I Call The 2017 Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame Inductees

Produced By Joel Sharpton

2017 Academy Of Podcasters HOF Inductees

In this episode of the Podcast Movement Sessions Podcast, you hear my conversations as I contact the new inductees for 2017 Academy Of Podcasters Hall Of Fame to tell them they are being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

There was a lot of excitement in these phone calls.

The Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame is an exclusive group, and in this episode we get to know a bit more about the next five inductees.

This episode was produced by Joel Sharpton and he did a fantastic job with it.

Get all the info on the Hall of Fame, the ceremony and THE conference for Podcasters, Podcast Movement 2017 at www.PodcastMovement.com

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Concerts

I use to love going to them

When I was younger, and I mean much younger I really use to love going to concerts.

I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina which is not know as a music city. Even though Charleston was not know for music it did have its share of concerts in the 70's

I attended my first concert when I was in the 9th grade so I guess that was around 1969. We went to see a concert by a singer named Alice Cooper.

I was not familiar with Alice Cooper, but assumed she would be worth the $2 it cost to buy a ticket to see her. One great thing about concerts in the 70's was the price. If a concert cost more than $3 it was way too expensive.

When I arrived at the concert I was in for a big surprise. Alice Cooper was not a girl. Alice was a male hard core rocker, and his concert was really great. I mean it was fantastic. I had never seen anything like it.

That concert started my trend of seeing as many concerts as possible. Over the next 10 years I went to just about every concert I had the opportunity to attend.

I made the following list for a Facebook Post some time ago, but thought I would share it here.

These are bands I remember seeing in concert. What bands have you seen in concert?

1. Alice Cooper
2. Black Sabbath
3. Rolling Stones
4. James Brown
5. SteppenWolf
6. Allman Brothers
7. Three Dog Night
8. Crosby, Stills, Nash
9. Doobie Brother
10. Beach Boys
11. B.B. King
12. Edgar Winter
13. Charlie Daniel
14. Deep Purple
15. Jethro Tull
16. Alvin Lee & Ten Years After
17. Leon Russell
18. Yes
19. Electric Light Orchestra
20. Tina Turner
21. Dizzy Gillespie
22. Chuck Mangione
23. Jimmy Buffett
24. Mott The Hoople
25. Uriah Heep
26. Mountain
27. ZZ Top
28. Blue Oyster Cult
29. Pointer Sisters
30. Billy Preston
31. Rare Earth
32. Foghat
33. Cactus
34. Marshall Tucker Band
35. Ten CC
36. Dixie Dreggs
37. Free Mountain Standstill
38. Savoy Brown
39. James Gang
40. Poco
41. Fleetwood Mac
42. Black Oak Arkansa
43. Ozark Mountain Daredevils
44. Emerson, Lake and Palmer
45. Bruce Springsteen
46. Golden Earring
47. Pure Prairie League
48. Ben E. King
49. West, Bruce and Laing
50. Asleep At The Wheel
51. Sly and The Family Stone
52. Bloodrock
53. Bertha
54. Wet Willie
55. Tower of Power
56. Fabulous Rhinestones
57. Fabulous Thunderbirds
58. Goose Creek Symphony
59. Rory Gallagher
60. Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids
61. Humble Pie
62. Bruce Springsteen
63. Chubby Checkers
64. Don McClean
65. Michael Murphy
66. Dixie Chicks
67. The Monkees
68. Rod Stewart

There may be a few more concerts that I just can't remember, but if I do think of them I will add them.

2018 Podcast Hall Of Fame

Inductions into the Academy Of Podcasters HOF In Philadelphia

Watch the 2018 Academy of Podcasters Hall Of Fame Inductee Ceremony from Philadelphia.

I thought I would share the video with you. I really enjoyed the event. I gave a short presentation about 6 minutes in.

The following podcasters were inducted into the Hall Of Fame:
ChemdaKeith and the Girl
Dave JacksonSchool of Podcasting
Father Roderick VonhogenThe Daily Breakfast
Grant BacioccoThe Adventures of Dr. Floyd
Keith MalleyKeith and the Girl
Pamela GayAstronomy Cast
Reggie OsseThe Combat Jack Show

This is was a great event.

