#126 Part II: A Show about Podcasting - Insight and Lessons by Two Podcasters feat. Francisco Kilgore and Sherman Tylawsky

Listen to Part 1 HERE!

What goes into the process of podcasting? After nearly three years since Friends & Fellow Citizens began, this special, two-part, two-way interview episode features Sherman and fellow podcaster Francisco Kilgore, who hosts his own program "Hello Sonoma!". Both provide deeper insight into the podcast production process, including tips on how to start and maintain your own podcast!

Check out Francisco's podcast "Hello Sonoma!"

Helpful podcast links to get started and/or learn more:

• Riverside - hgh quality audio and video recording
• Descript - editing audio, text, and video all at once
• Calendly –immensely useful scheduling tool
• Airtable - keeping track of your podcast
• Buzzsprout - podcast hosting platform
• Pat Flynn Blog about Starting a Podcast

Transcript

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Podcasting Experiences and Takeaways

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Patriotism, faith, national unity, education, fiscal responsibility, civility, the values that define America. Fascinating stories and talks from America-loving patriots dedicated to preserving freedom, opportunity, and justice. Welcome to the Friends and Fellow Citizens Podcast. Welcome back, everyone, to part two of episode 126, our conversation about podcasting with Francisco Kilgore. If you haven't checked out part one, be sure to click the link down in the show notes below, and you can come back anytime to resume our conversation. And now let's get back into the discussion.

SPEAKER_00 0:48

So yeah, how about you, Sherman? What kinds of positive or challenging situations have you gone through over your 120 episodes?

SPEAKER_01 0:58

Well, it it is hard to top that first one there. That's pretty amazing. She's got to be quite a quite amazing person to be with for that kind of experience. In terms of the fun experience, I there's so many moments, but uh what I will say is I love it when we finish the recording and we just continue chatting. You know, it's like it doesn't feel like it's just a done deal, and it's like, oh, okay, we're we're it's over now. But uh and it depends on the the timing, right? Some people have to do other things, right? So it doesn't necessarily define like which guests are better or or or uh which guests are not as good at all, but certainly having those conversations afterwards and then going into learning a bit more about their motivations and what they're up to, it never makes it to the airwaves. However, in the back of my mind, I know that when I upload that episode, I know that this person has also not only done a recording, but has also chosen to tell me a bit more about himself or herself. And so the connection even runs deeper than what is put on the the program. So that's always a fun element too, especially it's we can always laugh about a technical issue. And I I have to go for like a crazy moment for crazy moments, I have to say it's always the technical issues. There was one time when I was recording with two guests, and I don't know what was going on, but we were try testing the audio, and one of the guests literally sounded like Darth Vader. Like, I'm not even kidding. Yeah, it was just like this is eerie here. I was like, where's George Lucas when you need him? You know, but it was it was like it's just the oddest thing. Like some of these technical issues, like you know, the sound is off or whatever, but it is if we we fix it, it was a quick fix. But I I could I was laughing so hard, and of course the the guests could hear me normally, and so it's just it was kind of an awkward moment, you know. It's like, well, he's probably one of what am I laughing at? But it was it just came out so funny, and uh I always also laugh. I always laugh when I whenever like you have a dog barking in the background, or if uh there there are times when my phone goes off or someone else's phone goes off, uh, or there's sometimes these weird noises where I think one time I was recording with a guest and uh there's this loud noise in the bag, it literally sounded like like a car crash. It was something else, maybe it's something from her, but it was I was like, I might want to edit that out because we want to make sure that everyone is safe and that there's no no crazy drivers or anything in the background. Those are just it's just fun moments that you joke about, or and and certainly on the more serious side too, there's there were times when guests have just been so patient with me, and I'm also grateful for that because you can't control everything, can't control Wi-Fi all the time, you can't control this. Uh it was uh one one quick thing. I remember I was recording with someone and the power went out. Oh wow. Yeah, and the and the the guest was in the middle of a monologue. So for four minutes or so, the guest was basically talking to himself, even though he didn't know. And uh you he completely understood. I think it was ATT or someone doing uh doing some work with the internet or something, so that's why the power was out or the internet was out. But it was it was definitely uh a fun little fun little time to tell. Hey, remember that time when when you were telling talking to yourself uh accident? Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 5:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 5:31

But uh yeah, so so I guess when moving on to just kind of the the takeaways from your podcast, what what sort of things have you gotten out of your own show? I mean, you're the creator, right? You're the visionary. But as you also mentioned and referred to, which is the connection that you have with the town and knowing that there's so many people make and make up this uh this beautiful town in the wine country, there's gotta be some things that you learn about yourself, about others that you never thought would be possible. So what what sort of things come to mind for you?

