How to Create a Podcast

GSE IT x Makery Workshop

Who We Are

Joe Sherman

Digital Media Producer, GSE-IT

Aaron Ragsdale

Manager, GSE Makery

Objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

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• Identify use cases for podcasting
• Set up a home environment for optimal audio recording
• Operate podcasting software and make a recording
• Reflect on podcast recording and plan next steps

Advantages of using Podcasting

• Presents a wide range of subjects in a quick and efficient manner that is convenient for the instructors and students
• Requires minimal support for the users. Podcasts are available on almost any device
• Introduces and supports a broad array of narrative types that can improve student learning or understanding
• Low cost or free to listen
• Reduces screen time and Zoom fatigue
• Simpler to create and edit than video recordings

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Drawbacks of using Podcasting

• Creating high-quality podcasts requires expertise in audio production
• May require additional equipment (e.g., microphone, audio editing software, and podcast hosting services)
• Low-bandwidth or storage can impede podcast creation or consumption
• May not be suitable for teaching materials that require texts or visual support

Use Cases for Podcasting in Classrooms

1. Sharing playlists to engage learners
1. To help students stay engaged and better focused on course content, generate a list of podcast episodes and share with students
2. Using podcasts to “flip the classroom”
• Pre-record lectures/audio-only to reduce student screen time. Students can listen to lectures on their own time
3. Students submitting podcasts as an assignment
• Podcasts may be adopted in lieu of written assignments. Students submit podcasts as responses, reflections, peer revisions, etc
4. Guest speakers and extended conversations
• Podcasts as an alternative to pre-recorded guest interviews or lectures. Bring in guest speakers to incorporate external voices across networks to share new perspectives and in an informal/ casual conversation setting

Use Cases for Podcasting in Organizations

• Audio based training
• HR and organizational policy information can be shared with staff by audio recordings
• Management to offer mentorship to employees in an informal space
• Offer classes, workshops, or other educational material for team members
• Department sharing
• Disparate groups that normally don’t interact could learn about other projects and teams
• Team members can offer and receive feedback directly from organization
• Provide organization members with important updates
• PR, marketing, or advertising purposes
• Using a livestream podcast to help with promotion and providing product updates

Podcasting Tools

Setup for Podcasting

Pre-production: How do I plan my podcast?

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• Choose a desired length of your recording
• Create a game plan for what will be said
• Determine a theme or topic for each recording
• Create a script when you’d like to be exact with your words
• Write up a list of talking points for a more loose and natural recording
• When including guest, make sure you are prepared with interview questions
• You can share the questions with guests ahead of the recording
• Try to customize your questions according to each guest’s area of expertise
• Include a welcome and conclusion directed towards your listeners
• Come up with a name for your Podcast if you’ll be doing multiple episodes

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Setup for Recording

Pre-production: How do I set up for sound recording?

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• Select a quiet space free from audio distractions or try a DIY solution
• Creating a sound booth out of blankets or pillows can help to reduce unwanted noise
• Keep some water handy for any vocal dryness or fatigue
• Test your setup by recording a short clip and reviewing the audio quality. Move around and test in various locations to find the right sound
• Turn off all notifications on your computer and phone
• Ensure your recording device has at least 2 GB of free space
• Use your Stanford Google Drive account to backup and delete files for more drive space
• Check the charge level of any battery-powered devices that you’ll be using

Equipment

• Find headphones with a built-in microphone

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• If you don’t have headphones with a high-quality mic, test using a smartphone for recording
• Alternatively, a high-quality microphone like the Blue Yeti Nano or Shure MV5 will vastly improve sound quality

Recording Tips

Production: How do I capture the best possible audio?

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• Try to keep the loudness of your voice consistent throughout the podcast
• Position your mic 1-2 feet away at mouth level when possible
• Minimize body movements to reduce noises like chairs creaking and clothing rubbing
• Cables from wired headsets might also bump against your body
• Use notes on a tablet, computer, or phone rather than paper for less handling noise

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Recording Tips

Production: How do I capture the best possible audio?

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• Ensure your internet connection is strong; close other apps, turn off your webcam, and use Ethernet when available
• Keep an eye on your recording time or start a stopwatch when recording so you can have an idea of your podcast's total run time
• Keep rolling! It’s OK to make mistakes, as listeners find it natural, so just keep going and only redo recordings for major errors
• To avoid editing, hit record directly before your intro, and stop recording right after your outtro

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Recording Tips

Production: How do I conduct recordings with multiple people?

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• Introduce yourself and all guests, as well as the purpose of the conversation
• Try to use each participant's name throughout the recording
• Mute yourself when not speaking
• Avoid excessive affirming comments, such as “yes” or “right,” while guests speak in order to reduce cross-talk
• Eliminate audio feedback by always using headphones
• Establish norms for who will speak and when
• The host can call on each person to respond, or participants can “popcorn” to one another

Recording with Zoom

For remote interviews and discussions, Zoom can provide a simple recording interface that automatically stitches audio from multiple sources.

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1. Before your Zoom call, enable “Record an audio only file” in the recording settings at stanford.zoom.us:

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Recording with Zoom

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2. During the Zoom call, a host or co-host selects “Record” and then “Record to the cloud”:

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Recording with Zoom

3. After ending the meeting, give 30 minutes to process the recording. The host then navigates to http://stanford.zoom.us and to the “Recordings” sub-menu. Find the recording and click on the download icon next to “Audio only”:

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Uploading

4. After recording a Zoom call, instructors can upload audio-only Zoom recordings to Canvas through the Rich Content Editor

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Alternatively, use a hosting service such as PodBean, Anchor.fm, or SoundCloud

Recording with Canvas

Canvas also supports audio recording directly through the Rich Content Editor. This method is best for quick recordings that don’t require editing or exporting:

PodBean

• For professional-level podcasting, Podbean offers substantial production and distribution features
• Podcasters can get started for free with 5 hours total storage and work up to paid accounts starting at $9 a month for additional storage and features
• Recording is available through both the browser and smartphone apps
• Users can also upload existing audio files
• Podbean supports live streaming to record episodes with call-ins from guests
• Guests must join from the smartphone app to call-in
• Distribution to major podcasting platforms is built into PodBean

PodBean App

PodBean App

The PodBean app has a built-in recorder with sound effects, background music, and audio editing.

PodBean Demo

Breakout Activity

1. Choose a host and a name for your podcast
1. The host will be responsible for recording locally, leading the conversation, and sharing the recording file to the group
2. Introduce the host and all guests
3. Record your discussion using the following prompts:
• What are some of your favorite podcasts?
• What aspects of podcasting do you find most exciting?
• How might you use podcasting in your work?