Podcast Allies

26/07/2024

“The compliments that mean the most to you reveal what your values are.”

Creativity expert Austin Kleon referenced this quote from author Katherine Morgan Schaffer in his newsletter this morning. It hit me like a little starburst.

Yesterday, a student in my interviewing class said, “You make everyone feel welcome and comfortable, no matter who they are. I can be myself in your class.”

That compliment made my day! Like Schaffer says, it revealed to me one of my highest values — belonging.

Science proves that we learn far more effectively when we feel we belong. Who hasn't been intimidated in a class or at work and feeling paralyzed by the worry that we're less skilled or experienced than others, or we’re new to a field, or we don't fit in because of our identities, learning styles, or personality traits like introversion?

Every time I teach a new class, I spend just as much time and intention deliberately cultivating that feeling of belonging for everyone as I do developing lessons on storytelling, journalism, and audio craft.

Which is a big reason why I’m so excited to teach a week-long Introduction to Audio Storytelling course at Maine Media in September.

I recently took a week out of my schedule to take a workshop in Mexico. The difference between immersing myself in that workshop and fitting in a class or online learning while working and doing normal family stuff was night and day. I got so much more out of it. I felt far less stressed and much more creative than usual.

If you or a friend has been wanting to learn how to tell stories in audio (for podcasts, radio, museum tours, walking exhibits, oral history, your business, family legacy, etc.), Maine Media is the place to do it.

The 50-year-old Rockport, Maine campus is classic Maine, a heavenly place for immersion in the creative process. (My New England friends — Rockport is right next to Camden, one of my favorite places in the world.)

I also love the way department director Wayne Beach encourages us to teach – mornings in lecture and discussion, followed by afternoon field work in this gorgeous coastal community.

I’m excited to teach new skills in story mining, recording and basic editing, interviewing, writing, story structure, and mic delivery, always with the intention of creating the most welcoming environment possible.

DM me for details, and please share.

(Photo from Maine Media)

10/05/2024

Has anyone deliberately created -- or participated in -- a "trauma-informed workplace?"

One of the most surprising things I learned going behind the scenes with Lauren Chooljian and Alison MacAdam of Pulitzer finalist The 13th Step podcast was that they brought in a therapist to help the team. (In addition to a lawsuit, there were scary attacks of vandalism on reporters' homes, and even on the home of Lauren Chooljian's parents.)

I've heard a fair bit about trauma-informed interviewing, which is incredibly important. But this is different - it's a way for anyone whose work is traumatic to introduce methods by which workers can help each other.

Lauren and Alison talk about this in Part 2 of my Sound Judgment episode dissecting their creative process.

What's your experience? Have you heard of this?

04/09/2023

Listening to a new podcast can be daunting. Where do you start?

That’s why we created a New Listener’s Guide to Sound Judgment—so you can quickly pick your first or next episode based on topic, format, or guest.

Visit the link in our bio to see the full playlists.

27/02/2023

These lessons in ‘hostiness’ matter more than ever for public media’s future

Thank you to Current.org for sharing this timely topic with other leaders in public media. And kudos to editor Mike Janssen!

We're grateful to veteran folks John Barth, Glynn Washington, and Juleyka Lantigua for sharing their wisdom with Elaine Appleton Grant in their interviews for Sound Judgment.

https://current.org/2023/02/these-lessons-in-hostiness-matter-more-than-ever-for-public-medias-future/

In interviews for the podcast "Sound Judgment," public media veterans illuminate the kinds of strategic thinking that can help public media leaders develop, launch and maintain standout shows.

12/01/2023

Are you connecting with your audience? Are you taking your audience (or listeners) on a journey with you?

Learn from master storyteller Glynn Washington, host of Snap Judgment. From the very beginning of any episode, Glynn is thinking about how to persuade the listener to go on a journey with him.

He’s taking you into a different world, introducing you to the interior lives of the characters in these stories. He wants you to be curious, surprised, to feel things.

Season 2 of Sound Judgment kicks off today — you don't want to miss this fascinating conversation and the amazing takeaways from this storytelling legend.

https://link.chtbl.com/SoundJudgment?sid=fb.pa.011223

10/05/2022

We’re thrilled to announce that Elaine Appleton Grant will be speaking at HubSpot’s ! Catch her session “How to Change the World One Listener at a Time” in Boston this September.

If you’re planning to attend, let us know so we can schedule a time to meet!

(Sign up & learn more about INBOUND at inbound.com)

20/04/2022

How can a non-profit leverage podcasting? What are some of the top challenges?