SPEAKER_00 6:13

Yeah, you mentioned at the beginning of the conversation a little bit about the current political climate of division and of just general, I would characterize it as a national stress. Like we're all so stressed out. And I think it's a lot because we we just we just can't talk to each other. And so this program has definitely been a wonderful revelation of just how positive the world can be when you're able to listen and to be compassionate to one another. Um, the show has been mostly local, as I mentioned, but I did a cross-country road trip, or should I say, rail trip, where I went from Chicago to New Orleans to Los Angeles to back to California, stopping in places like Memphis, Tennessee, Jackson, Mississippi. And all the people that I talked to were really wonderful, had some great conversations. Uh and, you know, from a national level to a super hyper local level, there's amazing people all around us. And if we take the time to listen to their stories, we can come away a lot better. I usually start my conversations about my radio shows radio show slash podcast by saying the program's called Hello Sonoma. The idea is that everyone has a story, and every story is interesting if you ask the right questions. And we can learn about ourselves and our community if we take the time to listen to each other's stories. And um that's certainly something that I've learned that everybody really does have a story if you're able to ask the right questions. And uh it's wonderful to be able to share those with the community and with the world. How about you, Sherman? What kinds of things have you learned? What have been some of your big takeaways?

SPEAKER_01 7:56

That's a great one. It's about the stories, because that's that's also a big tenet of my podcast, too, which is people telling stories. I encourage my guests to do that. One lesson that I've learned from the show is that there are so many people who have found new ways of serving for others, whether it's doing community service of bringing high school students to a Civil War cemetery to actually help maintain the cemeteries and learn about uh the history of the people who fought for the union, whether it's people who are encouraging students to learn about agriculture when they're in in high school, whether it's uh whether it's people in the Pentagon, you know, working with generals, and it there's there's so many examples of people not only doing public service, but I truly believe that there's a lot of people embodying uh those American values that we espouse that we hold dear. The civility of education and of patriotism and of fiscal responsibility. Like there's there's still a lot of evidence of that. And every time we I have a new guest on, there's a new version of those values. And it's a great lesson, I feel because uh public service shouldn't just be a position in government, it cannot just be this. It's important, right? But uh there's a lot of ways to serve, and and I hope that's one of the takeaways that people get is that through those stories, you and men you talk about those stories, right? Through those stories, there's so much of giving and of public service. That can never go away. I think if we want to have communities, if you want to keep communities as they are or to improve them, the stories have to be kept. Because without stories, you can't have a community, you can't have people, you can't have a country. And so I think that's the big lesson is that you know there's a lot of ways to serve, and if one path of public service doesn't work, there's a there's a whole other slew of paths to take. And it's been a very inspiring thing to hear from those people who have gone on those paths. And the best way I think I've learned from those people is through storytelling.

SPEAKER_00 10:42

Yeah, and not only about public service, but just so many different ways to live your life. I think we're so limited by what we know and what we experience. And so to talk to people who work at theaters, people who um are car mechanics, people who are big CEOs, people who do all kinds of different things, and to hear the stories and the twists and turns their lives have taken, it's such an inspiring reminder uh that that life life is has is full of possibilities. And uh just as you mentioned with public service, there's so many ways to give back, there's so many ways to participate, there's so many ways to enjoy uh being alive, and uh it's great to be inspired.

SPEAKER_01 11:24

Absolutely. Hearing people speak about these moments, I'll never forget hearing one of my guests uh actually uh shed tears about a story about a time when he felt that there wasn't justice about with regards to human rights, uh, and this is about in a totalitarian country. I mean these these kinds of emotions really get to you, but it's it's so important to capture that. You know, as I'm editing, right? It's like I'm not gonna I'm definitely gonna keep this, there's no question. I mean, even even if there's a pause in the recording, that still that that still means something to that guest and to the interaction that you had. And I I just love it when people are that open, going back to the environment that we put out, and not to mention the the role that the audience plays too, because the audience ke uh makes ensures, helps ensure that you have that environment. But uh I'll never forget those kind of moments. It's it's it's indescribable. Like you can't you can't put it into words, but uh it shows how much people value the way that they live life and how they want others to improve and to and to just live with a purpose. And it's it's it's a gratifying feeling to to have these people on. Uh what can I say, you know? But uh that that's that's just the that's the way it is, and that's just the way life is, and I've I I wouldn't have it any other way.

SPEAKER_00 13:09

Well yeah, what can we say? Well, yeah, it's so exciting to be here with you, Sherman, on this program.

