The Word Podcast was coined just over 20 years ago, and in April 2025 it will be the 20th anniversary of my first podcast episode.  I really wish I could find that file.  They say once something is on the internet, it is there forever.  Well, not in the case of my first 35 episodes. 🙁   I’ve looked high and low and even on the wayback machine. I can’t find it.  Benzoid Report #001. I will offer a bounty for anyone that can find it and send it to me. 

As you might know already, this podcast was called the Benzoid Report for the first few years.  Also, the 400 is just the episodes that I numbered. I had a lot of other mini episodes, and experimental episodes the the number is likely 500 or so.  But for this purpose, 400 works!

AI Shownotes: In this special 400th episode of “Mike Dell’s World,” host Mike Dell celebrates his podcasting journey and reflects on the evolution of his show and the medium. Recorded on the day before International Podcast Day, Mike reminisces about starting his podcast back in April 2005, initially under the name “The Benzoid Report,” which was later changed to “Mike Dell’s World” in 2008.

Mike shares his early fascination with talk radio which later transitioned into exploring podcasts as a new form of broadcasting. He recounts the technical challenges of the early days, like hand-rolling RSS feeds and filling his iPod with downloaded MP3s for entertainment during night shifts at a printing plant. Mike’s interest was sparked by pioneering podcasters and the desire to create his own show, despite his assertion that it was about ‘nothing in particular.’

Throughout the episode, Mike elaborates on the numerous other podcasts he has started (and sometimes stopped), covering topics from ham radio and strange news to aviation history and fast food. He highlights some enjoyable moments, like podcasting on the go and creating episodes about topics he loves. Mike also discusses his full-time role at Blueberry, grounding his career in the podcasting industry even further.

He candidly shares the challenge of maintaining a consistent podcasting schedule and advocates for keeping episodes as long or as short as the content requires, rather than stretching them to fit a time slot. Mike prefers the intimacy of audio podcasts over video, noting the unique one-on-one connection they offer with listeners.

Finally, Mike touches on broader topics, reflecting on the changing landscape of media and podcasting, sharing a desire for civility and unity amid political turmoil, and expressing optimism for the future of podcasting as a diverse and evolving field. He concludes by welcoming another 400 episodes and inviting listeners to contact him for podcasting advice, celebrating the communal and evolving nature of the medium.