Media Project by Sadie Kiefer

    For my media project 2, I will decide to propose a new podcast channel. The podcast channel will target any users that are associated with (in any way) a mental illness, with a realistic and funny approach- creating mental health topics that identify a couple of different things. A) How in society we still have these stigmas that hold (those with mental illness) back from their overall potential. And B) Making light of mental illness on the broad spectrum, giving special guests a chance to chime in on their “not so popular” opinions on any topic. Any topic, such as how schizophrenia is rare, but can transform into (when those with said mental illness use their brain the right way) a superpower. Now you don’t have to be a victim of mental illness or must be diagnosed with something to listen to this podcast. You could have family members, or similar persons in your life who are struggling with mental illness. Even people who simply want to improve their knowledge (which I think we all could benefit) of mental illness and its’ many (for example) implications. What this podcast boils down to, is being unapologetic for mental illness, and uncovering things like how magic mushrooms make a lasting impression on our mental illness and even possibly cure it... I will walk you through the various topics that make this podcast tick and make it popular (in a sense). However, popularity isn’t exactly what I’m going for here. A better way to look at this podcast would be by saying it will leave you with a couple tips and tricks for your own mental health; also giving real-life experiences from key guests that will help you through the process. Throughout this proposal I will discuss the following: 

• How my channel will appeal to advertisers who want to reach my target audience. 
• The kind of advertiser who might run commercials on my channel. 
• 10 to 15 likely major advertisers. 
• List of how my podcast separates from others, and how I will coin its’ uniqueness. 
• 3 or 5 episodes I think would be appropriate for my channel, when concerning 1) Program titles, 2) Program content, and 3) Program length and frequency. 
• Lastly, I’ll finish with why, in today's very competitive market, my “dream podcast channel” will be successful!

First, my channel will be appealing to advertisers, who want to reach my same target audience by the way in which I disassociate stigmas and mental illness. However, I won’t just look at mental illness as this two-dimensional thing where all we need to do is de-stigmatize it. I will go further and have episodes that display how major pharmaceutical companies and the like, would rather us as a people waste our lives and money away on drugs. Said drugs that supposedly help us cope. However, my podcast will rather expose those drugs for what they really are... Debilitating and crushing to our minds. Many people want to believe that there is no cure for things like mental illness, but bringing up topics on episodes of my podcast, like how magic mushrooms (when ingested under supervision and care) do wonders for the brain and your overall mental health. Some go as far as to say that this method helps cure mental illnesses. All-in-all, I want my podcast to encourage those who think of non-traditional methods of coping and curing mental illness. We all know it’s about time someone spoke out and found a cure to mental illnesses, so why not be a host for those who feel that same way and will aid in the process? 

Onto the type of advertiser, I would want to run commercials on my channel. I feel as though any advertiser who is conscious of best body practices, such as using certain female products at that time of the month, or even a natural and planet-conscious way to shower, etc. Any of these advertisers would be welcome on my channel. Specifically speaking advertisers, such as, The L. organic tampons, or Dr. Bronner’s castile soap. The reason for me choosing said advertisers is due to their “good for you” and “good for the planet” qualities in all their products. Another advertiser I would choose to be on my podcast channel would be Sand Cloud. This advertiser would be one of my choices due to the planet-conscious attitude they tend to spread with every transaction. One of the main slogans on their website is “-help save Marine Life,” which I find very inspiring that a huge company would want to eliminate things like plastic pollution in our oceans. Another advertiser I would hope would run ads for my podcast is Gymshark, for their attitude on curing depression with things like working out and looking cute while you do it. Another proponent in the advertising game I would choose would be Four Sigmatic, for their attitude on staying caffeinated. They would rather you drink mushrooms which have focusing and healing properties in them, in order to promote overall general good health while keeping you energized. Advertiser #6 would be Elf Cosmetics which teaches us that it’s ok to wear makeup that isn’t going to cover your natural appearance, but rather enhance what you already have. And while they not only promoting your natural appearance, their products are 100% vegan, without parabens or cruelty from all their products. Advertiser #7 would be Good & Gather, whose products might be a little on the spendy side, but are so good for you and yummy too! Target introduced Good & Gather not too long ago (within the last 5 years) and they haven’t looked back. Their customers and my future podcast listeners are sure to enjoy every savory sip, slurp, and simmer of the endless possibilities you can make with such a brand. Advertiser #8 would have to be Project 62, for their endless ways to spice up your everyday living décor. Which is not only a form of expression, but also a way to stay connected to trendy new items, found at your local Target. Advertiser #9 would be, care/of, which essentially has all the allotted daily nutrition you need, based on a quiz you take upon entering their website. #10 would be Daily Harvest, which is “chef-crafted food” made from sustainable products that delivers right to your door. 

