I think a lot of us would love to get involved, but whoever does should realize up front that a quality program of any kind takes dedication and commitment. As the best source for mead info out there, I think it's important that a podcast from GM be as slick and professional-sounding as possible. A show doesn't need a lot of bells and whistles for this by any means, but it does need a good recording ability, good behind-the-scenes people who can line up good guests, and a good host with a gift for asking good questions.
Actually the questions will just about ask themselves in an interview, if you have the right guests, and a decent rapport with them. And phone interviews allow you to get almost anybody on a show like this. My point is, the on-air stuff is actually the easiest part to do. Finding the time and energy for a really quality product is the hard part. Who lines up the guests, and makes sure they know the whens and wheres? Who does the technical work of recording, editing, and polishing a show (intro music, credits, etc.)? Who posts it? Who maintains that archive? Okay, this last would be Vicky -- but in addition to doing GM as a full-time gig, would she also be stuck putting on a regular show all by herself? It's a nightmare that could happen, believe me.
A GM podcast would need to be a regular, or, at least semi-regular, feature. People who become fans of the show would want to know that it'll be available for download every Sunday night (or whatever), and they'll troll GM regularly for it. I mean why do this at all if not to open up a new avenue for meadly information to get out there, and, not insignificantly, to help build GM up? The people involved need to be commited to it. It doesn't have to become a crusade or anything, but they would simply have to be reliable. And enthusiasm ain't reliability, charming as it is. Enthusiasm evaporates as soon as things start to look like work. What's left over had better include integrity and commitment to a goal, or the work load piles up fast. Like with any successful project, the folks involved in a good GM podcast would have to make it a priority in their lives -- again, not a top one, not above family, jobs, or making mead (!), but if they commit themselves to working on it, they have to keep those commitments or the troubles begin.
Yeah, I'm talking from experience: a couple of crummy cable-access t.v. shows many years ago. A good podcast would have things in common with that experience...everyone wants in because it sounds like fun; those who are the most reliable end up doing most of the work; and nobody is getting paid. I'm very much for this idea. It's certainly doable, because tons of people are doing it. But a few cautionary words now might save lots of head and heartaches later.
-David