"Have fun and think big" with Alexa Randolph
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Credit: Meghan Steingold
Alexa Randolph is the New Adult Sports Romance Author of With Love, Ella and With Love, Daniel. She is also the podcast host and blogger of With Love, Alexa, and Hey Alexa. Her podcast is all about bringing awareness to chronic pain and mental health. Alexa loves not only to write romance, but she loves reading it just as much. In addition, she has a passion for helping others be the best they can be.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I received my bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 2016. I wanted to go into Event Planning until I had an accident two months later that changed everything. I have always been more of a writer than a talker. I am the author of two romance novels. I never thought in a million years that I would have been a podcast host.
What inspired you to start your podcast?
I was in a bad car accident in 2016 that led me to have Central Pain Syndrome and Post-Concussion Syndrome. It was scary because I went from being lively and having my whole life ahead of me to being in so much pain not being able to do anything. I had a challenging year going from doctor to doctor feeling alone. An ex-doctor told me that it was all in my head and that I was making it up.
However, I learned more about chronic pain and mental health and wanted to help others learn about it. I used to be nervous to talk in front of people because I was afraid of judgment, but I knew this was important. I have spoken with so many people who have been through similar situations, and I wanted to make sure they had a platform to share their stories and fears. I had a story that people needed to hear because of the life lessons I was given.
Through my podcast, I was able to help not only warriors but also caregivers and people who didn’t understand chronic pain and mental health.
Before the accident, I probably would have laughed if someone said I should host a podcast.
How did you start it? What were the first steps you took?
I had a family friend who had a podcast studio. At the time, I was thinking of writing a blog because I had always loved to write. He showed me the studio and said I should think about podcasting. I decided to take the leap and start the process with them. I would record in a studio with a team once a week, and I fell in love with it.
I would record 2-3 half-hour episodes a week for a once-a-week air date. I liked being ahead of schedule if a guest canceled or something came up. Once Covid hit, our studio shut down, and I didn’t know that I would be able to continue to record. I was thankful that I was so ahead with my recordings that they lasted until June 2020.
I transitioned into short YouTube video interviews because I didn’t know I could upload them at home until a few months later. Once I learned of that, I took the audio links from all my interviews and added them to the podcast. This is where I reached out to reality stars, athletes, and more. As a result, Covid changed the course of my podcast in good and bad ways.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your podcast?
For me, it has been having guests each week because not only am I sharing it, but they are too. It is an excellent way to reach an audience I might not have otherwise. I also share it all over my social media platforms and in groups to fit my topic.
In October 2020, I worked with a previous Big Brother Contestants on monthly mental health events. Each month, we held them over zoom and had a theme with professionals and celebrities sharing their stories. The audience would later get to share their accounts or ask questions. It did wonders for my podcast because my podcast name and brand were attached to the event.
What have been your biggest challenges when launching your podcast?
In the beginning, it was my nervousness because I would get overwhelmed and sound nervous while recording. I would hate listening to my episodes because I focused more on my voice than my sharing stories. As I continued to host, I learned that not everything is perfect, and it’s okay to mess up. I started to feel more confident, and it showed in how I interviewed and sounded.
The other part is monetization because it can be tricky, especially initially. I would feel like mine wasn’t good enough to get ads or make money. I’m now learning that it all takes time and research and that any podcast can make money if you do it correctly.
How do you monetize your podcast? What are your best tips to monetize a podcast?
Right now, I am not monetizing but learning the best ways to do it. I have been starting to sign up with affiliate marketing programs. I want to use my custom glassware business in the podcast to make more money.
As of now, my best advice is to do your research and try whatever you can. I think reaching out to local businesses could be a great way to start because that could benefit you and them. It could also help you build your audience because they will likely share the podcast with their audience.
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new podcasters?
My best advice is to have fun and think big. During my first podcast, I wanted to reach out to more prominent names like reality stars, but people told me they wouldn’t ever answer, and honestly, I had the I have nothing to lose mindset. It turned out I was right because I had contestants from The Bachelor, Big Brother, Real Housewives, and more on my podcasts. I am a big believer in just trying everything you can until something sticks.
Just keep reaching out and following up until you get the word “no.”
It is wise to get on others’ podcasts or do podcast swaps because it helps get your name out there. Make sure your topic is something you are passionate about because it’s easy to get burnt out otherwise.
Always feel free to ask questions and join podcast groups on social media because I have made a lot of connections on there that I wouldn’t have otherwise.
What’s your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
Favorite App: Canva-I create all of my graphics and social media. It makes it easy to get everything done. There are so many templates that plug and chug all you have to do. It’s a no-brainer for podcast hosts.
Favorite Blog: I don’t have a favorite, but I like The Mighty blog because it is all different people worldwide sharing stories and advice on chronic illness, mental health, and more. I have shared my story on their many times and have even been featured on sites like Yahoo News or Huffington Post from my account.
Favorite Book: That Boy Series by Jillian Dodd is such a sweet love story, and the characters are easy to fall in love with and root for.
What’s your favorite business/podcast tool or resource? Why?
I love using YouTube and Shopify digest because there are articles and videos on every topic for the business, and I always like to learn something new.
YouTube is great because you can see it in real-time and follow the steps. There are videos on pretty much everything you can think of.
Shopify Digest is great for products and business ideas, and tips. In addition, they have all sorts of advice and self-help tools to get the job done.
What projects do you have planned for the next six months?
My first podcast that started in 2019 is now done, and I have recently launched my new podcast called Hey Alexa. Hey Alexa, the podcast is a place to come to hear stories of people from all walks of life. We discuss everything from pop culture to mental health, self-growth, and everything in between. NOTHING is off-limits.
I recently launched my custom drinkware business, creating all kinds of wine, beer, champagne, shot glasses, and tumblers for all occasions and Custom Light Up Bottles. It’s been a lot of fun, and I love getting to make people’s day by getting a great gift. I am working on getting my line in stores and to event planners.
How can our readers connect with you?
Website (Has everything): www.alexarandolph.com
Email: alexa@alexarandolph.com
Books: https://amzn.to/3J4VQRk
Instagram: @alexarandolphllc