
I always have my headphones on and indulge in my favorite hobby: listening to podcasts. This time I was even there live: at Podcast am Berg in the Axamer Lizum.
Do you know those people who are always walking around with their headphones on? If you want to talk to them, you either have to shout or tap them to get their attention. I confess: I'm one of those people - much to my husband's chagrin! Whether I'm on the train, cleaning or cooking, I always have something on my ears. And what am I listening to? Podcasts, of course! Always, even when I'm falling asleep or jogging.
A fan girl report: Podcast am Berg
I really, really love podcasts! That's why I'm delighted to be able to tell you about a very special event. Podcast am Berg took place on January 11th in the Axamer Lizum took place. So that you can't say later that I didn't warn you: get ready for a real fan-girl report! It was simply great! Not only did I get to see some of my favorite podcasters live, but I even got to chat with them a bit. And I'm sure I have one or two podcast tips for you. Because if I'm an expert anywhere, it's in this field!
Podcasts always bring joy - whether in the sun, on the couch or during sports! elisabeth de Koekkoek
From the idea to the summit: how a podcast was created on the mountain
What do you get when a content creator and an extreme sportsman fall in love, get married and have children? Of course: a podcast! At least that's what happened to Sarah and Stefan Ager. The two are the hosts of Liebreizend Extreme. Every Thursday, they talk about their everyday life as parents of twins and how they manage the balancing act between work, relationship and family - or sometimes not. They noticed that the cultural scene, and especially the podcast scene, is much less present west of Salzburg than in the east of Austria. Sarah explained: "We can see that podcasts are still almost uncharted territory, especially in the west, even though there are so many great podcasters here in Tyrol." What is missing are events that bring the scene together - or rather: were missing. True to the motto "Talk is silver, action is gold", Steff took matters into his own hands. Together with his partner Simon, he organized Podcast am Berg - and laid the foundations for a unique event.
A podcast studio with a mountain panorama
Although, as I said, I'm a big podcast fan, I've never been to a live event before. So I had no specific expectations - but if I had had any, they would definitely have been exceeded! The location itself was simply spectacular: the covered sun terrace of the Hoadl-Haus panorama restaurant was transformed into a podcast studio in a class of its own - with a uniquely beautiful mountain panorama as a backdrop . Okay, I'm from Tyrol. So mountains are nothing new to me. And yet I'm still impressed every time. To make the scenery even more perfect - or, shall we say, kitschy - the Axamer Lizum was at its very best that day: bright blue skies and sunshine. I'm sure the podcasters from eastern Austria and Germany who had traveled all the way here were impressed.
The podcast studio with probably the most beautiful backdrop © Elisabeth de Koekkoek
The perfect Saturday: mountains, sun, podcasts - what more could you want? elisabeth de Koekkoek
Traveling recording - in the podcast gondola
The panorama in the Hoadl building could hardly be topped as a backdrop. Hardly - because there was another very special highlight: the podcast gondola. This was equipped with professional recording equipment and cameras so that podcasters could record their episodes during the ride. Among the exciting acts were the Innsbruck Podcast with Stefan Ager and Simon Varges as guests and Anna from Narrisch Guat with her food podcast.
A sporty start
The really motivated and sporty guests had the option of starting the event with a yoga session or a ski tour. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of them that day. The live podcast Good Vibes by yoga teacher, author and YouTuber Marcel Clementi. I'm actually a little annoyed at my own laziness. If I hadn't been dawdling around at home, I would have listened to Marcel live.
Unfortunately, I was not part of this sporty group... © Lukas Anzinger
Maybe next year I'll have the opportunity to take a yoga class with Marcel Clementi © Lukas Anzinger
Good Vibes Only
He provides great food for thought - it's no wonder that his lifestyle podcast, in which he talks about topics such as mindfulness, meditation, sport and yoga, even won the Ö3 Podcast-Award award last year. A great podcast and definitely my first tip for anyone who wants to focus on body, mind and soul. And by the way: Marcel has also been a guest on the Innsbruck Podcastin which he talks about how to actually become a yoga teacher. A great episode that is definitely worth listening to for anyone who wants to find out more about the path into the yoga world!
