The Curiosity Network

Today we're talking about Katy's brain child and company, The Curiosity Network!🧠  Discover a world of curiosity and creativity with The Curiosity Network, a platform empowering individuals to unleash their creative potential. Join us in this insightful podcast episode as we sit down with The Curiosity Network's founder (our very own Katy!), to explore their comprehensive podcast solutions, online learning & workshops, merchandise & product support, and tailored strategies & consultations...and how YOU can be a part of it all.

Tune in for inspiring conversations, fuel your creative journey and unlock new realms of possibility. Don't miss out on this captivating episode with The Curiosity Network, your gateway to unlimited inspiration, learning, and connection.

The Curiosity Network website
The Orca Alliance Hat (part of the proceeds going to orca conservation)
The Curiosity Network's Twitter

Transcript

The Curiosity Network

Laura: [00:00:00] Hello and welcome to For The Love of Nature, a podcast where we tell you everything you need to know about nature and probably more than you wanted to know. I'm Laura.

Katy: And I'm Katy. And today we have alluded, ands, gave snippets and sneak peeks of this, but we finally can talk and about the whole network thing, my company, all that good stuff because it is really exciting and it's all finally officially kicked off. And so that's what we're gonna talk

Laura: feel like way more legit now

Katy: Yes. Yeah, definitely. And I

Laura: I'm waiting for the get rich part.

Katy: Yeah, you're right. Hey, me too. I've been quietly working on, not quietly, but also quietly working on a company for almost a year and a half now. I mean, mom and it just work full-time jobs still and getting all of this stuff. And then I've been getting some, consulting projects, you know, through it and whatnot.

But now I was finally able to formalize everything and get everything going. So we figured we'll go through some nature news first and then, yeah, we'll just run through what the company is and everything. Cause I feel like a lot of our listeners could probably [00:01:00] benefit from it.

Laura: Yeah. Yeah. Or anybody who's interested in, how to formalize podcast stuff or heck, all the other stuff that the, that the network

Katy: does a lot. Does a lot. All right. So nature news, let's freaking talk about these orcas, man. For anybody who has been following the news. And if you haven't, first of all, Let's give the jist of what's been happening off the Iberian Peninsula off, you know, the coast of Spain, these killer whales have been, orcas, have been attacking boats.

Now, this has been going on since about 2020.

These attacks, it's been a

Laura: on more and more.

Katy: It's happened more, been happening more and more, and social media has caught wind of it. I don't remember how many total attacks.

Laura: a lot.

Katy: It's, yeah, it's quite, it's,

Laura: I'll look it up while you're talking.

Katy: yeah, it, it's quite a bit. And so, as insane as all of this is, social media has taken the, and run with it, which, which is good in one way because it's bringing to light the [00:02:00] issues with, whales and just ocean noise and everything.

Cuz the ocean is so much noisier than what people think it is. And one of the origin, quote unquote stories of what happened that all this started was that one of the matriarchal females. So we did social lives not a few weeks ago. And,

Laura: Really recently.

Katy: yeah.

I talked about orcas and how they're led by a female, and there is a female in one of these pods that believe they had gotten hit by a boat and now she's taking revenge. And, and that

Laura: is 

anthropomorphizing the

Katy: by a long shot. So there's a lot of obviously speculation around it, but it has drawn to light. Again, like I said,

how 

Laura: human wildlife conflict

Katy: Yeah. Yeah. And the noise, traffic and just everything that's going on. And so money is being raised, for conservation and everything, but at the same time, there's a flip side to all of this, is that cuz people, I mean they're, they've sunk some [00:03:00] boats like.

Laura: They've done, it's, they've said they've done three boats in the past three years, but that's sinking. They've damaged a lot more, usually by biting at the rudder. So it's like disabling the steering,

Katy: which is nuts.

Laura: super targeted.

Katy: Yeah. No. Yeah. Cause Cause it does sound personal at this point, like,

Laura: it sounds like they don't ever want that boat to move again.

With the precision of what they do sometimes with like humpback whale spleens,

Katy: yeah, right. Yeah.

Laura: just the spleen, we'll take just the rudder.

Katy: Just the rudder,

Laura: But yeah, they've been talking about how, what could be some reasons for this. If it's not personal revenge, which is unlikely, but maybe it's the noise, it's freaking them out and they're just getting confused.

Or orcas are playful and something about the way that the water flows around the hull. They're also wondering if it's like 

Katy: What is this? Yeah, what 

Laura: young orcas and they're like biting at it like a puppy,

Katy: They got bored with

el, they got, they got, bored with the, uh, launching of the seals and have now moved on to, [00:04:00] let's see if we can boat

Laura: How many boats can you take

Katy: Yeah. Right.

Laura: So it might not be revenge, it's might just be playful ocean puppies or,

Katy: Or it could just be not revenge, but Yeah. Or just agitation.

Laura: wills.

Katy: And and they, and that's where they figure and they kind of, yeah. Agitation, whales. So just the agitation, cuz it is noisy. I mean, and that is a very, very busy straight. Um, but yeah, but, but that's not the only incident recently.

So there was also a Netflix crew off the coast of Hawaii filming that were attacked by a bunch of sharks. There was a sailboat, I forget where that one was, somewhere in the Pacific Ocean had a family on it hit a whale. And so they had to be rescued because that boat sank.

Like it

Laura: ocean's taking your revenge. It does feel like

Katy: It does feel like that, but at the same time just like everything else, we have access to all the information. We hear about these things a lot more. And Because it's

Laura: we're [00:05:00] losing space. 