SPEAKER_01 13:14

Absolutely. And I I've I I in that in that point, Francisco, I uh before we get to the advice on how people can start their podcast, right? Because we've been discussing over the last hour or so of just the the experiences that we've had and the takeaways that we've had, uh I just want to really take this moment to say how how big of a deal it is, I think, to know someone like yours like yourself uh as a podcaster, because we we know we know the kind of similar lessons and challenges. You know, when when I've noticed that when we share these kinds of similarities, you you realize that okay, I'm not the only one who's experienced experienced this. Maybe I should take some time to listen to Francisco or others about this, or how how I can improve on this format or on that or on this element of the podcast. And for you to to always be available there, and of course we've we talked a few months ago too uh when I when I was back in school, and and just maintain that connection, even though we're in different states, uh at least we're in driving distance, you know. That's that's a good thing, right? Yeah. Of course, I'm I'm welcoming Francisco here uh after we finish the recording. I'm I'm gonna invite him to obviously to come to Northern Nevada because uh I I think we gotta keep keep up this connection, keep up the relationship, keep up with uh with how we're doing, and and there's no doubt that the podcast world is also probably gonna be defined by the way podcasters interact with one another. Uh otherwise it just becomes a you know segment, yeah, there's everyone's got their own thing, right? But uh I'm I'm looking forward to seeing any new ways that I can connect with other podcasters and of course for me to keep in touch with uh Mr. Francisco Kigore here, right?

SPEAKER_00 15:17

Yeah, it's a great opportunity to create community and kind of a meta community. We have the the act the smaller community of the guests and the audience and then the meta community of podcast hosts.

SPEAKER_01 15:29

Right. Yeah, well,

Starting a Podcast

SPEAKER_01 15:31

so what what sort of things would you say to people who are thinking of starting a podcast? You know, imagine someone like I don't know if I should start a podcast. What what would be some of the first thing that you would tell that person?

SPEAKER_00 15:44

Oh man, that's a good question. Well, I think you're right about uh community and connection. If if I were to give advice for someone to start a podcast, I would just ask them what they want to say. You know, that's what this is all about. I've been lucky enough that you know, I just kind of give space for my guests to come and talk. Um, but it's about what kind of message you want to put out there, and that's totally up to you. Whether you're fascinated by history as you are, Sherman, uh by civics, or by public engagement, or you're fascinated by books or music, there's something out there. And I think again, it's about finding your inspirations, looking out there and seeing what kind of perspective that you have that others haven't yet put out there, or maybe have, but you can you can put your own little twist on it. So I think besides thinking about that, I would say just get started. There's a great guy on YouTube, his name is Ali Abdal. He's a YouTube guy, I guess we can call him. And he gives some advice about starting a YouTube channel, which I don't have, but I think it applies to starting anything really, which is for the first three times you do it, just try it, just put it out there. And that's a huge first step. So I think I'll put that out there too. If you're thinking about starting a podcast, do it. I mean, what's what's the worst thing that can happen? And you're gonna learn so much along the way. If it's if it becomes number one on Apple Podcasts, you're definitely gonna learn a lot. If you only have one or two listeners, you're gonna learn a lot about yourself. So um just go for it. Do you have any lessons, Sherman, that come to mind?

SPEAKER_01 17:23

Uh that's a great one. Yeah, definitely get started. I'd say it is going to be a it's not a goal, it is a process. And I say that because a lot of times we might be fixated on the end product. Like, you know, it's gotta be the perfect episode, it's gotta be this, it has to include that. And you know, and I tell you, that that just stresses the heck out of me. And then you probably if you were to think like that. Do you ever go back and listen to your first episodes? You know, it's funny you asked that. I I think it did that a few months ago, and the cringe level just Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_00 18:06

But that's a good sign, you know. If you're looking back and you're like, my gosh, that could have been so much better.

SPEAKER_01 18:11

Yes, right.

SPEAKER_00 18:12

That's that means you've learned.

SPEAKER_01 18:13

Well, I think to that point, Francisco, that is exactly what I recommend people do, which is when you try, right? When you know that this is a you're in for the long haul, that I think should set a better mindset because one of the things that I want to warn people about is something called PodFade. Uh, I don't know if you have you heard of that, Francis? No. Podfade is when someone, for various different reasons, starts a podcast and does it posts it regularly, but then just gradually either reduces the number of podcast episodes or reduces the content for unexplained reasons, or they or unfortunately they it just stops. And uh I've saw I've seen the stat, I think it's something like seven episodes, is usually when a lot of people get discouraged and they feel that yeah, it's it's surprising and and might be a little different now. This is from a few years ago. But uh podfade is it's unfortunate. It's not just and I understand circumstances change, right? Like some people have to get in certain things done, but what's so important is the communication element and not just what we say or what you say, but knowing that when you make a promise, as you've done, Francisco, because I know you've upheld that, and uh I I know this is uh such a critical element of a great podcaster, which is someone who's like, if I say I'm posting once a week, I'm posting once a week. You know, if I say that I'm having the X number of guests on, I'm having X number of guests on. And making that promise to yourself and to the people who are listening to your show, that is a key tenant of your character and of your and and of how of how you operate. Because you make a promise and you keep it. And if something goes wrong, right, and of course something will go wrong, but you and you own your mistakes when something goes wrong. Right, exactly. It's like Murphy's Law, right? Uh but uh you know you own your mistakes, you own your success, and you own your mistakes. And so that's something that I would that I would I would definitely throw out there for people or try who are thinking of starting, which is avoid pod fade by knowing how you can commit and knowing how you you're gonna communicate to your audience and to yourself. And also, like you said, when you get started right, you know it's a process, and you know that there's not just one angle, you know that you're always gonna be learning. You're just like the audience, you're uh you are going to be learning so much. It's it's crazy, right? Like you never thought, oh, I'm the one making content. Then you realize, wait, I might be, I might be the one like learning the most out of this process. So uh that's that's that's all I'll throw out there. It's a process, it's not just an end goal.