On 4/27, Elaine Appleton Grant and Trent Anderson from Podchaser will discuss the Power of Podcasting for Non-Profits.

Join us to learn how your organization can benefit from podcasting and how to get started. Whether you’re looking to create your own podcast or find ways to tap into existing ones, this webinar will be a great jumping-off point for starting a podcasting campaign right for your non-profit!

Details are below, hope to see you there!

https://www.linkedin.com/events/leveragingpodcastsasanon-profit6922550124527173632/

With podcasting growing more and more each year, it is impossible to ignore the huge potential that this exploding medium offers. Whether it is having an influencer speak about your product/service or reaching your target audience, the possibilities are endless. Join the Podchaser and Podcast Allies...

11/04/2022

How do you take a show idea and turn it into a finished podcast, distribute it and promote it?

We break it down into these 5 steps:

1. Plan
2. Prep
3. Produce
4. Publish
5. Promote

Learn from public radio journalists how to take your show from idea to launch and beyond with our online course, Podcast Liftoff. Go beyond the mechanics — we’ll teach you a strategic editorial approach for creating a compelling podcast.

Learn more at the link in the comments.

08/04/2022

Did you miss Elaine’s webinar, Should Your Nonprofit Launch a Podcast in 2022? The replay and slides are now available on TechSoup's archive page.

It answers questions including:

● What have other nonprofits been able to accomplish by producing a podcast?

● How are some nonprofit podcasts improving donor attraction and contributions?

● How about building influence, brand awareness, or thought leadership?

● How big does your organization have to be in order to make the effort worthwhile? (Spoiler alert: Size isn’t irrelevant, but it doesn’t present the limitations you might imagine. Some incredibly successful podcasts come from two-person operations; others come from multimillion-dollar nonprofits.)

● When is producing your own show NOT a good idea?

https://www.techsoup.org/community/events-webinars/executive-directors-chat-should-your-nonprofit-launch-a-podcast-in-2022-03-02

While you’re there, check out TechSoup’s archive page for many other fantastic resources.

Learn the benefits of growing an audience and building key relationships for your nonprofit by launching a podcast.

29/03/2022

Welcome to Iliff School of Theology and the Institute for Religion, Culture and Politics!

As the first step toward launching their new podcast, Complexified, Institute leaders are taking our podcast strategy workshop, Visioncasting.

Institute Executive Director Amanda Henderson says, “Complexified [will] challenge expected narratives and highlight the ways our daily lives and our shared communities are shaped by religion, spirituality, and politics in visible and invisible ways.”

Many of the Institute’s colleagues at Iliff are also participating in our Visioncasting workshop to explore launching their own shows.

It’s particularly exciting to work with this mission-driven group of participants, all of whom want to use audio storytelling to solve issues in their communities, lift up under-represented voices, and bring diverse and sometimes conflicting groups together.

Together we’ll explore purpose, message, audience, format, frequency and workflow. We’ll use journalistic techniques to build editorial blueprints and creative guardrails.

We’re honored, Iliff, that you’re taking this creative leap with us. We can’t wait to work with you!



P.S. Do you want more clarity on your organization’s vision for a podcast? Message us.

17/03/2022

I'm excited to attend Podcast Movement next week in L.A., and even more excited to help out as an emcee for several sessions.

I'll be there Wednesday 3/23 through Friday night 3/25. On Thursday afternoon, I'm introducing speakers at the Creator Stage 2 - Amazon Music. They'll be talking about everything from audio drama, to music licensing, to whether and when indie podcasters should join a network.

Will you be there?

I'd love to chat with you about strategy, leveling up your storytelling and engagement, mission-driven and podcasts, your launch — whatever's on your mind.

Leave a comment below or send a PM so we can find each other in the crowd.

This is the first Podcast Movement — and the first podcast conference of any kind — I'll be attending since the lockdowns began two years ago. So happy to be meeting friends old and new in the industry.

15/03/2022

Welcome back, Environmental Defense Fund! We’re excited to produce Season 4 of , coming soon.

Degrees: Real talk about planet-saving careers is a show hosted by careers expert Yesh Pavlik Slenk.

The show features candid conversations with changemakers who have chosen to use their careers to save the planet. Every episode shows how you can do it too.

Check out our back catalog of episodes from the past three seasons with guests including Rachael Price and Mike Calabrese from Lake Street Dive, Jason Swann, Maya Johnson, laUra Schmidt, Dawnielle Tellez and more.

