After celebrating my two-year business anniversary in June, today is my one-year anniversary of podcasting!
Since I launched my conversation with resilient refugee Olive Bukuru Kabura, I have been honored to interview 14 people who are Black, 9 Asian or Middle Eastern, 3 Latino/Hispanic, 5 non-Christian, 13 LBGTQIA+, 42 women, 3 in recovery, 13 immigrants, 4 with a disability, 6 from outside the U.S., and 42 women on the Finding Fertile Ground podcast. I’ve interviewed seven men, only one of whom is white.
On my new Companies That Care podcast, launched on Earth Day, I have a bit of rebalancing to do. So far I’ve interviewed 3 people who are Black, 2 Asian, 1 Latino/Hispanic, 2 outside of the U.S., 3 immigrants, 14 women, and 3 men. Because I believe in transparency, I’m reporting these numbers to share my commitment to interviewing more people of color in the coming months. Because this podcast is focused on business, I’m not always aware of people’s sexual orientation, disabilities, or ethnic or religious backgrounds.
Since I started podcasting, I’ve been committed to providing a place for historically excluded people to share their grit and resilience stories. I’ve started using the phrase “historically excluded” instead of “under-represented” or “marginalized,” because it puts the onus on the reason why these people do not always have a place at the table.
In my year of podcasting, this is what I’ve learned:
Podcasting has helped me refine my purpose in life: to inspire and uplift people and help them share their stories.
I’ve always loved reading, listening to, and watching stories about inspiring lives that are different than mine. Now I get to actually tease out these stories in real time and get inspired by real conversations.
Podcasting has broadened my world. I have met more fascinating people in the last year, from all walks of life and all over the world, than I ever could have imagined.
It’s also given me opportunities to connect like-minded people. I am thrilled when my guests connect with each other!
People who have endured a lot in their life (possessing grit and resilience) often create companies that care! I’m finding natural crossovers!
I’ve learned that I’m fascinated by what makes people resilient, and my research skills are serving me well. (One of my signature strengths is “input.”) I’ve been told I’m a great interviewer. Who knew, since I certainly wasn’t trained to do this.
These interviews are my legacy. I know I have a book in me one of these days, but if that doesn’t happen, I am leaving these interviews behind for posterity.
I am giving people free marketing through my podcasting. I love to help my guests realize their value and contributions to the world, and for others to be inspired by what they have overcome or accomplished.