Continuing Studies: Higher Ed Podcasting

How can a podcast use academic research to help us make sense of today’s news?Neil and Jen talk with Gemma Ware, head of audio at The Conversation UK and host/co-producer of The Conversation Weekly, about how the show brings academic expertise into the news cycle through narrative-produced audio. Gemma shares how The Conversation pairs academic rigour with journalistic flair, helping researchers explain complex ideas in a way that’s clear, accessible, and useful for a general audience.The conversation also digs into the craft behind the show: structuring episodes around the question “How did we get here?”, working with academics on mic, sustaining a weekly production schedule, and thinking strategically about multimedia, video, and discoverability. It’s a thoughtful look at how higher ed podcasters can translate expertise into stories that help listeners better understand the world around them.Episode Links:The Conversation WeeklyThe ConversationGemma Ware ProfileConnect with Us:Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected] More: Continuing Studies PodcastFollow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn PageJoin LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters NetworkConnect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastcoYoutubeHigherEdPodsChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (04:05) - What is The Conversation? (05:51) - The Editing Process (07:13) - From The Anthill to The Conversation Weekly (11:14) - The “How did we get here?” structure (13:27) - Turning current affairs into academic storytelling (15:18) - Sustaining a weekly podcast (16:43) - Helping academics communicate clearly (20:04) - Building a global audio network (22:18) - Podcasting, multimedia, and discoverability (28:25) - Leaning into niche expertise (31:02) - How long should the story be? (31:51) - Closing reflections (32:39) - Conclusion Join us at Higher Ed Pod Con in Cleveland, OH, July 16 - 17 2026Sign up by May 29 for Early Bird Pricing

25 years ago, MIT made a bold choice: share our knowledge with the world, free of charge. Eventually, out of this, Chalk Radio was born as one tool of MIT's OpenCourseWare to deliver that knowledge.  In this episode, Neil and Jen talk with Brett Paci, producer of the Chalk Radio podcast and Assistant Director of Media Production at MIT OpenCourseWare, about how that mission has evolved over 20+ years. From static course materials, to YouTube lectures, to short-form clips, to narrative audio, and now to full podcast and video formats. What makes their approach stand out is that it’s never been about chasing formats; it’s about following the audience. Brett shares how the team experiments constantly, and adapts based on how people actually consume content, whether that’s a 30-second clip, a full lecture, or a long-form conversation. It’s a practical look at how one of the world’s most recognizable institutions continues to evolve, not by sticking to one format, but by constantly adapting to meet learners where they are.Episode Links:Contact Brett Paci on LinkedInMIT OpenCourseWareChalk Radio PodcastMIT OpenCourseWare on YouTubeWhere in the World are Jen & Neil:Higher Ed Pod ConThe Podcast Show (London) EPOD ConferenceConnect with Us:Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected] More: Continuing Studies PodcastFollow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn PageJoin LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters NetworkConnect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastcoYoutubeHigherEdPodsChapters:(00:00) - Who is OpenCourseWare For? (02:12) - Introduction (04:55) - Brett Paci and The Origins of OpenCourseWare (08:02) - From Course Materials to YouTube Growth (08:20) - Expanding Beyond What to Teach to How to Teach (09:32) - From Short Clips to Full Podcast Conversations (10:35) - Building an Audience Before Launching a Podcast (12:03) - Why Format Should Follow the Audience (14:25) - From Narrative Production to Conversational Podcasting (19:15) - Returning to Video and Experimenting with Format (22:30) - Testing Content: Full Episodes, Clips, and What Performs (27:06) - Treating Video as a Pilot and Learning What Works (31:16) - Conclusion Join us at Higher Ed Pod Con in Cleveland, OH, July 16 - 17 2026Sign up by May 29 for Early Bird Pricing

