Part Reality Show, Part Rom Com, Part Ted Talk - "Sex in the City" meets "Jackass"

"Done is better than perfect."

More details on Listen Notes.

Today Rachel Burch, the creator of Love Before 100 shares her story of society & culture podcast.

► Tell us about you and your podcast

I'm a former attorney turned life coach and stand up comedian. I describe the podcast as: if Sex and the City and Jackass had a baby, it would be Love Before 100. While making my way down a dating scavenger hunt/bucket list, my hope is to help others feel less lonely while dating by taking the audience along on a hilarious and cringey quest to find love. As a homebody in my 40s who’s never actually dated before, I made the list to force myself out of my house and out of my comfort zone. I soon find myself in a world of ghosting, catfishing and love bombing. Described by listeners as "relatable," "raw," "hilarious" and "binge-worthy," Love Before 100 appeals to single and married women (and men) alike.

► Why & how did you start this podcast? 

Honestly, I podcast for accountability to keep myself in the dating game. My listeners serve as my "virtual wing persons." Secondly, making dating a game gives me the encouragement I need to look at every interaction as a win - it will either lead to love or really good content.

I had a podcast before this one called "The Transformation Maven Podcast" and it was all about personal development and growth. This podcast started as an idea for a mini-series to relaunch that podcast, but when I met my producer (former TV producer of the Bachelor Australia), we decided this needed to be the whole podcast.

Love Before 100 launched in October 2022. Because a heartbreak motivated this iteration of the podcast, it took almost 4 months to write and record the episode about that (Episode 2 of Season 1).

I just kept thinking if I can make even one person feel less lonely on this journey, it will be worth it.

► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?

So the first season, I had recorded 4 episodes before we launched, but since we were releasing an episode every week, pretty quickly, the podcast became real time. Every week, I'd have to go on dates, hunt for good stories, write and record. Four weeks of that straight, relying on the Universe to show up with content (thank you Universe), being a natural born procrastinator, it started to get stressful. We wrapped Season One at the end of 2022 and launched Season Two just last week on March 16. It's still real time (in fact, I'm completing this interview instead of writing episode two - see, procrastinator) but now we release a new episode every two weeks.

I fund the podcast myself and I work with an amazing (but pricey, but worth it) producer. I had a media company approach me to discuss acquiring the podcast, but I didn't want to give up my intellectual property rights in that scenario since this is basically about my life and my life's work. I do all my own marketing - for now. Thankfully my audience is a huge support - they share on social media and have helped grow our international audiences and put us on the charts all over the world.

► What do you gain from podcasting?        

I don't take sponsorship. Again, I've been approached, but when I weighed the potential advantage (money and maybe exposure) with the disruption to the audience's experience and potential loss of artistic freedom (and also loss of IP), I decided that it wasn't worth it to me.

I love podcasting - it allows me to express myself creatively. I'm a stand up comedian but I'm also an introvert, so this method of storytelling provides a freedom that I don't get from comedy. Also, I get to weave in personal development so it's so much more rewarding. Hearing from people across the globe that my podcast is inspiring them gives me such satisfaction. It's an incredibly rewarding way to have an impact.

► How does your podcasting process look like? 

I use Riverside or Zoom to record. I used to use GarageBand, but now that I post the video version on YouTube, I need the video piece. I only interview guests that I personally know and will be a valuable addition to the story line. I have a friend who is an expert on serial killers - Dr. Michelle Ward (the host of multiple podcasts, including How Not to Raise a Serial Killer) and she helped me review dating profiles and gave tips on how to not date a serial killer. I also have an upcoming episode with friend and mentor, Transformation Comedian Kyle Cease.

I write out each episode and revise it at least 6-8 times and then I record multiple times. Although now that I'm doing it on video, this season will be a one take deal - the unedited version with all the bloopers is on YouTube, while the polished, edited version (with voiceovers and music and sound effects) is available on all the podcasting apps.

► How do you market your show?

Instagram has been the number one way I have marketed to date, but I recently applied to be a speaker at Podfest Global and appeared on a LinkedIn show - I'm starting to market by appearing on other people's podcasts and shows.

I find word of mouth and basically forcing people to take out their phones and subscribe to be the most effective.

► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?

Done is better than perfect. I kept putting things off and then one weekend I was determined to just sit down and bang everything out. My first podcast was good - not great, but the people who listened enjoyed it. It was the practice I needed to make my current podcast as good as it is. I use Libsyn as my media host and they have a bunch of resource videos on how to set things up. Just keep it simple and don't overcomplicate it. I have recorded podcast episodes in my car, on my phone (with just the headphones that come with the phone) and while traveling - as long as there isn't too much background noise, it's good enough. Let yourself be a beginner.

► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?

Instagram: www.instagram.com/therachelburch and www.instagram.com/lovebefore100
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lovebefore100
www.rachelburch.me
www.lovebefore100.com