World of Podcasting - Interview
Today we have the honour of featuring our good friend Betsy Wurzel Sloan on our blog. Betsy and I met via Alignable back in early 2022, began networking soon afterwards, and consider ourselves friends today. This woman works hard to make a positive difference, and we are thrilled to share this discussion with you - especially with September being World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month . I was actually unaware of that fact until Betsy brought it to my attention.
Chatting with Betsy is where conversations for caregivers are held. It is all about helping other caregivers. Caregiving is a job that leaves one often feeling that they are on that journey alone. Dealing with spouses, siblings, children or parents with Alzheimer's, Dementia, or Parkinson's can be especially trying. This podcast provides a place of comfort and brings a sense of relief to those with unending stress.
** Find the Chatting with Betsy show on Spreaker, Spotify, or Passionate World Talk Radio. Visit with Betsy on FaceBook
Q: When did you get the idea to launch your own podcast?
A: I didn't really get the idea (she laughs) someone had it for me 5 years ago. Judy White - I was on her show, the Connect Show (I spoke on her show for about a year) - she suggested that I start hosting my own podcast.
Q: How did you go about starting your show?
A: It was pretty simple, I just took my phone and I started to record. I didn't know anything about podcasts, recording, interviewing... I didn't know how to interview people... and if anyone would have told me 6-7 years ago that I would have interviewed all these people - I would have said:
"Your crazy; no way!"
Yet here I am.
Q: Why does this podcast matter to you?
A: That is a great question, because the podcast - to me - is my way of giving back, of carrying on Matt's legacy and to provide resources that I wish I knew about when I was a caregiver. And I want people know that they are not alone.
You know everyone feels like they are alone in how they feel, but they are not.
I hope to change the world by interviewing people who can help others, inspire others. I'm a huge health advocate and interview folks from all walks of life. Lillian and Genie, from the Passionate World Talk Radio (PWTRN), mentor me, they want me to be successful; they actually want to help me. I've never had that before. I'm just blessed. This podcast gave me a sense of purpose when Matt was dying. And yes, I did shows by myself when Matt was dying. I didn't have guests at the time; I spoke about what I was experiencing at the time in the hopes of helping caregivers.
From there I started out with caregivers (as guests) but then I realized that even if you are caregiving you have other hobbies and interests, and there's the mental health aspect. You are not just caregiving you might want to know more about history or just need to get your mind off of it.
Q: That's sounds fantastic - like caregiving for caregivers.
A: Yes, although even 6 years ago it wasn't like it is today, Lillian. Caregivers did not want to talk about it, they did not want to come on to shows or talk about it on social media. I'm so glad to see a change and caregivers are not out there sharing their journey, showing their loved ones.
September is World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and if we don't share the reality of this disease, than who is going to see it. We need to come out of the dementia closet and let people see the reality of what it is.
Q: What is your favorite task involved with your job as the host?
A: I love talking to the guests. I like to just have a conversation of where did you come from, what motivated you to do that... I like to have real conversations. I'm sure you have heard this... (she laughs) where you could push a button and they sound the same thing with every interview they do. I want a real conversation. I like to go with the flow and that is why I don't like to use a script. I like to really delve into what makes them tick.
Q: It sounds very personal, very improv... you know going with the flow but also you know your audience very well so you know too what they want to learn, what they might be curious about and I can see you use that in the way you go about probing the guest. Did you have someone help you design the imagery, logo or websites?
A: Passionate World Talk Radio Network have their own logo - a microphone - and I use that. They have their own networks, websites and blogs so they take care of all of this for their podcast hosts.
Q: Well that must be a great partnership, to share in the responsibilities of creating a successful podcast like that. How much time do you dedicate to your show?
A: Do you consider reading part of that, because that could take a week or two? or the Researching? If so, well that is quite a few hours of reading and researching before deciding on a guest and scheduling them in.
Posting it all over the networks too can take a few hours. I am very fortunate because PWTRN - they post for me on the different platforms. I post to my page, LinkedIn and podcast groups that I am in.
...If anyone is looking to be a host: visit the PWTRN and speak to Lillian Cauldwell as she is always looking for interesting hosts. The company is run by two women and is heard in over 117 countries.
