75 Podcasts and Counting

This week I will post my 75th One Tree Hill Podcast. I started this podcast in May, 2008 after some urging of some new friends. I have told my story before, as I started watching One Tree Hill in February, 2008 due to the writer’s strike and having nothing to watch. Not to mention road trips with the basketball team I work with.

That one decision, coupled with the decision to start a podcast to get my opinion out there, led me to this week and posting my 75th straight podcast about One Tree Hill. It takes a lot of planning to post 75 straight podcasts. That is through hiatus weeks of One Tree Hill, Christmas break, summer break, vacations and sickness. Not everyone has the stamina to do it every week. Wow, when you think about it 75 weeks is a long time. It is kind of daunting really.

But then I look back at my interview list and see who I have had as guests on the podcast, from cast and crew to amazing artists and bands. I can think back to when I first started the One Tree Hill Podcast.

Since the first time I saw her on screen, One Tree Hill character Peyton Sawyer was always my favorite character.  I loved her inner demons and the way she fought to find who she really was. And soon after starting my podcast I put Hilarie Burton, who played Peyton, on my wish list to interview.

So, I began making inquiries about getting her on. I was told no so many times it should have really started to hurt my self esteem. But I have found if you want something bad enough, you just keep plugging away at your goal. Even when someone tells you not to hold your breath about getting her on.

Well, I didn’t hold my breath, but I hoped. And at the end of April, I got news that was more then I could hope for. Not only was I getting Hilarie Burton on my podcast, but I had secured a deal to host and produce a podcast for her company Southern Gothic Productions.

Working with individuals at One Tree Hill and building a reputation had helped me reach a goal and go beyond it. People ask me which is my biggest interview. Is it Nick Lachey or maybe Ben Wysocki from The Fray or even Moira Kelly. And they always tease me about Hilarie Burton because they knew how much the interview meant to me.

And I guess they are all big interviews to me because they lead me here. Led me to do my 75th podcast and counting.

I appreciate all the support and encouragement for the One Tree Hill Podcast. All the support from Lindsay Wolfington, Steve Goldfried and of course all the cast, crew and artists who agreed to be on my podcast.

And I can’t forget Kelly Tenney, who is a producer on One Tree Hill, but also in a way my boss for Southern Gothic Productions. Kelly, you took a chance on me last spring and you have allowed me to help you guys grow in so many avenues. No matter the outcome in the future, I will be forever grateful for the chance you and Hilarie afforded me. It took a lot to put your trust, and your company, in the hands of someone you barely knew. And I will never forget it.