I hope you can attend next year when we go to Orlando, Florida.

Find more information at Podcast Movement.

BitBlockBoom

Bit Block Boom

A Bitcoin Maximalist Conference

If you have kept up with me you know that I am heavily involved in the world of Bitcoin.

I have even started a Bitcoin conference.

I kicked off the first Bit Block Boom Conference in July it was a great success.

The speakers at the first Bit Block Boom Bitcoin Conference were:

Pierre Rochard – Co-Founder, Satoshi Nakamoto Institute
Saifedean Ammous – Assistant Professor of Economics
Michael Goldstein – President at Satoshi Nakamoto Institute
Tuur Demeester – Founder, Adamant Capital
Mark Hopkins – Founder of Roger Wilco Agency
Casey Watkins – Crypto Unicorn Money
Nik Bhatia – Investment Manager, Payden & Rygel
Mike Clear – Owner, myhash.io
Felipe Huicochea – CriptoMonedas TV
Ray Redacted – Network & Information Security Researcher
Austin Akers – co-organizer, freeCodeCamp Dallas Chapter

I am not going to go on and on about how great the conference was. Instead here is a link https://BitBlockBoom.com . Take a look at the videos and information for yourself.

BitBlockBoom

My Prediction for 2018

On the Social Media Examiner Website

My Prediction for 2018My Prediction for 2018

February marks the start of Social Media Marketing World which is one of my favorite conferences of the year.

This will be the second year in a row I have attended this event, and also the second year in a row I have been speaking on a panel at Social Media Marketing World.

Actually I am on two panels this year which is a first for me.

I am on a panel about using Facebook Groups to grow your marketing. This will be a really great panel, and since I have over 400 Facebook Groups it was a natural fit for me.

I really love being involved with panels at events. If you really know the topic then panels are a real breeze.

The second panel is another topic I am pretty familiar with. The topic is Monetizing your podcast. Since I have been podcasting over 14 years I have picked up a tip or two.

The Social Media Examiner website puts on this event every year in San Diego.

A few months ago the Social Media Examiner Blog sent out an email to the speakers asking them to submit their predictions for the year of 2018.

These predictions would have to do with Social Media, Podcasting, Videos, Etc.

I was surprised and pleased to see that my prediction for 2018 made the number one spot 🙂

My Prediction was Creators Monetize With Cryptocurrencies

Like I said I was very surprised that it made the list at all , but the fact it was number one blew me away.

Sometimes you know a topic so well that it does not seem as exciting as it does to others who are not as involved in the topic.

If you want to see the full blog post go to Social Media Examiner.

There are some great predictions on this post for sure.

BitBlockBoom

Hey, Air Canada

I Am Going To Venice Not Havana!

Air CanadaHey Air Canada: I Am Going To Venice Not Havana!

This is an unbelievable story of my recent flight on Air Canada.

An incredible vacation with my wife and daughter to Europe starts off as a disaster when I am minutes away from going to Havana, Cuba.

Yes, just minutes away from arriving in Havana, Cuba.

I will start this story in Toronto where my family landed for a short layover and to change planes.

While my wife Kathy and I have been to Europe several times, this was the first time our adult daughter joined us.

As I stated earlier we were in Toronto waiting for our flight to Venice when they called our group number for boarding.

“Group 5 may board the plane at Gate 81″, this is what I heard.

I am the type of person that always likes to board the plane as early as possible so I can put my bags in the overhead closest to me.

For the reason above I always go to the line as soon as they call my group number. Unlike my wife who likes to get her last few minutes in walking for exercise before boarding, typically after me.

I walked up to Gate 81, joined the line and patiently waited my for turn to check in.

When I reached the front of the line I handed my ticket to the Air Canada Employee.

I don’t think he liked his job very much. Sometimes you can just tell from the lack of a smile or the body language that the Air Canada Employee had.

He scanned my ticket and handed it back. It was an uneventful experience like I have had hundreds of times at the airport.

I entered the plane, found my seat, stored my bag and tried to get comfortable.

As people entered the plane I kept an eye out for my family, thinking I would see them any minute.

It was not until the plane was almost full that someone sat in my wife’s seat. The fact that someone sat in my wife’s seat made me wonder what was going on?

