S1 E10 Podcasting

Episode Audio

Veronica Dominguez shares what she’s been learning about podcasting as a learning modality.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn.

Transcript:

The following transcript was auto-generated and may contain typos or spelling errors.

Amy Petricek

Welcome. I'm Amy Petricek, a learning enthusiast and your host. The share what you learned podcast is for learning professionals to share something they're learning in the field of instructional design. Today, I'm talking to Veronica and guests about podcasting. Hi, Veronica. Hi, Amy. It's so lovely to have you on the show. Could you take a couple moments here and give my listeners a little introduction about yourself so they could get to know you? Sure. I am an instructional designer, pretty great in my career right now. And I find myself being a sponge just looking to absorb different things about the field and getting to know people. My favorite part about instructional design is being able to create positive learning experiences. I think that's something that a lot of people don't know how to do. For others, we all have been through that training class where you're just bored out of your mind. Or maybe there just could have been something more, I want to be that person that provides it to the world. Veronica is also one of the kindest people you'll meet. So you'll be in good hands.

Veronica Dominguez

Thank you.

Amy Petricek

Veronica, would you also share? Well, maybe I'll share a little. So Veronica, and I met learning podcasting together. And I thought, I'm learning share what you learned. I'm learning about podcasting. And Veronica is learning with me. So maybe we could have a little conversation about podcasting. So let's start at the basics. What drew you to podcasting

Veronica Dominguez

actually was featured in a different podcast before, it was something at the time that a friend of mine was playing with the idea of starting one. You know, and I wasn't, like, aware of what podcasting was like, and what it was about. And, you know, at the time, I said, Sure, you know, this will be fun. And then I turned into a really awesome channel that grew a lot of buzz. And then I quickly found out the gravity of that a podcast channel can have, to me it was, I guess, off my radar as a person, because I just thought it was like, you know, audio books, you know, things that people did. I just wasn't one of those people that was in that realm. But once I saw firsthand, after being a guest on that show, the audience that they can reach and the ability to be able to share information with the world that opened my eyes In, I started thinking, what do I want to share with the world? Is there opportunity for me to have a creative space?

Amy Petricek

I think a lot of people kind of forget about podcasting. And it seems like almost like your experience of being on a podcast, heightened your Tunis to the opportunities that were within the podcasting room.

Veronica Dominguez

Exactly. And I know that's pretty opposite. Like who goes on a podcast show, and then discovers podcasting? But yeah, that's kind of how it went down. And I guess after like having that experience, and see more of what it's about, like, how do you put one together? How does it work? And I came from it from like an explorative angle. kind of wondering how it's all going to work behind the scenes, not so much that I would launch one right away.

Amy Petricek

Yeah, maybe more. So learning the opportunity to opportunities within it and the implications of taking on a podcast more than I'm going to start one tomorrow.

Veronica Dominguez

Yes, exactly. Which I probably would be the latter. Start things on a whim. Why not?

Amy Petricek

I've had I've had friends do that. So it can be done. And you can have successful podcasts. Now that you've gotten into podcasting, more, so maybe dipping your toes into it? What surprised you about it all? And was it everything you thought it'd be?

Veronica Dominguez

It was not everything that I thought it would be? I think I had this impression that that it would just be like a talk show of like a tech show. Sorry, a radio talk show, to where I guess it would just be like, very entertaining. It's not like in the sense that when you're doing it, and you're by yourself, especially because there's a lot of solo podcasters out there. When you understand the gravity of you Recording by yourself, you just you and your voice. And when you hear the playback, you're like, Whoa, hmm. So you have to be entertaining, in essence, that people are gonna want to listen to you. Because there are plenty of recordings where I'm just rambling. And I thought I was being really cool. And then I hear it and I'm like, What is that? That's never going to ever to be published because people can I know that happen.

Amy Petricek

I think it's important to know if I'm, I just want to make sure we're driving here that the podcast format you were interested in is just that I don't know what you'd call it, but personal dialogue where you're not. It's the opposite of what I'm doing right now where I'm interviewing someone and having a conversation. So you're literally talking to yourself with your microphone and then have do go back and listen to it and edit it.

Veronica Dominguez

Yes, that's exactly what it is is you start to learn that there's different types of podcasting. Not in terms of topic, but in terms of modalities, like, are you going to be by yourself and recording? Are you going to have interviewed guest? Is it going to be something that you're bringing a panel of people together? with that type of environment, your podcast tone is going to be changing? Because you know, you're more interactive when somebody else is they're having a conversation with you. versus if you're just talking to yourself, which is really odd, by the way, for me, at least, because, I mean, I was like, Oh, do I sound like that in conversation?

Amy Petricek

You know, as I was dipping my toes into podcasting to was realizing, when you're editing a podcast, you're quite literally just listening to all of the nuances of your own language and dialect and lip smacking all of the things. And it's, I mean, you're deep in the weeds more than anyone else, just really analyzing audio. And so it's those things really do stand out.

Veronica Dominguez

Yeah, I've discovered some words that I say over and over and over. And I was like, I did not know I had my own catchphrases.

