In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent, Brian, and AJ tackle the part of content creation most small businesses skip: what to do after you hit record.They break down simple DIY editing moves that instantly make your videos feel more professional (without turning you into a full-time editor). You’ll hear practical advice on trimming dead space, avoiding the “millennial pause,” getting better feedback, and deciding when to polish vs. when to just post and learn.They also dig into how music, pacing, captions, and color subtly shape emotion—and why you don’t need to master all of it to start making better content.What You’ll Learn / Big MomentsThe #1 DIY edit everyone should do: Trim the beginning and end so viewers don’t watch you hit record, adjust gear, or fumbleThe “millennial pause” explained: Why millennials tend to hit record… pause… then start talking—and why Gen Z doesn’tTech habits shape content habits: Older tech trained people to “wait for it to catch up,” and it still shows up in our videosOld film rules vs. social rules: Why starting on a black frame (film school) can hurt performance on social mediaSleep on your edit (when it matters): Coming back with fresh eyes helps you catch awkward cuts, framing issues, and timingGet feedback the smart way:Use a small group of trusted “early testers”Ask for the type of feedback you want (sniff test vs. nitpicky final)When to just post it: For short shelf-life social content, audience feedback can be your best teacherAlgorithm reality check: If no one sees it, you won’t get useful feedback—pair content with platform best practicesEditing choices that affect emotion:Music sets tone and pace immediatelyPacing controls how fast information hits the viewerColor temperature and filters can make content feel warm, safe, clinical, or dramaticCaptions are basically mandatory now: Auto-captions are easy—just quick-check spelling (or don’t, if you want “comment bait”)The bigger takeaway: Don’t overthink it—have fun, trust your instincts, and keep experimenting

Wil sits down with John Agyopang—a longtime Snohomish County resident, former Boeing employee of 25 years, and the new president of the Snohomish County NAACP—for a conversation that blends civil rights, community work, and the deeper meaning of “home.”John breaks down what the NAACP is (and what it looks like today), expanding the conversation beyond race into human rights, class, and access—for immigrants, Native communities, poor and working-class families, and anyone whose rights are being ignored.From there, the episode turns personal and powerful: John shares his immigrant story from Ghana, including the childhood memory that shaped his view of America (USAID food aid) and his belief that what makes the U.S. “great” is the way immigrants bring their talent and dreams here.Then Wil and John explore John’s newest mission: African Audacity Tours, a two-week, all-inclusive trip to Ghana designed to help people reconnect with history and identity—standing where enslaved ancestors stood, walking the ancestral slave path, and participating in a moving African naming ceremony.In This Episode, You’ll Hear AboutWhat the NAACP stands for and how its mission has evolved“Not all skin folk are kinfolk”: why allyship is bigger than appearancesContextual privilege, identity, and how power shifts by settingJohn’s immigrant story and why he believes America is already “great”African Audacity Tours: the two-week Ghana experience (history, culture, legacy)The ancestral slave walk + what it means to return to the exact groundThe naming ceremony: being welcomed “home” and reclaiming identityLocal community work: diversion programs, mentorship, and financial literacyPartnership with Wally Webster’s Access ProjectAdult financial literacy + refurbished laptops with Millennium Industries / Rev. Leilani MillerYouth tutoring support through Make It WorthyCall to ActionIf you’ve ever wanted to travel to Ghana (or Africa) but didn’t know how to do it safely and affordably, John shares how to connect:Website: https://www.africanaudacity.comWil also challenges listeners to help the show reach all 50 states by the end of 2026—and to share the podcast instead of “hoarding the information.”Closing VibeThis episode is a reminder that we have more in common than we think, and that real progress starts when we stay open—open to stories, open to each other, and open to the places that shaped us.

