A mixed pod.

I’m aware that Podcasts have been floating around the internet for many years, yet I’ve never engaged with one -  I hadn’t even noticed the podcast icon on my iPad till this section of the course. It was with some trepidation I ventured forth and pressed the Podcasts icon to explore the world of Podcasts. All I had decided before venturing forth was that I would look for something LGBTQ related as having a topic may make searching easier. 

First, I headed into categories thinking there would be an LGBTQ section, but I could find one so I had to think where would they be placed. After setting on Society and Culture I began to trawl my way through hundreds of podcasts, till eventually giving up and opting to do a search which was much more fruitful. ‘Gay Agenda Radio’ caught my eye – some topical debate and discussion would be interesting. Oh dear, how wrong could I be. It turned out to be total waffle and full of inane babble with very little content indeed. The most useful feature on that part of the Podcast player was the stop button (eagerly pressed after 10 minutes) and the ‘You might also like’ section in which I came across ‘Out Here in America’. And I’m so glad I did. 

Basically, each episode is an interview conducted by Justin Mitchell with a wide range of people about their LGBTQ experiences in small town America (in an around Mississippi). What an amazing programme. It’s just the interviewer and his subject talking honestly and openly about their experiences, in a part of America not always thought of in a positive light in its views on LGBTQ issues. I’ve listened to eight so far including hearing from a survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting, an older man transitioning and the owner of the oldest gay bar in Mississippi. Many are very moving. There is no wasted space in the production, just some pertinent questions from the interviewer and the people’s stories. I find this kind of approach really engaging, and I feel blessed to have shared their story even just for this short time. I’m left wondering what these people are doing now, how are they getting on. I’m also gaining a better understanding of what LGBTQ life if like in ‘The South’ from people who are living there every day. I subscribed and rated the show 5 star and praised it appropriately though as yet the review hasn’t appeared on the podcasts page. I look forward to listening to the other people’s stories as I work my way through the series, perhaps you’ll have a listen too? 

On the technical side the Podcast software was easy enough to use though the categories section could do with some development – perhaps using sub-categories within the main ones. I’ve not yet downloaded one for listening on the move as the iPad is a little large to lug around when out walking, but this will be my next task so I have something different to listen to on the train or holiday and not t have to worry about internet connections.

UPDATE: 21st November 2018
Since discovering Out Here In America as part of 23 Things, I've avidly listened to the podcasts as they have been released, and caught up with earlier editions. I've really enjoyed them and finding out about LGBTQ+ folks and issues in southern America. In October 2018 the last edition was released and it looks like there will be no more Out Here In America podcasts :0( Thank you to presenter Justin Mitchell and the team at Sun Herald in Biloxi, Mississippi for producing this podcast. I felt I got a real insight into the lives of some of the LGBTQ+ community in the Mississippi area, through Justin's very personal approach. No sensationalism, no filler, just people talking honestly about their lives. Thank you guys so much for this podcast.   
https://soundcloud.com/outhereinamerica