WEBVTT 00:00:00.510 --> 00:00:03.330 Ryan Record: To build a network is more than just building a show. 00:00:03.570 --> 00:00:05.790 Like start there, start small. 00:00:06.690 --> 00:00:08.189 It can always grow from there. 00:00:08.220 --> 00:00:13.410 And to surround yourself with the people that will not only back you up, but 00:00:13.410 --> 00:00:20.250 challenge you to push for that something greater that you're aspiring to do. 00:00:20.550 --> 00:00:21.840 And all starts with ideas. 00:00:21.840 --> 00:00:23.820 Everybody has a story to share. 00:00:27.375 --> 00:00:30.195 Neil McPhedran: Welcome to Continuing Studies, a podcast for higher education 00:00:30.195 --> 00:00:32.115 podcasters to learn and get inspired. 00:00:32.174 --> 00:00:37.125 I'm Neil McPhedran, founder of Podium Podcast Company, and Higher Ed Pods. 00:00:38.205 --> 00:00:40.665 Jennifer-Lee: And I'm Jennifer-Lee, founder of J'Pod Creation's. 00:00:40.665 --> 00:00:42.675 Podcasting is broadcasting. 00:00:42.915 --> 00:00:44.565 We want you to know you're not alone. 00:00:44.565 --> 00:00:47.685 In fact, there are many of you higher ed podcasters out there, and 00:00:47.685 --> 00:00:49.540 we can all learn from each other. 00:00:49.930 --> 00:00:50.620 Neil McPhedran: You got it, Jen. 00:00:50.650 --> 00:00:55.330 And before we jump into this episode, I would just encourage you all to 00:00:55.330 --> 00:01:01.550 join the higher education podcaster community at HigherEdPods.com. 00:01:01.570 --> 00:01:04.240 We continue to add on more podcasts there. 00:01:04.840 --> 00:01:08.920 It's amazing how we just keep finding more podcasts at it just keeps growing and it's 00:01:08.920 --> 00:01:14.950 turning into more and more of a robust directory of higher education podcasts. 00:01:15.480 --> 00:01:17.820 Jennifer-Lee: I remember when you started with a handful of podcasts 00:01:17.820 --> 00:01:19.830 and now we have a huge community. 00:01:20.610 --> 00:01:24.300 Neil McPhedran: There is over 1200 higher education podcasts in there now. 00:01:24.330 --> 00:01:28.470 So in this episode, we are chatting with Ryan Record. 00:01:28.680 --> 00:01:35.760 Ryan is the podcast network manager at Howard Community College, which is in 00:01:35.760 --> 00:01:42.390 Maryland, and the actual network itself is called Dragon Media Podcasts because 00:01:42.780 --> 00:01:49.685 Dragon is the college's mascot, so that's why that's called Dragon Media Podcast. 00:01:49.744 --> 00:01:53.975 Ryan's had quite the journey, so he is now the podcast network manager. 00:01:54.335 --> 00:01:58.475 He's recently taken over that full managerial responsibility. 00:01:58.985 --> 00:02:02.195 He actually started as an intern and then he was the assistant 00:02:02.195 --> 00:02:04.235 manager, and now he's the manager. 00:02:04.604 --> 00:02:07.005 So he's got a, he's got a big job there 'cause there's 00:02:07.095 --> 00:02:09.225 eight podcasts in the network. 00:02:09.764 --> 00:02:14.595 I think what's interesting about this conversation is last episode we chatted 00:02:14.595 --> 00:02:21.555 with Dee Patel about the Wharton Podcast Network and so staying on the network 00:02:21.555 --> 00:02:26.984 theme here, what is interesting about this is, this is from a community college, 00:02:26.984 --> 00:02:29.894 so a, a different kind of network. 00:02:29.894 --> 00:02:35.520 Like this network is very much more the grassroots, it's part of the community. 00:02:35.580 --> 00:02:38.880 It's, it, you know, there's a large component that's for the 00:02:38.880 --> 00:02:40.710 students and for the community. 00:02:40.710 --> 00:02:43.710 So it's a different sort, sort of purpose. 00:02:43.710 --> 00:02:47.670 And I think that really is interesting in our conversation that we have with Ryan. 00:02:48.780 --> 00:02:49.260 Jennifer-Lee: Yeah. 00:02:49.260 --> 00:02:53.220 And I really like how they vet the network, they really vet it. 00:02:53.250 --> 00:02:57.030 And then not only that, I asked them the question, if someone has 00:02:57.030 --> 00:03:00.510 a great podcast idea, do they have to be connected to the university? 00:03:00.510 --> 00:03:02.970 And I was shocked that you don't because a lot of them you do. 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:05.880 So we're gonna get into that in just a second. 00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:07.020 Neil McPhedran: Let's get into it. 00:03:10.140 --> 00:03:10.920 Hello Ryan. 00:03:10.920 --> 00:03:13.800 Thanks for joining us on the Continuing Studies podcast. 00:03:14.760 --> 00:03:16.800 Ryan Record: It's an honor and pleasure to be here. 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:17.430 Thanks for having me. 00:03:18.165 --> 00:03:18.855 Neil McPhedran: Wonderful. 00:03:19.275 --> 00:03:25.725 So you have a lot going on there on the podcast front from what I understand, 00:03:25.725 --> 00:03:30.045 actually, let's just start at, you've just taken on a whole new role. 00:03:30.075 --> 00:03:31.605 You're now the network manager. 00:03:31.605 --> 00:03:34.785 Maybe we should start there and just sort of let us know just about your new 00:03:34.785 --> 00:03:36.405 role and what, what does that all mean? 00:03:37.305 --> 00:03:41.535 Ryan Record: Yeah, so stepping into the role as manager of Dragon Podcasts is 00:03:41.535 --> 00:03:45.855 a dream come true for me as somebody that was an intern here years ago. 00:03:45.885 --> 00:03:49.635 My mentor Matt, who was the manager that just left, laid out like a 00:03:49.635 --> 00:03:55.215 really solid creative foundation for me to jump in and thrive, really. 