Katy: you. No, 

Laura: be real. We're gonna keep running into a lot more things. It's just like bears, bears here, Katy. That's also nature news. The amount of black bears that have been cited in my area in the last month is

insane. I feel like they've never had this many. 

Katy: you said that you guys just got out of a drought. Right? So they were probably, it was probably a drought. Cause I know that used to happen in Western pa. If we had a drought, they would come down from the mountains, like down and to be just looking for food.

Laura: And I think that they're, they're young males, like they always are. And I, I'm also wondering if it's correlated to they're not fresh young babies, but I know that we probably had a bumper bear crop after the cicadas came out 

Katy: Oh yeah.

Laura: there's just too many and they're looking for, but they're all over, they're in dc, they're in Columbia, they're in Frederick.

They're all over, we're just running into wildlife in the ocean in our cities.

Katy: Yeah. But, with all that good news, we're gonna be talking about the Curiosity Network, but part on that, we'll put links in the, description for all this. We are selling hats that are gonna give [00:06:00] back to whale conservation, and it has an orca on it and it says rewrite it, Dawn.

So, so

Laura: Take it as you will.

Katy: you take it as you will,

Laura: Could be ride for conservation,

Katy: yeah,

yeah. 

Laura: ride to destroy the yachts.

Katy: Yeah, right. Whichever way we're gonna be on the side of the orcas, but we really don't think it's a personal revenge. It's more of, we do have to figure out this human animal conflict side of things. Like Laura said, it's going to keep getting worse and we have to be able to help and fund research so that we can find sustainable and good solutions to this stuff.

So a portion of the proceeds do go to a conservation organization. And again, we'll put that link in the description so you guys can go visit that. Because I mean, it is funny. We ride at dawn, so, cause cuz why not?

Laura: Because why not? And plus that's gonna be part of all of our other 

merchandise that you can

Katy: That is,

Laura: Yeah. I'm so excited. I can't wait to get the apron like so I just, on my news is I just bought a [00:07:00] townhouse and I'm not gonna start gardening until it fall cuz that's a like one of the last things of my priority.

But when I finally get to garden, boy oh boy. I'm gonna get that gardening apron.

Katy: Again, we'll include all the links to everything down and then the description. So you can go and look. We finally have a spot for the merch and let's just go ahead and let's start diving into these questions, cuz then I can talk a little bit more about all that exciting stuff here.

Laura: Sure, sure. So we're gonna do this where, you know, since it's Katy's baby, I'm gonna ask questions and I can also give some commentary, but what is the Curiosity Network?

Katy: All right. So, other than my baby, um, because it, because it really hasn't just been mine. I've been working very closely with,

Laura: I should say your brain child and then nurtured with a family.

Katy: a ton of other people. Laura and I in our very first episode, if you go back and listen to the first one, Laura and I have talked about all of our entrepreneurial possible endeavors that we've had in the past.

But I'm at a point in my life where this one, I decided to just go for it. And it [00:08:00] happened to be that I knew enough of the right people to go ahead and help. Me form this whole thing. So I've had people from software engineers to business mentors that are professors at university to people who have owned and run their own businesses for the last 30 years.

Ones that, also have a D H D that I've reached out to, to get insight. I've had, people give me insight on design and some of those folks are gonna be working with me and for me as independent contractors and helping me with all this stuff. So, so what is it? All right. So it's, it's called the Curiosity Network, and it's a comprehensive solution for individuals, organization, and businesses.

And it's anyone who wants to seek professional and, personal growth through podcasting and knowledge sharing is how it's starting off. So while it is currently made up of a very few distinct services, Overall, the Curiosity Network is a brand at its core, a brand fueled by curiosity, its name, and a passion for positive change.

So one of the [00:09:00] primary things that we're focusing on is, launching of the company's podcast network, which For the love of nature is now a part of. And with that we provide podcasters with a lot of different services a vibrant community. Curated resources, expert guidance that we're pulling in a bunch of people that I've met over the past few years. And it's all to empower podcasters and businesses to refine their ideas and create that impactful content that is gonna make a difference, and connect with like-minded individuals. 

Laura: Gotcha. I remember when you were first explaining everything to me 

Katy: Oh, it's so different. And again that, shows and it's a testament to the power of showing your own, humility.

Most businesses and companies that are gonna be successful, you have to admit that you don't know it all. I don't know it all. And whenever it comes to like the business side of things, I don't know what the heck, like I know where my strengths lie and it is not with the business side of a 

Laura: like the organizational and the ideas and.

Katy: Yeah. And so I've had to reach out to a [00:10:00] lot of people and through that, even some of the original ideas and aspects that I've had, I've talked to some close friends that I trust their guidance, and it was almost like it started as one thing and it's changed, you know, so, so differently since then.

Laura: Yeah, so where did the idea come from and how has it evolved?

Katy: Okay. So the inspiration for this is, we had a desire to provide basically an all-in-one solution to something that I think every aspiring PO podcaster faces, which is an overwhelming amount of information, decision paralysis and just mounting costs when bringing an idea to life.

And I know, Laura and I, we went through this, whenever we started for the love of nature, I started researching, okay, how do we do this? What do we do? Thankfully, I had already helped start a podcast with my full-time job, before we did for The Love of Nature.

So I already had some insight and then I've, started and kicked off several other since then as like a producer . But it's very, very hard to navigate and figure 

Laura: so much [00:11:00] information. 

