My experience working with Willow and for Out There gave me so much confidence during a time when the job market was really, really competitive. It still is.

Hi, I'm Willow Belden and you're listening to Out There, the podcast that explores big questions

through intimate stories outdoors.

On this episode, we're going to take you behind the scenes.

I want to tell you about a challenge that we're facing as a podcast, and I'm going to ask for your

help in rising to that challenge.

To understand this challenge we're facing, you need to know something about our team.

I'm the only person who works on out there full time,

but this past year, I've had some help from a series of interns. The interns have helped out

with all aspects of production, from evaluating pitches to editing scripts, to producing their own

stories.

The experience has been wonderful for me.

I love teaching, and it's been such a delight to have fresh new perspectives on the team each semester.

It's been fulfilling on a personal level and invigorating for the show in general.

And I think the feeling is mutual.

It was the first internship I ever did, and it honestly set the bar so high.

That's Aja Simpson.

She interned with me last summer.

Aside from making me look a lot better on paper

than I did before, out there gave me the confidence I desperately needed to apply for the jobs

I wanted with vigor. Willow just makes you feel so comfortable and capable. There was never any judgment. There was only

guidance and always like an open space to make mistakes and learn from them.

...