Q: Yeah - It is nice to partner with an organization like that because it takes some of the pressure off. The organization has their own promotions going on for their network as a whole. All the podcast hosts are also promoting their show and that may lead their audience to discover the network's other programs. So it must be pretty cool to be a part of all of that.
What encouraging advice or problem solving advice could you offer to others in their new journey of starting a podcast?
A: Be yourself - really.
You know I don't actually like my voice, (she laughs) and sometimes I don't know how over 500,000 people have listened to me! When I listened to other podcasters I would say to myself:
"I don't sound like them; I don't do an interview like them"
But then I realized that is what makes me unique - I'm me - I'm Betsy Sloan. I can only be me. You know when you visit my show, you are hearing me - if I fumble, or if I make a mistake, if I mispronounce a word ...I've learned I do not have to be perfect.
I've cried. There is an emotional topic that is near or dear to me, I've cried. If my audience hears me cry they know that this is a tough subject. I've had guests say:
"You really asked about me, made me feel like you cared about me".
And as a host, you know, you want your guests to feel comfortable and shine the light on them.
Q: What are some things that people should and should NOT do when it comes to approaching a podcast with their queries?
A: I have to say that you can really tell if it is a good publicist - she sends me sample questions or topic points, she sends me all the information, the press release and the book... and she responds in within a couple days. A poor publicist will not be prepared and they don't respond right away and may not even reply. So if you are a publicist then have the information for a podcast host ready, and respond quickly.
I happen to get booked up very quickly - people may not believe that but it is true. I have a 4-6 month waiting list to be on my show and I am now booking into January 2025 -- In fact, Lillian you are my first interview in January. (She laughs)
So if you are a guest that is doing this on your own, then do your research. This means: listen to the show. You know the host will be doing their research... so do YOUR research. We give our guests the links, a QR code, and we share it... so you should share it. Share the show, send in a note of thanks, and show a little gratitude.
I now have a policy: If a guest wants to come back, and a lot of guests want to come back, if I see that you aren't going to work hard at sharing the show - you aren't going to be welcome back, I'm not wasting my time in fact I don't have it to waste. Now that might sound harsh - but it is true.
A lot goes into the show, a lot of preparation. After it is recorded, I send the information to the team and they post it on the blog. A lot of work goes on behind each episode of the show. So share it wherever you can.
You know, Lillian, your 2-3 videos on your Brummet Media Channel on how to share a media appearance are fantastic! I really like those; I really appreciate them... In fact I've shared those on my socials. They are very well done and help people know what to do after they've appeared as a guest on a show like mine. You know we do our part, but the guest has to do theirs.
Q: Aww... thank you for that. Yes I saw your comments on some of those videos and I saw that you subscribed to our channel in early 2024 which was great to see of course. I appreciate that. -- You've really helped our readers understand what it takes to run a podcast and so I'm hoping that you could offer some tips for other podcast hosts. What are some common mistakes hosts (or their team) often make, and how can they remedy them?
A: I think hosts sometimes put someone in the hot seat, making them uncomfortable, asking in appropriate questions. Don't ask questions that are in appropriate. If the PR agent or guest says: "Please don't ask about this" - then don't ask about it. Check with the guest before the show to find out if there is anything that is off limits.
And let the guests talk. I've had guests say that on other shows it felt like a 6-minute interview because they could barely talk. So let them talk. You know, you have them on to showcase them really and you are just the facilitator.
I used to think that I have to be perfect but I found that the more I wanted to be perfect the more mistakes I made. So just relax and go with the flow. I don't read every book that is sent to me, that is not always possible. You learn as you go. It is ok for your mind to go blank or make a mistake. You know before a show I get anxiety, I start worrying about what if this goes wrong or that happens, but then my self-talk kicks in and I tell myself to just relax and go with it.
Q: How do you go about prioritizing tasks?
A: I am my own boss in a way, but I always abide by the rules of the station and I always put in a disclaimer. I get my own guests and I do the scheduling. I pretty much have free reign - but I've learned to have boundaries.
I don't do interviews in the evening because I get tired, and I don't do them on weekends because that is the time for my son. He's had to sacrifice enough so weekends are for him; that is family time. After the show, I write down the information and send it out as soon as possible.
* The 3 videos that Betsy was referring to are:
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Thank you so much for dropping in to share some of your experiences with our audience, Betsy :)
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