Simplifying the Equation of Podcasting Success... “When I started podcasting, I read so many different books and watched so many different videos that I ended up confused and overwhelmed to the point that I went out and bought equipment that I still haven’t even used! It’s outdated tech. Don’t tell my wife. She still thinks I’m going to use it.” (Larry Roberts, author of 1+1 = Podcast & host of the Readily Random Podcast). NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO TRY PODCASTING. In his best-selling 2018 book, 1+1 = Podcast, Larry covers the podcasting basics in a clear non-technical, non-jargonal manner just like he was having a conversation with you. He ditches the stuffy Times New Roman font and presents answers for exactly what is needed to get started with a high-quality sounding, low cost or even FREE podcasting solution. WHY IS THIS BOOK BETTER THAN OTHERS? Podcasting books are convergent, technical, preachy and also prescriptive of the elusive “way” to be a “star” podcaster. Don’t fall for the hype. Instead, Larry shows you how to conduct reconnaissance of the podcast landscape and pauses with introspective questions that identify your “comfort zone” as you enter this exciting territory rife with open, unexplored spaces. Remember, podcasting has only been around for less than a decade! Let’s be honest, podcasting involves work - but at the same time It’s empowering, it’s talk therapy, and it’s not constrained by advertisers and regulators. Don’t go bananas on the Internet, but a podcaster can do things a mainstream reporter would never be allowed to do! IT’S ACTUALLY EASY TO FIND INTERESTING GUESTS. Podcasts with guests typically outperform shows that don’t have guests. David recalls his newbie podcaster days of asking friends, neighbors and coworkers to be on his show. It was harder to find unfamiliar guests. Larry acknowledges and solves the “guest barrier” in his book by demonstrating a svelte technique of searching for authors that sell their publications on Amazon. Hey, have a cool topic you want to talk about? In a few clicks, you can discover authors on Amazon that have published books in that genre - and most of those folks post bios and links to their related works - awesome! Larry’s book even has a concise template narrative you can use to invite a guest to be on your show. PROMOTING YOUR SHOW. Analytics matter, but it also takes time and episodes for listeners to get to know you and your show. Focus on promoting your show. An awesome episode might be downloaded 15 times if you only shared it one time at night on Twitter. Right? Larry helps David consider options for expanding his show’s presence on social media platforms while being vigilant of personal privacy. How do you foster a well-rounded social media campaign to promote your show? Larry answers that question during this episode. TECHNOLOGY TAKES TIME. I began my podcast with my webcam’s built-in microphone. My audio quality took a leap when I purchased a USB microphone - and crept into the professional tier with an XLR microphone. USB/XLR/GAIN = intimidating. It can be - and Larry removes the anxiety as he makes a few terrific suggestions for easy-to-learn hardware and software that won’t fry your budget. David and Larry concurred that persons new to podcasting might assume that good audio is magically rendered in post-production. In other words, as long as you get “any” recording, you can “fix” it with software. That’s a myth. Start by following Larry’s advice and you won’t end up scrapping your first round of shows due to avoidable technical flaws. FOLLOW DR. PERRODIN: Twitter @SafetyPhD and subscribe to The Safety Doc YouTube channel & Apple Podcasts. SAFETY DOC WEBSITE & BLOG: www.safetyphd.com David will respond to comments & emails. The Safety Doc Podcast is hosted & produced by David Perrodin, PhD. ENDORSEMENTS. Opinions are those of the host & guests and do not reflect positions of The 405 Media or supporters of “The Safety Doc Podcast”. The show adheres to nondiscrimination principles while seeking to bring forward productive discourse & debate on topics relevant to personal or institutional safety. Email David: thesafetydoc@gmail.com LOOKING FOR DR. TIMOTHY LUDWIG, PHD? Dr. Perrodin’s “Safety Doc Podcast” negotiates school and community safety. To be informed about industrial safety, please contact Appalachian State University Professor Dr. Timothy Ludwig, PhD, at www.safety-doc.com. LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST:   www.readilyrandom.com

