So You Want to Start a Podcast and Don’t Have a Clue How

In this workshop, participants will hear the basics of starting a podcast from Mary O’Neill, a podcast cohost who never in a million years imagined she would be in her third year of podcasting. Even if you consider yourself a non-technological person, you too can create a podcast, overcome your fear of perfection, get your first episode out there, and have fun in the process. You’ll learn:

·      the different reasons to start a podcast

·      what a podcast is, who listens, and why they’re popular

·      how do design a podcast that works for your goals and anticipated audience

·      the basic equipment you need

·      how to record and edit a podcast

·      how to create and select podcast art and music

·      the difference between a podcast host and a podcast directory

·      how to write show notes and their importance

Dr. Mary B. O’Neill is the co-creator and cohost of Main Street Moxie podcast with Thorunn Kristjansdottir. The podcast is an extension of Millerton-based Main Street Magazine, which is owned, published, and designed by Kristjandottir. 

Main Street Moxie is dedicated to telling stories of grit, determination, courage, persistence, and pluck. In a word, it’s dedicated to the moxie of its guests from all walks of life. O’Neill and Kristansdottir began Moxie in January 2022 and have recorded over 40 episodes and counting. 

While not fearful of technology, O’Neill never saw podcasting in her future but learned enough about audio equipment, audio editing, and podcast design to create a viable show and overcome her self-doubt. 

In addition to being Moxie’s cohost, she is a senior contributing writer for Main Street Magazine. She holds a Ph.D. In philosophy and has taught courses in philosophy, humanities, global marketing, career education, and first year at Western Connecticut State University and Northwestern Connecticut Community College. She created a career experience program at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, was the director of communications for Great Mountain Forest, and was the adult program coordinator at Scoville Memorial Library. She enjoys reinventing herself, teaching, learning new skills, and helping people tell their positive stories. 

You can listen to episodes of Main Street Moxie here. You can read more about the birth of Main Street Moxie here.

This event is made possible by generous support from the Friends of the Scoville Library.