Amy Petricek

Let's hear him give us one or two.

Veronica Dominguez

Basically, that's a major one.

Amy Petricek

So we've been talking about podcasting pretty broadly, in terms of just anyone being a podcaster. But I'd love to kind of narrow it in a little bit towards learning and development. And I'm curious how you think podcasting could be used as a learning modality.

Veronica Dominguez

What's interesting about that is I took a micro learning class recently. And that was one of the things that they mentioned, was an asset, or microlending, which is podcasting. So being able to, you know, if we're in the, the learning and development community, and we get assigned to a job, and we have maybe somebody that works in a type of job cast that everyday, they're going to need to talk about maybe trending topics, they can have their podcast channel created, catered towards those topics, be able to have the subject matter experts discuss, hey, you know, these are the pitfalls of the job. This is something to watch out for. This is something to do correctly, and bring the solution towards it. And then have the audience of learners that need that type of training, listen to it. So then they're in tune, and they're able to function with their job task every day, because they're hearing from subject matter experts troubleshoot live over recorded audio, and they can go back and they can replay it and say, you know what this episode was about this, I ran into that today. Let me head back and find that episode. And it's interesting to see it used from that point of view, because I never would have thought of that.

Amy Petricek

I mean, as I'm thinking for myself about podcasting, and I'm thinking about, you know, target learners, as you say that I'm curious if there are specific fields or industries or types of work that come to mind, as you think of podcasting and micro learning.

Veronica Dominguez

I think of life hacks, for some reason, that's always where I think of certain things like psychology, you know, maybe you're wanting to learn, I don't know, true crime. And you need tidbits of information in terms of how to interrogate somebody, you can implement psychology tactics that can be used on a podcast, you know, I mentioned, hey, if you're talking to this person, and they show visual cues that look like a, b, and c, or maybe they're saying, you know, d f over here, as you learn to listen to that on the podcast, and you learn to watch for that on an interrogation room.

Amy Petricek

That's great, I almost hear of it like potentially in a customer service, or work, where you're dealing with external clients or something like that. And to help potentially like as to help people navigate those soft skills versus the hard skills.

Veronica Dominguez

That is true, the call center always comes to mind for me, I have actually experienced working in a banking call center environment. And it is the first one that pops up, you know, if I had to think about phone etiquette, podcasting would be the perfect tool to use for micro learning. Because you can tell somebody here, read a piece of paper about how to de escalate someone, and then make sure you adjust your tone of voice. But what's missing from that is you don't hear somebody and how they use their tone of voice as a tool to help de escalate a call. If you have to model that on a podcast channel. That could be something where somebody hears and they can reflect that tone on their future phone calls if they need to de escalate something. But I guess I'm naturally like trying to think outside the box so I don't really talk about the call center environment as much But yeah, that's that's a broad audience that is going to be useful for anyone.

Amy Petricek

That is a fantastic applications like that scenario. Exactly. I'm like, yeah, we podcast for our call center people. And I'm over here like to paint. You don't know Veronica, podcasting to crime will come out at some point. Here we are. So what would you recommend to someone who's considering podcasting as a learning modality? Do you have any thoughts, tips, tricks, things to consider before jumping in

Veronica Dominguez

being a pen and paper. I know that sounds really off the wall to say in today's digital era, but you're going to get so many ideas, and you're going to want to map them out and be able to build something realistic. Take it from me, I'm somebody that always has a ton of ideas. But then when it comes to actually mapping it out, that's where I tend to hit some of those roadblocks. A pen and paper is always going to be your best friend. Yes, you can type it out, you know, that's, that's for you. Go for it. But for me, a blank sheet of paper is just symbolic clarity, because I'm starting with a fresh slate. And I'm saying, okay, here's my topic, here's where I want to go with it. This is what my episode topics can be about. This is how it's going to well be really well rounded with what the learning objectives I'm trying to write. And that way, you have the ability to see the process flow of it all. Instead of having to have everything all figured out, you can help with the ideation phase of it and build it and have direction. That's that's the main important part is have direction with your thoughts.

Amy Petricek

I know you to be a mapper. So that makes sense, almost like action mapping out the scenario, like I've seen this with you, I know that this is true that she does put a lot of time and energy into that. And she is, I will just speak to you on a personal level. But like she is really good at ideating. She's definitely someone you want on your team when you are brainstorming. So if you I'll give a shameless little plug here, I don't know that you're asking for it. But if you are looking to get started on a podcast, Veronica is your girl to help you figure out all of your options and different topics you could discover or uncover, or talk about and also how you can continue that ideation process. You're so good at that.

Veronica Dominguez

I love brainstorming, there's an energy in it that I just vibe with. Even if it's not my project, I want to talk about it.

Amy Petricek

Well, is there anything else you can think in terms of podcasting that you think would be relevant for other learning and development professionals to know or have we covered it all?

