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Artwork for Sound School Podcast

Sound School Podcast

Rob Rosenthal/PRX/Transom.org
Audio Storytelling
Class
Transom
Personal Storytelling
Narrative Tools
Podcasting
Climate Change
Where Are You Going
NPR
Editing In Audio Production
Ums
PRX
Studs Terkel
Expectant
Public Radio
Communication
Psychology
Humor
Empathy
Documentary Ethics

The Backstory to Great Audio Storytelling, hosted by Rob Rosenthal, for Transom and PRX.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes369Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
How ToEducation

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Artwork for Sound School Podcast

Latest Episodes

Susan Stamberg sang her own song at NPR. Her writing and her voice, you could always tell it was Susan behind the mic. She died at the age of 87 in October. In honor of Susan, we present this archive episode of Sound School where she lays out her bes... more

Neena Pathak produced a very touching story about grieving the death of her father. She says the humor in the story wasn't uncouth. It was how she captured the truth.

In this archive episode from 2018, legendary NPR reporter and raconteur John Burnett answers a perplexing question "How to make an immigration story visual when no mics are allowed in the courtroom?" Answer:  Fill your note book with color notes.

"Host sits down with a reporter." That's a good way to describe how Radiolab stories are produced. Same with "two-ways" on NPR. You can hear those approaches everywhere. But, how else can a "host sit down with a reporter?" The Ghost of a Chance podca... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Neena Pathak
Editor at It's Been a Minute
NPR
Episode: When Funny Points to Truth
John Burnett
NPR reporter specializing in immigration
NPR
Episode: Revisiting: Fill Your Notebook with Color Notes
Robert Smith
Contributing host at Planet Money and teaches journalism at Columbia University
NPR
Episode: Fill Your Pockets With Endings
Steve Junker
Former managing editor at WCAI.
WCAI
Episode: Revisiting - Think of a Radio Station (or Podcast) as a Musical Instrument
Simon Neal
Host at Source FM and board of directors member.
Source FM
Episode: Revisiting - Think of a Radio Station (or Podcast) as a Musical Instrument
Steve Bernier
Owner of Cronig's Market.
Cronig's Market
Episode: Revisiting - Think of a Radio Station (or Podcast) as a Musical Instrument
Leila Fadel
NPR journalist and host of Morning Edition known for her reporting on the Middle East
NPR
Episode: Writing Makes All the Difference - Beautifully Braiding Scenes, Stand-Ups, and Narration
Abdullah Fadel
Translator and participant in the funeral procession for a Syrian human rights advocate
Not specified
Episode: Writing Makes All the Difference - Beautifully Braiding Scenes, Stand-Ups, and Narration
Basia Cummings
Reporter and writer focusing on journalistic ethics and conflict
Tortoise Media
Episode: Writing Makes All the Difference: The Episode Handshake

Host

Rob Rosenthal
Rob is a seasoned audio storyteller and educator, who serves as the host and producer, guiding discussions on the art and techniques of audio narrative creation.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 467 ratings
  • Always engaging

    I love the way Rob invites guests to talk about the art of podcasting. He curates conversations that are as much about the skill of storytelling as they are about understanding the people who doing the storytelling. A delightful and helpful show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bay Area Lizzie
    United States8 months ago
  • Great resource

    This show always gets me thinking of audio and storytelling in new ways — endlessly helpful (and just fun to listen to)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fil--
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love it

    Always inspiring.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maarten Dallinga
    Netherlandsa year ago
  • Sound School Podcast started my audio obsession

    Sound School Podcast, formerly “How Sound”, started my audio obsession. I started listening when I worked on a project with Island communities who were starting their own radio stations, and beginning to experiment with audio documentaries. The beauty of “Sound School” is that you can be systematic and educate yourself, step by step in audio storytelling, or, you can dip in and out, like having an “audio tasting menu”. Later, when you’ve finally made your first audio pieces, you can return to fa... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DDWD1972
    Ireland2 years ago
  • continuing education for salties and seekers of truth and narrative everywhere

    Rob gets it and he wants you to get it too. Thanks for making this show Rob!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Flyawayfarm
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There are calls for greater diversity in topics and guests, particularly regarding perspectives outside of a U.S.-centric view.
Some critiques mention specific episodes where the host's opinions were met with disagreement, showcasing the podcast's dynamic nature.
Overall, reviews consistently note the quality and warmth of the host, making it a well-loved resource for audio storytellers.
Listeners praise the educational value of the content, emphasizing the practical tips and insights provided by the host and guests.
Feedback highlights the engaging and inspiring nature of the discussions, with many listeners expressing gratitude for the personal growth the podcast facilitates.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#122
United Kingdom/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#170
Canada/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#28
Italy/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#129
Australia/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#194
Germany/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#8
Finland/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

When Funny Points to Truth
Q: As these people are helping you, your editors are helping you. Are you basically looking to see if they laugh, then it's funny? Is it that simple?
Maybe, but it's almost like the question is like, it's less, is it funny? Because like the funny is the byproduct of the honesty. And so my main concern is, is it honest?
When Funny Points to Truth
Q: How do you know what you've written is funny?
I don't. We're gambling men.
Revisiting: Fill Your Notebook with Color Notes
Q: How do you decide what should be included in a story and what shouldn't in terms of the descriptions?
John explains that he fights to include important descriptive elements despite tight deadlines and editorial pressures.
Revisiting: Fill Your Notebook with Color Notes
Q: Can you talk to me a little bit about bias?
John asserts that vivid descriptions are part of factual reporting and are necessary for accurate storytelling.
Writing Like TV in a Podcast
Q: What were you trying to accomplish by choosing this approach as opposed to a more traditional writing for radio style?
Susan explains that this podcast addresses hard subjects and aims to illuminate hidden issues, like pain during C-sections.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Sound School Podcast

What is Sound School Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intricacies of audio storytelling, the content emphasizes both the art and craft of creating compelling audio narratives. Various episodes engage with topics such as writing effective endings, sound design principles, and interviewing techniques, providing listeners with practical guidance and creative insights from experienced professionals in the field. Notably, the podcast features interviews with journalists and audio producers who share their unique storytelling methods, which resonate with both aspiring and established content creators. The approach is educational and often reflective, discussing the importance of narrative structure and emotional engagement in audio storytelling, making it a crucial resource for anyone ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Sound School Podcast?

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How many listeners does Sound School Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for Sound School Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does Sound School Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Sound School Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Sound School Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sound School Podcast:

1. Rumble Strip
2. This American Life
3. Radiolab
4. The Kitchen Sisters Present
5. 99% Invisible

How many episodes of Sound School Podcast are there?

Sound School Podcast launched 14 years ago and published 369 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Sound School Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Sound School Podcast?

Recent guests on Sound School Podcast include:

1. Neena Pathak
2. John Burnett
3. Robert Smith
4. Steve Junker
5. Simon Neal
6. Steve Bernier
7. Leila Fadel
8. Abdullah Fadel

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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