Being Kind & Being Yourself
Sharing what's personal vs just the biz
Do you stay in your lane or do you venture a bit outside?
This is something I’ve often pondered as I write to you. Do I simply write all about the podcasting industry or are people actually interested in reading more about me and from me? My conclusion is that I’ve spent years working on using my voice, sharing my story and encouraging others to do the same, so yes, I am going to write about more than podcasts.
The past two nights, we’ve watched the DNC as a family. The tissues have been flying and we’ve been clapping and cheering at home. There’s hope, happiness and joy in what we are seeing and hearing. Forget party lines, this is an election about kindness. It’s about showing up for your neighbor, helping one another out, standing up for each other, respect.
My kids know who the Obamas are, but they were only one and two years old during the last year of the Obama administration. Getting to hear them speak allowed my kids to feel what we all did 16 years ago. I didn’t have to worry about covering their ears or whether they’d hear a derogatory word that I’d need to correct or fear they might repeat something said. Instead, I felt pride. For years, my kids have repeated to me, “When they go low, we go high” because that’s what we do in our household.
I’ve been educating and involving my kids in what civic responsibility is and looks like for a number of years. They’ve canvassed, helped with marketing campaigns, watched the DNC, attended election night parties, attended city council meetings in person and online, watched us donate to a campaign, written postcards and more. Getting involved can never start too soon because it’s a way to show up for your neighbor!
The fact that the overarching theme of how Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are described as standing up for others, helping your neighbor, fighting for the rights of others, is one that I want to epitomize and be remembered for myself.
I think about reading You Only Die Once and my interview with Jodi Wellman and more than once, I consider the question of how do I want to be remembered? When I die, I would be honored if people said “She was kind. She was always willing to help out whenever we asked and would jump in without needing to be asked. She stood up for others and wasn’t afraid to call out unjust and unkind behavior of another. She was there for her children and taught them to be there for others. She wasn’t afraid to be the only one to stand up when others were scared.” I’m counting my Mondays and doing all I can do ensure I live up to deserving those words someday.
I don’t care what your party registration is, but I do care that you’re a good human being. We all need to help one another and despite what your personal beliefs are, we need to accept the beliefs of others because that’s what America is about. Be kind to one another. Be there for one another. Respect each other.
The Podcast
Last week’s podcast episode was on Books To Spark Conversation & Educate Before The Election. I spent the summer reading the most incredible books that not only educated me on who Kamala Harris is as a person, but how to get more involved in my community and how to use my voice…and doing it all in a kind way. We so often think that it has to be around knocking on doors or phone banking but being a good citizen really means doing what you can for others.
This week’s episode had me interviewing
, author of We’re Speaking: The Life Lessons Of Kamala Harris. If you haven’t heard about Kamala’s childhood or her career, this is definitely a book for you because it gives us all of that along with lessons we can all learn from. I read this prior to MVP announcing her candidacy and am so grateful to Hitha for writing it.Podcast Industry News
This week Apple Podcasts announced you can now access Apple Podcasts via a web browser. This is pretty epic for those who don't have Apple devices to now be able to listen to podcasts without the app.
What this means...
Apple is investing further into podcasts because this industry isn't going anywhere. It's growing! Pay attention!
This allows for more ways to access podcasts which means more downloads for shows! When podcasts are accessible to listeners, it's a win-win for everyone!
Let this be your sign to be a podcast guest or even start your own show!
Spotify Playlist For Podcast Interviews
This warrants sharing again because I think it’s such a great way to track and share your podcast interviews…create your own Spotify playlist!
You can create an Instagram post sized graphic (square) in Canva for the cover art of your playlist. Click on the + near Your Library to add a new playlist. Upload your cover art, add your name and “Podcast Interviews” to the title, write your description and hit “Create”. You can go directly to links of shows you’ve already been a guest on or search your name and click on Podcasts to find shows you might have missed.
You can invite people to collaborate with you (i.e. your VA) via the app and share the link to the playlist on your LinkedIn profile, your website, your social media bio and anywhere else! This is all included in How To Get On Podcasts as well!
I’m Writing
I’ve been working on a novel for a number of months and attempted to commit to 1K words/day during the summer months. I got through June and then July was just an absolute crap show! I’m back at it now that school has started and have just gone over 22K words. It’s so much fun and I’ve even started working on a mood board for it. I’ll be sharing more as I get plough through it! Let me know if you’re working on something! It’s fun to share in each other’s misery…I mean exciting new works!
Thank Yous & Interviews
I’m so grateful to
for sharing about How To Get On Podcasts helped her in the launch of her new show, The Book House Podcast, and in being a podcast guest with in her newsletter, Present Tense.Recent Podcast Interviews
I’m Booked with April O’Leary - How To Get On Podcasts
The Author’s Corner - How To Get On Podcasts (And Be A Great Guest)
Literary Blend: A Publishing Podcast - Landing Podcast Interviews As An Author
That’s all for now! I’m going to keep jamming away to my DNC playlist and later you can find me on the soccer field because it’s that time of year again! Keep using your voice and be kind to one another!
Thanks so much for the mention, Michelle! Your book is beyond helpful!