I’ve been podcasting for over a decade now — maybe closer to sixteen years. Honestly, I stopped keeping track. Hundreds of conversations, countless stories, and a medium that’s changed more times than I can count. And yet, I’m still here. Still podcasting.
Lately, I’ve been asking myself: why?
With so many new platforms — TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, you name it — why do I still choose to sit down, hit record, and talk into a mic?
The Flight That Started It All
Let’s go back about sixteen years. I was flying home from my first trip to East Africa. Somewhere over the Atlantic, I was reading a book about digital marketing when it hit me: I needed to start building my personal brand.
At that time, podcasting was still this mysterious, niche thing. I didn’t know what it was or how to do it — I just knew I wanted to try. Twitter was my social tool of choice, back when it was a genuine place to connect with people. In fact, I had just met a group of amazing folks on Twitter before that East Africa trip, including some in Nairobi, where I gave a talk about building online communities.
When I got home, I put out a tweet:
“Hey, I want to start a podcast. Anyone know how?”
That single tweet led me to a small podcast network called PRN – the Perpetual Radio Network. Soon after, I launched my very first show: SMS: The Social Media Show.
Back then, I’d drive from Scarborough to a basement studio in Mississauga. A producer would be waiting; all I had to do was show up with a guest or a topic. We talked about social media, marketing, community — all the new stuff happening online.
That’s how it all began.
Welcome with Karim Kanji
Fast forward a few years, and I saw another tweet — this time from some friends starting an online radio station. I raised my virtual hand again and said, “Hey, I want in.” That’s how Welcome with Karim Kanji was born.
At first, it was just me talking to friends. But then it grew — politicians, business leaders, Olympians, musicians, and everyday people with interesting stories. It became a space for curiosity.
Later, I launched Welcome to the Music with my good friend Greg Tilson in 2019. We wanted to talk to artists and share our love for live music. Then came the pandemic, and suddenly we were recording from our basements, bedrooms, and home offices. That show ran until late 2024, when Greg and I decided to take on something new: a project called Lost Venues, celebrating Toronto’s rich (and disappearing) live music history.
Finding New Stories
Around the same time, I started My First Joke — a podcast where I talk with local comedians about their beginnings in stand-up. It started right as I was starting my own journey in comedy, which made those conversations even more meaningful.
With all those projects going, Welcome with Karim Kanji took a bit of a back seat. Life got busy — work, podcasts, stand-up. But even as I focused on other things, I never stopped thinking about why I love this medium so much.
Why I Still Podcast
Recently, I was listening to Marc Maron’s WTF podcast as he reflected on his thousand-plus episodes. He was wrapping things up, and I thought, “Well, maybe it’s time I start again.”
So here we are.
I don’t have any guests lined up yet. I don’t have a content calendar. What I do have is curiosity — and a desire to keep showing up. I’m going to record something every week. Sometimes it’ll just be me. Sometimes I’ll bring you stories from Welcome to the Music, My First Joke, or Lost Venues. Maybe I’ll introduce you to a comedian or replay a favourite conversation.
I’m not chasing downloads or stats. I’m just here to talk — to figure things out, to connect, to keep the conversation going.
If you’ve been listening since 2010, or if you’re new here, I’d love to know what keeps you coming back. You can message me on Instagram @karimkanji, email me at karim@karimkanji.com, or leave a rating wherever you listen.
I’m recording this on Sunday, October 19th, 2025 — a few hours before finding out if the Blue Jays are still in the ALCS or if this magical 2025 season has come to an end. Maybe that’s something to talk about next week.
Until then, thanks for listening. Thanks for reading.
And thanks for still being here.
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