Season One Wrap

With the release of Invisible Women’s Episode 8, Heroine’s Journey, the podcast wraps up Season One. I will continue to post articles and updates on the website, so please check it and subscribe to the newsletter.

The podcast process although nothing short of rewarding has had an unusual trajectory this year due to Covid-19. However, I’m so glad we adapted and persevered. It’s been a pleasure to know that we engaged listeners in over 100 countries. In addition, it’s been interesting to hear your comments and reactions, and your stories and WW 2 research along the way.

When I interviewed the women 15 years ago, I had no idea that their narratives would come to life again with a second cast of women. In February 2020 when I met with Robert Ouimet, IW’s producer, over coffee to discuss the possibility of transforming the women’s interviews into a podcast, we had no inkling that our everyday routines and work life would shift so drastically and so quickly.

While we were still in the concept phase when the virus restrictions were put in place and by the summer, we knew that we wouldn’t be able to completely record the episodes in an audio studio.  We had to figure out how to proceed and decided that for my episodic introductions we would record at a distance – with me at my home and Robert in his studio. He arranged to record all the actors at a lovely Vancouver recording studio that had it’s COVID precautions in place – sadly the studio has since closed.

By August the local theatres were all closed and most films on hold, and this was a gain for us as all 23 actresses we invited to audition, said yes. Over two days, and from our homes through Zoom, the casting director, Eileen Barrett, Robert and I auditioned all 23 for at least 2 out of the 8 women’s roles. 

There were many factors that went into choosing the final 8 women and we were fortunate to have so many award-winning and capable actresses. From September to November the actresses were recorded at the Sound Kitchen Studio in Vancouver, B.C. with the restrictions of masks, cleaning protocols between recording segments and more in place. Also, during this time Sara Bailey of Mika Design, and I began collaborating on the graphic for IW and settled on an iconic image of a woman carrying the double identity of espionage.

I want to thank Robert Ouimet for his expertise and the magic he brought to each episode helping guide us toward a Hermes Creative Award and international recognition.  And, special gratitude to the women actresses who enlivened each role perfectly. Last but not least, I want to thank you the listener, and especially those of you who have supported the podcast from the beginning. It has been much appreciated. Please continue to leave comments and your stories on the website.

See you soon, Diane