We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Scott Piehler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Scott, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned the craft of announcing the old-fashioned way: I was a radio announcer. I was fortunate to have a radio station at my high school.

These days, anyone who wants to announce/podcast has tools that are far more powerful at their fingertips than I ever had in any studio. These tools didn’t exist when I was learning. If they did, I would have picked up on editing skills a lot faster. When I broke in, I was literally cutting tape with a razor blade.

The biggest key to becoming a better announcer/speaker is simple repetition. The most essential skill: You MUST listen to yourself. Yes, no one likes the way they sound initially. Get over it. Athletes study film. You must study your recorded voice.

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.

My current position as the writer/producer/host of the Alameda Postcast podcast came about because I like to talk with people. When I moved from Georgia to Alameda, CA in February, my wife and I signed up for a walking history tour of the island, presented by The Alameda Post. I struck up a conversation with Adam Gillitt, their publisher. As we talked, he said he was hoping to get into podcasting. I mentioned I was a broadcaster, and had a recording setup.

Even though the show is a basic, 10 minute weekly news digest, I approach it as if it were network television. It has to be done right. That approach seems to resonate. The podcast has been favorably compared to shows on the legendary KQED. It might just be me and a microphone, but a lot goes into it. The audience relates to something well-crafted.

But none of this happens if I don’t strike up that initial conversation.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

“Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon. This is one of the greatest creative kicks in the backside I’ve ever read. Kleon’s basic concept: There is nothing new under the sun. Accept that. Get comfortable with it. Own the fact that innovation is really just about new combinations of existing concepts.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

NFTs seem like yet another riff on “collectibles” and “limited editions.” I’ve watched too many things go boom and bust over my life-comic books, baseball cards, Hummels, Beanie Babies, the list goes on. And most of those had one thing in common: little to no intrinsic value.

I’m not a fan of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) as a primary marketing tool. And that seems to be what’s driving NFTs.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpiehler/
• Podcast: https://alamedapost.com/alameda-postcast-podcast/
• Other: Theatre Blog: https://gottaact.blogspot.com

Image Credits
Alameda PostCast logo-Adam Gillitt