Every dot
…has a story!
This timeline tells that whole story in a nutshell. Each of the dots is a project, an episode of a podcast, a voice captured, lessons learned, hurdles overcome.
From here you can see the starting point, back in 2019, my first podcast What a Lot of Things.
What a Lot of Things
Oct 2019–present
25 episodes (so far!)
This is a show where my friend Ash and I talk about the human side of tech. No guests—just the two of us talking. We had no idea if anyone would listen, but we knew we’d learn by doing, and boy did we make all the mistakes to learn from
Dropping the Clanger
“What A Lot Of Things”…
…is a quote from The Clangers - a 1970s children’s show about pink knitted whistling creatures who lived on their own little planet and marvelled at the universe around them. While some people might say that’s a pretty accurate description of Ash and I, we’ve since updated our podcast artwork to better reflect our tech focus.
Ilkley Lockdown
April 2020–June 2020
12 episodes
However, after 5 episodes, What A Lot Of Things was put on hold when the pandemic hit and we entered the first lockdown.
As we all faced dramatically different daily realities, I decided to try and capture this unique moment in Ilkley’s history and created Ilkley Lockdown - twelve episodes where people from the town shared their stories during those extraordinary first months.
Building Empathy
…and learning on the hoof how to do an interview
The idea was to build understanding between different parts of our community as we all adapted in our own ways. The interviews were done by phone, and while the audio quality wasn’t always great, the authentic stories struck a chord - my wife Paula even had someone enthusiastically recommend the podcast to her, not realising that it was her husband who had created it!
Days
July 2020–June 2021 + 1
15 episodes
One of my interviewees on Ilkley Lockdown was Amanda Danells-Bewley who was involved in Ilkley’s scrubs sewing project. Amanda was very interested in podcasting, and soon we decided to make Days, with a theme of awareness days.
We recorded episodes in local landmarks like The Grove Bookshop for Roald Dahl Day, and recorded a walk on the Moor for National Walking Month.
Days?
Fun but unfindable
So good fun, but we had some trouble getting people to listen to it because when you search for “days” in Apple Podcasts or wherever, it’s impossible to find our podcast. It’s just too common a word. We ended up buying the dayspodcast.com domain name, just so people could find us.
Beyond Stats
Not getting hung up on the numbers…
Some listeners return for every episode; others drop in once and move on—that’s fine. The real value isn’t in chasing massive download counts, but making genuine connections. Even a small, engaged audience can make all your effort feel truly worthwhile and that’s why we’re having the smallest Christmas party in the world next week for What A Lot of Things listeners.
The Art of Audio
Making it sound good enough
Like painting or writing, podcasting is a craft and you need some skills and equipment to do it well. Good content isn’t quite enough. You learn how to use the mic, edit out awkward pauses, and balance sound levels. It’s really hard to listen to something that sounds like it was recorded in a bathroom, but it’s not that hard to get the basics down, and produce listenable audio.
Growing an Audience
Audience growth often happens quietly. You mention the show to friends, post about it on social media, and maybe collaborate locally. It’s a slow, organic process—no instant fame, but if your core idea resonates, the audience will find you, in their own time.
Feedback and Audience Interaction
Encouraging feedback changes the dynamic. Suddenly, it’s not just you talking into the void—it’s an exchange. A listener’s email or a quick note can spark new ideas and remind you why you started. It’s an ongoing conversation, shaped by those who care enough to respond. Again, though, it can be very slow
In podcasting, as in life…
Persistence trumps talent
Showing up regularly—whether that’s weekly or monthly—builds trust and helps you refine your voice. It’s like any other creative routine: the more you do it, the more natural it feels. Consistency isn’t about perfection; it’s about giving your ideas room to grow at a steady pace.
When I did Ilkley Lockdown, I put out an episode about every 3 days. I wouldn’t recommend that - it was really hard.
The creative process
(with due credit to IBM’s Enterprise Design Thinking method)
Podcasting fits neatly into the broader cycle of making something new. You have an idea, you plan, experiment, reflect, and then try again. It’s a process of small improvements rather than grand leaps. Over time, you find a balance—between what you imagine and what you can realistically achieve.
Manifesting Agency
March 2024–present, …
2 episodes
My latest project, with Esther Abramson, embodies everything I’ve learned about podcasting - including a hard lesson about how difficult it can be to maintain momentum. We’re aiming to speak to people who take real action in their communities, capturing what inspires them to make changes, but there are just two episodes published, and I’ve been trying to get around to editing a third one for 6 months.
Getting Unstuck
Reality vs ambition
It’s a powerful reminder that creative projects often move at their own pace, shaped by the realities of work, family, and competing priorities. Each episode takes many hours to plan, record, edit and publish - and sometimes other things have to come first…
Making Peace with Pace
A slow project isn’t a failed one
The hardest thing I’ve learned from making these podcasts is that these things have their own natural rhythm - it can’t be forced. There will always be gaps and pauses while life takes priority, and I’ve finally accepted that this isn’t just okay - it’s actually necessary for sustainable creative work
So, Press Record
…because it brings its own rewards
Even though it’s difficult and time consuming, it’s been very rewarding to work on these different podcasts and I’m really proud of them all. I hope that perhaps some of you might feel inspired to pick up a microphone and give it a go. If so, get in touch - I’d be happy to share what I’ve learned in more detail.