faq
Whilst everyone knows that the answer to everything is 42, we're here to give you some slightly more detailed answers to a multitude of questions we've been asked since we began recording our first podcast, oh so long ago.
podcast-specific questions
- how do I subscribe to the podcast?
- what is your setup like?
- how much preparation do you have to do for each show?
- what sort of production do you have to do for each show?
- who does what on the podcast?
- you've been podcasting for so long! how can I catch up?
- I want to know more about all those fabulous people you have on the show!
- I've got some great ideas for the podcast! how can I share them with you?
- do you have a list of all the dears and t-shirts ideas you've ever recorded?
- do you have a list of all the t-shirts ideas from the episode 100 competition?
- how can I tell all my friends all about you guys!?
- where did you get your theme song from? who wrote it? tell me more!
- can i give you a tourist tip? or a dear? or a t-shirt idea? or an idiom?
- will the podcast always be free?
- so, whatever happened to episode 58?
questions for Katia and Kyliemac
- I want to know more about Katia and Kyliemac!
- what colour m&ms do you like best?
- what do you miss most about your home country?
- do you guys live in each others pockets, or something?
- does the muffin man really exist?
- how good is your french?
- where did you get all your photos from? who took them?
- how do I give you some love?
- do you guys do anything else on the internet?
touristy and expat questions about France
- can you give me some advice on moving to france? like, with visas and things?
- what are some of your favourite places to go in Paris?
- can you give me some travel advice?
Podcast-specific questions
how do I subscribe to the podcast?
Katia : What? It's taken you this long to be convinced that you should be listening!? Well, if you insist, you can subscribe here.
what is your setup like?
Kyliemac : We started with Apple's GarageBand, a Mixer, an Audio Card (which lets the mixer talk to the computer), and two Handheld Mics (Shure PG48). It was a bit of overkill for a beginning podcast, but we sounded good! Now we have added two more mics, a couple mic stands, and "popper stoppers" (which are the most Distracting Things On Earth). Everything used to fit in this handy suitcase that the Muffin Man got us, but as we expand, we now need another suitcase.
how much preparation do you have to do for each show?
Kyliemac : This depends on the show. Sometimes we spend only a few minutes, sometimes it's a few hours. We always do a 'briefing' before the show, in which we write down the topics we want to talk about in the episode, (because we now know what happens if we don't (and the result is not pretty!)).
what sort of production do you have to do for each show?
Kyliemac : The production for each show consists of several steps. First the equipment set-up, then the sound check, then the actual recording. After this, I do the editing (adding music, comments, etc.), then it goes to Katia who adds links, the show notes, and finally puts it up on the net for your listening pleasure.
who does what on the podcast? (ie. what is the division of labour/labor?)
Kyliemac : It's always a collaborative effort. On the intellectual level, both of us have input on all decisions regarding the podcast. As to the actual work, Katia is the web guru. If it's on the web, Katia's done it. Kyliemac takes care of the audio. The Muffin Man takes care of transportation and muffins.
Katia : It should be noted that Kyliemac is really clever with putting all equipment stuff together. My most important task during the actual recording of episodes (especially with all that crazy equipment and millions of cables and stuff) is to ensure that various beverages do not fall on to aforementioned equipment and millions of cables. I am still attempting to master this task.
you've been podcasting for so long! how can I catch up?
Kyliemac : The easiest way is simply to listen to more k&k! There is more time in your day if you just look for it. You can listen while taking your morning shower, eating meals, during your work commute, use your imagination. Better yet, do what many of our listeners do and just listen at work, that way you can be PAID to catch up. Barring that, the best way would probably be listen to the most current episodes, then, if you really want to claim that you have listened to EVERY SINGLE HOUR OF INSANITY, start from the beginning. Although don't forget to keep listening to the current episodes. You'll be surprised with how much the podcast has changed since Episode 1. We sure are!
I want to know more about all those fabulous people you have on the show!
Katia : All the information you could possibly need about all our various guests on the show is available on our Cast of characters page.
I've got some great ideas for the podcast! how can I share them with you?
Katia : Sure you can! We're always looking for interesting stuff to do or to talk about! Send us an email or leave us a voicemail!
do you have a list of all the dears and t-shirts ideas you've ever recorded?
Katia : Why indeed we do. The very studious Miss Kyliemac spent hours compiling a comprehensive list of every single dear and t-shirt idea we've had on the beginning of every podcast, and it's well worth checking out.
do you have a list of all the t-shirts ideas from the episode 100 competition?
Katia : Absolutely. Go and check out the full list of submissions.
how can I tell all my friends all about you guys!?
Katia : You can link to us through your website or your blog, by putting up one of our buttons!
where did you get your theme song from? who wrote it? tell me more!
Kyliemac : The title of our theme song is "Inside Joke" (oh, how appropriate!), and is by a talented musician named Little Thom (who incidentally is an American married to an Australian). If you are interested in hearing more of his work, you can find him on his Myspace page.
We found the gem on a website called the Podsafe Music Network, which provides people with royalty free music for podcasts and other ventures.
can i give you a tourist tip? or a dear? or a t-shirt idea? or an idiom?
