Shows
Sound School PodcastWriting Makes All the Difference: The Episode HandshakeThere's a reason why serialized podcast episodes often start with "Last time on (insert name of podcast)" followed by a montage of quotes. It works. It's an effective way to help bring a listener back into a story. But it's used *far* too often. Surely, there's a better way, right? Rob spotlights the way writer and reporter Basia Cummings avoided the trope in "Pig Iron."2025-06-0314 minSound School PodcastRevisiting - A Trip to the DentistA dear friend of Transom and all creative audio producers passed way last month -- Larry Massett. This episode of Sound School joins the chorus of voices on Transom marking Larry's passing. Rob presents "A Trip to the Dentist," a legendary story Larry made in 1977 for NPR. Easily one of the most hallucinogenic stories aired on the network. You'll want your headphones on for this episode. 2025-05-2022 minSound School PodcastChampions of Old RadioTake 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!2025-04-0826 minSound School PodcastAmen, 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?" 2025-03-1806 minSound School PodcastAmen, ChenjeraiChenjerai 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.2025-03-1142 minSound School PodcastAll Hands On Deck - NPR and the Nixon White HouseJust 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. 2025-01-1420 minSound School PodcastRevisiting: First, Tell Them an AnecdoteRob's interview with Misha Euceph is one of his favorites. As he says, she's very clear, engaging, and insightful about the craft of audio storytelling. On this archive episode of the show from 2019, they discuss why Misha believed it was important to start each episode of her podcast "Tell Them, I Am" with a personal anecdote. 2024-12-3124 minSound School PodcastDissection - Daniel Alarcón's Writing ManeuversLet's state the obvious: Daniel Alarcón is a gifted writer. It's evident from the writing in "The Good Whale," the latest series from Serial that Daniel wrote and hosted. Rob put his writing under the microscope and heard a lot of satisfying maneuvers -- and a couple that weren't so satisfying. 2024-12-1719 minSound School PodcastFingers Crossed, TwiceNothing seems guaranteed these days for creative audio makers. "Short Cuts" was recently cancelled and "Pretendians" is seeking funding for a second season, two shows on this episode of Sound School that are high on Rob's must-listen list because they elevate the craft and deliver essential storytelling. 2024-12-0327 min
Austin NextThe Skills and Learning Revolution in the New Tech World with Rob Rosenthal, CRO at UdemyAustin is rapidly emerging as a significant edtech hub, attracting not just innovative startups but also established industry leaders. In this episode, Udemy's Chief Revenue Officer Rob Rosenthal joins me to explore what skills are in-demand and how technology is transforming both what we learn and how we learn it.Episode HighlightsGenerational Changes in Professional LearningThe Rise of Skills-Based OrganizationsFoundational vs Transitory SkillsAI as a Teaching Tool, Not a ReplacementThe Power of Learning MarketplacesWhy Austin is Becoming an EdTech HubWhat's Next Austin?"It's always been one of my favorite places in the world to spend...2024-12-0343 minSound School PodcastPlease Keep WCAI Right Where It IsWCAI, the public radio station for Cape Cod, has been told it needs to move -- to leave the home it broadcasts from. An actual home. A former captain's house. News that the house had been sold startled the station staff and the community. In this episode, Rob laments what would be a strike against the station's deep commitment to local service. 2024-11-1921 min
The Rob Burgess ShowEp. 259 - Chuck RosenthalHello and welcome to The Rob Burgess Show. I am, of course, your host, Rob Burgess.
On this our 259th episode our guest is Chuck Rosenthal.
Chuck Rosenthal is a writer living in Topanga Canyon, California. He is the author of, “Awake For Ever in a Sweet Unrest,” as well as 14 other novels and five other books. He is a Romantic writer.
Follow me on Mastodon: newsie.social/@therobburgessshow
Check out my Linktree: linktr.ee/therobburgessshow
Follow me on Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/robaburg.bsky.social2024-09-1340 minSound School PodcastWe Do It For the Ears, Right?We tell stories in sound for many, many reasons. For our listener's hearts and minds. For community. For self-expression. For the democracy. For listener's ears. Yes. Their ears. On this episode of The Sound School Podcast, Rob relishes the ear catching qualities of work from Delia Derbyshire (BBC), Michel Martin (NPR), and the Making Gay History podcast. 2024-09-1028 min
The Unstuck Movement with Rob Z WentzTaking on Giants: Hurricane Katrina’s Untold Story w/ Sandy RosenthalThis episode is with Sandy Rosenthal, where we dive into how someone with no special training can take on the biggest players and win. We'll explore Sandy’s journey from being an everyday citizen to a formidable advocate for social justice, and how her efforts led to the exposure of one of the biggest cover-ups in American history.
