Podcast

Image of a podcasting setup including the Rode PodCaster Pro mixer.Objective

To develop an understanding of podcasting production techniques and applications.

Description

Produce, promote, and distribute at least six (6) episodes of a podcast centered around a particular topic. Episodes may be approximately 15 minutes in length. This project may be for you or a business or non-profit client. You may use any publicly available service to host the podcast files, and you must publish the podcast on the Apple Podcasts directory. Why Apple Podcasts? Its the largest podcast directory.

NOTE: You may NOT use a smartphone to record your podcast—one grade point deduction, and likely points off for audio quality, etc.

Here are examples of some podcast formats:

  • Interview/Conversation – A host engages with different guests each episode, exploring their stories, expertise, and perspectives through in-depth conversations. The format allows for natural dialogue and unexpected insights, like “WTF with Marc Maron” or “The Joe Rogan Experience.”
  • Solo Commentary/Monologue – A single host shares their thoughts, experiences, and expertise on specific topics. These shows often feel intimate and personal, creating a one-on-one connection with listeners, similar to “Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History” or “The Daily Stoic.”
  • True Crime Narrative – These podcasts investigate real criminal cases through careful storytelling, interviews, and evidence analysis. They often unfold like audio documentaries with multiple episodes covering a single case, such as “Serial” or “Crime Junkie.”
  • News & Current Affairs – Daily or weekly shows that break down current events, often featuring expert analysis and multiple segments covering different stories. Examples include “The Daily” by The New York Times or “Up First” by NPR.
  • Comedy Panel Discussion – Multiple comedians or personalities discuss topics, share stories, and riff off each other unscripted. These shows prioritize entertainment and humor, like “My Brother, My Brother and Me” or “2 Bears, 1 Cave.”
  • Educational/Explainer – These podcasts break down complex topics into digestible segments, often mixing narrative storytelling with expert insights. Shows like “Radiolab” or “Science Friday” use this format to make challenging subjects accessible.
  • Fiction/Audio Drama – Scripted stories told through voice acting, sound design, and music, creating immersive audio experiences. These range from horror (“The Magnus Archives”) to science fiction (“Welcome to Night Vale”) and often feature full voice casts.
  • Business/Entrepreneurship – These shows combine interviews with successful business people, case studies, and practical advice for professionals and entrepreneurs. Examples include “How I Built This” or “StartUp.”
  • Lifestyle & Self-Help – Focused on personal development, wellness, relationships, or specific interests, these podcasts often mix expert advice with listener questions and personal anecdotes, like “Happier with Gretchen Rubin” or “The Mind Set Game.”
  • Review & Recap – Shows that analyze and discuss movies, TV shows, books, or other media, often episode by episode. They might feature regular hosts, guest experts, and fans, such as “Binge Mode” or “The Rewatchables.”

Resources

Project Deliverable

Research: (100 pts)

Comparative Research: Find three (3) examples of an online video series similar to the one you intend to create. They should be similar in subject or creative approach. Create a document in the following format outlining the following:

  • Objective: include what the audience should be able to know, learn, or do after using the example. “I don’t know” is not an example of an answer.
  • Audience: include age, gender, geographic location, socioeconomic level, media and device use, etc. “Not sure” is not an example of an answer. You must include citations for your demographic sources.
  • Episode Rundown: detailing the main sections of the example (opening, main section, promo, closing, etc.) and describing that section and its length. This should look like the following.
    • Open -:30 – content
    • First topic – 1:20 – content
    • Promo -:20 – content
    • Closing -:45 – content
  • Client: if any. Anything from a brand or an influencer has a brand attached to it.
  • Linked URLs of the examples you find.
  • Analysis: Why are these appropriate examples for your project? Do they use the medium effectively, and why? What works and why? What doesn’t work and why?

You will copy and paste your Comparative Research into your completed Project Brief.

Best Practice Research: Identify at least three (3) different best practices relevant to your project that reflect industry standards, recommendations, or proven successful approaches for your chosen media type (video, podcast, social media, etc.). Your research should focus on finding established techniques or methods professionals use to create compelling content in your chosen medium.

Answer the following questions using the table below.

  • Name of the Best Practice
  • The page title and URL of the example
  • Why is this a best practice for this kind of project?
  • How will you apply this to your project?
Name of the Best Practice Page title and URL of the Example Why is this a best practice for this kind of project? How will you apply this to your project?
[Name the specific technique, approach, or standard] [Provide a link to a real-world example of this best practice] [Explain why this approach is considered effective, including any statistics or evidence if available] [Describe specifically how you will implement this best practice in your project]
EXAMPLE (Social Video Project)

Opening Hook Within First 3 Seconds

 https://example.com/video-hook Research shows 65% of viewers who watch the first three seconds will watch for at least 10 seconds. A strong hook increases viewer retention significantly. Our videos will open with striking coffee pour shots or time-lapse customer transitions to grab attention immediately.

