Podcast Allies, LLC

Ready to be a better narrator or a better in-studio producer? If you’ve spent any time behind a mic yourself, you know that tracking an episode – that is, narrating it – takes time, coaching, practice, a good ear, humility, a good sense of humor— and a great producer. This week on Sound Judgment, we’re excited to share this instructive, hilarious episode of Sound School, a bi-weekly podcast on audio storytelling produced by Rob Rosenthal for PRX and Transom. Rob takes us into The Washington Post’s studios as Martine Powers works with producer Rennie Svirnovskiy to painstakingly — and hilariously — track an episode of The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop. This episode demonstrates just how Martine achieves such an award-winning performance as a narrator (and how you can, too)! Earlier this week, Martine won the 2024 Ambie Award for Best Host at The Podcast Academy's fourth annual awards for excellence in audio! What are your best tips and tricks for voicing your show? And what are your pet peeves about hosts who just aren't great on the mic? Share them in the comments! https://lnkd.in/eR3CeuDR #podcasthost #podcastproducer #storytelling #tracking #narrative

Thanks for the endorsement, Vanessa Quirk! Two upcoming workshops in April, great for everyone who uses stories to communicate. That's you, podcasters, journalists, communications directors, marketing leaders, PR people, executive directors, and thought leaders! April 5: Mastering the Art of the Interview April 11: Be a Great Guest, Find a Great Guest Link to info and registration in the comments.

Congratulations to all of the Ambie winners, and especially to the several winners and nominees who have bravely deconstructed their shows and examined their creative processes with me on Sound Judgment! Thrilled for you, Ronald Young Jr., for sweeping the Ambies with three top honors, and for Sound Judgment guests Lauren Chooljian, Emily Silverman and Jonathan Menjivar for your wins and nominations! Are you a Sound Judgment newsletter reader yet? #podcasting #storytelling

Calling all creators, communicators, and leaders! Are you working harder and harder, creating more and more content, but not making the impact you're hoping for? The key isn't to make more and more content. It's to use tried and tested techniques to make moving and memorable content in the first place. We've recently launched a series of new workshops for storytellers. They're for storytellers of all kinds: podcasters, writers, public speakers, and TV/film producers. Coming up this week is an interactive workshop that will help you achieve a dream we all share as storytellers: to grow a passionate, loyal audience that can't stop talking about your message. An audience that feels more like a community than a group of strangers — people who don't passively like and follow, but who act and who share your message by word of mouth.  “How to Hook Your Audience and Keep Them Coming Back,” covers six storytelling techniques for creating work your audience can’t forget. You’ll learn the importance of crafting the: ➡ Sound Vision (yes, this applies to writers and public speakers, not just audio and video producers) ➡ Structure ➡ Scenes ➡ Surprise ➡ Suspense ➡ And specifics Join us for this interactive 90-minute workshop. These techniques are drawn from 20 years of audio industry experience, many years as a national magazine editor and NPR member-station broadcaster, and 150+ real-world lessons from the masters in journalism and storytelling who appear on the Sound Judgment podcast. Register at https://lnkd.in/edg-giKw #storytelling #storytellingforbusiness #onlineworkshop #contentcreation P.S. Get a jumpstart! Listen to our bonus series of quick-hit, "show-and-tell" episodes on each of the six storytelling strategies - some as short as five minutes! Start here:  https://lnkd.in/eMSgPSgq

Kelly Corrigan had a problem. For her PBS show Tell Me More, she was preparing to #interview Bryan Stevenson, executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of the bestseller Just Mercy. The conversation had the potential to be deeply moving — to be an episode people talked about for days and remembered forever. Or it could be “just another” interview of a man who’d been interviewed thousands of times and whose stories could be heard anywhere – from NPR to 60 Minutes and well beyond. How would Kelly find a way into what we all want when we conduct interviews — a personal conversation, rife with fresh, honest reflections? On the day of the interview, she found the path. And what came out of it was a stunning, meaningful moment in which Bryan Stevenson played the piano, and viewers and listeners felt – didn’t just hear – how essential music is for a man who struggles every day with some of society’s biggest problems. And by extension, how essential music and art are for all of us. What's the most unusual, surprising interview you've conducted? I want to see your stories! *** Want to learn how to do interviews like this? Sign up for Mastering the Art of the Interview, coming Thursday online. The lessons and interactive exercises are drawn from the real-life experiences of today’s best storytellers, like Kelly Corrigan. Link in the comments. 

