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Artwork for Sound School Podcast

Sound School Podcast

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

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes367Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
How ToEducation

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Sound School Podcast

Latest Episodes

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

Writing like it's a television drama complete with instructions for a camera operator. That's an unusual maneuver for a podcast. One I'd never heard before. Neither had Susan Burton until she wrote that way herself in the latest season of The Retriev... more

NPR's Robert Smith says when he's writing and gets to the end of a story he has empty pockets. He's used all the good stuff and left nothing for the end. To combat that problem, Robert studied endings from some of his favorite reporters and put toget... more

Key Facts

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

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
Jeremy Bliss
Filmmaker and cousin of Christopher Allen, seeking answers about his death
Episode: Writing Makes All the Difference: The Episode Handshake
Julia Barton
VP and Executive Editor at Pushkin Industries, Nieman Journalism Fellow, and radio historian
Pushkin Industries
Episode: Champions of Old Radio

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 465 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 States7 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
#135
United States/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#97
United Kingdom/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#189
Canada/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#40
Germany/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#51
Italy/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#156
Australia/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Writing Like TV in a Podcast
Q: How did you learn to write like this?
Susan talks about using intuitive writing in a style that feels right for the story.
Asking Dad Dicey Questions
Q: How did you navigate your relationship while wanting to interview for the show?
Zach states that he was clear about when he wanted to talk for the show versus when they were having a normal conversation.
Asking Dad Dicey Questions
Q: What came first, the decision to record or the thought that maybe this is a story?
Zach explains that both the decision to record and the thought of it being a story came simultaneously.
Beware the Chicken Bomb
Q: What do you mean by chicken bomb?
It's a disruption in storytelling that distracts the audience from the main plot.

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. Question Everything
3. The Kitchen Sisters Present
4. Radiolab
5. On the Media

How many episodes of Sound School Podcast are there?

Sound School Podcast launched 14 years ago and published 367 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Sound School Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Sound School Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Sound School Podcast?

Recent guests on Sound School Podcast include:

1. Robert Smith
2. Steve Junker
3. Simon Neal
4. Steve Bernier
5. Leila Fadel
6. Abdullah Fadel
7. Basia Cummings
8. Jeremy Bliss

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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