Your Podcast Needs an Enemy
When I was a kid, I’d go to live wrestling events at the local fairgrounds. This was in the early 80s, back in the days of independent promoters who set up shows in small auditoriums, not at all like the arena-sized “rock shows” big companies like WWE do today.
It wasn’t flashy. You sat on metal folding chairs and everything happened in a worn-out ring that had been set up just a couple of hours before the event.
The wrestlers, who were arguably more like the audience than not, were “normal” guys trying to make a name for themselves and make a few bucks to feed their families. There were some who were well-liked and maybe known locally or regionally, but no real superstars—these were working entertainers, many probably working day jobs as well.
So when a friend of mine in the fighting event business asked me if I wanted to go to a “modern” independent wrestling event, I agreed. If nothing else, it would be nostalgic for me.
As I was sitting there, watching the crowd cheer one guy in the ring, then immediately boo the other, it occurred to me—these dudes are working for the same company and, because of this, on the same team.
How do so many people miss that?
Because nobody likes a hooray-for-everyone sporting event. And even if wrestling is fake, it's a better experience for everybody when each of us picks sides.
If there’s one thing the business of wrestling gets right, it’s making the difference between the two people in the ring obvious—the people watching know which guy to cheer for.
The same is true for any “option” you present on your podcast.
Pick a side. Have opinions. Call things out. Don't just "like" everything.
People want to know where you stand, so stand for something.
A related example of how this works in radio and podcasting …
Have you ever listened to talk radio and heard somebody call in who doesn’t belong?
A prank caller, for example …
Maybe a “liberal” on a conservative show. Or a “Satanist” on a Christian show.
These guys may not be employees of the show, but both sides are in on the joke, because an irate caller or prankster makes listeners feel something.
So don’t get upset if you take calls from listeners and have something like this happen to you—it’s actually helpful.
