Happy New Year from the Porch!

We dive into the journey of launching our show, highlighting the ups and downs, the learning curves, and the unexpected successes. Join us as we reflect on our experiences, share insights, and celebrate growth in the world of podcasting.


1. **The Beginning of Our Podcasting Journey**  
   The journey began in July when Bernie Leahy, Brian Konrad, along with Lynnette Schneider and her husband Bob, gathered to brainstorm the idea of starting a podcast. With no experience in the podcasting realm, they approached the venture with curiosity and excitement. It was a time of uncertainty, but the desire to connect and share stories drove them forward. Brian humorously recalls, "I knew it was like a radio thing that they recorded, but it wasn't in my universe until we went to Calgary and learned a whole lot about podcasts."

2. **Learning and Growing Together**  
   The team attended a podcast summit where they discovered they weren't alone in their confusion. Many new podcasters started similarly, and they found inspiration in the stories shared by others. Lynnette highlighted the importance of collaboration, stating, "We stumbled our way to where we are today... and where we are today is pretty darn good."

3. **Expanding Our Reach**  
   The podcast quickly diversified its platforms, branching out to social media like TikTok and Instagram. The results were astonishing: a growth rate of 143% in just a few months and 395,798 views across their Meta platforms (Facebook and Instagram). The team learned that followers weren't the only metric for success; views mattered just as much, if not more.
   One standout moment was the episode featuring Kelli Ireland from the local fire department, which went viral, reaching over 156,000 views. This episode not only entertained but also educated the audience on safety, proving the podcast's potential impact.

4. **Understanding the Podcasting Metrics**  
   The technical side of podcasting can be daunting, but with tools like Buzzsprout, the team navigated their way successfully. They reported over 3,500 downloads, with a significant percentage from Apple devices. This data revealed their podcast's reach, extending beyond North America to places like Asia and Europe. Brian shared, "We've had 117 downloads to Asia, which is amazing!"

5. **Community and Connection**  
   The podcast became a community-driven project, with each team member contributing their strengths. Ina, Bernie's wife, expressed her joy in seeing her husband thrive in this new hobby. "It's been fantastic... bringing you guys on has just been amazing," she said, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that has propelled their success.

Conclusion:  
   The podcasting journey has been one of exploration and growth, filled with learning opportunities and unexpected connections. From humble beginnings to impressive metrics, the team has proven that with passion and collaboration, success is achievable. Key takeaways include the importance of community, the value of learning from others, and the power of storytelling in connecting with audiences.

00:00 Welcome to the Porch: Introduction of Guests
02:04 The Journey Begins: From Concept to Podcast
04:36 Growth and Engagement: Social Media Success
07:39 Podcasting Insights: Tools and Strategies
09:58 Community Connections: Engaging with Guests
13:35 Authenticity in Storytelling: The Power of Real Conversations
16:21 Future Aspirations: Wellness and Community Focus
19:02 Sponsorship and Support: Building a Sustainable Model
23:42 Looking Ahead: Goals for 2026

Chapters

• 5:38 Future Aspirations: Wellness and Community Focus
• 16:09 Growth and Engagement: Social Media Success

