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No this is not a fitness podcast. Alison Kuhlow is the host of Stretch, a podcast launched in September that focuses on the journey people have taken that has lead to their lives changing in a positive way.
Kuhlow started the podcast after she experienced several changes in her own life over a period of three years – divorce, job changes, two moves, starting a consulting business, and returning to school for a Master’s degree.
She says she began to realize the stories her friends shared about their lives helped her through her challenges. “Hearing how they looked at the trials they faced and listening to the mental mindsets they had in place helped me to change my perspective and gave me the tools I needed to improve my situation.”
Here’s our interview with the host of Stretch, Alison Kuhlow.
PBJ: Why are you podcasting? Alison Kuhlow: I live in a small mountain town and started my career in local government. The town has an NPR affiliate that covers local politics. From the age of 21 I was on-air sharing information regarding code changes, special event information, and environmental initiatives. This effort showed me it was possible to start a dialogue, share a new thought and explain an idea just by using my voice.
PBJ: What is your podcast about and how did you pick this topic? Alison Kuhlow: The goal of Stretch is to inspire people to make changes in their lives that will have positive impacts and possibly change their navigation. Change equals a process that can lead to transformation, and this process takes small steps – stretches – to get you from where you are now to where you want to go.
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Alison Kuhlow[/caption]
Looking back on my own life I saw the changes I had been making and saw that it was the stories that my friends shared of their own lives that helped me through challenging times. Hearing how they looked at the challenges they faced and the mental mindsets they had in place I could see that by looking at my own situation with a new perspective I could find new solutions. I’ve learned that when a story can parallel our life experience we have more insight into the message, versus just being told what to do. For it is only in ourselves that we can make change occur.
**PBJ: Do you have a website or an app to host your podcast? Alison Kuhlow: **I launched stretchpodcast.com simultaneously with the podcast. I wanted a location where I can share resources with listeners and am hoping it helps me to continue to connect with the audience between seasons.
PBJ: How are you marketing your podcast? Alison Kuhlow: Friends, family, Facebook, and Instagram. I’m also reaching out to media outlets with a press release.
PBJ: How many downloads/listens are you getting? Alison Kuhlow: At this time I have eight episodes, plus a 3-minute introduction, that have a total of 1,557 downloads.
PBJ: What are your biggest challenges? Alison Kuhlow: Building an audience. I truly had no idea this would be the biggest hurdle after developing the format for the podcast.
**PBJ: Are you making any money? ** Alison Kuhlow: Not at this time, however the podcast does provide marketing for my consulting business.
PBJ: Do you care/want to make money and what is your plan? Alison Kuhlow: I would love to make money with an advertiser. My plan at this time is to continue growth of listeners through Instagram and media outlets and am also reaching out to career fields that can use the podcast as a resource for employees and clients.
PBJ: What advice do you have for people considering launching a podcast? Alison Kuhlow: It is important to understand that releasing the podcast is not the end, it is the start. The amount of energy it takes to build your base audience requires you to be in it for the long haul. Finding others that are experts in social media will save you time and are worth it!
PBJ: What equipment are you using? Alison Kuhlow: I conduct and record the interviewee’s story via Zoom. I’m lucky enough that my local library has a full sound booth with the following:
- 6 x 6 vocal booth
- Mac Mini
- Robbie PreAmp
- Sapphire pro 24
- Blue Blueberry Microphone
- All post-production work is done by Travis Brown with Podcastbuddy.com.
Alison Kuhlow can be reached at 435-640-2732 or by emailing alison@stretchpodcast.com. Listen to her podcast HERE