Katy: much information.

and this stops a lot of really, really good ideas from coming to fruition. It really does.

I saw my skills and talents of being able to navigate that, that we at the Curiosity Network want to be able to bridge that divide between the professionals and the resources, because we've been down that path.

And so we of know what it takes to start a podcast, the work, the confusion of it all. Just, it, just everything. 

Laura: The Curiosity Network seems like a combo of a lot of different things. So could you break it down a little bit more to help us wrap our heads around it?

Katy: Yeah, at the beginning of this, I said that think of the Curiosity Network as a brand. That is eventually the vision that is eventually where we're going. So until then though, it's a podcast network, an online learning platform called Curious University or curiousu, and then Personalized Consulting Services. All right? So each of these part they set up and they provide support, resources and have community aspects to 'em for individuals, organizations, businesses that are seeking that personal professional growth.

Now, while podcast platform, learning [00:12:00] platform and consulting services all seem somewhat random and disconnected, if you really look and think about like the underlying theme of the company or the common thread that we all have, it really is what's effective storytelling. So everyone here who knows this podcast knows, my past struggles with D h adhd,

and often in young girls , they don't necessarily always have that typical quote unquote hyper that 

Laura: we're just really, really talkative.

Katy: so, 

Laura: I can feel that one.

Katy: Right. And so we're labeled as chatter boxes all the time. And, and that's, and that's seen in a very negative light. And so when I started my career within zoos and aquariums, I stumbled into research, which then led into conservation education.

And that chatterbox trait of mine really paid off

like literally, 

Laura: I feel the same way. Like once I fell into interpretation, I was like, this is what I have been looking for this

Katy: my whole time. Yeah.

Laura: I have always loved telling stories and this is where it can happen.

Katy: Yep. And so most people, they're terrified [00:13:00] of speaking in front of people and in front of crowds. I'm not, I've, I've never have been. I just don't have that fear. do I get the pre-talk jitters before I present or speak? Absolutely. But once I'm in the zone in front of people, I love it. And so I saw that niche that not a lot of people, particularly cared for, and I happened to be really good at it. And I thought, you know what? Let's just run with this. And I started, perfecting the storytelling. And storytelling is not just the typical once upon a time that everybody thinks of.

And we've talked about that here and there on our podcast too. But it's also storytelling's also found within businesses and organizations, how do you grow your business? Best way to get a business organization is get your story out there. And, and that can come in the form of marketing, community engagement, which is what I've always specialized in and all sorts of other things, which ultimately mean an increase in your revenue.

If you can get your story out

Laura: Right. You have to humanize it.

Katy: Yep. And, and so while the Curiosity Network has, again, that podcast network, the Curious U and the consulting, [00:14:00] when you look at it, it's all just storytelling. Something that little five-year-old Katy was just really freaking good at.

Laura: Cool. Since one of those areas is podcasting and we're a podcast, let's talk a little bit more about that. So what are some common challenges that podcasters face and how does the Curiosity network address those challenges?

Katy: So I already hit on some of them, but I would say one of the top ones is information overwhelm. There's million different websites, videos, other podcasts out there about how to effectively start it. And we didn't wanna just be another source, throwing out information out there and just saying, Hey, come here and just take the information.

Laura: I need someone to synthesize it for me.

Katy: Exactly. And, and that's what we do. And so, and, and why, why are there so many different resources out there? There's over 464 million podcast listeners globally, which means that's a lot of potential customers or listeners, depending on if it's just an individual, if it's a organization or business.

And so a lot of people wanna get in on that. And so, and, and sidebar, if anybody [00:15:00] out there is thinking, oh, my podcast isn't gonna be global, don't, Laura and I,

Laura: Yeah.

Katy: we have a nature comedy podcast folks, and we're listening to an over 75 countries around the world,

Laura: It blows my mind every time I

Katy: every time, like, who's gonna listen to both of us consistently me mispronouncing everything.

And then Laura making accidental sexual references week after week. All around the globe

and they continue to tune in. And so if you think like, oh, well my podcast is not gonna go global, it is, it's the information age, it's going to go global. And so back to that point of information overwhelm because of that global audience, there's a ton of information out there because there is a ton of revenue, a ton of, um, your return of investment in podcasting, of just what that means of getting somebody to your website, getting somebody to your company.

There's a lot of money out there in it. And so we just help streamline all of that. And so we do all that legwork so that you don't have to. So the information overwhelm, I would say [00:16:00] is the, the biggest challenge that podcasters face. And that's, we help with that. Second one is the technical barriers.

And this one too is a biggie. 

Laura: What two equipment do you use and how much it costs

Katy: Yep. And it, and it's easy to jump in and say, okay, I need this microphone. And then you're like, oh man, I need an XLR cable mic. Well now I need a cloud lifter. Now I need a mixer and I mic arm and it just keeps adding up. But you don't, wanna go super cheap either.

 It's hard to navigate that middle ground because audio does matter. If anybody, and I've heard that information given that people are like, oh, just get out there no audio quality does matter. You do need clean, crisp, clear sounding audio because no. Yeah, nobody's gonna listen to, if it's muffled, buzzing podcast, no one's gonna listen to it.

It's very distracting. So we help you find that balance of, what's too overboard or what's too little based on your audience, your specific parameters within your [00:17:00] podcast, your own budget. Yeah. 

Another one, my specialty comes in is content refinement, which is another huge one I would say between the audio, good sounding audio, your content needs to be solid.

