When I dropped my first episode of Sadie’s Divorced and Happy in January of 2021, I had no idea what I was doing. I just knew I wanted to talk about life after divorce with people who were sharing similar experiences.
In the summer of 2020, COVID-19 had ransacked all of our lives and limited so much of our freedom. I was feeling the effects of isolation and boredom and needed a creative outlet. I thought starting a podcast about life after divorce would allow more opportunities to socialize, inspire and challenge me. I’ve always looked for ways to get out of my comfort zone. I knew podcasting could do be a way to do that, but I had no inkling at the time how much it would change my life…for the better.
Two men that I was “dating” at the time (ironically from the same city - Atlanta) both had podcasts and were so generous with helping me find the gear I needed. One even flew to my city to help me set-up, tape a show and edit my first episode. We’re still friends and he’s been such an amazing support. He now gives Mic (my podcast microphone) fashion advice.
After interviewing six guests for my first episode (what was I thinking?! I learned to never again include that many interviews in one episode.) I was off and running; taping interviews, and creating eye-catching content for social media.
It wasn’t easy in the beginning. I talked too fast, I talked too much (still working on both), I hadn’t found my “voice,” by which I mean my particular viewpoint and communication style… Plus, I wanted to talk about everything related to life after divorce; money, career, dating and of course SEX.
Around February of 2021, I figured out that not only could I use social media to market my podcast, but to find guests. I began to work Instagram like it was my full time job and fortunately so many incredible coaches, authors, and professionals agreed to be on my podcast. I am still in touch with many of my guests from my first season, and some have become dear friends.
Midway through my first season I began to get my groove on. Once I leaned into being something of an outlier in the divorce podcasting world, I began to gain traction and distinction. Sadie’s Divorced and Happy became known as the “spicy” podcast. I was the podcaster that talked about solo play, kink and non-traditional relationships after divorce.
I also realized that since I was spending 15+ hours every week promoting my podcast, I should have some flipping fun doing it! I decided my microphone would be my sidekick, and appear with me in my videos. Enter “Mic” (the best listener I’ve ever known).
Mic appeared a few times in social media promos in the second season and was beloved by my followers. In season three, he and I started to hit the streets (literally) every Wednesday. We’d run together, work-out together (even in public) all the while being filmed. Teaming up with Mic has allowed me to take risks and helped me discover my inner goof-ball. With Mic in the picture, I didn’t feel shy or inhibited.
When I started my podcast, I had no idea how social media would become such a critical component to the success of my brand.
Instagram was changing its platform from simple graphics to reels (videos). What? Now I had to be on VIDEO? This was way more stressful than taping conversations with guests in the nook of my kitchen. I never imagined I’d end up on-camera when I’d started this journey. As a professional photographer, I was always behind the camera, not in front of it! It was nerve wracking and uncomfortable and I thought I really SUCKED at it.
As the podcast has developed, I’ve added playfully cheeky professionals to help produce the show. Enter my dream team, Cynthia Uhrich and Vicky Kueppers, two creative women with talent and big ideas for days--and they get SHIT done--and quickly! It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you have people who believe in your vision, have your back, and help you become even more than you imagined you could be on your own.
Together, the four of us have dreamed up an incredibly sumptuous season.
Going through a divorce is EXHAUSTING and can suck the funny right out of a person. But humor is healing. It’s healed me. My hope is that this season, our creative concoctions and breezy conversations with guests will have you feeling like your fun, playful, zesty self again, too. It’s been a true labor of love.
On this journey I’ve discovered that creating my podcast and meeting such a diverse and interesting roster of guests helped me to rediscover my playful, most creative self…
While I’ve had creative outlets in the past (I’d written and directed films with modest success, and I’ve been a photographer since I was a teenager) my podcast has allowed me to express more of my story and reveal more of myself.
So, have you got a “podcast” in you? Do you have something you’re passionate about and do you long to connect with other people? My advice: Take the leap. Don’t wait. Don’t over think it. It doesn’t have to be perfect and it’s okay to not know what the hell you’re doing. Just begin…and see where it takes you…and discover who you will meet along the way.
Remember as you take your first steps, Mic and I have your back. We always will.
