Navigating Gender Imbalance in Podcasting: Tips From an Industry Veteran

SheVentures

A successful podcast entrepreneur, as well as the founder and CEO of Ginni Media — a podcast strategy and creation company that serves both big-ticket clients and fledgling entrepreneurs with quality audio strategy, monetization, community building, and production tips — Ginni Saraswati, is the audio authority. After all, Saraswati, who has hosted a few morning radio shows, has embraced audio since….what? Radio?!

Saraswati shares her journey from Sri Lanka to Australia to the U.S. and details her experiences in radio and podcasting. She also discusses the challenges she faced with racial intolerance and what it was like to come out as queer to her traditional family. Not for nothing, but Saraswati is keen on all creators staying true to their values — and preaches the power of authenticity in business.

With characteristic authenticity, she recalls the business idea that failed and how she learned invaluable lessons from her mistakes as an entrepreneur. Listen to Saraswati delve into gender imbalance in podcasting as she speaks about being a woman in a male-dominated industry — and stick around for her tips for women looking to pursue their business dreams, on this episode of SheVentures Podcast.

Highlights:

• Saraswati talks about radio and podcasting, her passions for more than a decade, producing award-winning content focused on pop culture, music, entertainment, and the LGBTQ+ community.
• What it was like to interview celebrities like Paula Abdul and be the host of two-morning radio shows in Melbourne, Australia
• As a Sri Lankan immigrant to Australia, Saraswati speaks about her cultural acclimation.
• Entrepreneurship involves personal and professional transformations, including overcoming fear, reckoning with imposter syndrome, and learning to delegate tasks.
• Saraswati recalls coming out — and how she found support in the LGBTQ+ community.
• Facing discrimination and stigma, Saraswati found solace in the community and used her platform to amplify voices.
• Saraswati discusses the gender imbalance in podcasting and content creation and attributes it partly to obstacles and judgment women face. Representation is crucial in podcasting, and Saraswati’s journey shows how important it is to amplify diverse voices.
• A failed event business, Blink, taught Saraswati that having a greater purpose is essential for success.
• She started Ginni Media as a side hustle and won five clients before quitting her day job.
• Today, her client roster includes Cynthia Rowley, Allure, Siemens, and many entrepreneurs.
• Saraswati faced numerous challenges in her entrepreneurial journey, including losing all her money.
• Ginni Media grows through referral clients, prioritizing quality over quick growth.
• Reviewing how podcasts can be monetized — and how to decide what is right for you
• Saraswati encourages people to reach out to her on Instagram at @ginnimedia or @theginnishow