154 Comments
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Miri's avatar

I didn’t think it would be easy, but the sheer scope of work involved gives me second hand anxiety for you.

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David Farrier's avatar

Haha don't be anxious, that's my job!

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Marshall's avatar

Making others believe it is an effortless project is a sign that you're doing a great job bringing together all of the complexity and masking it away to present a beautiful finished product.

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Brittany's avatar

Thank you so much for putting in all that hard work. Flightless Bird is my absolute favorite, I look forward to it every week. I just so happened to listen to your circumcision episode the day before my son was unexpectedly born 5 weeks early and it really helped us inform our decision! I also listened through all the episodes while in the NICU with him for 2 weeks. You really helped me through a tough time, so thank you 😊♥️

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David Farrier's avatar

Oh Brittany - I love this. Glad it could bring you some info and perspectives before the big chop (or not chop!) - and during NICU time. That is like the nicest compliment ever. Really.

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Haley Hatcher's avatar

Thanks for sharing this! I own my own podcasting agency -- I produce very small and simple shows compared to Flightless Bird! But I aspire to work on a bigger show like this one day.

For everyone saying they wanted to start a show but did not realize it would be so much work... you can do it! Your show can be simpler to start and then grow in complexity when you have more resources/are able to outsource the bits that aren’t in your own zone of genius.

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Shelley Grace's avatar

Great advice, thank you! ☺️

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Peter Lawler's avatar

Hurrah for despising the word "content" instead of some better phrase such as "creative output".

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Mona-Lynn's avatar

Thank you for this. I had absolutely no idea it takes that many people and that much time. I'm so glad you wrote this. I am so impressed. It's great to see a photo of Rob. One of my persistent questions was answered: no, it's not Monica's voice in the theme song! And: Olive the cat's headdress!

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David Farrier's avatar

Olive is ridiculous.

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Jasmine's avatar

I always thought it was Monica too!

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Molly Muldoon's avatar

What a great write up! I have several failed podcasts under my belt so I completely empathize. Flightless Bird is spectacular. I'm also so happy you were able to do a fun project to get that visa. Visa nonsense has predicated a few moves in my life, usually very much against my will, so I'm so happy a friend was able to step in and help. 💕

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Dr Sea's avatar

Amazing. I love FB - almost as much as I love Webworm! And I have no idea how you manage to put so much love and care into both of them! Guess that’s why you’re single? 😜 We are very lucky as fans of your mahi that you are such a workaholic! (As long as you manage to stay happy and sane with the process)

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David Farrier's avatar

So far *mostly* happy and *semi* sane :)

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Meg Gilliland's avatar

“Guess that’s why you’re single?”

It’s the only reasonable explanation

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Dr Sea's avatar

💯🙌😻

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Bridget Berg's avatar

I appreciate the breakdown and especially appreciate that all of those guys have cats. ❤️

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Brittany's avatar

Really cool read. Thanks for sharing the whole process. I love learning about areas I don’t know much about 😊

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Glenys's avatar

Too true! I realise now that I didn't know that I didn't know about those areas! Thanks David. I've always loved your work, but now I have a whole new level if respect.

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Liz's avatar

This was so enjoyable to read! Thanks for giving us a written documentary of sorts on your behind the scenes; on brand and why we all adore your work!

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Vic A's avatar

I remember when this idea of this podcast was dropped to Armchair fans...I was so excited because my hubby and I had once lived in the USA for 18mths (when he got a work transfer) and the contrast between NZ and Mobile Alabama couldn’t have been more extreme! We struggled with all the same things you did and so I have loved every episode of Flightless Bird. All the quirks of the USA, all the differences that at times makes NZ sound really weird too lol, I’ve really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work! 😀

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Kirstie's avatar

What a fascinating read! I too thought there was only 3 people + Rob involved 😣😂 why can Dax contractually only appear once per month?

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David Farrier's avatar

He has a contract with Spotify that keeps him (mostly) exclusive to that network. Flightless Bird is on *all* platforms - so he can only be in 1 of our shows a month.

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Jesse O’Brien's avatar

Ugh I just asked this and then spotted this answer... Ignore my question, sorry. Haha

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Abby's avatar

I'm really curious about this as well!

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Brittany's avatar

I’d like to know this too!

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Tessa's avatar

Same question here!

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David Farrier's avatar

See above!

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ZeeBee's avatar

Damn. Ok, embarrassingly, I thought it was just you Monica and Rob who edit and produce and Bob made the theme song 😂😂😂 I will give so much grace about Armchaired and Dangerous (I wasn’t before 🤦🏼‍♀️)

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David Farrier's avatar

Not embarrassing at all! You weren't to know! I also think it's important to give the people behind the scenes credit, which is what I wanted to do here.

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ZeeBee's avatar

Well done! You for sure provided clarification AND I loved the pictures of everyone!

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Sarah's avatar

AND their cats!

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Communikay's avatar

'"10 hours of “content”…. fuck I hate that soulless word' - OK, fine, but in my day job is as a content strategist can we please find a less soulless word that will be acceptable by my corporate overlords?

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David Farrier's avatar

I think nearly any word is better than "content".

Show.

Episode.

Story.

Podcast.

Documentary.

Audio.

I'll take any of those!

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Eliot's avatar

I'm imagining all the things in the supermarket with Content on the package instead of Peanut Butter, Marmalade, Soap Powder... And the ingredients list is "Contents". Actually, why is it "content" and not "contents" hmm.

Content(s) is a word used by someone who doesn't care what is in the container, they just need to put *something* in there.

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Communikay's avatar

Yeah doesn't make sense for my line of work sadly. I deal in words/copy mostly plus images/meta data and occasionally video

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Amy Wells-McLaughlin's avatar

Understanding processes is what I live for. Thank you for sharing. I always imagined it was a shit ton of work but never quite imagined the scope. I honestly don't know you all release so many episodes each and every week. Hats off to you all!

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David Farrier's avatar

Danke!

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