Creating a podcast before the podcast
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Podcasts are awesome!
This has not necessarily always been my opinion, but I have found myself listening to podcasts more and more in the past few years. This change is a result of working multiple jobs in the past two years that have had an hour or two commute.
These long drives were much easier when I was able to get entertainment that did not take my eyes off the road. Music alone never did the trick for me as I never felt like it fully stimulated my thoughts, causing me to get bored or tired.
This is what makes podcasts so great. They are engaging pieces of content that you can listen to without disturbing the order of your day.
To learn more about what goes into creating a podcast, I decided to make my own. However, this is by no means as simple as getting in front of a microphone and talking for an hour. The best podcasts take though planning in order to come off as seamless once it’s time to record.
I started my process by laying out a creating brief including the different parameters of my podcast episode. In this case, I am looking to create a 2- to 10- minute that focuses on mental health related issues in college students. I want it to be similar to an NPR podcast, giving a brief overview of a topic before sitting down with a professional on the issue.
Knowing this information, I began an ideation process of topics that I could discuss with the professional. For the sake of this podcast, I created a mind map.
After coming up with a few things to talk about during the interview, I look at a few more specifics. These include what my hook would be, the general message of the podcast, the narration style and feel, what sound effects and music would be needed, etc. These details are all laid out in the planning document at the beginning of this blog, so I encourage you to dive into that.
The final step of the planning process was to create somewhat of a script for it. At the moment, all this includes is an introduction and questions to ask the professional. All other discussion and the conclusion will be determined after the interview takes place.
Readings
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video – Tom Schroeppel
Chapter 8 of the text discusses the science of sound waves and the role of microphones in capturing audio for film and video production. Sound waves are created by vibrations, which spread spherically from the source, and finally reach a person’s eardrum which vibrates and is translated by the brain as sound. Microphones mimic the human ear, using diaphragms that vibrate to convert sound waves into electrical signals, which can then be recorded or broadcasted. The text also delves into the pitch and amplitude of sound waves and how different styles of mics react in terms of these principles.
Microphone pickup patterns, such as omnidirectional, cardioid, and supercardioid (shotgun), determine how well a microphone captures sound from different directions. Different microphones are suited for various scenarios. For example, lavalier mics are ideal for close-range, while shotgun mics work best in controlled environments for capturing distant sounds. Sound waves bounce and interact with surfaces, so it is important to control an environment of reflections and ambient noise.
Planning for a Podcast – The Podcast Host
The articles from The Podcast Host offer guidance on podcast scripting, planning, and delivery, emphasizing methods to improve content quality and audience engagement. One important concept is the "invisible script," which helps podcasters to plan their episodes while allowing room for natural, conversational flow. Rather than reading word-for-word, use prompts, bullet points, and structured outlines to stay on topic while sounding genuine and engaging. This will allow the podcast to flow better and sound much more natural than reading off a full script.
Depending on the podcast's goals and the host's comfort level, you can also create anywhere from full length scripts to looser outlines. It is important to decide which is right for a particular type of podcast. Detailed scripts ensure accuracy but may lead to a stiffer delivery, while outlines promote spontaneity but require hosts to think quickly on their feet. The key is to find a balance between structure and free flowing conversation.
One other thing to keep in mind is writing proper hooks, taglines, and “power words” to grab listeners’ attention from the start. Effective hooks and engaging language make a podcast memorable and can help attract and retain listeners.
Creating content calendars, templates, and topic planners streamline the production process for podcasters who are making episodes on a constant basis. The general point is to stay positive and make sure that you are planning of time. This will create the best product for listeners in the end.
Research
Up First – NPR
Up First is a podcast from the NPR Network that gives information on the top three stories each day. It does a great job of using music to transition between different subjects and using language that is informative and clear for most people to understand the stories.
Another thing this podcast does well is that it incorporates interviews where the hosts ask questions, and an informed guest gives information. This will be an important aspect for me to not in my podcast because I will be conducting a similar interview. Making sure that I ask guiding questions and letting the professional give their information in a clear manner is crucial.
Raw Talk – FroKnowsPhoto
Raw Talk is a podcast created by professional photographer and content creator Jared Polin. The podcast is very conversational in nature, which is something that I want to emulate in my podcast. Granted, the tone of the podcast is much different than what mine will be – this one is rather comedic and goofy.
Another thing that is great about this podcast is the introduction. Using a fake voice mail to introduce the topic for the podcast is a great way to hook people into the podcast. Once again, the tone of this podcast does not match mine at all, but the conversational nature and clever hook are great aspects to incorporate in my own podcast.
Design Better – The Curiosity Department
This podcast is Design Better, where the hosts interview someone within the design industry. Ignoring the self-promoting ads at the beginning and throughout the podcast, they do a great job with sound design and using music to transition throughout the podcast. The entire thing, even the scripted parts, is also very conversational.
Another great aspect of the podcast is the fact that they took part of the interview and made it the hook. This gives a great insight into what’s to come, without having to write something unique. Although I am not sure if I will do this in my podcast, it does show that there are many ways to draw in an audience within the first few seconds.
Hi! My name is Peyton McKenzie.
I am a professional graphic designer, photographer and content creator.
I encourage you to explore my portfolio to get a better idea of the work I create. If you are interested in working with me or have inquiries of any kind, don’t hesitate to reach out over email.
