For over a year and a half, I’ve been toying with the idea of starting a podcast.
I resisted for two reason, 1) I felt like it was another way to inflate my ego and be obsessed with traffic/stats. But more, 2) it was going to be extra work and I just didn’t have the passion. At least the passion to put in all the work.

But that changed recently.
And I told myself, I won’t get obsessed with traffic and stats until I have a handful of, like, 20 episodes under my belt.

So begins a new project. The name of the podcast has been changed numerous times.
It started out as Joe Knows (Nothing) inspired by the Bo Knows Nike commercials from the 90’s and “You know nothing, Jon Snow.” comment from Game of Thrones. I even had (what I thought was) a clever way of introduce the episode titles: about e1. Dodgeball.
So that it’s like, Joe Knows Nothing about Dodgeball.

I scratched that idea, and eventually settled for “into the wilderness” after I recorded two episodes. I was going with Wandering in the Wilderness and had a silly tag line that you’ll hear at the end of the first episode (if you get that far) “Thanks for wandering and wondering with me.” (Also, I realized, I can’t really say “wandering” and “wondering.” They both sound like I’m saying “woandering.” But after a devotional reading of Jesus being led into the wilderness by the Spirit, it sounded better than just wandering and meandering in the wilderness. Not that we’re meandering…

And being in the wilderness and the way the wilderness is used in the Bible has always been fascinating to me.

If I’m honest, I kind of feel like I’m wandering in the wilderness right now, too. I’m not saying it’s bad, but I feel like my soul is searching for something. So the name stuck. And besides, being in the wilderness, I’m in good company. Playing along with the Tolkien’s quote about “not all who wander are lost,” I’ve always felt that just because you’re searching for something doesn’t mean that you’re necessarily lost.

First couple of episodes are recorded. I’m a bit nervous. And it’s been awkward talking to myself. I mean, I talk to myself all the time, but talking into a mic and actually recording it was really awkward. But I could tweak and toy with them forever and ever and never get it out. So I said, “Screw it. I’ll learn as I go along.”

That’s my little set up. I’d figured my office at the church would be the best place. Not too much interruption– and hey, I’m actually in the office!

What is this podcast about? Just a spoken version of this blog. Instead of hearing it in your voice, now you actually get to hear it in my (annoying) voice. I wish I had James Earl Jone’s or Morgan Freeman’s voice…
“Thoughts about faith and life and everything in between. Like Batman.” That’s what you can expect.

Wanted to give a huge shout-out to The Bougies for letting me use their song “Fancy B” as my intro. Go check them out.

Also a huge shout-out to Mike Whang for letting me use his song, “Collide”, for my outro. I’ve been obsessed with his album. Go check him out. I may ask him to use more songs from his album…

You can go to josephyoo.podbean.com for my podcast episodes.
And the iTunes link (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/into-the-wilderness/id995718264 )

At this point, I’m still sensitive about everything. Constructive criticism is welcomed, always, but be gentle please. After I feel comfortable, my skin will once again be thick and you can say whatever.

Next week’s episode: You’re Going to Hell.

OH! And if you get a chance, check out my friend’s podcast as well, The Dead Sea. We started this journey together and I have a feeling that his is going to be great — even better than mine. But I take solace in that I gave him the idea of his format and whatever success he has, I’ll take credit for it. And royalties.

Thank you, always, for reading (and now listening).

(here’s the direct link to episode 1 http://www.podbean.com/media/player/rtjzs-560caa)