A Good Conversation Looking for a new podcast? Give local podcasters Becca and Josh McCullough a listen. // B Y M E L I S S A P E T E R S O N
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istening to the podcast Coffee & Convos is akin to eavesdropping on chitchat between two good friends. It’s a conversation meant only for their ears. It’s relaxed. It’s funny. It’s sometimes serious. It goes off on unexpected tangents. The difference here, though, is that these conversations between podcasters Becca and Josh McCullough have an audience of thousands (and growing!). Becca and Josh have been married for three and a half years and are parents to one son. Josh, who has lived in Ocala all his life, is the assistant general manager at the Best Western Ocala Park Centre and, before that, was a staff 12
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pastor at City Light Church for 10 years. Becca, who has lived in Ocala most of her life, has been the communications manager at HDG Hotels for the past five and a half years. After starting a vlog for fun over a year ago to share their experiences as their son grew up, the couple segued into the podcast. “We wanted to create something we both could be a part of,” Josh says. “The idea came from wanting to create a show that talked on everything in life, and sharing this conversation over coffee was something myself and Becca loved. We started our podcast on Feb 19, 2020.” Seriously perfect for just about anyone
who loves a good conversation, the couple has recorded episodes on coffee, Disney, being transparent, racism, gratitude and leadership. “Our podcast doesn’t have a main focus other than to create a space for authentic and meaningful conversations to take place,” Josh says. “We strive to live a transparent life with our listeners. We decided to use our voice to make an impact. [We’re passionate about] empowering people to be who they were created to be. In every episode we try to give a challenge or next step. We do this so that our listeners feel ‘at the table.’” Starting a podcast has been a learning experience, even for Josh who was an avid podcast listener well before starting his own. “The hardest part about podcasting is creating content that people care about,” says Becca. “The easiest part is getting to talk to and drink coffee with my best friend.” Josh agrees. “Creating content our listeners want to hear requires us to always be up to date with what is happening in culture,” says Josh. “We have brainstorm sessions and always ask ourselves what would our listeners want to hear and is it thought provoking. We also develop show notes for each episode to keep track of our thoughts to make sure each episode is meaningful.” And the learning goes beyond the technical aspects to also becoming better communicators. “I’ve learned to be intentional about conversations around me,” says Becca. “I’ve also learned to view topics in other perspectives than just my own. I think we have learned about our ability to flow together and even disagree in a respectful way.” With coffee in the name, you have to assume these two are up to date on some of the best places to get a cup around Ocala. Josh loves local shops Symmetry Coffee & Crepes and BuzzNGrind. If you want to know more about their coffee preferences, check out the episode titled “The One All About Coffee.” And, yes, their episodes are named in the tune of Friends episodes. They’re definitely fans. So what’s on the horizon for the podcast? There are many more conversations to be had, including some on topics like our country’s current political landscape and parenting. Whatever they chat about, you can bet those convos will be authentic and meaningful—a seriously good conversation. And there will be coffee. Coffee & Convos // New episodes are released every Friday. You can tune in and subscribe at coffeeandconvos.podomatic.com or on other podcast platforms. // Follow them on Instagram: @_coffeeandconvos_
Photo by Ashley Robinson Photography
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