Mike Dell's World
Welcome to the world of Mike Dell—where tech, storytelling, and a bit of off-the-cuff wisdom collide. Broadcasting from Northern Michigan, Mike shares his thoughts on podcasting, technology, travel, aviation, and whatever else crosses his radar. No script
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Recent Episodes
Welcome to November Up North
In the podcast episode titled "Welcome to November Up North," host Mike Dell kicks off his series for NaPodPomo on November 1st, 2025. He introduces the theme of the month, where he plans to discuss various aspects of northern Michigan, particularly Traverse City. Mike mentions that each day he will share interesting stories, history, or happenings from the area. He notes his participation in NaPodPomo, which he describes as the eighteenth year of the initiative that started in 2007. Mike encourages listeners to visit napodpromo.org for more information and to find a super mega feed that includes other participating shows for November. The episode is intended to be a collection of short daily episodes, incorporating elements of history and nostalgia, although he humorously remarks that nostalgia can sometimes feel like a disease. Mike also addresses his recent health setback, mentioning that he had been feeling unwell, likening his condition to being kicked in the chest by a donkey, which has left him a bit scratchy in his voice. He concludes the episode by expressing his plans to record daily updates throughout November, signaling the start of this new series. #napodpomo25 NaPodPoMo catch all feed: https://feed.informer.com/digests/ZOYLP5GJYK/feeder.rss NaPodPoMo website https://napodpomo.org/
The Art of Winterizing and Managing Stress
In this episode of "Mike Dell's World," titled "The Art of Winterizing and Managing Stress," Mike Dell returns with episode 506 for October 27, 2025, after a brief hiatus. He acknowledges the irregularity of his podcast releases and shares updates about his other podcast, Podcast Insider, which will be resuming in November with a new co-host, Dave Clements. Mike discusses his recent activities, including winterizing both his and his mother's campers, putting away boats, and preparing snow removal equipment. He mentions limited flying opportunities due to poor weather conditions and reflects on the stress he's been experiencing, primarily caused by overthinking and various personal issues, including the passing of a colleague, Todd. Despite the challenges, he reassures listeners that Blueberry Podcasting is continuing without interruptions. Mike shares how stress has affected his relaxation time, noting that reading often leads him to fall asleep rather than providing relief. He discusses his attempts to engage in leisure activities, including walking, but expresses reluctance to do so, feeling overwhelmed by a busy schedule. He recounts a recent family trip to Minneapolis for his nephew's wedding, where logistical concerns added to his stress. Mike reflects on how everything in his day feels scheduled and concludes that his time alone led him to spend the day watching YouTube instead of accomplishing more satisfactory activities. The discussion shifts to seeking suggestions from listeners on how to alleviate stress, as Mike expresses his desire for feedback. He shares that he’s contemplating joining a gym but for different reasons, and he finds podcasting to be a therapeutic outlet. Mike also touches on the role of AI in podcasting, revealing that he has experimented with AI-generated content and observes the need for authentic voices in the medium. He mentions plans to participate in National Podcast Posting Month (NAPODPOMO) by producing a series of thirty short episodes about life in Northern Michigan, which will feature various themed topics. The episode concludes with Mike encouraging listeners to connect with him and express their thoughts on stress relief strategies and his upcoming podcast series.
What Really Is a Podcast?
