So, You Are Thinking About Starting a Podcast (Part I)

In taking the pulse of the current moment, it seems that podcasts are all the rage. This week it has been reported that two of the prominent actresses from The Office have launched “Office Ladies," a podcast that promises to take listeners behind the scenes of the iconic show, episode by episode. The BBC reports that as of last year, there were over 600,000 podcasts across the globe, covering a wide range of topics (Goodrich, 2018).

Let me preface this by also sharing that I have found one podcast in particular extremely insightful—Mark Groves’ “Making Your Heart Make Sense” (see link at end of article) has been my essential listening in the aftermath of a painful personal loss. In fact, he has interviewed a number of prominent psychiatrists and psychologists on this platform that promote holistic approaches to our well-being, making it required listening for my psychology students as well.

What is so appealing about this medium? In assessing its allure, there is obviously the aspect of curation that is such an integral part of the new media environment. The option of choosing particular podcasts based on individual interests or concerns is an obvious draw. The accessibility of the medium via smartphones also makes it an appealing source of entertainment and/or information during a person’s commute, downtime, etc.

From a psychological perspective, I would venture the notion that it is the aspects of storytelling of podcasts that are so appealing. The draw of the podcast for both listeners and the hosts is that it has become just another medium for us to bear witness and share our stories. Moreover, some writers speculate that there is a deeper intimacy when we listen to podcasts versus watching television or even listening to the radio—the selection of the specific topic for listeners heightens the intimacy, particularly for popular shows that feature raw material. Couples therapy is a popular topic among podcasts—yes, that is right, you can actually listen in on couples’ undergoing therapy if you so choose. This has become a genre unto itself. "Where Should We Begin?" appears to have been a pioneer in this genre, described when it was released in 2017 by Bustle as a podcast, “hosted by relationship guru and sexpert Esther Perel” that explores provocative topics with couples who consented to have their sessions recorded (Neal, 2017).

In my regular listening to Groves’ Podcast, I have been drawn in by the expertise demonstrated by the guests that he interviews, and the range of resonant relational topics covered, in addition to the vulnerability that he and his guests regularly share as they navigate the tumultuous landscape of what it means to be human and in particular, to be in deep and meaningful relationships. There's a certain rawness and sincerity to the interviews that I find compelling. Given the critical role that relationships and intimacy play in all of our lives, the topics that Groves’ focuses on are imminently applicable, which is why I strongly recommend this podcast to readers.

True-crime podcasts show up regularly on popular lists, as do comedy and other genres as well. It appears that we have an insatiable appetite for both entertainment and access to information as consumers, and podcasts are becoming just one more medium in an increasingly fractured media environment curated to our particular preferences. So, choose wisely, and set out to explore the next best thing on your quest for personal growth and fulfillment.

And stay tuned: I may have an announcement of my own to share shortly regarding a podcast in the making.

© 2019 Azadeh Aalai