Where is my wife and daughter and why is this guy sitting in my wife’s seat?

I needed to figure out what was going on. I looked for a stewardess but could not see one.

I finally starting asked people in the aisle to see their ticket. No one seemed to speak English but I thought if I could see their ticket I could at least confirm to myself I was in the right place.

Finally the 4th person I asked understood me and showed me their ticket.

I looked at their ticket and the first thing I saw was Havana.
Cuba
Havana!! WTF!! How did I get on a flight to Havana? I have to get off this plane now.

During this time my family boarded the correct flight and their part of the nightmare began.

Expecting to see me in my seat they were definitely concerned not see me seated.

Here Is Their Story From My Daughters Point Of View.

We left DFW early Friday morning ecstatic for my first trip to Europe! We Arrived in Toronto for a layover and had the overnight flight to Venice.

Prior to boarding in Toronto my mother and I told my dad to go ahead as he has baggage he likes to have room in the overhead bin.

My mother and I went to the bathroom, walked around and then got in line at gate 80 to Venice.

Overhead we heard final boarding for Venice gate 81! I thought it was funny because they said the wrong gate, in fact I said I hope no one gets in the wrong line.

As soon as my mother and I got on the plane and walked down the aisle to our row I noticed my dad was not in his seat. I had a bad gut feeling instantly that he was not on the plane.

Moments later the flight attendant was at our row and said “Leland Party of 3?”

I said it is just us two here and I don't think my Dad is on the plane. We all quickly realized he had not gotten on the plane.

I instantly became very anxious and rushed to the front of the plane. I was in conversation with one particular flight attendant and told her how concerned I was and how out of character this was of my father. She told me “He probably stopped at the store” and how this “happens all the time”.

I assured her that this was not typical behavior of him and asked her if I could get off the plane to check the bathroom and surrounding areas for him. I told her I was a marathon runner and would be very fast. She told me no, I couldn't get off the plane unless I didn't want to get back on.

I was trying to call my dad but he wasn't answering. We had all put our phones on airplane mode so we would not incur international calling fees. The flight attendant looked at me and my mother and said “Are you willing to travel without him?” I instantly started crying.

We had a cruise leaving Venice, Italy the next day. We had the overnight flight to Venice. What would we do? How could we leave Toronto not knowing he was okay? We didn't know where he was or what was going on. It was very hard to quickly address the problem even though I have been a nurse for 10 years and can handle life threatening, often time sensitive situations.

As I started crying the flight attendant looked at me and said “You need to be an adult right now! You need to make a decision are you willing to fly without him?” In a very gruff tone! i felt very offended by her comments.

My father has had a few health problems this last year nothing major but I still had my reasons to be concerned that my 62 year old dad is missing, and all she kept saying is “This happens all the time, he's probably at the store.”

I kept telling her you don't know my dad he is not at the store. We paused for a moment and then the flight attendant said “We are pulling his luggage”.

Moments later she said they found my father and he was coming. My Dad came running out of breath, down the gate less than a minute later. He got on the plane and all I could do was hug him and cry.

I was so emotional and happy that he was safe. He later told me the story of how he was on the wrong plane and had boarded gate 81 like they had said overhead instead of the correct flight which was our gate 80 to Venice!

He was on a plane to Havana and when my mother and I didn't show up he asked a fellow passenger to see their ticket and found out that plane was going to Havana.

When he finally got back to the front of the plane the flight attendant was rude and told him he had to run to the next gate. Not only is my dad 62 but recently had surgery and the flight attendant told him he had to run.

Even though it was their mistake they said the wrong gate overhead and scanned his ticket at the counter to the incorrect destination. This event is so disturbing in so many ways! airport security is always very strict in the USA, but Air Canada was truly lacking on this day. It scares me that this can and did happen.

My dad was visibly shaken when he got to his seat and had hurt his calf trying to run. We all just sat there held hands and prayed and thanked god that we were all together and safe and on our way to Venice, Italy.

Once I realized I was on the wrong flight I immediately tried to get off the plane.

I grabbed my backpack and started fighting my way through the crowd of people in the aisle who were attempting to stow their carry ons.

Finally, I reached the front and the flight attendant stopped me.