00:03:55.215 --> 00:03:59.415 So I'm hitting the ground running eight shows that I oversee. 00:03:59.805 --> 00:04:03.015 Yeah, it's just really exciting time to be around, man. 00:04:03.540 --> 00:04:04.770 Jennifer-Lee: Yeah, congratulations. 00:04:04.770 --> 00:04:09.650 And I have to say, so I met Matt at, of course, the Higher Ed PodCon, 00:04:09.990 --> 00:04:13.770 and you guys were wearing badges that just said Dragon Podcast. 00:04:13.920 --> 00:04:16.140 So what is the Dragon Podcast Network? 00:04:16.709 --> 00:04:18.570 Ryan Record: We're the Dragons because we're the Howard 00:04:18.570 --> 00:04:20.190 Community College Dragons. 00:04:20.190 --> 00:04:21.240 It's our mascot. 00:04:21.870 --> 00:04:28.650 So yeah, Dragon Podcast is a branch under Dragon Media, which is a branch under the 00:04:28.650 --> 00:04:31.170 college's press and marketing division. 00:04:31.590 --> 00:04:36.840 Now I do get a lot of creative freedom to create some of my own concepts. 00:04:36.840 --> 00:04:41.850 I run a student life oriented show, but we also have some shows with 00:04:41.850 --> 00:04:45.840 faculty members, not just at the college, but also other universities. 00:04:45.840 --> 00:04:52.080 So it's really created a community beyond the community college to 00:04:52.080 --> 00:04:54.240 really bring in some higher ed ideas. 00:04:54.450 --> 00:04:54.990 Neil McPhedran: Well, that's great. 00:04:55.380 --> 00:04:58.440 So, how big is Howard Community College? 00:04:58.469 --> 00:05:01.919 'cause that's a pretty big podcast network that you know, and we've come across a 00:05:01.919 --> 00:05:06.719 few of them, but that is very commendable to built it up to eight podcasts. 00:05:07.049 --> 00:05:10.109 Ryan Record: Yeah, I mean, as far as community colleges go, Howard 00:05:10.109 --> 00:05:13.799 Community College is definitely on the bigger end of the spectrum. 00:05:14.070 --> 00:05:18.544 I believe we currently have about 30,000 students. 00:05:18.924 --> 00:05:20.305 Now, they don't all come to campus. 00:05:20.520 --> 00:05:22.320 A lot of that is online as well. 00:05:22.845 --> 00:05:25.875 But we are a rather large school that's still growing. 00:05:25.875 --> 00:05:30.045 Like we're currently building an apprenticeship program, building, they're 00:05:30.045 --> 00:05:31.725 gonna run 12 different apprenticeships. 00:05:32.085 --> 00:05:33.705 We just finished a new gym. 00:05:34.095 --> 00:05:37.665 We have a new STEM building, a new health science building. 00:05:37.665 --> 00:05:42.135 It's really exciting time to be a dragon in Howard Community College. 00:05:42.585 --> 00:05:42.945 Neil McPhedran: Love it. 00:05:43.305 --> 00:05:47.235 Jennifer-Lee: Can you tell us a little bit about what some of the podcasts are about? 00:05:47.295 --> 00:05:47.625 Ryan Record: Wow. 00:05:47.685 --> 00:05:48.310 I mean, where to start? 00:05:49.140 --> 00:05:53.070 One of my personal favorites is a podcast called Bookish, which is done 00:05:53.070 --> 00:05:56.640 by three faculty members in the English program here, and one of them just 00:05:56.640 --> 00:06:00.420 went to Towson University, is still a member of the podcast, but it is 00:06:00.420 --> 00:06:02.820 one of our most listened to podcasts. 00:06:02.820 --> 00:06:07.710 If you ever wanna get the in on like a new book that came out or we just finished 00:06:07.710 --> 00:06:12.900 up, like their summer reading wrap up, it's really an amazing podcast to just 00:06:13.260 --> 00:06:18.989 immerse yourself in the world of novels and short stories, anything in between. 00:06:20.130 --> 00:06:25.409 We run a, a movie podcast where two faculty in the film department sit down 00:06:25.409 --> 00:06:31.229 and talk about new movies they see, and their dynamic is truly wonderful. 00:06:31.229 --> 00:06:34.349 It's like the yin and yang, like one's always like glass half full, 00:06:34.349 --> 00:06:35.909 the other's always half glass empty. 00:06:35.909 --> 00:06:36.840 That's a fun listen. 00:06:37.349 --> 00:06:39.719 My personal podcast is called Dragon Talk. 00:06:39.719 --> 00:06:42.625 Like I mentioned, it's a student life oriented program where I like 00:06:42.625 --> 00:06:47.145 to get student voices involved, like I interviewed the SGA. 00:06:47.565 --> 00:06:51.885 We're working on collaborating with the cybersecurity department 00:06:51.885 --> 00:06:56.115 'cause we got a huge grant to build up our cybersecurity program. 00:06:56.985 --> 00:07:01.365 We also work in the community with a couple people that are part of 00:07:01.365 --> 00:07:02.835 the Howard County Health Department. 00:07:03.495 --> 00:07:08.145 So we have a show called HoCo Health, and we'll talk about anything from 00:07:08.205 --> 00:07:12.784 drug overdose prevention to signs of menopause and how to deal with it. 00:07:12.784 --> 00:07:16.605 We have so many shows to check out, but those are just some of my favorite ones. 00:07:16.785 --> 00:07:17.295 Neil McPhedran: That's great. 00:07:17.295 --> 00:07:18.675 That's a real breadth as well too. 00:07:18.675 --> 00:07:26.474 So maybe sort of take a step back and tell us what was the genesis of the network? 00:07:26.615 --> 00:07:30.165 You know, I see this, and Jen and I have talked about this a number of 00:07:30.165 --> 00:07:33.625 times on the show, and we've talked to a few others where a university 00:07:33.625 --> 00:07:38.715 or college has a network and we see a ton of positive reasons to do it. 00:07:38.715 --> 00:07:42.915 But curious, what was the genesis of the Dragon Podcast Network? 00:07:43.245 --> 00:07:44.385 Ryan Record: Yeah, I'm glad you asked. 00:07:44.385 --> 00:07:48.030 The genesis was kind of like a chocolate chip cookie. 