Chapter One Listen to a sample

Episodes are coming soon.

Be a podcast guest: tell the story of your first time

Chapter One is looking for guests with a beginning to talk about: a first gym visit, a first week at a new job, a first year of teaching, a first race, a new skill, or the first time you came out to a friend or family member.

Anyone can pitch. Recording is remote.

Send your pitch Read a sample first →

How it works

  1. You write a cold open. It's a short scene from the first page of your beginning: 150–250 words, in the present tense, starting in the moment and ending mid-step.
  2. You read it. Your reading opens the episode.
  3. We talk. The conversation covers the why, the chapter, the supporting cast and the three songs you pick to capture that time.
  4. Two closing questions. "What would you tell the person you were on page one?" and "What's Chapter Two?"
  5. We publish your cold open with your playlist after the episode.

The writing prompt

"Show us what you wanted and what you feared, without naming either."

Not sure what that looks like? The three sample cold opens show it: a first yoga class, a first marathon and a first day managing people.

Your story stays yours

  • You control the names, places and final text of your cold open.
  • A release form covers the audio and the published text.

Pitch your first time

You don't need a finished cold open to pitch. A few lines are enough.

An email address or phone number where Tyler can reach you.

For example, "my first year of teaching".

Tyler reads every pitch.