Simply put, a podcast is a recording of an audio discussion surrounding a specific topic of conversation (Virgillito). This is a very widespread medium that brings many different benefits to both its users and creators. For example, business owners can take advantage of podcasting as a way to build intimate connections with potential customers because their listeners are able to hear them speak one on one (Virgillito). Additionally, depending on the subject matter, users can listen to podcasts for their own daily dose of inspiration (Virgillito).

Before creating a podcast, it’s essential to determine the type. For my experiment, I will be creating an Interview podcast. This involves one or two hosts interviewing different guests in a conversation format (Virgillito). Other common types include The Solo Podcast which is essentially a monologue, and The Multi-host Podcast which is a more dynamic version of The Solo Podcast as it involves multiple hosts (Virgillito). Additionally, there are a series of factors podcast hosts must take into account before recording their session. At the start of the recording, it’s very helpful for viewers if the host gives a preview of the podcast format (Virgillito). For example, he or she could introduce the special guest and provide some background information—which I plan to do when implementing my own podcast. Additionally, it’s important to have an audience in mind when recording so that the conversation can be more specifically geared towards them (Virgillito). Finally, the most important tip for hosts is to relax and have fun!

NPR also provides a set of helpful tactics for developing a podcast in a guide they published for students. First, they emphasize the necessity to create open-ended questions, but remind readers that it’s certainly okay to veer off course (“Starting Your Podcast: A Guide For Students.”). The questions are just there to help get the conversation started. A very helpful tip they provide is to focus the conversation on a story “that your audience should know about” (“Starting Your Podcast: A Guide For Students.”). By keeping this idea in mind, I’ll be able to focus my conversation with Grammy on the root topic of dealing with mean girls throughout her life. Additionally, NPR advises that hosts should keep the question, “What do you want to change about the world?” in mind while recording (“Starting Your Podcast: A Guide For Students.”). By doing so, I’ll be able to focus on the takeaways I want teenage girls to have after listening to my podcast about how they can cope with these girl problems in their own lives.

Finally, because I am interviewing a family member about her story, I did research on the StoryCorp project. Its mission statement reads that this program, “provides people across the country with the opportunity to record and preserve the stories of their lives” (“About StoryCorps.”). When the creator interviewed his own grandparents, he took note of how much joy it brought them to have someone listen to their stories. I hope to bring this much joy to my own Grammy, and look forward to having the recording of this conversation as an artifact forever.