Better Call Daddy Podcast: For People Who Love Stories & Family

 Interview podcasts are becoming the default for podcasting. Networks load up their roster of shows with celebrities who interview guests. They then attempt their magic trick of deception, marketing these formulaic shows as something new and exciting. 

There's a delicious irony here. Legacy media raves about these interview podcasts, which are now mostly video, as if this is a breakthrough in creativity. In reality, these video interview podcasts resemble daytime talk shows, which most people wouldn't listen to unless they were in one of the concentration camps we now seem to have in this country.

In reality, the best interview podcasts don't have a celebrity at the helm. Instead, an indie podcaster demonstrates their keen skill for interviewing in every episode. Those indie interviewers you probably never heard of include Kiki Anderson, Steve Cooper, Bridgett Todd, and Reena Friedman Watts.

Reena is the creator/host of Better Call Daddy.

Better Call Daddy is a podcast for people who love stories. Hosted by the Reena Friedman Watts (Jerry Springer Show, Court TV), everyone from influential business leaders to phone sex workers are featured on the show. 

Reena insists: "Nothing is censored here."

Each episode, Reena interviews a person of interest, and her father will chime in with his words of wisdom. That's the crux of the premise. Reena's Dad weighs in with his wisdom. Given the sad state of American men (when you have to resort to Joe Rogan as your advocate, you know you're in trouble!), it's refreshing to see a man -- a father, no less -- dispense wisdom. 

Of course, the "unknown" of every episode is: "What will he have to say? And will the guest agree?"

Reena observes: "Discover an episode and don’t forget to listen till the very end!"

Reena is amazingly prolific, with over 400 episodes since 2020. The show has thousands of listeners each episode, which, for an indie podcast, is a remarkable feat. 

Reena Friedman Watts is a self-proclaimed "mompreneur" and the founder of MegaWatts Productions, a full-service production company

. Reena started in radio at an NPR station at Purdue University, which led to an internship and eventual promotion to producer at The Jerry Springer Show. 


She later moved to Los Angeles and worked as an interviewer for VH1 and E! and as a producer on shows like Nanny 911, Divorce Court, and Court TV. 

After taking a career break to raise her four children, Reena transitioned into event planning in the corporate space, organizing "Lunch and Learn" events. This experience ultimately led her to focus on events for entrepreneurs.  Leveraging her extensive production background, Watts also works as a podcast coach, helping her clients with everything from storytelling and guest selection to production and branding.  

As a podcast host, Reena has that quality of a superb host that Elaine Appleton Grant of Sound Judgment calls "hostiness." Her voice is perfectly pitched for audio, and she infuses meaning and insight into her words. No social media influencer vacuousness for her. She's also an excellent interviewer and knows how to take control and get the most out of a guest.

The addition of "Dad's advice" (aka Wayne) spices up the typical interview show. 

The show's marketing pitch says:

"Reena loves a story, and she’s fascinated by the people behind them. In fact, she lives to bring stories to life! Her appetite for storytelling has taken her to unexpected places, from the Jerry Springer Show to the legal drama, Court TV. And now, telling compelling stories is a family affair."

 

Despite the Jerry Springer connection, there are no fisticuffs on the show.  Some of my favorite episodes include the September 3 show titled,

Perseverance, Podcasts, and Going For the Brass Ring with Freddy Cruz. I admired this episode because Cruz acts like a model for aspiring indie podcasters. 

On the show, Freddy Cruz opens up about his entrepreneurial spirit and how he visualized his dream studio long before it became a reality.

He discusses the importance of perseverance, hard work, and the unexpected paths that lead to success, emphasizing that dreams don’t always materialize overnight but can come true with dedication and effort. Cruz offers insights into the podcasting landscape, his evolution from radio to producing podcasts, and the creative processes behind his writing. He reflects on his experiences with self-publishing and the challenges he faced along the way, including the emotional toll of losing an editor during a critical project.

Based on events in our nation today, I found the June 19th episode titled, "Living Through War: From Rwanda to Refugee DEI Advocate Drocella Mugorewera," especially relevant. On the show, the guest takes us on an emotional journey through her tumultuous experiences during the Rwandan genocide, detailing the tragic loss of her sister's husband and the harrowing escape to the Democratic Republic of Congo with her infant son. Then she shares invaluable insights on freedom, leadership, and the importance of empathy in healing and reconciliation. We certainly need more of that attitude now.

 Better Call Daddy is one of the best indie interview shows in podcasting. Reena Friedman Watts is a superb host and interviewer and her relationship with her father, Wayne, re-kindles the importance of family in our society as a cohesive force.