I’m Sorry You Didn’t Go Viral! Our Interview with Michael Strumsky of the People More Interesting Than Me Podcast
Longtime Podcast Host Shares His Inspiring Journey to 100 Episodes
Reaching 100 episodes is a major milestone for any podcast, representing countless hours of planning, recording, editing, and promotion. Michael Strumsky, host of the People More Interesting Than Me podcast, recently joined the Skiptown All-Stars podcast to share his incredible journey getting to almost 100 episodes and offer helpful tips for podcasters along the way.
Michael runs a demanding full-time job as a COO while also juggling family life with two young kids. But he was inspired to start a podcast during the pandemic as a way to document his life and perspective for his children, especially with his multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
While Michael set out to hit 100 episodes, he admitted the road hasn't always been smooth. He started out experimenting with recording audiobooks before realizing podcasts were his true passion. Michael shared that one of the hardest parts is finding consistently interesting guests week after week. But he discovered some great places to locate potential guests, like Reddit.
However, Michael cautioned that even intriguing online personalities don't always translate into solid podcast interviews. He confessed to having a few regrettable episodes that never made it to air, including one guest spewing racist comments and another who pulled out after recording due to an NDA.
Nonetheless, Michael has hosted some incredibly fascinating people, like a childhood friend whose father hijacked a plane to Cuba. He was able to get the full, layered hijacking story that other friends only knew snippets of. However, to Michael's surprise, that gripping episode didn't attract the most downloads.
Beyond interesting guests, Michael credits consistency as critical to growing a podcast. He aims to release episodes weekly, which builds trust with listeners even if some episodes underperform. Michael also emphasized the importance of high-quality editing so the final episode flows smoothly.
When asked about support from his wife, Michael said she's extremely helpful in practical ways like watching their kids during early morning recording sessions. However, she's not necessarily interested in brainstorming creative podcast ideas. Michael can't blame her since she unwind with "junk food" reality podcasts rather than educational ones.
Looking ahead, Michael is considering rebranding after he hits the 100 episode mark. He offered advice that keeping a podcast under wraps in the early stages provides creative freedom, just like the Skiptown hosts experienced.
In the end, Michael continues his podcast journey to leave an engaging legacy for his kids and find interesting people who can inspire others. He proves that running a rewarding podcast is possible even with a busy schedule and some roadblocks along the way.
5. 10 Facts About the US Department of Defense:
- The Department of Defense (DoD) is the largest government agency, with over 1.3 million active duty service members.
- The DoD manages over 1.3 million acres of land, making it one of the largest real estate holders in the world.
- The annual budget for the DoD is approximately $700 billion, the highest of any government agency.
- There are over 450 military installations spread across all 50 states.
- The Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard all operate under the Department of Defense.
- During WWII, over 16 million Americans served in the U.S. Armed Forces under the Department of Defense.
- The Pentagon building has over 17 miles of hallways and is one of the world's largest office buildings.
- The DoD employs over 700,000 civilians in roles like intelligence, engineering, and logistics.
- The Secretary of Defense, currently Lloyd J. Austin III, is a cabinet-level position that oversees the entire DoD.
- Some major agencies within the DoD are the National Security Agency (NSA), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).