We're diving into a significant shift in our podcasting journey. After three months of exploring various topics in a freeform style, I’ve realized that the podcast landscape is a bit more structured than I initially thought. It turns out that categorization is essential for reaching the right audience, which has led me to the decision to transition toward a subject-specific format. I'm excited to focus on the intersection of technology and society, a theme that resonates deeply with me. We’ll still have room for those spontaneous monologues, but now they’ll be framed within a context that makes it easier for listeners to connect with what we’re discussing. So, join me as we explore the fascinating ways technology shapes our lives, even if it means confronting some uncomfortable truths along the way. I’ve been on quite the journey with this podcast over the past few months, and honestly, it’s been a rewarding experience. The freedom of an audio-only platform allows me to express myself without the constraints of algorithms dictating what gets heard. As my listener base grows, I am reminded of the power and importance of genuine connection in this medium. However, there’s also an unavoidable realization dawning on me — comparing my podcasts reveals a stark difference in engagement levels. It seems that a podcast that focuses on a specific theme garners more attention than one that meanders through various topics. This observation leads me to consider a shift towards more specific subject matter, which is a decision I approach with mixed feelings. Transitioning to a subject-focused podcast means narrowing down my content, which feels bittersweet. I’ve always relished the freeform style, giving me the flexibility to explore various thoughts and musings. Yet, I can’t ignore the reality that such a format makes it harder for potential listeners to discover me. The podcasting landscape is rife with categories and tags, and if I don’t fit neatly into one of those, I risk being lost in the shuffle. So, I’ve taken a step back to analyze what themes resonate with me: my personal life and technology. While I’m hesitant to delve too deeply into my personal experiences, I find the intersection of technology and society to be a rich ground for exploration. There’s something fascinating about how technology shapes our lives and influences our choices, and I want to dive into that. For instance, I often ponder why I feel compelled to buy a high-end camera when my life mostly revolves around family snapshots. It’s this disconnect — the marketing of lifestyle versus the reality of our lives — that I find intriguing. By framing my discussions around technology, I hope to share insights while still allowing for the spontaneous and freeform conversations I love. So, as I embark on this new direction, I invite you to join me on this exploration of technology and society, reflecting on how both shape our lives in unexpected ways. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead, and I appreciate you being here with me.

Takeaways:

1. I've been enjoying the experience of podcasting without the constraints of algorithms, which is refreshing.
2. Transitioning to a subject-specific podcast might break my heart, but I believe it's necessary.
3. It's hard to ignore that certain podcasts get more engagement than others, which is a reality check.
4. My personal life is interesting, but it's also something I prefer to keep private and separate from this podcast.
5. I want to explore the philosophical aspects of technology and its impact on society in future episodes.
6. I aim to create content that invites listeners in by framing it around technology while allowing for freeform discussions.

Links referenced in this episode:

email me at cmonkxxx@gmail.com

So here's the thing.

I've been running this podcast for a while on this feed for the last three months, and I've been enjoying this experience immensely.

It's so great to have this platform which is audio only and it doesn't rely on any algorithm.

And I can just say whatever I want in whatever format I like and people will listen.

And I've seen numbers constantly growing.

I get this encouragement that things happen and I'm doing the right thing.

Basically, I'm growing and building something.

Now that might be true, but I can also compare those numbers with other podcasts I've been producing, and it's really hard to ignore what comes out of this comparison.

Basically, Podcasts About Something will always have a lot more engagement than Podcast About Nothing.

And this, this is a podcast of a whole bunch of interests.

Podcast about Anything.

Podcast About Nothing.

At the same time, I, I want to announce a transition to a subject specific podcast with quite a broken heart because I wanted to do something, what I believe is a way to go.

I like those runs, I like those freeform monologues, and I know that there are enthusiasts of those as well.

I think there is a unique value behind these and people who appreciate companionship will always resonate with this kind of content.

But unfortunately they are really difficult to find.

And the problem is, even though I said I'm escaping algorithms by podcasting, it's only partially true.

Because podcast directories, they use categories, they use tags that relate to specific streams of content, specific categories.

Categories are categories and if you don't fit a category, you're omitted, you're in other bin and it's a problem.

It's a problem because I did get validation that recording like this makes sense.

People do appreciate it, but they don't come across this podcast often enough.

And I did say that I want to avoid using social media and I still stand by it.

Something gotta give, you know.

So I need to do something to get into years of listeners.

And I decided to look back at my content and analyze, okay, what are the currents that steer me in one direction or the other?

What are the categories I could fit myself in?

And there are two, I think I like to analyze my personal life and I like technology, I like podcasting.

Now, speaking about my own life is definitely way more interesting than talking about technology.

But you know me, I've been always very careful not to say more than I should.

My personal life is my personal life.

And if I want to talk about life, I need to step into the boundaries of my personal Life.

I don't want to do that because I'm giving you a bit of myself every single time and I know nothing about you.

It's very uncomfortable feeling.

I don't want to continue like this.

I think it's a bit of my motto.

I don't want podcasts to be my therapy, so I'm just avoiding going there, avoiding exploring those topics.

The other topic is technology.

And I thought, yeah, it's always fun for me to talk about technology as a, as a whole.

I usually frame it as technology and society because I do like how society changes because of technology.

I like to analyze and study.

How is one fueling the other, how is one changing the other?

And observing this relationship, being in it, you know, it's kind of fascinating to me and I thought if I embrace this as my label for this podcast, I can still leave enough room for free form runs and I may by doing so be still within the framework of what this podcast is about.

You know, so I can say this podcast, it's about technology and I can reflect on how marketing is selling action cameras to those who don't really have my much action in their life.

You know, it's something that's really on my mind lately because I'm, I'm tempted to buy a camera, but all I'm taking photos of are photos of my daughter and I'm, I don't want to share them online.

So why do I need to, why do I need to buy this camera?

Well, I do because ads that I've been seeing are showing me life that I aspire to, but it just, it's entirely not my life.

And I think it's a common theme.

We often do that.

I think we want to buy lifestyle, but it's not included in the device, in the purchase.

So yeah, I feel like there's always like a philosophical aspect to technology and I want to explore it.

I want to go on those runs and have.

Excuse.

Excuse, yeah, that's a good one.

I want to have an excuse to talk about anything, but I want to lure my audience by saying it's going to be about technology.

Come on in.

Yeah, so this, this is not meant to be an actual episode.

It's just like a trialer or episode zero address rehearsal, if you will.

And I would like to invite you to listen soon about things that I find thought provoking.

And I promise to be non biased, cranky, critical.

But you know, I do have a lot of admiration and a lot of respect to what, what we have available.

So there is that it will not be negative as much as it sounds like.

Yeah.

So thank you for staying here with me and I hope I will not disappoint.

As always.

You can email me at simonkx at gmail com.

Email is in the description and I will speak to you soon.

Take care.