Threads
Bluesky
Mastodon
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
Linktr.ee/nevillehobson
, , , , , , ,

The FIR podcast and a foundational decade

By

Neville Hobson

•

FIR episode 1: January 3, 2005

Today is a special day for my podcasting partner, Shel Holtz, and I as we mark a milestone – January 3, 2005 to January 3, 2015 – that is ten years to the day since we started For Immediate Release: The Hobson and Holtz Report, a business podcast that has grown in ways in which we didn’t imagine back in 2004 when we were planning it.

I’ve talked and mused about FIR – as the show has become known over the years, a moniker coined by Lee Hopkins in Australia – from time to time in this blog, as well as reflect on podcasting itself.

Shel has waxed lyrical and in considerable detail about FIR and its history in a terrific post he published on his blog a few days ago. If you’re interested in the detailed history of FIR, please read it.

What I concisely reflect on today is that milestone of quantity and where it leads. Ten years of podcasting. Ten years of commentary and opinion from two communicators who, as we described ourselves in that first episode a decade ago, “think they have something to say.”

788 episodes – and counting – of a show that we did twice a week for half of its life, settling in to its current weekly schedule in 2010. The expansion of the original show into what I used to describe as “the FIR podcast series” – the interviews we did with newsmakers, influencers and opinion-formers from the online technology and organizational communication worlds, and beyond. The book reviews we did (and much done by Bob LeDrew in Canada). And the podcasting book that came about in 2007, just two years into FIR.

I must mention, too, the occasional podcasts of speeches, keynote addresses, breakout sessions, and other recordings from meetings and conferences. The FIR Cuts: virtual clippings of topics that didn’t make it into a show but would have been a shame to just delete the recordings. And quite a few more shows.

So many people involved in all of that, many of whom Shel mentions in his post. For me, names that form a memorable resonance every time I think of FIR are our sponsors present (Ragan Communications, CustomScoop and Igloo Software) and past (TemboSocial); the “here’s how to reach FIR” voice of Donna Papacosta; and our correspondents – past and present, regular and occasional – that include Lee Hopkins, David Phillips, Dan York, Eric Schwartzman, Michael Netzley, Bernie Goldbach and Harry Hawk.

And then, the listeners and friends of FIR – those of you who download or stream episodes and engage in ongoing discussion in the FIR Podcast Community on Google+ and elsewhere. You have accounted for downloads of more than 2.3 million since that first show ten years ago, according to Libsyn, our file hosting service who we have been with for the whole time.

Without all of you, FIR would not have evolved the way it has. Thank you.

FIR Podcast Network

Just over a year ago, FIR began a new phase, reaching for a new level, as the “FIR podcast series” suddenly became the FIR Podcast Network as new voices joined those of Shel and I to offer their opinions and perspectives on topics about which they are passionate through their own shows that extend the FIR brand.

And so we start our 11th year of podcasting already with a network of shows by a raft of talented people from around the world who selflessly give their time and energy to offer comment, opinion and insights on topics that always find listeners – check out the current network shows from (name links go to the show home pages on the FIR website) Rachel Miller; Chip Griffin; Paul Gillin; Kevin Anselmo; Glenn Gaudet; Joe Thornley, Gini Dietrich and Martin Waxman; Chuck Hester; Andrea Vascellari; Dan York; Mitchell Levy; Ron Shewchuk; Kristine D’Arbelles and Julia Kent.

There are new network members and shows coming soon. And a brand new online presence fit for purpose for a growing podcasting network!

As Shel notes in his post, we have big ideas for the FIR Podcast Network and, in due time, we’ll be sharing what we want and plan to do.

In the meantime, please enjoy any or all the shows we publish, and tune in to the 10th anniversary episode of the anchor show (as The Hobson and Holtz Report is known) on Monday January 5, the usual day we publish the weekly show. We’ll be recording at about 5pm GMT on Monday with the show being posted later that evening GMT.

And if you have a burning topic that you’re passionate about that you think would appeal to a global, influential audience as a podcast, well, let us know, we’d love to discuss your ideas!

Neville Hobson and Shel Holtz
[L-R] Neville Hobson and Shel Holtz in London, October 2014.

31 responses to “The FIR podcast and a foundational decade”

  1. Andrew Grill avatar
    Andrew Grill

    Neville and Shel, happy 10th birthday for the FIR – glad to have been on a couple of shows and hope to be invited onto many more! Best wishes for the next 10. In 2015 to have a successful podcast where you must compete for the attention of the “top 10 lists” it seems, this is something to celebrate – bravo!

    1. Neville Hobson avatar
      Neville Hobson

      Thanks, Andrew, appreciate your kind words. And memorable conversations!

  2. Laura avatar
    Laura

    Congratulations on your 10th anniversary guys. This is a time for celebrating indeed. Ok! I’m a podcaster widow, but hey… I wish you many more to come!!

    1. Neville Hobson avatar
      Neville Hobson

      Thank you! Be thankful you’re not a golf widow – I hear that’s seriously worse :)

  3. Tudor Williams avatar
    Tudor Williams

    Congratulations to you both on a profession changing achievement. You have had a profound impact and influence on communicators and other professionals around the world with you innovation and thought leadership. Thank you.

    1. Neville Hobson avatar
      Neville Hobson

      Thanks, Tudor, appreciate your comments!

  4. Keith Childs avatar
    Keith Childs

    Neville and Shel- this is an an amazing achievement! Wow, 10 years. I’m not sure what’s most amazing- that you managed to produce a great show every week – juggling timezones, public holidays and individual absences due to travel- or that you managed to stay professionally together. Many rock bands can’t stay together that long- so you guys rock!

Hello, and

Welcome

Prime Topics

ALL TOPICS

Latest 5 Posts

Podcasts

FIR Interviews

Blogroll

Vuelio Top 10 Blog 2024
CC BY-SA