Transcript

0:05

This episode of Bring Back the Porch, brought to you by Bernie Leahy, River Street Realty. Let's get you home. Well, look who's on the porch today. This is the most people we have had in this room and this porch in the five months that we've been together. So welcome. Well, let me. Leahy. Mr. President, finally, the hand behind the power and the power behind that. I'm not sure she gives you the just just that's just power. Power? Yes. A lot of power. I don't know if he has told you this, know, but whenever he talks about you, he says he's 51% and you're 49%. I don't know if you knew that. I know, okay. Tells me that, too. Okay. Well, just so you know. Yeah. Any stories where the real power is? Well, I. Yeah. Every man knows where. The real power. It's for. I'm very clear on where the power is. Yes, and our general manager, Lynnette Schneider. Yes. What is the title here? Yeah. Well, as far as titles, the most important title, really, when we look at how things have gone well and that's been amazing. And it's very, qualified and knowledgeable. Many others I'm not sure. I'm not deep on these names. Is. On the. Air. Another problem. Yeah. It does a good job and very stable. Stable sometimes some of us aren't that. We, we we tend to go off on tangent. We can, we can. We might do it here. We already have. Why are we here? Yeah. And, And then Brian Conrad, is the face and and the voice. He's the foundation. He's the foundation. We didn't hear him for a while. It was glad when the first podcast we did. And I think you were sitting beside me and, he started, I said, it's great to hear that voice again. Yeah, that's that voice. Yeah. It's not ready for that voice to go away. So that's one big part that makes me really happy. But I'll let Brian I get this podcast is really just to let people know how we've done. Where we've been and where we hope to go. Where we hope to go. And we've done very well for, a group of people that didn't really know where we were going. It all started in the 5000 lottery. Didn't know what. That. Was. In 1920. Yeah. Ted Baxter? No. I looked at my phone today. It was the 28th of July when Bernie Lanette and her husband, Bob Schneider, gathered here for the first time to talk about the possibility of doing something. After a chat went and turned out the lights on us, and we have been brainstorming. We have gone to a podcast summit. I didn't know anything about podcasts until I went there. My kids told me after that, that I was out of work, that. Dad, you got to do a podcast. Oh. What's podcast? I had no clue on a podcast. I knew it was like a radio thing that they recorded and some people listened to, but it wasn't in my universe until we went to Calgary. And I learned a whole lot about podcasts. That was a great weekend. Actually it was, it was, and it was, very interesting to hear that other people started there, but podcasts, the way that we did, like, didn't know what they were doing. And we'll just. Throw some microphones in a room and see where we, we land. And they found audiences and they have, you know, made a success out of what they did. And, and had advice that has helped us. Yeah, they were very helpful and things that we should do and maybe we shouldn't do. And, we've stumbled our way, to where we are today and where we are today is, pretty darn good. Yes. You have got some numbers. Which blew me away. Well, our overall platforms that we're on, we have a couple, we have Facebook, we have YouTube, TikTok, and then we also are on Instagram. Through the help of our friends at the college, we found out that we should be on TikTok and Instagram. We thought we could just muddle through on Facebook and YouTube, but what we found is when we added that Instagram part to it, we've really seen, exponential growth. Our meta platforms, as they're called that be Instagram and Facebook. We've had a total of 395,798 views. And to me, that's that's more than just Medicine Hat. So and our growth rate in our first quarter here, which probably would be September till December. We've seen 143% growth. Wow. So there's something to build there. They're amazing numbers. And then if we look at the the audience that we're getting, we're gaining about, I think it's about 30 plus a week on Instagram of followers, but we don't necessarily have to have followers to have viewers, which is something I didn't realize. I thought you had to have the followers to get the views. Yeah. So it's been kind of interesting that the potential for us to create something that somebody that doesn't know anything about us, they'll see it and want to see more. That is a huge, promising thing for us. Our TikTok, which we again we started I think after we met the students in October. Yeah. But mid-October, in. October, mid-October. On election time. Yeah. So we had on TikTok up until yesterday and in December we've had 140,000 views on TikTok, and we've had some TikTok likes that have done over 30,000 views. That's cool. So the podcast that we did with the lady from the fire department. Kelly. Ireland. Kelly. Ireland. Yeah. That one. It caught fire. Caught fire? That fire literally on Instagram. Does she know that? I wonder if we would tell her. I messaged her and told her and she was impressed. Yeah. Yeah, she needs to, because she did a great job. And I was thinking about that yesterday. I wonder if she knows what she will know, because that yeah, a lot of people watch. Well, it was over 156,000 views by the end of the year. Wow. Just that