Podcast "Ansgar meets"

Town hall becomes a recording studio

In addition to the citizens' office, the public order office and the other departments, there is now a new "department" in the town hall in the Borg: for several months now, the mayor's office has regularly been converted into a recording studio for the new city podcast "Ansgar trifft". What's behind it and how did the idea come about? Beate Barth from the publishing house of the same name reveals how it all began:

"At the beginning of last year, I received a request from the mayor, who was keen to create a podcast. Naturally, producing a city podcast in my home town was an exciting topic for me. It was clear to me from the outset that citizens, clubs and city society had to be at the heart of such a production.

Fortune then played into our hands: Julia Wulf, a Lüdinghausen-born journalist working for NDR in Hamburg, would soon be returning home. That was a lucky coincidence for us, because as a presenter she fits in perfectly with our plans."

Even when they first met, they agreed that the podcast should have its own signature and focus on our city, the exciting people here and many different topics. As a team, consisting of the eponymous mayor Ansgar Mertens, producer Beate Barth and presenter Julia Wulf, the concept was drawn up and the rules of the game were considered: Current topics from Lüdinghausen and Seppenrade, no longer than fifteen minutes, everyone should be on a first-name basis.
Ideas were discussed together and the "guest list" drawn up. In the obligatory, detailed preliminary discussions with the guests before each episode, the aim is to filter out stories and anecdotes as well as their concerns. "That's the salt in the soup," says Beate Barth.

"Many people know Ansgar's office, but not as a recording studio," explains presenter Julia Wulf, who is also responsible for the technical implementation and editing. "It's important that the guests feel comfortable so that they can answer as naturally and calmly as possible. A tripod and microphone can easily lead to a little adrenaline rush, so we try to create a relaxed atmosphere before the recording. A little sound check - then we're ready to go. It's an exciting moment every time."

When asked how he sees the project after the twelve episodes that have now been produced, Mayor Ansgar Mertens is highly satisfied: "It's important to me to be in conversation with the people in our city. The fact that our podcast is now able to discuss exciting topics in front of the microphone is a great pleasure for me every time."

Word has now spread about the format in Lüdinghausen and Seppenrade. A live version of the New Year's reception has also already been recorded.

Every first and third Wednesday of the month, a new episode is released punctually at ten o'clock on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, on the YouTube channel of the city of Lüdinghausen and on www.ansgartrifft.de. All previously broadcast episodes are also available there.