“How to Become the Center of Influence Without Limits By Podcasting” with Jess Ambrose from Chatty Broads with Bekah and Jess
As part of my series of interviews about “How podcasters can become a center of influence,” I had the pleasure of interviewing Jess Ambrose from Chatty Broads with Bekah and Jess. Chatty Broads with Bekah and Jess is all about balance! They chat all about The Bachelor, reality TV, and spill the tea half the week the other half of the week they discuss topics transparently like sexuality, spirituality, relationships, motherhood, mental health, and so much more. Is it even an episode if they haven’t laughed their asses off and cried? Episodes come out every Tuesday and Thursday and you can be sure they never take themselves too seriously and NOTHING is off-limits to discuss.
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Can you tell us the “backstory” about why or how you got started as a podcaster?
My husband is in music production so he had all the equipment, the studio, and ability to edit — I thought why not put this to use. I had been feeling a missing piece in my life creatively since the birth of my daughter and wanted to try my hand at something I could do from home. Bekah and I had met right before her time on The Bachelor (season 22) and always had a special spark in our conversation. She had been asked to host numerous podcasts with bigger names but I thought I would shoot my shot and ask if she wanted to start one together. To my happy surprise, she said yes. We started record the following week and we’ve been recording every week since!
Can you share a story about the most interesting thing that has happened to you since you started podcasting?
The biggest surprise (and gift) Bekah and I have experienced since starting the podcast is the amount we have learned from our audience. We have a group of listeners (the Broad Squad) who are extremely invested, communicative, and SMART. As we put out each episode, we were consistently learning things from our listeners from their kind emails and DMs on social media expressing experiences they had had, things they had learned, and different perspectives for us to look at.
Bekah and I have actually had huge changes in our lives over the past year and a half as we grew from learning from our audience. It is such an amazing constant reminder of how much good truly is out there in the world when it seems dark sometimes. We can all learn from each other and we should — it is such a gift.
Can you share a story about the biggest or funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
We recap episodes of The Bachelor and Bachelorette weekly when it is in season. During our very first recap episode, we said some insensitive things offhand and didn’t put enough research and care into our analysis and it truly blew up in our faces. People were frustrated at us (and rightly so) — it was in that moment that we realized we weren’t just talking to each other in our garage. We had an audience that cared about what we said and was disappointed when we made a mistake. I think we sharpened up really quickly. Also, pro-tip, be willing to admit when you are wrong and reevaluate.
How long have you been podcasting and how many shows have you aired?
We started our show in November 2018 and we have currently put out 115 episodes. We started putting out two episodes a week last year!
What are the main takeaways or lessons you want your listeners to walk away with?
First and foremost, we want to always be transparent and honest with our audience — even if it means it’s an unpopular opinion. Our goal is to always help our audience laugh at life, we want our podcast to be a moment twice a week where someone can listen to it and feel like they can get away from it all but still learn a little. We like to call ourselves balanced broads — once a week we laugh about reality tv and the other half we learn and discuss pressing topics.
Check out the full interview in Tracy Hazzard’s Authority Magazine article about Jess Ambrose!
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Podcaster Influencer, Jess Ambrose from Chatty Broads with Bekah and Jess shares the best ways to:
1) Book Great Guests. Seek people you are passionate about not just based on their fame or Instagram number. You may have an initial boost of listeners after you bring on a big name BUT you will have committed and long term listeners when you invite guests that you know your audience will connect with and whom you will connect with!
2) Increase Listeners. Go on other people’s podcasts! Will you be able to get on Joe Rogan’s podcast — let’s be real, no. But even if you gain 2 listeners from going on a super small podcast that is still 2 listeners who could become part of your podcast family and share you with their friends!
Be passionate about your topics and honest in your delivery — if not your audience will smell that you are BS-ing and you’ll lose them.
3) Produce in a Professional Way. Make sure your sound is top quality, invest in good mics, and good production — it’s worth it. I can’t tell you how many podcasts I have listened to that have amazing hosts and content but that won’t grow because they are so hard to listen to due to poor sound quality.
4) Encourage Engagement. Make your audience feel like they are part of a community — by LISTENING when they have suggestions, taking questions, and acknowledging their hand in your podcast regularly. You wouldn’t and won’t be anywhere without them. It’s important to remember.
5) Best Way to Monetize. Wait for the right time.
What makes your podcast binge-listenable? What do you think makes your podcast unique from the others in your category? What do you think is special about you as a host, your guests, or the content itself?
Check out the full interview in Tracy Hazzard’s Authority Magazine article about Jess Ambrose!
