It’s 2024 and I remember there was an explosion of podcasts in 2020. The pandemic was a giant supernova that birthed all of these new stars. Now it’s such an abundance of them that some may think they’re overdone at this point.

Is writing overdone? Is reading overdone? Is watching a movie overdone? Exactly. There will always be a place for this genre of audio experience in our culture. I believe it's the new album.

To me, they’re mini audiobooks. I’m at the stage of my life where they’re useful because I walk and work out to them. I created this audio verse between what I’m listening to and my 3D environment. It’s seamless. My journey began in 2017 when most weren’t even thinking about podcasts.

You see I researched and found out that you can record a podcast right on your phone. My Mother is a pastor who no longer has a physical church building.

I was looking for innovative ways for her to get her message out there. Then I helped a friend that I met on IG from India start her pod. It’s called Heal with Shay and she had me on as a guest in 2020.

That interview began my road to where I’m currently at. Then in 2021, a fellow composer from Greece had a YouTube channel on Stock Music Licensing that I watched and then I realized he had a separate podcast on Spotify.

I started listening to his podcast on my Saturday walks and I’ve been listening for almost 3 years. He started as the Stock Music Licensing Podcast, then Creative Music Podcast, and most recently The Daniel Carrizalez Podcast.

I’ve witnessed all of the evolution of the name changes. His last recent name change inspired me the most. It was surprising because The Creative Entrepreneurs Podcast is a cool name to me. I never would've thought he would change that name.

Daniel got to the point where he realized he was the brand and using his name doesn’t box him into any genre. My Podcast name was originally Creative Visionary but for some reason, I just kept procrastinating.

I have theme music for it planned qued and ready to go. I couldn’t think of topics. Why? I felt limited. I’m a man with many stories and experiences that can’t be contained so why not use my brand name?

P.o.p. Presents: Walter P.o.p. Matthews IV. I’m presenting myself. When I did that the floodgate of show ideas poured in.

So after ironically having a great night at work when I arrived home, I sat in my car for a moment as the rain slowly dropped in my sunroof and covered my windshield. As I looked around and just heard the sound of my breath I realized I was in a soundproof studio.

My car. I wasn’t ready to record my first episode but Spotify for Podcasters gives you the option to record a trailer to get started. I thought to myself…if not now then…when? Sometimes you have to stop overthinking and just take action.

So I wrote the trailer in my notes and then recorded the trailer in one take. The recording initially had some ambient outside noise and raindrops but they had stock music that you could add.

I found music that fit perfectly and I was surprised at how well it mixed. I’m a sound engineer so that intrigued me Hey, technology has advanced.

Anyway, when I heard the playback I thought to myself, this is it. I did it. I was all smiles and overflowing with joy.

This is symbolic because not only was the way I speak made fun of growing up, but I also disliked the sound of my voice for many years Now it’s time to use the instrument that God gave me.

Here’s the transcript of my trailer. Thank you for reading.

Well, it looks like I'm doing this. No turning back now.

I am Walter P.o.p. Matthews IV and you're listening to P.O.P. Presents.

This is a step into the beautiful unknown. I'm an artist that will paint sonic paintings that will be continuous and never end. Always evolving and expanding.

I named this podcast after myself because no one can tell the story of me better than me. There are no boundaries or limitations stopping me either. I'm free.

https://anchor.fm/pop-presents