podcasts aren't dead
I've seen some videos talking about how the internet has become "saturated" with podcasts. In some respects, this may be true when creators look at podcasting as just a way to use their guests as a form of leverage for more attention.
However, most of the podcast hosts that I personally listen to continue to do it due to a genuine love for the craft. I recorded my first podcast episode last weekend that was a lot of fun — the video and audio versions will be ready very soon.
Be on the lookout for "The Thomas Galgani Show" (I originally intended to include the word "podcast" in the title, but we already have an excess of syllables here).
I recently posted a couple of quick Instagram videos about this; there are two primary categories of podcasts: a relaxed, conversation format and one that is more structured as an interview with actionable advice or biographical facts. In one of my videos, I mentioned that my goal will be to strike a balance between the two forms, and I should also note that there will be a fair amount of short, solo recordings with just me.
I'm starting a YouTube channel, on which the podcast episodes will live. Starting next week, there will be a minimum of two videos uploaded weekly — one podcast (either solo or with a guest), and one shorter video that has more elements than just people speaking into a microphone.
So those are the two announcements: a podcast and a YouTube channel, which should both be up and running next week. I'm stoked.
A quick note on podcasts. As a listener, I've benefitted greatly from them (over the past 6 years in particular), and starting one mainly comes from a desire to be on the other side and explore the topics I'm interested in. In last week's newsletter, I touched on the massive evolution of technology and how society now has a dramatically different structure.
While it's okay to create and consume short-form content, I still think long-form is such a powerful resource and can help shape the way people think. Maintaining and improving my foreign language proficiency was partially why I've often consumed hours of podcasts daily, but it's also a way to program one's mind in a positive way by listening to people with unique experiences and optimistic viewpoints amongst supposed chaos and uncertainty.
Almost 6 years ago, while I was getting ready for graduate school and exploring different career possibilities, I worked as a contractor for Amazon, delivering 200-350 packages in a shift with their oversized vans. Coffee and podcasts helped me stay sane, and I continued to learn. I should become a professional Bluetooth earpiece reviewer because of how thoroughly I would test and evaluate the best earpieces for the job — there were several key factors to be considered with each brand and model: reception distance, button manipulation, sound quality, and sound isolation (with just one ear...don't worry, I wasn't oblivious to my surroundings). Many days ended with notes on podcast topics that I wanted to revisit and research.
The reason I bring this up is as a reminder (partially to myself) that we live in an amazing time, and it wasn't too long ago that learning from things like podcasts or audio books while driving and walking wasn't possible. "University on wheels" is an expression I heard recently that I like. The clock is always moving, and the limit to what we can learn is only whatever we place on ourselves. It sometimes feels like we're constantly bombarded with bad news and warnings of catastrophe, but there's a lot we can control and be grateful for.
Until next Thursday, my friends. Make a great week.