I was raised listening to NPR, and since the advent of podcasting and audible.com, have consumed about 15-20 hours of audio content a week. Despite a deep love for the work of Ira Glass and the guys at Radiolab, I’ve enjoyed listening to Two Gomers Run a Marathon more than anything else.
The podcast started when two friends decided to give up their monumentally lazy lives and run a half marathon together. Living on opposite sides of the country, they decided to podcast the whole thing.
The journey has been a difficult one, causing everything from blisters to shingles, and even one gomer getting hit by a car while running. It has also been a ton of fun. The gomers are true nerds, and children of nineties. In many episodes, the running related content seems to be tacked on top of references to Full House, descriptions of their love for fast food and stories from growing up.
The Gomer phenomenon is a case study in modern media. Both seasons have consistently highly rated on iTunes. They have nearly 1,000 Facebook fans, and raised over $3,000 from charity. They are a perfect example of Seth Godin’s Tribes or the 1,000 true fans theory. Three things make the Gomers stand out, and teach us about how to connect and inspire:
1. Looking Stupid Can Be Inspiring. Even by choosing the name “Gomer,” they started the project with a sense of self deprecation. They have never stopped flaunting their ignorance, or their desire to overcome it.
2. Interact Relentlessly. Originally, it started with the Gomers asking for running tips. However, conversation has included everything from how to revive leftovers to thoughts on the iPad. These conversations have engaged fans on Facebook and Twitter, and find their way back into the podcast.
3. Authentically Display Your Faith. TGRAM is not a Christian podcast, however, it is a podcast made by Christians. Mentions of prayer and spirituality pepper the conversation. This gives the discussions an added level of depth and inspiration.
Last Sunday, the two Gomers ran a marathon. The podcast is coming to an end, and I feel like I’m saying goodbye to friends.
You can catch up on the whole saga at TwoGomers.com or search for Two Gomers on iTunes. Here’s another inspiration of the Gomers.
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