Top Arizona Podcasts for a Vibrant Post-Covid Lifestyle

Whether your morning commute still means physically leaving your house post-Covid, or just finding the cleanest sweats and shuffling to the living room, podcasts are still providing cutting-edge insights and entertainment tips. We saved you a few hours of scrolling time and curated the four most original, fun, and informative podcasts with the Arizona lifestyle at their core. Every selection should be available on either Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts in addition to being embedded on their website.

The Wine Monk

While Napa Valley and Bordeaux might be the more famous regions when it comes to impeccable wine. Cody Vladimir Burkett, CSW has made it his mission to spread awareness about delicious Arizona vino. If you are new to the wine scene, or maybe just new to this specific podcast, check out Burkett’s “AZ Uncorked: An Arizona Wine Guide” episode.

This will be the perfect introduction to both Burkett’s delivery style and a virtually unknown plethora of Arizona wineries. The bulk of the linked episode above is an interview with Jenelle Bonifield, who wrote a book with the same title that is perfect for any coffee table or wert bar decoration. 

From individual profiles of specific wine releases to variances in general taste profiles due to country of origin, Burkett offers a holistic picture of Arizona wine for listeners of all knowledge levels. After a few episodes curated to fit your inclinations, you’ll have a list of local wines to seek out, multiple local wineries to round out a weekend getaway, and fun facts to impress your friends at your next gathering!

Revenge of the Birds: AZ Cardinals for Fans, by Fans

There’s nothing like talking about sports with equally passionate fanatics. “Revenge of the Birds” takes a different approach than the staunch Sports Center professionalism when discussing Arizona’s NFL team. Refreshing to say the least, the hosts make you feel like you’re sitting beside them at a brewery, predicting the upcoming season, exalting a successful play, or throwing shade at rival teams.

What the contributors lack in time playing the game (all personal bios include how long they have been fans, not anything to do with actual football experience) they make up for in sheer enthusiasm and love for the game. 

All new listeners are able to get a feel for how the hosts think, dissect team decisions, and present their informed opinions. Another perk of “Revenge” is the weekly (or sometimes even bi-weekly) new episodes they publish. This allows you to stay up to date with the freshest Cardinal news, and gain a different perspective on everything from strategy to venting after a difficult loss.

If the 24-hour cycle of Sports Center has you a bit burnt out on Cardinal commentary, give these guys a listen. 

Not a Cardinal fan but still want a more level-headed, fan-driven perspective on your favorite team? Check out the generalized “SB Nation NFL Show” podcast or visit their official website to find in-depth podcast coverage of your favorite team.

The Gaggle: An Arizona Politics Podcast

Alarmist news headlines seem to be everywhere in the United States, regardless of how much one limits screen time or media consumption. The world is still grappling with a devastating pandemic, widespread epidemic of gun violence in the U.S., and an opioid crisis. On top of all of that, America is so divided and angry as a nation that if you bring up the wrong topic on a date or group setting, your very character could be vilified. 

Whew! Talk about some “alarmist headlines”.

However, there is an underground social movement that emphasizes a desire to understand both sides of an issue before making aggressive snap judgments. In other words, there are still people out there who live by the creed, “seek to understand before being understood”. 

Enter, The Gaggle Podcast.

Created and hosted by experienced journalists with decades of time in the field, The Gaggle (which is a word that describes the instance when a slew of reporters pepper someone with questions) expertly zooms in on Arizona politics, then takes a step back in order to understand a broader national impact.

While there are countless political podcasts flooding our devices and vying for our attention, The Gaggle is unique in that it effectively avoids becoming an “echo chamber” for one partisan belief system. Each unique topic covered is discussed by the chief hosts, while more nuanced analysis is provided by field reports who can speak to real facts, instead of the sadly ubiquitous acceptance of unfounded fear-mongering found in many mainstream news outlets. 

Regardless of your political opinions, it is essential to absorb multiple sources of news for each major current event. The Gaggle is a perfect foundation as you begin to explore the next controversial current event due to its neutral coverage from reporters who specialize in the field in question. 

Lastly, the underrated beauty of this podcast’s structure is the ultimate focus on local politics. It is tempting to read the somewhat terrifying headlines about immense global issues and dismiss them as impossible to solve. The Gaggle does not let its listeners simply nod their heads in agreement without considering various perspectives.

Issues of all sizes and complexities are eventually brought back from the big-picture stratosphere and linked to Arizona politics. As a result, the listener leaves each episode one step closer to a tangible action step within their community.

Finding Arizona

With something that vaguely feels like normalcy beginning to rise up in states across America, entrepreneurs in Arizona are once again ready to show off the kind of innovation, passion, creativity, and business acumen that has caused a major increase of residents and visitors over the last few years. 

Now, where do you start? Look no further than the sleek website of  Finding Arizona, created and maintained by Jose Acevedo (Host/Founder) and Brittany Johnson (Photographer/Producer). While their archive of over 250 podcast episodes profiles various small business owners, local artists, and all the eclectic folks in between, their website also includes all the resources you will need to visit, support, and further research each of the beautiful projects in the spotlight.

My personal favorite is the interview with Kennelly Concepts, a company based in Northern Arizona that revolves around the creed “building amazing spaces for our people and products to thrive in”. This small group of young entrepreneurs has realized unique restaurant concepts, tap houses, and even a historic hotel. Check out their community creations here. If you’re a fan of the taproom scene, but want a dash of class and natural beauty to enhance your brew, do not miss their bottle house in Flagstaff, AZ.