After Hurricane Katrina and the federal levee failures in New Orleans, Sandy Rosenthal founded the nonprofit Levees.org with 25,000 supporters nationwide. Her book––Words Whispered in Water––is about how she exposed the culprit in the catastrophe––the Army Corps of Engin...2024-08-1639 minSound School PodcastAn Audio Field TripRob plays "Story DJ" on this episode "spinning" excerpts from several excellent stories you'll definitely want to hear. It's an audio field trip taking you around the world: Macon, Georgia, Wales, Madagascar, Kenya, and a closet at an undisclosed IKEA. Bring your best headphones for this one. 2024-07-0230 min
Life On Your Terms with Jake RosenthalUnveiling the Path to Financial Freedom with Rob WolfeIn today’s episode I chat with Rob Wolfe, who runs Wolf Strategic Partners. Rob shares his journey from a high-performing tech sales career to helping others achieve financial freedom and build a life on their terms. Rob shares a bit about his lifestyle of splitting time between San Diego and Wisconsin. Rob shares his love for San Diego and the flexibility of owning a business that allows him to design the lifestyle he and his family desire. We also talk about spending time in different locations and the perks of being your own boss....2024-06-2558 minSound School PodcastStructure Interviews Like a Good StoryDon't leave an interview entirely to chance. Structure it like a good story. On this episode, Rob dissects an interview on The Daily revealing its effective inner story structure. 2024-06-1815 minSound School PodcastTips to Elevate Your Reporting and Storytelling from Ira GlassIra Glass of This American Life is a master audio storyteller. He's equally skillful at laying out the mechanics of creative storytelling and reporting, too. Rob unearthed a presentation Ira made back in 2001 at a radio conference that is signature Ira and brimming with incredibly helpful tips on writing, structure, reporting, and scoring. A good listen for audio 2024-06-0456 minSound School PodcastShocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative…and Ethical?There's a moment in this episode when Rob is gasping and holding his hand to his chest. Why was he so astonished? Listen to his conversation with Jess Shane as they dissect the ethics of her Radiotopia documentary "Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative."2024-05-0735 min
Beat the Big GuysChallenge People in Power - Rob LalkaSandy interviews Rob Lalka (New Orleans, LA) author of The Venture Alchemists: How Big Tech Turned Profits into Power. They discuss how it's possible and beneficial to challenge people in power.Creator and host: Sandy RosenthalExecutive producer: Landry BohnVideo version here: https://youtu.be/Mj-igrFl_EgPlease rate, like and subscribe on all your favorite platforms! 2024-05-0635 minSound School PodcastThanks, NPR. That Was Satisfying.Have NPR's news magazines occasionally been sounding more radiophonic lately? Rob thinks so. He's collected a handful of satisfying moments of writing, production, and reporting from several reporters: Daniel Estrin, Avery Keatley, Andrew Limbong, Barbara Moran, Ari Shapiro, and Andrea Shea.2024-04-0922 minSound School PodcastRevisiting: Should I or Shouldn’t I — Recording in StereoOne of the top three questions Rob often hears when he's teaching is, "Should I record in stereo?" Rob says mono is usually the way to go. But on this archive episode of Sound School, former NPR engineer Flawn Williams evangelizes about the value of stereo recordings, and he brought along several sound-rich examples.2024-03-1219 minSound School PodcastSmall, Random, and MeaningfulIn the tsunami of serialized documentary making over the last decade, what happened to the short story? Where are the one-off curious and creative sound portraits or essays or found sound or audio postcards or.... ? Last year Transom commissioned a dozen short stories as part of "Small, Random, and Meaningful." Rob features his three favorites.2024-02-2750 minSound School PodcastRevisiting: Goldstein on Writing, Fonts, and The GoldsteinWhile there were many great podcasts released in 2023, no one will remember the year as a good one for the people who make podcasts. There were far too many layoffs and cancellations including a show dear to our radio hearts at Transom, Heavyweight, hosted by Jonathan Goldstein. In honor of the show and Jonathan's remarkable writing, Rob revisits his chat with Jonathan where they talked about process, fonts, and a writing maneuver they jokingly dubbed "The Goldstein." 