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That's right, we've been around for a long time! In this episode, John celebrates the 5th anniversary of The Basement Surge with Heather and Frank!
John reminisces about the early days and talks about the influence Heather has had on the show. He has always said she had some great ideas, but you never knew just how much. If you're watching on YouTube you can obviously see the difference in the show. Which will only get refined as we go along!
We also get happy birthday wishes from other podcasters and the set has once again been redesigned! All that and more on this episode of The Basement Surge!
Follow Heather on Instagram! @HeatherSvedese and @AuthorHeatherSvedese
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Transcript of the episode:
WELCOME BACK TO THE BASEMENT SURGE! Thank you for joining me this week everybody. This is going to be a great episode.
But before we get started do me a favor and hit that subscribe button, give me a thumbs up, ring the bell, tap that plus button…hit whatever button you gotta hit to get notified of fresh episodes of The Basement Surge.
And if you like to listen to us on the drive to work as a podcast, make sure you follow the companion podcast to this show “SurgeCast” on all major podcast listening apps.
Thanks for your patience as I got the housekeeping out of the way. I just wanted to let you guys know that this is the very first episode of Surge that’s SCRIPTED! I’ll be reading the episode from a teleprompter because I literally don’t want to forget anything I have to say.
Okay, so this is it everyone! The 5th anniversary episode! Not many podcasts make it to 5 years, in fact, most don’t reach episode 7. But here we are! Close to 150 episodes and still going!
Surge has meant a lot to me through the years. It has been so much fun. Between making amazing new friends, thinking up whacky episode ideas and just learning a new skill. Podcasting has definitely been a great addition to my life.
But don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t always been rainbows and unicorns. But I think that during those times my persistence to get the job done and do the best for Surge has shown through. At least I hope.
Throughout this episode you’ll notice the segments with Frank look differently than this. First of all I had a pretty manly beard happening, but, I thought it was fitting that we’re celebrating a milestone that we shake things up here in the studio. So since recording those segments with him I upgraded the studio…and shaved…
(INSERT STUDIO VIDEO WITH VO)
I always wanted to have more in-studio guests and not be stuck doing the talking head thing right in front of the camera. I wanted to be able to actually sit down with someone and have a conversation.
So I got a comfortable couch and an orange chair. The color orange is special for the basement because when we were kids we had an orange couch down here. So to pay homage to that couch I got a chair.
Next, I got this coffee table that lifts up so I can do shows from the couch and maybe have a laptop in front of me. It’s actually pretty convenient because it doubles for storage.
I also got a new TV stand for behind the couch and of course new lights! I love my lights.
I think this new format of switching scenes depending on the episode and/or guest will definitely make for a better episode of Surge.
So now that I’ve updated you on the state of the studio lets see what Heather had to say when I first told her I was starting a podcast and what the early days of Surge was like, in this clip we’re also adjusting to the new set.
(Heather Clips 1:39)
I guess Heather didn’t have faith in me at first, but I think that’s only because she didn’t know what a podcast was. But I proved her wrong! And I gave the UPS guy a workout.
But now let’s get into what Frank had to say about starting the show and what the first episode was like…
(Frank Clip 10:22 and 45:50)
Frank always loved the “No Filter” aspect of the show. Frank will never get over that bucket story. It was epic. You really had to be there.
But while I had Frank in the studio we spoke about the music we loved growing up down here in the basement. We talked about the difference between generations, check out what we had to say…
(Frank Clip 19:30)
Yeah, so Hanson was huge down here in the basement. But we listened to everyone. Led Zeppelin, Journey, Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Natalie Imbruglia, Offspring and The Goo Goo Dolls just to name a few.
Music was a big deal for us when we were kids. And for the 5th anniversary extravaganza, Frank and I were trying to reminisce.
In this next clip, Heather talks about what she thought about Surge when we first introduced a camera to the set and started doing live shows.
(Heather Clip 07:06)
Trailblazing the way…I can never get her to say she was wrong…about anything!
I asked Heather what she thought of Surge now compared to when we started. What she thought about the evolution of Surge.
(Heather Clip 20:00)
The show has definitely come a long way! And I truly appreciate you guys sticking around through all the evolutions.I’m just happy Heather and I never did a gameshow episode…that could’ve been bad.
But to switch modes a little bit, when Frank was here we spoke a little about the furniture and what it was like down here in the basement growing up.
(Frank clip 25:30)
Nothing will beat that orange velvet couch. I loved that thing. Which is why I got the orange chair for the set now. But something that’s been a tradition for Surge is whenever Frank is in-studio, he brings a bottle of scotch. Not just any bottle….a bottle of Macallan.
(Frank clip 30:25)
You know, a lot of people ask me where I come up with the ideas for Surge. Well, you know what?! Here’s the best answer you’ll ever get!
(Heather Clip 22:22)
And that’s a true story, my wife has always been someone who gave me my best ideas.
So apparently I do have some great ideas of my own. Those things that we did from the stunner to “The Mission” where we do 8 miles around Brooklyn, New York on rollerblades was so much fun to make.
But as word spread around that we were celebrating our five year extravaganza, other podcasters and friends sent in happy birthday wishes. Frank had a unique reaction to one of them. Let’s check them out.
(Fan Birthday wishes 51:28 Franks Video)
Thank you to everyone who took the time out to wish us a happy birthday! Everyone here at Team Surge appreciates you. We couldn’t have done it without you. You guys are awesome!
Conclusion
As I wrap up this 5 year extravaganza, I can’t help but reflect on the amazing time I’ve had creating this show. From the beginning I knew I wanted it to be the best it could possibly be.
Now when I say the best I don’t mean the #1 podcast all over the world or the top YouTube channel in the world, although that would be nice, I call it the best because not only do I put 1,000% into the show with graphics, editing and content.
But it’s the best because I’ve had so much fun doing it. The people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made and the new skills I’ve learned. This little show may have started out as a podcast of two guys reminiscing about growing up together in Brooklyn, New York but it’s evolved into so much more.
Just so you guys know, I filmed both Heather and Franks segments as full episodes. So I’m going to be making their individual 5th anniversary episodes available separately on our YouTube channel for you guys to enjoy. So keep an eye for that.
To Frank, I say this, thank you for starting this journey with me. I literally couldn’t have done that first episode without you. You add a certain kind of “personality” to the show that I will never be able to replicate. And the basement is always open to you when you want to make an appearance.
To Heather, my wife, you have been my backbone through this whole thing. From supporting me from day one to episode ideas to marketing campaigns and ideas for what we should do on the show.
You truly are the gatekeeper to the basement and my unofficial agent. I love doing episodes with you and I can’t wait to see the next five years of Surge with you on the team.
Thanks to my kids for thinking I’m famous. I can’t wait to do more episodes with you. Just for example, I go to pick up my kids from the school and the parents…THE PARENTS!! Are like, John I loved the most recent episode of Surge! Good job, keep it up! And that shit fuels me. It’s that I’m touching on so many different topics and so many interests of my generation, people love it and I thank you..
Whether it be video games, movies, parenting, just kick ass stuff that these people who are my age group are truly enjoying the content.
And I think that’s what makes Surge so successful is the team I’ve put together. You guys are amazing! From family and friends to other podcasters who I see are hungry and want to grow in this industry. People who actually do the work and show up! You guys are awesome.
I’d like to thank each and every one of you who have supported the show in one way or another. Whether you’re a family member, a friend, a fan or someone who just stumbled upon an episode on YouTube and SURGED that subscribe button. Thank you for sticking around.
There is so much more to come!
So don’t forget to subscribe, and keep following what we’re doing. Because this is just the beginning. I’ll see you next week everyone.
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