What are the core skills that make a great podcast host? Before podcasting, there was broadcasting, and there’s still a lot to learn from it.This week, Neil and Jen go back to school, well, Jen's school that is. They head to BCIT’s broadcasting studios to host Jen’s former instructors, Kathryn Stewart and Kevin Ribble, now co-hosts of Ignite My Voice. Kat and Kevin share what podcast hosts can learn from broadcast training, using your breath to manage nerves on the mic, how to keep an audience engaged, storytelling & listening, and letting go of imposter syndrome.They also explore co-host dynamics, writing for audio, and how podcasting blends the discipline of radio with the freedom of conversation. It’s a fun, practical, behind-the-scenes look at the core skills that make for better podcasting—and why your voice is your most powerful tool.Episode Links:Ignite My Voice Listen to the Ignite my Voice PodcastContact Kevin | KatBCIT's Broadcasting ProgramConnect with Us:Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected] More: Continuing Studies PodcastFollow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn PageJoin LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters NetworkConnect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastcoYoutubeHigherEdPodsChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (05:31) - Introducing Kat, Kevin, and the BCIT Program (07:24) - Ignite My Voice & Podcast Freedom (11:08) - Keeping Listeners Engaged and Telling Better Stories (13:12) - Conversation Flow & "Story-Listening" (15:58) - Managing Nerves, Confidence, and Imposter Syndrome (19:27) - The “One Listener” Mindset and Audience Connection (21:25) - Voice, Breath, and the Mind-Body Approach to Hosting (25:27) - Co-Hosting, Scripts, and Finding Your Natural Style (29:43) - Conversation vs. Interview (31:17) - Letting Go of Fear (33:59) - Conclusion Join us at Higher Ed Pod Con in Cleveland, OH, July 16 - 17 2026Sign up by May 29 for Early Bird Pricing

What does it take to turn rigorous scientific research into stories millions of people actually want to listen to?This week, Neil and Jen sit down with Blythe Terrell, executive editor of Science Vs., to learn how one of the world’s most popular science podcasts blends deep research, narrative storytelling, and a bit of humour to reach millions of listeners. Science Vs. certainly doesn't opt for the path of least resistance, Blythe walks Jen & Neil through the realities of making a weekly narrative show and their extensive fact-checking and citation practices.The conversation also explores what higher education podcasters can learn from Science Vs.: how to build trust with audiences, how to story-tell your research, and why showing your work through transcripts and citations matters more than ever. Along the way, Blythe shares insights from teaching podcasting at NYU, working with scientists to communicate beyond academic jargon, and even collaborating on peer-reviewed research sparked by podcast episodes. It’s a thoughtful look at how podcasting can expand the reach and impact of scientific research, while having a whole lot of fun. Episode Links:Listen to Science Vs.Contact BlytheNYU's Science, Health & Environmental Reporting ProgramQueen's University Sexual Health Research Lab | Blue Balls & Sexual Coersion | The Orgasm GapConnect with Us:Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected] More: Continuing Studies PodcastFollow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn PageJoin LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters NetworkConnect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastcoYoutubeHigherEdPodsChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (03:59) - What Is Science Vs. and How the Show Works (05:25) - Inside the Narrative Production Process (09:37) - Treating Episodes Like Research (10:26) - Handling Feedback, Criticism, and Listener Trust (13:44) - Why Show Notes, Citations, and Transcripts Matter (17:37) - Teaching Podcasting and Science Communication at NYU (23:35) - Science Vs. & Queen's University's Published Research (31:44) - The Future of Podcasting in Higher Education (33:43) - Conclusion Join us at Higher Ed Pod Con in Cleveland, OH, July 16 - 17 2026Sign up by May 29 for Early Bird Pricing

How can podcasting bring diverse voices and forms of academic work to a larger audience?Neil and Jen sit down with Will Brehm, creator of FreshEd, to talk about how a decade of academic podcasting has evolved from a simple interview show into a broader platform for research, storytelling, and new voices. Will shares how FreshEd grew into a multi-show network, why moving beyond English-language content matters, and what he’s learned experimenting with formats like narrative series and audio journals.The conversation digs into bigger questions, too: what it would take for podcasting to be recognized as legitimate scholarly output, how institutions can start to value non-traditional research, and why building an audience is just as important as creating the work itself. It’s a thoughtful look at where academic podcasting is today and where it needs to go.Episode Links:Connect with Will | Bio |LinkedInFreshEdConnect with UsShare Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected] More: Continuing Studies PodcastFollow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn PageJoin LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters NetworkConnect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastcoYoutubeHigherEdPodsHigher Ed Pod ConChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (04:27) - Fresh Ed’s Mission and Making Research Accessible (08:11) - Will & Fresh Ed’s Journey (14:38) - Flux and Putting Students at the Center (14:52) - The Thinking Ear and the Idea of an Audio Journal (19:09) - Funding, Open Access, and Staying Ad-Free (22:18) - Advice for Recognizing Podcasting as Research Output (25:40) - Lessons Learned After 10 Years of Podcasting (27:47) - What Needs to Change for Podcasting in Academia (32:41) - Conclusion Join us at Higher Ed Pod Con in Cleveland, OH, July 16 - 17 2026Sign up by May 29 for Early Bird Pricing