podcasting veteran
[38:58] Advice for first-time conference attendees
[43:31] Areas for improvement and constructive feedback
Links & Resources:
The Podcasting Morning Chat:
Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:
www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting
Empowered Podcasting Conference Course with Recordings:
https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/
Empowered Podcasting Conference 3: Use discount code ‘Podfest26’ to get your ticket for under $200:
https://empoweredpodcasting.com
Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:
Podfest:
Anika Jackson:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikajackson
Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community.
Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w
Live on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marcronick
Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com
Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!
--- Send in your mailbag question at: https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/ or marc@ironickmedia.com
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00:00:04,800 --> 00:00:06,920
Good morning podcasting Morning
Chat.
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Today is Tuesday, January 20th,
2026, and today we're recapping
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Pod Fest 2026 through shared
experiences, honest reflections,
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and lessons learned as the group
brings you into the room whether
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you attended or not.
So if you're listening live on
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Clubhouse, hit the share button,
bottom left hand, side of the
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screen and share it.
However, Clubhouse lets you.
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And if you're catching us via
podcast, YouTube, LinkedIn,
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please share this with a fellow
podcaster Now give us about 30
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seconds and we'll get things
rolling.
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Thanks for being here.
Good morning again, podcasting
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Morning Chat.
Thank you so much for being
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here.
I am your host, Mark Ronick, and
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currently on stage with me.
I hesitated because, as I
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sometimes say, we have a full
house and we really have a full
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house.
Aside from the regulars that I
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share with you in the morning,
we've got a lot of people here
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from Pod Fest who want to share
and discuss their experiences,
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swap stories, etcetera.
So first let me introduce the
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team we have Jonathan Howard,
Ralph Estep, BC Babbles, Dr.
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Fey, Producer Ashley Feller, Sid
Meadows, and Alex Baelish.
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And just to give you a little
idea of today, this isn't going
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to be my Pod Fest recap.
This is ours.
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And of course, I'm going to
share.
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I have plenty I want to share,
but it's not just about me here
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today.
We're going to pull stories and
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experiences.
We're not going to sit here and
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just list out all the sessions,
although I think it's important
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and interesting to share some of
the more memorable sessions that
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some of you experienced at
Podfest.
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The first thing I think I
brought back with me from
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Podfest is a potential cold.
I got a little scratchy throat,
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little congestion, not doing
terribly.
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Although I will say the insomnia
is back.
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Thankfully, that didn't happen
while Rich Perry, who's here on
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stage, my roommate at Pod Fest,
that didn't, that didn't occur
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while I was there.
Although Rich, I will tell you
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now, you were snoring a bit.
Have I told you that before?
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That you, you snore?
I didn't know that.
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No, I know that.
Yes, you are a snorer and you
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know, I mean, you also had a
couple drinks at the end of the
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night.
So, you know, sometimes when we
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drink a little bit, sometimes we
can snore at times, sure, But it
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was no big deal.
I was able to fall right back
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asleep.
But for whatever reason, once
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the work day is upon me, my
sleep gets screwed up.
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So anyway, let's do it.
I want to hear from you.
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What's the first moment from Pod
Fest that pops into your head
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right now when I ask that
question?
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A moment from your Pod Fest that
you would like to share.
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You going to make me go first?
OK, I'll go first.
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Probably the first moment from
Pod Fest that pops into my head
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right now is that award that I
won and probably jumping ahead
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because I think I'm going to
also ask about unexpected
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moments later.
And this was this is definitely
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a memorable moment for me.
I had no idea it was going to
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happen.
All I knew was Chris Kremitsos
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had texted me probably two or
three times throughout the Pod
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Fest week telling me he'd really
like me to be at the closing
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ceremonies.
He wanted to give me a shout
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out, was how he put it.
So of course I'm going to show
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up for for that, not just
because they're shouting me out,
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but if the man who founded Pod
Fest asked me to be there, I'm
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going to be there.
And I really had no idea what to
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expect.
But once they started, they
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handed out a couple of awards
and there was an award, I forget
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which award it was, but there
was one award.
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And then I said to myself, Oh my
gosh, he's not going to give me
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an award, is he?
But I received the Glen Herbert
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Community Hero Award.
Glenn the geek is what he goes
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by Glenn the geek community Hero
award.
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And this was because I believe
of several things.
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Mainly the first one was just
that as I've shared with you
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before, I've been leading the
speaker community in networking
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calls to help build community
there.
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And of course, I was also
helping out as a volunteer at
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Podfest as well.
I am Seed, one of the tracks for
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beginners, and I was very
grateful, appreciative, little
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humble for that.
And it really did feel full
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circle for me because I've
shared before, I mean, look,
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empowered podcasting was
inspired by Pod Fest and for
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multiple reasons.
One of the reasons being that
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for the first couple years, I
never really felt like I fit in
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there.
And I recognize that was
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probably more my own stuff, not
the fact that Pod Fest wasn't
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welcoming, but I just felt like
I had a hard time finding my way
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there.
And then Fast forward to my
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fifth Pod Fest.
I'm speaking on a stage for the
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first time.
They're talking about community.
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And then full circle, winning an
award for community.
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That was a great moment for me.
Anyone else want to share?
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Go ahead.
Who just came off Mike?
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It's me.
Hi Cliff.
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So I just want to say this was
my very first Pod Fest
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experience, and I will say what
I said at the gratitude
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ceremony.
When I started podcasting in
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2005, for the first few years,
it was a very lonely thing to be
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a podcaster because there
weren't that many of us in the
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world and we only knew each
other through online
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connections.
And then eventually there were
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these things called pod camps,
these conferences for folks to
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gather together in local
communities, and those were the
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best.
Eventually there were some
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podcast conference in the early
days from the Berkwyn brothers,
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and then there was New Media
Expo with the podcasting track
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and then eventually Podcast
Movement.
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And then the early days of all
of those events, there was this
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family feel, all of us together,
all all of us who were so
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passionate a podcast about
podcasting.
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We travel anywhere to be in the
room with other podcasters who
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loved it as much as us.
And somewhere along the way, a
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lot of that feel had gotten lost
in big events that cater towards
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more of the NPR and the
corporate conglomerates that are
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taking a lot of attention share
for in in the podcasting space.
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And so when I came to Pod Fest,
I'd heard people call it Pod
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Fam, but now I understand why.
It is a family gathering of over
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1000 podcasters and it felt like
family.
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It felt like those early days.
And yet it's still a very large
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venue with a large crowd.
But it was my people and it was
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so amazing I that that that was
what stood out to me.
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Thank you, Cliff.
Yeah.
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And the really interesting thing
about that is the fact that I, I
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believe what I heard was there
was something like 80% were
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first time Pod Fest people
there.
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And I say that the interesting
part about that is the fact that
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it still felt like family.
It felt like a reunion, even
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though there are people that we
didn't meet there until this
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very time here at Pod Fest.
Yeah.
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And another thing that I found
very interesting, somebody else
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had mentioned this, but I
definitely concur with what they
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said.
And that is no matter where you
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went in the entire hotel, if you
saw somebody that had a Pod Fest
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badge, just walking up and
having a conversation was the
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most natural thing.
And I'm not the type who
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typically will go up and just
introduce myself to people that
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I don't already know.
But I found myself just
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gravitating towards that because
I had never had any experience
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where I wasn't fully welcomed
into whatever conversation was
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already taking place.
And so the most friendliest
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crowd and the most easiest
networking experience and
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meeting new piece people that
I've had at a conference in
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years.
Thank you, Cliff.
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That's Cliff Ravenscraft.
I was glad that I got to sit
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next to him during Alex
Sanfilippo session.
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I was glad we got a picture
right before we left.
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I was terrible with pictures
this time last year.
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I think I did a great job this
year.
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I did not go in with any
intention about taking pictures
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and that cost me.
We talked about this when we
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were leading up to Pod Fest last
week about setting intentions.
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That was one that I forgot to
set and I paid.
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But it's OK because I got
pictures from other people as
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well.
But yeah, Cliff is right.
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There was this real sense of
family and very easy to talk to
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people.
Let's go to Shay and then we'll
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check in with Deb.
Good morning, Shay.
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Good morning.
Thanks for having me.
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Sorry I missed you, Cliff.
I have no idea you were there.
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So thanks for showing up here
and welcome to the family, as
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they say.
I'm going to bounce off what you
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what you said and also what Mark
said.
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The thing about Pod Fest is
literally like a reunion,
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whether you have there the first
time or you met somebody on
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Wednesday night at an opening
and then you saw him again on
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Thursday and Saturday.
It's like, Oh my gosh, tell me
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everything that you've learned
so far.
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And it's just such a welcoming
environment, which is why this
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is they had been my sixth time
of attending Pod Fest, third
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time as a speaker.
And a full circle moment, if I
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may share, was 2020.
The first day they had micro
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cons and they had a military
crater con and I was sitting in
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the audience and met lots of
people and military creator con.
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But one particular gentleman I
ended up hiring as my podcast
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producer.
And jump ahead to now.
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We started a business together,
a mastermind for podcasters and
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entrepreneurs.
And this year, we then spoke on
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stage together at Pod Fest on
Saturday.
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So it was just such a full
circle moment.
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Here we are, you know, hanging
out in the hallways, just
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laughing it up and sharing and
collaborating 6 years ago and
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now being able to present on
stage, which Rich did an amazing
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job.
I'll give a shout out to Rich.
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Amazing job for emceeing our
room and so thankful for his
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presence there.
So it's just such, so great to
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see all of you.
Thank you, Shay.
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Yeah, Rich is a real pro at MC
ING a track.
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He's taught me the ropes around
that.
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And I've done that now the past
couple of years.
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And I got to say, if you're ever
interested in participating more
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than just attending at Pod Fest
or at any conference for that
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matter, including Empowered
Podcasting, if you don't feel up
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to the challenge of speaking,
emceeing is a great way that you
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can really connect with a lot of
people, especially if you do it.
