'Every detail enriches the story'

Zhao Shiyuan, 31, financial-sector employee and podcast producer for four years in Shanghai

Compared with documenting my life through short videos, I prefer podcasts because they free me from the pressure of facing a camera and feeling self-conscious. Most of my conversations are with friends, and the topics arise spontaneously. I simply want to capture our conversations through sound, so that when we're older, we can listen to them again and relive those moments together.

I'm not a full-time podcaster, and I don't have a professional studio or fancy equipment. My phone is my tool for recording people and moments, much like a pen is for a writer or a camera is for a filmmaker.

Sometimes, when a friend shares a surprising perspective that differs from mine, I'll pull out my phone and ask if they're willing to record an episode.

I often replay these conversations with friends. Even now, I can still feel the excitement of encountering new ideas for the first time and the joy of exploring them together. Podcasting also gives me a deeper understanding of myself. It is like an audio diary for me, serving as an antidote to the stress of fast-paced work and life.

In early 2021, I had dinner with a friend who worked in the media. She mentioned that she wanted to start a podcast, which was the first time I had heard of podcasts. A few months later, I asked if she had started one. She hadn't, as she was still unsure about the topics, guests and direction.

Right then, I decided that we should record an episode, partly to encourage her to take the first step and partly to satisfy my own curiosity.

We found a random list of 36 questions online designed to help strangers connect. We chose seven or eight questions, grabbed a phone, hit "record" and talked for more than an hour. Although we had known each other for six years, we had never spoken so openly and deeply. The conversation revealed a side of her I had never seen before and gave me a new perspective on myself. It also planted the seed for my own podcast.

In October 2022, I recorded my first episode. My guest was a classmate who is outgoing, expressive and full of life. I didn't prepare specific questions. Instead, I let the conversation flow for about two hours, covering all sorts of topics. I didn't want to interrupt her because that's how we naturally interact. I wanted to capture that authenticity and record the conversation as it really happened.

I've recorded in various places, not just at home but also in cars and hotel rooms. I know recording conditions matter, but when a conversation is captivating, I don't want to miss it.

For instance, in a hotel room in Chongqing, I started talking with a teacher friend about studies and career choices. His insights were thoughtful and forward-looking, so I recorded an episode with him right there about career decisions.

To date, I've recorded 16 episodes. I don't follow a release schedule or worry about follower counts because podcasting isn't my way of making a living.

In an era dominated by short videos, podcast listeners are already a minority. For me, however, the appeal of a long-form podcast lies in the exchange of views, the honesty of the dialogue and the excitement of seeing ideas spark against each other.

Short videos are like movie trailers: You get the gist, but miss the beauty of the cinematography, lighting and costumes. A long podcast is like a full film, in which every detail enriches the story.

Some people say spending an hour or more listening to a podcast adds stress to their already hectic lives, so they unwind by scrolling through short videos. But for me, listening to or recording a podcast after a long workday is a way to relax.

It's not about which is better. It's about personal preference and choice. As long as it brings you satisfaction and joy, that's all that matters.

Zhao Shiyuan talked to Cao Yin about how he started podcasting and why he likes recording life this way.