21/02/2022

Thank you Shoutout Colorado for featuring Elaine Appleton Grant this month. It’s an honor for her to appear alongside so many inspiring local entrepreneurs.

https://shoutoutcolorado.com/meet-elaine-appleton-grant-podcast-coach-and-public-speaker/



Storytime Crafts, Denver Botanic Gardens, Tattered Cover Book Store, TEDx Cherry Creek, Denver Turnverein, The Clocktower Cabaret

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elaine Appleton Grant and we've shared our conversation below. Hi Elaine, let’s start by talking about what inspires you? I run a business training podcasters and producing branded podcasts for mission-driven organizations. But I started my career as a

17/02/2022

What does loneliness have to do with the wild growth in podcasting? And how does that apply to you, as a marketer?

These are just some of the things I talked about with Katlynn Pyatt on her podcast, Start Marketing.

We also discussed:

● How to think about a show ONLY you can produce and why that’s so important
● What to do the self-doubt beast
● Whether you need to be famous to be a great guest (spoiler alert: no). But you do need these qualities to be a great guest
● Why podcast listeners are some of the most valuable people you can serve

Thanks to Kaitlynn for asking interesting questions and bringing actionable guidance to your listeners!

Listen to the Start Marketing podcast episode for the full conversation and more helpful advice.

Why podcasting is an effective marketing strategy:

https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/start-marketing-2155703

102 episodes. Don't know how to start marketing your small business? Join marketing expert Katlynn Pyatt each week for authentic, accessible and actionable marketing advice. If you're a small business owner who wants to grow and scale your business, and you know marketing is the way to go, but you s...

16/02/2022

John Schuchman is a lot of things. He’s an incredible realtor. He’s so good at social media that he’s become a social media advisor on the side. He’s a loving dad of a toddler and a new baby. He’s an incredibly nice guy.

He also happens to be a talented podcast host who’s profiting enormously from his small, niche podcast, without selling a single ad.

You don’t need ads to monetize your show.

I was so impressed by John’s monetizing strategy that I recorded a private podcast episode to tell our students about it.

I sent it to him just to show him how impressed I was.

And he invited me on his show, The Real Estate Survival Guide.

We had so much fun! (I wanted to move to Pennsylvania afterwards so he could sell me a house.)

We talked about how you can use podcasts to help others — why John started his show.

We talked about making a show only you can make.

And we discussed the surprising things that have happened for John since he started his podcast.

Tune in to the Real Estate Survival Guide for Part 1 of this conversation.

And thanks for having me, John!



https://pod.link/1546328317/episode/f0f593f3885174589d94484db8610e2b

P.S. If you’re thinking of launching a show or have some burning questions about one you’re already hosting, reach out for a brief chat.

Research shows that 80% of Realtors will not survive their first year and 87% of Realtors will be COMPLETELY out of the business within 5 years. Why does this happen? What does this mean for you? It means that if you have survived your first year, you are already better than 80%! of the new agents o...

15/02/2022

Should Your Nonprofit Launch a Podcast in 2022?

Nonprofit communicators and leaders have unique opportunities, and unique challenges, when it comes to podcasting. There’s enormous potential for amplifying your message, lifting up the voices of the people you serve, and strengthening your relationship with members and donors. But nonprofit resources are always limited, so should you step into this hot podcasting world — or not?

In this free webinar from the amazing Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications, I’ll talk candidly about the pros & cons. Learn from the examples of your podcasting peers, from tiny nonprofits to very large ones.

This free webinar takes place Feb 24, 3:00 p.m. Register now!

https://loebschool.org/register/launchpodcast2022

14/02/2022

2022 may be the year of nonprofit podcast launches. Will it be yours? If you’re a nonprofit communicator, we’re making a good bet that you’re thinking about it.

Take a look at how five different nonprofits, from big organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center to tiny startups like Urbanist Media, are using podcasts to fuel growth, elevate brand awareness, spark activism and build community. (This might help you explain to leadership what podcasts can do for you.)

Read the full article: https://blog.techsoup.org/posts/5-nonprofit-podcasts-helping-their-organizations-grow

Thanks to TechSoup for featuring Elaine Appleton Grant as a guest blogger. TechSoup connects nonprofit organizations to mission-critical tech resources, knowledge and community for change-makers.

Want to learn how YOU can become a rockstar podcaster? Check out our course Podcast Liftoff: From Creation to Promotion, Get Your Podcast Off the Ground (link in comments)

Podcasting is gaining strength as a channel for nonprofits to reach existing and new audiences. Discover five podcasts doing amazing things.

