Sound School Podcast

Rob Rosenthal/PRX/Transom.org
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Sound School Podcast

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

  1. APR 8

    Champions of Old Radio

    Take a short walk into deep radio history. Julia Barton and Sarah Montague join Rob to talk about two audio storytelling classics from the 1930s: "Seems Like Radio Is Here to Stay," an homage to radio by Norman Corwin, and the anti-fascist play "The Fall of the City," by Archibald MacLiesh. Old school radio at its best!

    26 min

  2. MAR 26

    Beware the Chicken Bomb

    The best way -- sometimes the *only* way -- to describe an element in a story that is disruptive and distracting for listeners is this: chicken bomb. This year, 2025, is the 20th anniversary of "chicken bomb" entering the lexicon of audio storytelling. What exactly is it? With help from Ira Glass, we'll explain.

    13 min

  3. MAR 18

    Amen, Chenjerai (Bonus Episode)

    In this bonus episode, Rob takes his conversation with Chenjerai Kumanyika one step further. He digs in a bit more to the big question from the last episode: Who is the "you" telling this story now?"

    7 min

  4. MAR 11

    Amen, Chenjerai

    Chenjerai Kumanyika delivered the goods. Rob interviewed Chenjerai on stage at the recent On Air Fest where Chenjraie was passionate, animated, and electric as he talked about a question he sees as essential for anyone in audio storytelling to consider. We're sure you'll be as transfixed as the audience.

    42 min

  5. FEB 25

    Revisiting: The Longest Shortest Time

    Just recently, Hillary Frank relaunched her popular podcast The Longest Shortest Time. This archive episode takes us back to Hillary's early days, when she was just finding her way in podcasting -- as we all were.

    30 min

  6. FEB 11

    The Layered Approach - Interviewing for Scenes

    You want scenes in your story. But, reporting in the field isn't an option. What then? Simon Adler, a senior producer at Radiolab has an answer: interview for scenes using "the layered approach."

    18 min

  7. JAN 28

    The Backstory to "Our Ancestors Were Messy"

    Nichole Hill pitched her show idea again and again. And, again and again, podcast companies said "no." But, that didn't stop Nichole. She said "I'm doing it myself!" Our Ancestors Were Messy, a podcast featuring hidden stories from the archives of historic, Black newspapers, launches February 5th. Sound School has the backstory to how Nichole dialed in the format for the show and why she chose a mix of chat and narrative styles.

    28 min

  8. JAN 14

    All Hands On Deck - NPR and the Nixon White House

    Just over 50 years ago, in 1974, NPR took to the airwaves for a 25-hour-broadcast that Rob thinks may be one of the most tedious recordings he's ever heard and one that was also an incredible broadcast service. What is it? You'll have to listen. Trust us. It's worth it.

    21 min
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4.9
out of 5
283 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Rob Rosenthal/PRX/Transom.org
  • Years Active
    2011 - 2025
  • Episodes
    353
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Transom/PRX
  • Show Website
    Sound School Podcast

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