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:50.760 You just got the ingredients came together at the right time. 00:07:51.030 --> 00:07:51.360 Neil McPhedran: I love it. 00:07:51.660 --> 00:07:55.170 Ryan Record: If you can find a silver lining in COVID, like COVID times 00:07:55.170 --> 00:07:57.570 it's the genesis of Dragon Podcasts. 00:07:57.630 --> 00:08:01.350 We were running a digital radio station before, which is what I 00:08:01.350 --> 00:08:05.550 was a member of the internship team with, and that was a lot of fun. 00:08:05.580 --> 00:08:08.190 But as you know with podcasts, you can kind of tune in 00:08:08.190 --> 00:08:10.170 whenever, listen asynchronously. 00:08:10.170 --> 00:08:15.180 So we were losing listenership as a digital radio station and that's 00:08:15.180 --> 00:08:18.465 when we made the leap to just become a podcast network instead. 00:08:18.465 --> 00:08:21.375 We had all these great shows we could just carry over from 00:08:21.375 --> 00:08:23.655 those times and keep running. 00:08:24.165 --> 00:08:27.015 So that was really the start of it all. 00:08:27.885 --> 00:08:31.305 Neil McPhedran: Was the digital radio station part of 00:08:31.335 --> 00:08:34.335 a program within the college? 00:08:34.665 --> 00:08:38.175 Ryan Record: Yeah, it was a branch under Dragon Media, right? 00:08:38.175 --> 00:08:38.685 Neil McPhedran: Ah, okay. 00:08:38.685 --> 00:08:42.135 Ryan Record: So we rebranded ourself as a podcast network as 00:08:42.135 --> 00:08:43.905 opposed to a digital radio station. 00:08:43.905 --> 00:08:45.435 So the radio station is dead. 00:08:45.780 --> 00:08:48.689 It's been reborn as Dragon podcasts. 00:08:49.290 --> 00:08:50.250 Neil McPhedran: That makes a lot of sense. 00:08:50.250 --> 00:08:51.720 I really like that evolution. 00:08:51.750 --> 00:08:56.460 So yeah, I mean the radio side of it, you know, for other colleges who have more 00:08:56.460 --> 00:09:01.740 of a terrestrial radio station and what we're seeing is some of those are under 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:07.830 fiscal constraint and it makes so much sense to pull podcasting in, but yours 00:09:07.830 --> 00:09:12.360 was a digital radio station and then the evolution that was into podcasting. 00:09:12.510 --> 00:09:15.810 That makes a lot of sense, especially your point about asynchronous listening. 00:09:15.810 --> 00:09:17.610 I mean, that's the beauty of podcasting. 00:09:17.984 --> 00:09:20.805 Ryan Record: Exactly, and if you look at a Venn diagram between 00:09:20.805 --> 00:09:23.854 like podcasts and radio shows, there's a lot of intersection there. 00:09:23.854 --> 00:09:28.305 It's very similar, but it's easier to just jump in and listen to a podcast 00:09:28.305 --> 00:09:32.685 whenever you want, instead of tuning in at 5:30 specifically to hear the show you 00:09:32.685 --> 00:09:34.035 want to hear, especially if you're busy. 00:09:34.454 --> 00:09:34.755 Neil McPhedran: Right. 00:09:35.189 --> 00:09:39.329 So maybe just give us a little bit more insight into how the network 00:09:39.329 --> 00:09:43.770 connects to and operates within the school, within the community college. 00:09:44.189 --> 00:09:44.520 Ryan Record: Yeah. 00:09:44.520 --> 00:09:47.910 I mean, we're pretty intertwined and a lot of the activities going 00:09:47.910 --> 00:09:53.400 on, and not just with students, but faculty, the higher ups as well. 00:09:54.915 --> 00:09:58.064 The PRM, the press and marketing division, they'll often give us 00:09:58.064 --> 00:10:01.425 directives like, hey, we would like an episode made about this. 00:10:01.635 --> 00:10:04.875 Which is great 'cause it gives me like an idea to run with, but then they give 00:10:04.875 --> 00:10:10.005 me the creative freedom to really produce a show that I think encompasses what 00:10:10.005 --> 00:10:12.015 they're looking for, if that makes sense. 00:10:12.464 --> 00:10:16.454 So, I mean, we're pretty involved on social media. 00:10:16.454 --> 00:10:20.160 I'm trying to get my hands a little dirtier in that department. 00:10:20.160 --> 00:10:22.950 Now I'm in charge of the Instagram page and the Facebook and the 00:10:22.950 --> 00:10:26.580 YouTube and to maintain the engagement that Matt has built. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:28.270 'Cause that was one of his fortes. 00:10:28.290 --> 00:10:29.910 Like he's a social media wizard. 00:10:30.210 --> 00:10:33.990 Really, I mean, we're involved with clubs, the athletics department, 00:10:33.990 --> 00:10:35.460 we're making a new show with them. 00:10:35.520 --> 00:10:40.110 Our tentacles are intertwined in many parts of the college, and our mission is 00:10:40.110 --> 00:10:44.220 to get more engagement, get more people in the know as to like what's going 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:45.960 on here at Howard Community College. 00:10:46.365 --> 00:10:50.355 Jennifer-Lee: Obviously these networks take some time and it's 00:10:50.355 --> 00:10:51.795 not just one person to build it. 00:10:51.795 --> 00:10:54.705 Can you tell us a little bit about the other people on your 00:10:54.705 --> 00:10:55.845 team, unless it's all you? 00:10:57.105 --> 00:11:01.455 Ryan Record: Well, currently I have my director, Karen, and we're a 00:11:01.455 --> 00:11:05.415 branch under the media department, but ultimately we answer to the 00:11:05.415 --> 00:11:06.735 people in press and marketing. 00:11:06.765 --> 00:11:11.655 It really falls on me right now to be the creative outlet which is 00:11:11.655 --> 00:11:15.675 great and I'm up for the challenge, but we're still looking to fill my 00:11:15.675 --> 00:11:17.444 old role as the assistant manager. 