Jaime First Launched into Podcasting 6 Years Ago TODAY!
I’ve always felt like an Alice–not really sure which side of the looking glass I was on, but always feeling different, awkward, and out of place either way. I was a round peg trying to fit into square holes. And then, I discovered podcasting and a field full of round pegs!
Today, October 15th, is the anniversary of the start of my journey into podcasting. I released my debut episode of my first show–Curve the Cube–on this day in 2014. The audio was a hot mess (I definitely started ugly!), which is humorous and ironic, because I was interviewing a local radio icon at his studio. But, I was so nervously excited that the thought never occurred to me to actually use the studio’s equipment. Grrr… So, the audio was TERRIBLE! I was using a $20 stick mic from off-the-rack at Best Buy, lol.
But, nevertheless, I persisted! And, the road this podcasting journey has taken me on has been nothing short of miraculous. I don’t know of any other industry that can cultivate the kind of passion, creativity, interconnectivity, and opportunity like podcasting can.
And, it’s been in this space that I finally found my place. I’ve been able to innovate, lead, challenge myself, discover hidden talents, and make amazing friends along the way who’ve become family. And, as a cherry on top, I’ve built my passion into a business completely from scratch that I can be proud of and can parlay into a legacy for my son and community.
So, I thought, as a reflection, I’d share those milestones that have really highlighted my journey into a podcasting career thus far. (For a recent personal reflection on my journey that includes a TON of amazing photos, click here.)
I suggest that anybody who’s ventured out on their own, taken a risk, and persevered through every challenge to take the time to do the same. It wasn’t until I started putting this together that I realized it’s ok to pat myself on the back and be proud–of both my successes and my failures:
2014
June 2014: Founded Flint Stone Media LLC
October 2014: Discovered Podcasting and Launched Curve the Cube
2016
February 2016: Became the Organizer of the Palm Beach Podcasters
September 2016: Launched Eggheads After Hours Podcast with cohosts Joseph Russo, Kate Volman, and Aaron Wormus
2017
February 2017: Attended my first Podfest! | Won my first podcasting award–the “In Yo Face” award from the women of She Podcasts
March 2017: Included in Podcast Movement’s Celebration of Women’s History Month
June 2017: As my first presentation on podcasting, I was invited to speak to the Mystery Writers of America | I also found myself on the other side of the microphone for the first time–being interviewed about podcasting.
July 2017: Founded Florida Podcast Network
August 2017: Attended my first Podcast Movement conference | My Origin Story was Featured in Their Program | I got to be an IGNITE speaker!
September 2017: Joined the Horse Radio Network as their New Production Coordinator
September 2017: Included as a Speaker for International Podcast Day, I spoke about Florida’s growing podcasting scene
November 2017: Launched the Finding Florida Podcast with Glenn the Geek
November 2017: Featured in VoyageMIA Magazine
2018
February 2018: Attended my second Podfest and Presented Launching & Growing a Geo-Local Podcast!
November 2018: Invited as a guest on the Shrimp Tank, Boca Raton
December 2018: Presented Podcasting to an MBA class at Florida Atlantic University
2019
January 2019: Promoted to the Production Manager for Horse Radio Network
February 2019: Began producing my first show (People of Palm Beach) for a celebrity – local news anchor, Suzanne Boyd
February 2019: Launched the Florida Podcasting News show, also cohosted by Glenn the Geek
March 2019: Attended my 3rd Podfest–this time as an Ambassador, Key Note Speaker, and Panelist! And, received some amazing voice art as a gift.
March 2019: Attended my first Hispanic Radio Conference | Joined the “Podcasting for Radio Dummies” Panel
May 2019: Began producing for pop culture celebrity, Mystic Michaela
June 2019: Presented my origin Story and Tips to the Connecticut School of Broadcasting (invitation from Podcast Hall-of-Famer, Danny Pena)
June 2019: Became the Podcast Network Director for The Wedding Biz Network
August 2019: Partnered with the Fish Florida Association for podcast services fulfillment
August 2019: Hired my first two new team members–Jorge and Charles!!
August 2019: Client, Mystic Michaela’s, podcast, Know Your Aura, featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine!
August 2019: Became a Founding Member of the International Podcast Association
August 2019: Became the first EVER podcasting instructor for the Connecticut School of Broadcasting
September 2019: Invited to be a Speaker for International Podcast Day Again!!
October 2019: Present a Podcasting Workshop at the Women’s Empowerment Expo in Fort Lauderdale
October 2019: Launched the People of Florida podcast
November 2019: Invited as a guest on Biz Women Rock, a podcast by Katie Krimitsos
November 2019: Featured in The Palm Beach Post – both in the digital AND print editions!!
December 2019: Prediction for 2020 included on LiveStreamUniverse.com
December 2019: Invited as a guest on PodcastGuyMedia.com
2020
January 2020: Invited to present a podcasting workshop at the Grand Opening of Her Power Space
January 2020: Attended my 4th Podfest and was a Panel Speaker at the Podcast Editors Conference | Recipient of the 2020 Podfest High Achiever Award
February 2020: Resurrects FSM’s original digital marketing services for its podcasting clients
February 2020: Added several new, HIGHLY talented members to the team (including my dad!) and focusing on growing the independent client portfolio
February 2020: Penned a personal A Personal Note of Reflection, including a TON of pics from my podcasting journey
April 2020: Client, Mystic Michaela, graduates to the Wave Podcast Network!
May 2020: Finding Florida Podcast Featured on Travel Weekly
May 2020: Guest Hosted on Blk Pod Collective: The Podcast!
August 2020: Interviewed live by The Inspiration Station
September 2020: Keynote Speaker for the ‘Let’s Talk’ Palm Beach Innovation Conference
Honorable Mention (guest hosted episode 4):
podcasting
launched
produced
These last several months haven’t been kind to any of us. And, for reasons that are both pandemic and personal, it’s been rough. So, in order to keep my head above water, I’ve had to buckle down to the grind more than EVER in order to not only just keep the lights on , but to thrive somehow through all of this for my son and my team. As such, my attention has been consumed by gaining additional clients and opportunities. But, my attention hasn’t been able to focus on keeping my own podcast passion burning–from a creativity standpoint. Now, as the dust begins to settle, my path has become clear. My growth through all of this (both personal and professional) has me pointing to the next phase. And, I’ll be starting my first show since Curve the Cube that is purely a passion project, and not driven in any part by a business agenda. It will be my podcast therapy, haha! And, with this new show, I’m finally “calling dibs.” And, will be unlike anything you’ve ever heard from me before. So, please stay tuned for more info!
MAJOR thank you to all of those who have helped me along the way: mentors, friends, listeners, team members, family, and fans. I couldn’t have made it this far without each and every one of you!!
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