Pod-Crashing Episode 48

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Pod-Crashing Episode 48 Who Do You Support

As the Coronavirus continues to increase its presence globally, a lot of speculation and self-designed predictions are making their way to social media.  I spent today disconnecting from Jesus Freaks and Political fire starters vowing that the U.S. Government is going to slam us into a wall of Martial Law making this nation a new land ripe for a dictatorship.
Can we just stop?  Social Media is feeding the veins of thought and emotion that’s causing a lot of listeners and readers to stop participating with the volunteer distancing. 
Look…  I don’t know what the right walk is.  As podcasters we have the right and privilege to be whomever we bring forward. It doesn’t matter whose team you’re playing for just get the facts first.  Then fact check yourself again and again. 
Then ask yourself “Is this really where I want to be with my podcast?”  Back in the early episodes of Pod-Crashing I warned listeners that this would be an awkward year for hobbyists and professional podcasters because some of the decision makers and messengers would begin spread their message on their stage. 
Joe Rogan just got sideswiped.  I don’t know if he was bothered by it.  The headline and story didn’t say.  Because of Joe’s support for his rightful positions in life Representative Alexandra Cortez walked away from supporting Joe’s pick for the Oval Office Bernie Sanders. 
I sat up straight when I read the article because over the past 8 years or even 41 years of Broadcasting have I personally endorsed a candidate or cause that would influence a decision maker to walk away from offering their gifts for a greater need? 
I recently started a new podcast series called Play It Forward.  It puts focus on every creative person affected and not infected by the Coronavirus.  Two of the conversations I shared are hardcore in your face balls to the wall politically motivated by the influence of the guest.  I showed up with a microphone to get the story not support the movement.  They’ve yet to hit the platform. 
Podcasting can be played safe or dangerous.  What you personally put up there can disappear from your site easily but by the time you catch up to common sense your RSS has planted that message everywhere. 
I totally grasp that we are exercising our freedom of speech.  How many podcasters fully understand what that means and how it operates?  What you say or share always has the potential of inciting an emotional connection or change.  Are you really ready for the world to come after you? 
In a recent interview with Kesha on Lets Be Real Podcast she flat out told the host how focused she needed to remain on what she was doing and saying. 
Here’s the thing.  The more we stay locked up in our homes and studios because of the Coronavirus, the more podcasters could become the new voice of an already changed world.  Ultimately it’s up to you to make the right choice.  Do you really want to be the voice or the journalist?  There’s a huge difference!

So what’s the moral of the story? You hold a lot of power and don’t know it.  You might be getting 20 to 30 hits for a little hobby as host but it only takes one conversation to turn it into hundreds of thousands. 
There’s a reason why terrestrial radio has several layers of decision makers to keep the on air talent in line.  As a podcaster you are the final decision and if you aren’t in the right mindset it could start the next fire.
This isn’t about getting numbers.  This is about a weakening world affected by an uncontrollable virus and people will soon hit a level of believing anything they’re told.  What are you putting out there?  If you start a battle because of an uneducated opinion or challenge should you be held responsible for the state, national or global reaction?  Almost like the person that dropped the hot match onto the extremely dry forest floor. 
Are you ready to pay the price?