Wildcast: Podcasting is about to get Wild…
By: Dan Stein
Tags: Startup Life, Startup, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneur, Founder Interviews

Interview with Madison Catania, CEO & Co-Founder of Wildcast

Interview with Madison Catania, CEO & Co-Founder of Wildcast

Tell us about your business. What do you do?

Wildcast is a networking platform and community for those within the podcast industry. Our first version, which became available to the public as of September, focuses on connecting podcasts with guests and with other podcasts. You can explore those on the platform to add them to your network, message with them, and schedule recordings, calls, and events based on your calendar. Some of our early users include podcasts from the top charts of Comedy, Society & Culture, Science, TV & Film, guests who have worked on shows and networks such as The Bachelor, Netflix, Bravo, as well as experts on everything from the coronavirus to astrology. Our long term goal and vision is to be a place where everyone in the podcast industry (guests included) can go to network, find community, and explore collaboration opportunities.

What is your startup’s origin story?

I was leading the production team at a podcast network, working on shows mainly in Society & Culture and Comedy that were top charting within their categories. A big component of my role was booking guests for our podcasts, booking our podcast hosts on other people’s podcasts, and looking for cross promo opportunities. Basically, I wanted a tool to help me accomplish all of this but I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for! Ultimately, my co-founder and I decided to take a shot at building it ourselves.

Had you been involved in the industry before this startup? What is your background?

Yes! For a couple of years, I was in the production space. Prior to actually entering the industry, podcasts were a huge passion of mine and I was an avid listener. I had worked in Marketing and Content Strategy in a variety of industries, but really wanted to explore the podcast space. Luckily, after connecting with one of my now mentors, I had the opportunity to do so.

What’s unique about your company? What are the key differentiators between you and other players?

Because of my background as a producer for a variety of shows, I believe I really understand what podcasters and podcast guests are looking for and what can help them to expand their reach and listenership. My co-founder comes from the tech space, and with his help and the help of our development team, marketing agency, and strategic advisors, we’ve put together a group of people who are passionate and knowledgeable about what we are doing. A lot of “guest finding” competitors are more similar to a Tinder — they’re making one time matches for one night stands, AKA a transaction for a guest to record with a podcast. We’re trying to create a community and networking platform where eventually, everyone in the industry can go to thrive and grow.

Take us through a day in your life. What does the typical day look like?

Everyday is truly different. I try to build routine into my days such as waking up at the same time, making time for breakfast, going for a few walks, etc, but for the most part it really depends on what I need to tackle that day or week. I always make a general list on Fridays for what I need to do each day the following week, and then a more detailed list the morning of my day. I love lists!

What has been the most challenging part of growing your company?

I think the most challenging part really is just trying to be patient and manage expectations. We would love to have tens of thousands of users overnight, and there is an endless list of features we want to build to be the best platform out there. It really is slowing down to take things one step at a time in order not to be overwhelmed.

What has been your best marketing channel? What are some channels you are looking to explore next?

We just started some paid social initiates on Facebook and Instagram and though it’s very early, it seems to be working well for us. We’re also trying to collaborate with other companies and people in the space via social media, newsletters, and eventually on our own website.

What apps do you use that you would recommend to others?

I use Slack, Asana, and Canva nearly everyday to keep on track of our team and to build assets for social media and general content. I’m also a pen to paper kind of person, so my to-do lists typically exist both on an app and on paper in front of me so I can psychically cross items off.

Do you have a book, podcast, or Youtube channel you would recommend to other Entrepreneurs?

How I Built This is an obvious but truly great podcast that always inspires me to keep moving forward.

If you could go back in time to the day you founded your company, what advice would you give yourself?

Some days are going to be really shitty and that’s OK.

What’s something you’ve learned from building your business that someone else can learn from?

Take meetings you don’t want to take and reach out to anyone and everyone who might be able to offer you perspective you hadn’t yet thought of.