You will copy and paste your Best Practice research into your completed Project Brief.

Delivered to D2L as an MS Word document (PDF or Pages documents will not be accepted, no exceptions.)

Project Brief (100 pts)

  • Podcast title.
  • Explain the objective of your project.
  • Describe the intended audience, including demographics.
  • Describe where you will host your podcast (Buzzsprout, Anchor, etc.)
  • Provide the metadata (title, producer, date, etc.) required for the publishing platform.
  • Create a rundown of each episode’s content.
  • Describe how you will promote the project.
  • Create show notes for each episode.
  • Create a cover art.
  • Describe the tool or software used and the reason for that choice.
  • Provide an episode release schedule.
  • Provide a Task List with names of responsible individuals and the deadline dates for the tasks.
  • If appropriate, provide detailed contact information for the client and/or subject-matter expert (SME) and any cited sources for the information included in the project.

Use this Project Brief template. The filename should be LASTNAME_PROJECTNAME_brief.

Use this Task List template. The filename should be LASTNAME_PROJECTNAME_tasklist.

Delivered to D2L as an MS Word document (PDF or Pages documents will not be accepted, no exceptions.)

Completed Project (200 pts)

  • At least six (6) episodes, approximately 15 minutes in length.
  • Audio is audible and recorded without hiss, buzz, or unnecessary background sound and is encoded and compressed for distribution.
  • Edits are appropriately paced.
  • Opening that announcing the name of the show and the hosts. Closing includes a thank you and instructions on how to subscribe.
  • Cover Art feature on the podcast directory page.
  • Podcast description
  • Episode descriptions
  • Upload the project to an appropriate podcast host such as Buzzsprout, Spotify for Creators, etc.
  • Publish the podcast to the Apple Podcasts podcast directory. (You will need an Apple ID.) Follow all metadata, artwork, etc., required for submission to the chosen directory. Your podcast host will probably have a step-by-step process or a submission page to walk you through submitting to Apple Podcasts.
  • Embed a podcast player with the episodes on your website OR create a website for the project. The website should include posts for each episode, including show notes and an embedded podcast player. The website should also have an About page that provides information about the podcast, a Podcast page with the episodes or series player embedded, and a Contact page.
  • Create social media posts for each episode on at least one appropriate social media account.

Submit an MS Word document (PDF or Pages documents will not be accepted, no exceptions) to the D2L dropbox with the following information.

  • URL of your website page about the project
  • Screengrabs of the information you submitted to Apple Podcasts Connect.
  • URL of the finished project
  • URLs of the social media account used (hashtagged #iam3210.)

Submit a separate MS Word document (PDF or Pages documents will not be accepted, no exceptions) with your Usage of Generative AI Justification (if applicable) to the D2L dropbox.

Reflection:

Submit a 250-word reflection paper about your project that addresses the following questions. Support your reflections with specific examples from the project. Focus on constructive, forward-looking observations. Consider both technical and interpersonal aspects of the experience. Use the heading structure below.

Personal Growth & Learning

  • What were the 2-3 most important lessons you learned from this project experience?
  • Describe your primary contribution to the project and explain why it was significant.
  • What specific skill or approach would you focus on improving in your next team project?

Creative Process

  • What was your team’s creative approach to this project, and what influenced those choices?
  • Based on the project outcomes, would you take a different creative approach if you could start over? Why or why not?

Professional Development

  • How do you plan to apply specific skills or insights from this project to your future career?
  • What additional skills or knowledge did this project reveal you need to develop?
  • Outline your concrete plan for developing one of these needed skills in the next 6 months.

Team Dynamics

For each team member (including yourself):

  • Name their most valuable contribution.
  • Provide one specific example of how their work impacted the project
  • What one piece of actionable feedback would you give to each team member to enhance their collaboration skills?

(Comments about your team members will be kept confidential, but I encourage you to share them.)

This is an individual submission. Each team member must submit their own Reflection.

The document is delivered to D2L as an MS Word document (PDF or Pages documents will not be accepted, no exceptions.)

Due Dates

See the Course Schedule for Project 1 and 2 due dates.

Evaluation

Points will be awarded based on adherence to the Project Deliverables.

Total points available – 500