And it goes back, like I said, to storytelling, yes, you need great audio, but if your content is horrible, disorganized, you're gonna drop all your followers from the get-go. Nothing's gonna kick off. Even things like as far as content, like how often do I release a new episode? If it's weekly, how the heck do I keep up with recording that?

All that kind of stuff. And so we not only help with the storytelling aspect and really help bring your podcast idea to life, but we help you with the structure of your podcast too. Something that can help sustain for the long run. Again, Laura and I are shocked every time that this has been going on for as long as it has two and a half years.

Like it's shocking to both of us. 

Laura: And the amount of content that we actually have been able to do as the insane lives that we lead.

Like, if you don't believe that you've got time for a podcast, I know every, I know everyone has their [00:18:00] different thresholds, and I know mine's pretty high, but I'm in school. I'm a ma, I have a full-time job.

I'm moving, I like, I'm also making time for the podcast.

Katy: Yeah. , so the content creation, we just help again, organize and so. A lot of this too. Remember, it's not just us throwing information. You have professionals here to help you. That's what we're doing. 

One of the last problems, that we see people struggle with is monetization. Because really it is good to get paid and there are fees that you have to pay to have a podcast. There are there the hosting your website. And the good news is that at the Curiosity Network, again, we streamline, so we combine a lot of those costs so that you can focus on creating the quality content again that we will help you with.

A big one here is typically you need to pay to have your own website. So we provide on our own website, a landing page for your podcast, then help you with the content there and even obtain a domain for you. So while [00:19:00] your webpage can live on the Curiosities Networks, website, you'll ha gonna have your own domain so you can advertise your website and it's not gonna be www dot insert whatever podcast hosting service, dot com slash a bunch of numbers, then your podcast name.

No, we're gonna help you acquire domain of your own. And we put all of this onto our website so that when someone who listens to for the Love of Nature is on the website, looking at our awesome, amazing merch, that we also help you develop merch, that you can bring in extra revenue. They see a cool T-shirt and get curious, eh, um, get curious about it.

And then they discover your podcast. So it's all living in the same ecosystem. We just personalize it to your podcast. And so being in that same ecosystem only means better chances of discovery and increased income for your podcast. And I mean, we're also always looking for, as this is growing, sponsors and, partnerships because it's not just one podcast, it's gonna be a network. And so companies can get kind of like a, a, a [00:20:00] bigger bang for their buck.

Laura: Yeah.

Katy: So I'd say those are some of the key challenges that podcasters face. And, and anything else that you stumble across?

We have a team here to help and, and that includes fellow podcasters.

Laura: Cool. So how does the Curiosity Network differentiate itself from other podcast networks that we've all heard about?

Katy: So first I wanna say that the Curiosity Network, we do not own your podcast. A lot of major networks, when you read the fine print of your contract, once you're part of that network, they own the rights to your show. All right? You've seen a lot of shows that do rebranding when they leave a network, and that's why, because they own your content.

We don't do that. The idea at the Curiosity Network is to find those kind of diamond and a rough ideas. We wanna polish 'em up into something great. And if your podcast becomes self-sustaining, that's great. That's fantastic. That's what we wanna see. We don't wanna have, baby podcasts, sitting here with us forever.

We want to see you grow. We want to help you get off and be completely sustainable. Um, and 

Laura: And then you can be a further resource for everybody after you.

Katy: [00:21:00] Exactly, exactly. It's just growing that community. And so if you outgrow our podcast network, you take all of it with you're, you're naming your branding, you take all of that, we're just here to provide a service to help you kick off your idea.

It's your idea. We're just providing basically the rocket fuel to help you launch it to get it going. And it's that get going approach that really makes us different is that comprehensive approach of combining, like the podcasting, the learning, the consulting, all under one platform. And something too, I've said a few times about the community aspect of it and so I haven't really talked about that, but that's something else that really makes us different. Those who seek out the services with the Curiosity Network, you're now part of an actual network of other creators, businesses, organization, which you can talk to, collaborate with, swap interviews with.

So we may have our own company. Yes. But we, we don't know everything out there. Like I'm not going to know everything out there. And so, , just with anything that's [00:22:00] technology based, it's always gonna grow change and sometimes we don't catch up on those changes. We're in the thick of constantly of being up to date with industry trends and things, but having that community of fellow podcasters helps you to offer a slew of ideas, input knowledge from other people that may have a different perspective on things, or even expertise that you can connect with.

And then, like I said, swap interviews with. So overall, overall, I would say between the, we're here to help you become self-sustaining. And then that we have that community atmosphere because again, that's what we wanna see the emphasis on.

We would love to see the podcast network get big enough to where those within the network. Helping them grow. And we come as a secondary resource to them. So we are there just on the sidelines offering input, guidance, and support. And that community is really the ones that are binding together and helping su sustain each other.

And it's that community that's gonna keep everything going.

Laura: Right. You all are just curating the community, which all every community needs.

Otherwise it just ends up [00:23:00] falling

apart. 

Katy: Yeah.

Laura: Excellent. Well, so could you describe the process of selecting and featuring podcasts within the Curiosity Network? So can anybody just join

Katy: Yeah. This is a good question because now I get to bring up some of those turning points. I was like, aha moments. This is definitely one of them, whenever I developed the curious criteria. All right, and so 

this 

Laura: the Curious criteria? 

Katy: So this is what fuels the entire network. All of our services, anything and everything we do, as the brand side of the Curiosity Network centers around the curious criteria. So whatever we sell, whatever we back, whatever we encourage, anything, it has to meet the curious criteria, which is made up of three different points.

