Bad On Paper: Episode Summary - "How the Pod Sausage Gets Made"
Release Date: October 9, 2024
Hosts: Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter
1. Introduction to "Pod Sausage"
In this episode titled "How the Pod Sausage Gets Made," hosts Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter delve into the inner workings of their podcast, sharing personal highs and lows, discussing the podcast production process, and reflecting on its impact on their professional lives.
2. Personal Highs and Lows
Olivia's High:
Olivia shares a charming story about her office renovation, where her partner found tiny kitten paw prints embedded in a century-old brick.
“Maybe I'll start calling it Kitten Brick Cottage... I just had to talk about it because I'm continuously delighted by it.”
[01:13]
Olivia's Low:
She opens up about her struggle with self-worth after stepping back from influencer roles, highlighting the challenge of finding inherent self-validation beyond external achievements.
“Whatever I think it is that is going to make me feel okay about myself... is just never the thing.”
[07:00]
Becca's High:
Becca recounts attending a Netflix premiere for "Lonely Planet" starring Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth, an experience that made her feel both excited and like an intruder.
“I felt like such an intruder, but it was so fun.”
[04:56]
Becca's Low:
She discusses a significant rent increase of $300 per month, expressing frustration and the fear of potential relocation.
“If I could get a two-year lease, then at least I know I have that amount of security.”
[10:27]
3. Reflections on the Podcast Journey
Becca's Gratitude:
Becca expresses deep appreciation for the podcast's role in her life, emphasizing its social and community-building aspects.
“It's really the most social and group-oriented aspect of my job... it fundamentally has transformed my life.”
[15:01]
Olivia's Growth:
Olivia reflects on her increased confidence in public speaking and the joy the podcast brings to her life.
“I really can't explain enough how much joy and happiness the podcast has brought into my life and confidence.”
[17:39]
4. The Podcast Production Process
Planning and Scheduling:
The hosts plan their episodes months in advance, maintaining a content calendar through the end of the year. Recording typically takes place on Thursdays at 3 PM, allowing for timely reactions to previous episodes.
“We usually record Thursdays at 3 PM as our standing block.”
[23:11]
Editing and Division of Labor:
An editor named Brian handles the post-production, removing any verbal stumbles and unnecessary tangents. Becca manages business-related tasks, while Olivia focuses on advertising and social media.
“Brian cuts out any mess-ups... So that's like an hour, an hour and a half.”
[25:46]
Team Support:
Additional support comes from Maddie, who manages social media and episode uploads, and Courtney, who handles advertising.
“Maddie also takes care of uploading everything.”
[26:10]
5. Challenges with the Book Club Format
Evolving Selection Process:
Originally, both hosts would read and agree upon book selections months in advance. This became untenable as their personal projects grew, leading to an alternating selection system where sometimes they choose books they haven’t read beforehand.
“About 50% of the time we're picking books that we've read, and 50% we haven't.”
[32:07]
Balancing Popularity and Hidden Gems:
They struggle to balance selecting mainstream, popular books that ensure higher engagement with introducing lesser-known titles that could offer unique discussions.
“We have more mainstays occurring to mainstream books though.”
[39:11]
Potential Solutions:
Becca proposes hiring a selection team to screen books, but acknowledges the logistical challenges and the importance of maintaining trust in their recommendations.
“Maybe just like, have a handful of people who have reading for us... it's tricky.”
[34:07]
6. Navigating Guest Appearances
Mixed Feelings About Guests:
Olivia remains neutral about featuring guests, appreciating the conversations but not feeling a strong imperative to include them.
“I'm so neutral that it's hard for me to fight one way or the other.”
[40:31]
Challenges with Guest Selection:
Becca finds it difficult to cater to diverse listener preferences regarding guests, as opinions on who to feature vary widely.
“In theory, but there doesn't seem to be strong consensus around who those guests are.”