one. And it was specifically, short reel that we did about her talking about a lady who fell asleep with a cell phone under her pillow and woke up to her hair on fire. Oh my God. So, I mean, I, what we are wondering is if other fire departments looked at this and said, let's share this with our our followers and get the message out, like you shouldn't be sleeping with electronics in your bed. You know. Ever, ever. Yeah. So yeah. So those are some of the things that, that we've seen on our socials. But we also have the podcast, traditional podcast, which is we use a service named but Buzzsprout that distributes the podcast to Apple Music and distributes it to Spotify and anywhere you would listen to, podcast. And it's been download our podcast has been downloaded from August till December till the end of the the year here. We've had over 3500 downloads, which means somebody has gone and put it on their device. And 46% of those devices are Apple phones, in case you were wondering. Well, but we do have people that download to their computer, but it's like 7% or something. So Buzzsprout, when we first started the podcast, which is five years ago, it's starting one. I didn't have an editor or a place to do it, but but buzzsprout you found to be very helpful. Very helpful. The the platform itself is very, easy to use, but also they give you tools and tricks of the trade. They help you, stay informed on trends that are happening and they do provide some education. So you're not just trying to be in the wilderness and figure it out for yourself. They do provide some of that stuff, which has been very helpful for me to kind of navigate how to expand. Even in our socials, expand in a way that's beneficial. And not just spinner wheels. Yeah. The other thing that blew me away was that we have people downloading our show from Asia. Yes, and I can speak Mandarin Chinese. Yes. Well, we've. Had 117 downloads to Asia, 21 to Europe, ten to South America, one to Africa, one to Oceana, which is Australia, and 3744 to North America. So that's Canada, USA, Mexico. What Brian's talking about about, being spoken or being heard in another language is a development through YouTube where they we've reached, sort of a milestone with YouTube that now our, podcast can be translated 22 different, languages. So, so. And then what? And then we we have a friend that helps us on the porch. Anna. Hi, Anna. Hello, Anna. We miss Anna. And Anna's from the Ukraine. And she listened, and she said it was spot on in two languages. She checked Russian and Ukrainian. That's right. Yeah. So if anybody, is listening and watching and wants to test this for us and give us feedback, if they're. If YouTube's doing a good job for us. We'd love to hear what you have to say. Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. I'd be interested in knowing what Ina thinks of all of this, because was you started this. You gave your husband the idea. You gave him the command. You need to get a hobby. Yes. Well, I think it's. It's been fantastic. I love the fact that he is engaged in it. And bringing you guys on has just been amazing. It's been a lot of fun. She's going to get weepy. Yeah. Oh, don't start, because then we'll. Start. To get them off on a bucket. Yeah. Yeah. Maybe, maybe if we could get Kleenex to sponsor us, we could have some Kleenex on that. There you go. We're void of Kleenex in the in the in the in the studio. And that's something that we should fix. I'll tell the general manager. Okay, I'm on it. You're on it. Actually, I'll, I'll get some, but anyways. Carry on. Sir. Well, I. I just think it's been amazing. Yeah. We call ourselves the hobbits because you told them to get a hobby. And three of us loved it. So I came home and said, well, I got my hobby. I didn't know I was going to be three of them. And what a hobby it's been. You know, it's, Well, that's been great. It, it's a good group. We are all kind of on the same page as. We really didn't know what we were doing, which has kind of been my in the jobs that I've had over the years I went in, I didn't know what I was doing, and I figured it out, and it worked out. And this will work out. I think it has. Yeah. And so that stuff's Lynnette makes you know. Truth is I don't really understand it. So I go off you guys if you guys are happy. I'm really happy. Yeah. I like where the future is. We did a some work with the college last month. That was a highlight for me. And that was. And so that made me feel really good. And being with those kids was amazing. Yeah. Yeah. So like I said in our podcast, if you ever you want to get, you know, down on kids, just come with us the next time we go to the college and, and we hope to do more with them. Well, and I think that's, that's something else I'd like to point out, is whenever we've invited anybody on to the podcast or sent out an email or a feeler to say, would you come on and talk about whatever's going on, the excitement from people about coming on and being a part of this has really been. That's another thing that's kind of pumps for your tires. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I remember Dan Hamilton, from, Cypress County when he was in doing an interview prior to the election, and he was he told us afterwards that he did not like doing interviews because it just wasn't his thing. But he enjoyed his conversation with us. And by the time he left, he was like, anything you need, you just give me a call and we'll be there. Well, when you come in here, it's, you know, if you're nervous. Understandable. But I think we're a pretty good group, you know? And, we. And I'm not always here. But, you know, people are treated well, and we don't want to be controversial in any way whatsoever and won't be right. That's not you guys either. Yes. And, but my goal in 2026 is to promote medicine Hat to do some more stuff with the college. But I think we have a platform where we can make Medicine Hat look much better. It's a great place, but we can share the knowledge about it. And so we've got some ideas and, so far it's been amazing. What I have heard from the people that we've interviewed is that they appreciate the opportunity to tell the whole story, the whole side of their story, as opposed to a little clip here and a little clip there. Now, yes, we do through technology, cut it up into shorts, where people that just want to see a little bit here, there, they can do that. But we get the opportunity. For instance, with the teacher strike where we have the two representatives from the MTA here talking about what it was like for them. That was just the day before they were legislated back to work. And, that was probably the first video we had that went through the roof. Yeah, that was TikTok. Over 18,000, views on TikTok. Speaking about the fact that we weren't going to get any more teachers in our neck of the woods when they talk about the three, 3000 teachers they were bringing. The other part to that is that when we have a conversation, it really is a conversation. We we are not editing it to be biased to one side or the other. We really don't stop if there's funny pauses or I'm wiping away a tear or something, it all stays in. It's it's really real. And that authenticity is something that I think is, something that people appreciate. Because in a world where everybody is made up and has to look perfect, we are not. We don't look perfect. The hair and makeup department has an open door. There's no like you said, I got a. Face made for radio. Yeah. And so I think that's something else that, there's a certain audience for is that we're real people. We really live here. We talk about things that are going on in our community and beyond. Some problems aren't just our problem, you know, and we we try to bring in people that not only do they have, an opinion, but they maybe have advice or have or, or can be instrumental into helping with things. Right. I think in the in 2020, Ina did podcast with psychiatrist. A couple of weeks ago. And I think we'd like to kind of reach into that wellness area and I know will help out with because that's her kind of area in her day to day job. So I'd like to do some more stuff on wellness, physical, emotional, like the whole different pillars of wellness. And we're going to hopefully go back to the college and do some work there. Which is actually pretty exciting. What? And we're going to go visit them in a couple of weeks. And we're hoping to do some little documentaries. And Mr. Conrad is my dad. You're the Mr. Conrad, would like. And he is going to carry on with the thing that he did a chat, which is, I forget what it's called. Our town, our towns. Yeah. So we're excited about that. We've got all the equipment that we need. We are starting to bring in some money. So we had our first, check brought in. Oh, really? I say first, thanks to Mike and one to Ansel Madison had monumental. They are our first sponsor. And here's the check. Bob's holding it up in the back. For. Those of you and can't see it. Let me say this about medicine. That monumental. I am honored that this is our first group that supported this or first family, because that's an amazing company. I knew Mr. Ansel, Bert. His wife. Yvonne and Yvonne and so I'm, I'm really on and that's a great company where they do amazing work and look after their families very well. I have, when I was a funeral director use them exclusively. They did my parents monument and, and will do mine. You know, if you should, sir. Oh, how. Sweet. I don't go pre-ordering. And after the show. Yeah. So, anyways, that's a big that's a big deal for us. It is. And, we got some others that we're been working on and, and so because obviously we need to, we need to get some money in. But our biggest thing is we don't want to take the money until we can figure out how to provide. We want to make sure we are offering value. Yes, yes. And, support us. The the service part of this, we wanted to make sure that our services, top notch and we're up against some heavy, heavy hitters in the media. When you talk about things like a Bell or a Rogers or. Yep. Or that that they have podcasts, they have things, but what they don't have is they don't have Brian Conrad and they don't have that ability to tell a story about Medicine Hat the way the weekend, you know? No, I really want it to be, where we can send stuff out about our city and about the benefit and what makes us the best. And, Yeah. And to do it, I also want to do to make sure that we, thanked Jim Groom because he has been on here four times, I believe. Yes. He he didn't turn down his second invitation to come on. He has shared his knowledge with us on a variety of political topics. And I always appreciate his his expertise. So we like it when Jim comes down here. And Nicole Neubauer is another one that you'll be seeing shortly. Fascinating. She has so much energy. She's involved with the, agricultural school that, through the dual family foundation is being set up out at Eagle Butte High School. It as I