The REAL behind Shades of Content
It may seem like the Shades of Content podcast was this idea that effortlessly came to be and was rolled out effortlessly. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Honestly, I’d been toying with the idea of starting a podcast for a really long time and took a few big steps towards making it happen:
I contacted my friend Adam (who’s been producing podcasts professionally for 10+ years) for tips on how to do it right (truth: there is no right way to do it),
I went and bought $700 worth of equipment (and now I record using my iPhone),
I paid $1000 to join a podcast coaching class (I still use some of those tips).
And with all of that, I still didn’t launch for another 8 months.
There were a few reasons for me not launching. One was that I wasn’t married to the idea. The original podcast was called “The Culture Architects” (I may still use that name for something else, so back off!). It would have allowed me to interview the behind the scenes people in the entertainment/hip hop industry - something in which I’m very passionate. But, it just didn’t feel right for my own podcast, so I didn’t move forward.
Secondly, I felt like there were already enough podcasts in the world. I didn’t believe my idea was unique enough, but I also didn’t want to do something that “everyone else was doing”.
Lastly, and maybe the most telling, was that I was afraid. I was afraid to let others hear me. I was afraid of producing something that wasn’t up to my level of quality. I was afraid that I wouldn’t have guests or listeners. I was afraid that my voice would sound stupid. I was afraid of what people would think. So many fears stood in the way of what would eventually be the ONLY podcast for women content creators of color.
Fast forward 7 months, a fully built out podcast studio and a yearning to flesh out new ideas, I sat down with my team and we committed to getting serious about launching a podcast. We selected a name and premise in one 2-hour meeting, I designed the logo and website in one night and reserved all of the social media handles. Then, I recorded the first 2 episodes from my phone.
Just like that! It was done and Shades of Content launched on March 19, 2020 (my oldest child’s 13th birthday). The show reached the 500 download mark in just 2 months and I’ve been able to interview some of the content creators that I’ve admired from afar while also telling my own story. It’s a beautiful thing. I literally look forward to recording episodes and asking women to be guests on the show.
We have to get out of our way! The levels of awesomeness that reside on the other side of fear are bountiful. If we have real faith in ourselves, and most importantly, God, how can we allow being scared to keep us from the blessings that he’s already promised? You do know that it was HIM who put those thoughts, ideas and creations in our minds and on our hearts in the first place, right?!
I know that we all have fears. That’s natural and a normal part of life.
But, the difference between creating full lives in which we act in our own light OR living incomplete lives that don’t serve us or others, is saying EFF YOU to those fears and moving forward anyway. I did it and you know you can too.
I really want to hear about something that fear has robbed from you. Tell me in the comments (because speaking it is one way of moving towards making it happen) or send me a DM on Instagram!
Love always!