The growth of podcasts has been on a rise in 2020 with many individuals and brands releasing audio content to build trust, connect with their audience on a personal level, and boost brand awareness. However, a podcast isn’t a new concept. For those who may be new to this concept, a podcast usually a series of episodes of spoken word digital audio files that an individual can download or stream from a personal device for easy listening. In a podcast, the host(s) engage in a discussion about a particular topic or current event and sometimes even have guests being featured.
The topics in a podcast vary from podcast to podcast. ‘Get Out’ is one such podcast that covers inspirational stories ranging from travel to culture and society and many more hosted by Nikhil Shankar. It is a weekly podcast produced by Wild Orange Circus Studios, with Nikhil conducting a mix of one-on-one interviews and candid conversations with his guests. The podcast showcases amazing experiences not only from Goa but from across the world. The podcast has slowly evolved to touch upon a few global issues as well while still making it a fun experience.
At Goan Insider, Nikhil tells us about how he connects with different people to share their stories and how he has been growing ‘Get Out’ to reach a worldwide audience. The excerpts of our conversation are below.
Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Nikhil Shankar. I was born and brought up in Bangalore. Between travels, I’ve been living in Assagao, Goa, since 2013. When in Goa, you’ll find me discovering local trails on my mountain bike, most evenings.
I’ve studied journalism, psychology, and business, and started my professional career in a premium jewellery company. Following that, I’ve been involved in some aspects of the travel and tourism industry for eight years now. I regularly write about luxury travel and private vacations. Under the umbrella of Wild Orange Circus, I dabble in various projects related to travel, local products, food, and celebrating the night! One among them is Get Out, an independent podcast, which I host and produce.
What inspired you to start a podcast and what inspired the name ‘Get Out’?
I’ve been listening to podcasts for almost a decade now. Radio has also been an important part of my childhood. I enjoy conversations with people. So, I decided to share the personal journeys of my adventurous friends, to begin with. That’s how ‘Get Out’ started.
Stories of fellow humans, especially in the realm of travel and the outdoors, inspire me. I believe that our world itself is an inspiration! The phrase ‘Get Out’ encapsulates this idea of exploration. So, this name deemed fit for my podcast.
When did you first conceptualize, start and finally stream your first episode?
Get Out in its podcast form began taking shape sometime between April and June of 2018. I reached out to my friend Anup J Kat, who has been an inspiration for me. So, I requested him to be my first guest. The first episode was released by mid July that year.
How do you find guests you are interested in interviewing? What subjects does your podcast cover?
Firstly, I’d like to clarify that although I do ask questions, these are not structured as or meant to be interviews. I invite guests on the show for one-on-one conversations, where we discuss various subjects over the course of a couple of hours or more. When I come across people and/or endeavors that pique my interest, I write to them requesting an opportunity to chat. Also, several episodes have been a result of indulgences and chance encounters during my travels.
What subjects does your podcast cover?
We cover everything from literally getting out and exploring the world, to opening our minds up for the myriad wonders and possibilities out there! You can expect stories related to travel, outdoors, adventures, sports, music, art, space, conscious living, and destinations, among others.
How do you prepare for each episode, right from getting to know about the person to formulating the question for discussion?
I’d like to know about my guest, just enough to break the ice, and hopefully avoid any awkward silences after. I prefer to get to know them, along with their accomplishments and mess-ups, during the recording. Before each tête-à-tête, I do make some notes and highlight a few things that I’m curious about.
In addition to that, I keep learning about various topics, by reading magazines, listening to podcasts, and watching videos, on a daily basis. Thankfully, some of that knowledge comes in handy across conversations.
What are some of your most memorable episodes?
All of the episodes on Get Out have been memorable in their own way. I’ve recorded with guests in remote locations and in the heart of cities. I’ll always cherish those moments whether it was atop a mountain, on a lake, in the jungle, by the beach, or hosting at home.
How has the podcast evolved since its inception and how did you manage to achieve this?