00:11:17.505 --> 00:11:20.145 I'm working on getting some student interns on here so they 00:11:20.145 --> 00:11:21.435 can get hands-on experience. 00:11:21.435 --> 00:11:24.885 So we're moving in a directions where it will be more of a 00:11:24.885 --> 00:11:28.365 cohesive team bonding experience. 00:11:28.965 --> 00:11:34.125 Neil McPhedran: And so what's the process for bringing a new show into the network? 00:11:34.125 --> 00:11:38.955 Like is that, does that all come out of your group or do faculty, 00:11:38.955 --> 00:11:40.965 et cetera, approach you with ideas? 00:11:41.235 --> 00:11:44.805 Ryan Record: It's all of the above, and there is a heavy vetting process. 00:11:45.225 --> 00:11:49.725 So ultimately we look at is this show gonna be educational and how 00:11:49.725 --> 00:11:51.675 will it benefit the wider community? 00:11:52.215 --> 00:11:56.895 A couple months we welcomed a new show in, so network working with a 00:11:56.955 --> 00:11:59.475 professor with Loyola University. 00:12:00.045 --> 00:12:03.735 Her show is called Essential Pause: Leading and Living With Intention. 00:12:04.275 --> 00:12:07.815 It's a mouthful of a title, but it has been a wonderful podcast 00:12:07.815 --> 00:12:14.785 about mindfulness, finding your inner zen, if you will, just be 00:12:14.805 --> 00:12:16.515 engaged with what's going on. 00:12:16.515 --> 00:12:19.695 So back to your initial question, what is the vetting process like? 00:12:19.965 --> 00:12:21.405 You can approach us with an idea. 00:12:21.615 --> 00:12:22.815 It all starts there. 00:12:23.625 --> 00:12:28.305 But we gotta bring it up the ladder to the right people that can be like 00:12:28.485 --> 00:12:32.955 signing off on, yep, the show meets our criteria to be on the network. 00:12:33.585 --> 00:12:37.875 Is it educational, does it benefit the community, is really what 00:12:37.875 --> 00:12:39.375 we're looking for in a show. 00:12:39.795 --> 00:12:44.085 Jennifer-Lee: Do you have to be a student or associated with 00:12:44.090 --> 00:12:46.545 Howard Community College to be part of the network? 00:12:47.085 --> 00:12:47.925 Ryan Record: No, no. 00:12:47.985 --> 00:12:52.215 Like I said, we deal with some faculty that work at other colleges and 00:12:52.215 --> 00:12:57.465 universities as well in the higher ed field 'cause we get so siloed in our 00:12:57.465 --> 00:13:01.665 own like networks to where, oh, we're only representing this college, but at 00:13:01.665 --> 00:13:05.115 Howard Community College, we're really building that sense of community. 00:13:05.505 --> 00:13:07.995 Neil McPhedran: You're leaning into the community part of the community college. 00:13:08.595 --> 00:13:09.705 Ryan Record: Exactly. 00:13:09.765 --> 00:13:10.665 Exactly. 00:13:11.160 --> 00:13:13.950 Neil McPhedran: It's really neat because usually when we talk to 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:19.320 most universities, you have to be connected somehow to the campus. 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:23.160 And then that's why when a lot of these people move on to different careers or 00:13:23.160 --> 00:13:28.950 they're students and they leave and they graduate, the podcasts either stop or 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:32.280 they have other people come on, and maybe sometimes it doesn't gel because they're 00:13:32.280 --> 00:13:33.510 not the original people that did it. 00:13:33.510 --> 00:13:36.000 So I really think it's unique that you're bringing a lot of 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:38.970 diverse voices to the campus. 00:13:39.390 --> 00:13:39.930 Ryan Record: Agreed. 00:13:39.930 --> 00:13:41.910 And that's kind of the magic behind it. 00:13:42.209 --> 00:13:45.390 Neil McPhedran: It, it's obvious from the outside and what you've shared 00:13:45.390 --> 00:13:51.800 that podcasting is a key channel for engagement for Howard Community College. 00:13:52.150 --> 00:13:53.380 How is awareness created? 00:13:53.400 --> 00:13:58.709 How is discovery built for the network itself, but also the shows 00:13:58.709 --> 00:14:00.540 within it, within the campus? 00:14:00.540 --> 00:14:05.339 And I guess, you know, the, back to my community comment there, outside and 00:14:05.339 --> 00:14:07.680 beyond the Howard Community College. 00:14:08.805 --> 00:14:09.615 Ryan Record: Great question. 00:14:10.575 --> 00:14:12.375 I mean, it does start within the campus. 00:14:12.375 --> 00:14:15.435 A little shameless self-promotion goes a long way. 00:14:15.495 --> 00:14:19.575 Putting QR codes up on bulletin boards so people can tune 00:14:19.575 --> 00:14:21.555 into our shows on the campus. 00:14:21.975 --> 00:14:27.255 But also, you know, working with people from other colleges 00:14:27.255 --> 00:14:28.335 goes a long way as well. 00:14:28.335 --> 00:14:31.665 Hey, check out my podcast and before you know it, everybody at 00:14:31.665 --> 00:14:34.710 Towson, everybody at Loyola is listening to this podcast as well. 00:14:36.165 --> 00:14:40.305 I was looking at our listener demographics, we use Podbean to upload 00:14:40.305 --> 00:14:44.565 all of our episodes, and it kind of tells you where your listeners are coming from. 00:14:45.545 --> 00:14:46.725 We're like international. 00:14:46.725 --> 00:14:47.355 It's crazy. 00:14:47.355 --> 00:14:50.835 Like we got people in Indonesia and Malaysia checking out the podcast, people 00:14:50.835 --> 00:14:56.385 in Europe, Africa even, it's, it's nuts like the expanse of what we're doing here. 00:14:56.385 --> 00:14:59.535 It's more than just our little town of Columbia. 