Picking apart podcasting and projects

I originally started this blog as an assignment for my digital storytelling class, but I quickly realized it’s become so much more than that.

For a long time, I’ve thought about writing a blog, but I couldn’t think of anything to write about, and most definitely didn’t believe anyone would read it. I got just the push I needed to jump right in and start my blog. It’s now something I look forward to writing each week, and it gives me the opportunity to write something for myself that I can share with others.

Along with writing and maintaining my first blog, this particular class also gave me the opportunity to create my own podcast. Now, podcasts are not a part of my day-to-day life, nor have they ever been. It’s not that I don’t like them, I’ve listened to a few here and there with my friends, but I’ve never found one podcaster I liked and stuck with them.

Making a podcast was something entirely new to me, and at first, I was stressed beyond belief about completing this project. But I have to say, it was so much more fun that I could ever imagine.

To me, a podcast is sort of like a radio show. The only difference is that it’s not live (at least not in this case), and generally, you have a lot more listeners. I took on this project with the mentality that I was just doing my radio show. Except of course, with a different cohost, recording software, and my final grade taken into account.

I decided to nominate my older sister, Gabbie, to be my cohost. Ever since I was a little kid, and especially in the last few years, Gabbie has inspired me and helped me through so much. Not to mention, we get along extremely well and never stop talking when we're together. So I thought, what better person to take on a podcast with me?

When I approached Gabbie with the idea, she was so excited and willing to help me that I couldn’t wait to get started. We figured this would be a fun extra activity to do over our Thanksgiving break, but after about three minutes of recording, we realized this was something we wanted more of.

Our fresh new podcast is called “Troubled Travelers.” I have to give credit to my dad for coming up with that name, because I was stumped after coming up with my idea and as usual, he took what I was thinking about into words.

So you’re probably just dying to know what the podcast is about, right?

You’ll have to listen to find out, but I’ll give you a teaser.

As avid travelers, Gabbie and I have experienced every single thing that go wrong on a trip. From flights delayed for eight hours, to getting stranded in a sketchy city with no car, we’ve done it all. Since we’ve lived apart from each other for several years now, it seems that every time we try to see each other, one of our worst travel nightmares come true. And when we’re traveling together, don’t even get me started. We truly have the worst luck when it comes to traveling, but we’ve learned to make jokes, and now a podcast, about it.

In the first episode, Gabbie and I recount some of the most memorable travel messes we’ve encountered: Spring Break 2018, Cappiello Family Vacation 2018, and this past Thanksgiving break.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Gabbie and I decided we have such a plethora of unfortunate travel experiences, it would be a crime not to share them all. What started out as a class project is turning into something we want to do more regularly.

I’m so incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to try something new. Not only do I have a solid piece of work I’ll be able to share over and over again, but I created it with my sister, who is quite possibly one of my best friends in the entire world. When we’re together, I don’t pay attention to time, work, or any stress in my life. I just enjoy every moment we spend together, because our time is so limited.

To listen to the first episode of “Troubled Travelers,” please click the podcast tab on the top of this page, or click here to go to my SoundCloud page.

#sisters #podcast #travel