We’re two Scotswomen who want to see an independent Scotland. And preferably before we’re both deid!
Our Podcasting CV:
- Five years back neither of us had any experience of podcasting or filming. We had plenty of other experience and qualifications, just not for that.
- Then we were invited on IndyLive Online Radio as guests of Kevin Gibney. Marlene was active in Pensioners for Indy. Fiona was active in Clacks Women for Indy. We have opinions about most things and we enjoyed being there.
- Kevin kept asking us back. Gradually we took over. OK well not took over. But we were two of only four key people running the station.
- Fiona was producing the Clacks WFI podcasts, Poetry Open mic spot, Audio Levels and Bits and Pieces shows. Not to mention doing all the scheduling for the radio, creating podcast versions of around 20 shows a week and curating a dozen different musical shows.
- Marlene presented the Daytime Show , Yes Group Spotlight, Changing Minds, Corona Dairies, and the Climate Emergency Series. Contacted likely people for interviews. Knew her way around the software that kept the station on air. And during covid lockdown kept those shows running by setting up a remote online studio in her spare bedroom.
- Ironically it was the covid lockdown that made us realise that we didn’t need an actual studio. We could do all the above online. And that laid the ground for what happened next.
- In 2022 the four key people left IndyLive Radio. Why? It had never built up a live audience. And it cost money better used elsewhere. Kevin focussed his efforts on IndependenceLiveStream.
- But we had built up a podcast audience by posting the audio from radio shows on the PodBean podcast platform. We realised that was where we could be much more effective in working for independence. Our fourth key person, who prefers to stay in ‘the background’, is a techie whizz. He helped us design our IndyPodcaster website. He set up our podcasts to auto-share to all the most popular podcast platforms. And he also came up with great ideas and research for podcast themes.
IndyPodcasters & the Scottish Independence Podcasts Channel was born!!
Two and a half years later, we definitely acquired more skills. We’re being sought out by Indy groups and activists to record their events. We’re being asked to take speak and take part in Indy events. We’ve just received a grant from Scottish Independence Foundation to let us upgrade our equipment. Our community of followers on YouTube and TikTok is steadily increasing. We have some regular guest presenters to help us out.
And most of all, we are enjoying ourselves!
