Podcast Summary
Unexpected opportunities from accidents:Â Stay open to unexpected opportunities as they can lead to significant professional growth.
Accidents can sometimes lead to valuable opportunities in life and career, as demonstrated by Alex's journey into audio production at Pod Masters. Starting out after completing a radio production course at university, Alex took a job at RTTV Novosti Limited, a company known for hiring young journalists with a focus on topics not often covered in mainstream media. However, things took a turn when Russian spy Sergei Skripal was poisoned in Salisbury, making the work environment increasingly strange. During this time, an email came through from Sophie Black, requesting a new editor for Romaniacs. A year into working on Romaniacs, Andrew approached Alex with a new opportunity â to become an editor for the show. Their chance encounter on Camden High Street led Alex to become a valuable member of the Pod Masters team for over 1,800 days. This experience highlights the importance of staying open to unexpected opportunities and the potential impact they can have on one's professional growth.
Considering unconventional factors during hiring:Â Unusual interview experiences led to discovering valuable team members at Pod Masters. Compassion towards animals and spontaneous opportunities revealed unique qualities.
Considering unusual factors during the hiring process can lead to discovering unique talents. In this conversation, the speakers shared stories about their experiences with Pod Masters, a podcast production company. One speaker recalled how the founder, Andrew, was impressed by a candidate's compassion towards a pigeon during an interview, leading him to become a valuable team member. Another speaker shared how she landed a job at Pod Masters through a spontaneous opportunity, which came at the perfect time when she was looking for a career change. These stories illustrate how considering unconventional factors, like kindness towards animals, can reveal valuable qualities in candidates. Additionally, the company's unique hiring process, which includes tasks like escaping a room full of pigeons, adds to its distinctive culture. These stories highlight the importance of thinking outside the box during the hiring process and the potential benefits it can bring.
Unconventional paths to audio industry success:Â Determination and adaptability are crucial for entering the audio industry through unconventional means, like Robin's transition from journalism to podcasting or Andrew's entry from music.
Both Robin and Andrew found success in the audio industry through unconventional paths. Robin, a former journalist, transitioned into podcasting after working at a burrito van and creating a podcast about fatherhood. He met Andrew through an interview with Dorian Linsky and eventually joined the Romaniacs team, leading to the creation of "This is Not a Drill." Andrew, the newest member of the team, also answered an ad from UK Audio Network but came from a music background. Their stories demonstrate that there are various ways to enter the audio industry, and determination and adaptability are key.
Embracing new opportunities can lead to unexpected rewards:Â Be open to new experiences, they might lead to exciting career opportunities and personal growth.
Being open to new opportunities can lead to unexpected and rewarding experiences. The speaker shares how working on a film score with a Hollywood director opened up a new creative world for them, leading to a career in writing electronic music for film and TV. Fast forward to 2023, they discovered a job ad for a podcast producer and composer role at Pod Masters, which aligned perfectly with their interests. The speaker was surprised to find that the team shared similar musical tastes, and they've been loving the job ever since. Throughout their time at Pod Masters, they've faced challenges like transitioning to remote recording and covering live events, but also experienced unique moments like producing a live show immediately after the 2019 election. The speaker encourages listeners to embrace new opportunities, no matter how unlikely they may seem at first.
A podcast that fosters open discussions on important issues:Â The Oh God What Now podcast provides a warm and welcoming environment for candid conversations on various topics, from politics and climate change to personal stories, with a diverse range of guests and a commitment to raising awareness.
The Oh God What Now podcast, with its warm and welcoming studio environment, has served as a platform for open discussions on various important issues, from politics and current affairs to climate change and personal stories. During the pandemic, the podcast continued to thrive through remote recording, and the return of live shows brought a renewed sense of community and connection. The podcast's dynamic panel and relaxed atmosphere put guests at ease, allowing for more candid conversations than on more formal shows. The podcast's commitment to raising awareness on issues that matter has kept listeners engaged and informed, and the diverse range of guests, from celebrities to activists, has added to the sense of unity and shared experience.
Intro videos created by team member Alex using Premiere Pro:Â Alex's creative intro videos using Premiere Pro have become a fan favorite and essential part of the 'Oh God, What Now?' live shows, often with humorous or political twists.
