I need to make a podcast…

A podcast is a digitally recorded audio file that can be downloaded or streamed for listening. Podcast content is as varied as the hosts who produce them. They can be long or short, serious interviews or comedic parodies, groundbreaking research or fictional stories that last for 5 minutes or span several episodes.

As class assignments, podcasts are usually created by students or pairs of students on a general topic selected by the professor. Podcasting helps hone research and interview skills and integrates layered and nuanced storytelling.

You might use podcasts in a class to:

• Conduct scholarly research
• Learn and hone interview skills
• Synthesize research for a general audience

This process isn’t necessarily linear. Research is done while doing interviews. You may revisit and rewrite your scripts throughout the process. The editing process will change the language you use.

Below is a walkthrough of the process, along with tips, tricks, and references for creating podcasts.

Researching a podcast is a lot like researching a traditional research paper, but there are a couple things that give your podcast life.

Interviews

Interview Questions – Do’s

If you’re not sure, ask again. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t understand,” or ”Tell me more about that.” Repeat back your understanding of something to make sure you’re getting it right.

Joe Linstroth, Director of Media Relations, Macalester College

Interview Questions – Don’ts

• Don’t make statements. Ask questions.
• Minimize questions that begin with: were, was, did, do, have you, are, should… (yes-or-no questions)
• Don’t interrupt and do resist the urge to fill the awkward silence 
• Don’t ask long, rambling questions – get to the point
• Don’t ask either-or questions. EXAMPLE: Is democracy part of the problem or part of the solution or both? (What if it’s neither? What if they have a different way of describing the problem?)
• Don’t feel like you need to offer a reaction to everything they say. Just ask the next question. Or react with a follow-up question. 
• Avoid double-barrelled questions. EXAMPLE: How bad is the problem and what can be done about it?
• Have a plan, write out a list of questions, but be ready to diverge. This requires that you LISTEN!
• It’s all in the details. 
• Have them describe their experience as much as you can.
• Let the silence be. They’re thinking!
• The interview is not about you.
• Avoid editorializing, value judgements, assigning emotions (Ex. “You must have been frustrated…” Ask instead: “How did that make you feel?”)

Interview Tips

Writing a Script

Getting Started

• Be focused. Know what you want to say.
• Make you point clear to listeners.
• Tell your audience what to expect (You’ll learn XX or discover what happens to this character/place/policy/etc.)
• After your opening statement dig into the story.

Grab your listeners attention

• Ask a question
  • How are people effected?
  • Was there an unsuspected result?
  • Why are we doing things this way?
• Put the listener in the middle of the action
  • Create a strong sense of place.
  • Start with a person or sound.
• It’s a mystery!
  • This weird thing happened and we’re going to find out why.
  • Who did it?
• Make the story personal
  • I’m investing this because of my experience.

Visit How Audio Stories Begin for more details.

Delivering your message

• Even a conversation style podcast should have a roadmap or outline.
• Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself or re-enforce a point. 
• Be aware of the tone you are setting.

Everyone stumbles over their words. And when that happens here at NPR, we often go back to the script and write shorter sentences that are easier to read and won’t leave you feeling out of breathe.

Starting your Podcast: A guide for students, NPR

The soundtrack 

There are many copyright free resources to find music and ambient sounds to enhance your story.

At Home

One of the great things about podcasting, is that you don’t need to have special equipment to make one. You can use the record feature on your phone or use the mp3 file from a Zoom recording.

Recording

Find a quiet place.

Even during the shutdown you can find recording space. It might be a good excuse to build a pillow fort studio. Be aware of ambient noise like cars and fans or activities in other rooms. Getting a good recording makes the rest easier.

Test your levels

Before you begin recording, do a test recording. Are you close enough to the microphone? Is the recording loud enough? Are there any weird noises you are picking up?

Collect ambient noise

• Record the ambient noise in the room for about a minute. 
• Copy and paste this ambient clip to prevent clips from dramatically dropping off.
• Fade music in and out of transitions to mask changes.

Breathe

Take your time. Take a breath before you begin and in-between paragraphs. This gives you room to edit and makes sure you are not speaking too fast.

Make a copy of your master file.
You don’t want to delete something you will need later.

Save often!

Transcripts

Transcripts of audio interviews make it easier to edit you final product. Transcripts include timestamps which allow you to easily pull-out and locate key bits of information you know you will want to include in your final edit. Try these tools to help create transcripts of your interviews.

• Macalester has enabled Live Transcription for Zoom. This feature not only creates closed captions on the fly, it can also create a transcription of your Zoom conversation.
•  Otter.ai will transcribe audio recordings and embed timestamps. Free accounts are available.

Share

• Check in with your faculty member about how to turn in the podcast
• Share with friends and family be sending them the final .mp3 file.
• Share it with the world
  • Anchor.fm is Spotify’s free podcast hosting and creation tool
  • Make a Google Site to showcase your work

Resources