Kyliemac : Of course you can! And we'll even give you credit for it! You can make your suggestions by sending us an email or by leaving us a voicemail!
will the podcast always be free?
Kyliemac : Yes! The Katia and Kyliemac in Paris Podcast will always be free.
Although the podcast is free to you, the listener, there are still costs to us for site hosting, equipment upgrades, etc. If you enjoy the show (or even if you don't), and you have a yen, dollar, kopek, shekel, or euro or two to spare, we appreciate any and all donations! Any donations made to the podcast go strictly to reimburse expenses and to keep us in m&ms.
so, whatever happened to episode 58?
Katia: What are you talking about? Oh, wait! Look! Over there! It's a kangaroo! *scurries away*
Questions for Katia and Kyliemac
I want to know more about katia and kyliemac!
Katia : You're a mighty curious little critter, aren't you? Head on over to our About page and you can read to your hearts content.
what colour m&ms do you like best?
Kyliemac : Green. Because Green M&Ms are best, despite what Brian E. said in 9th grade science class. (And get your minds out of the gutter, people!)
Katia : Blue. Because they're real, despite what Kyliemac says every other episode.
what do you miss most about your home country?
Kyliemac : The obvious answer is family and friends. (Hi Mum! Hi Dad!) Aside from that, I miss how simple everything seems there (at least looking at it through France colored glasses). I also miss peeps, Halloween candy, trick-or-treating, understanding everything all of the time, 24 hour shopping opportunities, sales every week of the year, and Target. ::sighs:: Oh, Target. How I miss thee.
Katia : 24 shopping is way up there on the list. There is nothing more delightful than knowing you CAN go shopping at 3 in the morning, even if you rarely do it. I also miss my family and friends, big time, along with Tim Tams, wide open spaces, and the beach.
do you guys live in each others pockets, or something?
Kyliemac : Why yes! We do. How clever of you to notice! Now you all know why we have such big pockets.
Actually, no, we don't. It's just podcast magic. Contrary to the impression you can get from listening to the podcast, most weeks we only see each other on Saturdays to record that week's episodes. We spend the rest of the time living our lives to have stuff to argue about discuss on the show. Although sometimes we do go weeks without seeing each other. Such as when Katia and the Muffin Man spent a month in Australia. Without me. The *AHEM* - Not That I'm Bitter. But when these circumstances present themselves, we do our best to record ahead so you will not be deprived of your weekly dose of K&K.
does the muffin man really exist?
Kyliemac : Don't you know your nursery rhymes?! Yes, of COURSE the Muffin Man exists. He lives on Drury Lane.
OHHHH! You mean THAT Muffin Man.
The management at Katia and Kyliemac in Paris Podcast can neither confirm nor deny the existence of anyone called "The Muffin Man".
how good is your french?
Kyliemac : Not good enough. I get by, but I don't practice it enough. I realized only after moving here that it was not going to happen by osmosis. One more fantastic reason for the Katia and Kyliemac Learn French Podcast!
Katia : I am able to get by relatively well, since I work and live in the language every day, but I've still got a long way to go before I could even begin to consider myself fully bilingual.
where did you get all your photos from? who took them?
Kyliemac : The photos on the site are copyright of either the Muffin Man, Katia, or Kyliemac, save when they're not. Any photos that are not taken by the aforementioned persons are credited to they-who-have-taken-the-photo.
how do I give you some love?
Katia : Oooooh, we love the love. You can help in a couple of different ways! You can spread the word by giving us some internet lovin' or by linking to us on your blog or website. You can even help ease the various costs of running alld this stuff by grabbing something from the k&k shop or by giving us a donation (which buys us an m&m or two!).
do you guys do anything else on the internet?
Kyliemac : Why yes, we do! You can find us contributing to Gadabout.biz. Gadabout is e-zine publication of audio tours, articles, podcasts and reviews on unique (and sometimes weird!) things to see and do in Paris. If you are headed to Paris (or even if you're not), you should check it out. And even if you're not, you can still listen to our first contribution, delivered in true k&k style!
Touristy and expat questions about France
can you give me some advice on moving to france? like, with visas and things?
Kyliemac : In an effort to avoid giving misinformation (aka doing a k&k), which is a specialty on the Katia and Kyliemac in Paris Podcast, we have chosen to refrain from giving advice on visas and things. Since everybody's case is different, what is true for you may not be true for somebody else. However, we can provide you with some links (to be added shortly) to seek out the information yourself.
However, if you have a specific question about LIFE in France, we'd be more than happy to share our own experiences with you, or make something up! Write us an email and we'll see what we can do!
what are some of your favourite places to go in Paris?
Katia : We've had quite a few people ask us this question. It's like y'all think we live here or something... Oh wait, we do! Well. We've only just begun to scratch the surface of things to do in Paris, but if you're looking for places to eat, drink and be merry in Paris, or if you want to know what are some of our favourite monuments and museums, you can check out our (non-exhaustive and constantly evolving) list of Paris haunts.
can you give me some travel advice?
Kyliemac : Yes, we can! You can head over to k&k travel tips and get some tips right now. Or if you have a specific question, write us an email or leave us a message on Skype!