Where do you think you are going she asked.

I proceeded to tell her I was on the wrong flight, and showed her my boarding pass.

How did you get on the plane she asked? Did you come on the plane using the back way?

Back way, I asked! I did not even know there was a back way. Really, where is the security on this Air Canada plane?

Good thing I was not a bad guy trying to board the wrong plane, or maybe worst just leaving a backpack or package on the plane.

I proceeded to the exit door where I was stopped again. This flight attendant was actually helpful. Once she saw my ticket she called someone on the phone.

You need to RUN she said. Your plane is about to take off!

I actually ran all the way to the gate. Even though the gates were close together, the walkways to the plane were long.

Upon reaching the gate the lady collecting tickets saw me, asked if I was Mr. Leland.

Then in a smart ass tone told me my family was waiting for me and I need to run again, all the way to the plane or I would miss my flight.

Once I saw the actual plane and that the door was open I quit running. I was out of breath and had pulled a muscle in my leg. I don't run, so it kind of took a toll on me.

The flight attendants were only concerned with getting me on the plane, so I went straight to my seat. I still find it odd that even thought they knew I was coming from the incorrect flight to Cuba they never even asked me a single word about my experience of getting on the wrong flight.

Not even a kind gesture of, we are sorry or may we get you a drink, nothing! I realize they are busy with take off but I thought surely they would come check on me later since it is a long flight. The customer service was unacceptable and very disappointing.

The real concern I have is with safety.

I am sure everyone is concerned with safety on flights. After the attack on our county by terrorist that flew planes into buildings killing thousands. So of course safety is a major concern to everyone.

How was I able to hand the agent a ticket to Italy, and be allowed to board a plane to Cuba?

When he scanned the QR Code on my ticket shouldn't it have informed the gate agent that the flight to Cuba was not my flight?

Can I just buy a ticket to anywhere and walk on to any flight that Air Canada has?

Talk about unsafe, uncontrolled, and just plain scary the security was not in place on the day I traveled.

I think it is horrific that not only was I allowed to get on the wrong plane, but if I had not been looking for my wife and daughter I probably would have ended up in Cuba, and probably arrested going through customs.

The United State Government needs to take a look serious at Air Canada to make sure their safety and security is up to our standards, or the next time we have terrorist take over a plane it could be from our northern neighbors.

I hope there will be a formal investigation so this will never happen to another family.
missing person
If the flight to Cuba would have taken off and my family gotten off the plane in Toronto, Canada, it would of been a major disaster.

My family would of filed a missing persons report, and would not have any idea that I was in Cuba.

It makes me sad to think how close we were to making my family worry and suffer due to this horrible error.

Podcast Websites

2017 Academy Of Podcasters HOF

By Podcast Movement

The 2017 Academy Of Podcasters HOF

I love the Academy of Podcasters Hall Of Fame Awards AcademyOfPodcasters.com/hall-of-fame.

As a former inductee into the Hall Of Fame I know how much time and effort it takes to get there.

The full awards show lasted around 3 hours so I edited down the Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony into its own video for you to watch.

The 2017 Inductees were:
Luria Petrucci
Brian Ibbott
Dan Klass
Elsie Escobar
Rob Greenlee

Congrats to all the 2017 inductees.

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My Thought On Podcast Movement 2017

As recorded on Facebook Live

As you are probably aware I am one of the founders on Podcast Movement.

This year made our fourth anniversary of our event which was held in Anaheim.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 AM Central I produce a Facebook Live, and today I gave my thoughts on the 2017 event.

This was by far our best event yet.

Podcast Websites

Listed Sisters Podcast

My third podcast about a HGTV show

Listed Sisters Podcast

If you have been reading my blog posts for an length of time then you know that Kathy and I have producing podcasts for the Home Decorating Podcast Network.

We started our first podcast on the network almost a year ago with the Fixer Upper Podcast. The Fixer Upper Podcast is about one of HGTV's top TV shows. The Fixer Upper TV Show features Chip and Joanna Gaines who live and remodel homes in Waco, Texas.
Fixer Upper Podcast
The Fixer Upper Podcast was a big success for us with over 2,000 downloads per episode. If you consider the fact that the average podcast receives less than 300 downloads you will understand why I say it was a success.

