Our Spotlight on the Arts for September 2024 shines brightly on local podcast hosts, Lindsey Pommerenck and James LePore of The ArtsFam Podcast!
How would you describe The ArtsFam Podcast?
Lindsey: It’s a Southern Maryland (SoMD) based video podcast that spotlights the local arts and entertainment. Each episode we interview an artist or entertainer that is a part of something that you can enjoy doing in our local area.
Plus, at the end of each episode, we provide a list of bonus events that you can take part in that week!
James: Our podcast takes you backstage, on-location, and inside the minds of the people who entertain us. We don’t ask the recycled questions others do – we attempt to gain a deeper knowledge of what makes an actor, musician, play, or event tick. Viewers can not only find out things to do but go to events feeling a little “closer” to the action, which adds to their experience.
2) What were your inspirations for starting this podcast?
Lindsey: James and I often talked about how we wanted to do something fun on the weekend locally in SoMD. Having to travel into DC or Northern Virginia to enjoy an event can sometimes feel daunting when you want to do something low key and relaxing.
We began discussing how James used to host a local tv show adjacent to that concept and how much of a passion I have for the local arts community. Between my journalistic experience and James’ interviewing experience, a video podcast seemed like the ideal merging of our respective talents!
James: As Lindsey said, I used to host a popular show on Metrocast Channel 10, The Buzz, where I did over 200 episodes. Every week I interviewed the best performers that SoMD had to offer.
I was a longtime fan of Lindsey’s entertainment coverage in print. We ultimately realized that we should combine our talents to create something together. The chemistry works – that’s the number one thing viewers tell us. We have even been called the “Regis and Kelly of Southern Maryland”!
Do you have a favorite aspect of the production of The ArtsFam?
Lindsey: For me it’s always been about the amazing people that we get to meet. We’ve gotten to interview everyone from a local Santa to a world-renowned mentalist to some amazing local actors, and everyone else in between.
Getting to see the humanity within each person that we interview and see how that informs their art has been a true honor for me. I’m also an absolute nerd for all things video production, so there’s that.
James: Oh, the people, for sure. We make sure that we spend some time with the performers off-air, which creates an atmosphere of casual comfort during the show. If we can make viewers feel that they are seeing a bit of “behind the curtain,” then our efforts have succeeded.
4) Many of the episodes are approximately 30 minutes in length. How long does it take to create a podcast?
Lindsey: From start to finish, an episode can take anywhere from 15 hours or more between coordinating with a prospective guest, episode content planning, filming, editing, and promotion.
I handle the technical elements of filming our episodes with three cameras in 4K with a 3-5 point lighting system and professional audio equipment, along with editing. James does all of the research for the content, as well as editing our reels for social media.
James: Well, first of all I have to say that Lindsey takes on the Herculean task of editing all of the footage into a beautifully composed piece. I know it takes her a lot of time to create the product that you end up seeing. I am continually amazed!
I have contacts, interviewing experience, and the ability to ferret out interesting guests and events. It takes a lot of time, for sure, to create each episode, each of which we feel is a “little work of art.” While Lindsey is setting up the myriads of equipment, I am usually chatting with the guests, helping them relax and feel as comfortable as chatting with friends.
Where do you see The ArtsFam a year from now? Five years from now?
Lindsey: It is our utmost hope that the beautiful human beings who watch (and listen) to our podcast will continue to share it. It has always been our number one priority to highlight the insane amount of talent that we are fortunate enough to have in our community. We hope to eventually expand to other parts of the DMV.
James: Live from Las Vegas. Just kidding! We want to continue spreading our message of “there’s more to do in Southern Maryland than you have time to do”. We ask viewers to share the episodes with their friends, even out-of-state ones, in the hopes that people will realize what fun they can have here and come visit. We are always told how funny many of the shows are, so why not watch 30 minutes of something that entertains you, no matter where you are from?
6) What are a few of your other interests or occupations outside of The ArtsFam?
Lindsey: I am a stay-at-home mom of three adorable little kiddos. In my (limited) free time, I enjoy freshwater fishkeeping, writing, theatre, reading, yoga, art, and video production.
James: My family, my pets, my friends, acting (stage, film, commercial work), e-commerce sales, social media, collecting comics and collectibles, everything unexplained, science, music, and learning new things every single day.
Thank you, Lindsey and James, for being a valuable part of our creative community!
Meet Lindsey and James on First Friday, September 6, 2024 from 5-8 PM as they will be doing a live podcast taping at St. Mary’s County Arts Council! (www.smcart.org)
Learn more about The ArtsFam and our featured artists at the links below:
The ArtsFam Podcast
Facebook – The ArtsFam
Instagram – @wearetheartsfam
YouTube – The ArtsFam @wearetheartsfam
TikTok – The ArtsFam
Contact The ArtsFam by email: lindsey@theartsfam.com