Mobsters, Meatballs, and Podcast Guests
Did I ever tell you I lived with the mob?
Seriously. While I was in grad school at Brown University, I lived in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence, RI, which was known for its thriving Italian American community, amazing food, and (I would find out after 23-year-old me signed a lease) being a hotspot of organized crime.
I soon realized that pretty much every business around was a front, except the Walgreens. And honestly, probably the Walgreens, too.
My favorite was the "upholstery shop." I didn’t see anyone go in or out the front door in three years. The puffy ottomans and armchairs in the window never changed, they just slowly got more sun-bleached. But get this, {{ subscriber.first_name }}: if you went around the corner, the side of the shop had a literal bank vault door, six inches thick, surrounded by cameras, a touchscreen and fingerprint scanner....😳
So when Rachel Belle asked me if I’d be a guest on her podcast “Your Last Meal” featuring Jessica Seinfeld to talk about the ties between Italian American restaurants and the Mafia - it was an offer I couldn't refuse (get it?).
As much as I love making my own shows, guesting is so much fun, too. Being a guest on other people's podcasts has a ton of benefits:
Building relationships with other podcasters: You'll ear creator karma by helping another podcaster out, and might find ways to collaborate with them in the future. Plus, Podcasting can be lonely, community is important!
Reaching new audiences: You never know where your next client, customer or listener will come from. If someone asks you to be a guest, it means what you have to say is relevant to their audience (who already listens to podcasts!)
Learning about podcasting: Don't feel like you have to have a podcast before you can be a guest on others! In fact, guesting is a great way to see how podcasting works before you invest your time and energy in it. You might find out that you hate talking into a mic, or give you the push you need to finally start your show.
Adding value for your own Listeners: My stint on Your Last Meal is a perfect fit for fans of my show Every Day is a Food Day!
Have you been a guest on a podcast? I'd love to hear about your experiences, wins, and what you learned.
Have a great day, everybody - hope I don't get whacked!
PS: Did you get your free guide yet? Download "Your Guide to Avoiding the Top 5 Podcasting Pitfalls" here. I created it to help current and aspiring podcasters skip common setbacks, bumps in the road and “learning experiences” so they can create a show they love to make and their audience loves to listen to - without all the frustration and overwhelm. (If I can save you some of the headaches and concussions from banging your head against the wall, let me!) Grab your freebie, or share it with someone you know who could use it!
