How The Virginia Audio Collective fosters creativity, collaboration, and impactful storytelling.
In part two of this episode, Mary Garner McGehee and Sage Tanguay discuss The Virginia Audio Collective at the University of Virginia, showcasing how a podcast network can thrive by combining creativity, community, and collaboration. With resources from WTJU community radio and a supportive infrastructure, the collective empowers aspiring podcasters to bring their ideas to life, from concept to production. Insights include the benefits of limited series, building an audience, and fostering partnerships across campus and beyond. This episode highlights the tools, strategies, and innovative approaches that make UVA’s podcasting initiative a model for other institutions looking to amplify voices and create impactful storytelling.
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How traditional radio is evolving.
Mary Garner McGehee and Sage Tanguay from the University of Virginia's WTJU and Virginia Audio Collective visit the Continuing Studies podcast to explore the evolving role of radio and podcasting in higher education. In part one of this two part episode, they share how WTJU, with its storied past in the punk rock scene, has transformed into a dynamic podcasting hub, emphasizing the student-run station WXTJ, where DJs have the freedom to explore diverse music genres. Further, Mary Garner and Sage discuss the surprising ways students today define radio, often merging it with podcasts and digital media, and how this reflects broader shifts in media consumption.
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Step into the world of podcast analytics and discover tools from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. If you're a podcaster, understanding the differences between downloads, listens, and views is crucial. Focus on metrics like average consumption percentage and total listen time to get a clearer picture of your podcast's success.
Find out how analytics can help you compare episode performance, revealing which topics and formats resonate most with your audience. Dive into insights about your listener base by examining demographics such as location, age, and gender. Plus, explore the latest engagement features, like comments and reactions on Spotify, to enhance your connection with listeners.
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How The Poison Lab podcast brings together experts in the medical community.
Dr. Ryan Feldman, clinical toxicologist and host of The Poison Lab podcast, delves into the power of podcasting to connect niche experts across fields and share critical insights into rare toxicology cases. Dr. Feldman discusses how his podcast bridges the gap between specialists in toxicology and a wider audience, offering a platform for experts to share their unique experiences in managing complex and often high-stakes medical situations. By bringing together voices from across the toxicology and medical communities, Dr. Feldman’s podcast fosters collaboration and creates a valuable resource for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to learn more about the hidden challenges of poison management and emergency response.
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Can you tell a story through sound?
Sam Harnett and Chris Hoff, creators of Ways of Knowing, discuss their journey of blending sound and academia in this captivating episode. Frustrated with the repetitive nature of public radio, they shifted focus to sound as a central storytelling tool, using it to evoke emotions and memories in ways traditional narratives can't. Their project, Ways of Knowing, challenges how academic knowledge can be conveyed through immersive audio, collaborating with universities to produce sonically rich, intellectually rigorous content. This conversation dives deep into their creative process, technical challenges, and the future of audio storytelling in education.
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(00:00:00) Introduction
Neil and Jennifer introduce guests Sam Harnett and Chris Hoff from the Ways of Knowing podcast.
(00:03:04) The World According to Sound
How The World According to Sound started as a reaction to traditional public radio formats.
(00:06:07) Sound and Memory
The immersive soundscapes used to evoke both learning and emotional responses.
(00:09:58) Humanities and Sound in Podcasting
The challenges and opportunities of bringing humanities research to life through sound.
(00:12:16) Producing High-Quality Soundscapes
The technical side of the podcast, from recording sound to mixing it for immersive experiences.
(00:13:39) Importance of Sound Design
The significance of strong sound design and thoughtful podcast structure.
(00:16:20) University Collaborations
How each season of Ways of Knowing is shaped by different academic institutions.
(00:20:46) Future Topics and Ambitions
Potential future topics including the economics of higher education.
(00:25:27) Creating Evergreen Content
The importance of creating evergreen content that remains relevant.
(00:29:41) Audio vs. Video
The trend towards video in podcasting and why Sam and Chris focus solely on audio.
(00:34:20) Conclusion