Do you find yourself in search of a mentor who can show you the ropes of high-level podcasting? Are you just getting started and need some direction? Today’s episode is for you. Our guest today is a producer and host of the Satellite Sisters, an award-winning radio talk show turned top-rated podcast for women. Lian Dolan has interviewed everyone from Nora Ephron to Big Bird. She’s toured with Oprah and is an LA Times best-selling author. She’s here to share her journey into podcasting and the fundamental truths she recognizes that lead her to her successes.
The sister’s versatility paid off when they decided to pivot into a new era of talk-show–podcasting.
Lian and her sisters found themselves stuck when it felt as though the gig was up with their radio show. Their show was eventually sold in 2008 amidst a collapse of the media industry’s economy. However, the sister’s versatility paid off when they decided to pivot into a new era of talk-show–podcasting. So, Lian got the equipment she needed and learned how to edit. They still had something to say–finding the platform for that was secondary. The solution was in new technology.
Lian talks about her passions, and for her, writing is where it all starts. She processes the world like a writer–observing, noting, planning, and being really intentional about what, and how, she speaks. Finding meaning is at the core of her conversations.
Their discussions growing up and the chemistry they built up as a family act as the basis for the podcast.
She speaks on the founding of the podcast. Getting her sisters on board was easy, Lian says, but the business side of things was more difficult than they could’ve imagined. Her sister Liz said there should be a show that truly validates the conversations sisters have throughout the day. So often these are viewed as “girl-talk” and are undervalued for what they are. Lian and her sisters went out to change that–and they did. Their discussions growing up and the chemistry they built up as a family act as the basis for the podcast. They’ll even save stories, especially for their recording!
Lian talks about some mentors she has had on her journey. Her boss, while she worked in marketing, allowed her to run with projects and grow exponentially. 30 years have gone by, but she still feels as though he set her on her path. He didn’t look at her at judge based on her age or gender and took risks on her talent. He believed what they had to say and how they said it.
OTHER TOP QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE
“Necessary evils are something you have to live through in business.”
“Satellite Sisters is the sound of friendship.”
“We want people to feel like the things they talk about with their friends really matter.”
“If you let people in, you can take them anywhere.”
“You never know where the next idea is going to strike.”
1 comment on “Lian Dolan – How to Create a #1 Podcast”
What a great episode!!! I am starting a podcast, scheduled to launch in early 2021 and this was chalk full of great tips. Thank you!