Autumn from the observation deck
I’ve always wanted to have a podcast. I love hearing other people’s stories, so I think a little part of me always knew I would find a way to share some, in my own style on my terms. Telling one’s own story is an incredibly special skill and one that I’m working to improve. I have always enjoyed helping others tell their story. I’m sure the two inform each other. It’s an intimate relationship and something I do not take lightly.
An English teacher in high school once told my class, “You can get anyone to tell you anything,” and I took it as a cautionary tale…only ask someone to tell their story if you’re willing to listen.
I first got into podcasts when I would travel on the overnight train from Chicago to Cumberland. I typically rode the train around Thanksgiving, trying to avoid the holiday crowds for a quick trip home. The train was rarely less expensive, and it was not always the most enjoyable experience, but it had a romance to it, and I knew I would avoid unwanted travel anxiety and delays (for the most part, I’ll save THAT story for another time).
Fall was an amazing time to ride, taking in the beauty of the change in colors of the autumn leaves from Illinois through Maryland, all from my perch in the observation car. At the beginning of the trip I would settle into my seat, wait until they checked my ticket and wrote the three letter abbreviation for Cumberland which was always…awkward… then I’d hustle up to the observation car and wait there until I was sufficiently tired enough to go back to my seat for the night.
This American Life had its own App back in the day, it still does actually, but now most people just follow it on the Podcast App or other platforms. I don’t think I ever used the podcast app until Serial came out. I would get my phone on the charger, put my ear buds in, and hit play on the latest episode and let it go all through the night.
I don’t remember how I found This American Life, I’m sure it was a recommendation from a friend in grad school. Being in Chicago and going to an art school for architecture, I’m sure that’s where the radio recommendations came rolling in. I used to nanny and I remember one parent being appalled I had never heard of WBEZ. I’m a different person now. Finding that show in particular was a life saver because the sound reporting was so good, it helped distract me from the other noises on the train and whatever stranger was sitting snoring next to me for that trip.
Some part of me thinks if I had known about radio production and sound reporting I may have chosen a different career path. I used to type stories on a typewriter, but mostly I rewrote existing stories and just enjoyed the sound of the click clack of the keys. I digress.
Ten years after that first trip home over Thanksgiving, I now produce a podcast of my own with my podcast partner Jessica Fike. We have some exciting plans for the future of the podcast, and I’m excited to see where it goes. Our website will be live soon at Mountain Maryland Mamas, but for now you can listen here. The Podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and coming to Google Podcasts soon. I’ll be back later this week with another recipe, but for now, take a listen to the podcast and let me know what you think!
