In this interview, I'm talking with Melinda Lauw. She’s the cofounder of Whisperlodge - a company working to create in person ASMR experiences. Whisperlodge has toured San Francisco, L.A., and New York and even been featured in a Netflix documentary. ASMR is one of the more recent additions to audio entertainment (it stands for "Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response") and it was fascinating to hear from someone who's been on the forefront of this growing industry. In this first part of our interview, we're discussing what ASMR is, and where you may have seen it in your own life!We discuss the following in this interview:COVID in the United States and CanadaHow life looks for Melinda right now with COVIDHer first take on ASMR2008 was the first experience with ASMR2010 - the term ASMR officially becomes coinedThe huge community of ASMR on YouTubeThe most frequently asked topic within ASMR - ASMR erotica The myth behind ASMR needing to be erotic, when in reality, it’s notThe people who have made themselves up to enhance their ASMR piecesA woman in Japan who builds in her own sound designThe time commitment it takes to create a YouTube video with ASMRMelinda’s now shifting from ASMR in real life into ASMR on YouTubeMelinda’s process for creating her videosASMR sub genres - eating, sex, no speaking, miniatures, etc.Melinda’s likes when it comes to what she produces and what she likes to watch herselfThe Netflix production of WhisperlodgeMelinda walks us through how she was found for the Netflix productionHow different in person ASMR is compared to watching something on YouTubeThe intense immersion of ASMRASMR in person, is not for everyone and requires you to be vulnerableConsiderations that have to happen for in person ASMRThe need for consent with each different element of ASMRThe pros and cons of making an ASMR video - you don’t have any feedbackMelinda’s preference to work with people she doesn’t knowIf you want to find out more about Melinda, you can find her through the following:Find out more about Whisperlodge: http://whisperlodge.nycSee a video of an immersive live ASMR performance either on Netflix's Follow This, Part 1, Episode 1 https://www.netflix.com/title/80217889Or on Mashable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKdW5k-7FcA&t=1sCheck out our ASMR videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/whisperlodgeThis episode was very skillfully made to sound beautiful by the talented Humberto Franco (http://www.humbertofranco.com/).Would you consider reviewing the Audio Branding Podcast? If so, here’s the Apple Podcast link: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/audio-branding/id1489042453 And if you like what you hear (and read!) – please do share it with anyone you think might be interested. Thanks so much!And if you’re interested in crafting an audio brand for your business, why not check out my FREE download – 5 Tips For Implementing An Intentional Audio Strategy at...