What is called a podcast has sparked more debate in our community than mic choices or interview styles. There’s a lot of confusion, and even controversy, around this seemingly simple question. And if you’ve been in the podcasting game for any amount of time, you’ve likely heard a dozen different definitions. According to WhatsAPodcast.com: podcast (noun) Episodic multimedia content that is downloadable via RSS (“really simple syndication”). A podcast can be audio or video. Yes, this is technically correct. But let’s be real. That doesn’t really explain what a podcast is in the way that matters to us as creators. A Podcast Is a Distribution Method, Not Just a “Show” At its core, a podcast is a show distributed via podcasting technology. Namely, RSS feeds. That’s it. The magic isn’t in the audio file or video format, It’s in how it gets to your audience. A podcast isn’t just a genre of content, it’s a method of delivery. That’s a crucial distinction we, as creators, need to understand… Even if our audiences don’t. Listeners (or viewers, if it’s video) might never think twice about RSS. But we should. RSS is the backbone of podcasting. It allows for decentralized distribution, meaning no single company owns or controls where or how your content is accessed. That’s not a bug, it’s a feature. Why YouTube Isn’t a Podcast (And That’s Okay) There’s a common argument: “If I post my show on YouTube, that’s a podcast, right?” Well… Not quite. A video uploaded to YouTube is a video. You might also be running a podcast that features the same content, but unless it’s distributed via RSS, it’s not technically a podcast. It's just another method of media distribution. And, There is NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. There are many ways to distribute a show: TV or radio broadcast YouTube or other video platforms Embedded audio on a website Live streaming Podcasting via RSS The important thing is understanding what makes something a podcast: RSS-powered syndication that lets people subscribe (or follow) and receive new episodes automatically, in their preferred app, without being tied to any one platform. Why This Matters to Independent Creators You might ask, “Who cares if my content is called a podcast or not?” Well, as an independent creator, you should care… at least a little. RSS keeps podcasting open and democratic. It’s what allows your show to appear on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Overcast, and hundreds of other directories, all without being locked into a single ecosystem. When your content lives only on one platform, you’re at the mercy of that platform’s algorithm, terms of service, and monetization policies. With podcasting, you own your feed. That’s powerful. Use Podcasting as One Tool in Your Creator Toolkit Here’s the good news: You don’t have to choose just one path. You can distribute your content however you like. Record your live radio show? Great turn that into a podcast. Record a video for YouTube? Strip the audio and publish it as a podcast. Do a podcast? Add video and stream it live. Repurpose your content across channels. Just understand the distinctions. Podcasting is just one way to reach your audience. But it’s a way that gives you freedom, control, and ownership. And that’s why it’s worth preserving the true meaning of what a podcast is. A podcast isn’t defined by whether it’s audio or video, entertaining, educational or just plain stupid. It’s defined by how it’s distributed. Via RSS. Understanding that gives you more power as a content creator, not less. Keep creating. Keep sharing. And most importantly, keep owning your feed. HAPPY PODCASTING!
Missing People, Missing Time and Missing Podcasts – MDW 404
In episode 404 of "Mike Dell's World," titled "Missing People, Missing Time and Missing Podcasts," host Mike Dell opens by greeting listeners and noting the episode number's significance, linking it to the theme of being "not found" or "missing." He reflects on his absence since May 29 and shares personal experiences of loss. Mike addresses the passing of his father in December, which has left him feeling a sense of missingness, particularly as he takes on household responsibilities his father used to manage. He also shares the recent unexpected death of his cohost Todd Cochrane, which has thrown his company, Blubrry Podcasting, into turmoil. Mike recounts attending Todd's funeral, where many podcasting peers gathered to celebrate Todd’s life and legacy. He shares memories of attending Podcast Movement in Dallas with Todd and how their dynamic was central to the experience, highlighting the challenges he faces now without him. The episode then transitions into updates on Mike's life, including difficulties with time management, ongoing flight training, and personal projects around his home. He talks about the stress of caregiving and estate management for his family, as well as the trials of hauling campers and maintaining his mother's camper for friends. Mike also discusses his recent flight checkride and his experiences with repairing his truck, illustrating a hectic summer filled with both personal and emotional challenges. He mentions his plans for the upcoming winter, expressing hope for a more manageable snow removal routine. As he continues, Mike describes renovations he’s undertaking at home and reflects on the need to update his podcast more frequently, acknowledging his last episode was significantly delayed. He shares his intention to keep listeners engaged and updated about both his personal life and the progress of his other show, Podcast Insider, which is currently on hiatus. He concludes by thanking listeners for their support and asking them to stay tuned for future updates as he navigates the ongoing adjustments in his life, reaffirming the poignancy of the episode's theme of missingness. Mike wraps up the episode with a reminder of the ongoing journey of understanding loss and the changes it brings.
Weekend Weather for Traverse City and OOPS! – MDW-403
I messed up the audio on the last episode. BUT, I figured out what I did. This is a short demo of what AI can do forecasting the weather. I'm not going to do this other than I wanted to see how it would sound. :)
POWERED BY BLUBRRY
