Timing [PODCAST 4-5/30]

How long will each episode last and when will I upload new episodes?

I’d really like your feedback on this!

I’m thinking of releasing a new episode once a month. 12 episodes a year seems very doable, considering my current work load (church planting and raising two young kids). The downside is that once a month might be difficult for people to create a schedule around, and I can only interview 12 people a month (if I do an interview once a month). How often do you listen to podcasts? I am not doing this podcast to make money, but another factor to consider is that posting episodes more frequently means I’ll get more views and chances for advertisers to get on board. This isn’t a huge issue since I don’t really plan on having advertisers.

Secondly, I was originally thinking that each episode should be 30 minutes (get through an episode in a drive). If episodes are released once a month, and I’m working hard to find good guests, maybe I should spend at least an hour in a conversation. What’s your preference?

Format [PODCAST 3/30]

As of now, I’m deciding between two formats for the podcast:

1. One on One Interview with occasional solo episodes

2. A Group of People interviewing people with occasional solo episodes

Creating messages weekly is something already in my schedule (I’m a pastor), so I don’t want want to do that. I simply don’t have enough time to pull a podcast message and a church message off regularly. While interviews require their own special kind of work, I’m hoping that it will be a different muscle for me to be used.

I like the idea of a one on one interview (even though it’s kinda cliche in the podcast space) because of the flexibility it gives me and the change to meet amazing people.

I also like the idea of interviewing people with my friends because it seems more fun (a chance for more off the cuff jokes and less weight for me as an individual to carry).

As I move forward, I plan on experimenting with both of these formats.

What’s your preference for listening?

The Subject [PODCAST 2/30]

This is the working description for the podcast:

“My name is Pradeepan Jeeva and I’m a brown pastor in Seattle learning to navigate the tension between future technology and timeless theology. Help me learn by feeding me questions to interview experts with.”

Being a pastor on the Eastside of Seattle in Bellevue, WA has connected me with business leaders who are literally shaping the future. I’ve had people from our church share their testimony with me in a virtual reality space, and it seems like I’m constantly discussing things like bitcoin and artificial intelligence with people who are heavily involved with it.

To be honest, I really love it and want to discuss it more. Sharing all these things during a Sunday morning sermon isn’t appropriate so I want to create an ecosystem for people who like these kind of discussions.

Especially after watching “The Social Dilemma” I felt a conviction to address head on the impact technology is having on humanity from a pastoral and Jesus centered perspective. That documentary showcases the impact social media algorithms have on our societal structure and self worth, and I believe the Gospel is desperately needed in these areas. I look forward to asking experts questions from a pastoral perspective—because I can see first hand on all this impacts our community.

UPDATE:

My sister has gotten a few high profile leaders in AI & Deep Learning/Machine Learning to be interviewed on my podcast! These interviews will give me credibility from day 1! Thanks Sister!

I'm Starting a Podcast! [PODCAST 1/30]

Let the 2021 Blogrimage Begin!

Every year, for the Blogrimage, we pick a 30 day challenge and blog about it everyday.

This year, I’m starting a podcast! I like talking about technology, futurology, crytptocurrency, leadership and theology. I want to create a podcast as an excuse to talk to experts in these fields.

Over the next 30 days I will…

• Pick a title, format and goal for the podcast

• Get equipment and solidify interviews

• Learn how to interview

• Interview people and learn how to upload/market the podcast

HELP ME!

If you have a good idea for the podcast title could be, let me know!
If you can connect me with experts to interview, let me know!

Much Love,

Pradeepan

Autism Rap Song

Here’s the fruit of the 2020 Blogrimage:

When our son was diagnosed with Autism, a lot of people told us not be sad. Just celebrate his uniqueness. Just trust God. Special people get special kids.

Even with these motivational statements, I still felt sad and felt guilty for feeling sad.

While I do celebrate his uniqueness, I've had to grieve the death of some dreams and expectations. He is 4 years old and still doesn't call me dad, play catch or do many of the things I've waited my whole life for.

For all the people with Autism in their lives who felt like their emotions, thoughts and feelings aren't valid, this song is a lament for you.

If you resonate with the song, click here for help:

itscalledautism.com

Lyrics:

Why can’t you understand me. Why can’t I understand you? 

What can I do to get through to you? 

Look at my new born child, healthy as can be.  

Just kidding, he’s got a diagnosis nobody can see.

