In my real job I do a lot of evangelizing about blogging and its benefits as a tool for marketers. I have not been as bullish about podcasting, however. The audio files take too long to download, are tedious to listen to, and usually just plain suck. Lately, I find myself changing my tune a bit when it comes to podcasting. Some new audio enclosure technologies have made it much easier to stream podcasts from a blog or RSS feed, removing my download complaint. In addition, people have started to realize that a podcast is not a substitute for the written word, but another avenue that should be used when listening will enhance one's understanding of the topic. Thus, the content is getting better.
So I find myself listening to more podcasts these days. The other day I listened to the inaugural Crooked Cog Podcast produced by Tim Grahl. For those that don't know, Tim Grahl is the purveyor of the Crooked Cog network of blogs which includes the notable Blue Collar Mountain Biking and TwentyNineInches, among others. I met Tim at last year's Interbike and read his blogs regularly, so I was most interested in this new addition to the growing network.
In this first podcast, Grahl interviewed Tim Jackson, Brand Manager of Masi Bicycles. Talk about a "worst to first" story. Jackson is almost singlehandedly responsible for resurrecting this dead bicycle brand and growing it into a well respected specialty road bike company. And, he did it all by blogging. Even if you are familiar with the story of this brand manager with a small budget and a blog, you should listen to this podcast. Grahl does a nice job with this interview leading Jackson to tell the history of Masi Bicycles and how it came to be a part of the Haro Bicycle Company today.
As you listen you won't be able to help but hear the enthusiasm for cycling and blogging by Jackson. The two Tims are incredibly comfortable in this interview which sounds more like a conversation - there's hardly an "um" or "ah" between them. The production quality is very high with little or no noticeable feedback or hissing noises, despite this being a phone interview (or at least I think it was).
All in all, a great first podcast from Crooked Cog. Grahl has made some excellent contacts in the cycling industry so I'm sure we'll be treated to some more cool interviews in the weeks to come.
