One of the many things that Podcasting has going for it is the number of people who are speaking in an authentic voice. Sonia Brock represents this group well.

Sonia produces a Podcast called A Storied Life, and the title couldn’t be more perfect. She tells the stories of her life in an intimate and heartfelt way. The stories are many and varied — the nightlife in New York’s lower-east side, a bad experience in a shopping mall, and her “Stitch-and-Bitch” knitting group. Sonia sings the blues and tells you about the death of her beloved cat. Sometimes she’ll disappear for a few weeks and return with a show in which she apologizes for becoming engrossed in an online first-person-shooter. Then she’ll tell you about her sewing projects and reflect on her experiences playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Sonia is celebrating her 70th birthday this week and our virtual friendship makes me feel as though I’m celebrating with her. Have a very happy birthday, Sonia, and thank you for demonstrating what authentic voice really means.