Podcasts are great for discussing topics and delivering news stories to an audience. They offer an opportunity to tell a story using ambient sound and interviews.

Tips for Recording & Editing

• Make sure to have an introduction (beginning) – middle – and a wrap up (end) to give a full arc to your stories.

• Use voice overs (narrations) to summarize points throughout the interview. Use them to introduce ideas and people being interviewed.

• Have a look at our audio interview page for tips on how to capture clean audio and interviews.

• Make use of ambient sounds like background noise to build a sense of place for your audience. Be sure to record this separately and edit in as an insert.

• End your podcast with a sign off: “I’m (your name), signing off.”

• Use music sparingly (at the beginning or end if you’re unsure). If you need to give credit (or attribution) include a thanks section at the end of your podcast before the sign off.

• Make sure that if you’re using music you have permission to use.

Documentation

Basic Audio Production

Finding Media Online

Creative Commons Media Resource List

Examples

Learn more about the potential of podcasts and listen to some examples:

This American Life – This podcast covers everyday American issues. Bringing a unique perspective to life in America.

Serial – This true crime podcast has two season both covering what was believed to be a long solved case.

RadioLab Presents: More Perfect – From the creators of RadioLab, More Perfect looks at the Supreme Court and the famous decisions that have shaped American law and the court system.