093 - Happy 3rd Anniversary Edacious!

Edacious

Edacious - Food Talk for Gluttons is three years old! It shows. Go ahead, listen to some of the earlier work. You'll hear the difference. When I started this project in 2015 I had no idea. No idea how to podcast, no idea what my goal was, no idea what would happen or if it would be worthwhile. I was afraid of so many things. But I showed up anyway. And WOW! I'm so glad I did. This podcast has not only been the most rewarding project I've undertaken in my life, it has changed me. How I see the world and how I approach relationships. Both with others and with myself. The people I've met, the stories I hear, the experiences I have all galvanize me toward doing more and doing it better. I'm so very grateful to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to sit face to face with me and have a conversation.

This year saw many changes that will keep this podcast strong in its focus on community and on the stories of folks doing the Work of Food in our area. People edacious about what they do. Here is a quick and dirty rundown:

• Edacious gained a mentor. (Thanks Jay!)
• And a food writing student. (Thanks Annie!)
• I took a business course at CIC.
• I met my podcasting hero, Marc Maron.
• Edacious did its first live events.
• And its first rants. The first of many I'm sure.
• And its first moderated panel discussions focused around a topic. More to come!
• I judged probably my last food competition. Because my tummy is old and cannot handle trying 15 different types of fried chicken. Lordy!
• The newsletter got redesigned and went to monthly, from weekly. Have you subscribed?
• Edacious gained one additional Patreon sponsor!
• Edacious sold its first sponsorship ads! Would you like to advertise your event for only $25? Or purchase a package of EVERGREEN advertising over six episodes you choose yourself? Email me for a press kit!
• I posted our first Edacity blogs, which highlights food writing done in our region.
• Edacious became part of the TEEJ.fm podcast network hosted by WTJU.
• I was on the radio with host MC Blair.
• Best of all? Edacious hosted its first-ever fundraiser and live meet-and-greet, The Big Love Bakesale, which raised almost $700 for my BFF Scott Nichols, who is suffering from colorectal cancer, the 3rd most diagnosed cancer in men. An utterly life-changing experience for him. And me.
• Yeah it's a lot. Half the reason I'm writing it all out is: 1) I kinda don't believe it, and 2) If I ever find a chance to update my LinkedIn profile...which I haven't done for TWO YEARS I can use this list ;)

Here are my favorites. The episodes where I was firing on all cylinders, where the conversations ran deep. I've included short clips of each as well as my own thoughts on why these talks left me feeling I'd moved monumentally forward on life's short trajectory.

All my guests were terrific, but these five most closely represent this podcast's mission. To showcase our food community and give voice to the folks working hard to make sure we eat well. If there is one recurrent theme here it is community because whether it's a pig farm, a winery, a distillery, or someone who writes about food every one of the folks I talked to strive every day to make sure we are stronger together.

Ninety-two episodes, hours and hours of conversation, and close to 40,000 downloads. I've learned so much. I'm filled to the brim with gratitude because without you, without this community, Edacious simply would not exist. Thank you. After three years of triumphs and missteps, Edacious is going along full-steam ahead with exciting new ventures and projects in the works. Before tackling all of them, I wanted to take a minute to look back. To reflect on a truly great year. Sure 2017 was no picnic, but here? It was good. All good. If you only listen to one episode, make it this one.