The idea is to showcase awesome experiences across the world. My podcast has evolved to touch upon a few global issues as well, while discussing fun stuff. It’s crucial to be aware of how certain seemingly innocuous actions can play havoc with our wanderlust.
Personally, Get Out has made me a better listener and definitely more sociable. I’d like to give a shoutout to all the guests who’ve been on the show because they have been a significant part of this evolution.
How do you promote your podcast to reach a wider and newer audience?
The reach has been organic as of now. While the RSS feed is distributed across most podcatchers, all the episodes are available on the website Get Out Podcast and related socials such as my Instagram handle alifetogetout, and my Facebook page getoutpodcast.
I do share specific episodes or the podcast itself across my network and beyond. I hope that it stimulates discerning audiences, and they find value in my version of storytelling. Besides that, I appreciate interest by individuals such as yourself and media like yours. May these inspirational stories on Get Out reach as many humans as possible.
What gets you excited about your podcast?
Connecting with different people and listening to their journeys gets me excited about my podcast. Sitting down with them for long conversations over drinks and dinner, across various locations, has been delightful to say the least.
What is your favourite aspect of running a podcast?
My favorite aspect of the Get Out podcast is that it’s still alive. I feel fortunate to have realised yet another passion project.
How has living in Goa influenced the stories you want to share on the podcast?
Although living in Goa has been pleasant, I don’t think it has had or will have any influence on the stories on Get Out, per se. Being based out of Goa for part of the year has given me access to amazing people, and I’m glad to have shared some of their stories. The vibe in Goa, however, allows me the time and space to focus on such projects. Others who have found their home and tribe in Goa may second that too.
Tell us about your podcast episodes based on Goa and what did they cover?
I observed that over the past few years, there has been a meaningful move towards valuable local experiences. I would be inclined towards these things if I were visiting Goa as a traveler in 2020.
A few episodes about Goa on Get Out currently include the ones below. There are many more experiences here that interest me, which I may cover in due time.
Tell us about your ongoing series called ‘Sounds of’
‘Sounds Of’ is a series of raw soundscapes and ambient sounds featuring various destinations during my travels. It started off as a filler episode to break the monotony between conversation-rich episodes. Now, this series has taken on a new dimension.
I’m still understanding sounds, so, kindly bear with this explanation below. I’ve learned that auditory perspectives of places hold more value than we tend to notice. Apart from positive (music), neutral (silence/speech), and negative (noise) cues, we don’t usually pay attention to sounds around us. Or, it’s subliminal. I’m fascinated by this, so I’ll be exploring further into the world of sounds going forward.
You have travelled extensively and interacted with a lot of people through your travels as well as your podcast. What have you learned from these experiences?
Actually, I’ve just started travelling a fair bit since starting the podcast. Although my childhood and teenage years were dotted with hundreds of weekend excursions, I haven’t seen as many places as I should have.
There have been many learnings. One I can think of right now is that we would all be significantly better off if we celebrate the diversity of the human race often. Also, learning different languages, both regional and international, should be prioritized!
What are the key things one must keep in mind when starting a podcast and conducting an interview?
Starting a podcast is relatively easy these days. Continuing to do it is the challenge. It takes a certain dedication, and love for the audio medium too. You can invest in specific equipment, or just use your smartphone.
With regard to conducting interviews, there are different ways to elicit responses from people. Your style would depend on the purpose of the said interview. One thing I would stress on is a genuine interest in the person and the subjects you’re enquiring about. This will eventually lead to better questions. It takes time.
What is the ultimate goal with your podcast?
Well, the desire is to keep sharing these stories to inspire myself and fellow humans, years down the line. Podcasting on the road, while overlanding in an expedition vehicle would be awesome!
How can our readers stay connected with you as well as your brand?
The best way is to check my website, Get Out Podcast and follow the podcast on our socials – Instagram and Facebook. You may also reach out to me here.
Listen To Some More Favourite Get Out Podcasts From Goa
Do you have a story to share with the world? Send us an email at contact.goaninsider@gmail.com