Pod-Crashing Episode 41: Trusting Evolution

Every singer songwriter I sit with, we end up getting locked in talk about how music never stops evolving. None of the artists seem to be bothered by it. It’s as if they expect change. This might be the reason why so many fans of music enjoy listening to a live album. The songs we love are there! It’s just performed a little bit differently.
The reason why I bring this up is because so many Podcasters have a difficult time moving through evolution. Great shows have totally disappeared off the map because the performers felt their episodes were moving in the wrong direction.
I get it. It’s an odd feeling that takes over. Bringing the podcast to life feels like a job more than a connection to content. Getting over that hurdle puts podcasters in a decision to “play out” a “timeout.” That in itself can easily turn into “drop out.”
The evolution of your podcast is completely natural. It’s one of the first things I cover when designing shows with businesses and solo performers. I get to know their vision. We discuss the highs and lows. The time required not only to show prep and layout the tracks but to market the episodes on social media.
Being that close to a project puts you in the center of podcast fatigue. The moment you try something new suddenly the censors are blaring like WWII air raid sirens. In the beginning you’ve got the confidence to participate with change but when the numbers aren’t instantly showing up? We revert to old habits. Which puts weight on every reason why you’re podcasting.
It’s decision time. Do you start an entirely different podcast or dump what feels like a bad taste. We’ve make it too easy to locate free time. Once you get that sweet surgery flavor in your creative system it becomes difficult to get back up on the horse. In the early moments of podcast building you were able to push your way through invisible walls and stumbles. Once you start getting the itch that something needs to evolve it’ll become that voice in the back of your head that won’t leave you alone.
The evolution of your podcast. There has to be change! Each episode is a new lesson learned. Through experience you’re able to strengthen your vocal delivery or tone it down. Through awareness a natural exchange begins to unfold. Don’t ever stop giving yourself permission to screw up.
My podcast Unplugged and Totally Uncut is always under the microscope. It’s nowhere near where it started. I wanted to be Casery Kasum or Dick Clark and share the journey of the singer songwriters and performers. I wanted to take it to massive level of this is what we did to get here. Then one day I asked myself, “Why are you doing what everybody else has already done?”
This is why I’d probably turn down a conversation with Paul McCartney. What’s he going to say that hasn’t already been lived? That oh wow moment. Does Mr. McCartney still have it in him? I keep practicing! Cuz the day the phone call chimes in he’s gonna know we aren’t talking about The Beatles, Wings or global tours.
While lecturing on campuses I invite students to participate with the famous people interviews. One rule. Don’t say anything about their past. All thoughts and conversation are based on what is in the now. I had to evolve to get there. Then believe in why it would be this way. A recent WTF moment was with legendary Rock drummer Deen Castronova talking about never becoming the front man of a band. He’ll sing lead vocals all day and night but he’s not going up there where the people are.
Unplugged and Totally Uncut went through a huge change about a year ago when I began posting a show called Unplugged Addiction to Creativity. I wanted to be real. Like most people we’re all getting tired of reading about which person of fame elected to take their life. The numbers are through the roof! I’ll never stop asking why while doing everything in my creative power to write and produce features that put focus on what it’s really like to be overtaken by the creative beast.
The evolution of your podcast can include extensions. I love what Jake Brennan is doing with his atmosphere. Disgraceland and Club 27 embrace the dark storytelling format of music’s unspoken history. Each of the podcasts feed the other. He uses the platform to cross pollinate other ventures he’s diving into at Double Elvis.
Lauren Bright Pachenco is the journalism force behind Murder In Oregon. A series of episodes digging deep into murder, government corruption and more. I asked her about life after this story is complete, would there be more unsolved Oregon murders? She paused. Then laughed. And said she couldn’t dive into the future at this time. My professional guess is yes. I can’t wait to see how she evolves her skills as a storyteller and investigator into a giant web of continuations.
Podcasting isn’t terrestrial radio. The one thing I took from the conversation between Bob Pittman of iHeart Media and Charlamagne Tha God is that it’s still an open platform for creative minds to explore. Because I’m so far out of the tower signal loop I reached out to Bo Thompson of WBT Charlotte. The kid has evolved into a master at designing and executing portraits of legendary Broadcast talent and more. It’s totally got his signature all over it. Is podcasting within the ranks of radio as free spirited as blogging was during its heyday?
In which direction will future podcast episodes grow now that Google has brought Audio SEO’s forward? The question Kraus Group Marketing is asking Podcasts and S.E.R.P’s or SERP’s the next big thing? Search Engine Result Pages.
SERPS are extremely important because it allows your fans and followers to get to know your website. If you’re truly into podcasting because it’s gonna make you money, this is a priceless part of your podcast evolution.
So what’s the moral of the story? Let your podcast presence go and grow. Let it have a life of its own! Somedays it may act like an out of control two year old child, a constantly demanding teenager or well-oiled seasoned middle aged expression of great content.
My podcast Poetic Elevation. In the beginning it had to be one path with no way off. I invited Southern Preachers to hang their messages and learned quickly how disconnected that thought was from how listeners want their podcasts. The evolution of the episodes began to put focus on Biblical studies but with my voice. They still wouldn’t have it. My friend Denny wrote to me, “Everything you’re saying has already be shared a trillion times. It’s nothing new. If you’re truly into this approach put lifestyle ahead of all things. You’re gonna have to get real.”
Play with your podcast. See if it bites you back. Pull on its history and see if it snaps. Bring an approach you thought you’d never try. Never stop taking chances. Evolve…