Join Marv as he interviews Hem Brewster, the creative force behind Blighthouse Studios, home to acclaimed podcasts like The Lucky Die, The Sprouting, Counterbalance, and Four Top Threes. Discover the secrets of audio drama production, actual play podcasting, and the evolving world of indie podcasting. Hem shares actionable advice for creators, insights on show notes, and the importance of community in podcasting. Key Topics & Time Stamps ● ○ Meet Hem Brewster and Blighthouse Studios ○ Overview of the studio’s shows ● ○ The Lucky Die: Apocalyptic actual play audio drama ○ The Sprouting: Horror roleplay in a plant-based apocalypse ○ Counterbalance: Fantasy audio drama with a custom language ○ Four Top Threes: International chat show ● ○ Dungeons & Dragons and Call of Cthulhu as storytelling engines ○ Improvised audio drama vs. scripted drama ● ○ Cast and crew from the UK, Iceland, Germany, and the US ○ The importance of diverse perspectives ● ○ Hem’s journey from mechanical design engineering to podcasting ○ Discovering “We’re Alive” and the power of audio storytelling ● ○ Starting The Lucky Die and growing a network ○ Lessons learned from failed and successful projects ● ○ The evolution of team responsibilities ○ Social media, marketing, and the realities of indie podcasting ● ○ Free and effective ways to promote your show ○ The value of helping other podcasters ● ○ Differences in structure, audience, and production ○ The impact of BBC and German audio drama traditions ● ○ Why your podcast logo matters ○ Tips for commissioning and using artwork ● ○ What to include for SEO and accessibility ○ Content warnings, cast/crew credits, and linking strategies ● ○ Logistics, scheduling, and the value of a backlog ○ Honest conversations and setting realistic goals ● ○ Success stories and the power of fan engagement ○ The joy of cross-promotion and collaboration ● ○ Where to find the shows and contact Hem Featured Podcasts from B Lighthouse Studios ● The Lucky Die – Fantasy apocalypse actual play ● The Sprouting – Eldritch horror in a post-apocalyptic world ● Counterbalance – Fantasy audio drama with original language and music ● Four Top Threes – International chat and ranking show Resources & Links ● Blighthouse Studios: Website ● Contact Hem: [email protected] For more podcasting resources, visit themarvzone.org or contact Hem at [email protected]