Whether you’re looking to learn more about history, take up a new hobby, train your favorite canine, hone your leadership skills, or pursue numerous other worthy endeavors, there is likely a podcast out there for you. One of the fastest-growing communication forms in the country, a study by Podcast Insights reports that 50 percent of households in the U.S., (that’s more than 60 million homes), currently listen to podcasts.
As that number continues to grow and new podcasts pop up daily, the time is right for Richardson Media Group to get involved. Honestly, I’ve wanted to have my own podcast for a very long time so I’m excited to announce the launch of BSuite.
How it All Began
My background as a teacher could explain why I’m intrigued by audio-based messaging platforms like podcasts. You might say standing up in front of thirty or so middle-schoolers every day for seven years helped me fine tune my delivery. Podcasting is a natural fit.
Of course, this wasn’t a quick decision. Podcasting, like any new venture, means stepping out into the great unknown, facing questions like, “What if no one wants to be my guest?” Flash forward to the COVID pandemic and all of the sudden we found ourselves pulled out of the studio and into Zoom recording sessions at home. Undaunted, we’ve forged ahead!
Introducing BSuite
Before committing to producing a podcast, I’d already been an avid listener. There are many benefits to tuning in to a podcast anytime, any day.
- Podcasts are like (free) mini-classrooms on all sorts of topics
- They’re perfect for the car, while walking, or even doing homework.
- Podcasts keep my mind engaged and open my eyes to different perspectives.
- Listening is a great stress reliever.
- Podcasts let me slip away from my work day and reconnect with a quieter part of my brain.
What makes a podcast successful and engaging? What format do I prefer: a single person monologue or interview format where guests share their expertise? Do I like podcasts with little breaks and sections built-in, or ones that are more streamlined with a clearly defined start, middle, and end point?
Mulling over these questions helped me hone the vision and mission behind BSuite, Richardson Media Group’s new podcast.
Doing the Research
Throughout the research stage, I came upon many podcasts that caught my attention. But not all of them compelled me to become a regular listener. I’ve sifted through a large library to select just five podcasts for this blog. Choosing so few felt like attending a broadway musical and having to choose your one favorite tune. Still, curating the myriad of options and selecting a handful of my frequent go-to’s was a fun task.
Similar to the process of media planning, creating a podcast has to pay off the strategy or it’s not worth doing. Not one to follow the crowd, and familiar with goal-setting, this exercise forced me to slow down and ponder my choices. Why did I choose these podcasts to share and not others?
5 Podcasts That Inspire Me
1) Corner Office® from Marketplace—produced by Marketplace on NPR, this podcast is hosted by Kai Ryssdal. Kai has a quirky and upbeat personality and he interviews many well-known thought- and business leaders. I get inspired hearing him curate ideas across business, nonprofit and cultural boundaries. A must-listen!
2) 1619—Marking the 400th anniversary of the first ship to arrive on the shores of the English colony of Virginia carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans, ‘1619’ unpacks the story behind the 250 years of slavery that followed. New York Times columnist, Nikole Hannah-Jones, examines the long shadow of that fateful moment.
3) Wonder—packed with on-point, relevant topics and information, Wonder is hosted by Kalika Yap. It explores “Wonder Women Entrepreneurs” and covers everything from the power of mistake-making, the myth of balance, negotiating like a pro, and building a billion-dollar business, among other topics.
4) The History Chicks—hosted by Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider, this is a conversation blending historical facts about interesting female characters from the past and the slightly scandalous side stories that go with them! I used to teach history so this feeds my appetite for discovery and lets me learn about other strong women.
5) Kiwimana Buzz Beekeeping Show—not a business podcast per se, but endlessly entertaining and hysterically funny. As an amateur beekeeper-in-training, I find each episode provides me with helpful tips and real-life stories and the friendly hosts’ Kiwi accents keep me smiling.
Why BSuite?
I’m grateful to people who ask me, “What’s behind the name, BSuite?” The title has a very special meaning for me. Not only does the “B” represent the word, “business,” but it also refers to my love for “bees.” I recently finished a 12-week novice beekeeping class and have plans to care for my own bee hives in my backyard this coming spring.
Beekeeping contributes to the health of the environment and is also a low-key pastime. Beekeeping forces me to be more present and helps satisfy my love of spending time outside.
While we’re busy recording our first episodes of BSuite, I invite you to share your favorite podcasts with me. Which ones do you love to listen to and why? Send me links!
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