S.C. Flynn

I’m talking with Dave Nelson, founder of the Galactic Netcasts network and host of The Alien Invasion, The SciFi Geeks Club and Weird World Weekly podcasts.

SCy-Fy: You are involved in many different podcasts, Dave. How do you prepare for each one?

DN: Each podcast I’m part of is prepped a little bit differently, but for the most part they’re all put together pretty organically. During the week, when I see a story I want to talk about, I’ll throw it in our Google docs. For the SciFi Geeks Club, we have a guest every week and usually have a discussion topic that’s tailored to fit them.

SCy-Fy: What’s next for you?

DN: Galactic Netcasts is constantly growing. I’m always coming up with ideas for new podcasts and features to add to our website. It’s just a matter of finding time and having the resources to implement everything. The awesome part is, people are now asking to contribute, so it’s getting easier all the time. It’s also wonderful to see that others are as excited about what the network is doing as we are. The ultimate goal is to become the go-to place online for audio, video and written content from the realm of sci-fi, science, strangeness and stuff.

SCy-Fy: Your enthusiasm for podcasting really comes across…

DN:  I can’t imagine what my life would’ve been like if I had not started podcasting. I’ve met so many awesome people because of it. Podcasting has also finally allowed me to live out my passions, and for that I’m eternally grateful to all those who listened and have gone on this journey with me and my co-hosts.

SCy-Fy: What do you think will be the major challenges for podcasts in future?

DN: There is still a large percentage of the population that doesn’t know what podcasts are, where to find them or how to listen. I think that’s our challenge now and will continue to be so in the future. We won’t be able to solve it until there’s easy discoverability and functionality baked into our phones, tablets and computers. It would also help if podcasts were put side by side with music on streaming services like Spotify, Google Play or Rdio.

SCy-Fy: What advice would you give to anyone presenting a podcast?

DN: Be yourself and follow your passions and interests. If you really want to do a podcast about underwater basket weaving, then do it! There’s an audience out there for it. All you have to do is create good content and find the people interested in it.

SCy-Fy: Just between us – your secret list of useful resources?

DN:  I really don’t have any “resource,” but I do have tricks that make workflow a little more streamlined and efficient, like having a format and following it. Or, having a regular schedule. Maybe that comes from years and years in commercial radio. I just find that if you make the “busy” work easier and more routine, it leaves room to get creative with everything else.

SCy-Fy: Points to watch out for?

DN: I think it’s very important to build a community when podcasting, but it’s not something you can force. Be honest with yourself and your listeners and it will happen organically.

SCy-Fy: Things that have kept you going in hard times?

DN: For me, the tough times have usually had something to do with frustration with slow listener growth. At those times, I remind myself why I’m podcasting. It’s not for fame or fortune. It’s because I love it, love what I’m talking about and love the fact that I’m sharing my passions with other people.

SCy-Fy: Any controversy so far?

DN: Ha, ha!! If you call messing with the format of a show too much, “controversy”! That’s caused minor irritation among a few of my co-hosts. Hey, what can I say, sometimes I’m indecisive!

SCy-Fy: The most popular show you’ve presented? Your personal favourite?

DN: The one that people have really latched on to is The Alien Invasion podcast, which was one of our first shows. I think it’s because people really want to believe that they aren’t alone in the universe.

My personal favourite is The SciFi Geeks Club. I’ve loved sci-fi my entire life and have a ball talking about it. We also have a guest on each episode of that podcast, so it’s been really cool to always be meeting new people, especially my podcast heroes and authors/celebrities.

SCy-Fy: What have been the best books, films and TV shows you have read or seen recently?

DN: Wow, what a great question! I’m a very slow reader and haven’t been able to get all the way through a book in a really long time. The last really good one I finished was Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. It was such an intriguing story and had so many geek and cultural references.

Avengers: Age of Ultron was a perfect superhero movie and The Flash had a flawless first season. Greg Berlanti and the CW really have something going on! They’re doing exactly what the DC movie universe should be accomplishing.

SCy-Fy: Which forthcoming films and TV shows are you most looking forward to reading or watching?

DN: Oh my God, Star Wars: The Force Awakens of course! The first movie I was really excited to see was A New Hope when it originally came out, and seeing the trailer for this new one brought all that back!

As far as TV goes, there are a bunch of space operas being produced by Syfy in the States like Dark Matters, The Expanse and Killjoys. I’m also looking forward to the new editions to superhero TV this fall, including Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl.

SCy-Fy: Thanks, Dave.

DN: Thank you!

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