Madison Treat and Yaya Ciswondo
Madison Treat and Yaya Ciswondo, senior public relations majors, created the Raggedy Table Talks podcast in summer 2021.
The School of Communication caught up with Treat and Ciswondo to discuss their new endeavor — just in time for International Podcast Day.
Listen to the podcast on Spotify: bit.ly/raggedytabletalks
Why was the podcast started?
We started this podcast because we wanted to have a platform where we were able to connect with others during our young adulthood. It’s tough to navigate this season of life, and we want others to know that they aren’t alone in the uncertainty.
How did you come up with the name?
We honestly came up with the name in less than 30 minutes. We aren’t a polished, super professional podcast. It encompasses where we are in life–two college seniors just having recorded conversations on a raggedy table with cheap mics.
What success have you seen with the podcast?
We’ve gotten a lot of great feedback with the podcast! People have DM’d us saying that the podcast has been able to articulate their own thoughts and feelings. Others have said that we brought a lot of newfound thoughts and ideas into their lives as well.
What are the plans for the podcast moving forward?
Right now, (Yaya) is not able to be 100% committed to it this semester so I won’t be as present in the upcoming episodes, but any time that I have to dedicate to it, I’ll hop back on. Madison will be doing a new segment called “TreatTalks” and she will travel to others to record. We want people to know that Yaya is still a part of this project, so this new segment will help with that transition!
How did your PR major help you with the podcast?
Our major has helped a lot. Not only have we been well-versed with making graphics, but also being timely with our announcements! It also has helped with communicating our thoughts and ideas when we record. Being in PR helped our skills in communicating our ideas clearly. We’ve also gotten some criticism with some episodes which honestly was refreshing because it pushed us to analyze what we said and why others disagree. We always want to speak our truth while also bettering ourselves and content.
How does the podcast fit into Dr. Stephens’ SoC theme for ’21-’22: “Connection, Collaboration, Community”?
That’s the whole premise of why we started this project. We want others to feel connected whether it is with us or any of the guests that we bring on. We want to create a safe online community for people to turn to when they need advice or affirmation.
What advice would you give SoC students who want to start their own podcasts?
Pair up with your best friend. The backbone of this podcast is the friendship that Madison and I have. We have been friends for the last three years and it’s been nothing short of wholesome and filled with growth and joy. Having a healthy relationship with your co-host is essential for the success of the content! Also, invest in some quality mics!