How do you listen to a podcast or Zoom interview?
- Sit and stare into space?
- Take a walk?
- Lounge on your couch?
- Chop vegetables for soup?
- Multi-task in some other way?
Last month, Barbara Vitelli, also known as blogger Book Club Mom, interviewed me via Zoom. She was very methodical about it all, doing a pre-interview, so we could get to know one another aside from our interaction previously on each other’s blogs. There were lots of giggles and stops and starts. Though Barbara has the thoroughness of a librarian, you’ll notice that she likes to “go with the flow” too, ad-libbing sometimes and welcoming impromptu bits. Her YouTube channel finds her practicing Chopin or using colored pencils as she listen to audiobooks. She doesn’t shy away from making mistakes on her channel, illustrating the ingenuity and playfulness of Pippi Longstocking. She told me before the interview, “Say whatever you want to say as long as we discuss both books” (Mennonite Daughter and My Checkered Life).
Barbara divided the interview into two parts. You can play Part I below.
Discover more about Barbara on her blog Book Club Mom and find her YouTube channel. With the just the right mix of wisdom and zaniness, she has bunches of followers.
(You can find Part 2 of the interview here.)
How do you listen to a Zoom interview, podcast, or audio book?
Are you yourself a podcaster? a creator on YouTube?
Good morning, Marian! I will come back to listen/watch the interview(s).
Thanks for checking in, Merril. Enjoy your morning work–and walk. 😀
Hi,
I looked at part 2 of your video because that was the part that showed up on my iPhone—a very laid-back interview. Good job! I loved the balloon with My Checkered Marriage book cover reflected on it. Hoping your marketing sales increase and you are happy with them. Keep writing.
All the best.
Shalom shalom
How fortunate I am to have you in my cheering section. And you always wish me well, so appreciated in the writing life. Now I’m going to reciprocate the wish” “Hoping your marketing sales increase and you are happy with them. Keep writing!”
God’s rich blessings to you, Pat! 😀
I just listened to Part 1! I loved your conversation, and I have fond memories of that Chincoteague weekend, too. I will listen to Part 2 at lunch time.
Thank you, Merril! ((( )))
Love that you both have books in the background! 😄😄😄 What a lovely conversation! And how cool to learn of how you learned about blogging, Marian. Great questions, Book Club Mom!!!
L. Marie, it’s just like you to pay attention to both the visuals and, of course, the text. I had no idea that attending a Life-Long Learning session at UNF, my alma mater, would lead to this. Psalm 23: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Amen to that!
Good questions!
How do you listen to a Zoom interview, podcast, or audio book? I’ve never seen a Zoom interview. I listen to podcasts at night as I’m falling asleep. I don’t listen to audio books at all.
Are you yourself a podcaster? a creator on YouTube? I am not a podcaster. I’ve never watched anything on YouTube other than music videos.
I am decidedly not with it, am I? 🤔
We all have preferred learning styles. Mine is verbal and visual, not particularly auditory. I’m guessing yours may be similar. Nothing wrong with that.
In this case, Barb V. recorded our Zoom interview and then loaded the file into her YouTube channel. Voila! Thanks for sharing your true thoughts here, Ally Bean. ((( )))
I watched and enjoyed your interview before when Book Club Mom put it up on her site. Hmm, do I have a routine for watching or listening to interviews? I check to see how long the interview is, then wait for a time (usually day’s end) when I know I can watch/listen uninterrupted. The visual component adds to the enjoyment of an interview for me because it’s fun to see and not just listen to the interviewer and interviewee.
Pete, it occurs to me that the same skills you used as an extraordinary teacher are the ones you are happily applying to your writing life, including your zesty interaction with other bloggers like me. Yay! 😀
Often there is a crochet project at the ready, when at a Zoom situation. Portable, and easy to put down. Also, there is always a pen and paper nearby to take notes. Sometimes a tile and pen to do a Zentangle while listening.
I will come back later today and listen to your interview!
Ginger, you have given other readers, including me, some ideas about how to occupy ourselves while taking in audio. Great ideas!
Thanks for checking in today. 😀
Marian, that was a lovely interview, with both of you so relaxed and at ease with each other!
You and I were inspired by the same lovely blogger, Shirley Showalter, but I was first encouraged to blog by the Canadian writer, Dora Dueck, who drew my attention to Showalter’s
blog posts.
What you said in your interview about retirement is so true! It takes a while to find your niche. I find this to be true also for the single life after being married for 55 years. I am now happy and comfortable in my retirement, but single life is a challenge right now!
Long ago, I remember you mentioned our connection though I did not know (or perhaps have forgotten about Dora Dueck’s inspiration.) I also remember your slight reluctance to subscribe to yet another blog, mine. Yet, you have been such a faithful reader over the years. (I understand the hesitancy because of the time and effort required. Yes, it’s a commitment.)
I believe adjusting to single life now would be much harder than finding your niche in retirement. Let me just say that from my point of view you are adapting with grace, Elfrieda. I imagine many days may be a struggle, but you will prevail with God’s help.