It’s called Autism, the spectrum that wrecked him, a prison within— I feel like I lost him.  

His mind is a puzzle, but I’m the one in pieces, doctors say there’s no cure, so I pray to Jesus.  

I’d never choose this kind of news.

If birth is a gamble, did I just lose? 

It’s always a surprise when a dream dies, and you realize, it’s time to reprioritize.  

And your happily ever, looks miserable forever, and there’s no hope your kid will ever get better.  

I feel guilty for feeling sad. “Your is kid is special. Aren’t you glad.” A kid like Kodi Lee can’t be that bad. 

He looks normal—used to speak 100 words, but lost them. 

Didn’t vaccinate and he still got Autism. 

Why can’t you understand me. Why can’t I understand you? 

What can I do to get through to you? 

Why can’t you understand me. Why can’t I understand you? 

Oh can you see what I’m going through?  

Sometimes I wonder, “What did I do wrong?" You acting normal didn’t last that long.  

Now You destroy your room, and smear poop on the wall, I remember when you first learned how to crawl.  

You used to smile and respond to my voice, now you don’t know where to look because of all the noise.  

Sometimes I can’t stand seeing him. 

He reminds me of the prayers  God isn’t answering. 

I’m trying to be a good father. Why bother?  If I left, you’d find another. 

What should I do when you scream for hours? 

I wanted to be super dad but I lost my powers. 

Sometimes I say life would be better without you, a coping mechanism for my broken heart coming through. 

Before you judge and invalidate my feelings, 

Would you love me and help this bleeding heart find healing. 

Why can’t you understand me. Why can’t I understand you? 

What can I do to get through to you? 

Why can’t you understand me. Why can’t I understand you? 

Oh can you see what I’m going through?  

What’s going to happen after I die? 

Tell me how to switch places, I Promise I’ll try.  

Nothings for sure, still hoping for a cure, even when people judge me for thinking you’re not pure.  

Gluten Free Dairy Free is anything but free--Supplements and protocols are costly.   

They say Divorce comes eventually when ASD puts stress between your mom and me. 

ABA therapy and evaluations are expensive 

$60,000 dollars a year just to live?

This is insane—how can I get in that brain?

I’m sorry if my panic is causing you pain.    

Maybe you're the strong and silent type, but you’re not that strong. Your a kid—this is wrong.  

If you’re happy and you know it, say something 

Even "I hate you" is better than nothing. 

I know you’re not the only one. This is an epidemic taking all our sons 

This feels like silence before the slaughter 

Lord, please don’t let this happen to my daughter.  

-

Happy Autism Awareness Month,

Pradeepan

Kinda done? [RAP SONG 16-30/30]

Well, the 2020 Blogrimage is over! Coronavirus took over my mental bandwidth these last two weeks. I’m a pastor and I’ve had to work with my team to essentially relaunch Kalos Church as an Online Church. So, I have done minimal work on my rap song.

I had a plan to film a music video last week and have it edited for today, but we got a “shelter in place” law passed in Washington State, so we didn’t film altogether. Instead, I’m going to release a lyric video of my song in two weeks. I’m not sure exactly when we’ll all be able to legally film again, so lyric video it is.

I’m going to bullet point some of the lessons, thoughts and highlights from this Blogrimage:

• Sometimes you got to put passion projects on the shelf to take care of your family and profession

• I really am hard on myself. I rewrote my song and rerecorded my vocals more than 60 times.

• It is very therapeutic to write and perform a personal rap song

• Several of my friends and family members cried when hearing the song for the first time

• It’s really awkward and vulnerable to watch someone listen to your very personal song

• Writing one rap song makes me want to write another. I think I could do it better

• I love working with amazing creatives

• I think my song will help people, but I’m worried about all the people it might offend. I love my son and want to honor him while sharing true feelings I had. I don’t want my shock of dealing with autism make people think I hate my son or hate people with Autism

• It’s easy for me to obsess over a song I’m writing. I’m constantly thinking of new lyrics

• While I love working via the internet on a project, it’s so much faster when you work in a studio with someone. You can make a bunch of consecutive tweaks instead of having to communicate everything

• Because I’m so picky, I end up feeling bad for all the changes I want to make with my producer

• I know I’m not the best rapper, but I enjoyed the process of creating. I don’t have huge expectations of this song going anywhere, but it’s made a big impact

Thanks for following my journey! I’ll post the lyric video when it’s done!

Much love!