You know you’re a big deal when an episode of your podcast gets downloaded over 500 times. Actually, that’s not true. Given what an outlier episode 12 (with Cary Williams) appears to be, I can only conclude that the big deal here is the co-chair of Next Gen himself. The Unknown Studio is [happily] riding his coattails. We might even do a Pecha Kucha presentation on the impact of attractive ginger males on free downloadable media. Although we actually probably won’t.

But is this actually an outlier? I have to admit to you, fair reader/listener, the Unknown Studio (TUS) has achieved some success we, frankly, didn’t expect we’d have. Sure Cary Williams’ sexy visage [which we lovingly borrowed from Avenue Magazine and which they have not demanded that we remove, bless their souls] definitely scored us some points — and the fact that he co-chairs a committee of under 40-somethings with a fairly broad reach didn’t hurt either. But people are starting to notice us regardless.

And frankly, it’s hilarious and awesome.

In our hockey episode, Scott revealed that he didn’t think we’d make it past three episodes — that we lacked the wherewithal and discipline to really see this through. I figured we’d continue to do it on and off until we go bored of it. But several things have taken place that have encouraged us, emboldened us, and also made us more or less insufferable to our significant others:

• We managed to dupe Edmonton City Councilor Don Iveson into appearing on the show;
• We were told by two post-partisans that we were doing good for society;
• Karen Unland, Online Editor at the Edmonton Journal, begged us to be on the show (at least that’s how I tell it) — she even studied for the Fast 15;
• One of our shows was downloaded almost ONE THOUSAND TIMES (by which I mean slightly over 500);
• And this other thing happened about which I’m going to tell you…

I think TUS has tipped. In fact, I’m almost certain we have. The reason I know this is because of an email I received last night:

I run a pirate radio station in Edmonton (107.9 FM available around Southgate) and while looking for local content, I came across your show.

Any issues with me rebroadcasting the odd show?

Now either this guy thinks we’re doing something of substance, or he thinks our show is “odd.” Either way, I took a shine to him right away and said, “Go nuts. But I’m going to talk about this on our website, because this is evidence that we have finally hit the big time. I hope this doesn’t get you into trouble.”

To which he replied:

Say as much as you like. They’d need one of those “scanner” vans like in the movies to find me. LOL
And I’m VERY local. I get about 3-4 square miles on a 1-watt transmitter.

I’ll start broadcasting your ‘casts on Wed.

As in tomorrow. So look out, south Edmonton, the Unknown Studio is coming at you, almost live, right over them there airwaves.

You can’t stop the signal.

cary williams, pirate radio, popular, The Podcast, unknown studio