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So I was recently invited to be a guest on a travel podcast, Travel Stories. To say that I was excited is an understatement. Having the ability to be a part of something that you are a fan of and love is always amazing.
If you are unfamiliar with the Travel Stories Podcast, it is hosted by traveler, podcaster, Hayden Lee. The format includes an interview with the episode’s guest, and then the travel podcast guest tells a story from their travels. If you put it in actor terms, the story is kind of like a monologue as there are no interruptions from the host.
If that wasn’t fun enough, the podcast has a composer, the fantastic Cody Crabb, who composes an original score that plays with the story.
I loved, loved, loved the music for my story. It doesn’t just suite the story, I think it suites my personality as well. It’s definitely a highlight in my writer life.
Podcast Guesting Tips
Practice
I’ve been on two podcasts before Travel Stories via my other writer’s hat. Something that I did differently this time around, and that I now wish I had done previously, was practice. Practicing involved spending a few hours sitting at my laptop recording myself (using the Audacity program. It’s free to download) reading or talking (there may have been a few renditions of songs from Hamilton). I then listened to the recordings and noted things that I didn’t like. For example, I noticed that at the end of sentences I tend to lower my voice and what I’m saying gets a bit garbled. As I continued to record I practiced not doing that.
I’m naturally a fast talker. It gets worse when I’m excited or nervous, so I recorded myself over and over again until, although it seemed really slow to me, on the recording, I was speaking at a normal speed. I internalized the information so when I was on Travel Stories, travel podcast, I did my best to talk at a less rapid speed.
Visual Reminders
When I listened to my guest episode of Saturday Morning Time Machine, I was horrified by how many times I said the word “like.” It was excessive. I’ve since worked extra hard to purge the inappropriate use of “like” from my vocabulary all together, but I made myself a sign to have in front of me just as a reminder. I added a few other things I know I say a lot (I did end up saying “super” at least 3 or 4 times) and jotted down a few more notes.
Hydrate
Make sure to have water with you. I know that this sounds like a no brainer, but also something I had not considered before. Talking a lot will dry your mouth out, or maybe the air in my bedroom closet where I record is really dry. Water helps. Just make sure you’re not making loud sipping and swallowing noises for the recording.
Relax and Be Yourself
I think that’s pretty self-explanatory
I hope these tips are helpful if you ever get invited to guest on a podcast.
You can listen to Travel Stories on
Make sure you listen to all of the episodes because they are all great.
In June, Hayden Lee, the host of Travel Stories, is setting out on a motorbike journey to visit every country in Europe, so definitely keep an eye out for that.
If you’re looking to join some cool travel communities on Facebook Definitely check out Travel Stories.
Another cool Facebook community is Weekend Wanderlust