00:14:59.535 --> 00:15:01.995 It's becoming an international phenomenon. 00:15:02.969 --> 00:15:06.689 Neil McPhedran: I think that's what's really great about podcasting is that 00:15:06.719 --> 00:15:12.060 voice beyond the campus and you know, your example there, around the world. 00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:18.120 I was actually just attending a symposium last week at NYU and one 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:22.530 of the panel discussions was can podcasting save the university? 00:15:23.015 --> 00:15:27.990 And I, and I think at the heart of it is, you know, part of that was using 00:15:27.990 --> 00:15:35.295 podcasting as an academic tool, uh, beyond just the written word, but 00:15:35.385 --> 00:15:40.515 the other part of it is this way and this voice for academia directly from 00:15:40.515 --> 00:15:44.084 the campus, and I think that's really what you're seeing in your analytics. 00:15:44.115 --> 00:15:44.775 Ryan Record: I would agree. 00:15:44.865 --> 00:15:45.165 Yeah. 00:15:45.584 --> 00:15:48.314 Jennifer-Lee: What would be some tips for someone thinking, hey, 00:15:48.314 --> 00:15:49.724 I wanna build my own network? 00:15:49.724 --> 00:15:52.064 Because they're not that easy to build. 00:15:52.545 --> 00:15:56.564 Ryan Record: I mean, to build a network is more than just building a show. 00:15:56.805 --> 00:15:58.395 Like, start there, start small. 00:15:59.910 --> 00:16:01.410 It can always grow from there. 00:16:01.470 --> 00:16:06.630 And to surround yourself with the people that will not only back you up, but 00:16:06.630 --> 00:16:13.500 challenge you to push for that something greater that you're aspiring to do. 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:15.060 It all starts with ideas. 00:16:15.060 --> 00:16:19.950 Everybody has a story to share and finding those stories, getting the 00:16:19.950 --> 00:16:23.834 meat of those stories, 'cause I'm sure you guys sit down after recording 00:16:23.834 --> 00:16:26.324 these interviews and sometimes you can be like, well, we have like over 00:16:26.324 --> 00:16:30.675 an hour of material here, but really the meat of it is about half an hour. 00:16:30.974 --> 00:16:35.204 So finding like what really clicks is, is crucial. 00:16:35.295 --> 00:16:38.625 'Cause you gotta think like from a listener standpoint, 00:16:39.135 --> 00:16:40.395 what do they want to hear? 00:16:40.395 --> 00:16:45.495 What's gonna challenge their ideas about certain beliefs they might have? 00:16:45.704 --> 00:16:47.954 What's gonna give them a new perspective? 00:16:48.615 --> 00:16:51.900 Like those kind of ideas go a long way. 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:54.390 And just creating a cohesive narrative. 00:16:54.870 --> 00:16:59.610 Neil McPhedran: So you, you must have senior leadership buy-in to put 00:16:59.610 --> 00:17:04.590 budget behind this and obviously that buy-in to build a network like that. 00:17:04.590 --> 00:17:07.410 So we're curious what that looks like at Howard. 00:17:07.890 --> 00:17:11.730 Ryan Record: We're lucky to be at a public institution that gets public 00:17:11.730 --> 00:17:16.440 funds and the higher offices kind of determine what our budget is, and 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:17.790 that's what we have to work with. 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:19.050 That's a blessing. 00:17:19.919 --> 00:17:24.149 Most people in podcasts don't have a budget to start with. 00:17:24.540 --> 00:17:24.899 Neil McPhedran: That's right. 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:29.070 Ryan Record: So that comes with time, that comes with the buy-in, 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:30.929 the investment into the idea. 00:17:31.800 --> 00:17:36.000 But yeah, absolutely blessed to have that backing us right now. 00:17:36.389 --> 00:17:36.960 Neil McPhedran: That's great. 00:17:36.990 --> 00:17:40.679 You know, back to Jen's question of tips for building other networks, 00:17:40.815 --> 00:17:42.480 I would imagine that's a key one. 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:46.740 If you don't have that senior leadership buy-in, it's hard 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:48.060 to push these things forward. 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:48.840 Ryan Record: Precisely. 00:17:49.020 --> 00:17:49.350 Yeah. 00:17:49.409 --> 00:17:52.949 It is huge and like I said, it's not something that everybody has. 00:17:53.310 --> 00:17:53.699 Neil McPhedran: Yeah. 00:17:54.030 --> 00:17:57.689 You mentioned it's partially out of the media department, so I presume that's the, 00:17:58.935 --> 00:18:03.555 that would be the, is that at the school level, like that's the internal media 00:18:03.555 --> 00:18:07.425 department, or is that actually like a department that's teaching media skills? 00:18:07.725 --> 00:18:10.955 And then you also said it's the college PR team as well too, 00:18:10.955 --> 00:18:12.895 so, help me understand that. 00:18:12.915 --> 00:18:15.135 Are those two different teams working together? 00:18:15.555 --> 00:18:15.975 Ryan Record: Yes. 00:18:15.975 --> 00:18:18.645 It's actually three different teams. 00:18:19.470 --> 00:18:23.210 So as the podcast network, I'm a branch under Dragon Media. 00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:27.150 Dragon Media is a branch under the press and marketing division. 00:18:27.360 --> 00:18:30.450 Now, Dragon Media, that's its whole own team. 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:33.720 We run a TV station here as well, I believe we have two 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:35.460 public access stations going. 