The Pod Class

Life happens. And sometimes we get derailed. In today's episode we talk to Trey how took the Podcasting class to share his story. Then an injury forced him to take a step back and heal. But he didn't give up and in the end, was able to make it work and get a podcast done.

Some topics discussed in this episode:

- how an athletic injury derailed his podcast production

- how important it is to communicate with your professor and not “ghost” the class

- the desire to utilize podcasting to teach others by sharing our stories

- the intense schedule of a college athlete

- having an open mind, creativity, and dedication are important in making a podcast

Why take a podcasting class? Its a DIY medium -- you just need a phone and your voice, right? But students (and instructors) get so much more out of a class - like feedback and deadlines.

In the first episode of the new season, we talk to Nova about her podcast Relationship Status and how the class helped overcome and appreciate her perfectionism. We also discuss why anyone would take a podcasting class, and how much time editing actually takes.

Were back for Season 5 -- that's 5 semesters of teaching Podcasting and listening to the ups and downs of learning to podcast. Each week we'll hear from a student in my class as they work on their podcast and find out the challenges and the joys of podcast producing. So, if you're interested in our class or interested in teaching podcasting, this is the pod for you. Welcome to the Pod Class.

Teaching podcasting to undergraduates has its challenges but it is nothing compared to teaching 6th graders. In this episode, I discuss my experience visiting my daughter's class to help them work on a podcasting project. And we have a special guest -- and podcast producer, my daughter. She shares her view of the class visit.

Tyler asks me about flying drones. Grace asks what class I would love to teach if I could.

Ava asks what underrated podcasts I'm listening to.

Allison fangirls out on Dateline and asks me about my experience working there.

How do I break from distractions and get to work? It is not easy... but maybe distractions can serve a purpose.

In this episode we discuss the technological aspects of creating a podcast: from microphones to AI.

In this bonus Office Hours segment, Mackenzie asks about the common criticisms and naysayers that communication majors often face. Toni shares her own experiences and insights into how communication majors can overcome these negative perceptions and showcase the value and importance of their field. Katie asks a question about how the communication program adapts to change.

Andrew asks me what topic I would do a podcast about (touche). And Sam wants to know when I first got the audio bug.

There's so much to talk about, how do we choose? In this episode, I describe how I guide my students in picking a topic they will enjoy podcasting about all semester. Sam, of Feeding Actors, and Andrew, of Let Me Cook, tell me why they chose their topics.

Check out their podcasts:

https://www.youtube.com/@YoHeReallyCooking

https://spotify.link/CJ2yBobxHyb

Link to transcript:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sWzbUp7cObZlPJdTZCfn7fsKE7RMcOh8IUiXyKcCPno/edit?usp=sharing

We have a new class of podcasting students! I list out what we have on deck and some of the challenges I see with some of them.

If you're curious, here are the links to our class podcasts:

What is the most embarrassing thing I have done in front of a class?

Nick asks me about making friends while in college.

We're talking about consistency and how it pays off - even if no one is listening. Our guest is Nick Hart, the host of Degrees in a Breeze where he gives college students advice on surviving. We talk about hating school, learning from mistakes, and how this class is ruining podcasts for students.
Check out Nick's podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nqorqGXhgTzv4ZkHjVIQS?si=a9dbbd55e2094f91

A question about my career path... again.

We talk to a student who decided to make a special episode around a tragedy to help others.

I'm asked about my decision to leave my career to become a professor.

How does a media professor give feedback when the process of making is the process of learning?
Today's guest: Kyle, host of The Damn Dirty Takes Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/2uIkvuoinem0ECnje34JD6

Our bonus segments where students can ask me anything. In this episode, you'll hear what podcast I recommend to people who don't listen to podcasts and what kind of podcasts I like to listen to.

A new semester begins with a new class and new podcasts! 

What non-narrative podcasts do I enjoy? And why is it so hard to find consistently funny podcasts?

Find out which class is my favorite to teach.

Interviewing, Terry Gross, and dream interviews... 

What is my advice to students who are interested in taking this class?

This week we dig through the archives for historical context. Our student guest, Graci, struggles with how much of her personal life to share in her podcast.

De'Keva asks if being good at podcasting translates to being good at music.

How did I end up teaching Podcasting? You might be surprised.

Is anyone else a huge fan of Ira Glass? I was introduced to This American Life as an undergraduate and now, I am passing along the love of narrative storytelling to my students.
We also talk to Ava and Kyle - students in this semester's podcasting class, about their approach to storytelling for their podcasts. One is about wine and the other is about pizza. 

How do professors really feel about "bad" students?

In this first preview episode, you'll hear students pitch their podcast idea and the professor explains what a pitch needs to be successful.