Announcement: Erin's Departure and the Future of STFN

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Full text of the announcement below. If you want to stay in touch with the Network and Athena, please check out the various methods below. Discord is the most frequently used, but all will be checked and reviewed constantly (because Athena is a bit of a notification addict, if we’re being honest).

Announcement Text:

Hey everyone,

 

Athena here. If you couldn’t tell from the title, this is not the announcement I was hoping to make today. After her time away, Erin came to realize that she wasn’t enjoying podcasting anymore. It became a source of stress in her life, and ultimately she’s decided she wants to prioritize other projects she wants to work on.

 

And, before you ask, this has nothing to do with our relationship. She helped me proofread and edit this announcement, actually. She’s here in spirit, even if she’s not here in person.

 

So, with Erin stepping away, that leaves me and the network in a tough spot. Erin was our editor and music producer as well as a host, and while she’s offered to help keep editing, I’m not inclined to ask for her help unless I truly can’t figure it out on my own (though I expect to be asking her many questions about how to edit going forward)!

 

Even if none of that were true, it also means that our two shows really can’t continue as they were before. I’m not the kind of person who can do a podcast by myself, or at least not one in the vein of Trans Sister Radio or Still Inspired By. Those shows, to me, are truly shows that work best as conversational shows, and I’m not nearly clever enough to play both halves of a conversation.

 

So, here’s where I’m at. I love podcasting and producing content. I want to keep making things and putting them out for people to listen to and enjoy. However, I don’t know how to do that alone, or what that would even look like if I had another host.

 

In short, I don’t know how long it will be before you see another show from me or this network. I hope the answer is soon, but I don’t know when. But I can share some of the steps I need to go through to get to a new show, and maybe ask for some help as well.

 

To me, there are three big things that need to happen before the network starts making shows again. First, I need to figure out how to edit, even if it’s a rudimentary level. Second, I need to figure out what kind of shows I can produce. And third, I need to find a new co-host, or maybe multiple co-hosts, depending on the show.

 

That’s what needs to happen. How can you help?

 

Well, first and foremost, omg someone send me tutorials on how to edit. I’d love information if you have it to share!

 

The second thing is to let us know any ideas you might have about what kinds of shows or content you’d like to see. I’ve created a survey you can take, link in the description below, and tell me what you liked about TSR and Still Inspired By and what you’d like to see continue. Additionally, if you have ideas for shows the network could host (like say your own podcast that you just need a place to post) or anything else you want to see, please contact us via Twitter, Facebook, or email, all of which are linked below.

 

The final thing is… well, like I said, I need to find a co-host. This is going to be the hardest, especially because I’d ideally like it to be someone I can speak with in person and interview, which is made exceptionally hard by a certain global pandemic. I don’t know how long this will take, but I’m open to a host who doesn’t live near me (I mean, that’s how the network started after all). In short, I’m accepting applications for Trans Sister Radio’s open co-host spot. If you are passionate about podcasting and think you’d make a good host, I’d love to meet and chat with you. It doesn’t pay anything (yet, though god I would love that to change) and its absolutely a passion project, but I don’t know anyone who would be interested in hosting, so I’d love to meet some of you, if you are.

 

So, that’s where we are right now. I don’t know how long this will take, I don’t even know how to start, but this isn’t the end of our story. Just a bit of writer’s block along the way.

 

NOW that being said, I AM still around. If you want to stay in touch with me or the network, please find me on twitter at @athenathusfar and @storythusfar, and also catch up with us on discord in our Story Thus Far Network server. I’ll have links to all that in the description.

 

I want to end by saying thank you to Erin for being a part of this adventure and for getting me started, and for showing me that this was not only possible, but doable. If it weren’t for her help and support, none of this would exist, and I wouldn’t have a network on which to make an announcement. For many reasons, she means the world to me, and this is certainly one of them.

 

And finally above all, thank you, each of you, for supporting us, listening to us ramble, and giving us so much wonderful feedback. You have each impacted my life in a way I never thought would be possible. I can’t understate how positive of an influence you all have been on my life.

 

I hope to speak to you again soon. And I guess… for now, it’s time for me to say… end tran-

 

Oh! Wait. Almost forgot. I love all my trans siblings. Okay, now it’s time for me to end transmission.

Bye!

Athena Victoriastill inspired byComment