Try and stop me: Q&A with Colleen Blum
Benefits advisor Colleen Blum found inspiration from other podcasters to help her through her own personal “stuff,” so much so that eventually she launched her own motivational podcast, “Try And Stop Me.”
Benefits advisor Colleen Blum found inspiration from other podcasters to help her through her own personal “stuff,” so much so that eventually she launched her own motivational podcast, “Try And Stop Me.”
Here’s a taste:
“There are times in life where you just lose that belief in yourself, maybe someone else has told you your dreams are not realistic, that you should just play it ‘safe.’ O forget that! We’re here to support those crazy dreams of yours!! This show is all about motivating & challenging you, inspiring you, SHAKING you UP & Helping You Grow outside of your comfort zone so that you can get out there and go after all the dreams you deserve to have come to life.”
Podcasts by brokers don’t always have to be business-related, says Blum, vice president at Combs & Co. LLC New York City. Often, discussing more personal topics can naturally lead to attracting new clients and fostering relationships with existing ones. In our latest chat in this series, Blum shares her insights on how her podcasts have been so successful.
Like so many, I had gone through my own personal life struggles and to make any changes, the only control I had was to start with how I was speaking to myself internally. A big key to that was changing up what I was listening to before work, at the gym, etc. I had started listening to podcasts like Ed Mylett, Kacia Fitzgerald, Steven Barlett and so many others who focused on uplifting and inspiring others to keep pushing in life – and they were doing it all through simple storytelling.
On their shows, they would interview these incredible people who were just so relatable in their journeys. They’d share how they were able to overcome some pretty big stuff and it almost made you feel like you were sitting right there in the room like “oof, I hear ya girl.” The hosts would sometimes just share their own story or thoughts of encouragement for the day and it really sparked something in me to change my life around.
Then when COVID came around, all I could think of was how podcasts really did help me get out of my own way simply by listening to other people’s stories and hearing how they were able to flip the script on their own lives, making you feel not so alone in your own “stuff.” I know some really incredible humans who have stories just like and knew that by sharing them we could help at least one person, and so I started the Try And Stop Me Podcast. It initially started with more business stories, but took a turn to more personal very quickly after the first episode.
KKH: Who is your target audience, and what do you hope they get out of this?
Mostly females who are in that “what the heck is going on with my life” moment, but really it’s for anyone who needs it in the moment. We all could use some different perspectives on life’s struggles and sometimes hearing others’ stories makes you not feel so alone. It also gives you some serious motivation to get the heck out of your own way and go after the things you’ve been wanting to do for so long.
KKH: What are some topics you cover?
“Motivation” and what the heck that even means when actual life steps in, as well as changing careers and the mindset shifts that others have practiced. My guests and I also talk about the fact that no one has this thing called life figured out – this is certainly a “grow together” type of show.
KKH: How do you choose your guests?
We like to think we are real people and not just advisors and brokers. All of my guests are people that I have had genuine conversations with from years of networking, clients who have been with us for years, prospects I’ve gotten to know, and also just new connections from social media with people who have similar interests, friends in the industry – the list goes on and on. No egos involved, we all leave that at the door when the recording starts. At the end of the day, everyone has a story that can help at least one person.
KKH: What surprising things have learned from the experience?
When you think you have it all figured out, that’s not even the start. Running this show, taking a break from it for a bit and getting back into it really forced me into a whole new mindset that I didn’t think I would ever have to come across or truthfully want to come across. But like starting anything new, there are plenty of new parts of you, both pretty and ugly that you’re going to learn about yourself. At the end of the day, it’s just a part of the ride.
KKH: What tips/advice would you give to others thinking of starting a podcast?
Seriously, learn to let whatever will be, be. Put in the work, make it fun, and when you need a break, take a break. It’s supposed to be fun, not stressful. Oh and be prepared for the bots of social media if you are promoting it because oh boy, they will come.
KKH: Any other thoughts for brokers to consider regarding podcasts and other online marketing initiatives?
It doesn’t always have to be so business-related. Doing this show was never a marketing tool – it just turned into that naturally because it shows that we are real people.
If I’d had to start it all over again, I would do everything the same exact way except for probably taking on the offers to help. You can do it all, but you don’t have to. If you don’t like the editing part or the social media part, just find a local intern who is itching to use their creative side of their brain and outsource that. Start a show you want to do, focused on a passion you are super interested in then just talk about it. The conversations from there are endless.