The Gastrocast

The Seattle PI has been a forerunner in the podcasting newspaper genre. Their On Food is a great podcast and one of my favorite food-news sources. I have had some problems with ipodder downloading a few of their shows, however everything usually works. Now I am no web genius, but I was able to find all I needed to download a podcast aggregator and a load a few podcasts into it within 30 minutes of finding out about what podcasting was all about–back in February. I didn’t even have broadband back then–in fact when I decided to make my first podcast I had to painfully wait while it took hours to upload it.  How can an average joe like me get up to speed with blogging and podcasting and the teaming masses be lost? The PI’s Article today is questioning the efficacy of podcasting and the PI’s involvement in it. It is a shame that rather than highlighting all the positive things about it, and encouraging listeners, all they can do is say how difficult and remote it all seems. All I can say is hang on. . .the day will soon come when the logistical problems will be a dim memory.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Jason Pettus has said the Flickr/podcast combo is "Brilliant". Kudos to the first podcaster to think of it! This copycat seems to have brought the fruit to ripeness. :-p 



I do take exception to his remark, though, that "The podcast itself isn’t that terribly original an idea. . . ." Excuse me, out of 23–well, really 13 actual food related "podcasts" (some are just rss-fed radio shows–mine is unique in it’s special blend of myoptic ranting, life study, and crazy cookery lessons. In the Food Network Age, probably not as original as it could be, but I am on a zero budget, and work without safety net–just what podcasting is all about!

Popularity: 8% [?]

The Podchef has had two other mentions in the past few days. Everything seems to be centered around my use of Flickr Photosets. I think Flickr is great. The combination of a podcast and a photoset bring a clarity to what might otherwise be unclear. For me, as well, they both drive eachother. It is a challenge for me to talk, cook, and shoot. As we all know it can have disasterous results. But out of those ashes a new creativity has arisen. I feel my subject matter is coming in to focus both optically and mentally and I am growing and learning things which apply to the bigger picture.



This further recognition is affirming. Sure, I am largely doing this for myself. I have fun–mostly–and I enjoy thinking and sharing concepts and ideas I feel strong about. This is leading me to thinking and acting in other areas of my profession as well. Long closer doors are seeming to open up a bit.  Nevertheless the mentions are encouraging and have a positive impact on Podcasting in general. I take it as read that my Gastrocasts do not have a broad appeal. I am not in the class of the top 100 podcasts, nor do I think I want to be. . .I am a niche and  a small one at that. I do not target any audience, but it is obviously related to one which thinks about food primarily. However to see my subscription rate raise from 9 to 53 (and I know that waivers and I am probably 3 of those myself) and my downloads recently exceed 125 for some of the Gastrocasts in only 9 episodes and 2 soundseeing tours is very encouraging. If I can do it on my own, than most other people can too. I don’t have much guidence, I am not tapped into some secret knowledge base; I have never received pod-wisdom from the hailed masters–but I have taken it from pod-friends and followed examples which I enjoy. Some of my favorite podcasts are in the link section at the left. I also listend to IT and communication podcasts.  Basically Podcasting of moderate quality is so easy to achieve, and I am grateful and amazed that anyone listens. Thank you.

Popularity: 8% [?]