From Passion to Profession: How Podcasting Changed My Life

Posted on 3 Nov at 2:55 am

By: Randie Chapman, Your Podcast Manager

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Back in 2018, I hated my job. Like, hated it. And in an effort to fit in, I started to listen to podcasts. Around that time, in the office, My Favorite Murder–a true crime show hosted by Georgia and Karen–was all the rage. I thought if I could get into the podcast, I could have a better time with my co-workers and boss.

I attempted to listen to the show, and hated it too 🙃. Until . . . months later.

Discovering Resilience and Breakthroughs

Months later I found out I was pregnant, and then suddenly, I wasn’t. To say I was crushed would be an understatement and for some reason I was drawn back to . . . you guessed it, My Favorite Murder. I was in a dark space and wanted to dive in, but after a few listens–I got it. The show isn’t just about serial killers but it’s about resilience, survivors, grief, and breakthroughs. It’s so good. AND Karen and Georgia are funny.

Embracing the Podcasting World

I never did grow to love my job or my colleagues, but I did think they had great taste in podcasts, and after some time I realized, I can do this too. After all, a friend of mine had already suggested me and my husband start a podcast after I interviewed him for my (now, defunct) blog. And I had brushed her off. But she was right . . . We would be good at this.

We thought we’d have a podcast documenting our pregnancy, but when I miscarried, that plan went out the window. Still, our friends and family pushed us to consider having a show about us. Eventually, they succeeded in convincing us and we started.

Our First Logo for the Black Millennial Marriage Podcast

Listen to a popular episode

Enter the Black Millennial Marriage podcast. For a while, our audience included classmates from college and high school and nosy family members (LOL), but soon we grew. And guess who was editing all of our podcast episodes? We were. And then eventually due to job loss and career changes, I was the only one editing, writing show notes, and creating and uploading audiograms for our show. And the only schooling I had for podcasting was Youtube University.

But do you know that I loved it? Loved. I was editing and recording while breastfeeding a new baby, in between nap time, or late at night when the house was quiet. And then other people caught wind of my work and started to hire me to edit their podcasts episodes. And by the time I looked up it was 2020. And I realized I was burnt out, in the middle of a plague, in lockdown with my family, and had to make a decision.

A Crossroads and a Leap of Faith

via GIPHY

I could keep my full time job and podcasting or I could leave my full time job (which I loved BTW), and podcast full time. It took me three more months to decide to leave my job, and I felt treacherous.

In my family, we don’t leave jobs that have been good to us. But my team completely understood, threw me a party, and delivered cupcakes to my house.

I’d also just been hired to manage a show. Things were looking up.

Building Wordie Productions

Enter . . . a new year and a new pregnancy. {Trigger Warning: Infant Loss}

It was a rough pregnancy and my work slowed down. And when my son was born and then passed away, I spiraled. Wordie Productions helped me get out of bed.

After years of editing and managing podcasts for others, I wanted to start my own company and have more autonomy over the work I got to do.

I launched Wordie Productions in November of 2021 and nearly quit after a few months (LOL).

I was so confused. I had proof and the accolades to show that I could do this work, but finding clients and people willing to invest was kicking my ass. I felt a lot of shame and I felt like a failure. I was deep deep deep in self pity, until something told me to look at the calendar.

I looked and it had only been 3 months since I launched the company 🤣. And I said to myself, “Randie, if quitting wasn’t an option, what would you do?”

I then found a podcast manager coach and a business coach to help me keep the faith in myself and my company. And I am so proud.

The Power of Podcasting

It has been a long long long road. And considering that I went to college for English and Africana Studies, I am just as surprised as anyone that I make a living by managing and editing podcasts. But I do and I do so in an industry that values authenticity and storytelling. What drives me is the opportunity to help people be heard and create connections through their shows.

Podcasting has revolutionized access to stories, education, resources, and community-building. It eliminates unnecessary barriers, allowing people worldwide to learn and connect. This is why I love what I do and why I believe podcasting can change lives.

That’s all from me today, Wordie. And if you made it this far, thank you. We’ll talk soon.