2024-01-0241 minSound School PodcastWhich Is the Better Open?Rob takes himself to task on this episode. He felt the beginning of the last episode of Sound School was so boring, he rewrote it. Compare the old version with the new version be sure to tell us at Transom which is the better open. 2023-12-1911 minSound School PodcastMixing Fiction with Non-FictionFiction should stay in its corner, non-fiction in its corner. Or so Rob thought until he heard producer Pippa Johnstone seamlessly and effectively mix the two in her memorable podcast "Expectant," where Pippa explores a remarkably uncomfortable question: In a time of climate change, is it okay to have children? 2023-11-2123 minSound School PodcastRevisiting: Remembering StudsStuds Terkel is considered by many to be a patron saint of documentary radio journalism. It's been 15 years since his death. On this archive episode of Sound School from 2012, Rob talks to Syd Lewis who worked with Studs for 25 years. The show also includes a lengthy excerpt from "Working With Studs," a Transom Radio Special produced by Syd, Jay Allison, and Viki Merrick. 2023-10-2424 minSound School PodcastPleasing to the EarRob acts as a story DJ on this episode, featuring excerpts from stories he’s recently found pleasing to the ear. His "playlist" includes work from "More Perfect," the BBC Radio 4 podcast "Seriously," "The Shortwave Radio Archive," and "That Intimate Feeling." Drop a needle on the episode and press play.2023-10-1038 minSound School PodcastSalt at 50!What do radio producers Phoebe Judge (Criminal), Zoe Chase (This American Life), Greg Warner (Rough Translation), Matt Kielty (Radiolab), Emily Kwong (NPR) and dozens if not hundreds of others you've heard on your favorite podcasts and radio shows have in common? Salt. They're all graduates of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Portland, Maine. Salt turns fifty this year! Isaac Kestenbaum, the director of the program, joins Rob to celebrate the occasion and talk about what makes the Salt experience so unique. 2023-09-2632 minSound School PodcastSo You STILL Want to Start a Podcast, Eh?It's unusual for a producer to share a work in progress. It's rarer still to do it twice. Nina Porzucki updates Rob on the progress of Bird Talk, her comedy podcast in-the-making and the steps it took to make her second pilot funnier and more engaging. 2023-08-2919 minSound School PodcastGoing Behind the Mic On Climate Change ReportingRebecca Hersher, a climate science reporter at NPR, offers excellent tips on reporting on climate change. But, at the heart of Rob's interview with her is something more philosophical: the role of hope in climate change reporting. 2023-08-1531 minSound School PodcastNext-level ScoringGet your headphones on for this episode! Rob dives into three remarkable examples of scoring. He features examples from the Serial/NYT series "The Retrievals," scored by Phoebe Wang, "My Mother Made Me" from PRX's Radiotopia Presents scored by Ian Coss, and The Atlantic's "Holy Week," scored by David Herman.2023-07-1827 minSound School PodcastLean In and Listen Like It’s MusicRob's a fan of the "radio art" style of audio storytelling from Europe but often, after listening, he finds himself scratching his head. "What was that about?!" He wonders if the problem isn't the storytelling but his American ears and the way he listens. Alan Hall, of Falling Tree, the English production company, helps him listen in a new way. 2023-07-0534 minSound School PodcastRevisiting: Avoiding Pesky Sound ProblemsNo matter how good you are recording in the field, you're going to encounter challenges. Rob Byers does an incredible job explaining how to avoid and fix those problems on this archive episode of Sound School from 2017. At the time, Rob worked at NPR. He's now the Technical Director at Criminal. His recording tips are invaluable. And so are the resources we used on the episode from NPR's "Ear