Meet Kaitlin Elliott | Podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaitlin Elliott and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaitlin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own podcast was something I had wanted to do for years but never thought I really could. I kept telling myself that I would do it when my kids were in school and I had more time on my hands. Or I would do it if I ever had more connections to big name guests. In the back of my mind I always knew it would be a dream to host my own podcast but I knew I’d never really get up the nerve to pull the trigger. So, my husband pulled the trigger for me (haha)! One day, a podcast mic showed up at my house and my husband really encouraged me to just record a few things and see how it felt. Before I knew it, I was recording legit episodes and posting them for the world to hear. My purpose behind my podcast is twofold. First off, I just love to talk to people. It’s truly my only hobby. So, hosting a podcast is really my dream job! Interviewing people is so fun for me. I love the meaningful conversations and the lighthearted conversations equally. Second, I knew that listening to podcasts had really helped me during a time in my life when I was struggling a bit. I felt less alone when I heard two friends chatting through my ear buds (especially when they made me laugh or when I could totally relate to something they were going through!). So, I wanted to provide that for other people. I wanted to have a podcast that makes people laugh but also encourages and inspires them. That’s why So What Else is a story-based podcast. Everyone has a story to share and stories are so powerful. They have the ability to help others feel seen and to feel hopeful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
There are SO MANY podcasts out there – so why should anyone listen to “So….What Else?” SWE appeals to so many people and we make sure to keep it fresh. Once a month we have episodes called “SWEpisodes” which is where the SWE team sits down and just chats. We talk about mostly ridiculous things like the zombie apocalypse, pizza, and how bad we are at driving. Sometimes we will get deep though. The other weeks of the month are interview format where I interview a guest about their story. We have had guests on to talk about eating disorders, divorce, adoption, loss, grief, marriage, sex, addiction. It’s always something different but it’s always so up lifting. I have been deeply inspired by so many stories that have been shared and I have learned so much.

I am so proud of SWE and how many lives it has touched. I feel the most proud when someone reaches out and says that a certain episode helped them to feel less alone in their struggle. That it helped them to see that they are not the only one and there is hope and help available to them in their suffering.

In some ways, starting a podcast is technically easy. Anyone can do it. But not anyone can sustain it. It is really hard to put out new, quality content every single week. It can be really hard to find new guests each week, set up interviews, prep, conduct the interview, edit, and publish. It’s a lot of work to do each week so I am really proud that we started from NOTHING and now we have 70 episodes. I have gotten discouraged at times when I am having trouble booking guests but it seems that the right person always come through at the right time. I have learned to trust the process and to be true to who I authentically am. I am not going to pretend to be someone else just because I think it will bring in more listeners. I will also not ask a guest to come on if I don’t feel like they have a genuine, important story to share.

Overall, I want people to know that SWE is a place you can come for a laugh and to feel inspired. SWE is a story-based podcast about our shared human experience; the ridiculous and life changing, the heartbreaking and hilarious, the everyday and inspiring.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I lived in Colorado for four years and I absolutely loved it. I lived in Colorado Springs, Monument, and Denver. Whenever people would come to visit, these are the spots we made sure to hit up: – Garden of the Gods

– The Incline (such a hard workout but so worth it!)
– The Garden (downtown Beer Garden in Colorado Springs)
– Manitou Springs (you have to eat at Adam’s Cafe!)
– Old Colorado City (so many cute boutiques)
– Take the train to the top of Pike’s Peak (and make sure to get a donut at the top!)
– Daniel’s Park (what a view!)
– Take a drive and spend the day in Breckinridge (get a Crepe at the crepe place downtown!)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
“So…What Else?” would not even exist today if it wasn’t for my husband, Scott. He put time, money, energy, and love into this vision before I even knew 100% that I was going to really go for it. He believed in me before I did. He has been there from day one to help me with technical stuff, record with me, be my sounding board, and encourage me when I’m down. SWE would also not be what it is today without our amazing and selfless producer, Matt Carpenter (of Parable Productions). Matt designed our incredible website, logo, and social media artwork. He sets up for interviews and edits each one. He sits in on interviews and joins in as well. Matt has brought this podcast to the next level and I am so thankful for him.

Website: www.kaitlinelliott.com

Instagram: @kaitlingraceelliott @so.what.else

Facebook: Kaitlin Elliott. / So What Else?

Image Credits
All images credited to Matt Carpenter of Parable Productions www.prble.com