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Sound School Podcast

Rob Rosenthal/PRX/Transom.org
Audio Storytelling
NPR
Transom
Podcasting
Public Radio
The Good Whale
Hillary Frank
PRX
Climate Change
Radiolab
Class
Immigration
Sound Design
Storytelling
Keiko
Humor
Journalism
Narrative Tools
Personal Storytelling
WCAI

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes388Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
How ToEducation

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Artwork for Sound School Podcast

Latest Episodes

Sounds Cool!

"(An) unstoppable, one-of-a-kind reporter." That's how NPR reporter Elizabeth Arnold is described in her recent obituary. Hear what that means in a story she reported at the North Pole, where she says "Nature doesn't want you here.... Maybe that's pa... more

Nocturnal Worlds is certainly a curious podcast. A unique mix of science, nature, meditation, and lush soundscapes from Audiocraft, an Australian production company. Why mix science education and meditation? Olivia O'Flynn, the host and producer of N... more

Cloe Axelson, a senior editor at WBUR, was feeling like the essays she produced that were written by listeners weren't sounding conversational enough -- until she deployed this one simple trick. It's a trick any producer could use to help narrators s... 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

Joe Dunthorne
Author and storyteller featured in Half Life segment
BBC/History podcasts (as described in episode)
Episode: Sounds Cool!
Olivia O'Flynn
Senior podcast producer and writer for Audiocraft; writer/narrator of Nocturnal Worlds
Audiocraft (Australia)
Episode: Meditating with Platypuses, Penguins, and Wombats
Cloe Axelson
Senior Editor of Cognoscenti at WBUR
WBUR Cognoscenti
Episode: Deploy This One Tiny Maneuver to Improve Audio Essays
Rev. Carol Pickett
Prebataillon Minister, chaplain and witness to executions
Walls Unit death house chaplaincy
Episode: Witness to an Execution
Jad Abumrad
Producer, co-creator of Fela Kuti, Fear No Man
Audible / Radio Lab
Episode: Jad and FayFay Talk "Fela Kuti: Fear No Man"
FayFay Odudu
Nigerian producer, culture broker
Radio Workshop / Audible
Episode: Jad and FayFay Talk "Fela Kuti: Fear No Man"
Lesedi Mogoathle
Host of Radio Workshop conversation about the series
Radio Workshop
Episode: Jad and FayFay Talk "Fela Kuti: Fear No Man"
Andrew Leland
Audio journalist and author, associated with Transom and Radiolab projects
Transom, Radiolab
Episode: Revisiting: Nausea and Forehead Mics - Reporting in Zero Gravity
Salman Khan
Executive producer and managing editor of More Muslim
More Muslim
Episode: Salman Khan’s March to “More Muslim”

Host

Rob Rosenthal
Host of the show, guiding conversation and exploring craft and storytelling in audio.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 472 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 Statesa year 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 States2 years ago
  • Love it

    Always inspiring.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maarten Dallinga
    Netherlands2 years 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
    Ireland3 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 States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Positive: listeners highlight the host's teaching style and generosity in sharing knowledge.
Positive: listeners praise craft-focused insights and thoughtful critique.
Positive: fans value practical tips for storytelling and sound design.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Meditating with Platypuses, Penguins, and Wombats
Q: What is this podcast about and who is narrating?
The host and Olivia discuss Nocturnal Worlds, a Sleep and meditation podcast with science education elements; Olivia explains the dual role of storytelling and guided narration.
Revisiting: A Cow A Day
Q: What drew you to the concept of following a cow for a day as the basis for a radio piece?
The guest explains that the project begins with an observed curiosity about everyday life and the city, and that the lack of a traditional narrative becomes the point of the work, inviting listeners to reflect on their own perception and attention.
What If the Main Character Narrates?
Q: If you had narrated the story, do you think it would have been a different story?
Yes, it would have been a really different story. I think that you would hear a lot more about Dr. Primo as opposed to perceiving him.
It’s Magic
Q: What can you tell me about how you came to that ending?
Champika explained that they wanted to capture a sense of magical realism and spirituality in the concluding segment of their story, which was influenced by their experiences and observations in the dump.
Seeking Small True Things
Q: What is the purpose behind bringing the finished pieces back to the young people?
Samantha explains that it models curiosity and listening, ensuring she accurately represents their stories and promotes their comfort in sharing.

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?

The show centers on craft-forward conversations about how audio storytelling is constructed, with a strong emphasis on interview technique, sound design, and the ethics of documentary work. Episodes frequently dissect pacing, structure, and the practicalities of producing immersive audio—from field recording and on-site interviews to editing choices and audience reception—often featuring guests who are producers, journalists, or creators pushing the boundaries of audio nonfiction. An ongoing thread is the exploration of how sound design and storytelling decisions shape meaning, ethics, and impact, making it a valuable resource for aspiring and established audio makers, podcast producers, and media educators. A standout aspect is the willing... more

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How many listeners does Sound School Podcast get?

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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. 99% Invisible
2. Signal Hill
3. Search Engine
4. Twenty Thousand Hertz
5. Love and Radio

How many episodes of Sound School Podcast are there?

Sound School Podcast launched 15 years ago and published 388 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. Joe Dunthorne
2. Olivia O'Flynn
3. Cloe Axelson
4. Rev. Carol Pickett
5. Jad Abumrad
6. FayFay Odudu
7. Lesedi Mogoathle
8. Andrew Leland

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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