Ricarda - Comedy author and podcaster
I studied "Political and Social Studies" from 2008 to 2011. The Bachelor's degree programme was offered for the first time in 2008.
I currently work as a comedy writer and podcaster. I also produce podcasts myself as part of my own podcast agency and create podcast concepts for corporate podcasts. I started my podcast "Busenfreundin" in mid-2018 and have released 114 episodes since then. Every week, I welcome a guest from the queer scene or people who support the LGBTIQ movement. So far, for example, I've had presenter Jochen Schropp, pop singer Kerstin Ott, author Sarah Kuttner and presenter Ruth Moschner on the podcast. However, I don't just talk to celebrities, but also to my listeners, who tell their personal stories. The conversation in the podcast is very important to me in order to create a pleasant atmosphere and take my listeners on this very intimate journey.
After studying at the University of Würzburg, I worked for around six years as a consultant in the corporate communications department of a retail group in Cologne. I also wrote gags for comedians and TV shows in my spare time. At the beginning of 2020, I started my own business and now work full-time as a comedy writer and podcaster.
As an author, I write sketches, stage programmes and comedy sets. I am also currently writing for two dramedy series in the fiction sector. In 2018, I founded a podcast that dealt with my homosexuality. With around 100,000 monthly views, "Busenfreundin" is currently one of the most successful queer infotainment programmes in the German-speaking world. Thanks to the experience I have gained as a podcaster and my time at a company, I advise companies on the conception of their branded podcasts.
The broad and all-round view that my degree programme has given me helps me enormously in my job. Political and social sciences are broadly based and extremely important in order to better identify socially relevant contexts. My degree in politics has often helped me in comedy and satire. My degree programme also gave me the eloquence that I learnt. This in turn helps with podcasting.
I attended a theatre club during my studies and was a regular at the "Comedylounge" in Würzburg. I watched a lot of stand ups there and got inspired.
It was the best degree programme I could have chosen. I can only advise all students to see where their own interests lie and develop them. Networking with other people in this scene/industry is important and soaking up all the knowledge you can get. Comedy was always my passion, but I never dared to try this "breadless art". But if you really have a love for an area, then you will automatically blossom in it.
There are very few female comedy writers. Network, do internships on the radio or in editorial offices, tweet, start a podcast and attend the Grimme Masterclass. Female authors are desperately needed in this industry because we are still a long way from diversity! Good luck with that! Maybe I'll see you around.
