Gael: I felt like no one was talking about the things going on in every teenager’s life. There are so many influencers out there, yet none were genuinely putting light on deeper topics or sharing the experiences that affect their mental health. I wanted to show others that they’re not alone — we all go through these things, and it’s completely valid.
Isaac: I noticed other teenagers my age keeping their problems pent up inside their heads and not sharing them. After many classmates who I barely met shared their problems with me, I wondered why they trusted me so much. Did they want to be vulnerable so badly that they would express their emotions to the first person they trusted? I wished that there could be an easier way for others my age to find a safe place to relate to their peers without being heavily judged. When Gael told me his idea for the podcast, I loved it, and we’ve worked together since then.
Gael: Our format is simple. The five of us sit down and record conversations around certain topics. I wanted the podcast to feel as authentic and genuine as possible. I wanted vulnerability to be our main value — that’s why sometimes we get emotional on the podcast. It’s completely raw.
What’s your recording setup?
Kayla: We normally record in Thomas’s bedroom, where three of us usually sit on the couch and two people on the bed. The couch and bed are facing each other, so it’s easier to look at each other and make eye contact. We set the microphone stands on the ground, adjust the mic to our height, do some test runs, and then record.
How do you promote your podcast?
Thomas: We’ve tried many different types of advertising methods, but the most effective by far has been Instagram. We pay mid-sized accounts to post a description of our podcast and tag us. This has single-handedly boosted our growth massively.
What’s one thing you wish you knew about podcasting before you started?
Thomas: I wish I was aware of the amount of time and mental drain podcasting can take. It can become very overwhelming trying to balance school, a social life, and the podcast. There were many days when I wanted to sit out of the podcast or simply get it over with. However, it has definitely gotten easier as time goes on.
Kayla: Before podcasting, I wish I understood the emotional aspects of conversations. I was never one to share my real feelings or personal problems with my friends, and that changed when I started podcasting. It has definitely been difficult at times to express myself, but I feel that it has gotten easier for me.
Mark: One thing I wished I realized before starting the podcast was the value of our words. Initially, I thought this was going to be a fun little project. As our podcast grew, we received tons of appreciation and DMs on our instagram. That’s when I realized I can really leave a positive impact on people’s lives. Through our podcast, we have the ability to share our experiences and express our feelings, and sometimes that’s just what people need: stories to relate to. Knowing that, I hope to keep growing my voice. I wished I realized that sooner.
Isaac: Before the podcast, I wish I knew that a podcast does not need to be highly formal or scripted. It is a lot more genuine to simply have a conversation about a topic and share your honest thoughts or opinions. Always share your honest insight, because other listeners may relate to you as well.
