I have been recording audio for years. Back in 2009 I used Audacity to have kids record radio shows -- it was a blast. Still, those never went out to the public. After taking a job with Southwest Tech around 2012, I found myself teaching Speech. I was telling my kids to throw themselves into uncomfortable situations so they would grow as a speaker. On the drive home one night, I started thinking about trying my own lesson. I thought about something that made me uncomfortable -- radio. I defined the problem --> I need to make myself uncomfortable if I intend to grow.

My brainstorming resulted in me working up the courage to ask WGLR if I could record a few radio ads. Thankfully, Daryl Fischer obliged. I dibs that as my selected solution (for the time being). I think I did 5-6 over a few months. It was uncomfortable, but really good for me. Last year, while I was working in the Platteville School District, Page Leahy and I attended a podast workshop at CESA 3 where we made sure we left having made our first podcast, published and all. Haha. I couldn't believe we did it!

Fast forward to the fall of 2019. I was preaching to my students the importance of throwing themselves into all sorts of edTech tools. I found myself talking about Podcasting, but feeling like a hypocrite for not really trying. A little part of me even worried about being asked how to do it. I wouldn't be able to speak with confidence. I brainstormed for hours about the focus and topic. That caused so many delays! Edtech focus? K12 focus? General Teacher Prep? Finally, once I heard our director, Dr. Jen Collins, talk about her vision for the School of Education and owning the idea of the Proud Rural Teacher, I realized I had my focus. So, I quietly made my first episode. It was nothing more than an intro. I prototyped my solution by publishing it and checked Google Podcasts 200 times the next two days. I still remember walking to work, refreshing Google Podcasts one more time, and seeing it there. It worked. I published something. And I didn't tell a soul for several days.

Since then, I've made the following pivot goals (March 2020). These are three areas I'm struggling with significantly (at least in my mind!).

1. Re-do the intro and create a conclusion. Seek out more professional audio by asking Tyler Tollefson for feedback.

2. Map out the pattern of my favorite podcasts.

3. Study how the hosts interview guests and stimulate conversation. I tested my solution by inviting guests. That gave me the chance to feel what it would be like talking to people (I love the chatter, but it's uncomfortable!). I'm now back to iterate with the Stories from the Driftless Series.