[42:00]
Successful Guest Interactions:
They highlight a positive experience with Emily Henry, who effectively diverted the conversation away from her book, making for a refreshing interview.
“With Emily Henry, she had no need to bring up her book. She was our failure interviewers.”
[44:24]
Dream Guests:
Both hosts share aspirations for future guests, including high-profile authors like Ryan Gosling, Dolly Alderton, Ashley Audrain, and even Oprah.
“My number one guest of all time would be Oprah.”
[69:12]
7. Addressing Growth and Sustainability
Plateauing Audience:
Becca expresses frustration over stagnant growth since 2020, recognizing the challenges of attracting new listeners in a saturated podcast market.
“We're only just refilling the bucket at this point. We're not growing, which has been frustrating.”
[61:02]
Strategies for Expansion:
Ideas include experimenting with video-recorded episodes for platforms like TikTok, hosting occasional live shows, and enhancing community engagement through in-person book clubs.
“I do want to experiment with video episodes and maybe do some live shows.”
[73:53]
Internal Struggles:
Both hosts grapple with imposter syndrome and the pressure to continuously grow, balancing personal satisfaction with professional aspirations.
“Why do I need constant statistics and growth... Why is that the key?”
[61:36]
8. The Podcast's Impact on Their Writing Careers
Becca's Perspective:
Becca credits the podcast with securing her literary agent and facilitating her book deals, highlighting the platform's role in her professional growth.
“I got my agent because she knew about me from the podcast and social media.”
[49:33]
Olivia's Experience:
Olivia acknowledges that her success as an author is deeply intertwined with her podcast, feeling that the platform is essential for her career trajectory.
“100% positive that would not be possible without this platform.”
[52:07]
Overcoming Self-Doubt:
Both hosts discuss overcoming feelings of inadequacy and recognizing the unique value their podcast brings to their careers, despite moments of self-doubt.
“I do feel confident that I have worked harder on my books than anything else I’ve ever done.”
[53:53]
9. Fostering Community and Future Initiatives
Building Connections:
The Geneva group and Facebook community play pivotal roles in fostering connections among listeners, likened to a large group chat where members support each other.
“It's a very inclusive, open environment... that's really what matters to me.”
[60:21]
Encouraging In-Person Book Clubs:
Becca emphasizes the importance of transitioning the online community to real-life interactions, offering practical tips for starting local book clubs.
“Here’s how you should do it... commit to planning one meeting.”
[64:07]
Dreaming Big:
Both hosts dream of expanding their podcast’s influence, envisioning collaborations with renowned authors and enhancing community engagement through various mediums.
“I wish our book club had that level of cachet, brand cachet and trust.”
[62:14]
10. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
In concluding the episode, the hosts reiterate their commitment to the podcast and their listeners, sharing personal obsessions and upcoming book club selections. They encourage ongoing engagement through their Geneva and Facebook groups, fostering a sense of belonging among their audience.
“If you want to talk to us about anything, the podcast, whatever, you can talk to us in our Geneva group or in our Facebook group.”
[82:41]
Notable Quotes
-
Becca Freeman:
“Wherever you go, there you are.”
[08:55] -
Olivia Muenter:
“This is my year of working through some things... I'm in the swamp of feelings.”
[07:00] -
Becca Freeman:
“The podcast fundamentally has transformed my life in a lot of ways that I'm really grateful for.”
[15:01] -
Olivia Muenter:
“I have moments of imposter syndrome. Do I only have this not because I'm a good writer, but because I have some sort of a following?”
[53:27]
Conclusion
"How the Pod Sausage Gets Made" offers an intimate glimpse into the dynamics of creating and sustaining a successful podcast. Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter candidly discuss their personal struggles and triumphs, the meticulous process behind each episode, and the profound impact the podcast has had on their careers and lives. Through their transparency and humor, they provide valuable insights for aspiring podcasters and authors alike, all while reinforcing the strength of their dedicated community.