00:18:35.910 --> 00:18:39.570 We have a studio specifically for television. 00:18:39.840 --> 00:18:42.630 So that's kind of what Dragon Media started as. 00:18:43.110 --> 00:18:46.850 Years ago they're like, hey, let's make a digital radio station and now 00:18:46.850 --> 00:18:49.300 we're here making podcasts as well. 00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:54.240 Neil McPhedran: I think that's great because you know, we'll typically come 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:59.280 across an either or, not necessarily those two things put together where you've 00:18:59.280 --> 00:19:05.310 got the media arm of the institution, which typically has students learning. 00:19:05.310 --> 00:19:06.179 That's all part of it. 00:19:06.179 --> 00:19:06.990 That's all built in. 00:19:06.990 --> 00:19:09.210 And then you've got this separate team typically, which 00:19:09.210 --> 00:19:11.399 is the comms team, the PR team. 00:19:11.820 --> 00:19:14.550 And they've got a budget and it usually comes out of that. 00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:18.210 But I like how what you're saying is those two things have been put together. 00:19:18.210 --> 00:19:22.950 So you've got that engine of the actual media team and the students and everything 00:19:22.950 --> 00:19:28.590 around that, but then it's also plugged into, and part of this overarching Howard 00:19:28.590 --> 00:19:31.230 Community College Comms PR team as well. 00:19:31.350 --> 00:19:32.070 Ryan Record: Precisely, yeah. 00:19:32.070 --> 00:19:35.639 The PR team's kind of like the brain and we're the motor that keeps it going. 00:19:35.760 --> 00:19:38.310 Neil McPhedran: I think that's a really good insight for our listeners 00:19:38.310 --> 00:19:41.940 that might be sort of trying to figure out how to navigate this. 00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:44.520 They've got one or two podcasts under their purview. 00:19:44.520 --> 00:19:48.270 They're really looking to move forward with this network idea. 00:19:49.215 --> 00:19:56.415 If there is a college radio station on your campus or a department where media 00:19:56.415 --> 00:20:02.595 is being taught, put it together with the schools comms team, marketing team 00:20:02.595 --> 00:20:04.875 as well is a good way to move forward. 00:20:04.875 --> 00:20:10.455 And here's an example where this is a very engaged, large podcast network. 00:20:10.455 --> 00:20:12.495 You can see the power of putting those things together. 00:20:13.485 --> 00:20:16.485 Jennifer-Lee: Networks are becoming more common, and it's something we see 00:20:16.485 --> 00:20:18.615 at the Higher Ed PodCon conference. 00:20:18.675 --> 00:20:24.405 Ryan being at the first Higher Ed PodCon, was there anything that you learned to 00:20:24.405 --> 00:20:29.355 strengthen your network or strengthen the shows that you work on or consult on? 00:20:29.835 --> 00:20:30.735 Ryan Record: Absolutely. 00:20:30.735 --> 00:20:35.985 That whole experience was invaluable to like honing our crafts. 00:20:36.495 --> 00:20:38.295 Networking first and foremost. 00:20:38.565 --> 00:20:39.825 That was invaluable. 00:20:40.395 --> 00:20:44.040 The ins and outs of recording, like, how are you gonna stand out? 00:20:44.429 --> 00:20:49.229 Also, the social media aspect, there were so many bright minds there that 00:20:49.229 --> 00:20:54.090 to get all these amalgamations of perspectives crammed into one day. 00:20:54.990 --> 00:20:58.620 You know, my brain was overflowing with, with knowledge by the end of it, but 00:20:58.800 --> 00:21:00.929 what an enlightening experience that was. 00:21:00.929 --> 00:21:02.780 And I can't wait for the second one. 00:21:02.780 --> 00:21:04.679 It's in Cleveland, I believe. 00:21:04.889 --> 00:21:05.610 Neil McPhedran: Cleveland, yeah. 00:21:05.610 --> 00:21:06.899 And it's gonna be two days. 00:21:06.929 --> 00:21:10.919 We've just opened up early bird registration today, we're recording 00:21:10.919 --> 00:21:14.084 this on the middle of October here. 00:21:14.084 --> 00:21:14.774 So yeah. 00:21:14.834 --> 00:21:17.804 Thank, thank you so much for, for sharing that. 00:21:18.074 --> 00:21:19.754 I, I wanna circle back to social media. 00:21:19.754 --> 00:21:23.355 You talked a little bit about it earlier on in our conversation, but 00:21:23.504 --> 00:21:27.885 curious the role that social media plays within the network's ecosystem. 00:21:27.885 --> 00:21:32.475 You had mentioned there was a specific Instagram account for the network. 00:21:32.475 --> 00:21:35.465 Like maybe you could sort of tease that apart for us and give 00:21:35.465 --> 00:21:36.615 us a little an insight there. 00:21:36.885 --> 00:21:37.365 Ryan Record: Of course. 00:21:37.365 --> 00:21:41.145 So our social media, like I said, we have an Instagram, a Facebook. 00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:44.550 I believe we have a Twitter X, whatever you wanna call it. 00:21:44.550 --> 00:21:48.600 It's really important for outreach, engagement once again, but also calls 00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:51.150 to action, like what we have going on. 00:21:51.990 --> 00:21:55.290 Um, there's always events happening at school and just to kind of cross 00:21:55.290 --> 00:21:59.580 promote those through different channels goes a long way to getting engagement 00:21:59.580 --> 00:22:01.950 for these different things going on. 00:22:02.730 --> 00:22:03.840 Jennifer-Lee: Sticking on social media. 