(Jan. 5, 2017) Nearly a year after its debut, Salt Water Media’s podcast “So, What’s Your Story?” has been picked up by local NPR affiliate Delmarva Public Radio. Starting this Saturday, the show that promotes independent authors in the tri-state area will air immediately after “This American Life.”
“It’s a great spot since DPR has about 47,000 listeners and “This American Life” is the most popular NPR show ever,” Salt Water Founder and podcast host Stephanie Fowler said. “It’s a cool moment and offers a lot of validation for what I’m doing – trying to get the voices of these authors heard.”
“So, What’s Your Story” is a weekly podcast where Fowler and her co-host Tony Russo talk with local writers about the writing process and the story behind their published work. Fowler said that she was inspired by working with local authors and hearing stories behind the story.
“I thought ‘I wish other people could hear the stuff that I’m hearing,’ and thought it’d be a cool podcast. But the technical part stymied me,” she said.
That’s when Russo, author of “Eastern Shore Beer” and veteran podcaster stepped in. He started what is believed to be the first podcast on the Eastern Shore in 2005, and currently runs “Beers with Strangers” show.
“I’m not good looking enough to be on YouTube,” Russo joked. “Podcasts are important technology that we need to embrace. This is exciting because it means that podcasts are becoming a thing on the Eastern Shore.
“We don’t have enough local podcasts, so it’s also an opportunity to grow culture,” he added.
Fowler and Russo started recording in 2015, but audio equipment issues caused the podcast to be delayed to February 2016. Since then, the duo has been releasing a show on iTunes, Stitcher and the Salt Water Media website roughly once a week. Through these channels, the podcast had 800 individual listeners, according to Fowler.
“It’s very much an indie thing,” Russo said. “You don’t have to wait for it to be green lit. You can just publish it yourself for free.”
In November, DPR had started following the podcast on social media, and shortly afterwards Fowler and Russo had a meeting with Programs Director Chris Ranck. The hosts were expecting to pitch the show, but Ranck offered them a Saturday afternoon slot.
A “So, What’s Your Story” listener himself, Ranck said he knew it would be good radio the moment he tuned in.
“It’s important for DPR to bring as many local voices as possible,” Ranck said. “I’m hoping this expands the cache of public radio and helps Stephanie and Tony land guests they wouldn’t have landed otherwise.”
Not only will Fowler’s and Russo’s show have access to Delmarva Public Radio’s audience, but it could capture some of “This American Life’s” legions of listeners.
Being aired on public radio does come with two caveats: the shows have to be 29 minutes long, with space for commercials, and no profanity.
But Fowler said that what people hear now on the podcast will be the same as what they hear Saturday.
“It will be pretty much the same flow and energy,” she said. “If anything, I am deeply appreciative of people who are listening to the podcast and paying attention. The whole point of this [the podcast] is for the authors. It’s validation – they’re doing important work and we need to tell people about it.”
“So, What’s Your Story” will air on Saturdays at 1 p.m. on 90.7 WSDL. The first episode airs on Jan. 7.
“It’s a great spot since DPR has about 47,000 listeners and “This American Life” is the most popular NPR show ever,” Salt Water Founder and podcast host Stephanie Fowler said. “It’s a cool moment and offers a lot of validation for what I’m doing – trying to get the voices of these authors heard.”
“So, What’s Your Story” is a weekly podcast where Fowler and her co-host Tony Russo talk with local writers about the writing process and the story behind their published work. Fowler said that she was inspired by working with local authors and hearing stories behind the story.
“I thought ‘I wish other people could hear the stuff that I’m hearing,’ and thought it’d be a cool podcast. But the technical part stymied me,” she said.
That’s when Russo, author of “Eastern Shore Beer” and veteran podcaster stepped in. He started what is believed to be the first podcast on the Eastern Shore in 2005, and currently runs “Beers with Strangers” show.
“I’m not good looking enough to be on YouTube,” Russo joked. “Podcasts are important technology that we need to embrace. This is exciting because it means that podcasts are becoming a thing on the Eastern Shore.
“We don’t have enough local podcasts, so it’s also an opportunity to grow culture,” he added.
Fowler and Russo started recording in 2015, but audio equipment issues caused the podcast to be delayed to February 2016. Since then, the duo has been releasing a show on iTunes, Stitcher and the Salt Water Media website roughly once a week. Through these channels, the podcast had 800 individual listeners, according to Fowler.
“It’s very much an indie thing,” Russo said. “You don’t have to wait for it to be green lit. You can just publish it yourself for free.”
In November, DPR had started following the podcast on social media, and shortly afterwards Fowler and Russo had a meeting with Programs Director Chris Ranck. The hosts were expecting to pitch the show, but Ranck offered them a Saturday afternoon slot.
A “So, What’s Your Story” listener himself, Ranck said he knew it would be good radio the moment he tuned in.
“It’s important for DPR to bring as many local voices as possible,” Ranck said. “I’m hoping this expands the cache of public radio and helps Stephanie and Tony land guests they wouldn’t have landed otherwise.”
Not only will Fowler’s and Russo’s show have access to Delmarva Public Radio’s audience, but it could capture some of “This American Life’s” legions of listeners.
Being aired on public radio does come with two caveats: the shows have to be 29 minutes long, with space for commercials, and no profanity.
But Fowler said that what people hear now on the podcast will be the same as what they hear Saturday.
“It will be pretty much the same flow and energy,” she said. “If anything, I am deeply appreciative of people who are listening to the podcast and paying attention. The whole point of this [the podcast] is for the authors. It’s validation – they’re doing important work and we need to tell people about it.”
“So, What’s Your Story” will air on Saturdays at 1 p.m. on 90.7 WSDL. The first episode airs on Jan. 7.