Latest / Let's Talk Podcasts from Feminist Podcasters Collective / Podcasting With ADHD: How a Neurodivergent Host Makes It Work
Transcript
- Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (00:00) Hello, welcome back to the series of conversations we've been having with our members of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. And today I'm joined by Christy Johnson, who hosts the Dream Biz Podcast. Hi, Christy. Christi (she/her) (00:12) Hey Becky, thanks for having me. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (00:15) Thanks for doing this. I'm excited to chat with you about your show, how you got started, why, all of that stuff. But before we do, can you tell us why you podcast? Christi (she/her) (00:24) Absolutely. The reason I podcast is because I like to talk. No, truly, it's because I wanted a way to connect with my audience through long form content and I prefer talking to writing. So I use my podcast as a source of content for my business. It's always aligned with the offers that I do do as a business coach and I also use it as a networking tool. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (00:48) You've hit on so many good things about podcasting. And I don't think there's anything wrong with I like to hear myself talk also. Christi (she/her) (00:53) Ha ha. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (00:54) So that's a great starting point. And I love that you mentioned content and networking. So we'll cover both of those. Before we go too far into that though, tell people what the Dream Biz Podcast is, when you got started, and like why you started it in the first place. Christi (she/her) (01:08) Yeah, absolutely. So the Dream Biz Podcast is a podcast for creative, neurodivergent business owners and anyone who really just doesn't feel like traditional business advice is really getting them to accomplish their dreams or achieve their goals. I work specifically with creatives and neurodivergent people because I'm neurodivergent and I'm creative as well. And there's some overlap between our brains. If you're a creative, you typically don't You you probably understand that the creative process is a nonlinear process. And I think neurodivergent people as well, we don't tend to think lit linearly. It's not always step by step by step by step by step. And a lot of the business advice that is out there is step by step by step by step and more of a traditional structure. So even if you don't identify as creative or neurodivergent, but you have found that you've been trying to grow your business and the books that you're reading or the coaches that you're listening to aren't giving you the results that you have wanted, then my podcast can hopefully be a great way to bridge those gaps because I speak a lot about fluctuating energy levels, a lot about your nervous system and busy schedules. A lot of people who listen to my podcast are parents and so they have limited time to run their business. They don't have unlimited time. A lot of people who listen to my podcast Also have minstrel cycles where sometimes you have really high energy, sometimes you have low energy. And then also neurodivergence affects your energy as well. So I just wanted to create a podcast that was for giving people ways to do things in a way that feels good to them, giving them permission to do it your own way and release all the shoulds that are out there. And you also asked me Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (02:57) Well, hallelujah. Christi (she/her) (02:59) how I got started into podcasting. So I'll answer that too. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (03:01) yeah, yeah. So how long have you been doing it? Yeah. Christi (she/her) (03:03) Yeah, so I've been doing this podcast. It started as a different name. it was originally called the Freedom to Flourish podcast. Then I changed it to the Crus Your Goals with Christ Christie podcast. And then now it's called the Dream Pist podcast. But I started it back in 2020. So I've been doing it for about six years. And the reason I got into it is because I was getting into consulting and coaching. And like I said at the beginning, I I wanted a place to create long form content. And it was much easier for me to talk about it rather than write about it. I am a verbal processor, so I form my thoughts typically a lot better when I'm speaking about it. So then I would record my podcast and then turn it into a blog post and post it in all the places. So I've been doing it for about six years. And I started with a different name, even though the goal of the podcast has always been the same. Because I didn't want the fear of not having the perfect name prevent me from going out there and doing it. Cause I had the idea I wanted to do it. And so on episode one hundred is when I changed the name to the Dream Biz Podcast. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (04:12) Well, are you really a podcaster if your podcast doesn't change names every few years? Christi (she/her) (04:15) Ha ha ha. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (04:16) I'm on the fourth iteration of one show over the last like whatever it is, nine, ten years. So I I'm right Christi (she/her) (04:21) I love that. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (04:21) there with you. Yeah, we all grow and evolve. And I think that's important to note because that part of it, I think what can hold some people back from starting a podcast is this idea that I need to know exactly what it's about. I need to know exactly Christi (she/her) (04:33) Yeah. