Are you tired of hearing the same voices in B2B SaaS?
Then look no further than Taking the Lead, a podcast hosted by Christina Brady. Taking the Lead is shaking up the status quo and amplifying the voices of diverse and accomplished women in revenue.
In this blog post, we get a behind the scenes look into how Christina runs Taking the Lead and get an understanding of the impact its had on her and the audience. Here’s a breakdown of what we cover:
- The Importance of Asking the Right Questions
- Evolution of the Podcast over Time
- Finding and Interviewing Diverse Guests
- The Impact of Running a Podcast
The importance of asking the right questions
As a podcast host, asking the right questions is crucial to keeping the audience engaged and ensuring that the interview is both informative and interesting. Christina Brady constantly works on the art of asking the right questions to get the most out of her guests.
The right questions are built around the core objective of the interivew
When preparing for an interview, Christina takes the time to think about what she wants to get out of the conversation. This allows her to ask questions that will lead to a deeper understanding of the guest’s experiences and insights.
She also avoids asking questions that are likely to lead to generic or rehearsed answers. Instead, she opts for open-ended questions that allow the guest to share their unique perspective and experiences.
Christina also makes sure to keep the audience in mind when crafting her questions. She knows that if the audience is bored, they will tune out. So she always strives to ask questions that will keep them engaged and wanting more.
As a podcast host, you have to know when to pivot the conversation
One of the keys to Christina’s success in asking the right questions is her ability to pivot.
During the interview, if she feels that the conversation is starting to become repetitive or uninteresting, she works hard to steer it in a different direction. This keeps the interview fresh and ensures that the audience is always learning something new.
As a host, Christina also knows when to be quiet and allow the guest to take their time. She gives them the space to share their thoughts and experiences without interruption. This allows the guests to feel comfortable and open up, leading to a more authentic and meaningful conversation.
Asking the right questions is essential to creating a successful podcast. By taking the time to think about what she wants to get out of the conversation and keeping the audience in mind, Christina leads conversations that are both informative and interesting.
The evolution of Taking the Lead
In the early days of Taking the Lead, Christina faced some challenges with her setup. The first several episodes were recorded in the closet of her office. Because she was so worried about ambient noise from her window, she wanted to make sure it wasn’t a distraction.
The technical setup for your remote podcast recordings is always “under construction”
But, as she quickly learned, this setup was not ideal – there was too much of an echo with the audio and didn’t work well for video. From there, she moved to an office and faced a window with great lighting, but the backdrop was a lackluster bed. Finally, she settled on her current setup, which includes a more vibrant background and is more appealing for video.
One of the things Christina knew from her artistic days was the importance of having good equipment to produce good sound. She has since invested in headphones to block out outside noise and a dedicated podcast microphone.
She even did her research and watched YouTube videos about proper mic technique.
Christina’s evolution in her podcast setup is a prime example of how even experienced hosts have to continue to adapt and pivot to make their show the best it can be.
The evolution of your show goes beyond your podcast equipment
This evolution of Taking the Lead is not only about the technical aspects. It’s also about the focus of the show.
Christina wants to keep the show focused on teaching tactics and skills to be successful in the B2B SaaS landscape. Sometimes, this means turning down guests that don’t align with this focus.
After recording over 50 episodes, Christina has realized how important it is for hosts to keep their show’s core values in mind when booking guests. And she has learned not be afraid to say no if guests don’t align with the show’s theme.
The evolution of Taking the Lead is a great reminder of how even the most experienced hosts have to continue to adapt and pivot to make their show the best it can be. From the technical aspects to the theme of the show, hosts must be willing to change and make adjustments to keep their show on track and deliver valuable content to their audience over time.
Want to check out the latest episodes?
Taking the Lead is a podcast for B2B Tech professionals, leaders, and executives who are looking to learn and be inspired. In each episode, Christina Brady interviews one of the top female icons who are at the forefront of revenue teams. Through highlighting their unique stories, journey, wins, and challenges, Taking the Lead helps tech professionals understand the industry, trends, and how to navigate the B2B Tech landscape.
Finding and interviewing the leading females in revenue
One of the core values of Taking the Lead is to provide a platform for diverse voices in the B2B SaaS industry.
As Christina explains, “I can’t interview every incredible woman in the world because we do have a lens where we are teaching people tactics and skills on how to be successful in this B2B SaaS landscape.”
The importance of an inbound and outbound podcast guest strategy
Even though Christina is selective about the guests for the show, she has developed a solid inbound and outbound strategy to fill her pipeline of guests.
