Despite being a client service person in the marketing industry, I hate any form of public speaking. Whether it’s a presentation to show new creative to a client, an internal meeting I’m leading with 10 people or even a call I’m wrangling, these events strike fear into my heart…This might be another reason why you shouldn’t choose a profession based on the dress code, but sadly that ship sailed 8 years ago.
Anyway, I mention this because I want to explain one of the reasons it was a big deal (to me) to record this podcast. To get the full picture, I feel like some background is needed. The FIRE Drill podcast is the first podcast I listened to regularly. I had previously read Gwen and J’s blogs and when I saw they were launching this new venture in 2017 I had to try it out. They have such a wide range of interview topics with a diverse set of guests that I was learning something new in every episode and it kept me coming back for more.
In fact, their podcast is what got me INTO podcasts period. I devoured their episodes and even gave a few other podcasts a try. I’m now an avid podcast listener. I don’t remember what I used to do while walking alone or doing household chores because now that’s my ‘podcast time’ that I look forward to every day.
Anyway, I loved Gwen and J’s work so much that when I saw on Twitter that they were hosting a meet up in Seattle I jumped at the chance. To give you an idea of how big a deal that was: This meet up would be the SECOND I had EVER attended. Yes – almost 4 years into my financial independence journey and I had been to 1 meet up (It was in 2016 with Mr. Money Mustache and the Mad FIentist before Camp Mustache).
So attending this meet up was a big deal for me – it would take me out of my comfort zone. I showed up, introduced myself to Gwen and J, chatted with Gwen about her experiences in Ecuador (we were flying there that weekend), discussed side hustles with a few out-of-town visitors and then went home. It was an awesome and surreal evening.
A few weeks later, J reached out and asked if I wanted to grab coffee. During this hang out I mentioned that I had been writing a blog about my journey for about three and a half years and asked her if she thought I should take it public. J helped me realize that there was nothing to lose by putting my weird thoughts into the blogosphere, so I did it. The FIRE Drill podcast led me to this wonderful world of public blogging.
After agreeing to this (unbeknownst to me at the time) life changing decision, J casually mentioned that I should also come on her podcast in the future. It might have shown on my face that I was both extremely flattered and extremely terrified. J, being the wonderful human she is, let me dip my toe in slowly. While hanging with a few other FIRE friends in Washington, we recorded a snippet for FIRE Drill’s Halloween Episode with Angela from Tread Lightly Retire Early, Simplistic Steph and Oscoey.
Then, a few months later, J asked if I would leave a voicemail explaining my “insane budget” for their New Years Episode (I maintain that my grocery spending is normal, but I’ve been overruled…). I recorded myself talking for about 5 minutes without (shockingly) feeling nervous at all. I only felt excitement. So I thought it was time to take the plunge and tackle MY FIRST EVER PODCAST INTERVIEW!
It was an exhilarating experience because of all the history behind it. The FIRE Drill podcast is responsible for this amazing journey I’ve been on since making this blog public in July. It has been an absolute honor to be part of this community. Thank you Gwen and J so much for all you do!
Ok, enough fangirling – onto the episode:
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Okay I loooove this backstory. And so glad you went to that initial meeting so I could later get to know your fabulous self!
Ahh so glad you liked it! Those girls seriously changed my life. I’m so happy I went too so we could start hanging out! Also you calling me fabulous is making me blush – stop it 😉 .
So glad that she convinced you to start blogging! I am downloading the podcast now…
Yeah that was pretty lucky 🙂 . I hope you liked it!
I really enjoyed hearing you on the podcast. I have always enjoyed your purple outlook on life and it was great to hear your voice. We share a similar experience with Keto. I lost 50 lbs eight years ago when I first quit my job and was lucky to stumble into a book when Borders was going out of business. It has made my life so much better. I’m happy it has worked for you too (we are all a little different, you know).
Listening to you tell about your partner and how that works is unique to me at least. I’m your Mom’s age and also retired from Engineering, and your arrangement was less common in our day. However, I love being married to my husband! Your tips on contributing to the relationship and the money, and even competing on salary…a great listen. I hope to meet you at some point.
So glad you enjoyed it!! And haha – yeah my outlook is pretty ‘purple’ 😉 . Congratulations on your weight loss! And 8 years ago – wow! Great to hear keto can help long term like that. And yes indeed we are all different.
It’s great to hear you’re happy being married to your husband 🙂 . And yeah we’re a weird pair, but luckily we’re weird in the same ways! And I’d love to meet you!! I’ll let you know if I’m heading to CA in the near future – feel free to let me know if you’re heading to Seattle. Are you going to FinCon? I think I read that you are. If so, I might be there too! I’m going to apply to the scholarship for new bloggers and if I get it (fingers crossed) we can meet up in September!
Congrats on your first podcast. I did a few when I was promoting my book, and they were a lot of fun. I need to start listening to them while I do my chores, I think. I don’t really have other times that I’d be listening, though, since I don’t have a commute. But hey maybe I’ll get more chores done if I have something interesting to listen to!
Thank you!! And yes I would totally suggest listening while doing chores – I do a lot more chores now than I used to as a result 🙂 . Let me know if that’s the case for you as well!
Just letting you know how much you rocked it, and it’s interesting to see the “behind the scenes” in this post! I would say Fire Drill is what got me into podcast listening as well. I was really embarrassingly late to the game for how much I love them and listen to them now (like 3+ a day)! Anyhow, I really loved your interview and want to hear more about calling your career “very Mad Men.” I sure hope you mean the working part…
Thank you!! That’s so nice to hear. I was super nervous so glad you liked the episode 🙂 . 3+ a day – wow that’s a lot of podcasts! Very nice. FIRE Drill really seems to be a great podcast ‘gateway drug’ lol. As for Mad Men I unfortunately mean that in both a good and bad way. Working in ad agencies in NYC could be glamorous at times, but there was also the presence of sexism and casual drug use. I talked about the latter part of it a little bit in my latest post about Dry January. Feel free to check it out for some more behind the scene info 😉 .
Just listened to your episode today, great job and I enjoyed it!
Thank you! So glad you liked it!