“THE SANDBOX PODCAST SHOW EXPERIENCE”
So the day finally came and went. First and foremost I want to make this blog personable and as authentic as it can be. I will not be using any AI in the writing of this Personal Podcast blog because I would like to be raw with what I am going to share and not robotic as to meet some SEO requirements for an effective podcast blog. I truly believe that blogging is to be more therapeutic instead of constantly having some type of business goal behind it.
I would love to say that my first actual interview podcast was 100% perfect, but I would be lying. I would like to say that Podcasting for first timers was a breeze, and that I championed every part of it. That I walked into that podcast like a boss and came out like a CEO of podcasting. That of course was not the case.
Although many people think I am extroverted and very loud spoken I am quite different than what they think so video podcasting was not easy. I would like to say that with all the preparation and notes that I had written flowed as smooth as a peaceful river- it didn’t.
I would like to say that even though I tested and retested my equipment and microphones that through the process they ran like champs with no issues- of course that was not the case as well.
To say that everything was smooth and that we were on schedule and had time to spare would be a fairytale of some sort. Instead that clock ran down faster than a sprinter in a race on crack. We spent the first 30 minutes testing and re-testing everything, looking at notes and speaking to each other as we were trying to avoid that little red light from turning on.
I had to say my intro about 10 tens and everyone that knows me when I get nervous, I start to laugh and so I did. What we did have when I got home and looked at what was recorded was a lot of raw moments of laughter, nervousness, and mix-ups for sure. I released a lot of those along with the finished edited podcast of which you can watch HERE.
So, there we were, and that light turned on and it was show-time! Before the day of shooting, I had prepared by speaking a lot in front of my cell phone, I would say I did all my questions at least 20-30 times. I asked fellow colleagues that had their show already and try to practice what they told me to do but that all went out the window once that light turned on. At first, I stared at the light as if I was staring into space somewhere like a deer in the headlights. I was so nervous and began to sweat from every pore on my body. My stomach was cramping, and I could feel my hands and feet shaking.
Now that I think about it why is it that one little light can change how someone truly is. I like to talk now that I am older and am not afraid to share my feelings. But that light……that light…flickering red reminding me that I am live just had that affect on me. My words, my questions, the way I speak all changed. Lol
After the first 15 minutes I was able to grab my composure and it started to move along.
I asked my guests questions, but everything started to finally get better once I stopped thinking of that light and I just imagined myself having a normal conversation with my two guests. In preparation for this podcast two of my guests were coming in from San Angelo area to a studio here in the DFW area so I figured I can kill two birds with one stone.
I would first start with an interview with them and then an interview with the studio owner and then finally a final interview with my 2 guests and their model along with some amazing BTS of their entire shoot.
So, after my first interview was finally over and we kind of celebrated whatever success we thought we had I been ready for my second interview. I didn’t prepare a lot of questions for my 2nd interview because it was not confirmed until the day of. When we got there, we didn’t know if he would show up for the interview since he was not there when we arrived and then he showed up midway through my 1st interview.
What I found was that now that the first one was completed, I felt more assure of myself, so it was better than the first that day. I asked my questions and stumbled around less than the first of course but we made it through it. I am still editing that interview but so far from what I see I am more confident and spoke better than the 1st interview.
So let me give you a little back story of myself. I was born in San Antonio Texas. I am a mixed breed of Irish and Mexican. My nickname growing up was “green bean” I was born in San Antonio but spent a lot of time in Mexico.
My first language is Spanish, and my 2nd is English, so I have a heavier accent on a very white appearance. I grew up in an area that people will say is the “barrio” that used a lot of words known as “Spanglish.”
Of course, now that I am no longer in that barrio, I still speak that way sometimes so when I try to speak publicly people tend to think I am speaking like a thug or a Chicano. I often found myself having to repeat my words to people which over time makes a person develop a subconscious negative feeling about yourself.
It took a long time to try to change the way I speak, and the words do come out because that’s how I was raised. I think this is a big part of why I get nervous because I am constantly thinking “are they understanding me?”
I am still working on getting over that but that is going to take a long time to do so. As you may agree with me, we are own biggest critics.
So now that you know a little bit more of you can see I have my own issues that I am working through apart from being nervous about being on camera. Apart from these issues I have always been the person behind the camera. My wife is the face of our photography company since day 1 so for me to step into the light and away from the camera is all new.
What I can give as a tip is to not give up. Make that attempt and whatever you do in life always keep trying. Be yourself, don’t act and don’t try to replicate what others are doing out there. By being yourself, your podcast show becomes yours and not something that is out there already. Be creative and remember nothing has a rule book, there is no “You HAVE to do this” to be a podcaster.
Do your research, watch over people’s podcast, listen to other podcasts, and take notes. Apply the things you like and stay away from things you don’t. If you have an idea, write them down, create a vision board
of all your ideas. Practice every day on your phone so you can see how you act on video. Reach out to others on possible ideas. But most of all turn that red light on and just get out there.
Here are some of my favorite quotes about trying and I hope that you like them too:
“Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
“If it is stupid but it works, it isn't stupid.
(a Shin'a'in saying)”
― Mercedes Lackey, Owlknight
“Each mistake teaches you something new about yourself. There is no failure, remember, except in no longer trying. It is the courage to continue that counts.”
― Chris Bradford, The Way of the Sword
“Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.”
― George E. Woodberry