We ask Katie Mc to tell us more about the indie podcast that came runner up in the ‘moment of comedy gold’ category…

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

Hello, I am Katie Mc the creator and host of Single Sounds. I am 27, live in London, single and like the majority of people overwhelmed, frustrated and uninspired by the modern dating landscape. This is where my idea for Single Sounds stemmed from, I have been on too many bad dates from dating apps and put this down to knowing nothing about the individual I was matching with. I started Single Sounds to create a new fun and authentic method of dating. I interview anonymous singles and the listeners of the show can write in to date my guests if they like the sound of them. As I like to say this podcast is for people who have too much personality for a dating app.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

A friend introduced me to Girls Gotta Eat, a US-based dating and relationships podcast and this is still my favourite show today.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

I absolutely love podcasts and believe in the strong sense of self you can get from them, so I thought it was perfect for a dating medium. I was convinced that bringing dating profiles to life in an interview format would be a much better way of communicating someone’s needs and wants when it comes to finding a partner.

Did you take inspiration from any podcasts before starting?

Truthfully – no. The structure of my early episodes came from popular dating app prompts and the current episode structure comes from my dad’s advice that for a long-term happy relationship, you need the 3 A’s “acceptance, adventure and affection”. However, I was inspired and continue to be inspired by many female UK-based podcast hosts to be creatively brave and just start such as Emily Clarkson, Alex Light, Deborah Frances-White, Rubina Pabani and Poppy Jay.

You recently came Runner-up at the IWPA – which episode can we listen to your award-winning comedy gold?

My submission for the award was taken from Episode 48 ‘The one with the porn date at the Tate’ released 10th January 2023.

What’s the secret to good podcast comedy?

Something I didn’t anticipate when starting my podcasting journey was how much humour and entertainment would be in each episode of Single Sounds. The dating stories shared are always truly unique and often hilarious as well as learning about people’s quirks and unusual interests, hobbies, turn-ons, and turn-offs. I laugh constantly throughout each episode, and I think what makes good podcast comedy is how honest, raw, authentic, and ultimately relatable each guest is and the stories they share.

Listen to Single Sounds now on Apple Podcast, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

The post Single Sounds: An alternative (and funny) dating method appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Personally speaking, I can’t believe that nobody has previously thought of this topic as the perfect one to explore through the confessional intimacy of podcasting. Our crushes are a guilty secret that we rarely discuss openly. Yet they are an important part of our personal growth, pushing us to be more curious, creative, ambitious and resilient. I mean … what could be better than achieving something that gets the attention of your crush? Momentarily you can exist in their world!

These unrequited fantasies can even help us to form a sense of who we might want to become ourselves, by making us consider what it is about the person, their values, beliefs and interests that is so attractive.
So we absolutely must celebrate our crushes rather than cringe over them, with Margaret Cabourn-Smith as a suitably fun and probing guide.

What inspired you to start a podcast about crushes?

I love podcasts as a form and I wanted to make something I would want to listen to. And I wanted to choose a subject that I was an expert in!

Have you learned anything from your guests?

I think I learn something from every interview I do. It’s so universal as a theme but also so individual. I find it genuinely therapeutic to learn that we all have this stuff churning inside. I’m also really nosey so just hearing the mad stories and fantasies are hugely enjoyable whatever.

Do you think a crush can be psychologically healthy? (As you know, I think they can be quite motivating )

I think I’m coming to the conclusion that they’re ESSENTIAL psychologically. We have to admit that fantasy is necessary for us to accept and enjoy reality.

Is there anything else you have enjoyed listening to or reading on themes of unrequited love that has informed the podcast?

Oh God almost everything. My favourite unrequited love song is “We Get On” by Kate Nash, book is One Day by David Nicholls and film is Cyrano De Bergerac.

Have any stories surprised or shocked you?

The one people always talk about is Chris Neill, who persuaded his crush Paul that he needed to watch him rehearse the oboe for his homework. So funny, so heartbreaking. I laugh a lot at these stories but often find myself with tears in my eyes.

Do you have a dream guest that you haven’t had on yet?

Ooh a few – Jane Garvey, Monica Lewinsky, Adele, Alison Hammond. And um… Ryan Reynolds.

Have any of your guests, to your knowledge, heard from their old crushes as a result of being on the show? (I’m considering sending my episode to my first crush Kate )

Do! Report back please!

What inspired you to use a fun numerology game at the end of the show to test compatibility of people’s names?

That was just a nod to my old teen self where we all did it all the time. That’s the most potent time for such mad nonsenses. And also, it’s SCIENCE.

What is next for Crushed? Any plans?

We’d definitely like to do live shows and make the whole thing more interactive as I love hearing people’s stories. Watch this space!

Listen to Crushed now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

The post Margaret Cabourn-Smith from Crushed: “I find it genuinely therapeutic” appeared first on POD BIBLE.