"PandaCast" is a podcast idea I've been brewing up pretty much since my first week of being a Steemian. I've been interviewed on a few podcasts myself over the past few months, and I actually really enjoyed being on them.

I thought about it, and decided ehhh what the hell - why not start up a podcast and feature my fellow Steemians on it?

This would be a great way to give back to the community in a few ways:

• Feature one Steemian per episode, giving them some free exposure to the community.


• Allow said Steemian to discuss an article they've written, an idea they have (contest, etc), OR just generally hangout and shoot the shit - it's their choice, and as the host I would simply just steer the conversation, Panda-style.


• We could potentially allow sponsors to sponsor episodes, which would allow us to either giveaway prizes to listeners, raise awareness for a cause (i.e. Steemfest), promote whatever the hell else the sponsor wishes. Their choice.


• Give fellow minnows/new Steemians on the block the chance to have their voice heard by being on the show and making some noise - you participate and the episode you're on becomes a hit, well you probably just scored yourself a bunch of followers for your blog. Maybe even some money. WOOT!


• Allow the show, as we grow, to start offering random giveaways/contests to the community, as our way of giving back (I'm truly grateful for all the love you guys have shown me so far, and this would be another way I could show some love in return).

I have several other ideas for the podcast as it evolves and grows, but for now, this is a great way to keep it simple, fun, and exciting.

Each episode I estimate would run between 15-20+ minutes -depending on how interesting our guests are and what they wish to discuss.

At first, it's going to be chaos. Between getting down a structured format, keeping things clean and tidy and PG-13 (or not-so PG-13, as we all know I have quite the fucking potty mouth), etc - there are some challenges ahead of me/us - but, that's half the fun, wouldn't you agree?

I've also been in talks with our favorite loan shark aka @Neoxian, and we are in the works of working out a potential short-term loan so that I can secure the equipment I would need.

(being in Thailand, I have to have some items shipped to me - if we could find a good Samaritan that's closer than I to secure the hardware I'd need, that'd be fantastic, as shipping costs will murder half the loan I'm about to secure).

NEEDS:

• A kickass PORTABLE microphone that's DURABLE (I'm using a laptop) and I travel a lot.


• Some suggestions on potential recording/hosting software for the show (thoughts, anyone?)


• A great external hard drive to back up copies of each episode


• Some great Noise-cancelling headphones - I'm open for suggestions on these, like I said.



Please keep in mind - I TRAVEL A TON, so everything I purchase HAS to be compatible with a laptop with limited ports, be extremely lightweight, and be durable.

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I would love if you have any feedback/comments/suggestions/etc - please please please, drop them as a comment below.

I want this podcast to be a success, and I also want the entire community to benefit from it! It's a new project for me that's supposed to be something that's FUN, helps release some stress, that can also help other members grow and help shed light on members and initiatives taking place in the community that DESERVE some more attention for the good that they are doing.

All proceeds from this post will go towards sourcing the equipment listed above as "needs" to make this show a reality - ideally, I would love to produce at least 3+ episodes per week.

Fat Panda AKA Your Host



If this thing kicks off and does insanely well, then I would see to it that we are running full throttle putting out epically awesome episodes 5-7x A WEEEK - if that's what YOU, the community, wants. I guess we will know based on the amount of upvotes, comments, resteems, and all around love I/we get on this initial post.

I originally found my start as a small minnow member of Minnow Support Project / MSP, the brainchild of @Aggroed and backed by some heavy-hitters such as @Ausbitbank, @TheProphet0, @Coconut-Canadian, @TeamSteem, and others.

And I want to repay their favor to me, by branching our into the world and helping others just starting off to grow their name and get some exposure in the giant world of madness known as SteemIt. It can get crazy out there, and it can be especially discouraging when you spend hours on your posts, only to get 3 views and earn $0.13.

This podcast aims to host fellow minnows, dolphins, and sometimes whales, that can offer personal experience, guidance, funny-ass stories and personal accounts of how they went from earning $0.13 for 4 hours of writing and smashing 6 keyboards out of rage, to confidently posting and knowing that they'd earn at leaast $0.25 this post!! They finally hit the big leagues! ;)

Show a fellow minnow some love and let's get this project OFF THE GROUND!!

-Panda, aka Fat Panda Design