We all admire a great interview, but we may not know how to bridge the gap between our normal conversational skills and the interview techniques that result in conversations that hold our attention, offer revealing insights and fresh perspectives, teach us new things, or move us to action. On February 29, join me for our online workshop, “Mastering the Art of the Interview.” You'll learn 10 ways to conduct memorable, useful interviews that will have people buzzing long after they read, see, or hear them. Feb 29th 12-1:30pm ET More info and registration at https://lnkd.in/edg-giKw

It’s President’s Day – a great day to learn Lindsay Graham's well-honed strategies on making compelling narrative podcasts. His American History Tellers, American Scandal, and other history podcasts have been on the top of the charts for…forever. In my regular "Try This in Your Studio" department of our Sound Judgment newsletter, I shared his actionable tips from our latest episode of the podcast, including: – Resisting the urge to pack every episode with details at the expense of narrative – As a leader, why you should create editorial guidelines for your team – Coming to terms with listeners who hate your format (“I can’t do anything about that,” Lindsay say, “Because that’s the show.”) Also in the newsletter, overcoming the conflict between pleasing an audience and trusting yourself; new workshops on interviewing and pitching; and kudos to Anthony F., ABF Creative Inc., Lauren Chooljian, Alison MacAdam, Inside NHPR - New Hampshire Public Radio, Jeremy Enns and Justin Jackson Read it here and subscribe: 👉  https://bit.ly/3I5LGBu #writing #podcasting #marcomm What's your favorite history or current affairs podcast? Share it in the comments!

When you're writing a story - whether it's a podcast script, a news story or a blog post — do you find yourself getting lost in the details? Here's a solution: Pull back from the details and look for the human story within them. That's the lesson Lindsay Graham has learned from producing thousands of episodes of history podcasts over the last several years: "The real trick is nailing the narrative," he says. "There's a temptation to get the facts across and that's the worst instinct because no facts live or breathe." On today's new episode of Sound Judgment, Lindsay Graham, the voice of American History Tellers, American Scandal, and History Daily, shares his successes, failures, and self-doubts in growing one of the most successful history franchises in entertainment today. This behind-the-scenes conversation with Lindsay offers universal lessons for everyone interested in great storytelling, no matter the genre. https://lnkd.in/eePQ9GHf #storytelling #history #podcasting #bravery #audiostorytelling

Do you work in climate or environment media or communications? Are you ready to continue learning how to communicate about sustainability effectively and ethically? Mike Hower is the guy to follow. Mike's new podcast, The Sustainability Communicator, explores the intersection of corporate sustainability and storytelling. We're so pleased to have worked with him on his podcast strategy and execution. Congrats on your launch, Mike! #podcastlaunch #communication #sustainability #storytelling

Sound Judgment is now on Youtube! Check out our short trailer for our new season. The amazing storytellers we've lined up share their creative processes in this "living, learning lab." So thrilled about our lineup, which features Maribel Quezada Smith, MBA (out now), Lindsay Graham, Emily Silverman, Lauren Chooljian, Alison MacAdam, Todd Henry, Jess Shane and some mystery guests. We're looking deeply at the roles bravery, fear and authenticity play in our creative work and in the way we make connections with others...you'll see shorts and the full RSS feed on Youtube. However you connect with us, tell me a story of the role of bravery in your creative work - in the comments. Check out our Youtube channel here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gWqi8buu Tina Bassir #youtubepodcast #storytelling #creativeprocess