Matthews' invention story was featured in a podcast interview exploring what it takes to be an inventor, centered on the Soccket's creation and impact.
On October 1, 2012, Jessica O. Matthews' journey as an inventor was featured in a podcast interview exploring the question of what it takes to become an inventor. The episode centered on her creation of the Soccket and how that early invention set her on a path into the power and infrastructure sector.
In the interview, Matthews discussed the process of moving from a class engineering project to a functioning prototype, and eventually to a company. She spoke about the challenges of manufacturing a durable, weatherproof product capable of surviving rough outdoor play conditions in diverse global environments, as well as the entrepreneurial hurdles of raising capital and building a supply chain as a very young founder.
This kind of long-form audio storytelling helped humanize the invention process for a broad public audience, illustrating the iterative, often difficult path from idea to impact. It also contributed to Matthews' growing reputation as a thought leader on invention and entrepreneurship, not just as the creator of a single product. The podcast feature is emblematic of the way her story was used throughout the 2010s to inspire young people, particularly women and people of color, considering paths in engineering and business. This documented date anchors one instance of that ongoing media narrative.