In this Ask-Me-Anything session, Ali Ward answers questions about her childhood dreams, being a goth teen, the origin of her red hair, perspectives on holidays, animals during quarantine, favorite spots at the LA Natural History Museum, regrets and missed opportunities, recording equipment and editing tips, mythical creatures, managing ADHD, creating an inclusive online community, and personal anecdotes.
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Quick takeaways
Creating an inclusive online community where everyone feels seen and celebrated is crucial.
Embracing one's true self and celebrating uniqueness fosters connection and inclusivity.
Approaching feedback with compassion and a willingness to learn leads to growth and improvement.
Providing value to the audience through authenticity and consideration of their needs is essential in podcasting.
Deep dives
Favorite Insect: The Figeater Beetle
My favorite insect is the figeater beetle, also known as Cotinis Mutabilis. It is native to Los Angeles and has a beautiful metallic green color with golden stripes. It is big and buzzes around clumsily. They are often mistaken for gigantic bees. I love them because they eat figs and other fruit and they remind me of the summer and July, which is an important month for me. I have a deep emotional bond with them.
Favorite Flower: The Cottonus
My favorite flower is the Cottonus, which is a genus of flowering plants. I love the colors and delicate beauty of these flowers. I also appreciate Victorian flower language, which is a system of assigning meanings to different flowers. It adds an extra layer of interest and complexity to the flowers and their symbolism.
Memorable Insect Interaction: Mirabelle the Praying Mantis
One of my most memorable interactions with an insect was with Mirabelle, a praying mantis that was given to me as a gift. She lived for several months and I became very attached to her. We had an open casket funeral for her and it was a very gothic and memorable event. Mirabelle holds a special place in my heart.
Favorite Spot at the LA Natural History Museum: The Willow Hut
One of my favorite spots at the LA Natural History Museum was the Willow Hut. Unfortunately, it has been taken down recently, but it was a beautiful and serene spot in the gardens of the museum. I enjoyed spending time there and it was a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the museum.
Importance of Inclusivity and Community Building
The speaker emphasizes the importance of building an inclusive online community, making everyone feel seen and included. They believe that everyone has a unique perspective and context that should be acknowledged and celebrated. They strive to create a space where people can be their authentic selves and not feel othered or excluded. While there may have been challenges and backlash at times, they view feedback as an opportunity for growth and improvement. Their approach is based on empathy, curiosity, and a commitment to making everyone feel welcome.
Building an Authentic Self
The speaker believes in the importance of embracing one's true self and not being afraid to be a little weirder than what is considered "normal". They encourage individuals to be curious, embrace their quirks, and celebrate their uniqueness. By being true to oneself, they believe that people become more interesting and relatable, fostering a sense of connection and inclusivity.
Maintaining a Positive Attitude
In the face of challenges and negativity, the speaker remains unapologetic and compassionate. They approach feedback as an opportunity to learn and improve. They trust that people's intentions are generally good and that the feedback they receive is aimed at helping them and the community. While social media can be demanding and overwhelming, the speaker strives to find a balance and utilize it as a tool to connect with and inspire their audience.
Guiding Principles for Podcasting
The speaker's guiding principle for podcasting is to be true to oneself and remember why people consume media. They believe in providing value to their audience by offering knowledge, curiosity, wonder, and inspiration. The speaker's approach is to be authentic, inclusive, and to always consider what their audience is seeking and what they can take away from each episode.
It’s like a whole episode of secrets. And your questions. And your podmom, Jarrett, hanging out in a guest room answering all kinds of inquiries. This week between the holidays I thought I’d take it easy and dip into the mail bag to explain my free-range childhood, the goth days, podcasting tips, favorite bugs, hair dye, yellow sweaters, episodes that have never aired, how I find my guests, how many hours each episode takes, and who our dog loves the most. Cozy up and let’s become goofy together.
