Welcome to the first edition of Meet Your Pod Squad! Every interview gives you the opportunity to get to know the ProudMouth team better!

Today, we’re talking to Aric Johnson, a podcast host at ProudMouth. Aric helps our clients get comfortable behind the mic, co-hosts the podcasts with them, and coaches them to help them improve their podcasting skills along the way. He finds immense joy in seeing his clients succeed, and he’s always eager to help them find their voice and bring their personality and passion to their audience.

Let’s get to know Aric…

(Listen to Aric’s interview with our CRO, Matt Halloran, or keep reading!)

What does your day look like as a podcast host at ProudMouth?

My day starts at around 7:30am. I quickly check my email for any last-minute client notes. (I ask my clients to send me notes about their subject matter for the recording the day before we record, which gives me an opportunity to review their notes and add my own. Also, if I have any questions, I can email them before we meet.)

Doing my reviews and addressing any questions from clients or from the ProudMouth team usually takes me until 8:30 am. I take the next 30 minutes to get ready for my first recording with a client. I get my drink and do my warm-ups, which is almost always singing.

I usually have 3-6 client recordings each day. In between clients, there is always something to do. I process the recordings and verify them, which are then labeled and uploaded to our master server to go to our amazing editing team.

In addition to answering other client emails during the day, I’m in constant contact with the rest of the ProudMouth team.

The best part of ProudMouth (in my opinion) is that someone is always coming up with ideas to either make the client experience better or to streamline our own processes so we’re more efficient and productive.

When an idea, problem, or opportunity is presented, we work on it together. The processes and systems developed over the past few years have been phenomenal and every member of the team has contributed in some way. Working virtually has allowed us to be available immediately to discuss ideas and be creative.

I usually end my day with any final uploads or notes for team members.

What do you enjoy the most about working at ProudMouth?

That’s easy: my clients! I’m incredibly blessed with the clients I have and enjoy them for two big reasons:

They’re great people who care about their clients and community. They are the type of people I want to surround myself with.

I also LOVE to see them succeed, not only as they develop as podcasters but also when they tell me the story of how a prospect listened to 10 of their podcasts and was super excited to start working together.

What’s on your desk right now?

This is a great question! It’s so funny you asked this one because one of the items I just described on a podcast.

I have three to tell you about:

1.  All of my audio equipment. It kinda defines what I do from the get-go.
2.  Behind me, I have my studio backdrop, which I consider part of my desk. I have The Complete Far Side collection. I enjoy good humor and for so many years, Gary Larson made me laugh out loud before LOL’ing was a thing.
3.  I have a picture frame.

What’s in your mug right now?

Right now? Warm water. Earlier it was a triple shot latte. We talk to our clients about best practices and caffeine is one of those things that we have to be careful of with our vocal cords.

Now, hydration is key. So after my morning coffee, I make sure to drink lots of water, preferably warm or room temperature water as it doesn’t constrict the vocal cords like cold water can.

What is your favorite digital tool that you think makes you the best you can be?

I use ipDTL to record my clients and their guests. In my opinion, it is the best quality service out there.

However, I also use an iRig. The iRig is a device that allows me to hook my audio system right into my cell phone, so I can record a separate backup recording away from the Internet or my computer. If either of the other two fail, I have a clean backup.

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received about your work? And why has that stuck with you?

I still get surprised when people compliment my voice. I mean, I’ve always had it, and I never thought of it as being that different. I love to sing with people and really like to hear how much a song touched someone or how it was something they needed to hear. That gives me those warm fuzzies, you know what I mean?

But…I don’t sing on the podcasts, so it really catches me off guard when someone says something about my talking voice. I’ve had one person tell me, “I want your voice! I mean, like, I want to switch to your voice on my Alexa! It’s fantastic!”

Thank goodness it wasn’t one of my video clients because I could feel my face getting red! That was very nice to hear.

What is one of your favorite podcast-hosting memories so far?

I’ve loved seeing how our client Larry Heller, host of the Retire Right Podcast, has progressed in his podcasting journey.

Larry is having so much fun with his podcasts. He gets great guests, laughs a ton, and really gets excited when we hit that record button. I know he really started his podcast to educate his listeners and he still does. However, now he entertains them as well! His energy is contagious. He has become an amazing podcaster.

What is a client success story that really excites you?

Hmmmmm…milestones are great. I love it when one of our clients hits 50 podcasts. We have a little celebration. In fact, Larry is creeping up on 100 episodes pretty soon!

But my favorite are the success stories –– how easy it becomes to share your thought leadership through this medium.

Copper Beech is a great example. Just prior to COVID-19, John Parise was at a conference and chatting with another gentleman about business. The guy seemed genuinely interested in what John had to say, but their time was limited.

Off-hand, John mentioned that they have a podcast and have addressed some of the things they were talking about in depth on the podcast. They concluded their conversation and John didn’t think much more about it…until the next morning.

John was waiting in the breakfast line at the conference, when the gentleman walked up to him and said, “Hey, I went back to my room last night and listened to three of your episodes. You’re exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’m ready to get started.”

Boom. A client.

We are hearing this time and time again. Especially now that in-person meetings and conferences are rare or non-existent, THIS is how you get in front of someone.

What’s your secret to breaking the ice with new podcasters?

I think the team does a great job with this. The first time I meet a new client is on their discovery call with their account manager.

The first thing I would say is how professional our account managers are. They are amazing and handle every client’s needs (and some of mine too!).

Our account manager Lauren Bus is a perfect example of this. She’s constantly smiling and loves to laugh with the client and me. Truthfully, it can get a little out of control, but she reigns us back in while giving me space to build that relationship. All of our account managers bring a positive energy to every meeting.

What are your thoughts on solo-casting? Is it possible for podcasters to pull off an entertaining and engaging show that includes only one voice?

Good grief… This question is a doozy. Is it possible? Yes. It’s all about the content. If you’re flying solo, I only see one of three ways for it to work:

1.  You’re a natural stand-up comedian, and you’re keeping the audience laughing (which is hard without a laugh track or live audience haha).
2.  Your podcast just involves reading the latest news of the day, in which case it’s not really a podcast; it would have to be a livestream, and then it would just be…the news.
3.  You have a VERY short podcast –– 10 minutes max. Maybe it’s motivational or educational.

Whatever the approach, I know it takes someone with great talent to pull off a one-person show like that.

So…the second part of your question: I know it seems self-serving, but I believe podcasters need a co-host or guests. A second person is a must. For our clients, we have the co-host in place and we teach them how and when to bring on guests.

We help them develop into great interviewers for their guests. Their guests enjoy it and are happy to share their guest appearance far and wide. I love that part.