Training Guide for Audio Producers.” You'll make better recordings after listening to this episode.2023-06-2013 minBeat the Big GuysResponding to Climate Change is Our Duty - Rob VerchickSandy chats with Professor Rob Verchick (New Orleans, LA)––one of the nation's leading scholars on climate change––about his new book The Octopus in the Parking Garage: A Call for Climate Resilience. One of the nation's leading scholars in disaster and climate change law, Professor Verchick holds the Gauthier-St. Martin Eminent Scholar Chair in Environmental Law at Loyola University. He and Sandy discuss the hope we must still have for the future of our planet. Beat the Big GuysHost and Creator: Sandy RosenthalExecutive Producer: Landry BohnBe sure to...2023-06-1233 minSound School PodcastHappy 15th Sound School!The Sound School Podcast launched 15 years ago this month. But it was called Saltcast back then. And for the first episode, Rob featured once of his absolute favorite student-produced stories - one that he played in classes for years as an excellent example of documentary audio storytelling. To celebrate the show's 15th anniversary, Rob dusted off the very first Saltcast and this incredible story about a motivational speaker who can't talk. 2023-05-2323 minSound School PodcastWhat's Grabbed Antonia's Ears?Antonia Cereijido has her ear to the ground. It's her job as Executive Producer at LAist to listen to what everyone is putting out. Rob asks her what grabbed her ears lately? She tells us about two recent series: the second season of LaBrega, the Puerto Rican experience in eight songs, and Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong.2023-05-0938 minSound School PodcastThe Fingerprint of Chris BrookesA light went out recently. The bright light of Chris Brookes — a sorcerer of audio documentary and sound art. When Rob heard the news, he immediately started work on this remembrance featuring excerpts from several of Chris' distinctive productions — stories where Chris' clear, authorial voice, his fingerprint, is evident and inspiring.2023-04-2552 minSound School PodcastStill More Darts and LaurelsRob takes a hard listen to three podcasts -- You Didn't See Nothin', Lights Out, and Noble Champions. He then tosses out darts for work that caused him to ask "Why'd you do that?!" and laurels for work that's just plain crushing it.
Rob opens this episode with a note about Transom.org. Transom is dreaming up a new project and could really use your input. If you have a minute, head on over to the Transom homepage and click the link to take a short survey.2023-03-1426 minSound School PodcastDear Birth MotherIn this episode, Rob turns the mic on himself to mark the 10th anniversary of meeting his birth mother for the first time. He also features the positively stunning portrait of an adopting mom in "Dear Birth Mother," a Third Coast award-winning doc from Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister at Long Haul Productions.2023-02-1438 minSound School PodcastThis is Good, But I Have a QuestionThree great new podcasts raised production questions for Rob. Why use sound effects in All There Is With Anderson Cooper? Why were the interviews for Bjork’s Sonic Symbolism podcast recorded so poorly? Those questions and more on the latest Sound School Podcast.2023-01-1727 minSound School PodcastCaves and Bears and Neanderthal Flutes - Stories from SloveniaWhat's the best way for reporters to break out of their boxes and think creatively? Give them an unusual assignment and send them out into the world with microphones. That's just what happened during a week-long workshop Rob taught with 10 reporters in Slovenia. Hear the results on this episode of Sound School. 2022-12-0626 min
The Game Plan Show#90 Rob Pallante: How can parents use sports to help their child become more confident?In episode 90 of the 4D Athletes podcast, Jim and Jason are joined by Rob Pallante to talk about how parents can use sports to help their child increase their confidence in life
Rob Pallante grew up in Mississauga Ontario, a suburb west of Toronto. He enjoyed many sports but like most Canadian kids he gravitated towards hockey. He excelled at the sport and played at the highest competitive level in the city.
