We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Diane and Charles Woodford. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Diane and Charles below.
Diane and Charles, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?
Sure thing, a great place to start is our podcast launching journey.
Although we knew nothing about podcasting, for about 5 years the thoughts of launching a podcast played over and over in our minds. My husband Charles and I researched what was needed to get started and decided to attend a few workshops and purchase a couple of books on starting a podcast. However, we still felt ill-equipped to do so and continued to wait for the right time. Actually, we were just procrastinating because starting a podcast seemed pretty overwhelming.
Little did we know that it would take a pandemic to push us into launching the podcast. During the height of the 2020 world lockdown, we noticed how fear, panic, anger, and hopelessness were becoming the new normal. Charles and I decided to change the narrative and begin to post daily love drop videos on our social media platforms. Our love drops videos were inspiring and positive messages to spread love and hope. After about 6 weeks of love drop videos, we decided to take the leap and launch our podcast.
So, in the summer of 2020 we launched the Love Drops Podcast. We used the Anchor.FM App as the streaming host site which allowed our podcast to be distributed to all the major podcasting platforms. The distribution of our podcast was a perk of using Anchor.FM, which has been very beneficial thus far. Our cellphone was all that was needed to get started with our first several episodes, we also used our laptop with the editing process however Anchor.FM is set up to do it all via your cell phone.
Currently there are over 150 episodes streaming with listeners in over 40 Countries. Love Drops Podcast is our way of connecting journeys and spreading love and inspiration. Our guests are from all around the world sharing their journeys with our listeners to inspire, connect and build global networks.
Over the past two years of podcasting our equipment has evolved and we now have mics/headphones and a Zoom P4 recorder giving us studio quality on the go. In 2023 we are looking to bring a producer on board and start having live interactive episodes at least once a month.
We are using Love Drops Podcast to serve our global communities as well as creating global networking. Currently we successfully sponsored a Love Drops Kids Wishlist as one of our 2022 Year End Ministries. Check out details on our website, https://www.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
The story of Diane and Charles is one of love in action. We are both natives of Detroit Michigan, our journey together started 18 years ago. When we met, I was living in California and Charles resided in Michigan. The first year of our courtship was a beautiful whirlwind long-distance relationship. However, from day one we were committed to serving others in our individual and collective ministries. Charles and I are currently retired from leadership positions, Charles from the Government Sector and I am retired from healthcare. Many are called into the service of humanity but only a few actually walk away from the known into the unknown which is actually what Charles, and I did back in 2016.
In addition to making global connections via Love Drops Podcast, we also have a website https://
After searching for a site where we could submit blogs for posting with no success, we created one. Paths2transformation (P2T) was launched to connect, network, and recycle inspiration. This magic happens by sharing journeys, inspiration and spreading love.
When we launched P2T neither of us had a clue of what we were doing, needless to say it took several re-launches to get our site where it is today. Actually, it was about 5 years of grinding and learning. Of course, the thought to drop the site occurred; however P2T was much bigger than our disappointments and frustrations. We hung in there and in 2019, P2T was selected in a drawing for a complete re-design and branding. Too much is given, much is required! For whoever needs this: Keep pushing, if you don’t quit, YOU WIN!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
P2T is a platform where writers can share blogs, we also promote authors, artists, small businesses and cool places that we have encountered on our journey. P2T has also allowed us to launch many community engagements and outreaches. In 2018 we launched a Random Acts of Kindness outreach where we randomly gave away $25 Gift Cards.
In 2019 we launched a Happy Feet Campaign where we gave out socks, lotion, wipes, and note cards with $5 cash. We are currently sponsoring two-year end outreaches. First, is our Meal-Time Giveaway where 2 families will be selected to receive a $500 grocery store gift card. The second is our Love Drops Kids Wish List, where 10 kids where selected and given the opportunity to choose 3 items from a list we created for them. Please feel free to check out our donation page on P2T for more information and to support these and other projects.
For us the most rewarding aspects of being creative is building global networks via our various platforms, podcasting, blogging, community outreaches, all while recycling inspiration. However, our greatest rewards come from witnessing our children and grandchildren creating their own Paths2transformation.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
We think that non-creatives often struggle with the visions and dreams of creatives. Personally, our visions have blown us out of the park, however we believe that if we just start or follow what’s calling us, the understanding and resources will come in the process of the journey. Basically, we take the leaps, the ducks are never going to all be in a row at the start. However, in the process things will align for your best outcome if you allow. Again, if you don’t quit, you win!!!
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” ~Lao Tzu
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.
paths2transformation.com - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/feed/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/ UCgop25nx63tG3ukpxkU11mg
Image Credits
Parnell Chapman
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