Growing up and adulting is stressful and hard work. Many argue the entitled and lazy millennials aren’t well-suited for “grown-up life”, but that’s a conversation for another time. Abbey Kindler takes this concept, and created basically a DIY version of becoming an adult, Learn to Adult. It’s a podcast version of Adulting 101.

Coming from someone who’s spent way too much time lately watching “how-to” YouTube videos, this is a topic that’s near and dear to my heart. Recently, I got a chance to chat with Abbey, creator and host of Learn to Adult about how she got started and where she wants to take the podcast from here.

Discover Pods: How did your podcast get started?

Abbey: I got into podcasting when a friend asked me to cohost a TV show podcast (Once Upon a Timing). I had a mic and some editing equipment so I figured why not? I had been toying with the idea of a show, which is why I had the mic, but doing the cohosted show really helped my comfort level with the show. My first few episodes make me cringe because I’ve evolved so much since then! It’s amazing what a few weeks of recording can do for your confidence and comfort! But I knew I wanted to help people and I know how many people struggle with growing up! Just look through #adulting on Twitter. It is full of people with questions and confusion! Adulting is hard! So I chose a name I loved, “Learn to Adult” and I started my journey!

DP: As a first-time homeowner, I’m definitely having to “learn to adult” fast and on the fly, where should I start? Any specific episodes I should start with?

Abbey: Buying a home is one of my long term episode goals. One of the things I do (since I am in no way an expert on everything) is to find people to talk to and help guide me through the process as well. Right now I think the biggest hitter I have covered is taxes! There are two episodes on taxes because one was not enough. The two professionals I interviewed were amazing and I think they both had great information for first time filers. If you are starting out my episode called Back up and Save is a short solo episode that I really enjoyed making and it has my favorite information of all time: Save. Your. Documents. If you like two people talking more, my latest two episodes about networking are a lot of fun and very informative.

DP: Why did you choose a podcast over other mediums?

Abbey: I love podcasting so much. It is this new wave of communication that I feel connected to. I was always making radio shows as a kid but never saw it as something I could do as an adult. I didn’t want to be a DJ or a news reporter, I wanted a talk show I was in control of and until a few years ago, that wasn’t available! I tried the YouTube route but being on camera stresses me out. Plus podcasting without makeup is my jam.

DP: “New wave of communication” How do you think the relationship (if any) exists between radio and podcasts 15 years from now?

Abbey: I think radio and podcasting will meet head on here shortly. The integration of ads into podcasts and radio stations moving online or to satellites, it is only a matter of time before the two mediums are married. I know Sirius is already launching something for podcasts so we are almost there. I think this generations thirst for variety, news, history, and comedy will be met with podcasts and radio combining.

DP: What’s unique about your podcast? Why do your listeners keep coming back?

Abbey: “Learn to Adult” helps guide you through the tasks we all have to do as an adult but we didn’t learn in school. So many people find them self helpless and googling “How do I do my taxes?!” I wanted a way to learn these thing or at least get a primer for commuters and podcast lovers. I cover a variety of topics and also talk to subject matter experts! It’s a great bite sized podcast to help people week after week, and people come back for the wide array of learning!

DP: Your genre lends itself easily to snackable, bite-size episodes. Have you toyed and/or tested with more longer form?

Abbey: Longer form has always been something I have been interested in. Especially for the larger topics (like home buying!!) but anything longer than that seems like such a slog to me. First the editing would be a bear, but also I know that long form can be a turn off to a lot of people. They would rather things in easily digestible form rather than one giant thing. It’s like a meme I saw a while ago, “I’ll sit down and binge 3 seasons of a tv show on Netflix but a YouTube video longer than 5 minutes? Ain’t nobody got time for that.” I think wisdom applies to podcasting as well. People would rather binge multiple episodes than one huge one.

DP: What’s next? Where do you want to take your podcast?

Abbey: I would love for my podcast to have a mailbag section and a call line. People have so many specific questions they want to ask and I want to answer all of them! If I had enough traction I could move to two episodes a week! I’m also toying with the idea of a book but that’s a crazy long term goal!

DP: What are your favorite 5 podcasts?

Abbey:

  1. Nerdist
  2. Pod Save America
  3. Anna Faris is Unqualified
  4. Talk Salad and Scrambled Eggs
  5. Storm of Spoilers

DP: Anything else you want to add?

Abbey: This is not aimed to be self serving, but if you find a podcast you like, let them know somehow. Email them, rate them on iTunes, tweet/share their links. It really does mean the world to people who pour themselves into this medium.

DP: Where can listeners find you?

Abbey:

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