This week, my work on the SGP podcast re-launch continued to evolve, and it’s starting to feel like we’re getting closer to making this project a reality. My focus was on digging deeper into the research needed to ensure that this podcast could be sustainable—not just something we launch and then struggle to maintain, but a project that has the potential to thrive even as team members rotate in and out.

I spent a good deal of time this week researching every phase of podcast production, from pre-production and recording to editing, post-production, and ultimately publishing. One of the biggest challenges I faced was figuring out how to make this process feasible given the diversity of our team—not just in terms of geography, but also in terms of tech savviness and available time. Our team members come from all over the world and have varying levels of comfort with technology, so whatever systems we put in place had to be straightforward enough for everyone to use, yet robust enough to handle the demands of producing a high-quality podcast.

A key consideration was the fact that everything we’re doing for this podcast—planning, recording, editing—would be done virtually. This means coordinating across time zones and ensuring that our tools and processes work seamlessly for people in different regions with different internet capacities and technical setups. Given that our team regularly switches roles, we also needed to design a process that was flexible enough to accommodate these changes without causing disruptions in the production schedule.

The highlight of the week was a big team meeting with everyone who had volunteered to be involved in the podcast project, as well as members of the communications team. It was an energizing session, full of ideas and enthusiasm for what this podcast could become. I had the opportunity to present the research I’d been working on, outlining the best methods and tools for approaching the podcast. This included everything from the platforms we could use for recording and editing to the options for publishing and distribution. 

I also shared a demo script for the first episode of the podcast. It was a draft I’d been working on, designed to give everyone a sense of the tone and structure we’re aiming for. We went through it together, discussing what worked, what could be improved, and how we could ensure that the final product would be both engaging and reflective of SGP’s values. It was incredibly valuable to get feedback from the team, and it felt like we were all on the same page about the direction we want to take. 

One of the key points of discussion was how to make the editing and post-production process as smooth as possible, especially given that not everyone on the team has experience with these tasks. We talked through various options for editing software—some that are more user-friendly and others that offer more advanced features. I also presented options for publishing platforms that would make it easy to distribute the podcast widely while also providing analytics to help us understand our audience better. 

Reflecting on the week, I feel like we made significant progress. The podcast is no longer just an idea—it’s starting to take shape, and the team is coming together around a shared vision. I’m particularly proud of the way we’re approaching this project, with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability. We’re not just trying to launch something flashy; we’re building something that can last and grow with SGP, adapting to the needs and capacities of our global team. 

Looking ahead, I’m excited to move into the next phase of production. There’s still a lot of work to do, but I feel confident that we’re on the right track. The feedback from the team has been invaluable, and I’m eager to continue refining the process so that we can create something truly impactful. This week has been a great reminder of the power of collaboration, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this podcast evolves in the weeks to come.