😀
A wonderful interview, Marian. I enjoyed it very much 🩷
Robbie, I see Book Club Mom has been knocking on both our doors recently. I just saw the link to her interview with you this week. Now it’s time to ZOOM in on yours! 😀
This was wonderful. I enjoyed listening to you chat with Barbara. What fun. I have earbuds and listen to YouTube videos and podcasts while doing other things, like the dishes, baking sweeping the floors etc. Tonight I was tidying my office while listening to you chat, looking at the screen from time to time. You look lovely on the screen by the way. xo
Darlene, I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the compliment.
You accomplish so much, so I’m not surprised that you have audio “companionship” as you take care of housework. I appreciate your letting me know. 😀
Jolly fine interview Marian.Well worth a listen.
I appreciate your nod of approval, Joy. Thanks for listening. 😀
Really enjoyed the interviews; I watched both of them, appreciating the humor, candor and ease.
It’s nice to read your thoughts, Dolores. You are kind to let me know. 😀
The thing I loved most about your interview with Barbara is that basically I felt like I was in the same room with ya’ll maybe even at Mr. J’s Bagels. Very comfortable. Good job in lining this up–or did she reach out to you? Blessings!
I have “known” Barbara V. through her blog for years now which may explain the ease you felt in the interview. She just laughs and keeps going if she makes a mistake or something goes awry technologically on her YouTube channel. That alone helped me relax. Also, I discovered that she works at the same library where author Susan Weidener, developmental editor for both of my memoirs, conducts her monthly Women’s Writing Circle.
Barbara contacted me about the interview as she has been doing with other authors. This week she is featuring children’s book author, artist, and poet Robbie Cheadle from South Africa. Robbie’s website: https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/
Delightful!!
Thanks, Jenn! 😀
I do housework and cooking when I listen to podcasts. I don’t listen to audiobooks because I wouldn’t give them my full attention. I do give my full attention to Zoom interviews. And I enjoyed yours very much! Barbara is a great interviewer. My Checkered Life is slowly working its way up the queue on my Kindle. 🙂
Lots of good news here–thanks so much.
Like you, I can multi-task listening to podcasts, but audiobooks are not my thing either because I need to see the words and turn the pages. My husband is strictly an audiophile and he insists that he can “see” words in his mind as he listens.
Again, thanks for reading and listening, Liz! 😀
You’re welcome, Marian!
It’s fun to get to “see” you in a new way Marian! I remember a podcast you did months ago, and it was fun to hear your voice for the first time. Now, I can watch you laugh and tell your story and interact with Barbara. You seemed quite comfortable with one another. Congratulations on your interview!
I appreciate your observations, Melanie. On replay, I noticed that when I get excited, my eyes blink too fast. . . have to work on that next time. Thanks for your enthusiastic support, Melanie! 😀
I enjoyed listening to you, and your stories Marian. I’m a part-time podcaster, lol. This year just passed in a flash. Hugs x
You continue to amaze me, embracing new technology and then passing along tips to your readers, Debby. The last 2+ years have been difficult for you, but you continue to engage here, there, and everywhere in spite of your pain. Thanks for listening–Huge hugs. ((( )))
Thanks Marian. It was a pleasure to listen and hear you live. Just as I imagined you. 🙂 xx
I congratulate you, wife, mother of our two children and a mother of words and stories! Your podcast was enjoyable to watch. I doubt even if you and Barbara had been in the same room, you would have acted any differently, except maybe you would have been drinking hot tea in a cup while it looked as though Barbara was enjoying a drink in her cooler container.
Hoping the best for you for other similar venues as well. If one watched this on a 20-foot flat panel TV you could say, “I’ve hit the big screen!”
Thanks Barbara V. taking the time to put this Youtube together and I appreciate your comments about my drawings and artwork in Marian’s book.
When I read your comments, I always know I’ll smile or chuckle. Maybe both! You have been with me before, after, and during this arduous but rewarding journey. You get points for that, maybe even a gold star. Certainly my books would have less appeal without your signature art work throughout. Huge Hugs! ((( )))
This is wonderful, Marian! Thank you so much for sharing and for these kind words! I had a lot of fun with our Zoom interview and I hope I can get you back on-air again! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Your Zoom interviews are certainly making waves, Barbara. This one. . . and also more recently with one with Robbie Cheadle, another one of my heroes.
Yes, I hope too we can “meet-up” again online. In the meantime, have a relaxing weekend. 😀
I enjoyed this Zoom interview very much, Marian. It was fun to hear your history of blogging and publishing the whole way. I liked the connection between Cliff’s illustrations and Lois Lenski’s also! What a great compliment. I also loved when you admitted you two artists sometimes get on each other’s nerves. What couple doesn’t — especially when they are retired and share the same modest spaces. 🙂
It’s a pleasure to see you here, Shirley. I’ve missed you in blog-land, but I know you are busy with other projects.
Thanks for doing a close listening of Barbara’s interview with me. Just like in My Checkered Life, I don’t paint our wonderful lives together as all rosy and trouble-free. 😀
I have to watch your interviews later, Marian, when I have more free time. I never listen to podcasts or Zoom interviews (life on the road is just too busy), but I have participated in a few. I’ve stopped that now, too, though. While fun, they haven’t been worth the effort regarding book sales.
Yes, I agree, the main reason for participating in podcasts or Zoom interviews is because they are fun. When they become an obligation, it’s time to stop.
Life on the road is rugged for you, both the terrain and the lifestyle. Take care of yourself, the most important thing now, Liesbet. 😀