What a long way it has been since the idea to create POLcast was born 9 years ago! It started in 2015 and Episode #1 was released on March 15, 2016. Its official launch was hosted by Poland’s Consulate General in Toronto – see Episode 12.
This anniversary calls for memories and summaries.
In its 8 years POLcast has featured 100 episodes. I have interviewed well over 200 people and brought you stories from all the continents (well, except for Antarctica, but weather- or climate-wise we reached far north – Alaska and the Canadian Yukon).
In this special episode I walk you through the idea and history of POLcast: how it came to be, who it is for, who and what it features. Many people and stories are mentioned and acknowledged. My sincere thanks to all of them: POLcast collaborators, partners, interviewees, and – most of all – to YOU, our loyal POLcast listeners from over 100 countries all over the world and to our invaluable sponsors-donors.
Thank you for all the awards and distinctions granted to POLcast!
In this episode you will hear many voices – people from many countries talking about POLcast. Thank you for all these kind words.
Changes to POLcast are coming soon so stay tuned!
And please help POLcast to grow:
Here’s a short summary for new listeners getting acquainted with POLcast.
FOUR POLcast ELEMENTS
The POLcast project has four interrelated elements:
- the podcast to listen to – you can listen through your favorite Podcast app or from the POLcast website.
- The website mypolcast.com. I encourage you to access it after each episode – it offers plenty of multimedia, videos, photos and additional info. There you can find all the stories and past episodes.
- Newsletter which we send to those who subscribed on our website – we inform you about our new episodes and give you some extra information.
- there is POLcast Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/myPOLcast/ where we post English language articles about Poland published all around the world as well as interesting stuff and trivia about Poland
WHO IS POLcast FOR?
POLcast is created for listeners interested in all things Polish, with Polish roots or without.
There are 20 million people of Polish descent in the world, including 12 mln in the US, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia. Merely 6 per cent have a communicative command of Polish. And there are also their partners, families, friends, co-workers with interest in things Polish, because they travel to Poland, have business or personal relations with it, wish to establish professional links there, there are young people who want to learn about Poland’s past and about new exciting Poland. POLcast is for all of them.
I know POLcast is used for fun, as an educational tool, to promote Poland as a fascinating tourist or business destination, to familiarize newcomers and business people with Poland, to share with non-Polish family members, co-workers, etc., etc.
Some people in Poland listen to it not just for content but also to improve their English.
WHO DOES POLcast FEATURE?
- Poland is a fascinating country with people who shine in many areas, are creative and innovative,
- Apart from Poland itself, there is also Polish diaspora, huge, as I mentioned before,
- And there are also non-Poles and their often amazing connections to Poland.
POLcast makes all these exciting faces of Poland and Poles around the world accessible to people who are interested in Poland, but do not speak Polish.
As a journalist, I do believe in the power of human stories. Not only stories of famous people but also people who are less well-known but are truly inspiring. I constantly come across such gems and am so happy to hear from POLcast listeners: “Wow! I had no idea!”
Some no no’s: Wikipedia style, stereotypes or divisive politics.