Preparing for your Birthful interview
Thank you *so much* for being a part of the Birthful podcast! I'm looking forward to speaking with you.
If you want to listen to what the show sounds like in advance, you can check out some of the past episodes here on the website (where you'll also be able to see what the show notes look like), or you can listen directly on Apple Podcasts.
To make the process flow, below you will find information that covers the logistics and technical aspects of the show.
Before our scheduled recording:
Please send me the following in advance.
If we are recording an interview:
- Email me a short bio
- Email me your high-resolution headshot (at least 800 px on the shortest side)
- Email me links to any information that would be relevant for me to look at before recording, and/or that you would like me to share with the listeners in the show notes
- Fill out the online release (you will receive an email link)
- Test the voice memo app on your phone (review the emailed instructions)
If you are sharing your story/stories:
- Email me several photos that relate to or help illustrate your story/journey. Some examples are photos from your birth, of you/your baby/your house during the postpartum period, pictures of your partner and your baby, or pics of you breastfeeding. Whatever makes most sense with your story! (Here’s what that could look like.) Ideally, images are 800 px on their shortest side. If you had a birth photographer, I’ll more than happy to include their name and link to their website if you/they’d like.
- Email me links to any information that would be relevant for me to look at before recording, and/or that you would like me to share with the listeners in the show notes
- Fill out the online release (you will receive an email link).
- Test the voice memo app on your phone (review the emailed instructions)
- (Optional) A short bio and your high-resolution headshot (at least 800 px on the shortest side)
How we record:
We will record using Zencastr (on Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Brave browser on a laptop/desktop computer) AND the voice memo app on your phone. We will email your personal recording link before our talk, along with details about how we record.
For the best possible sound:
We want to make sure you sound fantastic! Here are a few ways you can ensure that:
- Make sure you have a headset or headphones! This will eliminate feedback and mic bleed during the recording.
- Have a good internet connection. Please go to speedtest.net to verify your internet speed. You want at least 5 Mbps up/download speed (and ideally 10 Mbps or more) to avoid connection issues. If your computer is wired directly to the internet (instead of wi-fi), even better!
- Have enough space on your computer. This means at least 10GB of free hard drive space. For the best audio/video quality possible, Zencastr saves a local backup of your recording files on your computer. This allows us to recover your files in the event there is an issue with the upload to the cloud. You can find out more System Requirements info for Zencastr here.
- Minimize noises and echoes. You will need headphones or a headset. Make sure your mic is clear of objects like dangly earrings or long hair (you may need to tie it back). To avoid interruptions, also please remember to silence your phone, and close any apps that could give a sound alert during our time together. Turn off any fans, humming printers, hissing humidifiers … basically, close your eyes, take a listen, and try to minimize any noise in your surroundings.
Information about the logistics and flow of the show:
- When we record, I will welcome you, and we’ll talk a bit about who you are and/or what you are doing before getting into the topic of the show. The tone of the podcast is very conversational and accessible. (There will be a post-recorded intro that I insert later).
- The show is intended for new and expectant parents, and the questions I ask will reflect this. The tagline of the show is “talking to perinatal pros –and new parents– to inform your intuition.” My goal is that the podcast gives listeners tangible information that they can use while encouraging them to find out more about the topic.
- Toward the end of the show, I will ask you to share some of your favorite resources on the topic we’ve been discussing. I will include these resources in the show’s outro. I will also share how listeners can learn more about what you are doing, and the best way to connect with/contact you. Then we’ll say goodbye on the show. Don’t hang up immediately! After recording, we’ll need to download your file before finalizing the call.
Before your episode goes live:
The day your episode goes live, we will send you links so that you can listen and share them with your communities. We will attach an image that we create for Social Media sharing to make the process easier for you.
Thanks again for being a part of the podcast. We’re excited about this and truly appreciate having you on!