Veronica Dominguez

equipment is another thing to think about. Depending on how serious you want it to be, for my my learning curve, I started off with my iPhone had had phones, and also just using my iPhone app on there. But get yourself a microphone, get yourself some space that's dedicated just towards recording your own voice, learn the software that's available for you to do some of that and be able to have editing abilities. So take it serious, you know, invest in new equipment doesn't have to be high end, you don't have to drop a ton of money on it. But come from it at an angle that you want to be prepared, not something that you just do in the moment, something that that people are

Amy Petricek

just using what's convenient, I guess, so make sure you invest in it too. So that way ends up with the productivity that's going to be high end to where you can sustain it. We've all listened to those podcast episodes where there's like static in it, or the the voice levels are different one one person's at a higher level than the other person. And sometimes just spending even $50 more on your equipment can be the difference between that kind of audio and more of a professional grade audio.

Veronica Dominguez

Agreed. You know, I feel bad cuz we're gonna have to edit this. And I'm currently using my iPhone, headset. Good luck to you, Amy.

Amy Petricek

She's a podcaster. And she knows she's using the wrong equipment. And she also knows I have the tools to enhance this. So well, let's transfer over to these rapid round questions here. Are you ready? I'm ready. All right, first question. Or maybe? I guess this one isn't quite a question because you're finishing the sentence. But learning is

Veronica Dominguez

learning is a process. There's a quote that I recently read. And it says, chaining is an event. Learning is a process. Technology supports both. And improved performance is the goal. Ever since I read it? I felt like it's been eye opening for me because it is a process. And how many of us in our field have experienced where people think training is just one and done? It's an event it's over. But learning did it occur or did it not?

Amy Petricek

That's one of the things I'm really excited to highlight on this podcast is all of the people who are in process with their learning and get to hear about their process like process doesn't mean your complete, unresolved. Veronica's learning about podcasting, she doesn't have her podcast out in the world yet, because she's learning and that's a part of the process. And those are the kinds of people I want to highlight on my podcast, because it's so easy to see end products and assume that was really easy to get there. And people did that. so easily. But to understand the process is a little bit more of the blood, sweat and tears that go along with the final product.

Veronica Dominguez

Exactly. And it's something that is needed. And I'm happy to be in a field where that's accepted and people are after it.

Amy Petricek

Yeah, and welcomed. Okay, so I cannot wait to see how you're going to answer this one when you're mustering up the courage to learn something new. What song do you put on?

Veronica Dominguez

So everybody has one song that makes them feel powerful. And you know of all the songs out there, it is hard to pick one. But there are two that constantly come up. Even when I'm starting something new. I'm like, I'm gonna do this because I'm very much like a hype person. I like to be hyped about stuff. I don't want to be like, Oh, that's another boring thing I want to do. So, my hype song is from Shadi. And it's called No Ordinary Love. And if you have ever seen Shadi perform, she's amazing. She commands such a strange presence. So sometimes I just pretend I'm hurt. And I'm like, Oh, this is my ID because it gets me to that point where I'm like, undefeatable. Then I'm ready to tackle something new.

Amy Petricek

Veronica Sha de Domingos Got it? There you go. Exactly. Exactly. Was there another song? I thought you said there were two. The other one is the SBU theme song. Okay, say more. You have you heard this theme song? Oh, yeah, I've heard it.

Veronica Dominguez

Okay. Okay. Yeah. So I get really into it. I'm one of those people that I'm an sp, you're like marathoner. So I play it back to back to back. Olivia is my favorite character, she can overcome anything. And so when I hear it, you know, it's like, Danny. Like, I get really into it, to the point where like, my mother was like, what is going on over? Like, I like Landy, the musical chords? And you know, if you've ever played rock band, that Whammy, you can't? How do you Whammy a theme song to a show? I figured out how

Amy Petricek

are you like channeling your inner Olivia? The character Olivia? Yes, I want to be her. So Veronica, you're asked to do a brand new task with a skill set you do not yet have where do you turn,

Veronica Dominguez

my go to is always going to be Google and YouTube. So the those are two things that I run to, I have to explore everything, I have to see what everything's about. I have to be able to understand the gravity of what it is. It's new. And I'm also eager. So I tend to like, like, for instance, if I cough, the person on Web MD, and I'm like, Oh, my gosh, I have a lung condition.

Amy Petricek

So last one, without learning finish the sentence,

Veronica Dominguez

there would be no evolution. Because if you think about it, learned behavior, how do we learn to be better than what we were yesterday, evolution wouldn't occur. You know, it happens in our biology, animals adapt, they learn new strategies, and the next generation goes on to keep those strategies. So I think we're constantly evolving every day, at every moment. And it's one of the coolest things when you stop to measure your progress. So if you ever are one of those people that feel frustrated, or you feel like you're stuck, just remember you have the capacity to learn and evolve, and you will get through it.

Amy Petricek

I love that. Thank you. Thank you for ending on that note. It's beautiful. Veronica, if other people are just loving you as much as I do, what would be the best way for them to get in contact with you after the show? I'm always on LinkedIn, so you can find me there. Thanks so much, Veronica for sharing all about podcasting with us today. I also want to give a shout out to you my listeners for spending some time learning with us. Until next time, stay open and receptive.