For this week’s blog post, GLD Digital Events Coordinator Megan Falk interviews GLD member and former interaktiv Editor-in-Chief Matt Baird about his tenure as ATA’s podcast creator and host and about what volunteering for ATA means to him.
- What inspired you to launch ATA’s podcast back in 2015? Did you ever imagine it would grow into what it is today?
It wasn’t actually my idea. Corinne McKay, who was on the ATA Board at the time, approached me. She knew I was a podcast junkie and asked if I’d be interested in helping launch one for ATA. The idea of hosting a podcast had never occurred to me—it felt daunting but also like an opportunity. I was honored but also afraid. After some consideration, the idea grew on me—not because I’m a natural performer (I’m not), but because sitting behind a mic felt a lot less intimidating than standing in front of a crowd. Turns out, I was wrong about that! There’s also the fact that it’s tough to turn Corinne down.
Honestly, I had no idea what I was getting into. Episode 1 was basically an experiment. It took months before I put E2 together. But once I found my rhythm, it started to click. Still, I don’t think I imagined it becoming what it is today.
- Were there any episodes or interviews that stood out to you as particularly meaningful or memorable?
The very first episode is definitely unforgettable—for all the wrong reasons! No music. No intro. Terrible sound quality. You can practically hear me reading off a script. I recently listened back and had to laugh. Thankfully, I had two great guests; otherwise, it would have been a flop. I interviewed then-ATA President Caitilin Walsh and President-Elect David Rumsey about that year’s conference. We released it on International Translation Day in 2015. It’s all of 15 minutes long, and let’s just say… humble beginnings.
Over the years, some of the more meaningful episodes for me have involved delving into specific aspects of ATA, such as certification and advocacy. My goal was to add value—provide deeper insights into our association. Early on, I had fun producing episodes like “Inside the Boardroom” and “How ATA Works,” which took members behind the scenes. I always felt the biannual check-ins with ATA presidents ( “Halftime Show” in the summer and “Year in Review” in the winter) were important—quick summaries reminding listeners of everything that ATA does, which is a lot. E42 on California Assembly Bill 5 and E43 on COVID-19 in 2020 also stand out. That was a trying time for many of us!
One of the most memorable moments, though, was a crossover episode with the Troublesome Terps podcast (E44). For once, I barely had to do anything. I sat back and listened to the European Terps banter with two US-based ATA-member counterparts about the business of interpreting. We dubbed it an “epic meet-up” for good reason.
- What were some of the biggest challenges, and what kept you going?
The biggest challenge was time. I had wildly underestimated how long it takes to create a podcast, especially when you’re a bit of a perfectionist like me. From brainstorming topics to finding guests, prepping questions, recording, editing, and writing show notes—it was a lot. And in the beginning, I did most of it myself.
On top of that, it was out there. Public. Permanent. So I wanted every episode to sound polished. (Spoiler alert: they don’t). I scripted everything—right down to how I’d transition between questions. And no matter how much I practiced and prepared, I was shaking in my boots every single time I hit record.
But it was worth it. The feedback from members kept me going—people telling me how much they loved the podcast, how natural I sounded, how it made them feel more connected to ATA. (I’ve been told many times that I have a great radio voice, but still don’t believe it.) But I do believe in voice recognition: I’ve been stopped in the hallway at the annual conference many times by someone saying, “I know that voice!”
- How did the podcast evolve over time? How did you decide on topics and guests?
In the early days, I leaned heavily on Mary David, ATA’s Assistant Director at the time. She always had her finger on the pulse—board initiatives, committee updates, upcoming The ATA Chronicle articles. She often suggested topics, and I’d run with them from there.
As the podcast grew, it was clear I couldn’t do everything myself. Editing, in particular, was eating up way too much time. So Mary suggested bringing in a professional production team. They created the intro and outro, handled post-production, and even provided a voice talent for announcements. That upgrade was a game-changer—it let me focus on the conversations and the storytelling, which is the part I loved most.
- Can you give us a glimpse into your process? What went into creating each episode?
It usually started with an idea—either a topic Mary suggested, news I noticed in ATA’s communications, or inspiration from the annual conference. Once we had a guest lined up, I’d draft questions and send them over in advance so they could prepare. I often asked for bullet-point answers ahead of time so I could craft follow-ups and smooth transitions.
Recording was always the fun part, despite the nerves. Interviews often turned into conversations—it helped that I knew many of my guests from past conferences. Then came editing, at least until we outsourced it. I used GarageBand, which is beginner-friendly, but it’s tedious work—cutting out awkward pauses, cleaning up restarts, and adding background music. I once spent 10 hours editing a single episode and thought, This is not sustainable!