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (04:34) what it's going to be called. I need to know exactly the format. I need to know, you know, they want it all sort of Perfect before they start. And then they guess what? Never start because perfectionism is obviously the enemy of progress. And so yeah, I think that's a great thing to point out. And probably also a bit related to some of the neurodivergence you've talked about, which Christi (she/her) (04:51) Yeah. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (04:52) we share in common. So I'm wondering from your perspective, as somebody with neurodivergence, what is it about podcasting that you think specifically that medium What is it about that that appeals to you specifically and maybe others who are neurodivergent? Why podcasting? Is there something about that that uniquely seems to fit with folks who think a little differently? Christi (she/her) (05:12) Probably one of the biggest things is because we can multitask. So you can listen to a podcast while you're washing the dishes or while you're driving in your car or you're at the gym. I am always, always running a lot of different directions. I have ADHD and a lot of people describe having ADHD as the feeling of being driven by a motor and you really have a hard time sitting down and relaxing. I like to be busy, keeps my brain happy. So I think the biggest thing is just the fact that you can multitask and Also, I lose focus pretty easily if I'm reading something. And so when I'm listening to something, it's much easier for me personally to retain that information. And so I think that other neurodivergent people would agree. There would be others who are like, nah, give me the written form. and that's okay. But I think that a lot of people Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (06:00) Yeah. Christi (she/her) (06:00) do like podcasting because of the the audio and how you can multitask. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (06:04) What about as a creator? Are there things for you as a neurodivergent creator of a podcast that both the medium lends itself well to the way you think? And then are there things that become more challenging because of the neurodivergence on the creation side? Christi (she/her) (06:20) Such a great question. I'm gonna start with the challenge first. I think the challenging part about it is that it comes out every single week. And having doing something consistently, like at the same time every week, is pretty difficult for me as a person with ADHD. And also that's part of the fun of it too, because I love a challenge. So often I am I am uploading my podcasts the day that they come out, which is not what Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (06:46) Ha ha. Christi (she/her) (06:47) a quote unquote good podcaster would say to do. But you know what? Whatever works, it works. So I think the fact that it comes out every single week is a challenge. So sometimes because I have ADHD, I can sometimes fill my calendar too much without really realizing, yeah, I need to fit the podcast in there. And so sometimes I'll go up to the last minute. However I have learned a lot of lessons in my past couple of years as a business owner. I dealt with burnout because of my lack of boundaries. And so now I really have done a way better job of my boundaries around my time and my calendar to where it's not as stressful anymore coming up to the podcast deadline on Wednesdays. I try to post my podcast every single Wednesday. so it's not as challenging as it was anymore, but I think that probably is one of the things that can be difficult if you are neurodivergent, because we tend to like to do things in short bursts of creative energy. So I encourage people if they're wanting to start a podcast to start with a season and say, hey, I'm gonna commit to 10 episodes or whatever for this one season. And then if I'm loving it, I want, then I'll keep going. rather than committing to like weekly episodes right out of the gate. However, some people might say, No, it works for me. It really I really love it. And for me, I love podcasting because it is I love that challenge, one of my motivators is something that is challenging. So I love that challenge of okay, am I gonna get it in in time? And most of the time I do, sometimes Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (08:13) Yeah. Christi (she/her) (08:13) I don't. And then also I love that it's like something that I have creative flexibility with. So personally, I'm not someone who plans out every single episode well in advance. Occasionally I'll do a short series here and there, but most of the time I'm thinking, well, what do I want to record today? What do I want to create today? What's been on my mind this week? And that gives me a lot of novelty that I really crave as a neurodivergent person. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (08:41) I love it. I have so many thoughts, of course, also because my brain is going like a million miles a minute. One, I Christi (she/her) (08:46) Relatable. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (08:47) think anybody who tries to listen right anyone who tries to listen to a podcast between you and I at two speed, which is how I normally listen to things, because I think you and I both think fast, which also means we talk fast. So people listening Christi (she/her) (08:58) Yeah. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (08:58) to this going fast would be like, gotta slow it down because we both talk really fast and I totally understand Christi (she/her) (09:02) You're not wrong. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (09:03) why. secondly, you mentioned about breaking the rules, and I think that's obviously I mean, honestly, that's something we could call this show is like. break the podcasting rules and what we could call the Feminist Podcasters Collective. Cause it really is so many of the quote unquote rules are not written for indie, certainly not neurodivergent, not marginalized identity creators. They're they're for the the quote unquote traditional, which is actually the smallest part of the podcasting space. And so yeah, Christi (she/her) (09:26) Yeah. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (09:27) fuck the rules. Like I agree with you. I think that's great. what else did you say? Because there were a couple other things I wanted to talk about within what you said. yes, yes, yes. Christi (she/her) (09:32) Yeah, the challenge of the every single week and then and the novelty of just doing what I want. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (09:36) Thank you. Because that was the other the challenge of that. The other things I would say, just from having done so many these conversations, I think some of the other things that can help. Well, I love the idea of it being a challenge. I love that you can do things in the moment, which for many of us who are creatives, like that's one of the fun things about podcasting, is especially if you can let go of that perfectionism piece, you can just Christi (she/her) (09:55) Yeah. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (09:56) record an episode and have it out minutes after you've recorded it. Like that is so cool. And if you are somebody who's like, I would still like to have some consistency with my delivery, but that's not my strong suit. A couple of other ideas are like batch recording, which means you can record a bunch of things when you have that energy, that spark, that excitement, and then just schedule them out. Secondly, I've talked to people with co-hosts, and I have co-hosts, which can sometimes help. You might have somebody who's not neurodivergent or somebody who is more of a systems person as a co-host who gets responsible for that part so that you're not having to manage that. so those are just a couple of other ideas along those lines. Christi (she/her) (10:32) Love that. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (10:33) obviously, and then if you have the funds, you can always pay for that help too. but so yeah, just to speak to some of those different ways of doing things, you know, if that if that piece, because I do hear from neurodivergent types a lot that like the the admin part of podcasting is what scares them, there are ways to get creative with that. So I think it's important to mention. Christi (she/her) (10:52) Yeah. And also to your point, breaking the rules is completely fine. I was I am in a mastermind for people with ADHD. And I'll just shout out my friend Kamina, Kamina James. she's an educator, she's awesome. And she just started a podcast on Substack, and one of the things that was holding her back was all the admin things. And she just decided to make it super simple. So she literally records on her phone and then posts it. She doesn't have intro music, she doesn't have outro music. And some people might say, well, that's unprofessional, but the content is getting out there. Her audience is enjoying it and receiving it and responding to it. And to me, that's the most important thing. so you know, the rules really don't matter. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (11:33) Yeah. Christi (she/her) (11:33) And that's that's what I love about podcasting too, is that you can make it what you want and you don't have to, you know, it's kind of like that indie creator thing that you were mentioning too. Like you don't have to wait for someone's approval to put your podcast episode out there. a lot of people have more access to power and privilege. And one of the things that if you have a podcast, you can put your content out there and it's accessible to almost anyone. So I think that that's also one of the things that is really awesome about podcasting is that you have an creative idea, you have a project that you want to explore, you can put it out there. And there's so many shows about so many different things. You can follow your creative whims. It makes it really, really fun in that way too. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (12:14) you can do a show literally on anything. And there have been times where I'm like, it's which is also for some folks like us who get real excited about ideas and like I want to do this and do that. It can become a problem because you can become a podcast collector where you're now having Christi (she/her) (12:26) Yeah. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (12:26) too many shows. So I will warn you to like slow yourself down if you're anything like me, because I I get like that, where I'm like, ooh, that'd be fun. But also in the realm of breaking rules, you can do like I have the last two summers done just a short-lived one-off kind of thing that I explored, a topic I was interested in. I was like, and if I ever want to return to it, I can. And if I don't, it's still out there because I use transistor and I can have unlimited shows in my monthly fee. So I can just put something out and let it live and they still get listens. And that's what's also really cool. Stuff stays out there and it doesn't just die on the vine like it does when you're on social media. It lives on and still have have people find their way to you through it. So I want to talk Christi (she/her) (13:04) Yeah. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (13:05) about content because you mentioned content. Two of the things I want to make sure we touch on Content and networking. So let's go to the content next, because you just said something about that, about how indie creators, this is a there's no barrier. I mean, there are some barriers. Let's not pretend there are some barriers. There's some cost to putting out a podcast. But they are, it is relatively low in the world of gatekeeping and barriers. Like the barrier to entry is pretty small. So it is a way for most of us to get content out. How has having a podcast? Changed your relationship with your content machine, content generation, just your relationship with content in general. Because I think so many business owners can feel real overwhelmed with this idea of like, cause we start to feel like I am just a content generating machine and everything has to be content. I have to create so much content. And I wonder, since it sounds like you're kind of going podcast first for content, what has that done with that whole part of your business? Christi (she/her) (13:56) Yeah, so it has made making content a lot easier for me. I will say I am someone who actually does enjoy making content on Instagram. So I would say that the content in my business, my long form content is podcast first. And then on Instagram, it is whatever my creative heart desires. So, Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (14:16) Mm-hmm. Christi (she/her) (14:16) and then my podcasts go on my blog as well. So that also is content first. So it makes Coming up with blog posts a lot easier and putting my long form content out there so much easier. It also helps me with my newsletter because I don't have to constantly be thinking about multiple different pieces of content. And if you were someone who didn't enjoy Instagram or short form content or social media, then there are so many ways to take your podcast and turn it into a short form piece of content on social media. So you can do clips from the show, you can do still images from the show and put quotes underneath it. You can create a graphic and put a quote on a like a carousel on Instagram and put it on there. So there are a lot of ways that it makes content easier, especially if you have guests, because then when you have a guest, you're not the one who has to come up with the content because your guest is bringing that content to you. So you have a conversation with your guest and then you pull the things from the episode and put that into your content, whether it's your blog Or you just keep it on the podcast or or you put it onto your short form channels as well. And then I love that piece because when you bring on a guest, then they can also share it on their channel. So today I didn't have anything to post for my Instagram because I kind of wink my content. I'm not gonna lie. It's fun for me, I like it, and I am it I love the challenge of Instagram. So I know that I'm unique in that I actually really like creating on Instagram. but yeah, Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (15:50) people who love it. I think it's great. Christi (she/her) (15:52) but today I posted an episode for my podcast and my friend who my colleague who was on the show, my guest, reposted it, shared it to their stories. And then another podcaster that I know reposted it because they had my guest on their show recently. so it was just a really fun community, which kind of ties into networking, which I sure we'll get into in a second. So It helps you to not have to come up with so many content ideas. And then it also gives you this wide bank of content that you can pull from at any time. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (16:22) Yeah. Christi (she/her) (16:22) I think that one of the best things that business owners can do in terms of their content is repurpose old things and recognize that repeating yourself is a good thing. Because when you repeat yourself, your audience remembers your message a lot more. So one of the things that I've started doing for my newsletter, for example. is if I don't have anything that I know that I want to say that week on my newsletter, I'll go back to some of my old content and take whatever it is that I was talking about in that content and repurpose it for the newsletter. And so that is a great way for me to have that access to content as well. So I don't feel like a content machine, like you were saying, I can pull from what I'm already creating through my podcast and use it in so many different places. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (17:10) I just kudos. I want to say thank you because I was gonna say something about the content bank. I just think it gets overlooked. And I'm putting my hand up too because I can be just as guilty of this. And I've been really working on myself to try and not do that. Where I have 10 years at least of online business of just stuff. And and a good portion of that is podcasting things that sits there. And while I say it still finds audiences and it does in the podcasting platforms, there are so many other Avenues for sharing that content. And to, and I think we sometimes think, I've already shared it. An episode that I ran eight years ago, no, even if someone did listen, they're not going to remember. And the bulk of people Christi (she/her) (17:49) Mm-hmm. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (17:50) never found it because they found they've come into my sphere much later or whatever. And why would I deny them the stuff that's still really helpful, still really interesting from that? And it can either be repurposed or even just resharing on a regular sort of schedule. So thanks for mentioning that because I just think that's so important. We overlook. We're just so worried about feeding the machine and it feels like it has to be new because that's kind of the message we're given. But it that's just not true. It Christi (she/her) (18:12) Yeah. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (18:12) doesn't have to be new. And in fact, it's benefits us to do things that are not new. Christi (she/her) (18:16) And even something that you posted like two months ago on your podcast is something that you can pull into your newsletter or your social media if you didn't share that many posts about it. Because we get so many pieces of content Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (18:31) Yeah. Christi (she/her) (18:32) in our brains every single day. So even if they like you said, even if they have heard it, it's fine for them to hear it again and you can repurpose it again. So I don't even think you have to go eight years back. You can sometimes just go three months back and it's totally fine. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (18:46) For sure. the the the number of times they say it takes for somebody to hear your message is it keeps going up. I don't even know if there's any evidence of what Christi (she/her) (18:52) It keeps going up. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (18:54) yeah. I don't even know if we can know what it actually is anymore because it's just so astronomically high because we are so inundated by this content machine. And so yeah, I think just don't overlook and keep finding creative ways to repurpose. Candice Ridarte, who's in FPC also and has done a previous episode, shared she's been now going back and pulling like Collections of things for her blog, then she's sharing by email too, of five things I learned from these guests or the 10 best tips about whatever. And that's a really great way to reshare that content in new ways as well. So sometimes you just reshare it wholesale. And sometimes you can also think about how do I repurpose this into new stuff. So that is awesome. Okay, networking. That's the other big thing I want to talk about. And something that's been really great to hear people as I've been having these conversations with members highlighting. Because and sometimes I think people feel a little guilty, but this is honestly for me one of the biggest things about podcasting is that it has given me this like platform, no matter how big or small your platform is, because the truth is most guests don't even know, right? They just are like, a platform where I get to be heard. And it's an it's this entree into a world of people who might otherwise if you just if you just called them up or just sent them an email, they'd be like, I don't know you, I don't have time for you. Go away, right? But when you suddenly show up with an invite to a podcast, they're like, I'm sorry, tell me more, right? And you get to have conversations with people you never would have otherwise. So what has podcasting, has it been that piece? Has it been something else? What is it in the networking? How is that helping your business with networking? Christi (she/her) (20:22) Yeah, so obviously, like you mentioned, it is sh audience sharing. And to your point as well, to me, if I'm getting in front of one new person, that's another new person that I'm in front of. And that's something that I want to celebrate. And for me personally, because I still do I do one on one work. Like that's what I'm doing. I do have groups, but a bulk the bulk of my work is one on one. And so if that one new person is someone who potentially becomes a client or at least knows who I am and then will share me with someone else, that's really worth it to me. And also beyond that, I am a I am someone who loves to make connections and know what other business owners are doing. I really love creating community, building community, being part of communities. And so even if it's not gonna turn into a client, I still love learning more about another person. and their business and what they do and their journey and how they got to where they are, so that I can know who they are, hearing a piece of their story, that's meaningful to me, even if that's the end of it. That's a meaningful connection for me. And then also I may be able to share them with someone else that I know who who could benefit from their services. So I have seen the networking part of my business just be related to podcasts be so much fun, honestly. Because we I get to have deeper conversations with people than I would have in like a general networking chat where we typically just go surface level, like what do you do? Who do you work with? That type of thing. But when I have someone on my podcast, I can go a little bit deeper and hear why they do what they do and the journey that got them to where they are and learn more about them. I had someone on my podcast where I learned that she went to the World Wake Surfing Championships. As a contestant, in when she was 35 in her late 30s. And I would not have known that just randomly, unless I'd had her on her podcast on my podcast. And that was something so cool that I learned about her. So it helps me to go deeper. It also helps me to just invite cool friends on my show. Anybody that I want to have a conversation with that that maybe I thought, I never would be able to have a connection with them. Like, no, they will come, they'll come on my show. And then for me, anything that I can do to re to connect to more people is gonna be beneficial for my business. But I do wanna say that I'm not just in it for business because I said, I am interested in learning, hearing their story and ha and that's meaningful for me as well. so I love having people Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (23:00) Yeah. Christi (she/her) (23:01) come to my show and and spread the word and get then they're on my newsletter and then they'll share about it on their newsletter. And it's just we're all kind of lifting each other up. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (23:09) Yeah, it's potential audience sharing, obviously, being able to get in front of their audience as well. It's the thought leadership or the like expertise authority that it brings. The, you know, when you have certain people who are seen as an authority, you get that sort of shine on you as well. It's getting to have conversations with people that you just find interesting, you might not have otherwise had. And there's that potential, like you said, for them to turn into clients. And that is a really Christi (she/her) (23:30) Mm-hmm. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (23:30) we have a wonderful session inside of the membership for members that's from Greg Wasserman of RSS.com, which is all about. How to use that podcast as a part of that process of actually getting your guests to become clients and not in a gross way, but in a this is really smart and aligned. And once they've seen your expertise and they get to know you better, why wouldn't they potentially become clients, especially if you're thinking smart about who you're inviting on your show? So I love that. go ahead. Christi (she/her) (23:56) Yeah. And I also wanted to mention one other thing too related to that. I am I think that we can feel overwhelmed by the short form content and having to constantly constantly put things out there or constantly cast your net wide, shoot your shot, all these things, and it can get really overwhelming. But when I get on a podcast conversation with someone, they're learning more about me that they wouldn't have learned otherwise because if it gets it may get lost in the mix in the short form content, but it's giving me that opportunity for that deeper connection for me and for them. So then we can say, yeah, I'm gonna refer Becky to so and so or yeah, I'm gonna refer Christy to so and so. So it gives you that opportunity for a deeper connection without the craziness Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (24:44) A hundred percent. Christi (she/her) (24:45) of short form content. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (24:46) Well, and that's what I mean, that's part of what we're doing here, right? It's giving us this opportunity. We're having half an hour together that we might not have otherwise had, right? And Christi (she/her) (24:54) Yeah. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (24:54) that's getting you to know me better too, as the person who's at the helm of FPC, so that you become even more hopefully comfortable with recommending people into the space. Other people watching also then get this feeling of that they know us better. They already know some people inside the space, so they're more excited about joining us. So I mean, yeah, we're modeling what it looks like to do that. and in part of what you mentioned too, because I love the story about the windsurfing or whatever it was, sorry, wakeboarding. but Christi (she/her) (25:17) Yeah. Wake surfing, yeah. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (25:20) wake surfing, I was I had them both. Christi (she/her) (25:21) You were close. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (25:22) you it made me think about curiosity, The fact that when you're having a conversation, you have to be curious, You gotta be able to listen and get curious. What are you what have you found to be some of the skills that are really important for podcasting? Christi (she/her) (25:36) listening a hundred percent and Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (25:40) Which can be hard for those of us who are neurodivergent, by the way, right? As I just showed you by Christi (she/her) (25:43) Yes. Yes. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (25:44) interjecting. Christi (she/her) (25:46) It definitely can be. So I have had to learn to listen a lot more. And I have found personally, some people will have their own systems. But for me personally, I have found that when I try to be super planned about my podcast, then I find myself not listening as much to my guest. But instead, now what I do is I have a few questions that I generally ask them. But otherwise, I'm not trying to get the conversation back around to a certain place because then I'm always gonna be thinking, well, how can I get it back around where I want it to be? Instead, I am being curious, I'm asking questions and things like that. So listening is ha is a really good skill to have as a podcaster and something that has to be developed. I typically have a Google Doc open at the same time as my video feed with my guest. So that if there's something that they say I will that I want to reflect back to, I will jot down a word or something to jog my memory because my short term memory is not that great either because of my neurodivergence. So just writing down that one word. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (26:55) That's what happened earlier in this interview when I was like, what was it? What was it? Which so I should Christi (she/her) (26:59) We're Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (26:59) I have paper and pen here. I just forget to do it. But yeah, it's a Yeah, yeah, yeah. Christi (she/her) (27:02) Well, we're helping each other out. We got it. so listening is is, I think, the biggest skill that you can have. And then also one of the things that I have noticed is not re-saying exactly what your guest says in your own words has been something that I've had to learn because sometimes I think that I have to, I don't know where this would fall in in as a skill, but sometimes I have. Found myself because I want to try to wrap up what they've said and then go into something else. I will literally just repeat what they said and then go into something else. I you don't have to do that. They already said that. You can just let that be and then move on to the next topic. So something that I have learned through listening to a lot of other podcasts is just letting my guests speak and and knowing that it's okay to come in with another question. even if you don't take the time to repeat what they just said. So I don't know what that would be called, that skill, but just about your presence online or whatever. But that has been another skill that I think is has been really useful for me as a podcaster that I'd recommend other people to potentially try as well. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (28:12) Yeah. I think it's super helpful. And you talked about listening to other podcasts. And I would say, like, I guess I can cut both ways, but I generally I think if you want a podcast, it's great to listen to other podcasts because it does give you a feel for as a listener, what do I enjoy? What do I not like? There is the other side of that, which is if you don't listen, then you could try something that's never been tried before and it might be something really cool, right? It frees you from some of those feelings of it needs to sound like this or behave that way. But I do think it can be helpful to think about. What is it what do I like as a listener so that I'm helpfully generating or delivering that similar feeling for my listeners? Christi (she/her) (28:47) I learned that I don't like it when a host talks over the guest or when they're constantly interjecting with, yeah, mm-hmm, right, got it. I learned that by listening to other podcasts. And I wouldn't have picked up on that if I hadn't listened to other podcasts. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (29:04) Yeah. I think it can be really helpful to do. I mean, again, it can go, it can cut both ways because if you're not careful, if you're listening to highly polished professional like NPR or whatever kinds of shows, then it can start to become almost a problem if comparison starts to s you know get in. Because when you're an indie creator using your tools on your laptop, it's not the same as having a producer and you know, an editor and all the other things that they have. So just watch out for that to make sure you're if you are getting into comparison to compare apples to. apples and not apples to oranges. But Christi (she/her) (29:35) Hundred percent agree. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (29:36) mostly it's about listening for experience. Yeah. Okay. I want to wrap up with the things I the last two things I asked everybody, which is the best and worst podcasting advice you've received or heard if it hasn't been specifically to you. Christi (she/her) (29:47) I'm gonna say that the worst podcast advice that I've received is that you gotta show up every single week. I just don't think that's true. And, you know, they'll say, Well, Apple really boots you down if you haven't posted in two weeks. Honestly, I don't care. I am just more interested in taking care of myself and and doing what I need to do. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (30:08) And let's be honest, Apple is not really giving two shits about most of our podcasts, right? Because they're Christi (she/her) (30:13) Exactly. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (30:14) too busy focused on Dak Shepherd and Joe Rogan and the people making the money. They don't they don't really I don't know that it makes that much of a difference, frankly, for Christi (she/her) (30:20) Yeah. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (30:21) most indie smaller podcasts. Christi (she/her) (30:24) Agreed. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (30:25) Okay, that was the worst. What about the best? Christi (she/her) (30:27) I think the best podcast advice that I got was what I just mentioned of not resaying what your guest has already Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (30:34) Mm. Christi (she/her) (30:35) said when you're talking, because then you're just platforming yourself instead of platforming your guest and making it more about you, and your listeners just don't need that. So that was probably one of the best pieces of content that advice that I got, which was let your guests say it. You don't have to re-say it. If you have something that you want to add, that's great. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (30:54) Let your guests shine. Yeah. It's hard. That can be really hard as a podcaster. I think that does take time because and it's something I think people still wrestle with. It's like, I want this to be my show so that I if I especially if I'm using it in service of a business and trying to show myself as an expert. And I want my guests to shine. And that can be a tricky balance. So I think it is important to watch for that though, because I think on the the receiving end, the listener end, it does get pretty frustrating when you're like, wait a minute, why aren't you letting them talk? So yeah. Christi (she/her) (31:22) Yeah, definitely. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (31:24) Yeah. Well, Christy, where can people find your show? Find out more about you, all of that good stuff. Christi (she/her) (31:31) Yeah, you can find my show pretty much anywhere you get your podcasts. It is called the Dream Biz Podcast. And you can connect with me, learn more about me on Instagram is where I hang out the most. I am at Christy Johnson Creative and my website is Christy Johnson Creative dot com as well. Becky Mollenkamp, she/they (31:48) Easy peasy. All right. Well thank you, Christy. Thanks for doing this and we'll see you inside of the podcast collective. Christi (she/her) (31:53) Thanks for having me.