Eventually the season ended for the Fixer Upper TV Show, and the podcast was finished until season 5 starts. I think season 5 will start around November, and that is when the podcast will start back up.

Since Kathy and I could not really produce any more Fixer Upper Podcasts for a while we decided to try podcasting for another TV Show. After much research we decided on the Home Town TV Show.
Home Town podcast
Home Town was a new show that was about to premier on HGTV, and stared Erin and Ben Nappier of Laurel, Mississippi.

Home Town was scheduled for 10 episodes on HGTV which meant we would be finished recording podcasts for the new podcast way before The Fixer Upper TV Show started their new season.

We had a blast recording the Home Town Podcast and even made a trip to Laurel, Mississippi for the finale episode of the season. During that trip we met the show hosts Erin and Ben Napier. We also were able to meet many of the people we had made relationships with while recording the show.

The season finally ended for Home Town with another successful podcast for us. While The Home Town Podcast did not have as big of download numbers as The Fixer Upper Podcast did 800 downloads an episode were nothing to sneeze at. Once again we were out of work so to speak since we did not have any new episodes to podcast about.

Once again I started researching for a TV Show that we could produce podcasts about and came up with the Listed Sisters TV Show which was another show on HGTV about to start their second season.
Listed SIsters

Kathy and I both thought it was a cute idea for a TV show, so when the first episode of season two started we were ready to produce the Listed Sisters Podcast.

As always we watched the show which featured show hosts Lexie and Alana LeBlanc. Alana is a realtor and Lexi is an Interior Designer and together they remodel homes for their clients.

We have only watched and recorded one episode so far, but we are really enjoying it.

The Listed Sisters show will keep us busy for another ten episodes, and then we will probably stay on break until the new episodes of Fixer Upper start back up on HGTV.

The Listed Sisters TV Show has changed their format from season one to season two for the better I believe.

I hope you get a chance to listen to our podcast on the Home Decorating Podcast Network at DecoratingPodcasts.com

Home Decorating Podcast Network

Podcast Star

By Jeff Oestreich

The Podcast Star Song

Back in the early days of podcasting (2004 – 2006) things were much different. Since there were so few podcasters around the community was much closer, and almost everyone seemed to know each other.
This And That
One of the more popular shows at the time was “This And That” produced by Jeff Oestreich.

In 2005 Jeff produced the song “Podcast Star” which became an over night hit in the podcast community. I do have to admit that the community was so small that it may not of been that hard to become a hit.

Some of the podcasts he names in the song are no longer being produced, and some of the produces of the podcasts are now in the Academy Of Podcaster Hall Of Fame.

Podcast Star was very clever, and Jeff did a great job producing this song.

The reason for this post is to share this song with all the new podcasters that have not heard the song, and to make sure it has its place in the History Of Podcasting.

The following information as taken from Jeff's site.

“This song was recorded for our podcast This And That. Adam Curry, playing this song on his very popular podcast, The Daily Sourcecode said “Wow, does that rock!!” Pretty cool from an ex VH1 jock.

This song was also featured on an episode of another very popular podcast The Dawn And Drew Show.

Podcast Star is a tongue-and-cheek look at wanting to achieve stardom through this new production medium. I tracked all the instruments and put the song together in about a week. Instruments include electric guitars, electric bass and drums. The drums were played ‘live' on my Yamaha Motif keyboard.

Hope you like it!”

You can find more of Jeff's music at JeffOestreichMusic.com

The Royaltie Gem

Vote For The Fixer Upper Podcast

In The 2017 Podcast Awards

Help nominate the Fixer Upper Podcast in the Podcast Awards!

Step 1. Go to www.PodcastAwards.com and click the blue banner that says “Nominations are open”.

Step 2. Fill out the required information to nominate.

Step 3. Choose Fixer Upper Podcast in the TV & Film Category & click save at the bottom of the page.

Step 4. Go to your email inbox & verify the email you received for your vote to count.

It is a very simple drop down menu system for voting.

Thanks for your help 🙂

Home Decorating Podcast Network

A Quick Chat With Dennis Yu

About marketing on Facebook

Recently I was at a training event put on by BlitzMetrics.com and ran into my friend Dennis Yu.