SPEAKER_00 21:07

That's absolutely true. That's you've I'm sure you've heard that said many times. It's the journey, not the destination. Exactly. Um, and but I think it's a little bit of both.

SPEAKER_01 21:16

And of course, the big thing is make sure you have great sound quality, no matter what. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 21:23

Well, so uh a c a couple of things that I would also say to someone who's starting is um, you know, if you make a commitment, which you should, it's all about really about yourself. There Kobe Bryant has a great interview where he's talking about a commitment to himself. He talks about his summer training routine. And he said, I committed to myself that I'm going to the gym every day, so I'm gonna go to the gym every day. But more than sharing with your audience what your commitment is, it's just about what you want. If you want to say, I'm gonna try this podcast thing, you know, seven episodes might not be enough for you to really learn if you like it. Or not. Um so it's good to just kind of uh inspire yourself, uh set yourself a an exciting goal and know when to push through or just feel when to push through uh not feeling like it and when to say this maybe this isn't for me, which uh both are okay.

SPEAKER_01 22:20

Very well said. Well, Francisco, I think this is wonderful conversation. Uh I I think we've got a lot of different perspectives, a lot of content there. And uh once again, before we wrap up, I just want to say once again, thank you so much for doing this with me. This is fantastic to uh just go deep into what we do because we don't have a lot of opportunities to do this. I don't I uh it's especially this open. And I I also want to just add quickly add that what is amazing, especially and maybe you you feel the same way too, which is when we tell people that we have a podcast and we do all this, it's it's always wonderful to ask people about podcasts. Like, what do you think? What do you listen to podcasts? What do you look for? You share a little about what you do, it becomes part of your life. It becomes part of the way that people perceive you, the part the way that you communicate to others. And it's it's uh I call it a talking business card.

SPEAKER_00 23:23

There you go. There you go. Now you just need a paper one.

SPEAKER_01 23:26

Yes, that's right. That's right. Um and it's just I will I wouldn't I wouldn't do any other medium. I think this is the way I want to do it. And podcasting will evolve, obviously. However, and then the core lessons and the core reasons why you do your podcast and how why I do my podcast, those things I don't think will ever change. And I don't think they should change. They they should always be that rock, you know, that cornerstone of our respective shows. So I just want to say, Francisco, this is a really great episode. So I I hope that hope I some somehow we get another opportunity to do this, you know, whether it's on another show or uh just to talk about podcasts. A podcast about podcasting.

SPEAKER_00 24:16

Yeah, yeah, definitely, Sherman. I really appreciate uh this putting you putting this together. I think this has been really exciting, inspiring. I've learned a lot about your process, and yeah, I'm excited to see what kind of things get put out there. One of my guests has something that was meaningful to me. She said, even if I impact one person, then I'll be happy. And uh so I'll say the same thing. I hope that I help at least one person from your audience uh who might be inspired or help start something. Who knows? Then I'll be happy.

SPEAKER_01 24:50

Amen to that. Well, Francisco, we as you know, we'll have links down the show notes, uh, links provided by you and by me uh for podcast uh uh uh enthusiasts and listeners and others to check out. Uh there's some really great resources, and so shout out to those people to put together those kinds of uh products and uh software, hardware, hardware to make podcasting possible. So uh that'll wrap it up. Francisco, any final words before we wrap up?

SPEAKER_00 25:22

No, just keep going, Sherman. I can't wait to see where the next uh the next 120 episodes takes you.

SPEAKER_01 25:29

Well, I look forward to hearing much more about what you about your radio show and your podcast, Hello Sonoma. Uh obviously, peace people, be sure to subscribe to Hello Sonoma if in case we haven't minded you already. Uh it is a fantastic program, and honestly, uh you might be able to impress uh the people of Sonoma if you've heard it maybe mentioned uh the Hello Sonoma podcast. I think uh I I think I think this the City of Sonoma really appreciates what you do. So keep going, Francisco, and uh with that, we will wrap up our little conversation about podcasting. I want to thank you all for listening and be sure to check out the links once again and have a great day.