The Pod Lab

Sep 14 2021 4
The Pod Lab Podcast artwork

I’m Doug Fraser, producer and host of the NPR podcast What We Do. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about making a podcast, it’s that when things go right...damn it feels good. The Pod Lab is all about giving you the tools to create those moments. We'll deconstruct the anatomy of narrative scenes, peer under the layers of sound design, break down popular trends, and offer actionable advice to help you refine, polish, and make your podcast one-of-a-kind. We'll also feature questions directly from the Podcast Movement community that are answered by industry experts. If you love podcasting, meet us in The Pod Lab. (A Podcast Movement original series.)

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Composing Music for Hit Podcasts with Matt McGinley (This American Life, Serial)

Sep 14 2021 12 mins  
What’s the secret sauce for composing music for narrative podcasts? Matt McGinley pulls back the curtain on creating music for hit shows like This American Life, Serial and Nice White Parents. Plus, we dig into tips for getting a well-known guest on your podcast...even if your podcast isn't well-known. The Pod Lab is a Podcast Movement original series.

Rules for Removing "Ums" and Breaths with Robyn Edgar (Pacific Content)

Sep 07 2021 12 mins  
Robyn Edgar of Pacific Content swings by to answer a frequently asked Podcast Movement community question: How much of the “ums” and breaths should you cut from your podcast? Plus, we'll dish out three tips for overcoming creative roadblocks.The Pod Lab is a Podcast Movement original series.

Pushing the Storytelling Envelope with Shannon Cason (Homemade Stories, The Trouble)

Aug 31 2021 11 mins  
Want to tell better stories? You've come to the right place. Renowned storyteller Shannon Cason stops by to answer a Podcast Movement community question: How can I dig deeper and be more authentic with the personal stories I share on my show? Plus, we'll talk about the importance of podcast production organization.The Pod Lab is a Podcast Movement original series.

The Subtle Art of Less Awkward Interviews with Alie Ward (Ologies)

Aug 24 2021 14 mins  
Help for awkward interviews is on the way. Alie Ward, host of the hit show Ologies, is here to help us de-cringe our conversations with expert advice. Bonus: She blesses us with the tale of her most awkward interview ever. Plus, we'll look at three tips to give your guests—and you—a better experience.The Pod Lab is a Podcast Movement original series.

Hooking Listeners from the Opening with Aaron Mahnke (Lore, Bridgewater)

Aug 17 2021 16 mins  
How do you hook listeners from the opening minutes of a story? What elements should you keep in mind to lure them into your world…and make them never want to leave? Aaron Mahnke, the legend of Lore himself, stops by to answer a Podcast Movement community question: How can you create better openings for a narrative podcast? Plus, we'll take a quick dive into atmospheric sound effe

The Power of Silence + Interview Advice with Josh Miely (NAB)

Aug 10 2021 11 mins  
Silence. It's an amazing tool for both interview and narrative podcasts. We'll take a dive into actionable advice for harnessing the power of silence for your show. Plus, Josh Miely (Director, Radio Operations for the National Association of Broadcasters) stops by to answer a Podcast Movement community question: If you could go back to your very first interview, what advice would y

Let's Build a Scene + Podcast Trailer Tips with Matt Shilts

Aug 03 2021 19 mins  
In today's Let's Build a Scene, we talk storytelling, a trouble-making goat, and man’s second-best friend: donkeys. Ah, nothing like an uplifting story to donkey-kick the day into high gear. Plus, Matt Shilts (senior producer at Gimlet Projects) stops by to offer pro tips for your podcast trailer. The Pod Lab is a Podcast Movement original series.

Foley and Other SFX + Creative Longevity with Grammar Girl

Jul 27 2021 13 mins  
Today we’re looking at using foley and other types of sound effects to bring your podcast to life. We build a bank robbery scene to dissect sound design layering, scene mapping, and modifying sounds with a high pass filter. Quick, get in the van! Plus, Grammar Girl herself, Mignon Fogarty, stops by to answer a Podcast Movement community question: What's the secret to staying crea

Let's Build a Scene + Interview Prep with Natalia Petrzela

Jul 20 2021 15 mins  
Our first Let’s Build a Scene episode breaks down a scene from a podcast I've produced. This one is a doozy. It centers around Elie Honig, a former federal and state prosecutor who's prosecuted countless mafia cases. We dive into narrative structure, the importance of details, and toeing the line between too much and not enough sound design. *pets lap cat, quotes The Godfather al

Making Better Music Choices

Jul 13 2021 15 mins  
In our first episode, we're talking about the shortest distance between your podcast and a listener’s emotions: music. We'll dive into choosing better songs for your podcast from two perspectives: intro music and narrative music. Whatcha waitin' for? Hit play and let's rock this joint.