Contracast

In just a few days we will record Contracast episode 20.

I started listening to podcasts all the time back around October 2008. It wasn't long before I wanted to record one of my own, and during the long, boring trips to and from ASU I'd come up with show topics, and think about what I'd like to discuss. It seemed like a good time to start the show would be Summer 2009, and we all pretty much agreed that it would be fun to do. With all the applying for jobs, and general laziness we put off doing anything until June, but on the 20th we sat down and recorded Contracast episode 1. The show was less than 30 minutes long, but when we finished we had a blast, and Contracast was born. Before the show we couldn't come up with a name, and after 10 minutes of throwing names around, Steven tossed out Contracast, and it stuck! The name is a fusion of Podcast, obviously, and "The Contra Band", and band we formed in Summer 2006. Its the same reason that "Contrapaul" exists. Over the summer, and the last few months, we've managed to record 19 episodes, talking about loads of topics. For a little while, back at episode 7 or 8 I didn't think we would make it to 10. After we recorded 17, we had 3 weeks off, and it didn't feel like we would make it to 18, but here we are, a few days from 20. At this point, we're settled in to a groove, each show is similar to the previous one, and its easy enough to find show topics. Basically, Contracast has an identity, and that's awesome.

Here's the thing though, now that it has that identity- of being the game/gadget/tech/etc show, adding other types of topics feels weird. Hence, I'm debating starting ANOTHER podcast, a political/serious one. Think "the Phileas Club". IF I do this it would be a monthly show, with guests each time. UNCC is a great spot to start one of these in, because there are loads of international students. While I'd like to start a show discussing US political issues and our opinions, I don't think that is the wisest thing to do at this point in life. After I have graduated and have a job- sure, but now its not such a good idea. Despite what may come across in discussing my views, I really do get along with almost everyone, and the last thing I want is a prospective employer turning me down because my views don't mesh with theirs. Because of this, I think a show with international guests would be great, since it would basically be an interview/forum setting, with debate and discussion.

I still have to finalize some stuff, and of course find guests, etc, but I think this show might work really well. The ultimate goal is to have a few shows, in the vein of Scott Johnson and Frogpants Studios, and Leo Laporte and the TWiT network. Contracast isn't a wildy popular show, but we have steadily gained listeners. Originally we had about 10 listeners a week, and that number actually went down. All our advertising has ever been is simply whoever was on the show (and often just me) posting a link on Facebook and Twitter. There are links elsewhere, to be sure, but our original audience came from those two places alone. Today, we get about 10 listeners a day, or 70 a week. This is due to us being on the iTunes marketplace, and is really great. Sure, its still not massive, but thats better than nothing!

In conclusion, its been loads of fun, and a great hobby. I'm sure I'll be back writing something like this at episode 50, 100, 150, and so on. Thanks to everyone who has listened to the show, give us some feedback if you like it!