Recently, I’ve been invited to join Izlain, @mevsmyselfandi, for his Podcast, Couch Podtatoes. He sent out a twitter post earlier asking for two #NBI2015 newcomers to come on to the show as guests. Since one of my reasons I started my blog was to help get over my awkward fears, I decided to throw myself into the deep end and took him up on his offer. I’m glad I did because Izlain was really cool about it, and gave me some tips.
The show was suppose to also star Eri, @ausj3w3l, and another newcomer. Unfortunately noone else joined in and Eri couldn’t make it because of her new schedule, so it was just Izlain and myself. *Gulp*
Suffice to say, I was nervous about this. The closer it came to doing it, and getting on voice, the more I was overthinking my situation. My hesitation had nothing to do with Izlain personally, it had to do with my fear of talking with others. Public speaking is a terrifying prospect, one that many of us share, according to science. It doesn’t help that I’m a huge introvert, I tend to keep to myself, and don’t normally talk when caught in big groups.
I had thought the show would be ultra short with just him and myself. I was sort of relying on two other people to be there to take the attention away from me. Izlain called and I looked at the answer button for a few seconds before finally picking up.
Izlain started a bit of a pre-show chat to get me comfortable. As he started the show and ran through his spiel, it came time to put the spotlight on me. I started with short answers at first, but as the show went on, I sort of just forgot about being on air, and more like I was just talking to him, like two people having a conversation.
By the end, the show was recorded, and I felt good. I’m glad I accepted and made another step closer to being more comfortable with voice chat.
Thank you, Izlain.
Also, a shoutout to Ravanel Griffon for the great suggestion of doing this post.
You did great and it was a pleasure to have you on the show. I hope you enjoyed hearing it after it was all said and done.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I did, and you did a great job editing. I'm just banging my head for not trying to do something to kill off that echo since I'm out in a large room. I should have taken it to my bedroom or something.
DeleteI never listen to podcasts (I'm just more of the reading type), but I listened the whole thing and enjoyed it a lot!
ReplyDeleteI can understand how it would be daunting to find out it was just you and the host. Nevertheless, I think you did great. I imagine one probably learns a lot about presentation by just talking on a podcast. Maybe I should try it myself one day! ;)
Thanks for sharing your experience; it was a good read. :)
That's cool. Everyone has their stuff the like to do, and can't do it all. And thank you very much.
DeleteI'm definitely someone that likes to stay in the background and be an observer and don't like having the spotlight. That's my comfort zone, but I'm doing all this to step out of it. I think you're right though, the best way to learn is by doing.
You're welcome, Rav, and thanks for the suggestion.
It's always scary to talk to someone you don't know for the first time.... to get on the phone, or on voice chat with someone whom you've never met. I'm glad you did it and you seemed to have enjoyed your experience. I look forward to you doing more in the future!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I look forward to doing more as well.
DeleteI just listened and thought you did a great job, you sounded natural and not at al nervous .
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you taking the time to do that. I hope you enjoyed the show as well.
DeleteI should also mention that I'm a regular listener to Couch Podtatoes and had no idea you'd be on let alone that you we're easy about it. I found this post after the fact.
DeleteWell I've already given you my appreciation, and where I got them from don't have a return policy. Ah hell, just keep it, might be able to regift it.
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