Anthony Ponce Talks 'Aggressive Listening' As His Rideshare Interview Podcast Arrives

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 12, 2016 7:43PM

Facebook

Anthony Ponce made a huge splash in the media world back in July when he left his weekend morning anchor position at NBC to pursue a decidedly riskier venture. His new gamble, he announced, would be a sort of Studs-Terkel-gone-rideshare concept: Ponce became a full-time Lyft driver, exploring the local fabric by interviewing and recording his passengers for a new podcast, called Backseat Rider.

Three months and hours of conversation later, Backseat Rider is finally here. Ponce dropped the podcast’s first episode, appropriately titled and themed “Risk,” early Wednesday morning. In it, riders offer relatively light ruminations (standard relationship apprehension) alongside much weightier ones (a coming-out struggle in a hostile neighborhood). Even this long after taking the podcast plunge, Ponce still feels a sense of anxiety himself, even after signing on with major online-audio network PodcastOne.

“It’s that same concern I felt before,” Ponce told Chicagoist. “It’s still very much dependent on me building an audience, still risky.” “

“But the feedback has been very positive,” he added. “Passengers have been super open with me. Almost everyone is willing to share once I introduce myself and the project.”

Regardless of topic, Ponce said the series is “all about human connection.” “What’s missing from the social-media and political climate is people really listening to one another. My goal is to make a small dent in that. Listen aggressively.”

Listeners can expect new episodes each Wednesday at least throughout the year. The Halloween-week theme (“Have you experienced anything you consider paranormal?”) maybe a standout, as Ponce promises some super creepy tales.

So far, the experience has Ponce feeling positive but still dogged about taking Backseat Rider to the next level. He has good reason, too. "My wife gave my six months," he said, at which point he'd agree to consider something more traditional and lucrative. But if Episode One is any indicator, he may reach a much more interesting if less-traveled destination yet.