MY LAST MOMENTS WITH ED ASNER - REST IN PEACE ED - I WILL MISS YOU!

EXCERPTS FROM MY LAST MOMENTS WITH ED ASNER - CLICK HERE TO LISTEN >>

Last year, just after Ed Asner's 90th birthday I got the chance to have him back on air with me at KPFK 90.7FM in Los Angeles. He had been a guest of mine several times over the years - but this time felt different.

It was as if I knew it would be the last time I would see this loving and kind force of nature.

Ed Asner was always so beautiful to me. It was as if we were old soul mates from long ago - and to see his eyes light up when he was with me just made my heart smile.

Despite his gruff and grumpy persona, Ed was all heart and he did so much for so many. He was a champion for the voiceless at a time when it was looked down upon to do so.

Even though his career took a major hit, he spoke out during the 1980s as he opposed the United States policy in Central America.

He created The Ed Asner Family Center which provides arts, counseling services, and support groups and camps to autistic special needs individuals and their families.

I love this man for all that he did with his life and for how he called out injustice when he saw it.

Heaven has a courageous and brave angel now.

And we have lost a legend of generosity and goodness.

I love you Ed and will miss you terribly.

- Christine Blosdale

#EdAsner #LouGrant #Entertainment #Actor #MaryTylerMoore #Autism #SAG #AFTRA #Radio #Television #Film #RestinPeace #ILoveYou

PODCASTING TIP FOR BEGINNERS: KEEP IT SIMPLE!

PODCASTING TIP: KEEP IT SIMPLE SILLY GOOSE!
One of the biggest obstacles newbie casters need to conquer is the sheer overwhelm that can happen when first starting out. It's understandable since there's a lot to consider as we prepare to launch a podcast.

Genre. Theme. Show Format. Logo and Artwork. Show Length. Live or Pre-Taped. Solo or Co-Hosted. Recording and Editing Software. And the list can go on and on and on.

That's why I coach my clients on the importance of KEEPING IT SIMPLE. Especially in the beginning. If you have too many things to worry about chances are you will freeze in fear and overwhelm and you won't follow thru with getting that podcast out into the world.

And the world needs you - and your podcast - right now!

So who makes a great podcast host? Well, you of course!

You can be a stay at home mom who knows how to feed a family of four with healthy foods on $10 a day. You can be someone who was recently divorced and you had to navigate the legal minefield that can be a part of living "happily ever after" after the marriage is over, and now you can inspire others that are going through that same process.

Maybe you're in a long distance relationship and you and your partner have developed wonderful ways at coping with the distance while remaining madly in love. Or perhaps you have survived cancer and want to help others dealing with a similar diagnosis.

You can do a podcast show based on that if you want. Really - the options - and possibilities - are endless! And that's why we want to always KEEP IT SIMPLE!

PERSONAL NOTE FROM CHRISTINE: If you'd like more Podcasting tips or want to work with me one-on-one drop me an email at OutOfTheBoxWithChristine@gmail.com . I'd love to be your personal Podcast Coach!

LEARNING TO LOVE YOUR OWN UNIQUE VOICE FOR PODCASTING

PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE

So you've decided to jump into the wonderful world of Podcasting. Welcome aboard!

If you are like many new Poddies you may have an issue around embracing your own voice. If that describes where you are at right now - don't fret!

Lots of people have a hard time listening to their voice. It could be because someone said something about it one time - maybe even a long time ago. Or maybe as a child growing up your opinion didn't matter and you had to hold your tongue when you really wanted to express yourself.

Whatever the reason is, just know that you are not alone and it happens to lots of new Podcasters.

BUT if you want to have a Podcast show and want people to tune into your programs well, you need to start embracing that beaYOUtiful voice of yours and in this episode you'll find a few tips and tricks to help you start that love affair with your voice. If you find this video of value please like and share it with others.