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I was going to say do it the
right way, but that feel doesn't
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feel good to me to say.
But if you do it with good
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intention, you can really make a
big impression.
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Thank you, Shay.
It's so cool.
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Yeah.
You and Adam to see the two of
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you and what you've started to
do over the past couple of
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years.
I know you guys have been
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working together since you guys
started your journey together at
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Pod Fest, But over the past year
or two, seeing what you guys are
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up to is really cool to see.
And that's just, that's what's
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so great about these conferences
is that.
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Yeah, you walk away with stuff
for your personal podcast, but
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you also walk away with so much
more partnerships,
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collaborations, business
opportunities, etcetera.
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It's super cool.
All right, I'm going to go to
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Deb who's on stage.
Deb, good morning to you.
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Did you want to share something
from your Pod Fest, either your
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a moment that comes to mind or
maybe even something you
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expected Pod Fest to give you
and what you actually got from
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it?
Because sometimes what you
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expect doesn't always come to
fruition and something else
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surprises you.
Oh yeah, that is so true.
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The first thing I want to say is
as a newbie, as one of the 80%
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who'd never been to Pod Fest
before, getting to be made to
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feel like I belong there made a
huge difference.
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To walk in not knowing what to
expect and then being greeted by
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a friend and a hug.
So that was lovely.
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The thing that surprised me the
most was probably all of the
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connections that I was able to
make, all the new people that I
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was able to meet and learn from.
And Shay had told me the magic
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is in the hallways, and that was
really true.
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The sessions were great, but the
collaborative energy in the
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hallway and the encouragement
was the best thing.
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I think that's so true.
Thank you for sharing that, Deb.
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I think that's so true,
especially I think for newer
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attendees.
I think when, if you can roam
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the the hallways, get to know
people there, there's so much
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value in that.
Of course, there is too with
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this speaker sessions, but I
feel like that's really a good
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thing for the newer podcasters
attending to take advantage of.
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I think for me at this point, I
almost do better attending
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sessions because I think what I
like to do is listen to people's
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questions when there's time for
Q&A at the end of the sessions.
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Because there's usually
something that I can go and
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follow up with them afterwards.
Like maybe I have more I could
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add to the answer that they were
given.
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Maybe they just said something
really interesting or inspiring
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and I want to talk to them.
It just it gave me permission to
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connect with them in a different
way.
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Absolutely.
That makes sense.
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The way you get to know them in
the sessions, you get to hear
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what their goals are, what
they're interested in, and then
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it creates a better connection.
That's very true.
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Was there a session Deb that in
particular that that really
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stuck out to you that you walked
away with with maybe a ton of
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value?
Yes.
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And you're going to think I'm
just saying this, but it was
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honestly your session and that's
you're.
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You are just saying that.
No, I promise.
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It's because that's my focus is
community, and that's also where
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I need to to grow in building
connections with my community.
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It's so important.
And what you had to offer in
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your session was incredibly
valuable to me going forward.
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And I've already got all sorts
of ideas rolling around up in
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that head of mine.
Thank you, Deb.
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I appreciate you saying that.
I only paid Deb 100 bucks for
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that.
So if anybody's looking for a
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good value, talk to Deb.
She'll talk you up.
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No, I really didn't, but thank
you, Deb.
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Yeah, the talk.
I guess I should just briefly
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share about that because I've
shared with this community the
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struggle leading up to it.
I wouldn't say it was a home
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run, but I would say it was
pretty darn close.
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Maybe it was an in the park home
run.
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How's that?
I mean, there were moments that
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I did lose my place.
And if you read my social media
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posts, I lost my place, but for
with really good reason, because
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I found that I was just in the
moment, in flow, sharing from
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the heart.
And yes, it was all the material
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was prepared, but I realized in
those moments that I really
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didn't need the little note
cards that I had on my podium
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just in case.
But what ended up happening was,
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is that I'd get in such a
rhythm, such a flow, that when I
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stopped that flow, sometimes I
would say, wait, now what?
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Now where do I go?
But only a couple moments like
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that.
And overall, I was really proud
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of myself.
I think I, for the first time
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really on a Pod Fest stage doing
a 30 minute presentation, which
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I really haven't done something
like that before.
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I think it went really well and
I just got some video from our
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friend Jana Swan.
She took video of the whole
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thing and I started watching it
and I was really proud.
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I was like, wow, that dude knows
what he's doing up there.
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So yeah, I'm glad you got
something out of that, Deb.
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I did get a lot of positive
feedback about it too, so it all
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00:17:25,839 --> 00:17:29,640
worked out and now that I have
gone through it once, I feel
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much better about doing this
more often.
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So I'm super excited about that.
Let's check in with Janae if you
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have a minute.
Did you want to share anything
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from your Pod Fest experience?
This was a great experience.
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Like you said, Mark, this was
your first 50 year.
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Mine was 50 as well.
And what happens with these
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events is even though there's
80% of your people, you still
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men manage to find the people
that have been coming from past
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years and you build that
relationship, you build that
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friendship and family.
And I felt really loved and
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cared for and recognize, right?
We you get that recognition as
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you keep coming back.
So I felt at home like a lot of
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us said, you know, it's kind of
like a homecoming, kind of like
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a family reunion.
I felt a lot of that myself.
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So getting to speak up on stage
again was an excellent
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00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:27,800
experience and overall a very
well.
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Done event.
I didn't get to spend as much
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time at the exhibits like you I
usually do over the past, but
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overall it was really good.
Thank you.
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00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:41,680
You're welcome.
Yeah, Podfest's exhibit hall is
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always, well, has always been in
my experiences smaller than some
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of the other conferences I've
been to podcast movement and non
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podcast related conferences.
Theirs is a little smaller, but
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that's not a knock or anything.
It's just it is a little bit
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smaller.
And I found that, yeah, I
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really, I think I walked around
one time the entire time I was
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there.
But overall, I mean, it was cool
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to see some of the the regulars
like Buzz Sprout and Libsyn.
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And there were some new ones as
well that I'm looking forward to
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sharing more with you as I have
more conversations with them.
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I think there are a few vendors
that I met that may want to be a
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part of Empowered Podcasting and
part of the podcasting morning
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chat.
So more to come there.
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I'm going to go to Jason, Sir
Cone and then I'll go back down
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00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:31,960
the line.
Jason, good morning.
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00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:36,880
Jason was one of my one of my
pals throughout the weekend.
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Me, Jason and Rich hung out
quite a bit there.
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Jason, any takeaways?
Any anything you want to share
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from your experience at Pod
Fest?
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00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:49,040
Yeah, man, I was just hanging
out with you trying to get the
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rub.
What do you mean?
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Well, I mean, being around Mark
Roddick and the thing that
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you've built from everything
that you got to lay out at Pod
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Fest, everybody, I want to feel
a little bit of that.
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So made it a point to be in your
presence, Sir.
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But I will echo what people have
said about your presentation.
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That was a great moment for Pod
Fest this year.
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You really did a lot to spread
the good word about community
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and it showed that people really
care about that because you had
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a packed house for that call.
For that presentation, people
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hanging from the rafters to hear
what you had to say and it was a
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you did a great job of it.
I, like you, told everybody the
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stress leading up to it all paid
off in the end.
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So for me, I will say that that
this was my first Pod Fest
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experience as well.
And when I got into the groove
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and started seeing people and
making connections and doing
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00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:46,040
everything you do in an event
like this, I questioned myself,
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00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:47,920
why did I wait?
Why did it wait?
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Why did it take me so long to
get down to Orlando to be a part
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of this?
But now that I'm here, I'm going
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to make the absolute most of it.
Something I learned, and I think
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it really shows what we're
building with Empowered
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Podcasting.
As we've said, events like Pod
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Fest, they're larger, they're
great, There's so many things
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you can accomplish.
But I think about what we're
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building with Empowered
Podcasting and keeping things
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more small and intimate.
One of my favorite moments of
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00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:20,080
the week was the agency
breakfast that you and I
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attended Mark, that Seth
Silver's put on.
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And that was a very small group.
But in that 2 hour period that
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we all sat there and shared
ideas and talked about our gains
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and our our struggles from the
past year and what we were
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looking to build.
I was just blown away by some of
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the insight that was shared at
that table.
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And it made me change a couple
thoughts in my mind about where
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I'm going with my business.
But ultimately it made me
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realize there's so much that can
happen in this smaller setting
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because everybody has a voice.
Everybody gets an opportunity to
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learn from one another.
And I think that's just a true
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testament to what Empowered
podcasting has become and what
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00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:04,800
it's going to be as we continue
to build on it.
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So that was just one moment for
me.
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That was absolutely huge.
Another one, I'll say that I
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know Mark, you and I kind of
talked about this privately.
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I actually, I don't think I
brought it up to you in the
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00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:18,200
moment, but I remember when we
were sitting in the restaurant
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00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:21,560
on Saturday night and I glanced
to my left and I saw that high
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00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:26,160
top table with all of these
podcasting legends and all these
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00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:27,720
people that have accomplished so
much.
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00:22:27,720 --> 00:22:31,120
And I just remember in my head,
I just said, that's a table I
380
00:22:31,120 --> 00:22:34,920
want to be sitting at someday.
And I think if we all keep doing
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00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:37,640
what we're doing at this table
and that table being me, you and
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00:22:37,640 --> 00:22:40,880
Rich, we're going to do
something great and and have an
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00:22:40,880 --> 00:22:43,480
opportunity to be at that table.
And I mentioned that my little
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00:22:43,600 --> 00:22:46,200
LinkedIn recap, your comment was
great, Mark.
385
00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:49,480
Like, no, they're going to be at
our table either way.
