We were lucky to catch up with Chidinma “Chid Suzan” Azubuike recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Chidinma “Chid Suzan” thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Being a Creative, especially a Podcast Creator can often be perceived as being very simple. Too often we think that podcasting is simply picking up a microphone, talking into it and uploading what was said to the digital sphere. I learnt at the beginning of my journey that this couldn’t be further from the truth.
In order to learn the various aspects of bringing a podcast to the market, from hosting, producing to marketing and monetization, I joined various podcast community groups, read several articles, attended various workshops and classes and finally I watched hours and hours of youtube videos.
Reflecting on my journey now, I believe my curiosity helped to improve the speed at which I learnt. It helped to seek out more seasoned individuals who knew the answers to simple questions like “how should I title my podcast episodes” and more complex questions like “what plug ins work for my podcast in the adobe audition editing software”. However, I wish that I spent more time learning the process and the craft before officially launching my podcast. This would have helped me produce more efficiently and release episodes in a more timely manner.
Finally, I believe that the skills that were most essential to my progress at the beginning of my journey included having a basic understanding of audio and audio production, being comfortable with public speaking and being able to adapt to certain trends and projections within the podcast market.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I am an Urban/City Planner by day and a Podcaster/Content Creator by night. Through both ventures, I am merging my love for community building and my passion for writing and public speaking.
As a Podcaster/Content Creator, I am the Founder and Host of the “But What Do I Know?” Podcast, a 2X Award Nominated Self-Improvement and Education platform. I created this podcast and community as an ode to the way in which People of Colour, especially Women of Colour often diminish their own knowledge and experiences in spaces where they may not feel completely affirmed and encouraged. So therefore, in this space, our community is affirmed, healing is prioritized and conversations with guest experts provide tools and methods to navigate various facets of life, hereby helping our community of listeners overcome their “but what do I know?” moments.
The podcast has been featured by streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, has charted on the Apple Podcasts
Self Improvement and Education Genres in Canada and is currently ranked within the top 5% of podcasts globally. In addition, listeners of the podcast have often shared that the enjoy the tone of the podcast, sighting that is a great midpoint between a “stuffy” news podcast and a “too relaxed” friend group chat podcast and that they leave each episode feeling educated but also entertained.
It honestly is such an amazing feeling to put my thoughts, opinions and experiences out there and to watch not only how it is received but how it helps listeners navigate certain aspects of life.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
As I continue to lead conversations on the “But What Do I Know?” Podcast, I am driven by several goals but one is close to my heart. I want the podcast to become a “go-to” education and empowerment platform for BIPOC, especially Black individuals and communities, in the City of Toronto, Canada.
Podcasting is such a great medium because of the intimacy that can be developed between the listenership and the podcast host. It is such a great way to build credibility and to share knowledge and experiences with the community. Unfortunately, here in Canada we don’t have many examples of BIPOC owned and led podcasts in the mainstream that are centering the knowledge and experiences of these varying communities. Part of the problem is that the podcasting journey can be difficult and isolating hence limiting our abilities to really connect with each other to expand our reach.
As I approach my third year of podcasting, I’m making it a goal to pace myself, consistently produce quality episodes that serve my listenership and to connect with other BIPOC podcasters in Toronto to share the importance of my podcast/platform but to also exchange information and learn in other to further expand the community.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a Founder and Podcast Producer is looking back and seeing the way in which my listenership receives and appreciates each episode and form of content that is shared. I know that as a creator it is important to love the work produced regardless of the volume of positive feedback that I receive. However, it definitely makes a difference to know that my work is seen, valued and appreciated.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bwdikpodcast.com
- Instagram: @bwdikpodcast
- Facebook: But What Do I Know Podcast
- Twitter: @BWDIKPodcast ; @ChidSuzan
- Other: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/but-what-do-i-know/id1522852335 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Nv2QYmfs4vO6r2pDhfENG
Image Credits
Photography credits: Enem Odeh of Blue Clouds Photography Instagram: @bluecloudsphotos