Yesterday, the Branches Between Generations team traded Wi-Fi for warm air and screen time for facetime at Parksville’s Summer by the Sea Street Market. Every Tuesday from 6 to 9 pm, the downtown strip transforms into a lively hub of local vendors, tourists, and community energy—perfect for finding the kind of people you just don’t meet online. Our producer and volunteers strolled the market chatting with curious teens and seniors about our intergenerational podcast and inviting them to audition. Let’s just say: we got a lot further with real smiles than we ever did with posters taped to lampposts.

While social media and printed posters are essential tools, there’s something irreplaceable about in-person outreach—especially when your podcast is literally about human connection. Being physically present in the heart of the community helped people understand not just what we’re doing, but why. They could see our enthusiasm, ask questions on the spot, and imagine themselves (or their grandkids!) behind the mic. Plus, we got to support an event organized by the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce—because community building is a team sport.

So if you’re thinking of launching your own podcast, remember: the best stories often start at the market, not in your inbox. Get out there. Talk to people. Let your mic meet the world before it meets your mixer. And if you’re local, come visit Podio Studio in downtown Parksville—we’ve got a cozy recording space and a soft spot for big-hearted ideas.