Podcast Local: Tell the stories of your community

Listen to local podcasters--just like you--tell the stories of their own adventures in local podcasting. And discover tips and techniques that will make your local podcast even better.

How to make a local podcast (Podcast Local: Behind the Scenes – Part 1)

July 18, 2017 by Jason E. Norris

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:06 — 5.2MB)

Stop.

Just for a moment, stop.

And think.

Think about where you live.

What’s cool about it?

What are three neat things about your community outsiders don’t know?

Now, stop and think about this.

What you just did is the first step in making a local podcast.

Step two?

Listen to Podcast Local.

Podcast Local: Behind the Scenes

Discover how to make a local podcast in this special summer series from Podcast Local, a production of OnTheGo.FM.

I’m Jason Norris, the host of Podcast Local, and I’m about to start a new local podcast for Richardson, Texas.

You’re invited to join me for a look behind the scenes as I explore different ways to podcast local in my new hometown.

I’m starting from scratch. I don’t know what the new local podcast will sound like.

I’m designing it based on conversations I’ve had with local podcasters from around the world.

Do you want to build a podcast?

As I’m making my own local podcast, I’ll be asking lots of questions you, too, should ask when making your own local show.

If you’d like to join me on this journey, you have two options.

1) Just listen and learn the process.

2) Decide now to design your show as I make mine.

No matter which path you choose, I’ll be here to answer your questions.

Listen to Part 1 today, and join the Podcast Local Community Center (free).

Support for Podcast Local comes from the Satchel Podcast Player for Android and iPhone. Satchel makes it easy to discover podcasts produced in your hometown. Learn more at SatchelPlayer.com.

Ethical editing is a key factor in Ethical Podcasting – Part 2

May 18, 2017 by Jason E. Norris

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:34 — 15.2MB)

Digital editing is powerful

Editing can make you sound amazing.

Editing can enhance your message.

Editing can change the meaning of your message.

Editing can distort the truth.

Editing really is powerful.

So edit responsibly.

How do you do that? Start by listening to this episode, which takes a closer look at ethical issues in audio and video editing and how easy it is to cross the line into telling stories in untruthful ways.

Editors, listen to these two stories to understand the impact of audio editing.

99% Invisible. Episode 256. Sounds Natural. *Spoiler alert* I talk about this near the end of the episode. Listen first and then come back for my perspective.

Pulling Back the Curtain from On the Media. This is how conversational radio is made.

Editing for a living

If you need someone else to edit your podcasts, consider Steve Stewart. (This is not an affiliate link. He’s just a good editor who knows how to make you sound professional.)

If you love editing, join the Podcast Editors’ Hangout on Facebook. You’re welcome to join whether you edit podcasts for a living or just your own. If you like talking about editing, we want to talk with you!

Previously on Podcast Local from OnTheGo.FM

Tell the news of your community (Podcast Local episode 12) featuring journalist and professor Butler Cain talking about principles of journalism for local podcasts. By the way, this is good advice whether your podcast is journalistic or not.

Telling true stories in truthful ways. Should podcasters adhere to a code of ethics? Ethical Podcasting – Part 1 (Podcast Local episode 14).

An example of a code of ethics many broadcasters follow. This is the RTDNA guidelines for ethical editing for both video and audio.

What do you think?

Continue the conversation in the Podcast Local Community Center on Facebook.

Support for Podcast Local comes from the Satchel Podcast Player for Android and iPhone. Satchel makes it easy to discover podcasts produced in your hometown. Learn more at SatchelPlayer.com.

Should we create a code of ethics to ensure Ethical Podcasting – Part 1

April 28, 2017 by Jason E. Norris

Ethical Podcasting - Part 1 - Telling true stories in truthful ways. Podcast Local episode 16 from OnTheGo.FM

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:29 — 10.0MB)

Should podcasters adhere to ethical standards?

Let’s explore this idea.

Even if we’re not doing local journalism, we are dealing with information and telling real stories of our community.

If we’re not careful, the way we tell those stories could cross into unethical territory.

This is the first part of a mini-series on ethical podcasting. After listening to this, there are a few things I’d like you to do before the next episode in this series.

Homework for the next episode on ethical podcasting

Listen to episode 256 of 99% Invisible. Sounds Natural explores the making of nature documentaries.

Read the RTDNA guidelines for ethical video and audio editing.

Share your perspective on the story I shared in this episode.

Share an ethical dilemma you faced and the choice you made (optional, but appreciated).

Support for Podcast Local…

…comes from the Satchel Podcast Player for Android and iPhone. Satchel makes it easy to discover podcasts produced in your hometown. Learn more at SatchelPlayer.com.

Band together to make a local podcast network

April 12, 2017 by Jason E. Norris

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:33 — 20.3MB)

Are there other local podcasters in your area?

You could consider them competition.

Or you could make a network, ask them to join you, and cover many more stories in your community.

That’s what Jason Burton did with his local podcast for Evansville, Indiana.

Principles of journalism for local podcasters

March 31, 2017 by Jason E. Norris

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:28 — 20.3MB)

Not every local podcaster wants to be a reporter, but all local podcasters are storytellers. Journalism can help you tell local stories better.

When I met Butler Cain, he was running the newsroom at Alabama Public Radio. Today he is an associate professor at the University of North Alabama and is chair of the Department of Communications.

Listen and learn principles of journalism for your local podcast.

Mentioned in this episode

“If it bleeds, it leads” is easy and formulaic.

Find a better way: Cover things not covered by local media

Don’t be a one-and-done reporter. Explore stories from multiple angles over multiple episodes.

Find out how issues and policies affect people

Audio requires good writing

The “red ball” exercise

Journalism is never 100% truth (wait, what??)

Journalism needs to get better at explanation and analysis

Even legacy radio and television could use podcasts to share the journalistic process with their audience to rebuild credibility

People cannot be totally objective, but the journalism process should be.

What do to if you’re not sure you fully understand a story

What IS journalism?

Consider these questions:

Why is this important?
Why does this need to be heard?
Why invest your time and effort on this story?

Come up with ideas you want to explore

Write questions related to that
Find experts with informed opinions, not just people on the street.
Realize there are more than just two sides, so cover multiple perspectives.

Support for Podcast Local comes from the Satchel Podcast Player for Android and iPhone. Satchel makes it easy to discover podcasts produced in your hometown. Learn more at SatchelPlayer.com.

Follow Butler Cain on Twitter @ButlerCain

Read Butler’s blog at ButlerCain.com

Links to Resources

The World News Prism: Digital, Social and Interactive Kindle Edition (Amazon affiliate link)

Jonathan Kern’s Sound Reporting: The NPR Guide to Audio Journalism and Production (Amazon affiliate link)

NPR’s Editorial Training site: Hone your craft, on air and online.

Society of Professional Journalists

SPJ Code of Ethics

Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)

RTDNA Code of Ethics

NPR Ethics Handbook

Lessons learned about local podcasting

March 9, 2017 by Jason E. Norris

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:05 — 10.9MB)

Local podcasting is an interesting way to tell the stories of your community.

Your community is filled with fascinating people, interesting places, and curious things.

All of those things are stories.

And all of those stories are waiting for someone to tell them.

Is there a local podcast for your hometown?

Would you like to start one?

Discover ways you can tell the stories of your community by listening to Podcast Local.

This episode offers insights from 5 conversations with local podcasters.

Support for Podcast Local comes from the Satchel Podcast Player for Android and iPhone. Satchel makes it easy to discover podcasts produced in your hometown. Learn more at SatchelPlayer.com.