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00:22:49,480 --> 00:22:53,720
Just to think that we're on a
course that someday maybe at Pod
387
00:22:53,720 --> 00:23:00,400
Fest 2047, people are looking at
us at that high top table going,
388
00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:02,440
yeah, that that looks like the
place to be.
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00:23:02,720 --> 00:23:05,400
But overall is a tremendous
experience and I'm looking
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00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:06,880
forward to what next year
brings.
391
00:23:07,480 --> 00:23:10,560
I hope it's not 2047, maybe
20-30.
392
00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:14,160
Yeah, that's a, that's a, that's
a much better idea.
393
00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:17,240
I'm just trying to match the age
range of the people that we saw
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there.
Jason, you were one of the smart
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00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:22,600
people.
What maybe depending on your the
396
00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:26,080
size of your wallet, the smart
people that chose a different
397
00:23:26,080 --> 00:23:28,520
hotel to stay at because it was
a little pricey.
398
00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:30,200
That's why Rich and I room
together.
399
00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:33,320
It's one reason why is to save a
little bit of money on the
400
00:23:33,320 --> 00:23:35,600
hotel.
That hotel is a little pricey,
401
00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:38,800
huh?
Well I will say this two things
402
00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:41,720
I would like to get a roommate
next year but I will warn you
403
00:23:41,720 --> 00:23:43,400
I'm probably a worse snore than
Rich.
404
00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:50,840
But I learned oh man it ended up
just being more of a running
405
00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:53,160
joke because I just thought it
had to be told.
406
00:23:53,720 --> 00:23:55,200
I can't remember which day it
was.
407
00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:58,440
Yes, stayed in a different hotel
so I had to Uber back and forth.
408
00:23:58,440 --> 00:24:01,080
Fortunately I had some friends
that were in town that had a car
409
00:24:01,080 --> 00:24:04,600
and they were able to drive me a
couple times but overall just
410
00:24:04,600 --> 00:24:06,160
did the Uber thing back and
forth.
411
00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:10,560
But well the one day I had my
contacts in and they dried out
412
00:24:10,560 --> 00:24:13,800
just because I I would say just
because of the air in that
413
00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:15,320
place.
It just finally got to me.
414
00:24:15,320 --> 00:24:17,920
So I had to go to the little
shop and buy a little bottle of
415
00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:22,720
eye drops. 18 dollars, $18.00
for eye drops.
416
00:24:22,920 --> 00:24:27,880
So wow, right, And this is the
thing I want to say like yes, it
417
00:24:27,880 --> 00:24:30,920
became a running joke and I just
we all just laughed about it.
418
00:24:30,920 --> 00:24:34,480
But I don't want that to be
something that turns you off to
419
00:24:34,480 --> 00:24:37,400
going to pod fest.
Yes, that hotel and resort is a
420
00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:40,920
little bit pricey, but there are
alternatives that will help you
421
00:24:40,920 --> 00:24:44,240
save money.
And I know that I was the only
422
00:24:44,240 --> 00:24:48,720
one that didn't have any
problems flying home between you
423
00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:52,680
and Rich, but I did have a
little bit of a delay.
424
00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:57,680
And I say that because I got a
great deal on a hotel and flight
425
00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:00,400
combo.
And yes, the hotel was a couple
426
00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:02,400
miles down the road, but I don't
feel like I really missed
427
00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:04,920
anything.
I was able to get there on time
428
00:25:04,920 --> 00:25:07,120
and be a part of everyday's
festivities.
429
00:25:07,120 --> 00:25:11,520
So yeah, it is a little bit
sticker shock.
430
00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:15,680
That's some kidding items there.
But overall, I wouldn't let that
431
00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:19,200
deter me or deter you from
choosing to come to a great
432
00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:20,720
event like POD.
Fest agreed.
433
00:25:20,720 --> 00:25:23,400
The bottled water there I was
getting right.
434
00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:25,080
Yeah.
I mean, that in itself, just a
435
00:25:25,080 --> 00:25:28,360
regular sized bottle of life.
Life water.
436
00:25:28,360 --> 00:25:30,880
Is that what they call it?
That was like 10 bucks.
437
00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:35,080
It was like akin to being at the
airport still or being at a
438
00:25:35,080 --> 00:25:38,400
stadium and you're where you're
spending $25 on a big beer.
439
00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:39,960
I get it.
They've got you.
440
00:25:40,160 --> 00:25:42,760
When she said $18.00 to me for
the eye drops, I just kind of
441
00:25:42,760 --> 00:25:45,400
stared at her for a minute and I
was like, is this thing going to
442
00:25:45,400 --> 00:25:46,960
edit my podcast too?
What are you?
443
00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:51,200
What are you selling me here?
Ashley in the chat says are they
444
00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:55,080
gold plated eye drops?
They might be actually you'd.
445
00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:58,200
Think I'm going to cherish that
bottle is and use it as
446
00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:01,160
sparingly as possible.
Thank you, Jason.
447
00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:04,880
I'm going to go to Ralph because
Ralph said he had a question for
448
00:26:04,880 --> 00:26:07,640
the attendees of Pod Fest.
So go for it Ralph.
449
00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:11,200
Good morning to you and Ralph.
But actually before you go on,
450
00:26:11,400 --> 00:26:14,880
thank you for holding down the
Fort on Thursday and Friday and
451
00:26:14,880 --> 00:26:18,240
leading those conversations.
I did get a chance to listen to
452
00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:21,800
a little bit of both and what I
heard you did a fantastic job
453
00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:26,280
leading the charge, especially
being the newer, A newer member
454
00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:28,840
of the team.
You just took the reins and ran
455
00:26:28,840 --> 00:26:30,280
with it.
And I thank you.
456
00:26:30,280 --> 00:26:32,840
So great job, Mark.
I appreciate you saying that.
457
00:26:32,840 --> 00:26:34,400
And the team really made me look
good.
458
00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:35,840
So that's the whole part of
that.
459
00:26:36,040 --> 00:26:38,080
But I have to be totally honest
with you, the whole time I was
460
00:26:38,080 --> 00:26:42,240
doing that, I had a huge, I just
felt like I missed Pod Fest.
461
00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:45,280
And so I was watching the
pictures coming back and I got
462
00:26:45,280 --> 00:26:47,560
to watch the Hall of Fame awards
ceremony.
463
00:26:47,560 --> 00:26:49,320
What an amazing time for that
was.
464
00:26:49,320 --> 00:26:51,840
But I had a practical question.
Oh, by the way, Jason and
465
00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:54,440
everybody else, if you spent
money at Pod Fest, keep those
466
00:26:54,440 --> 00:26:55,800
receipts.
Those are tax write offs.
467
00:26:56,040 --> 00:26:59,920
Even if you paid $18.00 for eye
drops just put on the receipt
468
00:26:59,920 --> 00:27:01,960
then this is the only place you
could buy them because where you
469
00:27:01,960 --> 00:27:03,720
work.
So at this little practical
470
00:27:03,720 --> 00:27:05,960
advice but.
My question for those who
471
00:27:05,960 --> 00:27:10,200
attended what's 1 surprise take
away from your attendance?
472
00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:13,160
I know before Podfest we had a
discussion about how to prepare,
473
00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:16,000
how to be ready for it.
What's 1 surprise thing that
474
00:27:16,240 --> 00:27:18,720
each of you might have, you
know, discovered while you were
475
00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:20,400
there too?
Weren't expecting ahead of time.
476
00:27:21,160 --> 00:27:23,480
I love this question.
I saw some baza, wanted to
477
00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:24,520
share.
So some baza.
478
00:27:24,520 --> 00:27:26,560
I'll see.
We'll put you on the spot and
479
00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:28,760
then you can share whatever else
you'd like to share.
480
00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:32,360
But yeah, Ralph is asking.
Any surprising moments for you
481
00:27:32,600 --> 00:27:34,160
at Pod Fest?
Good morning to you.
482
00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:35,680
Good.
Morning, Mark.
483
00:27:35,800 --> 00:27:42,440
My surprising moment was the new
people that were some people
484
00:27:42,440 --> 00:27:47,440
were brand new, but the way they
dove into the sessions and were
485
00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:50,000
willing to hang out was so
different.
486
00:27:50,280 --> 00:27:53,680
That was to me, I think, my
great moment.
487
00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:57,720
You were doing a great job
Sambaza of grabbing new people
488
00:27:57,720 --> 00:27:59,920
and introducing them to
everyone.
489
00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:04,800
You are such a friendly face
there and it is so cool to see
490
00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:08,920
how you just embrace these new
people and really make them feel
491
00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:12,120
like they're in the right place.
I commend you for that.
492
00:28:12,120 --> 00:28:15,360
That was really a nice touch.
I thought that you made a big
493
00:28:15,360 --> 00:28:17,840
impression.
Oh, thank you, Mark.
494
00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:20,000
When you get to Pod Fest,
there's so many things that are
495
00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:22,760
happening at the same time.
And I've felt that before.
496
00:28:23,080 --> 00:28:27,200
And I think if you could have a
buddy that you can hang on to
497
00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:31,040
that can show you the ropes,
who's been there, I think you
498
00:28:31,040 --> 00:28:33,920
would have a better time and
enjoy yourself much better.
499
00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:39,040
And then kind of like have a
whole new understanding from the
500
00:28:39,040 --> 00:28:40,880
app.
I started off with the Hoover
501
00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:43,400
app.
I got engagements with the
502
00:28:43,400 --> 00:28:45,920
people from there.
So when I meet you and I look at
503
00:28:45,920 --> 00:28:49,040
your card and I'm like, oh, wait
a minute, I talked to you and
504
00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:52,120
some people who we had
conversations with on the app,
505
00:28:52,120 --> 00:28:55,040
we turned it into conversations
at the Pod Fest.
506
00:28:55,360 --> 00:29:00,040
It was just great to kind of
take what was there from the app
507
00:29:00,360 --> 00:29:02,440
right down to being personal
one-on-one.
