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(By Troy Price) I am lucky enough to be able to be binge-watching Broadchurch on Netflix this week. Wow, it is awesome. The series is a showcase of powerful acting and the story is engrossing. Add this to your queue and watch this as soon as you can.
After my hours of dedication to watching these characters I feel connected to them all. I know them well, but I would not say that any of the characters are particularly ‘lucky’, except for one. Jocelyn Knight is an attorney appearing in the second season. In each episode, while outside the courtroom, she is plagued by personal and professional struggle.
**SPOILER ALERT: ** Near the end Jocelyn receives news that her mother has passed away (while a severe emotional blow to her, it does not impact the larger story of Season Two).
In a later scene Jocelyn is going through her mother’s belongings and comes across a hairbrush. She is able to pull some remaining hair from the brush and in an emotional moment is able to revisit the scent of her mother. While I watched that moment I thought to myself between sniffles, “How lucky…” Jocelyn was deep in personal and professional turmoil and at that moment she was able connect to a breath of love and deep connection. How lucky.
All of us, too, are lucky. When we are not in the midst of a global pandemic there are all kinds of stories about podcast hosts providing deep inspiration, sustaining motivation, and real friendship to those in their podcast community. But now we are in a social, economic, and health crisis and in this tumult we have an exceptional opportunity to use our podcast to be a voice of hope and cheer to others.
Each of our downloads are an opportunity to connect with someone that is anxious and afraid. While in most instances that relationship is not as significant and long-lasting as a mother’s connection, we may be the only encouragement and normalcy that some people receive that day. Use the next few weeks to deeply connect with your audience in their time of need and buoy their hope.
One other thing, chances are you have a story of a time when you were not at your best and a podcast episode that you listened to got you through. If so, maybe reach out to that podcaster and let them know. Your message will be a source of inspiration for them. And maybe you are a podcaster that has received a message from a listener about how you helped them. You know how special that feedback can be.
Either by creating inspired episodes or writing notes to podcasters, take action. You can connect to others during these times. This is a privilege and in this way we are all lucky.
Troy Price is the co-founder of Front Porch Studios in Berea, Kentucky. He has been involved with podcasting for over a decade. Contact Try by e-mail at Troy@frontporchstudios.com.