PERSONAL NOTE FROM CHRISTINE: If you'd like more Podcasting tips or want to explore working with me one on one drop me an email at OutOfTheBoxWithChristine@gmail.com . I'd love to be your Podcast Coach!

IDEAS ON HOW TO NAME YOUR PODCAST

WHAT'S IN A NAME? EVERYTHING (NOTE: FOR THE FULL VLOG CLICK THE VIDEO ABOVE)

When making the decision on what to call your podcast show, please take your time. Choosing a name or show title is very important and should not be rushed. Once you have something that looks and feels right, do yourself a favor and do multiple searches on the internet and Apple Podcasts.

You would be amazed at how many times people pick the exact same name as someone else. While you may think that the name you've chosen is original and is perfect for you, chances are someone else has claimed it already.

If you do not do a proper and thorough search, trust me, you will regret it later. Imagine how you will feel after you've invested all this time and money setting up your podcast, just to discover that someone else has the exact same name.

And what if it's really really bad and it's getting horrific reviews? Your show will be virtually tied to something that is not so positive, but you could also be infringing on someone else's trademarked name. It's just not worth it! So please do your research. If you would like assistance on developing the name for the show, you can contact me at outoftheboxwithchristine@gmail.com and I'd be happy to work with you on that.

The other thing you want to do, and I tell every single client that I work with, is you want to register your domain name of the podcast. Yes, you want to have a website associated with it. Personally I use Google Domains. It's only a few dollars to register it and requires a low cost annual payment to keep it active.

Once you have your domain there are several affordable options to host your website. But you definitely want a companion website for your Podcast. My companion website is http://www.OutOfTheBoxWithChristine.com and it's a place where people can find past episodes and easily subscribe to their preferred podcast delivery platform.

Hope you enjoyed this quick blog about Ideas on How To Name Your Podcast!

WHY DO YOU WANT TO CREATE YOUR OWN PODCAST?

So you've decided to take the plunge into the marvelous world of Podcasting. Congratulations! Podcasting is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. It is estimated that there are more than 1 Million active podcasts with more than 30 million episodes in over 100 different languages.

To say that podcasting is enjoying an explosive surge in popularity is indeed an understatement. If you are considering entering this amazing world, the best news for you is this... it is growing every single day.

In other words, millions upon millions of people all around the globe are actively looking for new podcast shows - and one of those new shows could be yours!

But before you turn one of your bedrooms into a home studio, invest thousands of dollars in equipment and software and jump headfirst on to the podcast bandwagon, there are a few things you need to seriously consider.

One of the biggest issues facing newbie casters is the amount of time that is required to successfully produce a series of episodes. Do you have enough time to dedicate to this brand new and exciting endeavor? If you do, then you need to ask yourself one more important question.

THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF
One of the most important questions I ask all of my clients is this... "Why do you want your own podcast show?"

This may seem like a silly question, but it is so vitally important to answer before beginning and it's the one question that is so often overlooked.

Everybody has a different answer. Some will want a podcast show because they've got something very important they feel they need to share with the world. Some will want to promote a particular brand or business.

Both are equally valid reasons. But there should always be a passion around your desire to create a podcast. Your audience will feel it when you speak and when it resonates with them it is pure GOLD!

Podcasting can certainly enhance any business or industry if done right. If you're a real estate agent, a coach or consultant, a healer, speaker, teacher, doctor, etc. literally any profession or industry can have a special place in the podcasting world.

But please do take a moment right now to dive into your own personal reasons for wanting to take on this lifestyle - because it definitely is a lifestyle - and it can take up a large amount of your time.

Think of creating your podcast like getting a brand new puppy. You need to feed it, walk it, make sure it is healthy - and of course love it.

And as with any new puppy you bring into your family, you need to spend a lot of quality time with them. It's the same when creating a new podcast show. Because the most successful podcasts are produced with a level of consistency and an attention to quality that trumps quantity every time.

Yes, developing and creating a new podcast can give you an enormous amount of satisfaction and pride - and it can be wonderfully fun at times. But it can also be extremely time consuming and frustrating - especially when learning new technology. If you don't start with the basics, it can feel very overwhelming.

