A podcast passion project started by postgraduate Stefan Spiroff of Bradford West Gwillimbury is hoping to change the way people think about the millennial generation.
Spiroff graduated in 2018 from the University of Guelph-Humber’s journalism program. While looking for employment in his field, he decided to start a podcast to pad his resume for job applications.
A self-proclaimed self-help and business enthusiast, he thought the podcast would be a great idea to not only highlight his journalism skills but also showcase young business owners and their innovative ideas.
“Restless is a good word to describe some millennials (anyone born between 1981 and 1996) who don’t want to be stuck … doing something they don’t like, that feeling of angst, restlessness,” he explained. Hence, the reason for the podcast’s title, The Restless Millennial.
“I realized that millennials are a generation that is misrepresented a lot. When people think about a millennial they think of someone who is lazy, lives with their parents, feels entitled… I know that’s not true. There’s a lot of young people who want to make something of themselves, not only in business but through their passions.”
Spiroff uses the Toronto Public Library to interview his subjects, with recording studios and cameras available to use for free. He then uploads his interviews to an application called Anchor, which distributes his content to various podcast platforms.
In addition to the podcast, he uploads all interviews to his Facebook page and website. He uses Instagram to post teaser clips of his interviews as well.
In the past year, he has had 23 guests on his show, including some of Bradford’s own young talent, such as 25 year old Benjamin Simon, who owns Ben Simon’s Guitar Lessons.
Most recently, he interviewed the Canadian BBQ Boys, Matt McCoy and Mike Sutton, who started a barbecue-cleaning service and received a deal from venture capitalist Jim Treliving on the CBC show Dragon’s Den.
The Restless Millennial is never short on interview subjects. Spiroff said he gets a lot of referrals from previous guests of the show.
He said he typically interviews young people in their 20s and 30s, but there is no age limit for being a guest. He will interview anyone who can be an inspiration to the millennial generation.
When asked why he thinks millennials have such a bad reputation, Spiroff said social media takes a lot of the blame.
“The older generation just doesn’t understand social media, that kind of space. They see these young people out in public taking pictures of themselves, and it gives them the impression that they aren’t focusing on the important things in life; they are focusing only on superficial things,” he said.
“I think the older generation doesn’t see the positive of all that stuff, the fact that you can use social media to really promote your passion. If you’re starting a business, you can reach an audience, like millions of people are available to you on your phone at any time.
“I think the older generation also thinks we complain a lot, but I feel like we have the right to complain because house prices are nothing like they were 40 years ago,” he laughed.
Since starting his podcast, Spiroff has gained full time employment but still works on The Restless Millennial in his spare time.
He said he enjoys meeting new young entrepreneurs and giving them a chance to showcase their skills and talents through his podcast.
You can check out all his content at therestlessmillennial.ca or on his Facebook page.