11/02/2022

Are you pursuing a podcast guesting strategy in 2022? Here's a quick, super-smart way to boost the publicity from guesting:

Every time you guest on a podcast, update your credits in Podchaser. It'll amplify your SEO exponentially.

Don't know about Podchaser? It's the IMDb of podcasts. If you're guesting, update the credits even if you don't have your own show. (It's easy.) The SEO you get from this is a flywheel — it acts like an engine to keep boosting your SEO. Each guest appearance means you're more likely to get another appearance.

Thanks to Dave Keine for this great tip.

P.S. Want to launch or improve your own show? Take our course, Podcast Liftoff. Link's in the comments.

04/02/2022

Don’t take our word for it.

Hear from Start Marketing host Katlynn Pyatt about how Podcast Allies’ course, Podcast Liftoff, helped to clarify her strategy and make her content more actionable for her small business audience.

Now, Katlynn says, “I’m so much more confident in the content I’m delivering and the value it brings to my listeners.”

Register for Podcast Liftoff before midnight tonight (Feb 4) to save 20% when you buy the full course (self-paced or live format).

Don’t delay — the next LIVE COHORT begins next Tuesday, Feb 8. Link in comments.

02/02/2022

We believe that great storytelling matters, whether it changes one human life or millions.

Podcast Liftoff is an online course that takes you from idea to launch and beyond in five step-by-step lessons.

But it’s far more than simply a mechanized process like many training classes out there — courses taught by people who know recording and production, but not storytelling.

Podcast Liftoff is a course conceived of by writers and broadcast journalists. We brought to life not simply the steps everyone needs to take to make “a thing” that can be distributed as a show, but to make beautiful, provocative, entertaining, thoughtful, authentic content.

To help you bring your best work out into the world.

Because we love this work. And we love mentoring.

You can do this. Podcast Liftoff will show you how, in a community with others who care just as much as you do.

27/01/2022

What's your biggest challenge when it comes to selecting podcast guests?

At least half the success of any podcast episode depends on the quality of your guest or story source. But for many podcasters, selecting the right guests is a crapshoot. As a result, the process is stressful.

It can be inspiring instead.

Try these three tips for dramatically improving the ease of finding good guests and the quality of your show:

1. Get clear on the difference between a topic and a story.

Topics are general, difficult to cover and dull. “How global warming is affecting Colorado” is a topic. A story raises questions and is specific: “Why the native trout are disappearing from this gold-medal river” is a story. Now you have a foundation from which to start your guest search.

2. What’s at stake?

Your guest must care deeply about the topic. So something must be hanging in the balance. In this example, you may want to interview a biologist who’s anxious about the plight of the trout. They may be worried about an impending action (say, potential development) that could make things dire unless they can stop it. What’s their lived experience?

3. Pre-interview, pre-interview, pre-interview

With a few caveats, I believe taking this one step will improve your podcast 100%. During your pre-interview, assess their knowledge and ask for one relevant personal story. You’re listening for expertise and for a “good talker.” When they tell a story, do you care? How personal are they willing to get? Candor matters.

Read more in our NEW blog post:

https://podcastallies.com/blog/2022/1/27/three-simple-ways-to-get-better-podcast-guests

What’s your biggest challenge when selecting guests?

Tell us in the comments.

[Photo by Kalen Jesse Photography]

For many podcasters, finding, choosing and scheduling the right guests is stressful. It doesn’t need to be — it can be inspiring instead. Here are three ways to dramatically improve the quality of the guests on your show.

26/01/2022

How are you using your to change minds and lives? There’s so much more to launching and growing a podcast than hitting the record button.

Learn how to launch or improve your podcast with amazing strategic storytelling. Reach your goals.

25/01/2022

You have a great idea for a podcast...But what now?

Knowing how to start your podcast can be overwhelming.

***We end the overwhelm. And boost the storytelling.***

We've been producing stories for decades — for magazines, public radio and for podcasts. We love storytelling. We also know what works and what's likely to trip you up.

We long wanted our own step-by-step guide that would take us from idea to launch to promotion, while giving us the freedom to preserve and strengthen our own ideas and style.

Podcast Liftoff is this course. It amplifies your creativity while simplifying the process. We've distilled years of experience into a step-by-step course that's also fun, easy to do, and inspirational.

Register TODAY and save 20% when you buy the full course.

All details are available at: https://podcastallies.com/podcast-liftoff-overview