These days, our entire society is running scarce on empathy. Politicians seek to draw out the worst of us, while individuals hawk distorted realities to further divide us for their own gains. This is what makes Ayled Zazueta ’23 a student from the University of Redlands worth giving attention––she’s a media voice offering an alternative to the noise with her podcast, “In Your Shoes.” In talking with her about her podcasting work, I discovered Zazueta is proof one can pursue professional self-interests while also offering the world a refreshing perspective. I can think of a few more widely listened to voices who could learn from her.

Our interview was edited for clarity and length.

When did you start the podcast, “In Your Shoes”?

It was the spring semester, like in February of 2022.

What sparked the idea for a podcast?

It’s this running joke on the internet­­­­––“Everyone has a podcast.” Now it’s a meme. There’s even TikTok videos on it. That’s how it started. I was like, “Fine. I’ll just do this!” I’ve been trying to do this podcast since 2021, but I kept running into obstacles. Come 2022, I had all the technical stuff laid out to do the show and was able to move forward.

When I put the show together, it was about bringing people together to see them from their identity––as they are.

What kind of technical stuff do you need?

I record my show with K-Dawg U Of R’s media station. They make it really easy to get a show going. I’m not paying anything for it. There are no fees to have your show recorded there. 

Your show focuses on your guests’ identities. Can you elaborate?

The interviews have been a lot about race and ethnicity. But it can also be about gender identity and sexual preference. But we also go into their interests and that also has a lot to do with their identity.

How has your major in journalism supported you in production?

It’s tricky because I’m a Johnston student and U of R doesn’t have any direct journalism classes. A lot of my degree is this DIY of classes. I select the courses I believe will support my focus. A lot of what I’ve learned about interviewing, the composition of stories, storytelling, and all that, I learned from Professor Alisa Slaughter. She was a journalist back in the day.

Do you track your metrics on this show?

I received metrics from K-Dawg, but I didn’t look at them. I just assumed nobody would listen. My podcast and the podcast, “Who’s First” were the most visited on the site at the end of Spring ‘22.

Why did you want to make a podcast if you thought nobody would listen?

It was in self-interest for my portfolio. It was to have tangible proof I could do something related to journalism and that I’m capable of interviewing people and producing media content. I assumed nobody would listen because the podcast market is so saturated.

The most listened-to show was with Courtney O’Neil. A lot of people reached out to me about that episode saying they really enjoyed hearing Courtney’s perspective and mine because that conversation was about being Black and gay at U of R. In that episode, I was having a lot of feelings about being “othered” and that resonated with people.

Is your podcast about giving voice to the marginalized or about introducing people to these voices?

It’s the latter. My intention for this show is to widen listeners’ perspectives. I think secretly it’s been my mission to teach other people empathy. That’s a core value of mine. With this show, if people are listening, I think spotlighting diverse perspectives will create a holistic community. By having guests of all backgrounds from all these social groups, it’s a way of bringing the Redlands community together and humanizing the people they don’t know.

What about you? What are your career plans?

Right now, I’m a news intern and stringer at KZYX Mendocino County Public Broadcasting. It’s a public radio station. They started this bilingual news program. I’ve been working with them producing shows. I’ve done five shows now. It’s really fun and really cool! I probably wouldn’t have this position if I didn’t have this podcast with KDAWG.

Wow! So your previous work experience got you hired?

Yes! With my current position at KZYX, I wiggled my way in. There was no position available to apply to. I called and I said, “Hey, look I’m in college. I have experience with radio. I have a podcast. I’m also bilingual and I have a published article on bilingualism in the workplace. I explained there is this need for bilingualism in radio and I want to be involved with your station.” This director said “Yeah! We would love to have you. Call me when you’re in town.”

I do have this ideology that, to some degree, there will be opportunities to come, but I have to be the one to ask for it­­—to take it! I have known from the get-go that just having a degree in journalism wouldn’t cut it. I need to build up experience to have a chance at professional employment right out of college. And I hate this word, “networking”, but it’s important to do––to have relationships with people. Even if it’s just maintaining cordial relationships because you may end up needing to ask them for a favor.

About the Author | Thomas Guzowski has a Bachelor of Fine Arts and is currently pursuing is MBA. He has spent over a decade working in the nonprofit social service sector, including as an AmeriCorps VISTA member and for the Cesar Chavez Foundation. Guzowski has numerous articles published on the topic of professional development.