I haven't had much time lately to post. I think the last time I really sat down and tried to write was around the time my friend Jennifer died. Its not that it overtook me with grief; but it was a mixed emotion. Between working two jobs and Wrangler; there just isn't a ton of time left in my days. But, thinking back about things; its too short not to make some time for these things too.
I've been flirting with the idea of running my own podcasts for awhile now. While I'd love to do just a hardcore social science show; its not going to happen. While I'd love to do a Walking Dead cast; its maybe going to happen. But maybe I really need to just go off and do my own show about me. That could probably happen. We have been running with Far Afield for a awhile now [find it on iTunes, or Stitcher its free!] but maybe its time I move off and do my own thing. They are my friends and will continue to be; but I think maybe I need the freedom to call my own shots on things.
For a bit of back story; I never had any intention of doing podcasts, even though I've been an avid listener. Its a time commitment and a content commitment I didn't think I had a drive to accomplish. Couple those things with my newspaper friendly voice and it fast become a no win situation. So after coming on as a guest, and getting Far Afield going; I recognize how hard it is to make things happen. I used to laugh when I saw radio people change shows and networks and still have the same basic show after the jump; I used to think it was only about money... Now I see the creative control thing is just about as important as the money. Which, doesn't seem apparent when its the same exact show for the listener; but how things get to that point makes all the difference. Anyhow, moving forward a bit, the network the show is on is struggling with its own identity; enough so they are branching out to a video form as well live streaming to twitch and youtube. Its going to create friction. Our show is largely a sit back and listen type program; doing live video streams requires even more planning and preparation to pull it off; and I'm just not certain our show and to an extent, our network is ready for that. We have had conversations as a show in the past about sponsorships and show direction; and its never really gotten very far. Its not gotten very far, but I think we all realize where its going.
As a fan, I like to sit back and watch Dave and Darren at NachoRadio.com be the good example. These were a highly rated FM radio morning show duo who ran for 10 years; even being bumped frequencies through buyouts and mergers, still kept the show the same and profitable. In the end, they were axed for more mergers to take place... they sat out their 90 day non competes, then started their own network and have blow up ever since. I'm not looking to take that route; but I can see how it changed how they addressed certain ideas behind the scenes. And it whets my whistle a bit.
I'm not going to say conversations haven't happened between myself and other networks, but I'm not sure if I have the commitment and time to move forward with anything. But its nice to think about it. And its real nice knowing I'd have more freedom to do certain things... and yeah; supplementing my income by being able to market the show isn't awful either! Well all see what comes to pass soon enough!
