Podcast Spotlight: Something Thirty

Something Thirty is a fictional, three-part podcast following characters Jake, Greg and Luke as they reunite for Luke’s thirtieth birthday weekend in New York City. The three men are college friends who use this weekend to negotiate their relationship with each other and see how they have (or haven’t) grown. Each is struggling with their own personal and financial problems, revealed throughout the first part of the series. The sound quality of the Something Thirty may take some time to get used to, but it truly transports listeners into the bar, apartment or room the characters are in.

Before starting the series, audiences should listen to creator Wayman Stewart’s interview about his creation process for additional background information on the characters. Stewart has been creating these three characters for years, growing up with them and understanding their struggles. His dedication to Jack, Greg and Luke is revealed through their defined personalities and intricate histories. It’s a story any thirty-something could enjoy. 

We were fortunate to talk with Stewart about the podcast, how they differentiate from other podcasts, and their future plans in podcasting. See below for our full Q&A.

Listen: Spotify

DISCOVER PODS: How’d you get into podcasting?

Stewart: Well, first off, I’m an actor and I also write screenplays and stage plays. I’ve always been interested in producing my own content. But, there have been many starts and stops for me over the years in terming of making my own film or stage play. Without the right resources, it can be a real challenge. However, when I went to a local screenwriters’ summit a couple years ago, I kept hearing about fiction podcasting and how it was this different medium for screenwriters to tell their story. That planted a seed in me and I decided to start doing it last year. I had a script written for Something Thirty that was a stage play and then I split the three acts into three separate episodes. Then, I went from there, casting the different actors, including myself, and moving forward with the recording. It really is an easier, more accessible way for a writer to get their work out there. All I needed was a great mic and the right recording conditions and willing actors. I learned how to edit, as well. I had to figure it out all myself and on the fly but that’s how I love doing things.

DISCOVER PODS: In your own words, why should listeners tune in to Something Thirty?

Stewart: I like to call Something Thirty a drama that just happens to be really funny. I fully realized that when I was working on the trailer. The main characters – Jack, Greg, and Luke – are three guys who are struggling with these real-life crises. They have all entered their thirties and trying to figure out this new decade of their lives and the pressures that can come with it. But, the humor stems from how terrible they are at dealing with it and also how ridiculous, heightened, or out-there they all are. The reason why it’s called Something Thirty is because of how backwards these thirty-something characters feel in this part of their lives. So, thirty-something is backwards, as well.

I also think that the energy and intimacy of their friendship really sucks you in as a listener. These characters have known each other for a decade and there’s such a comfort and shorthand with them. But, they also display the complexity and madness that occurs when you’ve been best friends with someone for that long. They really love each other. At the same time, they can push each other’s buttons or be at each other’s throats in a minute. Then, they can go right back to being supportive and loyal to one another. Their whole dynamic is like a world unto itself and the podcast truly envelops you in it. I also was lucky enough to assemble a great cast of actors that helped me create that world. I play the character of Luke and AJ (who plays Jack) and Josh (who plays Greg) were wonderful to work with. We fell into that dynamic very easily.

DISCOVER PODS: What kind of feedback have you heard from your listeners?

Stewart: I’m thankful that people have found it funny because you never know how the humor you tap into, as a writer, will go over with the audience. I think one thing that also stands out about this podcast is the fact that it’s quite clearly a play. It’s why there’s only three main episodes. I know someone who’s also a stage actor who said that it was like being at a theatre show but you were just listening, instead of watching. That’s something I really went for, which is why I didn’t want it to sound like a typical podcast. I wanted it to sound more like it was actually taking place in the space that it was set in. Also, I think this is a unique way to get theatre-based content out there, for people who don’t necessarily go see shows or aren’t exposed to it.  

Another response is how real and (not to be cliché) relatable the characters are. They’re all messy, just going back and forth, trying to figure out their lives at this stage where they’re expected to be more accomplished or mature. I think there’s this illusion in our society that you’re supposed to have it all together once you reach a certain adult age but one of the main themes of this story is how that’s basically bullshit. We’re all on our own journey and going at our own speed.

DISCOVER PODS: Describe your recording set up? What equipment are you using?

Stewart: The mic I used was the Samson G-Track Pro. It has an omnidirectional setting. So, using that, the cast and I were all in a room, gathered around the mic, and we just recorded together. That was really important to me because I didn’t want to sacrifice that energy of us all being together in that room, bouncing off of one another. We did three days of rehearsal and then three days of recording, one for each episode. There were at least two separate, continuous takes for each episode. Then, I edited it all in Audacity, doing a lot of tweaking to get the sound quality where I wanted it to be. Like I said, I wanted the audio to maintain a certain rawness, as if you were truly in the room with these people.

DISCOVER PODS: What’s the biggest challenge you face as an indie podcaster?

Stewart: I think the biggest challenge is just building your audience. Fiction podcasting has really grown over the past couple of years and more and more people are getting into it. On one hand, it’s great because it’s giving so many people a platform for their creativity. On the other hand, you have to figure out how to make your work stand out amongst all the rest.

DISCOVER PODS: Where do you want to take your podcast?

Stewart: Well, it would be a no-brainer for me to turn it into a stage play in the near future. But, I’d like to just focus on the expanding the audience for the podcast first. Ideally, I want Something Thirty to get enough exposure as a podcast so we have the resources to turn it into a stage production.

DISCOVER PODS: What other podcasts are you listening to now?

Stewart: Okay, the ironic thing is that it takes a lot for me to really get into a podcast. I’ll usually listen to an episode or two and then just dip out. I feel like that’s kind of an asshole thing for me to say as I’m promoting my own podcast but it’s true. I do like listening to Keep It. I just want to be friends with the hosts and have long conversations with them about the Oscars and classic movies. My favorite podcast, though, is Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino. I could listen to him all day. He’s hilarious and does great recaps of all of the reality shows on Bravo that I’m obsessed with.

DISCOVER PODS: Anything else you’d like to add?

Stewart: If you want to pull off any creative project, like a fiction podcast, you just have to be crazy enough to do it. Don’t doubt, don’t second guess, don’t hold yourself back. Just do it.