Behind the Scenes of HR Podcasting with Wendy Dailey & Jon Thurmond

wendy dailey jon thurmond hr social hour half hour podcast

Punk Rock HR Episode 110:

Podcasting is a little bit of art, a little bit of science, and a lot of hard work. Today, HR podcasters, Wendy Dailey and Jon Thurmond, hosts of the HR Social Half Hour Podcast, join me on the show. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it takes to host a podcast about Human Resources, buckle up because this episode is for you.

In their podcast, Wendy and Jon talk to ordinary individuals working in the trenches of Human Resources, who are doing extraordinary things. Wendy and Jon are two examples of humans doing it right, so I invited them to come on to Punk Rock HR. They give us a behind the scenes look into their podcast, which inspires them to keep going, and how community is the driving force in everything they do. I respect what Wendy and Jon are doing. I think at the end of this conversation, you may admire them too.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How the name HR Social Half Hour Podcast was born out of a Twitter Chat, and why the word social is so important to show’s online culture.
“What’s in your glass?”, why Wendy and Jon begin their podcast episodes with this simple question, every single time.
Podcasting as a gateway to networking, connecting with others, being intentional, and sharing ideas.
Jon and Wendy share some of their favorite guests and episodes, including an interview with Melanie Peacock and Minda Harts.
HR Social Half Hour focuses on community and community activities; Jon and Wendy share what they are doing to knit the HR community together using the podcast.
What community has meant to each of them, how it sustains them, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some lessons about podcasting for anybody who is dreaming about starting a podcast.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

HOW IS PODCASTING A GATEWAY TO NETWORKING?

Podcasting is a gateway to networking because, as a host, you’re going to get a chance to meet people who, if you run into them at a conference, will not have time to talk to you. As your podcast guest, they’re not rushing off to something else or to the next meeting. You’ll get to hang out with them and get to know them a little better.

WHAT HAS COMMUNITY MEANT TO WENDY & JON, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PERIOD OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

For Jon and Wendy, it has solidified some of their relationships. Because of their community and their podcast, they have people they can reach out for support. It is also because of their ongoing supporters that they can try something new, like Trivia Night. They know they’ll have a community to rally around them, they’re going to show up, and they’re going to be a part of it.

WHAT ARE SOME LESSONS OF PODCASTING FOR ANYBODY WHO IS DREAMING ABOUT STARTING A PODCAST?

Wendy and Jon offered several words of wisdom and lessons for those interested in starting a podcast. Here are some of them:

Create an outline or roadmap. Have some direction that you want to go – for the overall scope of your podcast, as well as, for each episode.
Guest preparation is vital. Ensure that you understand who you are talking to, research your guest, and prepare in advance.
There is a time investment. A 30-minute episode can take three or four hours to produce.
Your podcast should be a labor of love. Know that it is easy to start, but it is hard to maintain.