Everything that we do must one, inspire people to discover more by digging deeper and asking questions. Two, motivate others to grow by gaining knowledge, understanding, or a new skill. And three, not, or, but, and three, empower people to act on and be authentically [00:24:00] themselves. So it has to meet those three criteria first and foremost.

And so if 

Laura: is pretty open criteria,

Katy: it is, it is, but it also emphasizes, again, we're the curiosity network. Like you need to have some structure. We're not taking it all. We wanna make sure that the, Product and materials that we're putting out there have a purpose and that positive impact.

And so we had to define that somehow. Yeah. And it's authentic. And so it has to meet those three criteria and we can help you navigate that path. Let's say you have an idea for a podcast, but you're, you're unsure if it meets that criteria. We can help you, we can help you navigate that, reach out to us and we can help you.

So besides that curious criteria, we also are looking for the quality of the idea. We're looking, again, for those diamond or rough ideas. If you come to us and say, you wanna start a podcast, on space, and all you give us is a topic of space that's just not gonna cut it. We have to narrow it down some, and if you don't know how to narrow it down, there's a class within the Curious You that we offer that [00:25:00] does just that. And I'll talk about that here in, in a little bit . 

But most importantly, out of everything, I wouldn't say that this tops a curious criteria, but I would say this comes in at number two. We're looking for people that have the drive that you're joining this network of podcasters who want to podcast. They wanna be there, and we need to make sure that you do too.

We don't wanna waste anybody's time. And so the curiosity team, we need to make sure that those podcasts we accept into the network have the drive to be there in order to protect that learning ecosystem and the community that we've created.

Laura: Yeah, you don't want it to be stagnant.

Katy: No, absolutely not.

Laura: And we've talked, so much on our podcast too, about creating the nature nerd network, which is not quite the same thing, but along the same lines of like-minded individuals all trying to work together towards some common goal. And that's like self betterment, self-empowerment, everything that you guys are doing.

Katy: Yeah, very much so.

Laura: So in what ways does the Curiosity Network support podcasters in refining their ideas and creating impactful content? I mean, I [00:26:00] feel like you've already touched on this with your talking about it, but anything else you wanted to add?

Katy: Yeah. So earlier I, mentioned that if you didn't have an idea worked out, there's something that we can offer. So we offer a podcasting masterclass. It's six weeks long, one night a week virtual class where you're gonna learn everything you need to know to get a really, really good idea going.

So the masterclass is more of, the one-on-one attention and to distinguish between the masterclass and the network. Think of it this way. If you have an idea and you've either started your podcast already or have an idea, but it needs some refining, the podcast network is typically the route you need to take.

If you are completely unsure what you wanna do, you have maybe a general idea. You're always like, ah, you know what? I think it 

Laura: But 

Katy: cool. Yeah, it's just space. It's just that baby of an idea. Nothing beyond that. Then the masterclass is where you need to go. So depending on whether you're in the masterclass or the podcast network really depends on how we'll help you refine your idea.

But in general, the network more offers [00:27:00] guidance on topics for individual episodes, the storytelling technique, content formatting, post-processing tips and tricks, that kind of stuff. Whereas, the masterclass is more you do just have the idea of I wanna do something on space, you go through this and we help you get from start to end product. So that's kind of like the two different ways that we help refine. One is more just guidance of the actual individual episodes where the other one is start, end to end, kind of, yeah, help.

Laura: Okay. How does the Curiosity network and empower Podcasters to find their unique voice and storytelling style?

Katy: Yeah. So we definitely want, again, to encourage that authenticity and ultimately thinking outside the box. We want people to let the curiosity that's the name lead them. Cuz it's called the Curiosity Network. And, and when people are curious and really dig into what they love, it's way more natural than, let's say, me having a finance podcast.

I would never in a million years [00:28:00] have a podcast. Never. It, it just, it wouldn't be me. So we wanna work with you guys to figure out how to find your own authentic voice. Because yeah, there's storytelling techniques and everything like that that I can teach you that we can go over with you.

But at the end of the day, we need to shape and form and format so that it best fits you. So, I don't even know how many different times, whenever Laura and I started the, for the love of nature that it shines through the authenticity that Laura and I have because we're just ourselves, like our banter back and forth.

It's a hundred percent. That's why people listen to it. That's why they love it. And so we don't wanna box you in, we wanna help you. If this is really your drive one, we are like professionals. We have been through this, I don't even know how many times now. But if you have a bad idea, we're gonna tell you It's a bad idea. 

But we can help you refine it to where it, to where it is a great idea. We also wanna make sure that we're helping shape this into something that is you. So just like Laura and I, like, if Laura and I did have to talk about like very serious scientific, [00:29:00] we could never do it just pinning us in that box like that, it would absolutely never work.

Laura: Right. Or like we are, but we're doing it in our own

Katy: in our own way. Yeah, exactly. And so we're helping those that have a podcast going through a masterclass, finding their own voice and what suits them in that realm of what's gonna work for a podcast.

Laura: Cool. What role does Curiosity play in personal and professional growth? And how does the Curiosity Network encourage curiosity among its members?

Katy: It's all about curiosity.

Laura: I can see,

Katy: it is. Um, and so curiosity, it is a driving force behind personal and professional growth, uh, 

ignite. 