So the reasons why you want to create your own show should outweigh any of the time commitments and possible learning curve-balls thrown at you.

PERSONAL NOTE FROM CHRISTINE:
If you would like guidance on getting started in Podcasting I would love to help you! Just email me at OutOfTheBoxWithChristine@gmail.com and we can set up a complimentary Strategy Session

TIPS ON HOW TO GET BOOKED ON RADIO AND PODCAST SHOWS

TIPS ON HOW TO GET BOOKED ON RADIO AND PODCAST SHOWS

One of the questions I get asked a whole helluva lot from entrepreneurs is, “What do I need to do to get booked as a guest on a radio or podcast show?”

As a seasoned podcast host (Out of The Box With Christine) and veteran radio talk show host and producer (KPFK 90.7FM) a few of my best pieces of advice are listed below;

·       Take the opportunity to be interviewed as much as possible. It doesn't matter if it's a radio program or a podcast show. It doesn’t matter the size or reach of the show either. It simply does not matter. You need to be interviewed in order to be seen and heard - and you need to develop your interview skills as much as possible. And yes, it’s a skill. Not everyone makes a great guest.

·       Go “Out of The Box” On That First Contact - I get a lot of emails from folks who say, “I want to be on your show. This is what I do, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…” And some brave souls even try calling me. But trust me, don’t call me. I'm not going to answer a call from a number I don’t recognize. Hell, I won't answer the phone for people I know - unless it’s my mom or my wife.

·       One of the best things you can do for that first contact involves the one thing that’s most likely with you every hour of the day. You have this amazing virtual film crew right in the palm of your hand called a smart phone and it can really help you get bookings.

·       Here’s where I encourage you to create a short video on your phone to focus on all of your best attributes. You don't need fancy lighting or tripods and stuff like that. All you need is a simple cellphone that you can create a powerful short video with (1-2 mins max) and then actually say why you are so special and why you would make a great guest.

·       Do NOT just send an email. Because in an email, I can't see your eyes and I can't see your passion. The person you are trying impress can’t either. But we can witness firsthand your enthusiasm with a short video.

·       With a clever video you're definitely going to get our attention and we’ll know right away, “Hey, this person's got something.” At the very least I'm going to take the extra step and check out your website. It’s a great way to get the attention you need to get booked on a show.

About a month ago I was trying to get in touch with a very important person - and instead of sending some boring email and explaining what I do and why I wanted to get in touch with them - I just created a short and fun video. And you know what? They called me back right away and we started working together!

The simple truth is we live in a very busy world and it can be a struggle sometimes to get people’s attention. Short videos are free and easy to create –and the best part is the engagement is really high.

Just remember to keep it brief. Don’t go on and on and on. Keep it short and to the point and you will go far. Now get that phone out and start making your irresistible videos – and GET BOOKED!

#podcast #podcasting #radio #tips

Craig Duswalt and Christine Blosdale in studio LIVE on air in Los Angeles

KEEP IT SIMPLE: THE TOP 10 REASONS WE MAKE THINGS MORE COMPLICATED THAN THEY NEED TO BE

KEEP IT SIMPLE: THE TOP 10 REASONS WE MAKE THINGS MORE COMPLICATED THAN THEY NEED TO BE
By Christine Blosdale

Good God we humans are complicated.

Whether it be in business or personal relationships, humans tend to muck things up by over thinking and over analyzing every last detail over and over again until all of the joy is sucked right out of whatever it was that at one time, was a wonderful thing.

Simply put, most of us have lost the child-like ability to just be “present” and play with life. As our egos develop over time, the art of allowing whatever good stuff to come naturally through our passions and communication has been lost in the name of getting more money, more followers, more fans, more lovers, more attention…you name it…just more, more more.

So what are we doing wrong?