You’ve planned the show. You’ve got the gear. You’ve set up your space. Now it’s time for the part most people picture when they think “podcasting”: recording.In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent walks through what to do before and during your recording session so you don’t end up rushed, stressed, or stuck with hours of painful edits.What we coverWhy you should block more time than you think (even for a “quick” 15-minute episode)The reality of recording: your raw session will usually be much longer than the final episodePre-record checklist: test your gear, silence your phone, remove distractions, and confirm your audio is actually savingWhy it helps to record a backup when you canHow to calm your nerves and avoid the “100 miles per hour” problemWhat to do when you get tongue-tied: pause, reset, and re-do a sentenceWhy you should keep your episode flow/outline in front of you while recordingA simple trick to stay audience-focused: keep a picture of your listener persona nearbyThe “playground” approach: try multiple intros and transitions, then choose what works in editingThe 30-second rule: why your opening matters more than you thinkThe big takeawayYour first recording isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning your voice, your pace, and your flow. Treat it like a test run, play with it, and you’ll get better fast.Produced & Edited by: Olivia BlombergMusic: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/ 

Catherine answers the question people react to most—why she chose to have seven children while living in poverty. With humor and honesty, she walks through early motherhood, the chaos of raising four kids under five, and the reality of building a family without financial stability. A health scare (including hair loss and a frightening diagnosis) led her to believe she couldn’t have more children—until an unexpected pregnancy changed everything and became a turning point in her healing. From there, Catherine shares how foster care became part of her family’s story, with more than 30 children coming through her home, and how two adoptions ultimately reshaped the trajectory of her life and her kids’ lives. Looking back, she doesn’t glamorize the struggle—but she honors the love, resilience, and legacy that grew from it.💬 What You'll HearWhy Catherine refuses to judge anyone’s decision to have kids—poor or notWhat it was like raising four children under five while barely getting byThe health scare that made her think her life (and motherhood) was about to changeThe surprise pregnancy she was told was impossible—and why it felt like healingWhy she became a foster mom, and what foster care is truly aboutHow adoption impacted her children and the “version of family” each child experiencedA full-circle moment: seeing her values show up in her adult children’s lives✨ TakeawayYour story doesn’t have to look perfect to be meaningful. Catherine’s journey is a reminder that love, consistency, and perspective can build a legacy—even when the external circumstances feel unstable or unfinished.⚖️ DisclaimerThis episode is for educational and inspirational purposes only and reflects Catherine’s personal experiences and opinions. It is not medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. If you need support, please consult a qualified professional.🌿 Connect with CatherineIf this episode resonated, share it with someone who needs permission to release shame and honor their story. And if you’ve ever felt judged for the way your life looks “on paper,” send Catherine a message on social media and tell her: what part of your story are you learning to hold with more compassion?Follow Catherine on Instagram to keep following the story.Theme Song Written and Composed by Trevor Lynch and Michaela Dennis and recorded by Trevor Lynch in Chicago ILPhoto: Baumgardner Studio Yakima, WAProduction: Red Trux Productions Snohomish, WA

In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent, Brian, and AJ break down why behind-the-scenes (BTS) content is one of the most effective (and easiest) ways for small businesses to build connection, credibility, and curiosity online. They talk about why BTS works psychologically (humans love suspense, learning, and realness), what kinds of BTS moments audiences actually care about, and simple ways to capture it without turning your day into a full production.From quick phone clips and boomerangs to time lapses and “first time trying this” experiments, you’ll walk away with practical ideas you can use immediately, even if you hate being on camera.What You’ll Learn / Big MomentsWhat BTS really means (and why it’s trending): Not the band. Business BTS = behind-the-scenes content that pulls back the curtainWhy BTS builds trust faster than polished ads: It “verifies you’re human” and makes your brand feel realTwo big reasons people watch BTS:Entertainment + suspense (what’s going to happen next?)Learning + curiosity (how is this made? what tools do they use?)BTS vs. process videos: The crew realizes they’re basically the same thing, showing how the work gets doneA surprisingly sticky BTS hook: Watching someone struggle through an unboxing/assembly because you need to see how it endsThe “don’t filter for your audience” reminder: What feels mundane to you can be fascinating to someone who’s never seen your workHow to capture BTS without making it a big ordeal:Quick phone clips, photos, or 3-second boomerangsSet-and-forget phone tripod shotsSimple time lapses that show transformationThe best time lapse rule: Film moments with a clear before/afterblank slate → finished resultFraming tip that helps sales: Shoot wider than you think you needpeople notice the “small” detailsPro tip (AJ): Mix wide shots and tight detail shots to keep BTS videos visually interesting while staying consistent