Podcast Summary: End of All Hope – "A Message from 7 Lamb"
Podcast Information:
- Title: End of All Hope
- Host/Author: Bloody FM
- Description: A fictional podcast following three survivors as they trek across the country trying to survive an alien invasion.
- Episode: A Message from 7 Lamb
- Release Date: June 13, 2023
Introduction
In the episode titled "A Message from 7 Lamb," Robert M. Lam, the creator behind 7 Lamb, provides an in-depth update to the podcast's fanbase. This candid message delves into the behind-the-scenes efforts, challenges, and future plans of the 7 Lamb team, offering listeners a transparent look at what it takes to sustain and grow a podcasting venture.
Background of 7 Lamb
Robert M. Lam begins by introducing himself and the inception of 7 Lamb. He emphasizes the evolution of 7 Lamb from releasing podcasts as a hobby since 2017 to becoming a legitimate business entity a year prior to the message.
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …we just became a true business a year ago, but we've been releasing podcasts since 2017.”
Lam explains that the transition to a full-time endeavor was fueled by years of dedication and financial investment, eventually allowing him to leave his day job and focus entirely on podcasting.
Financial Struggles and Commitment
Lam details the financial sacrifices made over five years, including working multiple jobs and investing thousands of dollars into the podcast.
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …it took five years of working 15 hours a day and thousands of dollars to finally build up enough of a following to make enough money through advertisers that I could quit.”
He recounts the grueling schedule, working approximately 15 hours daily, balancing day jobs with podcast production. Only around 60 days off were taken during these five years, underscoring his unwavering commitment.
Team Effort and Challenges
While Lam is now a full-time podcaster, he highlights that the rest of the team maintains their full-time jobs, making the operation a collaborative yet challenging effort.
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …Jack Austin, voice of a ton of characters, has been helping me along the way. But Jack works a full time job. So does Amber Simpson, an editor friend of ours….”
Lam acknowledges the invaluable contributions of friends and collaborators who initially worked for free, understanding that their support was pivotal in reaching the current operational status. However, fluctuating ad revenues have only recently allowed for minimal compensation.
Production Challenges
One of the significant hurdles discussed is the complexity of producing multiple shows simultaneously. Balancing creative demands with production logistics has proven taxing.
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …currently I am the only writer. I love writing, but I cannot for the life of me write 10 episodes of one show in a row.”
Lam elaborates on the difficulty of maintaining consistent quality across numerous projects, especially as storylines and character lists expand over multiple seasons. The introduction of mid-roll ads has also increased episode lengths, adding to production time.
Ad revenue inconsistencies further complicate matters, sometimes necessitating contract jobs that divert attention from podcast creation. Additionally, personal life events among team members, such as marriages, promotions, and even natural disasters like hurricanes, have impacted the workflow.
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …we got hit with a hurricane, you know, six months ago. Studio equipment has died….”
Lam also touches upon technical challenges, including studio equipment failures and the impact of weather on recording schedules.
Future Plans and Gratitude
Despite the challenges, Lam assures listeners that all ongoing projects, including popular shows like "Tower 4," "End of All Hope," "Paralyzed Atlas," and "Having a Beat," are still in production with no intent to cease operations.
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …we are still working on all of our shows and we don't plan on stopping anytime soon.”
He outlines a tentative plan to release new episodes by August and introduces additional content for Patreon supporters, encouraging listeners to contribute if possible.
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …our aim is to have new Paralyzed and Tower 4 out before August.”
Lam expresses heartfelt gratitude towards the audience for their patience and support, acknowledging that listener demand is a testament to the team's efforts and success.
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …thank you to everyone who does listen, everyone who follows, everyone who's listening to this right now….”
He emphasizes the importance of listener contributions, highlighting that even a small monthly donation per listener could significantly bolster the team's ability to produce content consistently.
Conclusion
"A Message from 7 Lamb" serves as a transparent and heartfelt communication from Robert M. Lam, offering fans an inside look at the dedication, struggles, and passion driving 7 Lamb. By sharing these details, Lam fosters a deeper connection with the audience, urging understanding and continued support as the team navigates the complexities of podcast production.
Notable Quotes:
-
On Commitment:
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …it took five years of working 15 hours a day and thousands of dollars to finally build up enough of a following to make enough money through advertisers that I could quit.” -
On Team Effort:
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …tons of voice actors are close friends of ours, many of which worked for free for those first four to five years because they were helping me achieve my goal.” -
On Production Challenges:
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …one episode can take 50 hours, sometimes up to 80 hours to complete.” -
On Future Plans:
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …our aim is to have new Paralyzed and Tower 4 out before August.” -
On Gratitude:
“[00:00] Robert M. Lam: …thank you to everyone who does listen, everyone who follows, everyone who's listening to this right now….”
This summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who may not have listened while retaining the depth and sincerity of Robert M. Lam's original message.