HOW A 60-SOMETHING, FIRST-TIME AUTHOR BECAME A FIRST-TIME PODCASTER
Under the Radar: Olympic Athletes Ya Gotta Meet
Had anyone asked me 10 years ago if I would ever do a podcast, I would have seriously questioned their sanity. Do a podcast? Heck, I barely knew what a podcast was!
But the playing field has shifted dramatically in the last decade for how we get our information, where we look to receive news, and what sources we draw upon for entertainment and analysis.
Turns out that podcasts, these personalized radio shows of sorts that can go in-depth into topics that traditional media sources only gloss over, have rocketed in popularity. Platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify make it extremely easy and convenient to access podcasts of all varieties – and the public has dived in with enthusiasm. Look no further than our two adult sons, both of whom tap into numerous podcasts, particularly sports-related ones.
Which brings me to how a 60-something, first-time author became a first-time podcaster. As I marketed and promoted “Hero Redefined,” I turned to podcasts about the Olympic Games, books, etc., as another way to get the word out about a book written by a guy from the Seattle area, in the country’s upper-lefthand corner. I thoroughly enjoyed appearing on podcasts such as “Keep the Flame Alive,” “Off the Podium,” and “New Books Network,” and one interviewer suggested I pitch myself to a podcast carried by the Sports History Network (SHN).
A funny thing happened after I reached out to the Sports History Network: They reached back out to me! Arnie Chapman, the Michigander who coordinates the SHN podcasts, manages a full-time job and a family but also loves helping people enter the world of podcasting. He asked if I’d be interested in doing one modeled upon “Hero Redefined.” Doug Levy of a decade ago would have said “fuhgeddaboudit!” But present-day Doug Levy, who prides himself on being a lifelong learner, seized upon it as something new to try.
Thus my podcast, “Under the Radar: Olympic Athletes Ya Gotta Meet,” was born. I took Arnie’s advice and bought a low-cost microphone, then downloaded an editing and recording program called Audacity. At Arnie’s recommendation, and with help from my youngest son Cody, I compiled an illustration for the podcast, a promotional narrative, and a bit of biographical background about myself. Then I worked my tush off to find Olympic athletes who would be willing to participate in a once-a-month, 1-on-1 interview format, 45-minute podcast.
I’ve now interviewed Olympic cross-country skier Novie McCabe (a Washington State native) and Olympic medal-winning bobsledder Curt Tomasevicz for my first two podcast episodes, with soon-to-be 4-time Olympic luger Summer Britcher on deck as featured guest for Episode No. 3! I don’t possess a classic “radio voice,” and I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m enjoying bringing some listeners into contact with amazing Olympic athletes they hadn’t known much about!
The link to my podcast episodes is at the top of this blog post. Please give them a listen if you’ve a moment – and I hope you like them!