Upon reviewing what’s out there, as far as podcast channels like mine, there are a bunch, but I couldn’t find too many specific ones, that showcase alternate routes to curing mental health, such as with magic mushrooms, etc. On a website I found a few podcasts listed, pertaining to mental health, had one that seemed unique called, League of Awkward Unicorns. The founders, Alice Bradley and Deanna Zandt, had the initial thought to make their podcast unique, by infusing laughter and jokes into their episodes. Another podcast channel that would be like mine is the Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast by American Comedian Paul Gilmartin. I would say this podcast and mine will be very different by the range of topics we’ll talk about. I would talk about mental illness with a funny twist, but better, my podcast would contain a holistic approach to healing your brain and other bodily issues. The Mental Health Happy Hour podcast doesn’t offer such a forum to discuss said holistic approaches. The last podcast channel that would be comparable to mine, is the Elis James and John Robins podcast. After listening to this podcast, there are many laughs to be had whilst listening, however, the sheer fact that this podcast is emphasizing laughter, gives me an inkling into their podcast. I had a hunch that they would over-emphasize the funny twist one can put on mental health conversations. I thought it was a little much in all honesty. However, when they did make a joke, I wasn’t just judging the quality of the show, but rather joining in on the banter. It was enjoyable but didn’t have much knowledge or guests who spoke on holistic approaches to curing and healing things like mental health. 

Next, I will discuss how my podcast will operate and the different types of episodes I will have on my channel, along with titles of said episodes; episode content; and the episodes’ lengths/frequencies. First episode I am excited to present as my first episode will include guests such as humanitarian, Carrie Jernigan, and singer/songwriter/actress, Selena Gomez. I would love to have these two individuals on my podcast due to their compassion for humanity, as well as Gomez’s unapologetic and relatable approach to illness in general. This episode where I bring both guests into the environment, will be called Twist the Men-Tea-lity. My reasoning for such a title is hidden within the title, This episode will be a forum where we can talk about mentality and shaping yours to twist and turn with everyday life. And better, how you can twist and turn (essentially) that frown upside down- thus changing the state of your mental health, with just a few, simple, daily affirmations and real-life (explained) examples (in other words, the “tea,” or insider advice). The length and frequency of having these star guests on my podcast channel would be a single episode, with a length of (more or less than) an hour, due to the sensitivity of the topic at hand. Another episode that would be an option for my podcast could be called Mycelium & Me. This episode will consist of a key speaker who has a vast knowledge of mushrooms and science, and their curable features, especially when it comes to- you guessed it- mental health. I will have key speakers on the episode, such as, mycologist, Paul Stamets. Interviewee, Paul Stamets will have a knowledge of what it’s like having to navigate mental ticks and health issues, during a time when no such foreknowledge existed prior to him trying magic mushrooms. In a documentary called, Fantastic Fungi, he speaks on his experiences with magic mushrooms and how they helped cure his stammer/stutter. This is exactly what I see happening on my channel. People being invited to share their own experiences/knowledge of the everyday items you can take, to ensure that you don’t have to become co-dependent on pharmaceutical companies. The frequency of this episode will last for one single session (or one episode), and the length will be approximately one hour, given this is not a topic everyone thinks about that we’ll need more time to discuss. Lastly, my final episode, titled, U.R You, I propose will be a combination of self-care discussions and interviewing bad-ass women in the world who can teach us how to embrace this bad-ass side of ourselves with ease. I believe that a huge part of self-care is to make time for yourself. What better way to make time, than to spend 30 minutes to 45 minutes listening to your favorite podcast on positive affirmations, self-care techniques, and examples of how to embrace your “badassery,” I.e., becoming more confident. The “U” in the title stands for “unapologetically”, meaning it’s ok to embrace you and your flaws. Next to the title, the letter “R,” meaning “restoring,” is a hint at focusing on yourself and becoming the best version of yourself, that you can be. Put it all together... “Unapologetically Restoring You.” I think the acronym will grab individuals’ attention and make them want to listen, and even just find out what the acronym means in the title. The frequency of this episode will be a couple of episodes long, as I will bring on many badass women onto the channel, to talk about all things relating to imposter syndrome when making milestones; how to embrace your own identity. The list goes on- endless possibilities with this string of episodes will be prevalent on this nurturing and informative journey. 

I feel as though my podcast channel will be successful in today’s competitive market, due to the nature of my discussions; my unapologetic approach to mental health; as well as unconventional techniques to healing things like mental illness (especially when bringing those knowledgeable to the forefront of my channel, as a speaking guest).