What's Up with John and Rena: From Mental Health to Podcasting Success - Episode Show Notes

Episode Description - Join host Martin "Marv" Bel as he sits down with podcaster John from "What's Up with John and Rena" for an in-depth conversation about the evolution of podcasting, mental health awareness, and the art of authentic audio storytelling. From interviewing people on Skid Row to creating successful podcast partnerships, John shares his journey through the podcasting landscape and offers invaluable advice for aspiring podcasters.

Key Timestamps & Topics -

[00:00:00] - Introduction & Show Origins ● Welcome to Pods Like Us with Martin "Marv" Quibell ● Introduction to John and the "What's Up with John and Reena" show ● The confusing history and evolution of the podcast

[00:01:00] - Mental Health Journey & Podcast Genesis ● John's misdiagnosis story: from bipolar to depression and ADHD ● Living next to Skid Row in Los Angeles (2014) ● The birth of "Bipolar Style" podcast ● Cautionary tale about podcast naming and mental health stigma

[00:02:00] - RSS Feeds & Podcast Evolution ● Understanding RSS feeds as the backbone of podcasting ● Treating first podcast as "practice feed" ● Evolution from "Signal Jams" to "Deviant Lounge" to "What's Up" ● The importance of adaptability in podcasting

[00:03:00] - Partnership with Reena ● Meeting co-host Rena through Twitter/X ● Rena's background: Jerry Springer Show producer ● Creating a "super group" approach to podcasting ● The concept of podcasting as a "lounge for podcasters"

[00:04:00] - Content Strategy & Social Media ● Using X/Twitter for podcast guest discovery ● Topic selection process for episodes ● Recent discussions: cell phone bans in schools and concerts ● Organic conversation development

[00:05:00] - Editing Philosophy & Audience Retention ● Unique editing approach: cutting conversations mid-topic ● Background editing while gaming technique ● Achieving 110% completion rates vs. industry 70% ● The "shave and a haircut" psychological hook

[00:07:00] - "Daily Emotions" Era ● Transition from "Bipolar Style" to "Daily Emotions" ● The challenge of trauma dumping in mental health podcasts ● Learning when to pivot podcast focus ● The consuming nature of mental health content creation

[00:08:00] - Podcasting Influences & Inspirations ● Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" as major influence ● The power of reaching high-profile rock and metal guests ● Mark Marin's WTF show impact ● Transitioning from music industry to podcasting

[00:09:00] - Early Broadcasting Background ● High school radio station with actual transmitter ● Public access cable TV experience in San Francisco ● "Wayne's World" style local TV show ● The "simulation" approach to content creation

[00:12:00] - RSS & Download Philosophy ● RSS and downloadability as core podcast elements ● Avoiding "streaming subscription hell" ● 20 years of RSS technology celebration ● Focus on audio vs. video debates

[00:13:00] - Rena's Background & Skills ● Jerry Springer Show production experience ● Natural interviewing and listening abilities ● The maven quality: connecting people and opportunities ● Play-by-play vs. color commentary dynamic

[00:15:00] - Interview Dynamics Analysis ● Rena's therapeutic listening approach ● John's self-awareness about talking too much ● The balance between liberal and conservative perspectives ● Finding common ground through shared topics

[00:17:00] - Jerry Springer Connection ● Jerry Springer's appearance on "Better Call Daddy" ● Recognition of Rena's producer skills ● The importance of information gathering in production

[00:19:00] - Podcast Industry Observations ● Musicians vs. music industry people comparison ● Podcasters vs. podcast industry professionals ● The commodification of creative passion ● Live Nation experience and craft services anecdotes

[00:20:00] - Branding & Visual Identity ● The critical importance of podcast naming ● Etymology and word psychology in naming ● Domain availability considerations ● Logo design: "Does it look cool on a t-shirt?"

[00:21:00] - Music Rights & Audio Strategy ● The sticky nature of music rights in podcasting ● Recommendation for original music performance ● Minimalist intro approach vs. TV-style intros ● The power of simple audio stingers

[00:23:00] - Content Longevity & "Zombie Podcasts" ● Creating evergreen content without rights issues ● The concept of "zombie podcasts" living forever ● Authentic vs. polished AI content predictions ● The value of human authenticity

[00:25:00] - Life Experience as Research ● Being kicked out at 14 and learning independence ● Life experiences as natural podcast material ● The balance of sharing vs. professional discretion ● Using stage names and artistic personas

[00:27:00] - The Power of Memorable Names ● Single-syllable name effectiveness ● Comparison to Cher, Norm, and other one-name personalities ● The hook quality of punchy names ● Domain purchasing with special characters

[00:29:00] - Advice for New Podcasters ● "Make a fucking mess" - authenticity over perfection ● Approach podcasting as an art project ● The mechanical aspects are teachable in a week ● Being yourself is the hardest part

[00:30:00] - Technical Accessibility ● Free tools and apps like Riverside ● No excuse for technical barriers ● Borrowing equipment to start ● The importance of experimenting before committing

[00:31:00] - Community & Networking ● Don't be afraid to reach out on social media ● Asking to be guests on shows you enjoy ● Building circular podcast community ● The "jam session" approach to podcasting

[00:32:00] - Show Recommendations & Contact Info ● Let There Be Talk with Dean Delray ● Mark Marin's WTF show ● Dave Jackson's School of Podcasting ● Contact: lillystudios.com and deviantlounge.com

[00:34:00] - Music Discussion & Equipment Talk ● Bass guitar preferences and Steinberger memories ● The Police concert memories from age 12-13 ● Fender artist relations and Tony Franklin connection ● The evolution of electronic drums integration

[00:42:00] - Future Music Projects ● "Bomb Repair" EDM project concept ● Uploading music as podcast episodes ● Exploring synth music and experimental styles ● The cassette culture connection

Key Takeaways - 1. Authenticity Over Polish: Focus on genuine conversation rather than perfect production 2. Community Building: Podcasting success comes from connecting with other podcasters 3. Adaptability: Be willing to evolve your show's name, format, and focus 4. Technical Simplicity: Don't let equipment concerns prevent you from starting 5. Unique Editing: Experiment with non-traditional editing to improve retention 6. Strategic Naming: Choose names that are memorable, shareable, and brandable 7. RSS Independence: Maintain downloadable content to avoid platform dependency 8. Life as Content: Your experiences are your greatest source of material

Mentioned Resources & Tools - ● Riverside (podcast recording app) ● Hindenburg (audio editing software) ● YouTube Sound Library (royalty-free music) ● RSS feeds and podcast hosting platforms ● Social media for guest discovery (X/Twitter)

Contact Information - John Lilly: Website: lillystudios.com / Podcast: deviantlounge.com Martin "Marv" Quibell: Website: themarvzone.org / Podcast: Pods Like Us (available on all streaming platforms)

#PodcastingTips #MentalHealthPodcasting #AudioStorytelling #PodcastCommunity #IndependentPodcasting #ContentCreation #PodcastInterview #DigitalMedia #PodcastStrategy #AudioProduction

This episode of Pods Like Us showcases the authentic journey of podcasting evolution, from mental health advocacy to community building, offering practical insights for both new and experienced podcasters looking to create meaningful audio content.