Dennis is a true Facebook Guru and the brains behind BlitzMetrics.com

There was a videographer near by so we decided to record a short conversation about marketing on Facebook.

We had some fun while giving out some great bits of information.

GaryLelandShow_banner

An Interview With Spandy Andy

About going viral

I recorded this short video with Spandy Andy about recording viral videos.

Last weekend I was at a baby shower for my niece, and while sitting at the pool she informed me that Spandy Andy was in the pool.

Who is Spandy Andy I asked? I was not familiar with him at all.

She proceeded to tell me he was a big viral video guy on YouTube. So I went over and introduced myself and began to find out more about what he does with Video.

Spandy Andy's stats from 1 video


He informed me that he got his start by dancing in the fountains at the Bellagio Hotel.

Many of his videos have over six million views (that's a lot of views).

Now a days he travels the work with his boom box. He is paid to make celebrity appearances at events all over the world.

Not only does he go all over the world to dance, he gets paid big money to go dance, and I mean big money.

After I chatted with him I recorded this short interview for you.

I have included the stats from one of his videos so you can see how his YouTube video are doing.

I hope you enjoy.

You can see all of the Spandy Andy videos at youtube.com/user/SpandyAndyDotCom

Home Decorating Podcast Network

Changing My Commercial

For SoftballJunk.com

You probably know by now that I create a lot of content for the sport of fastpitch softball.

One thing that I make sure to include in all my video content is a commercial for softball bats. In the commercial I give a discount code for customers to use. By using the discount code they can receive a $30 discount on softball bats.

This has been a very effective marketing tool for me for many years, and I even started adding the commercial on new video sites like Facebook, Twitter etc.

Here is the commercial that I have been using over the last six or seven years.

This is my daughter Amanda in the commercial presenting the sale info in a pretty straight forward manor. This commercial is filmed in a professional style, and while Amanda did a great job presenting the information, it is a little too professional in style, and not really any fun.

Here is the new commercial I just produced to change the presentation style.

First thing you will notice is that I make an appearance in this video. I decided it would be a stronger presentation if I used my so called star power in the video. This alerts people that I am talking about my store, and also helps to increase my personal branding to anyone that may not be familiar with me.

I also tried to make this video a little more fun. The fact that I am having a good time, and I am tossing bats around makes this presentation a little more memorable.

This presentation is more of a comical presentation than the first commercial we used.

What do you think?

Oh yea, don't forget to visit my website at SoftballJunk.com

Home Decorating Podcast Network

The Home Decorating Podcast Network

For our HGTV Podcasts and more

Kathy and I have been producing podcasts as a couple for a good part of 2016, and 2017.

We started out with the Fixer Upper Podcast. This is a podcast about the HGTV Show Fixer Upper with Chip and Joanna Gaines.

During the season we watched the Fixer Upper TV Show every Tuesday evening, and then on Wednesdays we recorded a podcast about the episode that we watched the night before. We then upload the new episodes at around noon every Thursday.
Fixer Upper Podcast
We actually recorded a podcast for eighteen episodes of the show this year, and finally quit shortly after the season ended. When season five of The Fixer Upper starts this fall we will restart the podcast.

Since the season was over for The Fixer Upper TV Show we decided to take on another podcast for another HGTV Show.

We decided to podcast about the new HGTV Show Home Town which stars Erin and Ben Napier from Laurel, Mississippi.

This show was a perfect fit since it came out on Tuesdays we could keep the same schedule we had created for the Fixer Upper Podcast.

While recording the ten episodes of the Home Town Podcast we really got to know some of the people involved with the show, and people from the town of Laurel.

By the time the last episode of the season was going to shown on TV we had decided to go to Laurel, Mississippi to see the town, and view the last episode from there.

What a great trip, we had a great time, and made so many friends.2017 Trip To Laurel Mississippi

We toured the town, and went to many of the stores that had been featured on the first season of Home Town.

Ben and Erin's store Laurel Mercantile hosted a meet and greet at which Ben and Erin made an appearance. It was nice to meet Ben and Erin.

Also at the event were most of the home owners that were part of the first season. We really enjoyed meeting everyone.

We watched the last episode of the season in the Arabian Theatre with around two hundred people.

