Editor’s Note: This Voices series is an opportunity to learn more about the creators and changemakers in Alabama who are using their talents to make a difference in their community. Today’s Q&A is with She Well Read, a a book-club podcast dedicated to well-read women, curated by well-read women.
Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind starting your book club podcast? Can you give a brief profile of the hosts? How did you all meet and what ignited the synergy in you two to want to start this together?
The inspiration behind this podcast was to create a community of like-minded women who were invested in becoming well-read. We [Alana and Samra] met as freshmen in college at UAB and have been best friends ever since. We share a love of Beyonce as well as mental health struggles and several of the same “token black girl” experiences. After college, we both ended up working corporate jobs and were both desperate for authentic connections. Thus, She Well Read was born.
Can you describe the process of curating discussions and questions for each book episode?
Curating discussions and questions for each book really come from each of our hearts. Based on our life experiences and understanding of our audience, we can pinpoint what topics will resonate the most within the culture. We also like to hone in on timely or relevant themes before we record an episode, in order to more clearly connect with the Well-Read Baddie gang.
In what ways do you aim to create a sense of community and connection among your listeners? How do you balance providing in-depth analysis and interpretation of each book while also making your podcast accessible and engaging for listeners of all backgrounds?
Our goal of creating the book club into a podcast was so that everyone everywhere could tune in and provide their input no matter where they are. Many of the topics we discuss are relatable to most people’s lives and we talk about them in a way that’s conversational and informative. We try our best to make the show sound like you’re sitting down with your best friends and discussing your latest read. We do this honestly by just being ourselves, all of the conversations you hear are exactly how we sound to each other talking over the phone (except slightly more organized haha).
How has your podcast evolved since its inception, and what changes or developments are you most proud of?
Our evolution has been a slow and steady process since its inception. We are most proud of the decisions we’ve made in regard to finding balance in our everyday lives. We both work full-time jobs while growing our small business/podcast, and in order for our growth to be sustainable, we have to be real with ourselves. Cutting down the overall workload by taking breaks between seasons, and making decisions to stop creating content that is not truly resonating with our audience has helped Alana and Samra to find balance in life.
Can you share any particularly memorable or impactful moments from your podcast’s history so far?
A memorable moment, that actually happened recently, was when we had someone reach out to us on Instagram saying how much they love our show and tune in all the way from Belgium. Hearing that our show is reaching people and making an impact is what we do it for! One of the coolest moments was also when our show was featured on Spotify under their “Dinner Table” highlight! It was so unexpected and really made our year by receiving this type of recognition.
What advice would you give to women who are interested in starting their own book clubs?
Remember your “why.” It’s easy to get “lost in the sauce” so to speak because it does take work to plan and execute a successful book club. The logistical stuff is important, but the purpose of your book club is what will keep people showing up. Keep the energy, sis!
What can we expect from your podcast in the future, and are there any upcoming books or themes that you’re particularly excited to explore on the show?
For all the Birmingham Baddies, we will be hosting a celebration of our 4 year anniversary in July. Stay tuned for more fun merch, as well. Content-wise, we will be focusing a lot on Patreon in the upcoming months. Make sure to subscribe!
What are the three best ways for someone to support She Well Read?
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- Interacting with us on socials. We are everywhere @shewellread.
- Listen and share the show with others.
- Subscribe, like, and comment on all the podcasting platforms (apple, spotify, youtube, etc.).