In the wake of a rough season for small businesses, this podcast will surely light the fire inside you that wants to experience something fresh while supporting creativity within your community. In the words of Acevedo:

“Finding Arizona is a weekly podcast that interviews local business owners. We strive to find out what the owners’ passions are and interesting tidbits that people don’t know about them. The idea is to organically have a conversation with a friend, so the audience can hear everything from the owner’s point of view.”

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How to Create Your Own Podcast in 5 Steps

1. Establish the Name, Purpose, Audience

So you’ve got something to say about our crazy world?  

After marshaling down the general theme of your podcast idea, you’ll need to include its purpose. Establishing a purpose will act as your North Star when you are trying to choose the topic for subsequent episodes. Making the purpose specific yet open is key. For example, if you’re passionate about the thematic elements of film and how they apply to daily life, your purpose could go in countless directions. 

For example:

  1. I want to illuminate the most obscure pieces of film in order to broaden my audience’s understanding of the art, while making tangible connections to current events, effectively proving each movie’s relevance. 
  1. I want to focus chiefly on pieces of historical fiction, interviewing people who were involved in some capacity in order to determine the accuracy of the Hollywood portrayals. 

Now it’s relatively safe to assume that children 13 and under are not going to be your target audience for either one of these potential podcasts. So who is? This may be one of the more important steps of the materialization process since it will also determine who your sponsors will be (they only want to advertise to possible buyers) and what your topics will be (adapting to fan feedback will be crucial for long-term success).

2. Determine Podcast Structure

Think about how your content will be experienced by your listeners.

Will you have interviews with special guests anchoring every episode or discussions based on external sources that you have reviewed prior to recording? As you narrow down your choices, make sure you understand the time commitments of each approach. You will need to book guests far into the future to ensure a frequent publishing schedule, in addition to reviewing their expertise. Weighing the pros and cons in the early stages will ensure the stable longevity of your creative project.   

There are countless ways to structure your recording time, so get creative and stand out! 

3. Schedule Studio Time for Audio Recording

In order to achieve the highest quality of sound production, which is key to drawing in initial listeners, you’ll need to find a reliable studio. Having immediate access to a vast arsenal of recording equipment, as well as the advice and guidance of seasoned professionals, will give you an essential edge. 

Demŭn Studios (Website Link Here and featured in the above photo) has specialized in podcasts for over five years. These folks are conditioned professionals who can provide everything needed to produce high-quality recording. Everything from equipment set-up and recording to audio editing and digital distribution will be in the hands of experts. What’s even better about this place is that the engineers who work here care deeply about their craft. Ask questions, build a community, and create something that audiences will want to return to again and again. 

4. Getting Sponsors 

Think of the last podcast you listened to. What were their sponsors? Did the content of the advertisements apply to you? Once your podcast starts to grow in its following, you’ll be able to accrue a revenue stream via reaching out to companies who find your audience numbers appealing. While established creators like Joe Rogan (The Joe Rogan Experience) and Terry Gross (NPR’s Fresh Air) do not need to proactively contact possible advertisers, all beginners need to keep it top of mind. 

Consider the following:

  • What is the age demographic of my podcast content?
  • Which companies would benefit from an advertising space on our show?
  • What is our value add?

When you approach your podcast project with all this information fleshed out, it will be a much smoother transition from a hobby to a full-time lifestyle. 

5. Publish Your First Episode! (Choose a Host & Cover Art)

Until your podcast picks up a steady following from social media promotion, advertising, or word of mouth, you will need to catch people’s attention in every way possible. There are hundreds of options out there for listeners to choose from, so establishing a unique cover art design to draw one’s attention while they scroll through the digital sea is a must. Do not underestimate the power of visual intrigue simply because you believe your content speaks for itself.

Do some initial field research by having a neutral friend scroll through podcasts and ask why they chose those particular ones. What are their favorite podcasts? What causes them to click on one thing more than another? The more people you survey, the more your findings will be representative of the average potential subscriber. 

Now the time has come to get that shiny new beauty out into the devices of people everywhere! While Disktroid is the best choice for uploading any musical endeavors, podcasts operate on a slightly different platform of distribution. You can eliminate all the potential stress of researching and choosing a distribution software if you choose to work with Demŭn Studios, however. They can walk you through the entire process!   

If you choose the independent route, here are the top two options to consider when you are ready to publish:

There you have it! Before popping that expensive champagne in celebration of your first-ever official podcast though, make sure to map out the next few months of shows in terms of frequency, topic, interview guest (if applicable), and time dedication needed for preparation. You got this! 

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Podcast Recording Studio in Phoenix, Arizona

Affordable Podcast Recording

Demŭn Studios in Central Phoenix, Arizona is a rental podcast recording studio that hosts a variety of popular podcast shows in the area. The studio is equipped with quality podcast recording equipment to produce professional audio recordings for publication. We have a custom podcast desk that we created for the facility and top-of-the-line microphones that are standard in the professional broadcasting industry.

What is Your Show Topic?

Podcasting is on the rise in America! What type of podcast show could spark millions of followers? If you have a drive to be the next podcast sensation then Demŭn Studios is the right recording studio for you! Make your dream a reality at Demŭn Studios podcast studio in Phoenix, Arizona!

Checkout some of our Podcast Shows recording at Demŭn Studios:
Sneak Diss Podcast

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