1. Think in terms of just topics can be limiting. Trying out some themes may open up some interesting connections between different stories that may seem unrelated. For example, This American Life and Radiolab do shows on things like: Bliss, back to school, lost & found, etc. Maybe thinking of some bigger themes and soliciting ideas based on that would open up some interesting stories to pursue. 2. I could find probably find some time for this. 3. What I've heard so far seems to be a pretty good early effort. Production is better than most podcasts at a similar stage, but it can still get tighter and become more fluid. Pacing is something that Snap Judgment does very well. You may want to listen to that podcast to get some ideas on your structure and production methods. I love listening to podcasts, so I will naturally want to listen, but there needs to be something that is more "sticky" about the show. Stickiness is a concept that Malcolm Gladwell talks about in his book, "The Tipping Point" in a chapter about what makes kids continue to watch shows like Blue's Clues and Sesame Street. It focuses on children's television, but the concept of "stickiness" can be helpful in shaping any creative pursuit: http://adonis49.wordpress.com/2008/10/23/the-sticky-sesame-s...
1. This is great advice and the programs that you mention are certainly ones that have influenced my taste. I am a student of public radio and both This American Life and Radiolab are offered in my listening market. I immediately have a number of ideas that are more broad in nature but that could easily be used to create a narrative. Thanks for the nudge in this direction. 2. FANTASTIC. I'm currently in mid-production for our next podcast on Silence, but I will be reaching out to you for a future production and look forward to your contribution. Thank you for offering, it is humbling given the quality work that you and George produce. 3. Thank you, when I get to a point where I am not getting better or learning more about how to create the best listening experience and tell the best stories, I'll stop doing it. As of right now, this media challenges me quite a bit and I enjoy that challenge and I"m learning a lot. I am a musician and I get the same type of "Zen" , in the moment sensation from mixing these podcasts as I do from recording music. I've listened to snap judgment, you're right about their pace, it's really well done. I've not read the Gladwell book, but I am pretty familiar with "stickiness" as a marketing concept. I'll look in to this and see how I can apply it to the podcast. Wonderful suggestions crshank, thank you VERY much.