He was drafted 52nd overall in the OHL draft in 1986 by the Sudbury Wolves but instead chose to pursue a scholarship. He had...2022-11-2155 minSound School PodcastDarts and Laurels Minus the DartsIn another installment of Sound School’s occasional episodes offering darts and laurels for exceptional and not-so-exceptional work, Rob is offering nothing but laurels. Two for This American Life's episode "Name. Age. Detail." Another for a piece reported in Poland by NPR's Ari Shapiro which used translation to great effect.2022-09-1323 minSound School PodcastTwo Years of Reporting Whittled Down to Fourteen Minutes – Elissa NadwornyThis is the first episode of the Sound School Podcast (formerly HowSound). It's still from PRX and Transom. Rob's still the host. And the show is still committed to digging deep on the backstory to great audio storytelling. Our first episode features NPR's education reporter Elissa Nadworny dissecting how she kept everything straight -- all the files, the notes, the story -- while reporting a two-part series about education in prison. Her insight is super helpful regardless of topic and length of time reporting.2022-08-3023 min
Digging In with Matt RosenthalHow ONE MAN’S VISION CHANGED the Medical Industry| with Dr. Rob ColtonIn this week’s episode of Digging In, Dr. Rob Colton walks us through his amazing career in medicine. His GAME CHANGING MODEL CREATED the Concierge Medical Practice that is so popular today. Not only do we cover the problems that lead to his innovative approach, but we Dig In to the IMPORTANT lessons that can be applied to ANY BUSINESS. We discussed how to tune out the naysayers, and what it took for Dr. Colton to transition his IDEA from VISION TO EXECUTION. His desire to be a part of the solution, paired with a DRIVE TO SERV...2022-08-0247 minSound School PodcastCollaboration Is the Only Way ForwardDavia Nelson, one half of the legendary Kitchen Sisters, shares the pair's incredible news: The Library of Congress will acquire the Kitchen Sisters' archive, decades of innovative audio work. Davia also talks with Rob about collaborating with performance artist Laurie Anderson on "The Great Amish Pandemic Sewing Frolic," a story about the power of working together.2022-05-1021 minSound School PodcastMore Darts And LaurelsRob doles out another collection of darts and laurels on this episode. Darts for missing credits and superfluous sound effects. Laurels for stupendous production values, character development, and just plain weirdness. Featured work is from The BBC, Vice, Wonder Media, and others.2022-04-2623 minDigging In with Matt RosenthalHARD WORK, INTEGRITY, BUSINESS BUILDING | with Rob RoyJoin Rob Roy and I as he shares his JOURNEY TO SUCCESS, and digs into the OPPORTUNITIES he took along the way. Get out your notepad for this episode as Rob shares the BIGGEST LIFE LESSONS he learned while chasing his DREAMS. We learn that even though things don’t always go to plan, we CAN STILL REACH OUR GOALS by making the best out of a situation and ADJUSTING OUR DIRECTION. Rob recounts his relationship with record producer TONY BONJIOVI and the importance of NETWORKING AND NURTURING RELATIONSHIPS. Listen to this episode and leave with the motivation th...2022-04-121h 17Sound School PodcastThinking in ScenesOne of the most helpful tools for organizing a story is a "scene chart." Think of it as an outline for the "chapters" in an audio story. Rob dissects one of his favorite audio stories, one he's used in workshops for years, to help explain the idea of thinking in scenes and outlining stories.2022-04-1224 min
GoalChatConversation on Eat, Drink & Do Yoga with Rob Rosenthal & Eli WalkerOn this episode of The DEB Show, host Debra Eckerling talks about healthy habits with a fun, playful twist with guests Rob Rosenthal and Eli Walker. Rob Rosenthal (aka Short Order Dad) is a food humorist, author, and chef; Author Eli Walker is the CEO and founder of Drunk Yoga. Rob and Eli share their backstories, as well as their thoughts on living healthy, eating well, and finding balance. There's even a nice oatmeal tangent, as well as a comparison of working out to eating a cookie versus baking a cake. Learn more ab...2022-04-071h 02Sound School PodcastRemember to Breathe!A breath may seem like the most insignificant detail in an audio story. But, Rob says breaths are incredibly important when you're editing. All you have to do is listen to stories where the breaths are cut out. They sound weird and off-kilter. Rob offers suggestions for preventing that problem, starting with, "remember to breathe!"2022-03-2909 minSound School PodcastAl Letson’s Covenant with Listeners About True Crime StoriesAl Letson set his sights on true crime storytelling in an unusual way — with a covenant for listeners in the true crime series he reported for Reveal, "Mississippi Goddam: The Ballad of Billey Joe." Rob asks "Why go after true crime like that?"2022-02-0130 minSound School PodcastDarts and LaurelsRob offers darts and laurels for stories he's recently heard — what's good, what's not so good. On the list, productions from "Kids Short Stories," "Nice Try," "Demented," "The Skewer," and others.2021-12-0727 min
