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@aishwaryasunil_
Aishwarya Sunil
@aishwaryasunil_ · 0:27

On Writing and Podcasts: In conversation with Jessic Xalxo

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Hello everyone. Welcome to Indie Talk. Today we will be speaking to Jessica who is a journalist and podcaster. She's written for several publications like she the People and is currently a contributing journalist at Rolling Stones India. Today we will be speaking speaking to Jessica about her current podcast Culture Current that discusses pop culture topics such as cinema, poetry, literature and politics. Welcome Jessica. It's great to have you on swell
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@IriscopeX
Jessica Xalxo
@IriscopeX · 0:06
Hey Aishwarya. It's awesome to be here. I love the community on Swell and I'm happy to be in conversation with you today
@aishwaryasunil_
Aishwarya Sunil
@aishwaryasunil_ · 0:13
Thank you for joining us. Jessica, let's head straight into the interview. So I know that you were working as a journalist and still are. But what pursued you to start your podcast? What was your inspiration
@IriscopeX
Jessica Xalxo
@IriscopeX · 0:20
So Aishwarya, I was inspired by artists and the magic of conversations. I think that conversations can birth such incredible art and also lead creatives and others to hack. Their process of crafting their art knowledge makes things even easier. So I wanted to create a podcast that could help inspire and educate people. That's how Culture Current came about
@aishwaryasunil_
Aishwarya Sunil
@aishwaryasunil_ · 0:19
So I am a student of journalism and the way I express myself is mostly through writing. So for me to make a shift to something that is a podcast would be hard. Why did you make the decision to start a podcast after having worked so many years in the writing field
@IriscopeX
Jessica Xalxo
@IriscopeX · 0:47
And it was somewhat easy to approach making and scripting a podcast as I work with a lot of musicians, actors, poets, digital creators. I have also learned how to put a creative project together, how to join all the blocks from A to Z. So it's been a difficult but very rewarding process to transition from being a writer to a podcaster and definitely don't think it's impossible
@aishwaryasunil_
Aishwarya Sunil
@aishwaryasunil_ · 0:16
I think you're one of the very few people that have told me that they're glad that I took journalism. I don't think journalists get a very good rep these days. I wanted to ask you you did say that it was difficult to make the switch to podcast. What were some of the challenges of a new medium
@Swell
Swell Team
@Swell · 0:15

Welcome to Swell!

@IriscopeX
Jessica Xalxo
@IriscopeX · 0:14
I think journalists are amazing in that, you know, it's one of the most difficult jobs in the world. And I commend and salute everyone who does it, no matter which vertical it is. So you asked me what was
@IriscopeX
Jessica Xalxo
@IriscopeX · 1:10
So the challenges of adapting to a new platform was that I had to understand what podcasting was really like. You know, figuring out which platform by the Thunder or, you know, the platform I finally landed upon, which was South Cast, which is an incredible platform for anybody wanted to start a podcast, to kind of edit and distribute and monetize the podcast
@aishwaryasunil_
Aishwarya Sunil
@aishwaryasunil_ · 0:25
I am taking wonderful notes from what you are saying because I believe that I can put it to good use here as well. We as well are also audio based, similar to a podcast. So I think everybody here would be very interested in knowing if there is a difference in which you can reach an audience through podcasting and writing. If there is a difference, how is it? What is the nature of that difference
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@IriscopeX
Jessica Xalxo
@IriscopeX · 0:46
Hey, Aishwarya, thank you so much for the insightful questions. I do not think that there is a difference, because at the end of the day, I think it's just words and words, whether spoken or unspoken, have a huge impact on us. It's just a medium that differs, you know, luckily, there's no dirt of platforms to suit our reading or listening needs. People can come on swell
@aishwaryasunil_
Aishwarya Sunil
@aishwaryasunil_ · 0:17
It's so fascinating that you view it all across mediums as just words. And you should because you use it so beautifully. Where do you plan on taking your words in the future, whether it be in the form of your podcast or your writing? Where do you see yourself in the future as a creator
@IriscopeX
Jessica Xalxo
@IriscopeX · 0:53
Thank you so much, Aishwarya So, as for Culture Current, I see it being a space where knowledge and insights are exchanged. I envision it as a platform that inspires and educates people, that demystify the process behind the creativity that both worth some of the best works of art. I hope Culture Current is a haven for all artists. As for words, I am an author, but I would like to write more fiction. I would love to write fantasy and Sci-Fi fiction
@aishwaryasunil_
Aishwarya Sunil
@aishwaryasunil_ · 0:17
Thank you so much for your time Jessica. I wish you all the best for all your future endeavors and I'm looking forward to consuming it all. I had such a great time speaking to you and I've learnt lots from you today. Thank you so much once again for coming on just well and speaking with me
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@IriscopeX
Jessica Xalxo
@IriscopeX · 0:17
Thank you so much, Aishwarya, for taking out the time to have this conversation and for asking me such insightful and thoughtful working questions. I already see you on your way to being a bright and brilliant journalist. All the very best with everything I had. All things you again for having me on twin
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