508
00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:06,320
And the app is a great thing to
do to to use first.
509
00:29:06,760 --> 00:29:09,360
What I would also like to say is
volunteer.
510
00:29:09,640 --> 00:29:12,280
If you volunteer, it takes you
to a session.
511
00:29:12,280 --> 00:29:14,640
They'll assign you a session.
You'll be there for two to three
512
00:29:14,640 --> 00:29:18,680
hours, just two to three hours.
And in that time it'll be
513
00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:21,080
random.
However, when you sit there, you
514
00:29:21,080 --> 00:29:24,480
will actually take your time.
It'll be like your moments to
515
00:29:24,480 --> 00:29:28,160
chill and view things and listen
to a session.
516
00:29:28,320 --> 00:29:30,920
You may never get to see other
sessions, but that could be the
517
00:29:30,920 --> 00:29:33,720
only session you'll see and you
probably get something out of
518
00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:36,400
that particular session that
you're volunteering at.
519
00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:40,680
I think the love that I
experienced around there from
520
00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:44,680
everyone, I got to meet new
people and like you said, Mark,
521
00:29:44,680 --> 00:29:47,480
we were busy like connecting
here and saying hey, somebody
522
00:29:47,480 --> 00:29:49,680
needs something here.
I'd be like, hey, Mark, I think
523
00:29:49,680 --> 00:29:52,280
I know somebody who may need
help in that, or this is
524
00:29:52,280 --> 00:29:55,160
somebody who you'll need.
So there was those, there were
525
00:29:55,160 --> 00:29:59,960
those interactions.
And I think I met people from
526
00:29:59,960 --> 00:30:03,120
Texas.
One of the greatest things also.
527
00:30:03,120 --> 00:30:04,760
OK, I'll add this surprise
moment.
528
00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:09,400
I come from a small town called
Phony and it was a surprise to
529
00:30:09,400 --> 00:30:14,080
me that I actually met somebody
who was from 40 and doesn't live
530
00:30:14,120 --> 00:30:16,720
too far away from me and we got
to connect.
531
00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:21,080
The last thing I'm going to say
is going into the second year
532
00:30:21,080 --> 00:30:23,880
from the first year, I think it
becomes a bit easier.
533
00:30:23,920 --> 00:30:27,440
You kind of know your way around
adding small things here and
534
00:30:27,440 --> 00:30:31,080
there and which is the thing
about Pod Pod Fest, you start
535
00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:34,840
off at, I'll say zero and then
you just keep adding stuff one
536
00:30:34,840 --> 00:30:37,880
at a time.
This year what I added was I sat
537
00:30:37,880 --> 00:30:40,440
down with people for 5 minutes
with flash cards.
538
00:30:40,640 --> 00:30:44,920
I made a session, a meet up and
people came up and we did talks
539
00:30:45,440 --> 00:30:48,000
and I asked them, you know,
about their podcast.
540
00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:49,640
And then we did some flash
cards.
541
00:30:50,040 --> 00:30:52,240
Great thing to do to get to know
people.
542
00:30:52,240 --> 00:30:55,120
And I'm hoping that these
conversations will be coming
543
00:30:55,120 --> 00:30:57,720
further and further and
hopefully I'll do it next year.
544
00:30:57,960 --> 00:31:01,120
And that was what I wanted to
add about my Pod Fest experience
545
00:31:01,120 --> 00:31:03,160
this year.
And thank you all for whoever
546
00:31:03,160 --> 00:31:05,840
was there.
Thank you all for making me
547
00:31:05,840 --> 00:31:09,240
comfortable and give me a hug if
you got a chance to give me a
548
00:31:09,240 --> 00:31:12,240
hug.
I definitely had a few chances
549
00:31:12,240 --> 00:31:14,120
and got a few hugs from some
baza.
550
00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:16,400
Yeah, it was great seeing you
there.
551
00:31:16,400 --> 00:31:18,440
Some baza.
And I'm going to keep things
552
00:31:18,440 --> 00:31:20,000
going.
Cliff, I have a question for
553
00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:21,960
you.
And then I, there are other
554
00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:23,920
people on stage as well, like
Clancy.
555
00:31:23,920 --> 00:31:26,680
If you wanted to share anything,
I'm going to come to you as
556
00:31:26,680 --> 00:31:28,840
well.
But Cliff, I wanted to come to
557
00:31:28,840 --> 00:31:33,200
you because, you know, I went to
Alex's session and pleasantly
558
00:31:33,200 --> 00:31:36,480
surprised to see you there and
came and sat right down next to
559
00:31:36,480 --> 00:31:39,080
you.
And I saw and I kept looking
560
00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:42,160
over at you every so often
anyway, And I saw you taking
561
00:31:42,160 --> 00:31:45,000
lots of notes.
And I said to myself, wow, this
562
00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:47,520
is interesting.
Like Cliff is here is Cliff is
563
00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:52,080
such a long time veteran of
podcasting, been doing it just
564
00:31:52,080 --> 00:31:53,800
as long, if not longer than I
have.
565
00:31:53,800 --> 00:31:57,600
I mean, I when I was in my early
days, I found Cliff's website
566
00:31:57,600 --> 00:32:00,800
and I used to get advice from
Cliff's website all the time.
567
00:32:01,000 --> 00:32:04,960
So I kept saying to myself, wow,
is he like I would never expect
568
00:32:04,960 --> 00:32:08,960
that he would be learning stuff
at this point, but it certainly
569
00:32:08,960 --> 00:32:12,280
looked like you did.
So did you get a lot out of Pod
570
00:32:12,280 --> 00:32:14,520
Fest Cliff?
Absolutely.
571
00:32:15,040 --> 00:32:19,160
So when I started Podcast Answer
Man in 2006, the very first
572
00:32:19,160 --> 00:32:23,240
episode I said, listen, I am
launching this with the name
573
00:32:23,240 --> 00:32:26,280
Podcast Answer Man, not because
I have all of the answers.
574
00:32:26,480 --> 00:32:28,080
I certainly have lots of
experience.
575
00:32:28,080 --> 00:32:31,640
I have thousands of hours in
podcasting, but I don't have all
576
00:32:31,640 --> 00:32:34,360
of the answers.
And then what I said next is
577
00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:38,000
you'll be hard pressed to find
somebody who's more passionate
578
00:32:38,120 --> 00:32:43,680
about podcasting than I am.
And any question you have, I
579
00:32:43,680 --> 00:32:47,680
know where to get the answers.
And so when I was at Pod Fest, I
580
00:32:47,680 --> 00:32:50,560
was sitting in the front row of
each of the sessions I attended
581
00:32:51,040 --> 00:32:54,640
and I was taking notes because I
wanted to know what is the area
582
00:32:54,640 --> 00:32:58,240
of expertise of each of these
peers, each of these speakers,
583
00:32:58,240 --> 00:33:01,800
each of these people who are
also out there sharing their
584
00:33:01,800 --> 00:33:03,640
knowledge, sharing their
experiences.
585
00:33:04,040 --> 00:33:07,280
And so for me, yes, I'm learning
things that I didn't know.
586
00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:10,880
There's way too many things to
explore these days, way too many
587
00:33:10,880 --> 00:33:15,200
technologies and services and
ways AI can be implemented in
588
00:33:15,200 --> 00:33:18,560
all of that stuff.
But at the same time, even the
589
00:33:18,560 --> 00:33:22,160
stuff I already know, I like the
people who specialize and go
590
00:33:22,160 --> 00:33:26,640
even further to serve at a
deeper level in a niche specific
591
00:33:26,640 --> 00:33:27,880
way.
So I'm sitting there taking
592
00:33:27,880 --> 00:33:32,320
notes not only on the new things
I'm picking up, but I'm also
593
00:33:32,320 --> 00:33:36,960
making notes of the nuances of
who can I refer people that I
594
00:33:36,960 --> 00:33:41,560
talked to in the future to go to
them for the additional deeper
595
00:33:41,560 --> 00:33:46,320
layer on a specific topic.
Anything specifically Cliff that
596
00:33:46,320 --> 00:33:49,920
you walked away with?
Maybe like an aha moment or wow,
597
00:33:49,920 --> 00:33:51,880
I'd never thought about it that
way.
598
00:33:52,360 --> 00:33:55,920
There were plenty, and I think a
lot of it had to do with tools
599
00:33:55,920 --> 00:34:00,080
related to AII.
My eyes were opened to some of
600
00:34:00,080 --> 00:34:03,480
the things that I have just
automatically discounted because
601
00:34:03,720 --> 00:34:08,639
I like to have my fingers on all
of the things and not
602
00:34:08,639 --> 00:34:12,440
necessarily form out any of the
decisions when it comes to
603
00:34:12,440 --> 00:34:14,560
editing.
But there were a few tools that
604
00:34:14,560 --> 00:34:18,639
were mentioned and specifically
even you had highlighted this
605
00:34:18,639 --> 00:34:22,840
once I put a, a short video out
not too long ago and I said
606
00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:26,199
something, one of my greatest
pet peeves or one of my biggest
607
00:34:26,199 --> 00:34:29,760
things that I really hate is
actually doing an editing on a
608
00:34:29,760 --> 00:34:37,159
podcast where for an entire hour
the guest went and it's like,
609
00:34:37,159 --> 00:34:38,800
you know, you could use AI to do
that.
610
00:34:38,960 --> 00:34:41,800
And so I've known those tools
that have been out there.
611
00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:46,000
I've just never used them
because I have been cautious of
612
00:34:46,000 --> 00:34:48,239
the fact that maybe it's too
aggressive on its edits.
613
00:34:48,239 --> 00:34:51,639
So I actually heard people say
what the tools they're using.
614
00:34:51,639 --> 00:34:55,400
I'm going to actually go apply
those tools, play with them, see
615
00:34:55,400 --> 00:34:57,520
if I can get the results that
are preferable.