Laura: venture to say it right, it's one of the meanings of life,

Katy: you know, it, it really is. I mean, it, it's ignites that exploration, learning, creativity, innovation, everything. And at the Curiosity Network we recognize how transformative curiosity can be and how it can actively cultivate a culture that does encourage and [00:30:00] nurture curiosity among our members. So we kind of use curiosity to keep nourishing that with more curiosity.

So you feed curiosity with curiosity. 

Laura: Yeah. Well, we all know one question should lead to more questions, which should lead to more questions.

Katy: I have been down my fair share of rabbit holes. I text Laura the other night cuz I got down this deep, this deep, deep rabbit hole on, quantum entanglement and like, I was so, I was so deep in that rabbit hole. But I, I started with one question and I just kept going on and on and

Laura: Well, how else do you become a better person if you are not searching 

Katy: Yeah. And, and you're seeing out a different perspective and putting on a different pair of goggles and everything. 

Laura: Once people stop being curious, that's the

Katy: It's done. Yeah. We won't have innovation, we won't be thinking outside the box. Cuz with curiosity, creativity, it goes hand in hand.

You can't really have one without the other. And too many people think that creativity is just arts and crafts type. No. So much more than that. So you can't have one without the other. And, and so by [00:31:00] having like thought provoking discussions and interactive platforms that facilitate meaningful exchanges, that allows our members to connect that community, share ideas, explore new perspectives, which again, it's how you grow by hearing new perspectives.

You're always going to stay in a stagnant place that you've always been in. You're never going to grow. All right. There's people that are the old 

fuddy duddies. No. Right. The

Laura: I can't imagine. That's literally what fuels everything, especially as an A D H D person. I'm curious about everything and I then explore everything. Maybe not deeply, but everything gets covered,

Katy: That's how you get in those deep rabbit holes

Laura: and as I said before, I'm a generalist. I appreciate the generalists.

Katy: Yeah. Yeah. What? Yeah. Is that what you said? I appreciate

your generalist. Yeah. But, but I mean, it is, and so like that curiosity and the creativity, it has to go hand in hand. And so we facilitate, that culture within the community and in the services that we provide, which again, the curious criteria.

That's why we wanted to meet those three things. [00:32:00] So it keeps fueling that curiosity with curiosity, with creativity, with innovation.

Laura: Yeah. Awesome. Awesome. Okay. How does the Curiosity Network approach the balance between creativity, which we were just talking about and monetization, because of course everybody wants to make money, but we also don't wanna feel like what we're doing is just about the money, so,

Katy: Yeah, exactly. First and foremost, again, if you don't have that solid content, you're not gonna get anywhere near monetization. And so we definitely encourage the podcasters to explore, creative avenues while also providing guidance on monetization strategies, cuz it can get a little bit tricky.

And again, , ultimately if that authenticity, creativity, curiosity doesn't shine through your podcast, isn't really gonna make money. And, and, and we do want everybody to make money somehow, it is tough. And the reality is that most podcasters are not gonna be able to quit their day job for full-time podcasting.

But again, you never, you never know. So we wanna make sure that at the very least our [00:33:00] podcasters are earning back the investment into the network that they make year after year. 

Laura: which we are. Well at least we're, we're making back some things already as far as what the, you know,

Katy: yeah. What our cost is for our services. Now we wanna make sure that you're at least making that back.

We definitely help podcasters strike that balance between creative expression and finding a sustainable way to support their podcasting. Because one of the ways that we're, we were alluding to before that our podcasters can sell, one their own classes in Curious University. So I mentioned, I was gonna talk about this a little bit later.

So right now, Curious U is the only thing we're offering is that podcasting masterclass, but we want that to grow. And the best way is for our podcasters to teach classes there,

Laura: Yes. I can't wait. That's what I'm excited about.

I least, I hope I can. 

Katy: yeah. So let's just say we have a botanist in our network who wants to teach, an Intro to Gardening class.

Awesome. Curious U, they're here to help with that. Like, we're gonna make sure that you can go ahead and [00:34:00] teach those classes. And be able to monetize that. So besides sponsorships and marketing, which is another big core piece around that we help is the Curiosity Shop. For two and a half years, Laura and I have been like, we're gonna do merch we're gonna do merch. 

Laura: but having the time to design it and the startup money,

Katy: in the startup. And so we help podcasters with that. We have the shop, we have the means, we have the resources to go ahead and help you bring that shop to life. And again, because it's all within one ecosystem, somebody goes on to see our amazing merch, which one? It has a blue foot of Booby on it and it says, say it. We all know you wanna say it cause, cause you know, so somebody's on there seeing our mug. And then they see something else, that's unrelated or whatever, and then they just hop and they skip and they jump and then they find a 

Laura: Yeah. Rabbit hole it. We're just hoping people, that's what this network is. It's a giant rabbit

Katy: yeah, we're just forcing people down the rabbit. We're dragging people into the rabbit hole with us, whether they [00:35:00] 

Laura: them down the rabbit hole. 

Katy: Whether they like it or not, come with us. It's amazing. Um, but the Curiosity Shop, because, I mean, merch is fun and so we help you think of a fun, creative idea

and Oh my gosh.

And if you go onto it's Curiosity Networks with an s.com, you can click on Shop and you'll see a four Love of nature title there. You can click on and see some of our, merch that's in there. And it's, it's growing. There's so few things I need to add in there that we've already

Laura: Yeah. I think we've wanted to do a couple other

Katy: yeah, there are a few other ones that I can, I need to add in there, but it's, so it's, some of the stuff is just so funny.

You'll see it. So we help with, the Merch side of it. But then let's say too taking a different spin on the merch side of things. Let's say somebody has a leadership development podcast that, that they bring on to the network, all right?

