Podcasting: A How to Guide

Conversational podcasts usually involve two hosts who carry on entertaining conversations on specific themes or topics. These are often popular because the listener feels like they are in the room with the hosts.

Things to keep in mind:

• Not all conversations make for good podcasts.
• There should be a high level of comfort and familiarity between hosts.
• There may be technical challenges when recording two voices.
• You need a plan. While conversations aren't scripted, you do need to have an idea of where your conversation is going.
• Some tension and differences of opinion will help keep the conversation interesting, but hosts shouldn't have major debates or arguments.

Solo or monologue podcasts feature one host who speaks for a whole episode. 

Things to keep in mind:

• The host needs to have enough expertise and experience to fill an episode
• Can be similar to a serialized audiobook
• Requires research and scripting
• Some types of solo podcasts:
  • Advice
  • Reviews
  • Inspirational
  • How-to
  • Behind the scenes

Immersive podcasts are often solo podcasts that fully immerse the listener in the world the host creates. Storytelling and investigative podcasts are the two most common kinds of immersive podcasts. Some of the most popular podcasts are multiepisode investigative podcasts such as My Favorite Murder or Hardcore History.

Things to keep in mind:

• Investigative podcasts require research and investigation skills.
• Plan carefully your overarching structure and flow.
  • Storyboards, outlines, and graphic organizers might help.
• Suspense is key to keeping the audience returning for future episodes
• Interviews will likely be needed (and can appear in your podcast or just be part of your research)

Panel or roundtable-style podcasts have a larger group of hosts/guests who provide commentary on topics. This type of podcast often feels like a group of friends sitting around a living room having an in-depth chat. Panel discussions often have one moderator who asks a question and the other guests respond, while roundtable discussions may feel more free-form. 

Things to keep in mind:

• Topics need to spark interest or curiosity, but should also have a clear focus or scope.
• Conversation partners should have diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Having a set of pre-determined questions is helpful in panel podcasts.
• Keeping track of timing and flow is essential.

Theatrical podcasts, or audio drama podcasts, are similar to immersive podcasts but are fictional. A single host might narrate a story or a group of players might create a theatrical experience. The goal is to draw listeners into a fictional world.

Things to keep in mind:

• Scripting and storyboarding are essential.
• You may need additional sound effects or sound engineering.
• Consider listening to old radio plays as inspiration- these are the original audio dramas!

Repurposed podcasts take content from other mediums and turn it into a podcast. For example, a YouTube creator might record a podcast during a video or create a podcast from a video they had previously created. News outlets will often cover the same stories in multiple formats, or a podcast on a news story might go more in-depth than the original report.

Things to consider:

• You should only repurpose your own content. 
• You can repurpose your podcast material into social media posts and other types of media.