Today we’d like to introduce you to Hayden Still.
Hi Hayden, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started Podcasting in December of 2019, before that I would regularly join others on their podcasts and I would notice that I really had the desire to create a space for conversation that was less influential and more about people living and doing everyday things. I began researching ways to structure and produce podcasts starting off finding affordable equipment was one of the bigger challenges but once you find what you’re looking for there is always a youtube page to teach you how to maximize its use. The next step was deciding would the show be guest based, would I need a co-host, or could this be something that I do alone and react to the feedback I go. I decided that starting off the show would be guest based and the conversation would be based around the mental and emotional space you’re in, which can sound a bit heavy but is actually something that I believe makes the conversations less heavy and easier to find the humor in some of the unconventionally funny moments. In the second year of the show, I decided to add a co-host to add more consistency to the outlined theme of the show which is having conversations with my friends about life and everything in it, people that we find interesting and even the people that are interested in us. Today I look at we are doing as a time capsule, a collection of conversations that someone can listen to and hear the growth, humor and continuing maturation of some extra-regular people.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The path of podcasting is definitely not for the weak or those that expect instant gratification. Some of the challenges that I have faced in succeeding in podcasting are growing an audience, building a platform for that audience to congregate and discuss the show online. In regards to audience growth, it is important to know who your audience is and where they are, for me that meant I had to take a good look at the content I was creating and making sure that it was being advertised and circulated in places online that would find those potential audience. Paying for advertisements can be expensive for newcomers so after a few less than favorable outcomes using adds I decided to utilize social media friend groups, hashtags, etc. Learning how to use the algorithm to your benefit will take some time but there’s always a youtube channel to show you what to do.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Outside of podcasting, I am working on my first screenplay and I have just begun working a few new pieces for an art gallery in that I will be in participating in early next year. I do not like putting any of the things I do into one box. I am a person that just continuously creates.
I would not say that I am yet known for anything specific, In time I would like to be known for creating organic, introspective and funny content when it pertains to conversation. For my paintings, I believe people will one day notice that the freedom that comes from completely expressing yourself in abstract forms can be beautiful, chaotic and peaceful at the same time. As for my aspirations for television and film I want to one day be able to own a production studio. My goal is to put myself into a position to help others bring their ideas to life. My work is and my aspirations are what I am most proud of.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The characteristics I feel are most important to my succeeding for me are confidence, curiosity and conviction.
Confidence is important when trying to lead or guide a conversation in a room full of people, it is important to show confidence when you are presenting your ideas to others.
Curiosity will keep you from becoming stagnant in your thinking and routine. Having a healthy curiosity for whatever it is in life that keeps your interested, intrigued or asking questions is something that is fairly important to me in this phase of my journey. I continually question social norms and ideologies even if it’s for the sake of being a contrarian just so that the room does not become an echo chamber of like thoughts.
Conviction is believing in what you are doing and that has been extremely important to my success. Understanding that there are steps that you have to take to reach each of your goals and friends, family and support will get you halfway but on the other half you must believe in what you want for yourself and then you must work your but off and get it. Believe without doubt
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/aroundthewayhay
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/aroundthewaypodcastwithhaydenstill
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/aroundthewaypod
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_oJyQaoOXcUKmj4coRz6fw
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/5q94ZUji1lveqNjtNYcAI9?si=c9dbf9cfff8644d2
