Podcast Spotlight: The Pod Spotter

With millions of podcasts out there, it can be difficult to commit to a new storyline. What if you start listening and hate it halfway through? Or you waste an hour on it before realizing the characters are fictional when you thought they were real? That’s where The Pod Spotter comes in, allowing listeners to take a new podcast for a test drive. Each Monday, host Zack Robidas highlights a new or lesser-known podcast, discussing it with the creators or hosts and even playing episode clips. Tune in and learn about our bodies, listen to true crime discussions, or hear strangers’ most intimate secrets. 

This show is a great and easy listen because everyone involved knows what makes a great episode! Whether you are looking to discover the next best thing or just paralyzed by how overwhelming it can be to commit to a new show, this podcast is for you. The variety of content will keep listeners coming back again and again.

We were fortunate to talk with Robidas about the podcast, how they differentiate from other podcasts, and their future plans in podcasting. See below for our full Q&A.

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DISCOVER PODS: How’d you get into podcasting?

ROBIDAS: The Pod Spotter was born out of a desire to pay homage to the medium I’ve loved and depended on for so many years.   I was able to hook up with brothers, Jim and Dan Price, who had this idea and were looking to team with someone who was passionate about podcasts.  I do a lot of voiceover work and had worked with them for years in radio advertising and it all just felt like a natural fit.

DISCOVER PODS: In your own words, why should listeners tune in to The Pod Spotter?

ROBIDAS: Our show is all about putting a spotlight on lesser-known pods. Podcasts not on the Top 100 or Top-whatever lists. There’s so much great content out there and ours is a unique vehicle that helps folks discover some of it.  It’s a great way for listeners to find their next binge-worthy pod or can serve as additional content for fans of the pods we profile. It delivers a unique look “behind the curtain” of their favorite show.

DISCOVER PODS: What kind of feedback have you heard from your listeners?

ROBIDAS: People enjoy the interviews and many remark there is no other show like it. People can read reviews but before they commit to a pod, they want a “taste test” or a “test drive.”  And so that’s what they say is the biggest benefit. They also say my headshot is devilishly handsome.

DISCOVER PODS: Describe your recording set up? What equipment are you using?

ROBIDAS: I’m recording with the Shure SM7B, USBPre2 interface from Sounddevices and a 14-month old toddler crying in the background for that real home-studio vibe. 

DISCOVER PODS: What’s the biggest challenge you face as an indie podcaster?

ROBIDAS: Everything.

We have to do everything. And most of it we are doing-and-learning as we go.  Finding guests, booking guests, dealing with any and all tech stuff, all the prep required for interviews, the editing, the promotion. It’s not a full-time job. It’s about 4 full-time jobs. But we all really love the medium and we believe in the show. We think it’s a great product. Besides, it’s not work if you love what you do, right? But, MAN, it’s a lot of work.

DISCOVER PODS: What other podcasts are you listening to now?

ROBIDAS: Like most podcast listeners I am a creature of habit.  I have my pod routine that changes over the years but at the moment consists of starting my day with “The Daily” to get up to speed on current events.  Lunch will be something in the humanities either “Code Switch”, “Making Sense” or “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” if I just need a laugh.  I work out to something that usually is counter to my personal politics  like a “Ben Shapiro” just to help get me wound up.  I like to fall asleep to nonsense sports talk from “The Ringer” to help my mind turn off but not till after Rachael Maddow tells me what to be upset about each day.

DISCOVER PODS: Anything else you’d like to add?

ROBIDAS: Support the indies. We’re a little guy and we now have such a respect for everything that goes into this and admiration for indies who have gone before us and succeeded. As well as a heaping helping of jealousy and animosity. (Insert “Smiley-face” icon here.)