616
00:34:57,680 --> 00:34:59,800
It's just little nuances like
that.
617
00:34:59,920 --> 00:35:02,960
Yeah, thank you, Cliff.
And I think for me, one session
618
00:35:02,960 --> 00:35:06,920
that really stood out as you
shared as far as a lot of good
619
00:35:06,920 --> 00:35:13,280
info on AI, Annika Jackson, she
put on such a great
620
00:35:13,280 --> 00:35:15,880
presentation.
She did something similar at our
621
00:35:15,880 --> 00:35:19,240
conference at Empowered
Podcasting, really showing all
622
00:35:19,240 --> 00:35:22,600
of the different tools that
she's using, specifically AI
623
00:35:22,600 --> 00:35:27,800
tools to help her from pre
production to post production to
624
00:35:27,800 --> 00:35:31,080
promoting her podcast.
And the reason why, you know,
625
00:35:31,080 --> 00:35:33,880
some of you maybe think, but
Mark, you talk about using AI
626
00:35:33,880 --> 00:35:37,080
all the time.
I and I do use it, but the way
627
00:35:37,080 --> 00:35:40,800
that she's using it, she's
really figured out how to use
628
00:35:40,800 --> 00:35:45,840
these various tools, whether
it's ChatGPT, clawed perplexity
629
00:35:45,840 --> 00:35:49,840
and more specific AI tools to
podcasting.
630
00:35:50,120 --> 00:35:53,680
She's figured out a way to
really work all of them together
631
00:35:54,200 --> 00:35:57,720
into real, what the best way to
put it is a a well oiled
632
00:35:57,720 --> 00:35:59,920
machine.
And that's one area that I
633
00:35:59,920 --> 00:36:04,280
haven't really explored with all
the different AI tools is how do
634
00:36:04,280 --> 00:36:06,760
I really make these all work
together?
635
00:36:07,440 --> 00:36:10,600
And she just blew my mind
because I didn't get to see her
636
00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:13,200
presentation at Empowered
Podcasting.
637
00:36:13,640 --> 00:36:18,840
If you're interested in really
taking your AI experience to
638
00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:22,320
another level, I would say,
look, Anika Jackson U.
639
00:36:22,320 --> 00:36:25,960
I'll make sure that I give
Ashley a link to connect with
640
00:36:25,960 --> 00:36:29,360
her, and we'll put that in the
show notes for you.
641
00:36:29,960 --> 00:36:34,680
Clancy, good morning to you.
Clancy from the podcast The Loud
642
00:36:34,680 --> 00:36:39,840
Client, the client, I was mixing
2 sentences in one.
643
00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:44,880
She is a client and her podcast
is the loud quiet and that's a
644
00:36:44,880 --> 00:36:48,160
podcast for empty nesters.
Her and her husband Rick, they
645
00:36:48,480 --> 00:36:51,480
do that show together and now
they've put out a book or it's
646
00:36:51,480 --> 00:36:55,960
coming out all based on their
experiences as empty nesters and
647
00:36:55,960 --> 00:36:59,040
of course, experiences from
their podcast, Clancy.
648
00:36:59,040 --> 00:37:00,520
Good morning.
Do you want to share any
649
00:37:00,520 --> 00:37:04,480
experience from your Pod Fest?
Good morning.
650
00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:09,520
Yes and I have the conference
called so sorry my voice is does
651
00:37:09,520 --> 00:37:14,720
not sound great.
Last year was our first year and
652
00:37:14,880 --> 00:37:19,160
we really got invited because of
Rick's business podcast.
653
00:37:19,160 --> 00:37:23,400
So we hadn't been doing ours,
but maybe a little over a year
654
00:37:23,440 --> 00:37:27,040
together.
So I kind of went in with a
655
00:37:27,040 --> 00:37:28,880
little bit.
I've talked about this on our
656
00:37:28,880 --> 00:37:32,160
podcast of imposter syndrome.
I didn't really feel like I was
657
00:37:32,160 --> 00:37:34,160
supposed to be there.
I wasn't sure.
658
00:37:34,440 --> 00:37:38,600
We just decided to do a podcast
to stay connected after our
659
00:37:38,600 --> 00:37:45,200
youngest left for college.
But we met Mark and we met Tina,
660
00:37:45,560 --> 00:37:50,200
who is a publisher of our book.
And I mean, completely changed
661
00:37:50,200 --> 00:37:55,640
the trajectory of our podcast.
So going back this year, I went
662
00:37:55,640 --> 00:37:57,720
in with a little more
confidence.
663
00:37:57,720 --> 00:38:00,640
We were actually, you know, on a
speaker's panel.
664
00:38:00,880 --> 00:38:03,080
And it was just a great
experience.
665
00:38:03,080 --> 00:38:07,280
Last year, I felt like I had to
fill my time with sessions and
666
00:38:07,280 --> 00:38:10,680
be in every session because we
knew no one there.
667
00:38:10,680 --> 00:38:14,000
And so this year it was so nice
to be able to.
668
00:38:15,080 --> 00:38:20,800
I did a lot more hallway talking
than I did going to sessions and
669
00:38:20,800 --> 00:38:25,120
that was just so great.
And it was so great to see you,
670
00:38:25,120 --> 00:38:29,880
some of you guys in our speaking
event and then, you know, going
671
00:38:29,880 --> 00:38:33,000
to y'all's.
It was just the I love the
672
00:38:33,000 --> 00:38:35,920
support.
The support was just amazing
673
00:38:35,920 --> 00:38:38,680
this year.
And again, we met someone this
674
00:38:38,680 --> 00:38:42,440
year that we are probably going
to start working with marketing
675
00:38:42,440 --> 00:38:44,840
our book.
And so you just never know who
676
00:38:44,840 --> 00:38:49,560
you're going to meet that will
change the, you know, your
677
00:38:49,560 --> 00:38:52,760
business completely.
So I would just encourage
678
00:38:52,760 --> 00:38:57,560
everyone to just, yeah, go if
you can and just make some great
679
00:38:57,560 --> 00:39:00,520
connections.
I love that Clancy, what advice
680
00:39:00,520 --> 00:39:04,200
would you give to somebody who
is, you know, thinking about
681
00:39:04,200 --> 00:39:07,960
going to a podcast conference
brand new, never been before.
682
00:39:08,360 --> 00:39:10,960
And you know, because like, I
feel like it's you're a good
683
00:39:10,960 --> 00:39:13,840
person to ask, considering when,
like you said, your first time,
684
00:39:13,840 --> 00:39:16,280
you knew no one.
What advice would you give to
685
00:39:16,280 --> 00:39:18,560
somebody who's on the fence
about going to a conference?
686
00:39:18,960 --> 00:39:22,400
I would say hop over the fence.
Just do it now.
687
00:39:22,480 --> 00:39:25,640
It was nice for us because yes,
I haven't built.
688
00:39:25,640 --> 00:39:29,160
I have a built in buddy.
So I do agree with some, Maza,
689
00:39:29,160 --> 00:39:32,800
if you can bring someone with
you, even if they're not in the
690
00:39:32,800 --> 00:39:37,440
podcasting world, bring them
with you because it is nice if
691
00:39:37,440 --> 00:39:41,240
you don't know anyone to have
someone that is there for you.
692
00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:45,680
I was not all in on it last
year, but now I am.
693
00:39:45,680 --> 00:39:49,080
And I'd also say start with some
of the smaller ones, Like you're
694
00:39:49,080 --> 00:39:50,880
smart.
You know, we told several people
695
00:39:50,880 --> 00:39:54,280
about your event.
And so I would say, yeah, find
696
00:39:54,280 --> 00:39:56,640
some smaller, you know, try to
connect.
697
00:39:56,640 --> 00:40:01,040
We're trying to grow our North
Texas podcasters and start
698
00:40:01,040 --> 00:40:03,240
events here.
I would just say just do it.
699
00:40:03,360 --> 00:40:04,800
Yeah, Thank you.
Yeah, just do it.
700
00:40:04,800 --> 00:40:07,720
That's I think the best bet.
And like you said, I think that
701
00:40:07,880 --> 00:40:10,560
I think a lot of people, like
some Baza was another person who
702
00:40:10,560 --> 00:40:13,160
shared this, right?
Like, yeah, you go the first
703
00:40:13,160 --> 00:40:16,560
time and it is overwhelming and
you don't know what to expect.
704
00:40:16,600 --> 00:40:19,880
And once you get over that hump,
though, first of all, by the end
705
00:40:19,880 --> 00:40:22,240
of the conference, I think you
probably feel a lot different
706
00:40:22,240 --> 00:40:24,560
than the start.
But then once you just start
707
00:40:24,560 --> 00:40:28,520
going back for the second, the
third time, it gets much easier.
708
00:40:28,520 --> 00:40:32,160
And as we keep saying here, it
does feel like family.
709
00:40:32,440 --> 00:40:36,480
So I I would say the same thing.
Get a jump over the fence and
710
00:40:36,560 --> 00:40:39,200
come join.
And I think you'll get a lot out
711
00:40:39,200 --> 00:40:41,200
of these conferences.
Absolutely.
712
00:40:41,800 --> 00:40:46,640
Let me go to Christina.
Christina, also a buddy at Pod
713
00:40:46,640 --> 00:40:50,440
Fest of mine, hung out a lot.
Me and her and Jason and Rich
714
00:40:50,440 --> 00:40:54,160
and Karen, and we had a little
crew of our own that we hung out
715
00:40:54,160 --> 00:40:56,160
with.
Shay was part of that as well.
716
00:40:56,960 --> 00:41:01,600
Christina, good morning to you.
Would you be open to sharing any
717
00:41:01,600 --> 00:41:03,920
of your experience?
Maybe a memorable moment or
718
00:41:03,920 --> 00:41:07,360
something maybe that surprised
you when you were at Pod Fest?