ACQ2 by AcquiredBlue Origin and the 2021 Space Landscape (with Rob Meyerson)Today we're excited to have a longtime friend of the Acquired family on ACQ2, Rob Meyerson. Rob was the President of Blue Origin for 15 years, and today is an investor and advisor to space industry startups. Ben recorded this interview live at the fantastic aerospace industry conference, ASCEND, where Rob is the Executive Producer. In this interview, we cover:How Blue Origin started, and what it was like in the early days (spoiler: they weren't yet building rockets!)Rob’s experience working directly for Jeff BezosWhat’s changed about SpaceX since May of 2020, when we did our Acquired epis...2021-12-0643 minDigging In with Matt RosenthalHow To Launch A Killer Podcast with Rob CressyAre you ready to launch a podcast, but not sure where to begin? YOU ARE YOUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE! Join me, Matt Rosenthal and Rob Cressy, entrepreneur, speaker, actor, and founder of Bacon Sports, as we dig into everything podcasting. Rob is a podcast expert, helping others, including myself, develop successful podcasts. In this episode you will learn everything you need to launch your podcast,Rob shares how to build an impactful brand and create amazing content. Rob has incredible knowledge that will help take your brand to a new level. THE PERFECT TIME TO START IS NOW, GREAT...2021-11-3057 minSound School PodcastThe World Orchestra Is Always PlayingHeadphones on for this one. Rob marks the passing of the groundbreaking composer and sound ecologist R. Murray Schafer with his colleague and fellow composer, Hildegard Westerkamp. This episode will crack open your ears and, hopefully, spark new ways of thinking about the sonic environment and your work as an audio storyteller and producer.2021-10-2628 minSound School PodcastFireworksRob Rosenthal has stepped away from teaching the Transom Story Workshop on Cape Cod. To mark the occasion, Rob's put together a fireworks show of great stories from Transom students over the years. Wear headphones!2021-07-201h 19
Built For The Game with Rob CressyBelieve it will change your life with Matt RosenthalWhen you hold the belief that something will change your life, you open up doors of possibility. In this episode of Best Year Ever, Matt Rosenthal, CEO at Mindcore Technology, joins Rob Cressy to talk about their experience in working together to launch Matt’s new podcast (Digging IN), as well as the mindset around building his brand. Why is it important to start with a vision of what you want to accomplish? How does having a heart of service allow you to inspire others? How do you get comfortable being uncomfortable with content creation? How can you be supportive to...2021-07-2036 min
Built For The Game with Rob CressyBelieve it will change your life with Matt RosenthalWhen you hold the belief that something will change your life, you open up doors of possibility. In this episode of Best Year Ever, Matt Rosenthal, CEO at Mindcore Technology, joins Rob Cressy to talk about their experience in working together to launch Matt’s new podcast (Digging IN), as well as the mindset around building his brand. Why is it important to start with a vision of what you want to accomplish? How does having a heart of service allow you to inspire others? How do you get comfortable being uncomfortable with content creation? How can you be supportive to...2021-07-1537 minBuilt For The Game with Rob CressyBelieve it will change your life with Matt RosenthalWhen you hold the belief that something will change your life, you open up doors of possibility. In this episode of Best Year Ever, Matt Rosenthal, CEO at Mindcore Technology, joins Rob Cressy to talk about their experience in working together to launch Matt’s new podcast (Digging IN), as well as the mindset around building his brand. Why is it important to start with a vision of what you want to accomplish? How does having a heart of service allow you to inspire others? How do you get comfortable being uncomfortable with content creation? How can you be supportive to...2021-07-1537 minSound School PodcastThoughts On TrailersRob's been puzzling over one particular question about trailers for serialized podcasts: What should the relationship, the handshake, if you will, be between the trailer and the top to the first episode? Rob explores an answer with clips from The Piketon Massacre, The Realness, Nice White Parents, and The Sink.2021-03-3029 minSound School PodcastNancy Was HereRaise a mic in the air with Rob in honor of "Nancy," the now-cancelled podcast from WNYC about the LGBTQ experience.2020-11-2430 