From newcomer to event host
What I definitely didn't want to miss was the live appearance of Sarah and Steff with their podcast Liebreizend Extreme. I've already told you what they're about. Just like Marcel, they are also Ö3 Podcast-Award-Winners: In 2023 they were awarded the Newcomer Award. I'm an absolutely loyal listener and look forward to the new episode every Thursday. Seeing them live was an almost surreal moment for me.
Parasocial relationships and why I'm awkward
You probably know that feeling of "knowing" a person you've never met in real life. This happens because you learn so much about them through social media, YouTube or podcasts. The repeated contact makes them seem almost like old acquaintances - a phenomenon known as a parasocial relationship. When I saw Sarah and Steff shortly before their performance at Hoadl-Haus, I spontaneously had the impulse to greet them - just like you do with old acquaintances. But at the same moment I remembered that of course they have no idea who I am.
How it almost came to a cycling accident
After their performance, I actually had the opportunity to chat with them a bit. And what can I say? I had my absolute fan-girl moment! There's a saying in English: "Never meet your heroes". The risk of being disenchanted is simply too great. But that wasn't the case with Sarah and Steff. On the contrary, they are almost more likeable in real life. And don't worry if you ever meet them: you're welcome to talk to them. "Steff is recognized more often than I am," says Sarah. Steff remembers a particularly funny encounter: "The other day, a guy rode past me on his bike, suddenly slowed down quickly and asked me for a photo for his girlfriend, who listens to the podcast regularly. She later wrote to me on Instagram: 'Speaking of which, my boyfriend already listens to the podcast too'."
Starting a podcast - a worthwhile challenge
Maybe you've thought about starting your own podcast? As part of Podcast am Berg, I had the opportunity to take part in a fascinating workshop by Eva Langmayr the managing director and co-founder of wepodit. She gave us an impressive demonstration of what a powerful medium podcasts really are. Did you know that over 30 percent of Austrians already listen to podcasts regularly - and the trend is still rising? The core target group is currently between 20 and 40 years old, but is becoming increasingly broader. Podcast listeners are also a particularly valuable target group. Steff from Liebreizend Extreme agrees: "A podcast listener is worth much more than a like on Instagram. Even if you 'only' have 100 listeners per episode. Because these 100 people take the time to listen to an entire episode on a specific topic."
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
Even if it feels like there's already a podcast on every topic, Eva and Sarah say there's nothing to stop you starting your own anyway. "If you're interested in a medium, you learn it from the ground up. You understand it better and know how to set it up. You get direct feedback and can improve," explains Sarah. "If you really want to, you should try it out. Ultimately, I think it's always better to try something than to think later: I wish I had..." Both Sarah and Eva emphasize that a podcast means a lot of work and that continuity is the be-all and end-all. Before you start, you should definitely be clear about your goals: What do I want to achieve with my podcast? Once this has been clarified, it's important to keep at it. "It's not a sprint, it's a marathon!"
For all podcast fans: experiencing your favorite podcasts live is even cooler! elisabeth de Koekkoek
My highlight: Sarah and Stefan Ager with their podcast Liebreizend Extreme live on stage! elisabeth de Koekkoek
Lukas Klaschinski and Timo Neitzel from the very successful podcast Beste Freundinnen © Elisabeth de Koekkoek
Sinah and Leonie from Couchgeflüster © Elisabeth de Koekkoek
Every year again
In addition to Marcel Clementi and Sarah and Stefan Ager, many other great podcasters appeared at Podcast am Berg in the Axamer Lizum. Among others, the girls from Couchgeflüsterjonny Balchin and Maria Padinger with their podcast Austrian Kiwi as well as the hosts of the Investigativpodcast Dunkelkammer and Beste Freundinnen. The event was a great success and will hopefully take place annually in the future - at least that's the plan. One thing's for sure: I'll be there again, and I hope you will too!
The Innsbruck Podcast
Speaking of podcasts: do you already know the Innsbruck Podcast? Here you'll find all kinds of exciting stories from the capital of the Alps and the surrounding regions. Olympic champions are guests, you can visit the water tunnel, get tips for excursions or look over the shoulders of larva carvers and Krampus. Lots of stories worth hearing and seeing. Click here for the Innsbruck (video) podcast.
Header image and other photos, unless otherwise stated: ©Elisabeth de Koekkoek
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Mother, TV series addict and nature lover with a passion for good food and the mountains!
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