719
00:41:07,760 --> 00:41:09,680
Thank you for that and good
morning.
720
00:41:10,280 --> 00:41:16,600
Yes, Oh my goodness, this being
Pod fest #2 just blew my mind.
721
00:41:16,600 --> 00:41:19,600
And I have to second everything
that you just spoke about
722
00:41:19,600 --> 00:41:25,040
because December 2020 fifth and
Powered Podcasting meet up in
723
00:41:25,040 --> 00:41:29,920
Rockville and I'd never stepped
away from my screen before.
724
00:41:30,000 --> 00:41:32,800
It's 10 minutes from my house.
I have to do this.
725
00:41:32,920 --> 00:41:36,440
I have to go meet some people
because, well, I'm a podcaster
726
00:41:36,440 --> 00:41:41,680
now.
And you, Jonnade, Adam Bird met
727
00:41:41,680 --> 00:41:43,640
the three of you.
And I said, what is this pod
728
00:41:43,640 --> 00:41:45,760
fest thing?
What can you tell me about it?
729
00:41:45,880 --> 00:41:50,080
And you all said you have to go,
followed by your words, Mark of
730
00:41:50,080 --> 00:41:53,640
saying you're going to meet the
most friendly people in the
731
00:41:53,640 --> 00:41:55,720
room.
You're going to be welcomed with
732
00:41:55,720 --> 00:41:57,880
new friends.
And I'm like, OK, I'm going to
733
00:41:57,880 --> 00:42:02,160
try this thing out.
And I went and I had no idea
734
00:42:02,160 --> 00:42:04,920
that I was already walking in
with friends from the A-Team.
735
00:42:05,800 --> 00:42:08,200
And.
Just like, wow, I felt
736
00:42:08,200 --> 00:42:12,960
celebrated and just, you know,
I've told you this before and
737
00:42:12,960 --> 00:42:16,080
anybody I share and point at
Mark, I'm going, he's the guy.
738
00:42:16,080 --> 00:42:18,760
He's the man.
You have to know Mark, not only
739
00:42:18,760 --> 00:42:21,360
he's the incredible podcaster,
he's a friendly guy and
740
00:42:21,360 --> 00:42:23,440
encouraging.
And it's the reason I walked in
741
00:42:23,440 --> 00:42:25,760
the door.
And I remember speaking it to
742
00:42:25,760 --> 00:42:28,160
you last year and saying, thank
you, I'm here.
743
00:42:28,440 --> 00:42:32,400
And then coming back this year,
seeing my own own trajectory
744
00:42:32,400 --> 00:42:34,400
over the last year and meeting
new faces.
745
00:42:34,400 --> 00:42:37,200
I had a little bit of agenda of
going, OK, now I know what this
746
00:42:37,200 --> 00:42:41,720
thing's about and I have new
friends to make this time
747
00:42:41,720 --> 00:42:43,600
around.
And it was just an incredible
748
00:42:43,600 --> 00:42:47,000
experience.
And I'm just floating from all
749
00:42:47,000 --> 00:42:48,680
of this.
It's just so good.
750
00:42:48,680 --> 00:42:53,320
And one of my pieces of advice,
Use that app, get to meet
751
00:42:53,320 --> 00:42:57,680
people, set those meetups
because I set up a meet up and I
752
00:42:57,680 --> 00:43:00,280
had 62 people reserved for my
visibility meet up.
753
00:43:00,280 --> 00:43:01,240
Wow.
Incredible.
754
00:43:01,880 --> 00:43:04,320
That's awesome.
I'm so glad that you decided to
755
00:43:04,320 --> 00:43:05,840
do it, Christina.
And yeah, another.
756
00:43:05,840 --> 00:43:09,400
She's another example of
somebody who took the plunge,
757
00:43:09,400 --> 00:43:13,200
decided to give it a try, and
now is reaping a lot of the
758
00:43:13,200 --> 00:43:16,400
benefits of doing so.
So kudos to you, Christine.
759
00:43:16,400 --> 00:43:18,880
I'm so glad you were there.
Thank you, Mark.
760
00:43:18,880 --> 00:43:19,960
Thank you.
You're welcome.
761
00:43:20,600 --> 00:43:25,800
Does anyone from the team, the
PMC team have any questions for
762
00:43:25,800 --> 00:43:30,080
either in any individuals here
on stage or for all of us?
763
00:43:30,320 --> 00:43:32,440
Yeah, Sid, go for it.
Good morning again.
764
00:43:32,680 --> 00:43:35,040
I love hearing all of.
The E takeaways.
765
00:43:35,040 --> 00:43:39,440
But like, what's an area for
improvement that could be
766
00:43:39,440 --> 00:43:42,120
besides moving it from Orlando
to someplace else?
767
00:43:42,120 --> 00:43:43,440
What's an area?
For.
768
00:43:43,920 --> 00:43:47,800
Improvement that we could take
away, Mark, if you're planning
769
00:43:47,800 --> 00:43:50,040
or just in general like what
could they have done different
770
00:43:50,040 --> 00:43:54,600
or better?
I added this in my feedback when
771
00:43:54,600 --> 00:43:57,800
podcast said hey you know fill
out the the feedback form.
772
00:43:58,240 --> 00:44:00,480
The thing is, I don't know how
necessarily.
773
00:44:00,480 --> 00:44:03,200
To do it there.
Were a couple presenters that
774
00:44:03,440 --> 00:44:08,920
their title didn't necessarily
align with what they were saying
775
00:44:08,920 --> 00:44:12,280
on stage or maybe fell?
Short.
776
00:44:12,280 --> 00:44:17,000
Of delivering the value that
some of the attendees were
777
00:44:17,000 --> 00:44:19,320
hoping for.
And I saw that in in 2
778
00:44:19,320 --> 00:44:22,400
presentations and excuse me,
sorry.
779
00:44:23,160 --> 00:44:26,040
Someone else who's caught the
pod fest bug, yes, yeah.
780
00:44:26,240 --> 00:44:29,280
Maybe that was the maybe that
was why I was snoring, because I
781
00:44:29,280 --> 00:44:33,840
was all suggested being an MC
for multiple sessions and having
782
00:44:33,840 --> 00:44:38,360
people come to me to express
that frustration.
783
00:44:38,360 --> 00:44:42,640
I felt it was my duty to put
that in the feedback form.
784
00:44:43,040 --> 00:44:47,960
And I don't know how necessarily
to vet some of the speakers,
785
00:44:47,960 --> 00:44:51,800
especially if they're a first
time speaker, you know, without
786
00:44:51,800 --> 00:44:55,440
creating more of a workload,
like, hey, can you send us a
787
00:44:55,440 --> 00:44:59,720
video of yourself on stage at
another event or something along
788
00:44:59,720 --> 00:45:03,360
those lines?
I don't know how the easiest way
789
00:45:03,360 --> 00:45:10,000
to remedy that solution is, but
I do know that there were a few
790
00:45:10,000 --> 00:45:14,360
attendees that expressed that
frustration that they felt that
791
00:45:14,360 --> 00:45:17,360
the presenter didn't deliver
properly.
792
00:45:17,360 --> 00:45:20,520
And being the emcee, I saw it
like I there were two
793
00:45:20,520 --> 00:45:23,120
presentations I can think of
where I was like, you know,
794
00:45:23,400 --> 00:45:25,880
what's this cat talking about?
Like what, what's going on up
795
00:45:25,880 --> 00:45:28,480
there on stage?
You know what I'm saying, better
796
00:45:28,480 --> 00:45:31,080
way of vetting people.
That might be something to look
797
00:45:31,080 --> 00:45:35,400
forward, look to, and that might
be something that we include
798
00:45:35,400 --> 00:45:40,120
with EPC, like especially if
it's a newer presenter that
799
00:45:40,120 --> 00:45:42,560
isn't part of the community that
people can vouch for.
800
00:45:43,000 --> 00:45:45,240
I heard some of that as well,
Rich.
801
00:45:45,280 --> 00:45:48,800
And I mean, a lot of the talks I
sat in, maybe it's because I
802
00:45:48,920 --> 00:45:51,920
made it a point to sit in a lot
of talks of the people that I
803
00:45:51,920 --> 00:45:54,920
already know.
But all the talks I sat in,
804
00:45:55,360 --> 00:45:57,400
people delivered what they said
they would.
805
00:45:57,400 --> 00:46:00,960
But I did hear that same
feedback that you're sharing.
806
00:46:01,200 --> 00:46:04,200
And actually I'll share.
I had a conversation actually
807
00:46:04,200 --> 00:46:07,920
about that with Chris on the
last night at Podfest when
808
00:46:07,920 --> 00:46:12,040
everyone does cigar club outside
at the end of the night and they
809
00:46:12,040 --> 00:46:14,120
all do it till the wee hours of
the morning.
810
00:46:14,520 --> 00:46:15,920
But yeah, Chris and I talked
about that.
811
00:46:15,920 --> 00:46:18,880
And that is something I think
Podfest is very aware of.
812
00:46:18,920 --> 00:46:23,480
I think they want to do an even
better job of vetting the
813
00:46:23,480 --> 00:46:26,720
different speakers.
And I think that's something
814
00:46:26,720 --> 00:46:30,800
that he's even asked me to be a
part of going into next year to
815
00:46:30,800 --> 00:46:34,920
help keep, to help improve the
speakers.
816
00:46:34,920 --> 00:46:37,600
Not that there were, they were
all bad, but there were
817
00:46:37,600 --> 00:46:41,040
certainly some that I think
maybe slipped through the cracks
818
00:46:41,040 --> 00:46:44,000
and they want to they want to
avoid that moving forward.
819
00:46:45,600 --> 00:46:48,840
Anyone else have anything they
want to share about their Pod
820
00:46:48,840 --> 00:46:51,840
Fest experience?
