Collective Voices Creating Collective Action in Podcasting
Women podcasting experts are the figures who are changing the landscape in podcasting.
We are creating safe spaces within podcasting to bring forth innovation while amplifying diverse voices who have been underinvested.
It’s an honor to be part of this inspiring collective, #ClaimPodParity where women podcasting experts are joining forces to amplify one another and bring awareness to the talent and expertise of the podcasters who have been historically excluded in traditional media.
First off, I want to say muchas gracias to Elsie Escobar for starting, coordinating, and including me to be part of this inspiring movement. She has been a pivotal mentor in my podcast journey.
Elsie’s invitation and creation of #ClaimPodParity has also allowed me to be in the same space with the women podcast experts who taught me (without them knowing) to be empowered in my voz and craft in podcasting.
I was so happy when they said yes to my invitation to be part of this blog Q&A because I know you’ll learn so much just as I’ve learned from them!
So, if you’ve been thinking of amplifying your voz by launching your podcast, growing your show with confidence, or becoming a better Podcast Manager, please read below because you’ll be empowered by these amazing women podcasting experts!
maribel quezada smith
Maribel Quezada Smith is a TV, documentary, and podcast Producer, as well as a Production Consultant and Coach, with over 15 years of expertise developing meaningful content. She's the Producer and Co-Creator of the popular golf podcast, Birdies Not BS. She's also the host and producer of the podcast, DIFERENTE, where she explores the complexities of living life between two or more cultures. She co-founded the BIPOC Podcast Creators group in order to amplify the voices and stories of people of color, by providing access to higher level podcasting resources. Today, she helps entrepreneurs, startups and growing brands build deeper connections with their ideal customers through meaningful video and audio content.
What’s been harder than you anticipated in building the BIPOC Podcast Creators and amplifying the voces of our comunidad?
I think the hardest thing form me, personally, has been accepting that I cannot be all things to everyone. Building this community is HARD work, it takes tons of time and money to really build something extraordinary for our community, and sometimes I have to set boundaries with my time so that I can continue to show up for the membership as my best self.
My co-founder Tangia and I believe that BIPOC podcast creators deserve no less than high quality resources, so it has been hard for us to understand that this will take some time to roll out, in the way we envisioned it. We have to be super intentional about everything we create for BIPOC Podcast Creators because we want it to be bigger than us, and we want it be a legitimate, trustworthy and safe space that helps creators truly thrive in the podcasting space.
As a leader in TV, documentary, and podcast Producer, as well as a Production Consultant and Coach, how do you connect with your inner creativity to amplify the stories of others while creating a safe space for them to do so?
I've learned to make space for creativity in both my physical space and my mind. I recently wrote a post about how I came to this conclusion and what helps me get in the right headspace to create. You can check it out here.
What’s the most pivotal risk you’ve taken in your podcasting journey, and how did it change your path?
Deciding to go from producer to host was probably the biggest risk I've taken in podcasting so far. After years of producing behind the scenes and behind the mic, I really felt that there was something about my story that I needed to share, while at the same time exploring other people's own challenges with identity and personal growth as multi-cultural individuals. DIFERENTE was my first podcast passion project, then Birdies Not BS followed, which was the biggest risk because we spent a lot of money building a brand that had no guarantee of ROI. Neither of those podcasts made us much money, but those podcasts opened the doors to what I do now, running a media company producing video and podcasting projects, and building a community and consultancy with BIPOC Podcast Creators.
What advice do you have for aspiring Latinas who want to open and grow their audio production studios and create a positive impact in the industry?
Become an expert at one thing, then learn to delegate and invest in other experts to do the things you're not a professional at doing. Don't try to do everything yourself because you will burn out and run out of money (time is money). I know this is easier said when you have the cash to pay for help, I took a huge risk in paying sound engineers, branding experts, graphic designers, website developers and copywriters to do what I am not an expert at, and although it took a while, these investments are definitely paying off.
What is the #1 piece of advice you always recommend for Latina podcasters to become better storytellers and amplifiers within the podcasting space?
Be consistent. Creating consistent content is how you'll become a better storyteller and how you'll earn trust and recognition in the industry.
Bethany hawkins
Bethany Hawkins is the CEO and Founder of Crackers In Soup. Crackers in Soup is a podcast management company that's mission is to assist women podcast hosts that need the best “F” word known in the English Language: FREEDOM. Since its inception in 2019, Crackers In Soup has worked on over 50 podcasts from creating cover art to assisting to post recording production and everything in between…including launches. She has worked on podcasts that have won awards (including her own), podcasts that have 3 million listeners, podcasts that have 10,000/month downloads and one podcast she works on is featured in a Princeton course. Bethany is also the host of the Award Winning Podcast Chatting Over Chowder! Chatting Over Chowder is a podcast where two minority women talk to other women in the podcasting industry about what podcasts they listen to…while eating chowder.
Through Crackers in Soup you assist women podcast hosts in managing their shows and provide them FREEDOM through access to higher level podcasting resources. Why is it so important for women podcasters to have freedom when starting in their podcast journey?
Podcasting can go from a great idea to an all consuming being if you allow it. As a woman who owns a business, has a family, and likes to sleep every now and then, I know we can only do so much in a day. The percentage of podcasts that have been created to the actual podcasts that are currently active is staggeringly low. I believe it is because people have not thought of the time investment it takes to create a podcast. Crackers In Soup providing women podcasters freedom (with us doing most of the behind the scenes tasks of a podcast) means there is less likelihood they will podfade and they will continue providing stellar content for their audience.
