Geeks for Social Change

Why Bother Making a Podcast?

Anyone could make a podcast, but why would you want to?

An in-depth look at the reasons for and against making podcasts as political, creative and social force.

Read the full version on our blog - at https://gfsc.community/why-bother-making-a-podcast/ - or hear the gist of it below:

Why bother making a podcast? Reasons you should & shouldn't!

Anyone could make a podcast, but why would you want to? An in-depth look at the reasons for and against podcasts as political, creative and social force (and why right-wing podcasts succeed in ways left-wing ones don't)

Geeks for Social Change
Mar 5 at 7:13pmWeb
Show threadGeeks for Social ChangeMar 5

Reasons to make a podcast:

1. It's Good to Talk

We can change things by talking to people and listening to people. At least, that's the theory.

Speech is older than writing, and (for most of us) a lot easier too.

Few of us are excited to write pages of prose, but most of us, if the setting is comfortable, can talk with gusto.

So if you have something to say, why not?

Show threadGeeks for Social ChangeMar 5

Reasons to make a podcast:

2. Podcasts are accessible

Podcasts can be heard around the world, and cost the listener nothing.

In the past, it was street preachers, them pamphlets, then zines you could make at home, or with library facilities.

Podcasts are like zines, except they have theme tunes are regional accents.

Show threadGeeks for Social ChangeMar 5

Reasons to make a podcast:

3. You can fill a niche

The aboslutely best reason to make a podcast : there's a podcast you'd love to listen to, but it doesn't exist yet.

There is something important missing from the world which you need, and you intend to do something about it!

(This is also why people write novels, make fan art, and make indie games).

Show threadGeeks for Social ChangeMar 5

Reasons to make a podcast:

4. You need to spread a truth!

There is a burning truth. You know it, and if people could only hear it, they'd grasp it, and the whole world would be better.

Be careful with this one. It can come across a bit intense, and people don't always take to ideas how we expect.

Show threadGeeks for Social ChangeMar 5

Are you persuaded yet? If so, let's hear a few reasons why you *shouldn't* make a podcast (with a side helping of ‘but maybe’).

Reasons not to make a podcast:

1. It's hard to get listeners

Hmm... You make a good point. Everybody and their dog has a podcast already.

If you make one and nobody listens, you may feel you're shouting into the void.

Or maybe you'll take promotion as seriously as planning and recording, and work to get this podcast in front of folks!

Show threadGeeks for Social ChangeMar 5

Reasons not to make a podcast:

2. You have nothing to say!

Style without content is hollow, and something with neither style nor content sounds absolutely wretched.

However, do you really ‘have nothing to say’? This ranks alongside ‘I'm not very talented’ and ‘I can't act’ as something which is said far too much, and falsely!

If you have an ounce of care for the people of this world, you have something to say.

Show threadGeeks for Social ChangeMar 5

Reasons not to make a podcast:

3. You can't make it regularly!

That doesn't stop some podcasts I know, which come out infrequently , but are always welcome.

It takes time and energy to make podcast and if you're only going to make two episodes, you might find there's a better distribution method than a podcast.

Personally I like a video essay or a blog.

Show threadGeeks for Social ChangeMar 5

Reasons not to make a podcast:

4. You're making the podcast purely out of spite and agitation!

Someone else is already making the podcast you want to exist, but they get it all wrong! So you make yours out of spite!

Weird reason, but valid! It's an amazing prompt for any kind of art, and it means you go into it with clarity, energy and a real drive to make a thing of quality.

Just, don't let that be your only reason!

Show threadGeeks for Social ChangeMar 5

Why Don't You?

I hope you do make a podcast – but with the same wariness I keep in my pocket when I hope a friend gets a dog:

I hope you do, if it is right for you to do so!

You can find the full version of the article (including reasons why right-wing podcasts prosper and left-wing ones struggle) on the GFSC blog: https://gfsc.community/why-bother-making-a-podcast/

Why bother making a podcast? Reasons you should & shouldn't!

Anyone could make a podcast, but why would you want to? An in-depth look at the reasons for and against podcasts as political, creative and social force (and why right-wing podcasts succeed in ways left-wing ones don't)

Geeks for Social Change
Show threadGeeks for Social ChangeMar 5

The Geeks for Social Change Podcast will be returning this year, and I've been tasked with making it come to life.

(Hi, by the way. I'm Ben Swithen (they/them, or what you will), and I wrote this article, and have been handling Geeks for Social Change social media since December)

I'm keen to hear from you about what you'd like to hear in our podcast, especially if you really disagree with anything above. Now's the time to rebuke me, if necessary.

I hope to hear from you, and vice versa!