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Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed podcaster Kate Dawson Winkler about the word she does with Exactly Right Media, the podcasts she works on, and what inspires her.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
I’m a journalism professor at the University of Texas at Austin, a former documentary filmmaker, and a nonfiction author as well as a podcaster who specializes in crime history.
How and why did you start podcasting?
I worked for ABC News Radio for several years, and I had always loved audio stories. When I began writing my books, I would occasionally find stories that weren’t quite right for a book, so I decided to turn those stories into podcast seasons.
What is your current podcast called, and how did you come up with the name?
It’s called Tenfold More Wicked and it’s a phrase from Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: “I knew myself, at the first breath of this new life, to be more wicked, tenfold more wicked, sold a slave to my original evil.” I love that book.
What platforms can we find Tenfold More Wicked on?
Tenfold More Wicked and Wicked Words are part of the Exactly Right network, home of My Favorite Murder. It’s available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music and anywhere people listen to podcasts.
What is Tenfold More Wicked about?
Tenfold More Wicked is a gruesome trip through history with chilling campfire stories of true crime. It’s a unique blending of narrative nonfiction storytelling with investigative journalism, a deep dive into the lives of victims…and killers. And how they made history. On Wicked Words, I interview journalists and writers about their best true crime cases to hear the stories behind the stories.
Do you host Tenfold More Wicked alone, or have guest hosts/partners?
Nope, just me!
Do you edit Tenfold More Wicked or have someone who does it for you?
I tag-team with other editors—we work together depending on our schedules. I always edit my own commercials and frequently my own trailers.
Do you script Tenfold More Wicked, or just chat as you go?
Tenfold is scripted because it’s like a documentary. The other show, Tenfold More Wicked Presents: Wicked Words, is an interview show so it’s just a lot of chatting.
How has Tenfold More Wicked changed or developed since you began?
It has stayed relatively the same over the past year. The stories on Tenfold must check a lot of boxes for me: an interesting time period, an important crime, a storyline that resonates with us today, and relatives who want to talk. There aren’t many stories that work for me, so the quality has stayed constant because I have to be really picky.
What are your biggest challenges with Tenfold More Wicked?
Just time—there’s not enough time to produce Tenfold year-round, so it must be limited to 18 episodes a year. But that’s why Wicked Words has been so wonderful (the interview show) because it can take over when Tenfold goes on hiatus.
What are your favorite podcasts to listen to?
I love nonfiction true crime shows, like mine, that tackle one case per season so it’s an immersive experience, plus a really good story. My buddy made Over My Dead Body—I thought it was well done. I loved Bear Brook, also.
Do you earn money from Tenfold More Wicked, or is it a hobby?
I earn money, which is nice!
What’s something you never expected about podcasting? What have you learned that surprised you?
I didn’t realize how important a show can be to listeners. And how invested they can be in you. I have people who reach out to me when it sounds like I’m congested, and they’re concerned that I’m sick! It’s actually nice.
How and where do you promote your podcast?
The podcasts launched on the Exactly Right network, so we were introduced to the My Favorite Murder listening audience. We also use social media to share historical photography about each story and connect with the audiences of our guests on Wicked Words. I also love swapping promos with like-minded podcasts. As the world opens further, I look forward to attending live events related to true crime.
What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone inspired to start podcasting?
Find your voice. Who are you as a host? Who is your listener? How are you different than the other 2 million people out there who have a podcast? I think about those questions all the time.
And, finally, are you proud of what you’re accomplishing with your podcast? Is it worth the effort?
Yes, I’m proud of my shows. People reach out to me all the time, saying that they’re learning so much about history and society from my shows…and they’re entertained at the same time. That’s really great to hear.
Here is the landing page for the show: https://www.exactlyrightmedia.com/tenfold. All the social links are below:
Follow Tenfold More Wicked on…
Kate Dawson Winkler is the Host of the podcasts, Tenfold More Wicked, with a new season launching on January 17 (https://www.exactlyrightmedia.com/tenfold) and Wicked Words, from Exactly Right Media (www.exactlyrightmedia.com). She is a Journalism Professor at UT Austin, and the Author of American Sherlock & Death in the Air.
Tenfold More Wicked:
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Follow Kate Dawson on…
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
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