And within that, they wanna go ahead and develop, curriculum for developing leadership. That is also the kind of stuff we wanna be selling in our shops. So it's not just gonna be funny creative mugs so I even have some stuff through the Curiosity [00:36:00] Network that I'm putting out that are A D H D, it's project planners, that help me organize with my projects because I suck.

I got, I'm time blindness. Like just project management with my ADHD it is horrible. And so I put out some resources that are gonna be coming up on there soon . So, if somebody has like a, a leadership development curriculum that they wanna be, that they wanna put on there, but they're like, I don't know how, but this is what I wanna do.

We are a resource to help you make that happen, and we can walk you through the various steps on, okay, here's how we see this happening. Here's some different resources you can check out. We can reach out and we can help you make those connections and things,

Laura: Yeah, I imagine that if you're teaching a course too, on the university part and you're, you're referencing certain materials in your course, that those materials will then be available in the

Katy: yep, yep. yep. Yeah. Yeah. If you wanna monetize off of that, you can have the PDFs and everything that are free. It's completely up to you. And so again, as a Curiosity Network, we are here to bridge that gap between people who have really awesome ideas and they just don't know how to make it happen.

And [00:37:00] so we're just here bridging that

Laura: story of my life.

Katy: right?

Laura: I'm an idea girl. I'm not like a carrying it out girl. That's why we work good as a team.

Katy: Yeah. Right.

Laura: Okay, cool. just a few more questions then. To switch gears a little bit, could you share any future plans or upcoming developments for the Curiosity Network that listeners should be excited about?

Katy: Yeah, so definitely, the podcast Network, it's new and I've diverse shows that we're seeking out and we want everybody to apply. Again, if you go into curiosity networks.com, you can apply. And that network itself is limited. Like, we're not accepting anybody and everybody. This isn't an open free for all where we're just gonna take no.

We wanna make sure that the people that we accept, that we don't stretch ourselves too thin. And so we have a cap, we have a limit. It's enough that we know we're not going to stretch ourselves too thin. So 

Laura: And not be able to answer everyone's questions 

and give you the, you know, 

Katy: The whole, the whole point of us being there is to be a resource.

And if we can't be there as a [00:38:00] resource for you, there's no point in us being there. So just growing it and, we're also gonna be, Again, like I said, the curious you, that's something that we in the future wanna see really, really take off. And then just collaborating with more partnerships to have products because again, it's more about being a brand as the vision than right now or how we're offering services is.

Laura: Cool. What is your vision for the future of the Curiosity Network and its impact on podcasting and or the learning industry?

Katy: Let me go back to the vision part . So the vision is we really want to be the go-to resource for curious individuals seeking to grow personally and professionally and to build a network of change makers who are making a positive impact on their communities or, or beyond. We wanna make sure that everybody's thinking outside the box.

Yes, we're starting with podcasting now, but again, we're starting there because. For most people, that's the easiest way to tell your, your company, [00:39:00] your organization's story. But at the core, we're a brand and if we can get to a point where people see our logo on board games, books, whatever, and they immediately know, oh, hey, it's gonna have my curiosity, I'm gonna learn something. But it's also gonna have a good impact. Like that's what the vision of the Curiosity Network is. That's what the brand is, is we want people to be able to see as soon as they see our logo, they wanna know and spark the curious criteria and their brain automatically. And so again, we're doing services and stuff right now and we're always gonna do services because that's how you have a business.

But the overall vision is we wanna be that go-to resource for just curious people.

Laura: Awesome. So with all of this exciting news and the network and everything like that, what does this mean for the future of, for the love of nature?

Like what is this for us, for our podcast? How does our podcast tie into all of 

Katy: One, we are part of the podcast network now. And so we will have access to the community, and anybody who else we bring in. But [00:40:00] then also the freaking merch that we said that, you know, we're finally year two and a half years later. And again, it was just that gap of, okay, how do we do this?

When do we do this? Okay, well, I just started reaching out to people and I'm like, this is what I want. What's the best way? A ton of freaking, I mean, again, hyper fixation, a d, adhd, so much freaking research to figure out what's the best way. And so for further love of nature, again, it's going to be one.

We have the curious criteria. So it does kind of give bumpers again, with what for the love of nature does, does it fit those abso freaking loosely? It's still nice to have bumpers because then you don't lose your vision, your goals and have something that's guiding you.

Laura: absolutely. 

Katy: That definitely helps us and helps us keep in the back of our minds. Cuz something that Laura and I constantly are talking about whenever we're thinking of new topics and ideas is we wanna make sure that we have a message, whatever with everything that we do.

We wanna make sure that we wrap it up. We wanna make sure that what we say at the end is what we say at the beginning kind of thing, and all those interpretive skills that we know. But again, you still [00:41:00] kind of need those big, broad parameters and bumpers.

It allows us to just be a pivot point for meeting other people. Showing people, hey, you can make something out of nothing and be listened to in 75 other countries.

Laura: Yeah. I'm so excited to be a part of a, of a larger community. I've already enjoyed so much meeting other podcasters 

outside of a network. I'll be so happy to be able to pay it forward and be a resource for other people

and to connect more with the other podcasters. I'm, that's the most I'm

excited 

Katy: other curious people, like other people who 

want to be there. Yeah. And other people that are there that are just like, how can I be better? How can we all be better? Let me help you out. Because gosh, all too often whenever you're starting a podcast, you wanna know about, normal downloads?

