This series is all about showcasing Libsyn podcasters. Its sole purpose is to introduce these awesome podcasts to the world as well as share their podcasting insight to empower the community!
Q & A with Tim Callaway from The Mouse Castle Lounge
When did you start podcasting?
I uploaded my first episode of The Mouse Castle Lounge on October 28, 2012. I’ve done over 30 episodes since.
Why did you start podcasting?
Basically, because I could.
Since 2005, I’d been blogging and writing online for several Disney fansites, mostly for MiceChat.
In 2009, I started writing my own blog which eventually morphed into “The Mouse Castle” at www.TheMouseCastle.com. I’d write about whatever struck my fancy, concentrating on Disney movies, home video and gaming with coverage of occasional theme park news and fan events.
Over the years, I was fortunate to meet and interview some very talented people in and around the world of Disney: historians Neal Gabler and Michael Barrier, animator Dave Bossert and singer/actress Susan Egan, among others.
Two years ago, I was even invited to join a roundtable discussion with Disney/Pixar chief John Lasseter. That was quite a thrill.
All these wonderful stories from all these interesting people made me think it would be fun to develop a podcast with news and interviews that would also let me draw on my past radio experience–I was a DJ in Las Vegas for six years. And so, “The Mouse Castle Lounge” was born.
What’s your show about?
It’s about a half-hour . But, seriously folks…
“The Mouse Castle Lounge” is a show for adults who enjoy their Disney over a cocktail or two, and it has really evolved over the last ten months.
I’ve thrown a lot of ideas against the wall to see what sticks, so my very patient listeners have heard all manner of news, commentary and interview combinations at varying show lengths and frequencies.
I once had the insane notion that I could put out a daily show. I think that lasted less than a week–it’s a helluva lot of work.
What I find very gratifying about podcasting is that you are allowed to experiment and change stuff around on the fly as long as you keep the content interesting.
Audiences will give you time to shape your show and find your comfort level. At this point, “The Mouse Castle Lounge” has become a regular interview show.
My previous guests have included Diane Disney Miller (the daughter of Walt Disney), authors J.B. Kaufman and Jeff Heimbuch, and historians Jeff Kurtti and Paula Sigman Lowery. I’m always looking for interesting people with cool Disney connections.
Know anybody? Let me know at [email protected].
What’s your podcasting set-up? Hardware, software, CMS, etc.
I record and edit on my PC using Audacity software. I’ve tried other programs, but I always come back to Audacity for its ease of use–and you can’t beat free software.
For studio recordings, I use an Audio-Technica AT2020 USB mike.
For phone interviews, I record via Skype using CallGraph.
I have an external Pyle 2-channel mixer, but I rarely use it except to occasionally capture DVD or VHS audio (yes, I still have a VHS player). Since I record in my home office, I use two Auralex MAX-Wall panels to help with acoustics.They’re easy to set up and I can just stuff them in the closet when I’m done with them.
In the field, I love my Zoom H4n handheld recorder with Shure PG58 mikes. The sound quality is exceptional.
How have you promoted your podcast?
I promote “The Mouse Castle Lounge” through the usual social media channels, primarily Facebook and Twitter. I’ve had some success paying for promoted posts on Facebook, which gives me targeted advertising on a limited budget.
I’ve also heard being named a “Rockin’ Libsyn Podcast” will give me a big boost in traffic. Any truth to that?
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
That you don’t have to be perfect every time you do a show.
That’s not to say you don’t strive for excellence–you want your show to be the best it can be. But, I remember standing in front of the microphone when I was about to record my first show and feeling absolutely paralyzed with the fear of making a mistake or sounding stupid. And what’s ridiculous about that is I don’t do a live show.
There’s nothing you can say that can’t be re-recorded or fixed in editing. I encourage you to make as many mistakes as you possibly can producing your show. It’s the only way you’ll get better at it.
The important thing is to just keep moving forward and keep creating.
A little bit of a Mouse Castle tease…
I’m really excited about my next show, which should be out in a matter of days.
Recently, I attended an exhibit opening at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco celebrating the life and art of Tyrus Wong.
Wong is known to Disney fans for the amazing nature artwork he did for “Bambi’ over 70 years ago. At 102 years old, he’s alive and well and still creating art.
I had the pleasure of speaking with him about his remarkable life and to also talk to a few special guests at the opening including Pixar film director Pete Docter (“Monsters Inc.,” “Up”) and Tony Anselmo, who is the current voice of Donald Duck.
It’s going to be a terrific show featuring some extremely talented people
With this kind of content, if you’re a Disney fan, subscribing to The Mouse Castle Lounge will be one of the best choices that you can make 🙂
In the last couple of episodes Tim has been at the Anaheim Convention Center for the D23 Expo roaming the halls to search for more great stories to tell, and he has done it. He has Alan Menken and Richard Sherman, plus tons of great conversations!
Did you see the cool Mouse Castle T-shirt Tim is wearing in the picture above? If you want one you can surely get one over at the Mouse Castle Lounge 😀
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