Topic Selection

For my assignment, I have chosen to go with either an Under the Influence or Everyday Einstein podcast styled show. I liked them personally because I found them easy to listen to. There were no commercials or excessive noises which would interrupt with my listening comprehension of the information the primary podcast voice was presenting to me. Some podcast shows, like the 99% Invisible, I found to be hard to listen to. They discussed deeper topics of science and technical things which the listener needs to keenly listen to, yet clips of sounds would interfere with my comprehension. I felt like those ‘sound scenes’ would apply best visually not audibly because knowing little about the topic and having a ‘sound scene’ at the beginning of a podcast makes it extremely difficult for the audience to visualize something they do not know about or recognize yet.

            I want to create a show about the ancient city of Petra found in Jordan- a historical/architectural/cultural piece or on gangs in prison. I want it to be easy on the ears- audibly simple to comprehend and understand, yet appealing and hooking even in its simplicity. Although, contrarily Sparks uses a controlled amount of background noise to keep its podcasts involving, I find the sounds-to-the-words synchronization too choreographed in a corny way.

Concerning topic discussion and The Question, I have noticed that most podcasts consist of about a quarter of defining and explaining, aside from answering a question. A topic is presented, talked about, expanded on briefly and then a question is asked. The question is followed by a few definitions or explanations to break down the topic further for the audience. The key to a successful podcast seems to be the quality of information and making sure that your audience is with you 100% of the way because once you say something the audience cannot go back and reread what you said in the case that they did not understand your information. Everything you say must be very understandable.