Let's continue on the topic of freedom, but focused on women Podcast Managers, how can we continue fueling creativity and growing our business while not sacrificing our freedom?
BOUNDARIES! We have to set up boundaries for ourselves, our business and our podcast. A wonderful podcast producer and one of my dear friends, Porsha Williams Gates, told me my power comes in silence. I love that! I also think that creativity comes in silence as well. I know when I am moving in 50 different directions, my creativity suffers. Also, my ears get fatigued. As Podcast Manager/Producers, we are listening to so many sounds for so many hours. If we aren't giving our ears a rest, they aren't having time to recoup. When I am sitting in quiet and I have had time to rest my mind and ears, that is when I can hear inspiration again. But I cannot do that if I do not protect my time with boundaries.
What are the three important ingredients every women podcaster should have for a sustainable growth in podcasting?
I think three important ingredients for sustainable growth is:
1. KNOW YOUR WHY! Knowing why you are doing your podcast is something every podcaster should know. If you know your why you can easily do the second ingredient which is
2. PLAN - crossing your fingers and hoping people find your podcast isn't a plan. It's a wish! Do you want to rank in charts or do you just want to refer these episodes to some of your clients so you don't have to repeat yourself 100 times a day? Knowing your why is going to help you plan how to sustain growth and achieve your goals.
#3 is KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE - Who are you talking to? If you don't know your audience, you don't know how you can reach them! You should know what makes them laugh, what makes them feel overwhelmed, their pain points and offer solutions.
Also, bonus spice ingredient: use SEO in show notes to help you be found.
You've worked on over 50 podcasts from creating cover art to assisting to post recording production and everything in between…including launches, what is the common misconception new podcasters have when starting their podcast journey and how can they avoid being stuck by that misconception?
One common misconception I see is that if you have a larger following, they will then immediately be listeners. That isn't necessarily true. Podcasting is a totally different medium than social media. You can convert your followers into listeners if you KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE and your social media followers is your target audience. You just have to come up with a strategy and create content based upon what your social media followers are asking or talking about. That will help you transition them from follower to listener.
What is the #1 piece of advice you always recommend for women podcasters to launch a successful podcast?
The #1 piece of advice I always recommend for women podcasters to launch a successful podcast is to be organized. Use whichever organization tool is your jam! Mine is Asana. I love me some Asana. Others you can use are Notion, Click up, Trello or even Google Drive. Just keep everything stored in one place and that will make the launching experience so much easier.
Jenn edds
Jen Edds is the Head-Broad-in-Charge at The Brassy Broadcasting Company, a podcasting services company she started after deciding that life was too short to wither away in a corporate cube farm under fluorescent lights. Jen is the co-host of Beauty and the Gi - a podcast about Jiu-Jitsu and life on and off the mat. She also produced The UkuDaily Dispatch podcast in 2021 - a collection of songs written to put some good out into the world.
You're a business owner, podcaster, musician, and songwriter. How have you positively impacted the podcasting journey of others with your multi-hyphenated skills?
I think the creativity and empathy I bring to each project has been the most impactful. I have removed the technical obstacles, while being a cheerleader and accountability partner. Helping someone bring their vision to life is the best job in the world!
You are true to your mission of experiencing life beyond your comfort zone. What advice can you share for women who want to start their podcast, but are struggling to step out of their comfort zone?
Approach those steps beyond your comfort zone with a sense of curiosity. Let go of the need for perfection. That takes all the fun out of it. If you're scared, find a friend or maybe a collaborative partner to take that step with you.
I started doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu about 3 years ago. It was very outside my comfort zone. I still feel like I look ridiculous every time I step on the mat. It doesn't matter. My confidence has grown and I appreciate and love my body like never before. I've also found an incredibly supportive community of women that have become friends.
The magic lives just beyond your comfort zone.
What are the three pivotal elements every podcaster needs to leverage their voice while growing their community and business?
Purpose, premise, and process are pivotal elements. What is the purpose of your show for you as the creator? What is the purpose for your listener? A clearly defined premise will guide every decision you make about your podcast. A process creates consistency across the production workflow, as well as your listener's experience. It helps you show up consistently.
You have vast experience in launching strategic podcasts. What is the biggest mistake you've seen industry experts and business owners who don't work with a Podcast Manager or Editor make with their podcast early on?
They don't know what they don't know. They hit "record" and "publish" without a strategy or plan and then wonder why nobody is listening to their show.
What is the #1 piece of advice you always recommend for women podcasters to improve their editing and take their show to the next level?
Start with the end in mind. My goal is to have to do the least amount of editing or audio cleanup as possible. Start with a script or bullet points to keep you focused on your message. Make it a goal to get the best quality audio recording possible. "We can fix it in post production" is not a good approach to recording. My basic approach to editing is to remove anything that is distracting from your listener's experience with your podcast.
Gracias again Maribel, Bethany, and Jen for being so open to sharing with Ellas about your journey as Podcast Managers and podcasters who are bringing innovation to this wonderful space!
I hope you took a golden nugget from these amazing experts, I know I did! I recommend you choose one and run with it so your podcasting journey won’t feel overwhelming, remember it’s about having a sustainable path in podcasting so you can focus on what you do best while connecting with your comunidad. I would love to know what podcasting advice you’re going to take by writing a comment down below. And if you need support along the way, don’t hesitate in reaching out to me or any of these top-notch experts!
To learn more about #ClaimPodParity, please visit here to know how you can support the movement.