i like Rich Pav‘s Herro Flom Japan podcast… especially the video casts. his kids are really cute… and he’s a total DILF… *giggles* i also like how his show is pretty amature… it gives it a more reallist feel… or something… and his sound seeing tours were really amazing…
See, that’s the kind of compliment I’d show off to friends, but if you have too high of a profile on the Internet, pointing out something like that’s about yourself makes you seem like you’re bragging. But to be successful, you have to be able to do that, and whitewash over your shortcommings. That’s always been tough for me.
What the heck’s a DILF? Further more – is it something you want to be? Oh wait – the light bulb just went ding – yup you want to be one.
So far, I’ve been holding back my urge to beg you to continue podcasting—But this quote, “his show is pretty amature… it gives it a more reallist feel,” underscores one of the primary reasons I like your podcasts so much: You are one of “us.” You didn’t take the time to come up with flashy, “professional-sounding” intro and bumpers, no “featured segments” of the “show” that aped some level of commerciality… You cut straight to the chase, in all your neurotic, talky, introspective glory. Just like I would if I had anything to say. Just like anyone else would. A regular guy in an irregular context.
As corny as it may sound, listening to Herro Flom Japan is kind of like a conversation with a friend.
And your soundscapes… You have a better setup for recording real, life-like audio surroundings than anyone out there. There are quite a few podcasters out there who try to pull it off, but the don’t match the authenticity of your recordings. Lemme tell ya, there have been a number of times when I thought the sound of a motorbike screaming by or an oncoming truck was actually here in my reality. But no, it was Herro Flom Japan.
That’s as close to begging as I’ll get, Rich. Except to say please come back.
It’s hard to stay away, not because I miss the attention, but because I miss my “friends” and I feel bad for creating a sense of loss in people. (On the bright side, I’m not dead.) I wish it wasn’t just me with the binaural recording setup, but rather everyone who stops by here with something to say. Also I wish this could be a less public forum, because really, anything you say can be held against you, especially if you’re foolish enough to record it and post it on the Internet for everyone to hear. I’m totally OK with being my true self around people, but not when I’m in front of thousands and thousands of strangers and all eyes are on me. Call it a weakness, and I really admire people who don’t have it, but that freaks me out.
All the time I put into podcasting and videocasting last year, I could have spent learning how to program. I’m paying for that now. When I’m done, I’ll probably start podcasting again, especially since my parents now have broadband. If I do start up again, I will almost definitely figure out a way to monetize it. If I’m going to do something valuable for others, I deserve to get paid for it. I also figure, what the hell, I’m going to get criticism from rabid nutjobs whether I make any money off of podcasting or not.
People may call it “amateur”, but I don’t think so. Anyone can start spouting with a cheesy annoying voice stuff like “Hello all you people out there in radio land! Today We’re going to discuss..” etc.
You on the other hand, had a real personal touch to your casting. I always felt giddy whenever you put out another show, I would download it and put it on the pod, go to sleep, and listen to it the next morning on the train- and usually a second or third time after that, because you are a pretty real and interesting person. Because you take a ‘real’ approach and not a scripted ‘hello to all those folks in radio land’ approach doesnt make you amateur. Hell, your sound quality is some of the best, especially concerning your sight seeing tours, and your videos and the editing, subtitling, etc, is always excellent.
Anyways, I think we have been so bombarded with that fakey annoying commercial radioland sparkley clean crap, that when we hear something more real, personal, and something you can actually connect with.. we consider it amateur. I think that it is a wrong conclusion.
Mike, I think you’re casting a negative connotation on the word “amateur.” When I think of something being amateur, it tends to bring about thoughts of amateur radio operators, amateur flyers, etc… Someone who does something for pleasure, not as a career. Maybe we should use the word “amateurish” instead; Though it bears no difference in definition, it tends to be used more as a negative.
Anyway…
But I agree with you wholeheartedly on your feelings about Rich’s podcast. There are far too many jerkoffs out there (and I won’t name any names) who spend too much energy trying to sound “professional” when they should focus their attention on content. Podcasters should really take advantage of the power they have to simply get their ideas out there rather than trying to sound like they have some special broadcasting skill. If you want to come off like that, why not go get a job at Clear Channel?
I really miss your podcasts I especially like your take on the ‘cultural’ scene and raising your kids. I mean with one and one on the way, it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who thinks like you do. The naked women were really kewl too. (I just put that in to see if you read all the way to the end).
I’m one of those people that could be “nostalgic” for something that only happened 2 weeks ago. I sometimes listen to past episode of Herro Flom Japan and they make me nostalgic because it was one of the first podcasts I had ever listened to, and I could always looking forward to hearing your stories as I work at my computer.
I think people quit podcasting because they feel some invisible obligation to do a certain number of episodes, or to not bore people, or to achieve a certain level of quality, but if you ignore those things and release an episode when you feel like it and without any real care if people will like it or not, then it makes it that much easier to podcasts… besides, your friends or (online friends) won’t care and will listen to you anyway. I’ve always found enjoyment in Herro Flom Japan, even the episodes you weren’t happy with.
Those are just my 2 cents.
– Bryan
Another one on the bandwagon…
I wanted nothing to do with podcasts until Apple made it easy to subscribe. Then I hit their site and searched for “Japan”, and subscribed to Rich, Scott, and Josh’s shows. I lost interest in Josh’s format, and Scott’s gone kind of AWOL with all the changes in his life (not kncokng him, I’d do the same), but of the three, I really miss Rich’s podcast the most.
It reminded me a lot of my own family and my own life, even down to the buzz cut, “yes-I-shaved-this-morning” shadow, and kids with ears that just didn’t seem to work. The soundscapes were always a blast – when I end up in a new place, I love to just wander around trying to absorb the sights and sounds. At least I could pick up the sounds of Japan this way.
Heck, it’s Rich’s fault I went and built my own podcast recording rig and made a lame attempt at trying a podcast for my family! I got an iRiver, I got the binaural mics… but I bought a set of headphones at the dollar store and stuffed the mics in them, so I don’t look so obvious 🙂 But then I saw the time sink this sort of thing could become, and wasn’t so keen on the idea. (Anyone want to buy a podcast recording rig?)
Rich always sounded like he was trying to do his best, not just do a show like some of the other podcasts I’ve listened to in the past. NOt trying to sound “professional”, not trying to sound “serious”, just trying to sound… real. And he did a fine job of it. So yeah, I miss the show, and like everyone else, I’d love to see it back, but only when (and if) it’s the right time for Rich and his family.