What format was most compelling for you to listen to?
I don’t love a solo show. I tend to zone out pretty quickly.
That said, I sometimes get annoyed with shows where one person is being interviewed and the interviewer interrupts them.
I also don’t like when there are two hosts just gabbing about random stuff before they bring on the person they are going to interview. I’m always thinking, “Get to the dang guest.”
I’m clearly impossible to please.
I guess the most compelling kind of show for me is an interview style format where one person interviews a guest. That said, I feel like there’s a real art to interviewing people. I think you have to be engaging with them and commenting on their points without constantly interrupting them.
What kinds of production choices — music, effects, segments — do you like, and which turn you off?
One thing that stands out to me here is that my ideal length is around 20-30 minutes. Something you can listen to in the car when running errands or when taking a bath. So many shows seem to be an hour, and I can’t finish in one sitting, so then I forget about it or just give up on the second half.
I don’t like podcast music or any effects. I guess segments are fine, but if the show is shorter, I don’t see a need.
I do like the idea of repeat questions for all guests. Oprah does that with her Super Soul show.
What conventions seem to emerge in podcasts related to your discipline or that you want to emulate?
I think a lot of higher ed podcasts are the interviewer-interviewee model, so while that’s what I’m probably most drawn to, I also immediately recoil at the idea of doing what everyone else is doing. Again, I’m impossible to please. This is partly why I’ve been thinking about more of a current events style higher ed podcast where I partner with another person to comment on the higher ed news of the week.
What podcast couldn’t you find to listen to — and do you want to make it? What might that look like?
I didn’t really follow the assignment, but just thought of podcasts I listen to regularly. I’ve listened to all of these styles over the years though.
I am completely on board with the shorter length podcast, which is a real problem for me as my own podcast projects tend to come in right around an hour. I guess I’m making stuff that I wouldn’t listen to, lol!
I am also not a fan of one person speaking for the whole podcast and greatly prefer either interview of two hosts chatting back and forth. I know this format is used a lot, but maybe it’s used a lot because it works?
I am personally a sucker for banter — if I like the chemistry between two hosts, I don’t want them to get to the point. MOAR BANTER FOR MEEEEEEE. Not enough banter-y higher ed podcasts. And I like the idea of higher ed current affairs…