00:22:03.840 --> 00:22:07.020 You mentioned also that you learned something specifically about 00:22:07.020 --> 00:22:10.710 social media and podcasting at the Higher Ed PodCon conference. 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:14.790 What is it, and do you implement it with your existing social media strategy? 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.200 Ryan Record: Yeah, absolutely. 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:18.780 It's just consistency really. 00:22:18.780 --> 00:22:22.230 Like continued outreach is what's gonna get you those hits, 00:22:22.230 --> 00:22:23.070 those likes, those follows. 00:22:23.070 --> 00:22:27.120 That's what's gonna get you in the algorithms to stay in people's feeds. 00:22:27.524 --> 00:22:31.304 I have a, a mission here, it's called Wednesday Podcast, where we post a podcast 00:22:31.304 --> 00:22:36.044 every Wednesday, but really I'm trying to like make it an every day kind of thing. 00:22:36.105 --> 00:22:39.225 We have so many podcasts I could post a show every day of the week. 00:22:39.855 --> 00:22:44.534 I could have calls to action as to like, keep your eyes out for this. 00:22:44.534 --> 00:22:47.355 We have something coming up, things that are interesting. 00:22:47.925 --> 00:22:50.955 Like I said, I'm kind of a novice when it comes to the whole social media thing, 00:22:50.955 --> 00:22:56.415 but I guess what I really walked away with from the PodCon was consistency. 00:22:57.254 --> 00:22:57.645 Neil McPhedran: Great. 00:22:57.855 --> 00:23:02.445 And then how does cross-promotion work from between the podcasts? 00:23:03.135 --> 00:23:08.504 So say I stumble across The Green Dragon Show, do you have like sort 00:23:08.504 --> 00:23:14.175 of ways that for each of the shows to like refer back to the network? 00:23:14.175 --> 00:23:18.254 Because if I, for example, have come across and my discovery point was 00:23:18.254 --> 00:23:21.764 The Green Dragon Show, if I listen to that, am I gonna know, oh, there's 00:23:21.764 --> 00:23:23.804 other Dragon Podcasts out there? 00:23:23.804 --> 00:23:24.645 Ryan Record: Absolutely. 00:23:24.645 --> 00:23:28.814 I mean, with our tag ins and tag outs, we want folks to know that 00:23:29.385 --> 00:23:31.185 we do more than just this one show. 00:23:31.185 --> 00:23:34.665 If you're liking this show, there's probably some other shows in the 00:23:34.665 --> 00:23:36.375 network you're gonna like as well. 00:23:36.824 --> 00:23:40.875 So once again, a little shameless self-promotion, but also I wanna 00:23:41.235 --> 00:23:46.155 start interjecting some like inner ads just to promote the network as well. 00:23:46.185 --> 00:23:47.985 Like, all right, let's cut for a quick break. 00:23:48.675 --> 00:23:52.815 And then we have like a specific advertisement say for like the 00:23:52.815 --> 00:23:55.005 Razzle Dazzle show or what have you. 00:23:55.665 --> 00:23:58.125 Neil McPhedran: Yeah, I think that's a good idea using the 00:23:58.185 --> 00:23:59.835 dynamic ad insertion tool. 00:23:59.835 --> 00:24:02.775 But from a house ad perspective, you could create that and you play 00:24:02.775 --> 00:24:07.245 those across all of the shows, I think is a really good idea. 00:24:07.425 --> 00:24:11.205 And, and then as well, you have your website, so that's a central point 00:24:11.610 --> 00:24:16.740 within the Howard Community College web ecosystem, but there's a specific section 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:19.320 in there with all the podcasts as well. 00:24:19.320 --> 00:24:21.330 So that's sort of a central point I would imagine. 00:24:21.330 --> 00:24:23.639 You drive people there to discover all of the shows. 00:24:24.149 --> 00:24:24.780 Ryan Record: Absolutely. 00:24:24.780 --> 00:24:29.129 And in addition to that, our college president puts out an update once a week. 00:24:29.550 --> 00:24:31.530 She always plugs our shows in there. 00:24:31.590 --> 00:24:35.879 We have a monthly newsletter where everybody that subscribes gets 00:24:36.090 --> 00:24:39.629 the in on all the new shows we just made the following month. 00:24:39.629 --> 00:24:42.764 So, things like that really go a long way. 00:24:43.514 --> 00:24:45.344 Jennifer-Lee: I always tell people, this is great. 00:24:45.885 --> 00:24:47.235 Start with what you have. 00:24:47.235 --> 00:24:51.735 Like if you already have a base and an audience, like a podcast network 00:24:52.050 --> 00:24:54.330 use it, don't compete against it. 00:24:54.330 --> 00:24:56.910 And sometimes we're like, oh, well I wanna be unique and different. 00:24:56.910 --> 00:24:59.879 Like, no, let's cross promo, let's build each other up. 00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:03.510 Because once we build each other up, we'll have a powerful tool. 00:25:03.540 --> 00:25:07.139 That being said, Ryan, I dunno if it's a fair question to ask you, but 00:25:07.350 --> 00:25:09.720 what is your favorite show on the air? 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:13.560 Ryan Record: That's tough because I want to say it's my show, right? 00:25:13.649 --> 00:25:14.580 It's the one I make. 00:25:14.970 --> 00:25:16.470 I won two platinum awards. 00:25:16.470 --> 00:25:17.670 I won dotCOMM award. 00:25:17.670 --> 00:25:19.379 I won a map com award. 00:25:19.725 --> 00:25:25.725 It feels good to get recognition, you know, especially as somebody that is new 00:25:25.725 --> 00:25:30.044 in the sphere that like, hey, people are listening and they think it's pretty good. 00:25:30.855 --> 00:25:34.665 But you know, I'm gonna sit with my original answer from 00:25:34.665 --> 00:25:35.715 earlier in the interview. 