First, Christina receives a lot of referrals from listeners and other industry professionals. These referrals come from people who have come across someone they think would be a great fit for the show.
Christina also actively seeks out guests by cruising different social media channels.
“I will honestly cruise LinkedIn or whatever social channel if I see a company that does something really neat. I’ll look into the company and I’ll say like, ‘Who are the female leaders and who can I grab to highlight what they’re doing?’”
Why it’s crucial to determine how your podcast guest will help your audience
Christina also mentions that it’s important to have a clear understanding of what you’re looking for in a guest. It’s not always easy to say no to a guest, especially if they are an interesting and accomplished individual.
However, to maintain the focus of the show and to provide value to the listeners, Christina has to be selective about who she invites on as a guest. She only chooses guests who are in the B2B SaaS industry and who have the right experience to share.
Christina’s approach to finding and interviewing diverse guests is a great example of how to maintain a focused and high-quality podcast while also providing a platform for diverse voices.
By having a clear understanding of what she wants to achieve with the show and developing a solid inbound and outbound strategy, Christina has been able to create a pipeline of guests that keeps the show fresh and interesting.
It is a great reminder that even if you have a specific niche, it’s still possible to find a diverse range of guests who can bring valuable insights and perspectives to your audience.
The impact of running a podcast
When Christina decided to start Taking the Lead, she never imagined the impact it would have on her both personally and professionally. Over the course of two years and 50+ episodes, Christina has had the opportunity to interview a diverse group of women in the industry and share their stories and insights with her audience.
But the impact of the show goes beyond just the guests and the listeners. It has also had a profound effect on Christina herself.
Understanding the importance of being heard
One of the most significant impacts of running the podcast has been the opportunity to help other people realize that it is okay to be heard and speak up. Christina has received countless messages from listeners who have been inspired by an episode or a guest, and have gone into meetings or presentations feeling more confident and prepared.
Knowing that the podcast has had such a positive impact on others is incredibly rewarding for Christina.
“There are people that I don’t know. That I’ve never met…who will reach out on LinkedIn and say, ‘I listen to your podcast and this episode specifically, and I’m going into X, Y, Z meeting so much more inspired.’ I feel so lucky. So many people don’t have the opportunity to do that.”
Getting used to “putting yourself out there”
Running the podcast has also helped Christina to become more comfortable with putting herself out there. As the host of the show, Christina is the face and voice of the podcast, and she has had to learn to be comfortable with that.
She has also had to learn how to promote the show and herself, which can be challenging for some people. But Christina has learned how to be more confident in her own abilities and in her value as a professional.
In addition, the podcast has also helped Christina to build her personal brand. The show has given her a platform to share her insights and opinions on the industry, and as a result, she has become recognized as a thought leader in the B2B SaaS space.
This has opened up new opportunities for her, both in terms of networking and in terms of her career. For example, Christina has recently taken on a new role as SVP of Sales at Spekit, a just-in-time learning platform designed to drive team efficiency and impact.
Recognizing how a podcast contributes to your legacy
The podcast has also helped Christina to think about the legacy she wants to leave in the industry. The show has given her the opportunity to shine a spotlight on women in the B2B SaaS space and to help them to build their own personal brands.
And by doing so, Christina is not only helping these women succeed, but she is also helping to create a more diverse and inclusive industry for future generations.
Taking the Lead has given Christina a platform to promote diverse voices in the industry, helped her to become more comfortable with putting herself out there, and has helped her to build her personal brand and think about her legacy in the industry.
If you’re a B2B podcaster, it’s important to consider the impact that your show can have on both yourself and your guests.
Follow along with Taking the Lead
As a podcast host, you have the flexibility to build a show based upon your experiences and beliefs. With Taking the Lead, Christina demonstrates how to build a pipeline of diverse and inspiring guests while also keeping focus on a niche guest profile.
As the podcast continues to grow, we hope that it continues to inspire and empower more women in the B2B SaaS industry.
If you’re interested in learning more about Christina, you can find her on LinkedIn or hosting amazing interviews on Taking the Lead (available on all major podcast platforms).
Written by Tristan Pelligrino
Tristan Pelligrino is the Co-Founder of Motion. He’s a serial entrepreneur who started his career as a consultant with large IT companies such as PwC, IBM and Oracle. After getting his MBA, he started and grew one of the fastest video production companies in the country – which was listed on the Inc. 5000. Tristan now enjoys leading the content marketing strategies of some of the most innovative B2B technology companies in the country. You can find him on LinkedIn and Facebook.
