Podcasting as kid-friendly family time
It’s understandable that some wedding experts might be wary of having children in the ceremony — they can be unpredictable. Luckily, there are no such concerns from podcast experts. Many parents successfully podcast with their youngsters — their unique perspective and spontaneity are refreshing.
Back in 2018, Podcast Insider shared an article with tips on podcasting with kids. We’ve recently circled back with some podcasters who commented on that article and asked them some questions to see how they’re doing and what tips they could offer about podcasting with children. Below is a snippet from these conversations:
Adam DiMuzio has been producing the Bodaciously Awesome Family Show since October 5, 2017 and had something to share.
1) Adam, what are the favorite episodes that you have released?
Anthony (age 13) and Adam (Dad) say: Eating Strange Food Around the (Disney) World
Zachary (age 8) says: Eat Crickets
Chantel (Mom) says: TACOS RULE
2) How have you personally benefited from having the show?
This is an odd response, but I often tell people that I built a time machine. It only goes to the past, however. By doing this show with my kids we keep a time capsule of their personality (and voices) from their childhood. We love listening to old episodes to hear how they’ve matured (in strength of voice, confidence, thought, etc.).
3) What tip would you offer for a person starting a podcast?
Just start. In our case I wanted an activity to do with the kids that would chronicle their childhood. After we thought about doing a podcast we sat on the idea for a few months. There was no reason for that. You can start a podcast relatively inexpensively. If you have a passion for a topic and want to talk about it — just do it. Enjoy and have fun.
Alison Wilkinson has been producing the Cool Facts about Animals podcast since January 10, 2018 and had the following to offer:
1) Which episode are you most proud of?
I’m most proud not so much of a single episode, as with the growth that I’ve seen in the kids from when we started a few years ago to now. They have each found their voices in their own unique ways. It’s fun for me, as a mom, to see how much confidence and humor my kids instill in each episode, and how excited they are to share their love of animals with our audience. So, I guess I am most proud of our most recent episode, which is about spider monkeys. It’s a great distillation of each kid playing up to their own strengths, sharing cool facts about animals. And it’s also really funny.
I’m also proud of our Earth Day episodes. My kids are all budding activists, and concerned about the earth they will be inheriting. We see part of our mission as helping kids feel empowered to take small steps to help the world be a cleaner, safer place for us and the animals that live here. The Earth Day episodes are good encapsulations of that mission.
2) What is your tech setup? Is everyone comfortable around it?
We are SO low-key. I have always wanted this podcast to be just me and the kids, without worrying about headphones and microphones and sound proofing (which, as any parent knows, is really not possible). So our tech setup is usually me holding up the iPhone with the kids crowded around me on the couch. I’m willing to sacrifice some sound quality for the kids’ comfort and keeping them feeling natural.
3) What are your goals for the podcast right now and what are you planning to do as the children age?
Our primary goal has always been to teach kids cool facts about animals, and to have fun while doing it. So, our goal is really to do the podcast until it’s not fun for the kids anymore. Fortunately, the kids are still really enjoying themselves — I think actually more now than ever. My favorite episodes are the ones where the kids do all the research and they take the reins. (One memorable one is when they tried to convince me that bats are awesome. That one took some convincing!) As they get older, I see more of these types of episodes. So far, the kids are still focused on just wanting to talk about animals, but I could see the podcast branching off into other related fields — ecology, botany, even episodes on outer space. But that might be thinking a bit too far ahead!
4) What is a tip you would give a new podcaster?
Just do it! When we first started, it was literally just me holding up my phone to my son at the dining room table while he told me some cool things about cheetahs. Since then we’ve gone on to reach tens of thousands of kids in countries across the world. Especially if there’s a niche you feel is missing, aim to fill it! If you are interested in kids podcasting, I would also highly recommend connecting with the grassroots group Kids Listen. It’s an awesome support network of children’s podcasters filled with caring and generous people putting out podcasts for kids.
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Thanks to Adam and Alison for sharing their tips with Podcast Insider. We hope the similarities in their responses give you the right nudge if you are considering podcasting with your children. If you are ready to take that leap, Blubrry can help.