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The word mantra can be broken down into two parts: “man,” which means mind, and “tra,” which means transport or vehicle. In other words, a mantra is an instrument of the mind. At the end of the day, the mantra is meant to bring you back to simplicity. We live in such a complex world that it’s easy to get lost in all the details. Mantras can help you circle back to the simplistic approach to life and focus on those things that inspire you and truly make you happy. But beyond that Zen-fuzzy stuff, a solid member-checked mantra is a powerful asset to a businessman. KENNY ROGER’S UNDERSTOOD THE MANTRA BETTER THAN APPLE DID. Maybe it’s the wisdom of Kenny Roger’s hit song “The Gambler” when he croons “know when to walk away and know when to run” that harkens to the mantra. See, while one can argue that Apple’s mantra, “Think different,” perfectly encompasses the value the company - it just doesn’t work for collectivism of a company aiming to be the benchmark of the industry. It’s confusing as what is the benchmark Apple strives to compare itself to - and here’s the paradox because if you have become the industry standard are you then directed by your mantra to divert from the formula that has catapulted you to success? Back to Kenny. YOU KNOW THE RULES, HOOK: A GOOD CAPTAIN ALWAYS GOES DOWN WITH HIS SHIP. In this episode I talk about parting ways with a long-time client. There was little to debate in my decision, but it stung - I mean, it was a difference in professional opinion and not a failure to deliver a high-quality service. It’s one thing to fumble away the game and another for the team to move to a different venue. I could have taken the money and churned out the task. I didn’t. I cut ties. Cordial. And then something unexpected happened. The client re-considered. My directness and honesty established me as a trustworthy member check. Mantra, intention and mission statement are not synonymous words. Hold the mantra and fold intention and mission statement. I SHOULD HAVE TOLD FELIX TO WEAR HIS JACKET. Hubris proclaimed that jackets need not be worn on the ride home. Seemed like a sound statement at the time, I mean, sunny day, water dripping at a steady pace from eaves, snow piles seemingly squatting - the observational evidence was in my corner. I’m a Wisconsin native - and from the northern tier of the state of the truly winter-hardened folk and that’s street credibility, sir. Back to Felix...Most students attending the school for the blind live in dorms during the week and return home Friday afternoon. This exodus occurs by plane, train, bus, van and automobile. Felix boards a bus for a 3 hour ride north. He’s sensible and knows his way around an engine, having been sighted until his early teens. “How warm is it?” he asked. “Pretty warm, Felix,” I responded. He refined his question, “Do I have to wear my jacket or will I be alright without it?” Now I’ve learned that perception is to the beholder. Some people willingly wear jackets in summer while others wear sandals in winter. Felix weighed his options and informed me that he intended to pack his jacket in his luggage and forego the trek in a t-shirt and jeans. Two hours later, I exited the building and was immediately slapped by an unforgiving northerly wind. It was cold. In fact, it was just 24 without factoring in the windchill. I later learned that the high temperature that day was just 28. Yikes, per my calculations, Felix had about an hour of shivering remaining before he arrived home, yanked his jacket from his luggage and turned the house thermometer clockwise. I felt bad. I was guilty of not checking my information. I would never intentionally advise a kid to forego the coat and embrace the cold. Not a lot gets to me. This did. I talked to Felix Monday morning and he casually said, “I wore my jacket home…”  FOLLOW DR. PERRODIN: Twitter @SafetyPhD and subscribe to The Safety Doc YouTube channel & Apple Podcasts RSS feed. SAFETY DOC WEBSITE & BLOG: www.safetyphd.com David will respond to comments & emails. The Safety Doc Podcast is hosted & produced by David Perrodin, PhD. ENDORSEMENTS. Opinions are those of the host & guests and do not reflect positions of The 405 Media or supporters of “The Safety Doc Podcast”. The show adheres to nondiscrimination principles while seeking to bring forward productive discourse & debate on topics relevant to personal or institutional safety. Email David: thesafetydoc@gmail.com LOOKING FOR DR. TIMOTHY LUDWIG, PHD? Dr. Perrodin’s “Safety Doc Podcast” negotiates school and community safety. To be informed about industrial safety, please contact Appalachian State University Professor Dr. Timothy Ludwig, PhD, at www.safety-doc.com.

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