The stars of the show Ben and Erin were also there, and it was quite the event.

Now the season is over for the Home Town TV Show, and that means the season is also over for the Home Town Podcast.

I am not sure at this time if we will just wait until Fall arrives to start podcasting again, or if we will pick a third show to podcast about.

Whatever we decide will be posted at DecoratingPodcasts.com which is the website for the Home Decorating Podcast Network.

Home Decorating Podcast Network

Ranking High For Joanna Gaines Wallpaper

The HGTV star of Fixer Upper

My wallpaper website LelandWallpaper.com has really seen an in sales for the past few months.

We have really seen a growth of sales from the Magnolia Home Wallpaper Book.

I do not know for sure, but I would guess that at this time we are probably selling more wallpaper from the Magnolia Home Wallpaper Book than anyone else in the country.

We are selling so much that I thought I would search on Google, and see how we are ranked under the search term Joanna Gaines Wallpaper.

Of the 618,000 websites Google found in the search results we are ranked number one and number two.

If you look at number three you will notice that is for the Today Show's Website. If you go to that site HERE you will notice that all the orange buy buttons take you to my site LelandsWallpaper.com.

Lelands Wallapper on Google

Then I went to Page two of the Google Results and our site InteriorDecorate.com was number four and number five on page two.

lelands wallpaper page 2 on Google

Well How about video search results you may ask. when I search videos we are the entire first page except for one selection.

Lelands Wallpaper Videos on Google

The same thing applies to images on Google, but I am not going to show that image here. I think you get the idea.

I feel our goal of trying to get the website noticed by Google for Joanna Gaines Wallpaper has been a success, and it is now apparent why we are selling so much more wallpaper.

HGTV Likes My Podcast

I was excited, but not surprised

HGTV Network HGTV Knows My Podcast

HGTV stands for the Home and Garden Television Network.

HGTV produces a full line up of TV shows about decorating, remodeling, and building. If it has anything to do with a home they probably have a TV show about it. HGTV is a part of the Scripts Network.

Kathy, and I produce podcasts about two of their TV Shows. We produce The Fixer Upper Podcast about the The Fixer Upper TV Show with Joanna and Chip Gaines. We also produce the Hometown Podcast about the Hometown TV Show with Erin and Ben Napier.

Kathy, and I have made several different marketing attempts to get on the radar of the folks at HGTV. We had no idea if they even knew we existed, or if they liked what we were doing with our podcasts.

Our long term goal is to partner with HGTV, but before that can even be possible they must be aware of what we are doing.

Last night while researching information for our website I found a link to a blog post on the HGTV's website. The blog post was written by Erica Reitman, and titled 10 Design Podcasts to Listen to Right Now.

At first I thought that HGTV was producing their own podcasts. Great now I am competing with HGTV instead of partnering with them.

Then I realized our podcast was one of the 10 podcasts listed in the article, and that we were nuber 4 on the list of 10.

Here is what Erin wrote about our podcast.

10 Design Podcasts to Listen to Right Now

Wow, now I am confident that HGTV knows about our podcast. I think I can assume they are happy with what we are doing. I am sure our podcast would not be included as number four in Erica's list of ten if HGTV was unhappy with our work.

Even though I have been producing podcasts for over thirteen years, I was still excited to see Erica's review on the HGTV website.

It seemed to validate our work for some strange reason.

If you would like to see the full list of Erika's top ten podcast click HERE.

Home Decorating Podcast Network

Hello HGTV

An attempt to introduce myself to HGTV with Facebook Live.


Video One – April 10th

If you follow me then you know that I am a podcast producer. I have been producing podcasts since the technology was invented back in 2004. I was even inducted into the Academy of Podcaster Hall of Fame in 2016.

I produce two podcasts for TV shows on HGTV.

The first one I created for an HGTV Show was the Fixer Upper Podcast. This is a podcast about the Fixer Upper TV Show that stars Chip and Joanna Gaines.


Video Two – April 11th

The second podcast I started was for the HGTV Home Town TV Show with Erin and Ben Napier which is located at HomeTownPod.com.


Video Three – April 13th

I am trying to get the attention of HGTV, and a couple of the production companies they use to produce these TV Shows.

