Union City, TN – April 2, 2025- “The Mill Workspace shares goal of aiding up-and-coming podcasters”
The American Advertising Federation of West Tennessee and Adelsberger Marketing brought together industry professionals, podcasters, and media enthusiasts for the highly anticipated Podalyst workshop on Wednesday, April 2, at Discovery Park of America.
The event, held from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., featured a dynamic lineup of speakers who shared insights on podcasting strategies, storytelling, branding, and production techniques.
Event sponsor Kevin Adelsberger, owner of Adelsberger Marketing, said “It was really great to be with other like-minded podcasters and see faces light up as people who are thinking about launching a podcast got ideas!”
Discovery Park of America President and CEO Scott Williams said the biggest takeaway for him was for those considering hosting their own production “to just get started!”
The event welcomed notable speakers, including:
- Merry Brown – Host of Conflict Managed
- Scott Williams – Host of REELFOOT FORWARD
- Marsh Naidoo – Host of Raising Kellan
- Kenneth Cummings – Host of East Main 101
- Kevin Adelsberger – Owner of Adelsberger Marketing and host of 40x45, The West Tennessee Business Podcast
- Aaron Miller – Host of Armchair Explorer
- Scott Heit – Producer of the Pocket Change Podcast
- Ilana Newman – The Daily Yonder and Rural Remix: Podcasting for Rural America
- Chris Donaldson – The Mill Workspace and Garage Podcast Studio in Dyersburg
Each provided valuable expertise on various aspects of podcasting, from content creation and audience engagement to technical production and marketing.
Merry Brown and Scott Williams kicked off the event by discussing their podcasting journeys, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, strategic planning, and mutual endorsement between hosts and guests.
Brown went on to interview Raising Kellan host Marsh Naidoo about the challenges she encountered when starting her podcast. Naidoo offered recommendations for up-and-coming podcasters, including equipment, strategies for audience interaction and methods to improve quality.
Former Jackson Sun photojournalist Kenneth Cummings, who now serves as the Communications Director for the City of Jackson, shared insights into how he got started video podcasting and how he has used East Main 101 to highlight the roles of city employees and enhance public awareness of how they serve citizens.
Kevin Adelsberger, owner of Adelsberger Marketing, highlighted the technical aspects of recording and editing for high-quality audio production. Adelsberger also touched on his own podcast, 40x45-The West Tennessee Business Podcast, that shares the journeys of various entrepreneurs in the region.
The Mill Workspace CEO Chris Donaldson introduced The Garage Podcast Studio, a venue designed to support aspiring podcasters in Northwest Tennessee. Donaldson also shared how The Mill is working to help businesses start and grow among the nine counties of Northwest Tennessee.
Armchair Explorer’s Aaron Miller delved into the art of storytelling, engagement, and immersive recording techniques, while Scott Heit shared the origins of the Leaders Credit Union’s Pocket Change Podcast and its multi-platform promotion strategy, including blogs, social media, and video content. Ilana Newman of the Daily Yonder rounded out the event with a discussion on repurposing content and leveraging podcasts for broader media reach.
Attendees gained hands-on knowledge about podcasting equipment, software, branding, and promotional strategies, making the event a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced podcasters. The Podalyst event reinforced the growing influence of podcasting in modern media and provided a collaborative space for creators to network, discuss strategy, and expand their reach.
