My Name Is Stacie, And I’m Starting a New Podcast
Life has a funny way of coming full circle. Back in 2017, I nervously stepped into a conference room turned makeshift recording studio at work with my co-host Yashmyn to launch The WomenOnIT Podcast – an internal podcast that would unexpectedly become a hallmark of my career. Now, about 7 years later, I’m diving back into podcasting, but this time with a twist that has me both excited and nostalgic.
The WomenOnIT Era
Picture this: Two women in tech, armed with microphones and a healthy dose of irreverence, discussing everything from emerging technologies to leadership challenges. We weren’t trying to be the “women’s perspective” on IT – we were simply being ourselves while talking about technology with some amazing guests.
What made WomenOnIT special wasn’t just our content; it was our team. We had a producer keeping us on track, a graphic designer making us look good, and even a colleague with a golden voice doing our “station identification breaks” (because why not add a touch of radio flair?). The fact that our company supported this initiative speaks volumes about the importance of fostering creative outlets in corporate environments.
One of my favorite memories was our booth at the 2017 TechCon conference, which happened to fall on Talk Like a Pirate Day – perfectly aligned with our casual approach. There we were, sporting our podcast t-shirts, handing out 3D-printed fidget toys, and somehow managing to snag an interview with the company chairman. Looking back, I can’t help but laugh at how nervous we were initially. That nervousness was such a waste of energy because what followed was pure magic.
The podcast became more than just a creative outlet – it became a powerful networking tool. To this day, people still ask about it. While it eventually ended when my co-host left the organization (because sometimes lightning in a bottle can’t be recreated), the experience taught me invaluable lessons about content creation, audience engagement, and the power of authentic storytelling.
From Corporate to Personal: Enter Adulting Optional
Now, I’m taking everything I learned from WomenOnIT and channeling it into a new adventure: Adulting Optional. This time, I’m stepping outside the corporate walls and into a space that’s both more personal and universal. Along with my husband and another couple, we’re creating a podcast that challenges the notion of what it means to be an “adult” in today’s world.
The concept is simple yet powerful: share real stories about choosing different paths and finding ways to thrive instead of just survive. We’ve already recorded multiple episodes (because this time, we’re being strategic about our launch), and we’re planning to release them at the start of the year.
The Evolution of Fear
What’s interesting is how differently I’m approaching this new podcast. The fears are still there – they’re just different. With WomenOnIT, I worried about corporate perception and professional impact. With Adulting Optional, it’s more about putting our personal stories out into the world. But here’s what I learned from my first podcasting experience: the fear is always less significant than the potential impact.
Looking Ahead
As I prepare to launch Adulting Optional, I can’t help but feel grateful for that first podcasting experience. It taught me that sometimes the best professional development doesn’t come from formal training but from taking chances on creative ideas. It showed me that authenticity resonates more than perfection, and that sometimes the best way to build connections is to simply share your voice.
Stay tuned for more updates about Adulting Optional. I’m not letting the fear win – we’re going to let the stories flow.
Do you have a podcast story to share? Have you ever taken a creative risk at work that paid off? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.