In this experiment I am creating a set of Facebook Live Videos that I will target market to HGTV.

This blog post will have more content added during the week as I create more videos and content. I feel this is the best way to document my adventure of meeting HGTV.

I have no idea of how this will go, but I guess we will find out together.

Fixer Upper Podcast

My Newest T-Shirt Design

For the Home Town Podcast

There is no place like home town

The new Home Town t-shirt.

Kathy and I have been producing the Home Town Podcast for a few weeks now.

Next Thursday will actually be our fourth episode of the podcast, and we are having a blast.

We have been watching the HGTV show Home Town with Ben, and Erin Napier, and then we record our thoughts as a podcast.

I have to tell you that it has been a quite an accomplishment getting Kathy to record a podcast. Yes, I have been podcasting since 2004, but never with Kathy.

Creating the podcast has given us another thing to look forward to doing every week. This may sound crazy, but it is kind of like a date night. Except we are sitting at home talking on a microphone about a TV show. I know that does not sound like much of a date, but we are having fun.

I have always been on the creative side, and come up with quotes, slogans, and such all the time. You can see many of my quotes at GaryLeland.com/quotes.

The other day I came up with what I thought was a cute idea for a new t-shirt design, so I had my uniform department make a couple of samples.

What do you think of the new design?

Theres No Place Like Home Town Podcast T-Shirt

Theres No Place Like Home Town Podcast T-Shirt

I thought it was a cute take off of the term “There Is No Place Like Home”. Except instead of the ruby red slippers, I used red work boots. I even included the magic wand. You to can show your love for Home Town, with your very own custom t-shirt!

Purchase The Home Town T-Shirt Below


Choose Your Size



I sent Erin and Ben a sample too. I am curious to see what they think about the design.

I sure hope they like it. Let me know what you think?

If you have not listened to the Home Town Podcast yet, please visit the website at HomeTownPod.com, or subscribe with iTunes.

Home Town Podcast

Where Is My “Thank You”?

I don't need to hear "Have a nice day"

Thank YouPlease and Thank You are the Magic Words

Like everyone else in the world I go buy stuff in stores, and spend money everyday.

I go to the small shops, and big stores. There are many other places where I spend money all the time. I may go to a Seven Eleven, or a store in the mall. I may go to the post office, or to a restaurant. Yes, like you, I go to lots of places where I spend my money all year long.

I have noticed something that seems very common among young people that work in these locations. Something that seems to bothers me a lot. I am not sure why it bothers me so much, but it really does bother me.

What is it that bothers me so much? It is the fact that I rarely hear the words “thank you” when I buy something.

Yes, it really bothers me to not hear the words thank you when I spend money. I don't mean to be one of these old guys who say “when I was a kid” but I have to say it. When I was a kid I was taught to say “thank you”, and in return I would receive a “your welcome”.

On the some TV shows like Captain Kangaroo they would teach you the “Magic Words”, which were please and thank you.

What happened? Why did young people quit using these magic words?

The term I do hear 90% of the time by the person working the cash register is “have a nice day”, or something to that effect. Then I find myself saying “thank you”. Wait a minute, why am I the one saying “thank you”?

I have found that if I want to hear “thank you”, I need to say “Have a nice day”. Then the clerk behind the counter will immediately say “Thank You”. That drives me crazy too.

In my two brick and motor stores I have to teach new employees to say those words. It is a term my new employees are not really use to saying. It actually takes some new employees a while to get in the habit of saying thank you to people when they buy something in my store.

It probably drives me even more crazy because I own my own business. If you are running a business, and are not enforcing a “Thank You Policy” you are just missing out. You are missing out on some of the cheapest marketing that you can find anywhere. A marketing method that does not you cost one penny It is a method of letting your best customers know that you appreciate their business, and hope they return in the future. It is a policy that helps your customers leave with a smile.

If you listen to your employees as they close an order you may be surprised. Yes, surprised by how many times they say “Have A Nice Day” instead of “Thank You”.

I know it is a little thing, but it is the little things that can make a big difference. If a little thing like a thank you can make a big difference, well that is just plain old GREAT marketing!

Please don't forget to make an example for your employees by using the words thank you in your conversion too.

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