Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregg Podraza.
Gregg, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Writing has always been one of my hobbies. Up until recently, I was reluctant to share my work with others. I was scared of the criticism and the opinions that publishing my thoughts for anyone to see might bring. In late 2019, I came to the realization that I was already sharing my writing (in the form of lengthy Facebook posts about me and my daughter) and I needed to stop being such a wuss. I knew I wanted to continue sharing mine and my daughter’s journey (through her childhood and my parenthood). In January of 2020, I manned up and launched www.thedadadadiest.com as a platform to share my writing. To accompany my essays, I began creating satirical pictures to break up the monotony of just reading my words. I highly enjoyed the creative process of this and soon branched out to making short videos as well. I now have a Facebook page, Instagram account, and YouTube channel umbrella’d under The DadaDADiest theme.
Everything I create — whether it’s an essay, an image, or a short movie — is done with history in mind. Either by preserving a cool moment or event of mine and my daughter’s story, exploring local historical sites with her, or by combining both. Years down the road, I want to be able to look back and see a timeline of our journey — a creative time capsule of sorts — depicting my daughter as she grows and my personality as a storyteller.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ha! I’ve struggled with gaining followers. I have no idea how to reach more people but would love for more people to see our story. I’m also constantly trying to beat this imaginary, non-existent deadline I must hit for all of my posts. I never set out to create specific content when I’m actually living these moments with my daughter. My writing or vlogs always come to fruition when I’m reviewing our pictures or videos during my own downtime. Once an idea sparks, I let my creative side take over and I try to unapologetically follow it wherever it wants to go.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a writer who taught himself how to use iMovie. I’m most proud of my little girl and the honor that goes along with her calling me “Dad.” Hopefully, years from now, there will be a library full of nostalgia — in the form of essays, pictures, and videos — for us to fondly revisit.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
That’s a toss-up between going to Chicago Blackhawks games at the old Chicago Stadium/Cubs games at Wrigley or playing catch with my Dad in the front yard.
Contact Info:
- Email: thedadadadiest@gmail.com
- Website: www.thedadadadiest.com
- Instagram: @thedadadadiest
- Facebook: The DadaDADiest
- Youtube: The DadaDADiest