Here are my Top 10 Reasons We Make Things More Complicated Than They Need to Be

#1. Our Ego Has To Control Everything
Okay so this little bastard basically feels the need to take the steering wheel of your life in order to feel like it’s in charge. And yes, can be a real dick about it. But I’ll let you in on a little secret. As convincing and semi charming as he can be at times, your Ego is NOT your amigo. This entity will feed on you like some 50 foot tapeworm unless you can manage to control your thoughts - or at the very least bring them back to some form of reality. Meditation, utilizing programs that deal with the Unconscious Mind, regular physical exercise and the simple act of covering your big mouth BEFORE you blurt out some Ego induced rant or rave will get you far in life and it can keep  that twatwaffle Ego in check!

#2 We Are Gluttons For Punishment
I blame religion and dogma on this one. It’s the whole “you were born in sin” bullcrap that sticks to our ribs lifetime after lifetime and it harkens back to being thrown out of the Garden cuz an “uppity” woman ate an apple. Get over it. You are a glorious and divine aspect of God/The Universe expressing yourself in a flesh suit with blood in your veins and bones to hold you up. You came into this world perfect. You don’t need to be punished or put through hell for anything.

#3. We Don’t Believe in Ourselves or Our Destiny
This has flavors of #2 in it as it can also be driven by childhood programming from religion, our parents, or cultural beliefs that we are not good enough nor do we deserve to thrive. Trust me, if you could see just how magnificient you truly are and what it took for you to be right where you are right now you’d fall to your knees and kiss your own damn feet.

#4 Comparison is a Biatch!
With the advent of Facebook and Instagram and tens of thousands of chiselled abs and size 2 twenty somethings popping up on your phone, laptop, tablet or TV we tend to feel less than because we constantly compare ourselves to unrealistic creatures from the Perfect Lagoon. Just stop that right now because it is a game you will never win. And besides, those “perfect” people you compare yourself to have their own caca to deal with - (yes I said caca) and some have it way worse than you. They just don’t advertise it on social media. So please stop comparing yourself to anyone right now. There. You already feel better now don’t you? Knew it.

#5 The Shortest Distance Is…The Bloody Shortest Distance!
Why oh why do we insist on running a marathon when we could just take a quick drive around the block? There is a mis-perception that we have to work really hard and put in really long hours and grind our life away in order to be successful. That my over-worked and under-paid friend is simply NOT true. I know many successful people who have a gorgeous work-to-home-life-ratio and they manage to get everything done because they have learned to master the art of working smarter, not harder. It’s doable. And if you need help getting there, contact me @ OutofTheBoxWithChristine@gmail.com and we will as they say, chat about it.

#6 We LOVE Drama and Conflict.
This one is a no brainer. Just look at how much money we pay to go to the movies and sporting events. Rome had the Gladiators. We have the Academy Awards and the NFL. Or as my Aussie friends say, “Footie.” Bah! That sounds like something my Grama knitted for me as a child when I had a cold! Just know that we are ALL Drama Queens.

#7 We Don’t Listen to Hear. We Listen to Respond.
If we could simply hear what someone is saying and not be preparing some thesis or 50 page rebuttal we would be much further along as a species. Maybe this has a bit of that bastard Ego scent on it, but I really think that we are just not taught to listen as children. We are taught to cry to get what we want. And when we scream we get it even faster. But it’s just to shut us up. And we are never told that listening is just as important as demanding. But get this…when you truly listen you will hear what is needed and required and it will save you time, energy, money, frustration and the loss of friends and family members. Not a bad deal heh?

#8 It’s in Our DNA Darling
Okay this will be short and sweet and saucy AF. We not only carry our own wounds and traumas from this life, but get this, we also carry all the icky gooey gross crap from our parents, and their parents and their parents and… well you get the picture. It’s a crowded circus tent people! Then there’s all of our own personal past lives and the trials and tribulations we had back in the 1400s when scurvy and malleria were as common as a Starbucks on every corner is today. My advice to you is that you better start clearing that stuff up ASAP in order to move forward in this life. Hint: Meditate, Ask for Clearing and again, work on those unconscious beliefs you didn’t know you had.