minSound School PodcastSound Art Meets Poetry Meets CicadasRob's secret hope with every HowSound is that you'll hear creative storytelling and production and think "Oh wait! I wanna do that!" He has no doubt that Fiona Benson's and Mair Bosworth's sound poem about 17-year cicadas will do just that.2020-07-2122 minSound School PodcastLeave In The QuestionThis American Life's Sean Cole is the guest on this episode of HowSound. Rob dug this one out of the HowSound archive from 2010. It features a fantastic story Sean produced in '05 as well as a discussion about the value of including a reporter's question in a story.2020-06-2331 minSound School PodcastA Feast For Your EarsThis episode is aptly named: “A Feast For Your Ears”. Rob features a handful of ear-catching clips. From a psychedelic road trip in Australia in the 1970s to a crowd-sourced poem produced by NPR to.... well, you'll have to listen!2020-06-0930 minSound School PodcastWhat Do You Stand For?Why do you report a story or produce a podcast and send it out into the world? What gives you purpose? What do you stand for? Rob finds meaning from the original NPR mission statement. He talks to Bill Siemering about writing the statement in 1970, the first broadcast of All Things Considered, and what inspires Bill to work in radio for several decades -- the power of the human voice. 2020-04-2822 minSound School PodcastPoetry As NarrationNarration in stories is usually just that - narration. Someone in a booth reading or ad-libing a script. But, "Borders Between Us" is different. Producer, Saidu Tejan-Thomas, uses poetry to tell the story. HowSound's Rob Rosenthal can't think of another piece like it. 2020-03-1728 minSound School PodcastBeing Present With A MicrophoneThe first time Rob listened to "A Cow a Day" he thought "What the??!" But then he listened again and was hooked. Rob talks to Pejk Malinovsky, the producer of the doc, about his two wildly different interpretations.2020-02-1822 minSound School PodcastGot Your Ears On?Got your ears on? You'll want them as Rob threads his way through a wide variety of clips that caught his attention over the last few months. A man injects Fentenyl into his neck... Toni Morrison speaks about beauty... Jad Abamrad waxes about the power of radio... and more.2020-02-0423 minSound School PodcastScoring Stories: Part 2Rob talks specifically about how to bring music in and out of a story. And, then, he takes a stab at the impossible: explaining one aspect of how to select music to use for scoring. 2019-10-2917 minSound School PodcastScoring Stories: Part 1How do you score a story with music is one of the most frequent questions, HowSound's Rob Rosenthal is asked. Up now, the first of two episodes on the fundamentals of using music in stories. 2019-10-1523 minSound School PodcastJaw-Dropping ClipsGet your ears on for this episode. Rob presents clips from podcasts that made his jaw drop including Love + Radio, The Ballad of Billy Balls, and Have You Heard George's Podcast.2019-09-1724 minSound School PodcastHowSound Reviews "Song Exploder"In an effort to try something new, Rob offers another podcast review. This time, "Song Exploder" from Radiotopia.2019-08-0619 minSound School PodcastHowSound Reviews "Stay Free: The Story Of The Clash"Despite hours of great material, there are a couple things about Spotify's "Stay Free: The Story of the Clash" that really make Rob cranky. 2019-07-2323 min
Sound School PodcastSome Fav And Not-So-Fav SoundsSewage pipes, a radio crime, and sound designing inner thoughts.... Must be another episode of Rob's fav sounds but this time with a twist -- a sound that annoyed Rob to no end. Clips from BBC 3 and Nathanial Mann, Bodies by KCRW, and No Feeling Is Final from ABC Radio.2019-05-2918 min
Sound School PodcastAll The Sound We Can Not HearJeff Emtmen pulled an audio sleight of hand in an episode of Hear Be Monsters about Mexican free-tail bats. It's a delight to listen to. To understand Jeff's trick, Rob offers a primer on sound and hearing.2019-03-0512 min
Sound School PodcastTaking Control Of The MusicJim Briggs and Fernando Arruda compose music for stories at Reveal. HowSound's Rob Rosenthal talks with them about the way they think about music and scoring. We think you’ll find it instructive, even if your music comes from a library.2019-01-0821 min
Sound School PodcastEnticing Listeners To Press Play AgainThat feeling you have at the end of a serialized podcast where all you want to do is press play again -- what causes that? Rob talks to Leah Sottlile and Ryan Haas from Bundyville about episode endings that entice listeners to press play again.2018-11-2729 min
Sound School PodcastAnatomy Of A SceneRadio producers talk about the scenes in their stories all the time. "What are the scenes in your story?" "Oh, I got some great scene tape today." But what is a scene? On this episode, Rob dissects one of the best scenes he's heard in a while.2018-07-2420 min
