The Disappointment I Call My Podcast

As I’ve endeavored on this philanthropic… endeavor… I’ve been able to sustain positive intentions. On the other hand, I’m well aware of the value of good intentions alone; I’ve always liked that “road to hell is paved with good intentions” saying.

Regardless, I assumed it would all be a labor of love and come with minimal risks. Then, as soon as my mind got comfortable with this, I spent $108 on a Podbean subscription and podcast that has been sorely underwhelming. This isn’t all Podbean’s fault, but I do blame it in part as its features are not as handy, complete or reliable as I’d like. However, the rest of the blame (the majority) falls on me.

I wanted to start a podcast because I thought recording a daily audio-journal on my 35-minute commute home from work every day would be a good way to decompress, brainstorm and pass the time productively. It was never intended to be a traffic-driver, unique or high-quality by any means; it was just supposed to be a quick, convenient, easy way to develop and practice some regular digital habits.

Unfortunately the outcome hasn’t been worthwhile. My truck is noisy and my headphones pick up a lot of white noise, and the phone functionality of Podbean is limited compared to its laptop/desktop capabilities (for which I’ll take the blame for not having researched).

It’s still been enjoyable and entertaining, but not particularly quick, convenient or easy. More importantly, I’ve spent $108 out of my own pocket that I can’t get back and that would have done just as well being given to charity. Had I known it would be so much trouble, I would have just streamed live to YouTube every day.

In the meantime, I’ll still try to make the best of a bad situation for the remaining 10 months of the deal. I’m trying to simplify my process without forgetting its relative importance and role (or lack thereof, even). More importantly, since I’m going through the trouble anyway, I even intend to figure out how to get the casts posted to iTunes and Google Play. I doubt anyone will listen there, but simply figuring it out will be a good learning experience.

In the meantime, I’ll continue to remind myself that every dollar I spend on this endeavor is a dollar that I could just as easily donate toward the endeavor’s cause. I've learned my lesson.