#9 We Worry What Other People Think About Us
Bahahaha! Knock that shit off right now. Nuff said.

#10 We Seldom Ask For Help
Hey I get it. If you’re reading this you most certainly have that Entrepreneurial Spirit. That “I Can Do It Myself” attitude. The “Pull Yourself Up By Your Own Bootstraps” F’d up mentality that leaves so many people bitter and resentful on the side of the road of life because they simply fail at whatever venture they embark upon. Be it in business or relationships, we tend to isolate ourselves and suffer in miserable silence. That is plain stupid. Ask for help from those willing to give it to you and seek out those who are successful in whatever field you wish to excel at. And remember, they aren’t gonna find you hiding behind your cellphone darling, so reach out and get some guidance.

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Christine Blosdale is a Transformational Speaker, Coach and Consultant Specializing in Wellness, Business, Product Development and the Service Industries. She’s also a multi million dollar fundraiser who prefers to use her time making the world a better place.

THE ART OF THE INTERVIEW FOR PODCASTERS AND RADIO HOSTS

THE ART OF THE INTERVIEW
by Christine Blosdale

Your audience can smell an ego a mile away. And one sure fire way to drive listeners away is to have a big fat one that sucks up the air time.

Letting your guests speak while guiding them to where you want them to go is one way to both entertain and enlighten your audience, so don’t blow it by having to be heard.

The Art of the Interview is an audio ballet of sorts involving balanced conversation and profound moments. Sometimes that dramatic pause (AKA “dead air”) can be so powerful it can transform both your guest and your audience. So don’t be afraid of that silence.

Far too often people feel the need to fill it - to keep talking. Please DON’T. Like I said, it’s a dance. A beautiful, emotion filled dance. And when the dance is done with respect for both the guest and the listener (and the ego takes a hike) it’s pure magic.

One of the best ways to engage your audience and have them in return invest themselves in your show is to know way ahead of time exactly what “story” you want to focus in on and express on air. If your guest has overcome some major obstacles in life or survived against all odds, this story can be what not only draws you in, but your audience as well.

Let’s face it. All of the great films and books have been based on great stories. Anyone heard of “Star Wars?” Exactly. Stories of overcoming adversity or experiencing a miraculous turn of events is what we call a real “page turner.”

Well your podcast or radio show is no different. People connect through stories and they will stick with you until they find out what the hell happened.

Did you leave the movie theater when Darth said to Luke, “I am your father?!!” Ummm NO. You were glued to your seat and you were not leaving that dark place with sticky Coca Cola residue on the floor until you heard the whole damn saga.

“The more personal your story is, the more Universal and connected you are to others.”
- Bo Eason

Another big boo boo I hear hosts make is when they try to be perfect.

Listen, we all stumble sometimes and we all have our “brain fart” moments. In my many years of experience I can tell you that when you are real and honest (and yes, even raw) the audience actually digs you even more! They don’t want perfect. They want real. And they want to know that you are not some robot, but a feeling imperfectly perfect human being.

Now some of you may be saying, “But what about those people on TV? They have to be perfect.” Listen. They are so disconnected from their audience and they have advertising sales managers breathing down their necks. You don’t.

Besides, just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean you need to too. The key to succeeding in broadcast journalism is to realize that you are truly unique and with that you possess skills and talents that are your trademark. And one of them is the ability to F- up and laugh about it or connect with people through that very real human quality. Own that. Be real baby, be real!

And don’t be afraid to color outside the lines. Your occasional flubs or “mess-ups” could be the very thing that endears you to people and makes them like you even more - especially when compared to other so-called “professionals!”

You are YOU. And you are F-in YOUnique! Now go speak to your tribe and bring them guests that can offer them a story they will never forget.

• Christine Blosdale
  Coach and Consultant with Out of the Box Strategies for Out of This World Results