In an increasingly crowded field of Monday-to-Friday podcasts, “The Daily” from The New York Times is still the most popular news show, with about 1.75 million downloads per episode. According to one estimate, the number of daily podcasts has more than tripled in less than two years. The competition now includes news shows by NPR, … Continue reading Daily podcasts are booming. But here’s why some will fail…
Category: journalism
Throw away the seatbelts. What I had to un-learn after a long career in network radio.
For more than three decades I spent my working life in network radio news, reading scripts and speaking to the clock. As a journalist covering politics, wars and the financial markets, I had to master the art of the precis — telling compact, compelling stories using a minimum number of carefully chosen words. As a radio news-talk … Continue reading Throw away the seatbelts. What I had to un-learn after a long career in network radio.
Let 550,000 flowers bloom. The stunning variety of podcasting is also its charm.
I was kind of giddy last weekend after that SNL podcast skit. The one that made fun of our emerging industry. In the send up, a bearded and bespectacled Liev Shreiber (who played Michael Barbaro) said that podcasts “are like delicious little whispered documentaries.” Wow, SNL is making fun of us! We’re on the map. One more … Continue reading Let 550,000 flowers bloom. The stunning variety of podcasting is also its charm.
Marketers are listening. At last, podcasting is a thing at Advertising Week.
Finally it's happening. Advertisers and marketers are waking up to the great potential of podcasting. At this week's Advertising Week conference in New York, there's interest, even excitement, about audio-- both music and speech. Unlike previous years, when our industry was virtually ignored at this annual event, an entire morning of panel sessions has been … Continue reading Marketers are listening. At last, podcasting is a thing at Advertising Week.
The beauty of asking dumb questions.
How to ask questions (2). The third in a series on podcasting. As soon as I published some thoughts on how podcasters can do even better interviews than they record already (my previous blog), I started getting friendly feedback. Some of it comes from close to home. Miranda Shafer, the senior producer of “How Do … Continue reading The beauty of asking dumb questions.
“How do you feel”, “tell me more” and other smart interview questions.
How to answer questions. The second in a series on podcasting. “It was 1992. The closing days of the Presidential campaign and I was beginning to get a name for myself. Not in a good way. During crowded press conferences with the candidates all that year, I was the network radio reporter who would ask: … Continue reading “How do you feel”, “tell me more” and other smart interview questions.
“Thats a really good question” and other silly things guests say during podcasts.
This is the first of several blogs on making better podcasts. Today: how to be a great guest. The other day I was interviewing a young woman who wanted to work on a podcast project with us. About half of her answers began with the all-too-frequent comment, “that’s a really good question.” I wanted to … Continue reading “Thats a really good question” and other silly things guests say during podcasts.
Sometimes I love riding with NYC subway…
A number one train in motion ...Yeah, I know it’s a pain— especially in rush hour, at the weekends when there’s limited service, or if the guy sitting next to me is manspreading. But there are also times of unexpected delight on the New York City subway, when a stranger makes you smile. Friday nights … Continue reading Sometimes I love riding with NYC subway…
I swam with Muslims in The Sea of Galilee
The Sea of Galilee at sunset...Looking west Us versus them. Right against wrong. Accept the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. Wag your finger and reject it outright. Far too often in our beautiful, colorful, chaotic and profoundly interesting world, political and moral arguments are reduced to simple either/or choices. My side good. Your side bad. In … Continue reading I swam with Muslims in The Sea of Galilee
Professors on Podcasts: A Rant.
It’s baseball season, thank goodness. So before I get into my windup and start hurling metaphors, let me say that I love interviewing professors on our podcasts . These learned souls are almost always thoughtful, highly intelligent, and often funny. Their bases are loaded with interesting ideas. Professors understand nuance and are good at reminding … Continue reading Professors on Podcasts: A Rant.
Here Hear! 