The Library began its adventures with podcasting in 2022 when it held a three-part series introducing podcasting to the community. The program was so well-received the Library decided to purchase podcasting equipment.
Six months later, when we started a regular Podcasting Meetup, the community responded. Local folks started arriving to the meetup eager to learn about the process and the equipment.
With the help of JJ Lee and Daniel Huespe, folks were able to get help refining their concept or storyline. Daniel also demonstrated myriad ways to record and edit the resulting stories.
Some people came once, learned enough to get them started, and carried on on their own. Others, meanwhile, continued to come throughout 2023, expanding their knowledge and producing episodes.
This page celebrates the learning the New West community undertook in 2023 and the stories they have told.
Listen to the conversation Librarian Liz Hunter had with Ginny Ayers and Daniel about the work the pair have done related to Ginny’s journey into podcasting!
A special shoutout to JJ Lee and Daniel Huespe
Both JJ Lee and Daniel Huespe joined the Podcasting Meetup in January 2023.
They brought a range of audio and video recording and editing experience and both inspired our community when they participated in our Podcasting 101 series held at the Library in Spring 2022.
As 2023 progressed, both JJ and Daniel became key contributors to our podcast meetups.
JJ shared his gift for writing and storytelling with people in the process of formulating plans for their podcasts. He helped draw out their ideas and conceptualize and realize the stories they wanted to share. JJ was also instrumental in showing people ways to record and edit their files.
Daniel spent many hours helping participants understand and gain experience with equipment setup, recording, and editing.
The Library and community are extremely grateful to JJ and Daniel for their remarkable contributions to podcasting at NWPL.
Podcasts produced by meetup participants
Civic Treasures with Judith Berlin
Judith attended the Podcasting 101 series in Spring of 2022 and brought an idea forward to the Podcasting Meetup. Judith wanted to capture the stories of those who go largely unseen but work day-to-day making New West the wonderful city that it is. Civic Treasures shares interviews with a variety of characters who are part of the fabric of daily civic life in New West.
The following episodes are in draft format and are not yet released as full podcast episodes.
Stand Up Eight: Lenore Rattray’s Story of Survival by JJ Lee
JJ Lee has attended the podcast meetup since its inception and has been a contributor in many ways, most important of which is helping others develop and refine their podcast stories. From initial concepts to outlining specific episodes, JJ’s assistance has been invaluable. He worked with Lenore Rattray, who shared her story in the early days of the meetup. JJ has been kind enough to let us post a trailer of the final product!
Stand Up Eight is the story of the abduction and 9-day captivity of Lenore Rattray. Stand Up Eight is her personal account of survival, living with trauma/PTSD, and how her past experiences have impacted her life both professionally and personally, especially as a mother to her young daughter.
The following recording is fully-edited and released on popular podcast platforms.
Hacky Sack Chat with Ginny Ayers
Ginny joined the podcast meetup at the beginning of 2023 and worked with JJ Lee and the group to develop her idea for a podcast about the richness of life that results from soil; dark, moist, rich, life-giving, and life-affirming soil. Ginny was originally intimidated by the podcasting technology but, with help and guidance from Daniel Huespe, has become a tech wizard when it comes to wiring up for a recording session!
Talking with Fen with Fenella Fownes
Fen joined the podcast meetup in 2023 and came with a number of ideas, one of which we are sampling here.
The following podcast trailer is under review and has not yet been finalized for release!
Update as of August 2024: While our podcast meetups have gone on indefinite hiatus, we continue to provide all the space and equipment needed to podcast. Find out how you can get started on your own podcast at NWPL.