Words From Friends – A Podcast Spotlight with Sophie Pell

I’m going to tell you a story.

I’m not going to do it well. It’s a skill I covet.

Badly. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Sophie Pell, a UK-based staff writer for the podcast Words from Friends.

The show’s premise is to collect and produce a podcast that exposes these relatively unknown writers to a larger audience.

As any creator knows, breaking through the algorithms is getting harder. That’s why I was so happy to learn how closely their mission aligns with ours.

A lot of overlap in that mission Venn diagram.

The through line of Words from Friends is good storytelling. 

It’s as simple a concept as it is complex and daunting to pull off. 

I was pleased listening to the episodes, and they are, indeed, pulling it off well.

The Importance of Storytelling

I’ll admit it. Well, I already did.

I sincerely think if there’s a skill to know up and down, inside and out, it’s storytelling. 

None of us get very far without a narrative. All the numbers in the world aren’t going to overcome a narrative. Even if that narrative isn’t based in reality.

Stories aren’t just for fiction nerds like us. They’re vital for anyone trying to sell something (which is everyone, thanks Dan Pink), get a point across, and convince someone to do something.

Or control a nation.

“Neuroscience research also shows that stories are processed differently from other types of information in the brain. What is special about stories?” – Emily Falk, Neuroscientist

Their study showed the human brain physically interacts with stories more than any other type of information. This, is why I’m interested in the subject and glad that there are creators like Sophie and Words from Friends mastering the craft.

The Problem with Distribution

As with most other creative, liberal arts modes of expression, the podcast industry has experienced extreme consolidation over the past several years.

A large swath of independent companies and production houses have been hit hard.

Whereas Amazon became the defacto book store on the planet, Spotify has become the dominant player in the podcast industry. 

Even Apple has lost market share over its own creation.

I think that’s unhealthy. If you’re not winning the Spotify algorithm game (the same as Amazon or YouTube), it’s challenging to break through.

Growth of Spotify Podcasts vs Apple Podcasts (2019-2024)

Maybe I’m cynical.

In discussing the subject, Sophie saw an opportunity for podcasts.

“Yeah, I think it’s interesting but I also think one of the things I like about where it’s going is it’s a lot more conversational. It’s a lot more casual. I think a lot of people are drawn to podcasts Specifically because it feels like you’re part of a conversation or someone’s telling you a story kind of one to one.” – Sophie Pell.

So, maybe it’s not all doom and gloom. As Sophie mentioned, the pendulum swings, and right now, we’re at consolidated ascendancy. 

Maybe that won’t last forever. Keep up the good fight.

For all the Joe Rogans and mega podcasters, independent creators like Sophie are doing amazing work. They’re connecting creators and listeners.

Words from Friends Format

Words from Friends is a roughly half hour to 45 minute storytelling podcast. 

Each episode has a couple of stories produced.

The genres skip around which does draw the listener to the auto play feature in their podcatcher.

Stories are submitted from writers outside the company itself, in addition to using in house staff writers like Sophie.

It’s a collective operation.

What I Like About Words from Friends

We’ve been reviewing a lot of fiction lately. 

Vibes. They feel like fiction is about to blow up. This is a good omen.

As with a lot of the fiction we’ve been looking at, not only is the writing universally good, but the production sounds great. Words from Friends is a podcast that is taking its audio-only format seriously.

As Sophie mentioned in our discussion, audio quality did not suffer during the pandemic. 

Many people built mini home studios and learned how to mix, edit, and engineer properly, which was one of the only good things to happen during lockdown.

I like that the mission of the show, as I mentioned earlier, is clear. To expose great writers to new audiences that they otherwise may not have access.

The team working on this podcast really seems to understand the assignment. 

Words from Friends’ editorial team is doing great work, choosing and producing, great stories.

Sophie Pell wrote the first story in the first episode I listened to. Seemed a relevant choice. And it was nothing like what I thought it’d be. You know, because I’m a bad storyteller.

I really enjoy that they jump around to different genres as it keeps the episodes fresh. You don’t exactly know what to expect.

But you can expect it to be good. Or as one comment on their Spotify page says “enthralling.”

What Could Use Some Work?

Honestly, just more of the show.

As I mentioned in the intro, this isn’t just for esoteric, erudite English students. Its universality cuts through.

I mean, just look at the therapeutic benefits of consuming stories.

Storytelling has powerful therapeutic effects on mental health:

• It can lower anxiety and depression levels 3
• It boosts empathy and connection with others 3
• Sharing personal stories provides emotional release and catharsis 2
• Listening to others’ stories validates experiences and offers new perspectives 2

So, can we get on that, please? 

I get that finding contributors and then working with them to produce a show is a lot of work. 

This isn’t a simple talking head type stream of consciousness operation. Actual work goes into this. A lot of it. 

Final Thoughts About Words from Friends

Life moves faster than ever. Point to some aspect of society that isn’t shifting under your feet.

I can’t at the moment.

It can be difficult to find the time to sit and be vulnerable with a work of fiction.

As Sophie says, it’s an immersive art.

As a consumer, you must put some effort into engaging with a good story. 

Words from Friends produce work where you’re drawn in and attracted to the experience. But as a listener, you have to play your part, engage, and figure out what those stories mean to you.

That’s the kind of essential work Sophie and the team are doing. If you haven’t listened to enough fiction… listen to this podcast. It’s eclectic enough to act as a great place to reengage stories.

Don’t repeat my mistake. 

If anyone can make the broad connections we all need right now, it’s storytellers like Words from Friends.

So, thank you.

Go listen to Words from Friends. You won’t regret it.

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If you’re interested in having your podcast spotlighted, you can check out the details of the program here.