Once the audio was edited, I sent the MP3 file to the guest and Mary for review, made any necessary final tweaks, and then Mary uploaded it to Libsyn. This podcast hosting platform allows you to release each episode across all the podcast apps.
- You’ve also volunteered extensively beyond the podcast—from editor-in-chief of interaktiv to ATA PR writer. What drives you to give so much of your time and energy to ATA and the GLD?
It actually took me a decade to step up as a volunteer. For the first ten years, I was a passive member. But at some point, I realized ATA had given me so much—it was time to give something back. Plus, I felt I finally had something to offer. So I approached the GLD leadership and offered to help out, not expecting to be offered the role as editor-in-chief of interaktiv. I nearly balked at the idea, but ultimately it felt right. Editing, writing, working quietly behind the scenes—it suited me perfectly. And it was fun. I enjoyed collaborating with other GLD members on each issue and seeing the fruits of our labor “go to print.”
And I’d be lying if I didn’t say the positive feedback and recognition were real motivators, too. It was gratifying.
- How has volunteering enriched your personal and professional life? Have you seen the impact of your efforts on the ATA community?
Absolutely. On a personal level, it deepened my sense of community. I made real friendships—some of my closest ATA connections have come through volunteer work.
Professionally, it was invaluable. Volunteering gave me a platform to hone my writing and editing skills, particularly when I was pivoting into copywriting. Writing editorials for interaktiv or scripting podcasts was great practice—and it helped me build confidence.
I’d like to think that both interaktiv and the ATA Podcast added value. I certainly heard good things from many members over the years. The podcast also provided ATA with another communication channel to reach more members and others interested in the T&I industry.
And there’s no question it brought visibility to my business. My best copywriting client came from an ATA connection—a member who knew me from my volunteer work, knew what I specialized in, and that I was a copywriter. You can’t really put a value on that.
- What was it like handing the podcast over to your successor? Do you have any hopes or expectations for the future?
Bittersweet, for sure. I didn’t start out looking for a successor—when I first approached Andie, I just hoped to bring on a co-host to help lighten the load. I was burned out, unmotivated, and putting out fewer episodes. Having Andie on board gave the show a boost and made it fun again.
But after a year, it became clear I needed to step away fully. Luckily, Adam Sachs had already been hosting our Inside Specialization podcast series and was a natural fit. Once he agreed to join, the handover was surprisingly smooth. I offered to stay on in an advisory role, but honestly, they didn’t need me. Andie and Adam hit the ground running.
It was a little hard to let go—after all, it had been my baby for nearly a decade. But knowing the podcast is in good hands makes it easier. Andie & Adam have already put out some great podcasts this year—and I expect this is only the beginning.
One hope I have for the future is that the podcast will increasingly feature broader T&I topics and not focus solely on the association. We dipped our toes in the water a few times, such as E88 on scams and E49 on machine translation, but I would have liked to have done more. The Inside Specialization series targets a broader audience and has been a great addition; however, there’s so much more we could be discussing.
- What advice would you give someone thinking about volunteering with ATA?
Simple: do it. Don’t overthink it. No matter where you are in your career, you have something to offer.
And find something that plays to your strengths. I’m an introvert at heart (I only play an extrovert at conferences). I’m more comfortable behind the scenes—my volunteer roles so far reflect that. So don’t think you have to be a leader or the loudest voice in the room to make a meaningful contribution. There’s a volunteer role for everyone.
- What’s next for you? Any new projects, passions, or goals?
Honestly, my big project right now is doing less. Handing off the podcast was part of a conscious effort to create more balance—more time for my family, less time staring at screens. I’m fortunate to have a solid base of direct clients who keep me very busy, but they can be demanding. I get burned out from time to time, so you might say I’m renewing my passion for setting boundaries. I’ve reinstated a four-day work week and reduced my office hours. Less time at my desk and more time on my bike has made a difference, but it’s still a work in progress.
I’ve also started volunteering locally with Radeln ohne Alter, which offers rickshaw rides to people with limited mobility. It allows me to combine my love of cycling with community service.
- Anything else you’d like to add?
Just that I’m incredibly grateful—for the opportunities ATA has given me, for the connections I’ve made, and for the chance to contribute in a way that felt meaningful. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you get back so much more than you give.
I also want to wish Andie and Adam best of luck as they carry the torch forward.
Megan Falk is a German to English translator based in River Falls, WI. She recently graduated from UW-Milwaukee with an MA in Translation and opened a freelance translation business. She specializes in translating old German script (Kurrentschrift and Sütterlin), historical documents, and textbooks. In her free time, Megan enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, writing, traveling, and cooking. She is currently learning Spanish and ASL and plans to continue learning additional languages.