And maybe Jason, maybe let me go
821
00:46:51,840 --> 00:46:55,080
to you before I change the
subject or wrap up, depending
822
00:46:55,080 --> 00:46:57,960
how much time we take.
But Jason, you were a big part
823
00:46:57,960 --> 00:47:01,640
this past year at Empowered
Podcasting, vetting the
824
00:47:01,640 --> 00:47:04,560
different speakers.
And I know that me, you, and
825
00:47:04,560 --> 00:47:08,200
Rich all weighed in on that, but
you really LED that charge.
826
00:47:08,200 --> 00:47:11,920
A, did you feel the same as Rich
did?
827
00:47:11,920 --> 00:47:18,000
And B, did you feel that the way
that you helped find empowered
828
00:47:18,000 --> 00:47:20,800
podcasting speakers, do you
think that there could be
829
00:47:20,800 --> 00:47:22,880
something that you did that Pod
fest could apply?
830
00:47:23,320 --> 00:47:26,880
I did experience that in a
couple of the presentations that
831
00:47:26,880 --> 00:47:29,680
I went to as well.
And what I discovered really for
832
00:47:29,680 --> 00:47:33,320
me that it was more of the ones
that I wasn't intentional with.
833
00:47:33,320 --> 00:47:36,040
There were ones that.
Okay, yeah, I'm, I'm wandering
834
00:47:36,040 --> 00:47:38,320
the halls and then seeing
something.
835
00:47:38,320 --> 00:47:40,200
OK, I'm going to wander in here
and see what happens.
836
00:47:40,200 --> 00:47:43,560
And that was just like, OK, This
is why I didn't write this one
837
00:47:43,560 --> 00:47:46,280
down because this person is not
talking about what they said
838
00:47:46,280 --> 00:47:48,960
they were going to talk about.
But anybody that I was
839
00:47:48,960 --> 00:47:52,880
intentional that I knew
personally or they told me, hey,
840
00:47:52,880 --> 00:47:55,440
I'm going to be talking about
this, I would go to that and
841
00:47:55,440 --> 00:47:58,360
that's what I got.
So I would probably say on the
842
00:47:58,360 --> 00:48:01,600
larger scale, it was, it was
delivered.
843
00:48:01,680 --> 00:48:04,400
What was going, what they said
they were going to deliver.
844
00:48:05,520 --> 00:48:08,800
I think from a vetting
perspective, it's so hard to
845
00:48:08,800 --> 00:48:11,920
compare because we're so much
smaller.
846
00:48:12,320 --> 00:48:15,560
I mean, you think like what I
what I was looking for, our
847
00:48:15,560 --> 00:48:20,680
lineup for EPC two, what we did
over the course of a weekend is
848
00:48:20,680 --> 00:48:25,960
what they're doing before lunch,
you know, because and, and then
849
00:48:25,960 --> 00:48:29,280
multiply that by three because
they've got three days worth to
850
00:48:29,280 --> 00:48:33,920
fill.
So I think that, you know, I'll,
851
00:48:34,040 --> 00:48:37,840
I'll make reference to my
feeling a little bit snubbed
852
00:48:37,840 --> 00:48:39,800
about not getting chosen to
speak.
853
00:48:39,800 --> 00:48:42,520
However, now learning that it's
probably because I never really
854
00:48:42,880 --> 00:48:46,480
took the time to attend Now that
I have, I'm hoping that that's
855
00:48:46,480 --> 00:48:51,480
going to be remedied.
But I would say that there's
856
00:48:51,480 --> 00:48:57,040
probably so many entries to
choose from.
857
00:48:57,040 --> 00:49:00,200
I think I somebody had told me,
or I heard it in passing that
858
00:49:00,200 --> 00:49:04,120
they received over 1000 requests
or 1000 submissions.
859
00:49:04,120 --> 00:49:08,600
I think it was like 6 to 700 and
it was a record for speaker
860
00:49:08,600 --> 00:49:11,920
submissions at Pod Fest.
That's a lot to go through.
861
00:49:11,920 --> 00:49:15,040
I remember I, like I said, like
the first, the very first, I
862
00:49:15,040 --> 00:49:17,160
know I told somebody I was
talking to this week and the
863
00:49:17,160 --> 00:49:22,520
very first night that I sat down
to go through our list of all
864
00:49:22,520 --> 00:49:26,120
the submissions, we got lit a
cigar, poured a glass of bourbon
865
00:49:26,120 --> 00:49:29,120
and just come through each one
one by one.
866
00:49:29,560 --> 00:49:33,720
And that was I was able to get
that done in an evening.
867
00:49:34,360 --> 00:49:38,280
That's probably not something
that they were able to do in
868
00:49:38,280 --> 00:49:40,000
this just from the sheer
quantity.
869
00:49:40,000 --> 00:49:44,880
So I think it's going to be just
one of the unfortunate
870
00:49:44,880 --> 00:49:48,000
happenings of that process.
It's some things are going to
871
00:49:48,000 --> 00:49:50,560
slip through the cracks.
Of course, you want people to
872
00:49:51,120 --> 00:49:54,960
deliver on what they're saying
they're going to bring to the
873
00:49:54,960 --> 00:50:00,280
stage, but it's probably hard to
get a 100% quality check in
874
00:50:00,280 --> 00:50:03,920
place.
So I think I know one thing
875
00:50:03,920 --> 00:50:07,040
we're talking about and we'll
get into this more as we get
876
00:50:07,040 --> 00:50:10,760
into our serious planning in the
upcoming weeks of doing video
877
00:50:10,760 --> 00:50:12,600
submissions.
And I know Rich just made a
878
00:50:12,640 --> 00:50:16,600
mention to that.
It's got some merit to it.
879
00:50:16,600 --> 00:50:20,120
You can hear a little bit about
what's going to actually be
880
00:50:20,240 --> 00:50:23,680
said.
And you know, I still, I still
881
00:50:23,680 --> 00:50:25,840
wonder even if, you know, the
weighing the pros and cons of
882
00:50:25,840 --> 00:50:28,520
that, I wonder if some people
would still say, yeah, I'm going
883
00:50:28,520 --> 00:50:30,720
to talk about this and that.
But then when they get on stage,
884
00:50:30,720 --> 00:50:33,320
they go a different path.
Hopefully it's something that we
885
00:50:33,320 --> 00:50:37,480
can manage and keep it as above
board as possible.
886
00:50:37,480 --> 00:50:41,720
But overall, I think it's going
to be and I just like I said,
887
00:50:41,720 --> 00:50:45,720
when you project it out to that
grand scale of speakers, they
888
00:50:45,720 --> 00:50:49,040
have to try to choose, it's
probably going to be hard to
889
00:50:49,040 --> 00:50:51,640
catch everybody and and get the
mother age.
890
00:50:51,720 --> 00:50:53,960
Back.
Thank you, Jason.
891
00:50:54,000 --> 00:50:56,360
All right, listen close to
wrapping up here, I want to
892
00:50:56,360 --> 00:51:00,960
share just a couple of things.
One is I do want to share that,
893
00:51:01,760 --> 00:51:04,600
you know, Alex has shared this
before when he spoke on the
894
00:51:04,600 --> 00:51:09,480
Petcha Cucha stage at Pod Fest,
the five minute presentations
895
00:51:09,920 --> 00:51:13,600
that goes on all the first day,
or at least a big chunk of the
896
00:51:13,600 --> 00:51:17,520
first day.
I've got to just echo the fact
897
00:51:17,520 --> 00:51:21,320
that that's got to be, in my
opinion, I think harder to do
898
00:51:21,320 --> 00:51:24,160
those than to do a 30 minute
presentation.
899
00:51:24,960 --> 00:51:30,200
It is the pressure to do
something like that, have a
900
00:51:30,200 --> 00:51:32,600
whole and, and here's the real
thing that I think would
901
00:51:32,600 --> 00:51:38,440
completely throw me off is the
fact that the slides are just
902
00:51:38,440 --> 00:51:41,160
rotating.
You don't have a clicker, you
903
00:51:41,160 --> 00:51:45,040
can't Click to the next slide.
You just have to make sure you
904
00:51:45,040 --> 00:51:48,040
say everything you're supposed
to say regarding that first
905
00:51:48,040 --> 00:51:50,040
slide before the second one pops
up.
906
00:51:50,520 --> 00:51:55,800
And I that would drive me nuts.
So I applaud every single one of
907
00:51:55,800 --> 00:52:00,360
those Pechacucha speakers and I
hope that those that some of
908
00:52:00,360 --> 00:52:04,160
those speakers are hearing me,
the ones that maybe think I just
909
00:52:04,160 --> 00:52:07,800
got a 5 minute presentation.
No, you got the hardest kind of
910
00:52:07,800 --> 00:52:11,760
presentation and you did it and
I applaud you for it.
911
00:52:12,440 --> 00:52:15,960
I don't think I ever want to do
a Petcha Cucha talk.
912
00:52:15,960 --> 00:52:18,760
Ever.
That was a lot of fun.
913
00:52:18,960 --> 00:52:21,880
It was like on ice skates with
ice.
914
00:52:22,360 --> 00:52:25,720
Well, that would make sense.
No, I'm sorry, roller skates on
915
00:52:25,720 --> 00:52:26,560
ice.
Oh, there it is.
916
00:52:26,560 --> 00:52:29,000
OK, I was saying a few things,
but anyway.
917
00:52:29,240 --> 00:52:31,320
Yeah, it I was just super
impressed.
918
00:52:31,320 --> 00:52:35,680
And I'll just share a final
moment that really hit me
919
00:52:36,200 --> 00:52:39,600
personally.
You know, look, I went into Pod
920
00:52:39,600 --> 00:52:43,840
Fest with one of the intentions
to make a lot of contacts and
921
00:52:44,160 --> 00:52:47,880
quite frankly, hoping that I'd
come away with new clients.
