Life & Work with Beyond the Trope Podcast

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beyond the Trope Podcast. 

Hello Beyond the Trope Podcast, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Once upon a time, in a galaxy that’s right here, Giles and Michelle met at a writers’ conference and started a critique group together. It was like the Fellowship of the Ring, but for words. After two years of critiquing and working together on writing novels and short stories, they and another writer friend, Emer, founded Beyond the Trope Podcast to talk about nerdy writer things to more people than just their other critique partners. Since then, they’ve interviewed as many creative people as they can find. Emer has moved on to other projects, but Giles and Michelle (and Giles’ wife Emmy) continue to discuss the experiences, struggles, and celebrations of creatives from all corners of the globe. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. Running a business is never a smooth road! But things have generally turned out just fine. Some of the struggles we’ve experienced have taught us valuable lessons. We’ve learned how to adapt on short notice, and we’ve learned how, as introverts, to act as extroverts when the situation calls for it. We’ve also had to work hard to develop consistent funding methods, and we’ve learned the hard way how to use social media to reach your audience. Then there are the more normal struggles, such as finding a time to actually have a recording day, or deciding when it’s time to spend our podcast savings on new equipment. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We specialize in having conversations. It might look and sound just like another podcast, but we have dedicated all our energies to helping interviewees feel immediately at ease. We’re known for our informal, live radio-style and for moderating all kinds of panels at nerdy conventions in the area. We’re incredibly proud of the friendships we’ve formed along the way, but it’s possible that we’re more proud that at the end of nearly every recorded interview, we hear, “Thanks so much, guys. That was a lot of fun.” 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
We certainly learned how to adapt to the times and keep moving forward. It was important to use that we didn’t miss an episode during the crisis. We also learned the value of community…even when it can’t be in person. The connections we make with other people–be they face-to-face or through the internet–are the things that really get us through our day. 

Pricing:

• Our show is free!

Contact Info:

• Email: beyondthetrope@gmail.com
• Website: www.beyondthetrope.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondthetrope
• Twitter: @beyondthetrope
• Other: https://www.patreon.com/beyondthetrope

Image Credits
Beyond the Trope Podcast