How's The Podcast Life Treating Me?

The experience of producing The Quick Snap Podcast has been incredible.

We just launched our 8th episode and very proud of what we’ve been able to create in a very short period of time.

If you missed the story of how this Patriots player led podcast came to be, I wrote about it last month in this post.

If you need a little reminder on what the show is about, here is a quick snap of The Quick Snap…

The Quick Snap with David Andrews & Brian Hoyer is an all-access pass to the 2024 New England Patriots.

Patriots Captain and starting Center David Andrews and former QB Brian Hoyer give fans an exclusive look inside the locker room, break down Sunday games and preview upcoming matchups. Plus, interviews with current and former players. Patriots Football, from the players, for the fans!

Shadow Lion, the creative production company that I work for and should be on everyone’s radar, is producing this in partnership with our friends over at the Boston Globe.

Here’s some of my biggest takeaways from the show in first couple months after launching…

The BIGGEST, The LARGEST… Takeaways

Shoutout BigXthaPlug, the largest rapper alive, for that title header.

Now what really is the greatest lesson I’ve learned from this show?

1. Shows/Podcasts are only as good as your hosts

Now I can’t take credit for this exact phrase because it’s something my very talented co-worker Kelly Martin always preaches when we chat about sourcing new talent to lead new shows.

But now producing this show and thinking back on my past experiences running other podcasts, it’s been very evident…

YOU NEED GREAT HOSTS.

I am very proud to say Brian Hoyer and David Andrews fit that mold!

The point I am trying to make here, well Kelly more so, is that no matter how good an idea or new concept for a show is, you will NOT build a successful product without super talented and motivated hosts.

Talent is one thing but drive and passion is a very necessary next step to the equation.

Let’s make some athlete comparisons…

Do we all remember JaMarcus Russell?

Man could throw the ball 76 yards while taking a knee. Real stat.

BUT the 6’6’’, 265-pound #1 overall pick in 2007 only lasted three seasons in the NFL because of his lack of effort and drive.

Now let’s take Tom Brady for example.

Not the characteristics of an ultra “talented” player. Therefore, Tom was drafted pick #199 in the 6th round.

Well, what advantage does Tom Brady have???

He was an inspired, motivated young fella that wanted to win no matter what. Good recipe for success and hello seven Super Bowl rings…

Ok, last athlete example here. It’s a simple one.

Take Michael Jordan.

Massive recruit, all the talent in the world + no one on planet Earth wanted to win more than MJ.

Straight DAWG. And that led to six NBA Finals (sorry Michael, Tom has one more!)

So moral of the story here, talent doesn’t automatically grant you success. You need to be motivated. And a motivated DAWG can often beat talent.

But when you get the recipe of a motivated talent, what the F*** out!

Were David Andrews and Brian Hoyer the most talented podcast hosts we could have ever called upon? Of course not, and they will tell you that.

But they were eager to become great and are inspired to build a massive show.

This is the first attempt at hosting a show either guy has ever had.

When we went to Gillette Stadium to film the test episode for this show a few months back, I was blown away by their charisma and chemistry on camera. I knew immediately we had a show on our hands.

After the test recording, they both looked at me and go, “Are you sure you don’t want to publish that as our first episode?!”.

I said hell yeah we are, and boom. The guys have gotten better each week.

David Andrews and Brian Hoyer are doing all the right things when it comes to building a new show.

Their desire and effort is there, plus the raw talent is evident.

Now we just need to stay consistent…

Some Other Major Takeaways

A few other very important lessons I’ve learned from 8 episodes of The Quick Snap:

2. A guest that is good at storytelling and out-going is going to produce a better episode than just getting a big-name (our Dante Scarnechhia Episode was epic)

3. A guest that is a friend of the hosts will create more engaging conversations than a big name they have never met

4. Guest booking is easier when your hosts are very well connected and respected

5. I learned how to set up camera tripods and lights stands and that to fully set up for a high-quality shoot #TheFunParts

6. Quick turn editing from a Monday morning 7am shoot in-person to going live by Midnight later that same day is an extremely challenging task and I want to shoutout the Shadow Lion production squad!

7. Building an audience is hard and takes time

8. David Andrews is very funny

9. Brian Hoyer has an extremely promising career in media

10. These two Super Bowl champions are very normal, good dudes

11. Talking Patriots football with Patriots players is a very fun thing for me and the younger guy show who sat at Gillette Stadium shirtless in below freezing weather to watch Pats games would be pinching himself

12. Bowling Events are fun AF

This is only the start for The Quick Snap. Very, very excited where this show is headed. If you’re interested in supporting the show, here are some links:

Watch on YouTube

Listen on Apple

Listen on Spotify or anywhere else you get podcasts

Follow us on Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok

SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAMN POD!

Alrighty! That’s a wrap on another week of my random ass thoughts! Appreciate you all tuning in.

Feedback is dope and appreciated, please send some.

Any of your random thoughts that I might have fun writing about? Any questions about sports media? Life? Why that girl won’t text you back?

Hit me, I am all ears and would love to dive into new topics.

Remember, I am pretty much your free therapists. And see you next Wednesday for your next appointment!