Sound School PodcastStepping In With The FactsA recent story on NPR about the Confederate flag got Rob wondering about the practice of correcting interviewees in narration. Producer Zach Hirsch produced the story and he explains why he felt challenging the interviewee's viewpoints was necessary.2017-10-3118 min
Sound School PodcastThe Broken NarrativeGreg Warner is one of Rob Rosenthal's favorite radio writers. He deftly put the "broken narrative" to good use in an episode of his NPR podcast "Rough Translation." In fact he's so good at it, you'd have no idea he was using it. What is the broken narrative? You'll have to listen.2017-10-1720 min
Sound School PodcastAvoiding Pesky Recording ProblemsNever say to yourself: "I'll fix it in the mix." Fixing recording mistakes in the studio can lead to more problems. Instead, prevent issues before they happen. Rob Byers, from NPR's Training Team has tips for avoiding basic, pesky recording problems.2017-04-1812 min
Sound School PodcastStory Structure: The ‘e’Rob dissects an episode of 99% Invisible to reveal a common but effective story structure -- the 'e.'2016-11-0126 min
Sound School PodcastHow Not To Write For RadioThere's blood on the floor. Rob skewers the writing in one of his first-ever radio stories to reveal how not to write.2016-08-2321 min
Sound School PodcastStill More Buried Treasures: Student WorkTwo more classics from Rob's vault of student-produced stories including one from 2003 by NPR's Gregory Warner, long before he became the network's east Africa correspondent.2016-04-0525 min
Sound School PodcastShould I Or Shouldn’t I: Recording In StereoRob and his guest, audio engineer Flawn Williams, attempt to answer the question: Should I record in stereo?2016-02-0918 min
Sound School PodcastInterviewing With Your Skeptical BrainTransom Story Workshop student Sally Helm talks with Rob Rosenthal about learning the value of being skeptical and pushing back during interviews. Also featured in this episode, her excellent story about the 1977 Martha's Vineyard secession movement.2016-01-1217 min
Sound School PodcastBuried Treasures: Four Student PiecesRob digs into an archive of good stories, well told, and features four by his former students.2015-09-0830 min
Sound School PodcastStory Dissection: Dead Animal ManRob Rosenthal combs through Ira Glass's piece "Dead Animal Man" minute by minute pointing out all of its radio goodness.2015-08-2529 min
Sound School PodcastRemixing The MusicHowSound's Rob Rosenthal remixes a story from Latino USA by producer Neena Pathak to reveal a different way to score a piece.2015-07-1532 min
Sound School PodcastFoils And Other First Person TricksNeenah Ellis talks with Rob Rosenthal about her series "One Hundred Years of Stories" and she shares some of her tips for first-person stories.2015-05-1923 min
Sound School PodcastThe Path To Primary CareIn this episode of HowSound, Rob Rosenthal talks with producer Karen Brown about her piece, "The Path to Primary Care: Who Will Be the Next Generation of Frontline Doctors." A local piece with national appeal.2015-05-0517 min
Sound School PodcastRadio Writing With Alex ChadwickOn this edition of HowSound, Alex Chadwick and Rob Rosenthal trade tips on writing for radio that new producers will find invaluable.2015-04-2117 min
Sound School PodcastConcerning BreakfastThis week on HowSound, Rob Rosenthal shares one of his favorite pieces of all time, "Concerning Breakfast" produced by Annie Cheney and Jay Allison for the series, “Life Stories,” (Associate Producer, Christina Egloff).2015-04-0724 min
Sound School PodcastDeath, Sex And Money With Anna SaleAnna Sale, the host of the podcast "Death, Sex and Money" talks with Rob Rosenthal in front of a live audience about the art of interviewing and getting people to talk about difficult things.2015-03-2457 min
Sound School PodcastBarf Draft With An iPhoneRob Rosenthal talks with producer Bradley Campbell about "barf drafts." A technique for producing radio stories that Bradley swears by. Especially when he's on a tight deadline.2015-02-1015 min
Sound School PodcastRevisiting CriminalThe podcast, “Criminal” has enjoyed a big jump in popularity. Rob Rosenthal talks with “Criminal’s” host Phoebe Judge about growth—how good press and partnership helps, how doing good work helps, and the “Serial” effect.2015-01-2721 min
Sound School PodcastBionic PancreasRob Stein and Rebecca Davis reveal the backstory to their working relationship as reporter and producer.2014-11-1914 min
SaltcastWhy Is It So Hard To Read Aloud?“When this modern monster talks through the loudspeaker installed in its chest, its lips move in time with its speech.” p I talk every single day and I sound natural when I do. So, why, when I read narration, does “natural Rob” disappear? Makes no sense, right? I should be able to just open my […]2009-07-2813 min