Launching and Managing an Association Podcast

Field Notes is a podcast produced for MAASE and developed in collaboration with the organization's executive leadership team.

The podcast was created to provide members with timely conversations, practical insights, and direct access to the people shaping special education leadership across Michigan. It serves as an extension of MAASE's mission, creating a more personal and accessible way to communicate with members beyond traditional newsletters, emails, and event programming.

Episodes are published monthly and distributed across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, and other major platforms, helping MAASE reach members wherever they prefer to consume content.

The Challenge

Like many associations, MAASE faced the challenge of maintaining meaningful engagement with a busy professional audience. Important information often competed with overflowing inboxes and limited time.

MAASE needed a content channel that:

• Reached members where they already consume content

• Extended the organization's voice beyond traditional communications

• Highlighted leadership, programs, and member perspectives

• Created ongoing opportunities for engagement and awareness

• Delivered value in a format that felt conversational and approachable

The Approach

I proposed the podcast as a long-term content strategy rather than a standalone marketing initiative. Working closely with MAASE leadership, I helped define the show's purpose, audience, content themes, and production workflow.

My role included:

• Show planning and episode development

• Topic research and content strategy

• Guest outreach and scheduling

• Production oversight

• Publishing and distribution across podcast platforms

• Workflow and project management

• Promotion and content coordination

The focus was on creating a sustainable system that could consistently produce high-quality content while fitting within the organization's existing resources and communication goals.

The Results

Field Notes has become an ongoing communications platform that helps MAASE share expertise, spotlight important initiatives, and strengthen relationships with members throughout the year.

By creating a consistent space for conversation and thought leadership, the podcast supports awareness of MAASE's programs and advocacy efforts while providing members with valuable content they can access on their own schedule. The result is a communication channel that extends the organization's reach, reinforces its credibility, and helps keep members connected between events and formal communications.