The intro videos for live shows of the podcast "Oh God, What Now?" are a significant crowd pleaser and a fun element of the production, created by team member Alex using Premiere Pro, which he learned during lockdown in 2020. These videos have become an essential part of the show, with memorable montages set to popular songs, often with a humorous or political twist. Alex started creating these videos accidentally when promoting the podcast's name change in 2020. Since then, he has produced several videos, including one set to "Don't Call It A Comeback" by LL Cool J and another to "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye, featuring awkward moments of Matt Hancock. His most recent achievement was remixing "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses for the Christmas live show using Tory politicians. Despite the audio editing demands, Alex's video creations continue to add excitement and anticipation to the live shows.
Editing Multiple Podcasts Simultaneously:Â Alex Zane, a podcast editing pro, managed 10 shows a week during the pandemic, showcasing his quick editing skills and adaptability.
Alex Zane, a prolific podcast host and editor, shared his experience of editing multiple podcasts simultaneously during the pandemic, reaching up to 10 shows a week. He mentioned his initial freelance work on Big Mouth and Romaniacs, followed by joining the team full-time and adding The Bunker, The Daily, Inside Briefing, and IFG Live. Alex's quick editing skills were highlighted, with him able to edit podcasts faster than the recording time. A notable challenge was editing Sir Anthony Seldon's podcast, which was recorded during a royal event on the street, requiring multiple devices and positions. Despite the challenges, they managed to produce a successful podcast episode. The process of editing multiple podcasts at once demonstrated Alex's dedication and adaptability to the ever-changing podcasting landscape.
Unsung hero Alex leaves a void in podcast production:Â Alex's departure leaves a void in podcast production, but his legacy of dedication and expertise continues to influence the team.
Behind the scenes of the podcast, there are unsung heroes like Alex, who meticulously set up and manage the complex infrastructure for remote recording and monitoring. Alex's kindness and patience in teaching others, even when they were struggling, made him an indispensable part of the team. However, his departure from the show marks him as a villain, as he leaves behind a void that will be difficult to fill. Despite this, his legacy of dedication and expertise will continue to influence the team. The podcast's production may seem like a simple process, but it requires a level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that can only be mastered by individuals like Alex.
Enhance productivity and find inspiration with the right work setup:Â Invest in high-quality equipment and create an efficient workspace to boost productivity and find inspiration during long work hours. Explore wholesome webcams for breaks to maintain a positive mindset.
Having the right setup, including multiple screens and high-quality equipment like keyboards, microphones, and webcams, can significantly enhance productivity and provide moments of relaxation during long work hours. The speakers shared their personal experiences of using various webcams, such as bird box cams and wildlife cams, to help them stay focused and inspired. Naomi Smith was mentioned as an example of someone who achieved excellent remote recording sound quality without a Yeti mic. The speakers also highlighted the importance of guests coming on shows with good recording equipment, as it makes the editing process smoother and more enjoyable for audio editors. To make the most of your work setup, consider making it as expansive and efficient as possible, like Megadask, and take breaks to explore wholesome webcams to help maintain a positive mindset.
Pod Masters team's shared experiences and camaraderie through a Spotify playlist:Â The Pod Masters team bonded over a shared Spotify playlist, adding to the sense of community and shared passion for podcasting, with Jade contributing an impressive 415 songs.
Unique experiences and behind-the-scenes stories of the Pod Masters team. Jade shared an exciting moment when a listener recognized her voice at a live show, while Alex found a solution to multitask during recordings with wireless headphones. The team also has a shared Spotify playlist, which has become a source of amusement and camaraderie. Jade's contribution to the playlist is particularly noteworthy, with an impressive 415 songs added. Another listener, Harrison, shared an intriguing detail about the playlist, revealing that all additions play out of Andrew's Spotify account. Overall, this conversation highlights the sense of community and shared passion for podcasting among the Pod Masters team, as well as the unexpected challenges and joys that come with working in this field.
A reminder of the irreplaceability of industry leaders:Â The unique value of industry leaders in podcasting was emphasized, highlighting the importance of recognizing and appreciating their contributions.
There is only one Alex Reiss in the podcasting world, and anyone else filling a similar role can only aspire to be a worthy successor. This insight was shared during a conversation outside a pub after a live show, where the speaker was mistakenly referred to as a "second Alex" by a former Pod Masters employee. The employee's correction served as a humbling reminder of the unique value and irreplaceability of industry leaders. The speaker went on to express gratitude to colleagues, listeners, and the company for the opportunity to work in podcasting. The regular programming will resume the following week with two Ogwen panelists discussing an undisclosed topic.
