PodMov Daily: Friday, January 31

Episode 133: Week Download Complete

Guest Feature: Mini-Arcs Structure Powerful Storytelling

This Friday’s guest article from documentary podcaster and filmmaker Doug Fraser reveals a subtle storytelling device that will spark fascination. “An engaging story isn’t a straight line running from its inciting incident to resolution,” Fraser asserts. “It’s an EKG with ups and downs through which you can visualize the pulse of a story.”

“Mini arcs,” devices that lie between these highs and lows, “are the difference between your audience browsing for another podcast to listen to and having their attention set ablaze.” Fraser implements these arcs brilliantly on his podcast What We Do, and here teaches how to identify their components in any narrative.

While conflict may be the sharpest hook in a story, the article instructs how to harness the quieter moments of ebb and flow for deep effect. “If your story is all action, the loudness loses its impact,” says Fraser. “We need moments to breathe so our breath can be taken away.”

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Gateway Podcast: Vaynerchuk's Rules of Engagement

The Headstuff series Gateway Podcast explores the shows that have transformed the casual listener into a “podcast addict.” Four years ago, that show for Jessica Spencer was The GaryVee Audio Experience, hosted by social-savvy entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk.

Spencer details how the series initially caught her attention and kept her listening. Repurposed content in particular catered to on-the-go sampling. “It can be tough to watch a 40-minute informative video without knowing if the value you’ll gain is worth the time you’re giving up,” Spencer points out.

By “ripping the audio from his YouTube videos and posting the audio version as a podcast,” Vaynerchuk offers quick-entry access. Consistent value, “whether it’s by entertaining you or educating you,” is essential, especially early in the listener-podcast relationship.

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Advice and Passion from Justin Richmond of Broken Record

Justin Richmond of Pushkin Industries’ music podcast Broken Record is immersed in the world of audio. The co-host told Kulture Hub’s Conrad Hoyt about the production team’s compatibility and what they’ve learned since launching in 2018.

Producer Rick Rubin, writer Malcolm Gladwell, and former New York Times editor Bruce Headlam are Richmond’s teammates. The show “focuses on finding narratives behind the music,” Hoyt writes, with guests like Jack White and Tyler the Creator.

Richmond advises aspiring podcasters to pursue what they love, with plenty of space for experimentation: “Don’t be afraid to professionally take on things that you are maybe not so interested in, if it gets you necessary experience.”

PM Evolutions: Networking-Only Passes Available

Happy Friday, readers, and thanks for the Evolutions enthusiasm! A new Networking Only pass option is available that grants attendee access to the Expo Hall and Bonus Stage, keynotes, and all the parties and networking events. Industry professionals and creators alike can check out the registration page.

See you there,

Team PM

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Here's what else is going on:

• Sonic youth: Twelve graduates of KUOW’s RadioActive Youth Media intro to journalism workshop will advance to the Seattle NPR station’s advanced program. The audio production students’ podcasts will be featured on RadioActive this spring.
• Ear protection: Why are true-crime podcasts are so popular with women? From 2018 to 2019 demographic listenership rose 16%. Social psychologist Amanda Vicary tells Spotify that “the information they can learn from it” is a likely the underlying draw.
• Ready, set: Podnews points out the release of Buzzsprout’s updated How To Start A Podcast guide. The 8-part series includes video resources, equipment suggestions, and software comparisons to take prospective creators from concept to launch.
• Mysterious woods: Haley Ausbun of the Renton Reporter speaks with Carolyn Ossorio “Pippimamma” and Kim Shepard, who “left the world of breaking news to dive into true crime stories” of the Pacific Northwest with their impactful podcast Scene of the Crime.