listen to her talk, I thought, why hasn't somebody done this before? But I'll let you watch the podcast because it is going to be appearing on a device near you. Very soon. Very soon. And it is amazing. That is something that is just going to it. Just like I say, why this wasn't done before in this particular area where agriculture is the base of all we do. It's long overdue, but it's going to be amazing. No, I, I, I think that's great stuff. And I, I'm hoping Jim will come back in for some more podcasting. Oh, there's. So much to talk about. Yes. And, you know, politics is one of those things that they said in podcasting. Well, you can't you can't be a, you have to be a political podcast. Well, we don't have to be anything we don't want to be. We can have a podcast that's about politics. And the next one could be about grooming your cat. Whatever we want to do and whatever our audience wants to listen to or thinks is important, they'll let us know what they think. And I mean, we're we're part of the community when we see things come up that we think needs to be spotlighted or focused on, that's what we want to do. This is probably a good time to to tell anybody who is watching or listening, if there's something you would like us to do, put it in the comments. We will read those comments. Oh yeah, for sure. Because there's, you know, some of the stuff like your, our towns, like there's some folks in Medicine Hat that are amazing people, whether it's been archery or whatever it's been and nobody knows about it. Yeah. And it's things that are interesting. And for us to do a podcast, even to go on location, we went we took our stuff to the college. It's it's an easy thing for us to do. I mean, it's. And we did our first live we did a live on YouTube too, when we just. Forgot about that and that went well. So let me say this to Bob and you so that was about a project that I'm doing, for condos. And, so Bob and Lynnette and I and I and Brian, we went to this presentation. Oh. Behind Cooke's funeral home. Reflections. Reflections. That's a. Beautiful place. That's the old Eagles. Yeah. I'd like to have rod on actually. And talk about if if he would come on with you one and then talk about that facility. That's amazing place. So anyways, so we videotaped Josh's presentation about the condos and with our new camera, which works really well. And so then people started to get to know about this presentation. They weren't able to make it. So we've sent out a package. Brittany House. And so the so I heard from two people today, I heard from one. And it was the presentation that really got them interested because Josh went through all the different how it's built and the soundproofing. And so there you go. But way to go, Bob. Way to go back there behind the curtain. Bob Snyder and. Bob. Bob did a great job to. Famously quote Bob, there's a reason why I've spent 45 years behind the camera. And not so. And we love Bob the way he has. Yes. And that's what take him. I don't go changing. So, and then we have Kristen today helping us. Chris Marley, master fleet, he's, just doing some switching. Is that what it's called? Yes. That's right, he's their switcher today. He appears to be doing okay. And, what do you what do you hope for in 2026 for bring back to porch advertisers? Yeah, we want to get paid. Yeah. Yeah. Well, and that's a tough one. Yeah. Because we you know we don't as I said, we came in. We didn't really know a bunch. I mean everybody knew what they knew. I didn't know anything about this stuff. And I think we basically we have to get somebody that's going to look after the advertising and go out and see people when that's done a lot of work over the holidays to kind of show people what we've done and how we've done it and where we are. And I think we're at a point now where people can look at that and say, you know what I think? I think I can put some money behind this. Yeah. And then what worries us the most is getting the money is easy is how do we provide service and quality. And I'm not worried about that. It's just we just. Because we were all involved in producing content. Yes. When we were at chat, we didn't sell it. Somebody else sold it, made the big bucks. So those sales guys. You know, I would say this for as long as we've been doing this, which is not very long. No. We have tried to be studious. We've tried to be thoughtful. We've tried to work in a way that benefits all of us. We have a track record of making every day. So the thing is, if we just stick to what we're doing. Yeah, the world will accept. You know, that people like us, which is a hard thing. Then we can move forward. We will. We will just continue to progress and to grow. With, the good graces of the Lord. That will happen. I think we're okay. I'm. I'm very confident. It'll be okay. And, we've had a lot of fun. And that was the main thing that Brian and I had talked about over the phone was, we just. It has to be a great environment, and we have to have a lot of fun. And when people come in here, they understand that, and they feel it, I know that, yeah. So, Last words. I know. Oh, I think all the best in 2026. Just keep on going. Yeah. I can't wait to see what's coming around the corner. No, we don't know what's going to happen, but we'll be here to talk about it. We're not in control. Bernie, I know Lynnette, Bob and Chris way in the back there. Thank you. And thank you, everybody, and hope that 2026 is everything you hope it will be. Yes. Happy new year. Happy new year.