Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Garner.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The podcast started with just me wanting to go places and events, particularly nerd/geek-related but I always ended up going by myself. I had no choice. Either no one liked the same things I did or never talked about them. When I started documenting the places and events, I visited people started responding. Many of us in the nerd/geek community are very shy and introverted. We isolate ourselves in fear of rejection and cruelty from others. I wanted to provide a space for others to talk about themselves, their individual or group projects, and interests without feeling like they’re over-stepping or rambling to someone who doesn’t understand them or has no real interest in their thoughts and ideas. I feel less alone now and I hope I’m providing that same comfort to my listeners.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest issue is consuming/creating the actual content in a consistent, steady and healthy pace. For a tv show overview, that’s at least two weeks of watching and drafting a script for the recording. But the recording itself is only thirty to forty minutes. A movie may take two hours to watch and five minutes to review. A game or book may take months to finish and an hour or two to record. Consuming/creating content for people’s enjoyment can be exhausting and at times, make you feel like your work is under-appreciated. You have to remember why you started in order to keep going when doubt and insecurities about your progression and networking – or lack thereof – starts to creep in during times of stagnation.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the creator and content producer for the Solo Nerd Bird Podcast. I am also an Urban Fantasy writer. I have self-published two books in my Unholy book series called Unholy and Unbroken under the name K.S. Garner. The same as my hosting name. Solo Nerd Bird specializes in the nerd/geek niche. I discuss anime, gaming, comics, RPGs, and I try to tie in the history behind these same topics, particularly in regards to mental health. That’s what I’m most proud of. When people who first listen to my show, they all gravitate towards Episode7: Gaming Therapy: The Mental Health Benefits of Gaming. I would also like to be known for providing a platform for small creators who feel like they have no voice or big enough platform to speak and promote their projects. I don’t have that large of a following either, but I believe one pair of listening ears can be a productive catalyst to something much greater.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Solo Nerd Bird Podcast cranks out episodes like crazy! Listeners get at least one weekly movie review (Movie Mondays), a bi-weekly tv show overview. I’ve mainly been detailing anime, but if a listener requests a different show, I’ll be more than happy to discuss their suggestion instead. Interviews with other creatives are typically Tuesdays and Thursdays. If creators need a platform to promote their projects, again, I’m up for a chat.
I also try to do monthly video game reviews. I do Twitch streams when I can squeeze them, but these episodes tend to take longer than the others. Overall, the Solo Nerd Bird Podcast operates from word-of-mouth. There’s no advertising or benefactor funding my equipment and trips to different events and conventions. So if anyone’s interested in my podcast, please give it a listen and subscribe for more. Even check out my books if you’re into supernatural and action-adventure with a black woman lead.
Contact Info:
- Email: solonerdbird@gmail.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/solonerdbirdpodcast
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solonerdbirdpodcast/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solonerdbirdpod
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoloNerdBirdPod
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4aVagESsdB6D2Y1zfXbL5A
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/solo-nerd-bird