00:25:35.715 --> 00:25:38.834 I like Bookish, like the casual book club podcast. 00:25:39.435 --> 00:25:42.615 They just have such a great chemistry and dynamic with each other. 00:25:42.615 --> 00:25:43.605 They're like naturals. 00:25:43.605 --> 00:25:45.735 You'd think they've been doing it for 10 years, but I think they've only 00:25:45.735 --> 00:25:47.834 been doing it for like two or three. 00:25:48.534 --> 00:25:53.565 So if I'm gonna plug any show, get out there, listen to Bookish. 00:25:53.805 --> 00:25:57.345 Whether you like reading books or not, you will find it entertaining. 00:25:57.645 --> 00:25:59.625 Neil McPhedran: It's such a good idea for a show coming out 00:25:59.625 --> 00:26:00.885 of an English department too. 00:26:00.885 --> 00:26:04.935 I mean, it just feels like a natural thing to do for, in this case, I think 00:26:04.935 --> 00:26:06.765 you said it was three profs that do that. 00:26:06.765 --> 00:26:11.354 Like that's a really clever idea that every English department should almost do. 00:26:11.655 --> 00:26:15.975 So, any sort of final, I know we asked you about a couple of tips, but any sort 00:26:15.975 --> 00:26:18.284 of additional tips that you'd share? 00:26:18.554 --> 00:26:23.774 I think that, as I said, I truly believe that networks are such a great opportunity 00:26:23.774 --> 00:26:26.895 for, you know, all those reasons you just gave a couple of minutes ago about 00:26:27.165 --> 00:26:30.375 just how they could promote each other, cross promote and all that kind of stuff. 00:26:30.375 --> 00:26:34.155 But sort of any other tips that you would share for any of our listeners 00:26:34.155 --> 00:26:39.254 out there that are about to embark upon creating a network on their campus? 00:26:40.125 --> 00:26:40.965 Ryan Record: Absolutely. 00:26:41.085 --> 00:26:45.105 Some wise words a professor told me years ago that has gone a really 00:26:45.105 --> 00:26:49.455 long way for myself is take care of those that take care of you. 00:26:50.085 --> 00:26:52.995 That's what's gonna create the team experience. 00:26:53.294 --> 00:26:55.695 When you take care of those that take care of you, you're gonna 00:26:55.695 --> 00:26:58.274 find that your job is a lot easier. 00:26:58.304 --> 00:27:02.534 You're gonna have the resources you need to get things done and get 'em done right. 00:27:02.985 --> 00:27:06.900 So always just be looking out for those that are looking out for you. 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.370 Jennifer-Lee: I love that. 00:27:08.910 --> 00:27:09.180 Neil McPhedran: Yeah. 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:09.780 That's great. 00:27:09.780 --> 00:27:13.470 I mean, I think that is a really good thing that I find that what is great 00:27:13.470 --> 00:27:18.210 about the podcast industry overall is I think there's a lot of people 00:27:18.210 --> 00:27:24.060 out there that are super helpful and really willing to help each other, 00:27:24.065 --> 00:27:26.940 and that's a good spot to leave it at, I think with our conversation today. 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:28.980 I think that's a good, a good wise tip. 00:27:29.040 --> 00:27:30.955 Thank you so much for joining us today, uh, Ryan. 00:27:31.919 --> 00:27:32.490 Ryan Record: Thank you guys. 00:27:32.610 --> 00:27:33.419 Pleasure's all mine. 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:33.960 Have a good one. 00:27:35.939 --> 00:27:37.919 Neil McPhedran: Well, another awesome conversation there. 00:27:38.520 --> 00:27:44.370 I enjoyed further getting into this whole podcast network conversation and sort 00:27:44.370 --> 00:27:49.800 of digging into the ins and the outs of the Dragon Media Podcast Network. 00:27:49.860 --> 00:27:55.500 What a robust network, and just really interesting how podcasting is such a key 00:27:56.314 --> 00:27:59.495 channel for the Howard Community College. 00:28:00.034 --> 00:28:03.064 Jennifer-Lee: It is, and it just goes to show you, it doesn't matter 00:28:03.064 --> 00:28:05.735 if you're a community college, if you're a larger institute, 00:28:06.064 --> 00:28:09.754 podcasting works for many purposes. 00:28:10.205 --> 00:28:10.655 Neil McPhedran: That's right. 00:28:11.195 --> 00:28:12.280 Well, Jen, why don't you read us out? 00:28:12.905 --> 00:28:13.385 Jennifer-Lee: There we go. 00:28:13.715 --> 00:28:17.465 Thank you for tuning in to the Continuing Studies podcast, a podcast for higher 00:28:17.465 --> 00:28:21.635 education podcasters, as we hope you found this episode informative and inspiring. 00:28:21.935 --> 00:28:25.115 If you enjoyed the show, we encourage you to follow and subscribe to our 00:28:25.115 --> 00:28:28.235 podcast on your preferred platform, so you'll never miss an episode. 00:28:28.565 --> 00:28:32.315 But if you found this episode particularly valuable, please consider 00:28:32.320 --> 00:28:35.254 sharing it with your friends and colleagues who also might be interested 00:28:35.254 --> 00:28:36.935 in higher education podcasts. 00:28:37.145 --> 00:28:40.835 We also invite you to join your peers on HigherEdPods.com, where you can connect 00:28:40.835 --> 00:28:44.830 with other podcasters in higher education and learn from others in the field. 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:47.140 Thank for being part of our community. 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:50.440 We look forward to continuing to bring new, valuable insights and conversations 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:52.420 around higher education podcasts. 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:53.590 See you in the next episode.