Now she’s back with a bonus live show at Sadlers Wells in September. We pinned her down to talk a bit about her thoughts on live podcasting…

Kelechi, congratulations on the sell-out shows in April! You’re back with more in September. How does it feel to be in the same room as your listeners?

It feels incredible to be in the same room as my listeners. The moment just before I step on stage I feel nervous and excited because naturally, I don’t want to let them down and I have to remind myself that it is unlikely they would be let down because, they choose to tune in weekly to a podcast where I randomly burst into song and say the most random things.

What can you do with live shows that you can’t do on a podcast?

Truly it is the feedback that you get from a live show that is unrivalled. Sometimes I stream live on my social media platforms but I am usually just reading people’s reactions from the words they type as opposed to actually seeing them and hearing in real life their screams and claps. I love that. As a trained actor, I feel like I am literally fuelled by the audience’s energy. We have more video podcasts now so people can see facial reactions from the podcast host in a similar way to a live show but that real-time back and forth that you can have with a live audience is what I find extra inspiring.

Kelechi Okafor – Credit to Linda Blacker

Is there anything you had to get used to NOT doing in the live shows?

I can’t really think of anything I personally wouldn’t do at a live show. I pretty much wing most episodes once I have the general outline of what I want to discuss and that carries over into the live shows too. If anything maybe not having so many listeners on stage as that can be hard to manage even though I want everyone to come onto the stage and say their mind.

What is one of your favourite memories from the Live shows so far?

One of my favourite memories has to be The Receipts Podcast ladies surprising me by attending my 2019 live show and they brought me flowers. That really touched me for them to acknowledge me in that way. I think in podcasting it is important to have a community of fellow podcasters that celebrate you and vice versa.

Finally – are you any closer to getting (dream guest) Viola Davies on??

Arrgghh!! If I speak they will say I am speaking (Nigerian turn of phrase used by people who feel they’ve lamented too much already!) I thought it would be the publication of her memoir that would land me the interview but that didn’t happen. I’m hoping it is something else. Maybe an upcoming film. I don’t know who else I can beg to let me interview this amazing woman. I know once I finally speak with Viola I will be able to successfully pitch why I should play the lead in Wild Seed.

Watch Say Your Mind live on Sunday 25th September at Sadlers Wells Theatre, and buy your tickets here.

Listen to Say Your Mind on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

Article hero photo credit to Jennie Scott Photography.

The post Kelechi Okafor talks going LIVE with Say Your Mind appeared first on POD BIBLE.

To celebrate the launch of Issue #017 of Pod Bible magazine, Scroobius Pip and Adam Richardson caught up with cover star Kelechi Okafor, host of Say Your Mind! The three discuss Kelechi’s relationship with social media and how it feeds into the podcast, building a community with her listeners and her passion for Formula , all before Kelechi see’s her cover art for the first time and opens another special gift! 

– Listen to Say Your Mind here!

– Read issue #017 of Pod Bible here!

Cover illustration by Dan Evans – idrawforfood.co.uk

The post Podcasting & social media with Kelechi Okafor from Say Your Mind appeared first on POD BIBLE.