922
00:52:47,880 --> 00:52:53,040
You know, Clancy and I and and
her husband, Rick, we started
923
00:52:53,040 --> 00:52:56,000
working together as a direct
result from Podfest.
924
00:52:56,000 --> 00:52:58,720
We sat down and did our
discovery call, quote, UN quote,
925
00:52:58,960 --> 00:53:02,560
at Podfest last year, and now
we've been working together ever
926
00:53:02,560 --> 00:53:05,160
since.
And so, yeah, I want to create
927
00:53:05,160 --> 00:53:08,040
those kinds of relationships,
have those kinds of clients that
928
00:53:08,040 --> 00:53:11,000
I can really have a personal
connection with right out of the
929
00:53:11,000 --> 00:53:12,480
gate.
There's something special about
930
00:53:12,480 --> 00:53:15,240
that.
And I'll say that I didn't have
931
00:53:15,240 --> 00:53:18,320
any big moments like that.
I have, I'll say, some warm
932
00:53:18,320 --> 00:53:23,800
leads, but I'm not disappointed
because I recognized that this
933
00:53:23,800 --> 00:53:27,520
experience for me at Pod Fest
was more for me.
934
00:53:27,880 --> 00:53:33,440
It was more about me
acknowledging and embracing my
935
00:53:33,440 --> 00:53:36,080
worth in this industry and in
that community.
936
00:53:36,520 --> 00:53:40,880
The fact that I went from really
never feeling like I belonged
937
00:53:40,880 --> 00:53:45,160
there to now feeling like one of
the faces.
938
00:53:45,880 --> 00:53:51,080
It's a little bit of a mind
blowing experience and specific
939
00:53:51,080 --> 00:53:56,200
to my talk I shared, which you
guys know I am very open, maybe
940
00:53:56,280 --> 00:54:01,280
maybe too much when I talk about
my ADHD, just meaning I know I
941
00:54:01,280 --> 00:54:06,080
talk a lot about it and I did
that at my presentation to open.
942
00:54:06,360 --> 00:54:09,640
I've acknowledged first that
Podfest can be overwhelming
943
00:54:10,560 --> 00:54:13,920
because of all the choices.
And I shared with this ADHD
944
00:54:13,920 --> 00:54:17,520
brain, I acknowledge that I,
I've experienced that
945
00:54:17,520 --> 00:54:21,240
overwhelmed first hand and I
shared that yeah, this and I, I
946
00:54:21,240 --> 00:54:23,880
just put it out there.
I've got these note cards here
947
00:54:23,880 --> 00:54:28,160
to help me stay on track because
I know my, that the ADHD will
948
00:54:28,960 --> 00:54:31,000
will probably get the best of me
at some point.
949
00:54:31,440 --> 00:54:34,560
I'm sharing this with you
because later, I think the next
950
00:54:34,560 --> 00:54:39,400
day, I was walking the hallways,
I think heading into another
951
00:54:39,400 --> 00:54:44,680
talk and there was a volunteer
standing at the doorway that was
952
00:54:44,680 --> 00:54:47,560
greeting people that to, you
know, let people in.
953
00:54:48,240 --> 00:54:51,240
And she stopped me and said, you
did the talk on community,
954
00:54:51,240 --> 00:54:53,000
right?
You know, she gave me
955
00:54:53,000 --> 00:54:54,840
compliments about the talk
itself.
956
00:54:55,520 --> 00:55:00,520
And then she started focusing on
the ADHD and she said, I really
957
00:55:00,520 --> 00:55:05,640
want to thank you for being
vulnerable, for sharing that you
958
00:55:05,640 --> 00:55:09,640
experienced ADHD and you got on
that stage anyway.
959
00:55:10,400 --> 00:55:13,760
And you delivered a fantastic
presentation.
960
00:55:13,760 --> 00:55:16,440
And I'm not saying that to get
kudos again about my
961
00:55:16,440 --> 00:55:19,600
presentation.
My point is, well, her point was
962
00:55:20,080 --> 00:55:22,440
I gave her permission to do
this.
963
00:55:23,000 --> 00:55:27,840
She said I've been coming to
Podfest, I want to speak and
964
00:55:27,840 --> 00:55:32,440
I've not applied to do so
because I'm terrified that my
965
00:55:32,440 --> 00:55:35,840
ADHD is going to get the best of
me and I feel like I'm not
966
00:55:35,840 --> 00:55:39,120
capable.
And you up there gave me
967
00:55:39,120 --> 00:55:43,520
permission to do that.
That was a huge moment for for
968
00:55:43,520 --> 00:55:47,600
me that honestly felt bigger to
me than landing my next client.
969
00:55:48,080 --> 00:55:51,520
It's amazing how when you're
authentic, when you just share
970
00:55:51,520 --> 00:55:55,840
who you are and
unapologetically, it's amazing
971
00:55:55,840 --> 00:55:59,480
how you can touch people.
It's amazing how people can then
972
00:55:59,480 --> 00:56:03,120
see themselves in you.
So whether you want to be on a
973
00:56:03,120 --> 00:56:07,760
physical stage or a stronger
podcaster, just embrace who you
974
00:56:07,760 --> 00:56:13,440
are unapologetically unashamed.
That was a huge take away from
975
00:56:13,480 --> 00:56:18,760
for me, and I just can't thank
Podfest enough for all that they
976
00:56:18,760 --> 00:56:20,800
did.
They certainly inspired Jason
977
00:56:20,800 --> 00:56:24,640
and Rich and I Jason and Rich, a
part of the executive team now
978
00:56:24,920 --> 00:56:29,520
of Empowered Podcasting.
They gave us a lot of things to
979
00:56:29,520 --> 00:56:33,400
think about for the next event
in August.
980
00:56:33,680 --> 00:56:35,560
And by the way, if you want
tickets to that, go to
981
00:56:35,560 --> 00:56:39,880
empoweredpodcasting.com.
Hey, Mark.
982
00:56:39,880 --> 00:56:44,040
Yes.
Should we mention the podcast
983
00:56:44,040 --> 00:56:45,680
special?
The Pod Fest.
984
00:56:47,320 --> 00:56:49,440
Special.
Yeah, absolutely.
985
00:56:49,560 --> 00:56:51,640
Will you share?
I'd love to.
986
00:56:51,640 --> 00:56:55,000
So we this is, it's funny how
things work out.
987
00:56:55,000 --> 00:56:58,720
We were trying to come up with a
special that we can offer to
988
00:56:58,720 --> 00:57:01,640
folks that we ran into at Pod
Fest if they'd like to attend
989
00:57:01,640 --> 00:57:04,840
EPC 3, get a jump on the
tickets.
990
00:57:04,840 --> 00:57:09,400
And we wanted to do something
that would not be as low as the
991
00:57:09,400 --> 00:57:13,840
offer that we gave to our
community for attending our
992
00:57:13,840 --> 00:57:16,760
event back on the holiday
season, but still be
993
00:57:16,760 --> 00:57:20,240
significant.
And when we did the discount
994
00:57:20,480 --> 00:57:25,920
code, it came out $25 was just a
touch over 200.
995
00:57:25,920 --> 00:57:31,240
Once you had the fees, we dialed
it back to 26 and it made it
996
00:57:31,240 --> 00:57:35,800
$199.96.
So we can officially say if you
997
00:57:35,800 --> 00:57:41,360
take advantage using the code
Podfest 26 from now until I
998
00:57:41,360 --> 00:57:45,600
think we were going to do it
till Thursday, I can't remember
999
00:57:45,600 --> 00:57:47,920
the exact day, but do it now.
Get it this week.
1000
00:57:48,240 --> 00:57:51,520
Get it this week, it will be the
last time that the ticket for
1001
00:57:51,520 --> 00:57:56,400
EPC 3 August 21st through 23rd
is under $200.
1002
00:57:56,920 --> 00:57:59,000
Thank you, Jason.
And I'm going to make sure we
1003
00:57:59,000 --> 00:58:01,920
put the correct coupon code
because I'm not sure.
1004
00:58:01,920 --> 00:58:03,000
I just want.
I'm not.
1005
00:58:03,040 --> 00:58:05,560
Is that and are you certain that
that's the code?
1006
00:58:06,120 --> 00:58:08,360
I am very sure.
All right then, there you go.
1007
00:58:08,360 --> 00:58:11,560
We'll make sure to put that code
in the show notes for you as
1008
00:58:11,560 --> 00:58:14,560
well if you want to be a part of
the Empowered Podcasting
1009
00:58:14,560 --> 00:58:17,640
conference coming the weekend of
August 21st.
1010
00:58:17,840 --> 00:58:21,000
Thank you all for sharing your
experiences at Podfest.
1011
00:58:21,000 --> 00:58:24,320
Thank you to Podfest for putting
on such an amazing event.
1012
00:58:24,480 --> 00:58:27,240
We are back tomorrow.
We're going to be covering all
1013
00:58:27,240 --> 00:58:30,680
the headlines around the world
of podcasting, including some
1014
00:58:30,680 --> 00:58:35,280
pod fest news, I'm sure.
But come join us and share.
1015
00:58:35,280 --> 00:58:38,080
And if it's something that
you've got that's new to you
1016
00:58:38,080 --> 00:58:40,960
that you want to share with us,
come bring that tomorrow too.
1017
00:58:40,960 --> 00:58:43,520
Maybe it's a new tool, maybe
it's something you heard in the
1018
00:58:43,520 --> 00:58:45,760
news.
We want to hear from you as
1019
00:58:45,760 --> 00:58:48,120
well.
So come join us 7:00 AM Eastern
1020
00:58:48,120 --> 00:58:51,280
live on all the different
streaming platforms that you can
1021
00:58:51,280 --> 00:58:54,800
learn about at Podcasting
Morning chat.com.
1022
00:58:55,080 --> 00:58:59,280
So until tomorrow, make it a
great day everybody take care.