And nobody wants to share that information. Who the heck

Laura: Or nobody really knows. It

Katy: yeah. Or 

Laura: there's so many different numbers. 

Katy: There are, because people either don't wanna share it, they fudge their numbers, whatever. But here we really wanna create that community of a place where we are just genuinely helping each other because we are one [00:42:00] network.

And our network needs to succeed for us to succeed as a for the Love of Nature podcast, we need every other podcast in our network to succeed as well, because we all grow and develop and monetize essentially as a team. And so we all have to keep lifting each other up and keep moving forward as that team.

Laura: It sounds so beautiful.

Katy: It is

Laura: I believe it. 

Katy: I've been, I've been, I know. Again, though, that's part of the reason why I'm happy that it has taken me so long because, I felt like so often I kept kicking the can, down and down. But at the same time, it's like from where I was the beginning and the initial conversations that I had with some folks and, cause I remember I sat with a coworker that's, he's very much so more of the business strategic where I dream big, I have big visions, big ideas, but I really have to focus myself to figure out those objectives and the steps between there, where he's really good at the figuring that stuff. And so I remember one of the first conversations I had with him, and I brought the initial plan forward and he immediately started taking it off onto a [00:43:00] whole bunch of other different paths.

And then, then I was like, oh shoot, that's a great idea. And then I took it off from there. And so just being able to

Laura: all the best, all the best ideas come

Katy: Yes. And yeah, and, it just, it grew and so it's been, it's been amazing. It really has been amazing. And, I'm excited for this whole thing too. I mean, I feel like as much as I love, everything that I've done in my past, again, I said that everybody that has helped me with this, it's been a combination of everybody that I've known that's kind of all pivoted to this one point in my life.

And so I feel like all of this stuff that I'm doing, I'm really good at.

Laura: Well, right. I think for both of us, like you've created this company, and I'm just joining up as part of the network, but for both of us, this is truly our most authentic selves. You have reached the point where you're making a company that is literally just you, Katy, it's you as a curious person, are like, let's bring more curious people.

And our, our whole lives, we've been telling stories, we've loved meeting new people and talking to new people and[00:44:00] 

Katy: And I mean, and again, though, like I said at the beginning, we were seen as chatterbox. It was always a negative thing. I was so curious and I asked a thousand questions as a kid, and 

Laura: Never wanna shut down. Curiosity.

Katy: no, but as, as so many times as I was a kid, it was constantly like seen as a bad light.

And again, a big middle finger in the nicest way possible to, to everybody who, who said crap like that to me as a kid. Because listen, it's something that I'm doing on completely on the side more as like my own personal brand is I've started keynote speaking, so I'm like traveling to be a keynote speaker.

So every single person that told me I shouldn't be asking so many questions, then I'm too much of a chatter box. You know what, this is like literally who 

I am, 

Laura: niche. Yeah, 

Katy: This is who I am and it's turning into such an amazing project and I just wanna find the other people out there that have that drive for authenticity to be a hundred percent themselves and to bring that best foot, foot forward to join our network and join what we're doing.

Laura: it's utopia. It's finally

happening. All right, well [00:45:00] lastly, and probably most importantly, 

if the Curiosity Network were a podcast itself. What would be its tagline or catchphrase?

Katy: Uh, that's a good one. Um, I honestly think it would be our current tagline for the Curiosity Network, which is connecting curious Minds, creating positive impact. Um, and because really as, as fun as all of this is, we wanna lead with that curiosity, like I said, and, and often when you lead with your curiosity, a lot of really good things come out of it too.

And from my experience, a lot of people out there, they know and they want to do some really awesome things. Again, like I said earlier, they just can't get there because of a lack of resources or knowledge or one thing.

Laura: Executive dysfunction.

Katy: Right. And we just wanna stomp out that barrier to pave that way so we can have those good ideas out there.

Cause I mean, they talk about that all the time, all the inventions that we have. Imagine how many more good ideas were out there as just something stop those people. Well, let's go ahead and get a like, [00:46:00] Let's start with us. Let's help you guys find some resources. Let's build a community so that everybody can start bringing in more resources.

Cause I guarantee you some, as we build that community, there's gonna be people in there that know about things, know things that we don't know, and it's just gonna be compounding on those resources. So let's like stomp that barrier of just like the knowledge gap and the resource gap and let's see, like what we can actually do.

Because podcasting, again, it's just one avenue for telling your story. It's just there's a heck of a lot of people out there. And that's a easy kickoff point for so much more . I mean, nonprofits, again, organizations, businesses can have a podcast telling their story. And a lot, a lot of good can come from that.

And so that's really, it'd be connecting curious minds. Creating positive impact I think would be, would be our catchphrase.

Laura: Sounds perfect. Well, on that note, I guess welcome listeners to the Curiosity Network and, I'm so happy that for the love of Nature's a part of it, please visit Curiosity [00:47:00] Network. We'll put of course all 

our links out. We'll be pushing us on social media, start buying our merch people. You're gonna love

Katy: It's finally here. But yeah, so just again, the website though is Curiosity Networks with an s.com. Go ahead and jump on there and you'll find everything that we talked about is on there. Reach out to us and just ask questions if you have questions.

Again, we're here to answer them 

for you, so don't hesitate. Be curious, Yep.

Laura: Well, hopefully, your curiosity has been sparked, as we say at the end of all of our episodes, and that you care just a little bit more about what you've heard. And we'll tune in again next week. Bye everybody. Bye.

Katy: Bye.