Podcasts are a wonderfully satisfying and engrossing way to pass the time. For you, they offer a chance to be entertained, informed and to gain a different perspective on a variety of issues. I like to listen to them while I drive, for motivation, for entertainment, while I cook, during laundry, you get the idea.
History of Podcasts
Podcasting has been around since 2004. The name comes from Apple’s iPod and broadcasting, because the iPod was one of the first (if not the first) devices to support the download and playback of content. Though long-form creative nonfiction fiction has been available for decades, for example public radio shows shows like “This American Life,” the use of iPods introduced a way for listeners to enjoy content away from their radios or computers.
However, even after Apple’s iTunes store introduced subscriptions, listening to podcasts meant regularly connecting an iPod by cable to a computer’s drive, and all but manually adding content (along with music) to the iPod. The first mp3 players, were essentially portable disks with audio output.
Today, fortunately, it’s much much easier. Although you can still download podcasts to a computer, flash drive or smart phone, there are many platforms that allow you to hear exactly what you want to hear when you want to hear it as long as you are connected to wi-fi or data via streaming.
Since there are over 29 million podcast episodes–and there are more being recorded and distributed internationally every day–where do you begin? There are podcasts in every genre, comedy, political, news, culture and so much more.
What Podcasts Can Provide
If you are a Black woman in need of some positive vibes, encouragement, Rosetta Thurman, Patrice Washington, Roberto Blake, Elayne Fluker and Amanda Miller Littlejohn are just five podcasters every African-American woman should listen to. Whether you are just looking for some self-care or need inspiration to sustain your mindset while you put in hard work on a big venture, most of the content is applicable. Each of these podcasters has an extensive body of work available, so here are some starting episodes:
Five Podcasters and Five Episodes
Happy Black Woman podcast by Rosetta Thurman.
Rosetta Thurman is a vibrant businesswoman, dedicated to providing motivation and tough love to women who want it all. I’m not sure if it is possible that a person can be both ethereal and earthy, but whatever the case, Thurman offers the skills she honed as a nonprofit consultant to hold live and online events for African-American women ready to blaze their own paths. She interviews experts and thought leaders from many industries to find the common thread woven throughout each one’s journey to fulfillment. In Episode 95 “Stop Saying No to Yourself & Start Saying Yes to Your Desires” she gives listeners actionable steps and a missive to honor their purpose and sacred womanhood.
Redefining Wealth by Patrice Washington
Patrice Washington is American’s money maven, an author and speaker. Start with her 12/21/2017 episode “Results vs. Resolutions: Commitment Makes the Difference next time you feel bogged down by your schedule or life in general. Then go back and listen to the six pillar podcasts in which she breaks down the Redefining Wealth philosophy.
Create Something Awesome Today by Roberto Blake
Roberto Blake is a social media marketing expert first known for his viral Youtube tutorials, and is active on many platforms. Much of his content is directed toward those who want to expand their business online or improve their content. That said, he earnestly provides a great deal of insight for anyone who wants to better themselves and simply persist. Episode 38 “Lack of Purpose Is Our Crisis” is exactly the rallying cry you should listen to if you are thinking of giving up on a goal.
Support is Sexy by Elayne Fluker
Media executive Elayne Fluker is prolific in the production of the Support is Sexy podcasts. Show episodes range in length from 5-minutes to hour-long interviews of leading businesswomen that dive deep into the lessons Fluker learned while building sustainable nonprofits and businesses. Between the guest’s fascinating accomplishments and her interviewing skills, nearly every episode holds your attention and offers many lessons. Even if you have only ten minutes, you have time for an introduction to Fluker’s brand of authentic advice. Listen to Episode 628 “Don’t F It Up! How to Avoid Self-Sabatoge When Things Start Going Your Way.”
Package Your Genius by Amanda Miller Littlejohn
Amanda Miller Littlejohn is an author, speaker and branding expert who is bringing strategies and coaching frameworks used to address well-known organizations and coachable individuals to the podcastsphere. Her podcast is very intimate and conversational because she very skillfully employs storytelling to illustrate ways she applies personal development tools to address challenges in her day-to-day life and career. Busy parents, artists and c-suite workers could all find value in much of her content. In other words, she’s just the genius next door, whose superpower is juggling the roles of wife, mom, business owner and world-renowned speaker. . . Start with Episode 80: “What Story are you telling yourself?”
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After you’ve had a great time consuming content. . . .
In addition, Gavin Whitner, editor of Music Oomph regularly updates this outstanding graphic with breakdowns about the who, where, and how much about the podcast industry, which by the way is on track to generate over $650 billion in annual ad revenue by 2020.
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