This experiment was undeniably the most relatable. Though the sample was the most enjoyable aspect of crafting this experiment, I also enjoyed curating the introduction. I’d never taken the time to reflect on my twelve years of dance, and although I still dance with my dance company on campus, my high school dance experiences in particular contribute significantly to my character today. I credit dance for my ability to prioritize tasks, manage my time wisely, and communicate my feelings through art forms like writing. But perhaps my interest in sports and desire to work in the industry post-graduation launched when I took a step back from dance after high school. Attending the University of Michigan and being immersed in the athletic culture undeniably fosters my career aspirations and interests as well.

 

The interview portion of the podcast was quite difficult. Lindsey and I conducted our meeting via Zoom because of the COVID-19 pandemic; the conversation flowed more naturally than a phone call given our ability to see one another. My conversation with Lindsey was my first experience interviewing somebody who is not a family member, so it was certainly a learning process. As the interview progressed, we became more comfortable with one another. I do think meeting with interviewees in person circumvents some of this initial unease, which is just one way that the pandemic has impacted the podcast genre more broadly. Editing the recording with Garageband was also a challenge because I was unable to include a closing statement for our interview, which I recorded a few days after I met with Lindsey. If I were to pursue this experiment for my final project, I would certainly work to perfect my audio editing skills and look into other podcast editing software.

 

Though I am certainly familiar with the Michigan dance team, Lindsey’s experiences offered insight that I could not have gained elsewhere. The dance team at Michigan is co-ed but primarily female: Therefore, there is no counterpart as there is for women’s basketball, soccer, or lacrosse for example. The dance team’s ties to football and men’s basketball, however, helped me to steer the conversation. Given my interest in sports and desire to support women’s sports, I would be eager to speak to more female athletes at Michigan and learn about those teams that do have direct male counterparts teams.