Welcome to the presidential debate season. This evening, tomorrow, and then over 16 long months, several dozen proposed debates will occupy much of the news media’s fevered attention. Millions of us will tune in, but we may well be disappointed. Instead of informed, insightful coverage of complex issues and character of the candidates, the debates … Continue reading 2020 Democrats Debates Will Disappoint. Here’s Why Podcasts Are So Much Better.
Tag: news media
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.
“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.
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.
On podcasting: the small picture
The other day a young man in his 20’s told me something very sad. While he has a strong moral sense and believes in the necessity of profound political change, and would like to do something to make the world a better place, he doesn’t know where to start. My friend sees no connection between … Continue reading On podcasting: the small picture
Beyond outrage and anger… Solutions. A podcast for our times.
We’re gearing up for another great year with more independent-minded, contrarian guests — kicking off this week with Claire Cain Miller of TheUpshot, the New York Times and economics site. After all the recent anger and outrage over sexual harassment our podcast team decided to do a show about how to reduce bullying and harassment in … Continue reading Beyond outrage and anger… Solutions. A podcast for our times.
Too Much Opinion. Not Enough Reporting. How Do We Fix It?
This is written in response to a Medium post by Lewis Wallace, a talented, brave and passionate young journalist who worked for the public radio show, Marketplace. He was fired this week for refusing to take down his post. The headline was: "Objectivity is Dead, and I'm okay with it." -- I disagree. A reporter's job … Continue reading Too Much Opinion. Not Enough Reporting. How Do We Fix It?
How Do We Fix It? 2 Cheers For Compromise
Ready for a word that Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders would consider to be an obscenity? Compromise. Insults, anger and disgust are in, while deal-making, compromise and governance are so old school. We're all too busy having a national hissy fit to sit down and do the boring, important stuff. My friend Mark … Continue reading How Do We Fix It? 2 Cheers For Compromise
Mocking Donald Trump: Fun For Some, But It’s Bad For America
Sure, it's easy to make fun of Donald Trump. The front-page of the New York Daily News portrayed him as a clown. The mocking mainstream media had a field day after Trump announced that he was running for President. The speech was "like it was plagiarized from an old drunk man mumbling to himself … Continue reading Mocking Donald Trump: Fun For Some, But It’s Bad For America
Here Hear! 