Shows
Sound JudgmentHow to transform your interviews from "fine" to fantasticAre your interviews falling flat? Are the podcasts and stories you're creating on the foundation of those interviews just skimming the surface? Let's face it: Desiring candor from the human in front of you is one thing, but achieving it is another. Here's a transformative, counter-intuitive solution that will help you go to the heart of anyone's story. To read this issue of the newsletter on Substack and subcribe, visit "Interviews are the foundation of great storytelling. Are yours falling flat?"Do you want more audio newsletters like this one? Give me feedback! This is...
2024-06-1411 min
Sound JudgmentHow to Grow Your Show — Without Social MediaSound Judgment is about the craft of audio storytelling. Not about the marketing of podcasts. But today, we're bringing you a gift from someone I trust completely when it comes to audience growth: Jeremy Enns of Podcast Marketing Academy, and his co-host, Justin Jackson, cofounder of Transistor.fm. They've teamed up to produce Podcast Marketing Trends Explained, a limited series that extracts proven audience growth techniques from Enns' comprehensive annual survey of podcasters about their marketing methods. In this episode, you'll learn: — Whether the famed "podcast discoverability problem" actually exists— The three types of market...
2024-04-171h 03
Sound JudgmentCourage vs comfort: Is it finally time to pursue your dreams?At some point, every one of us will reach a point in our professional lives where it's time to change — but the status quo, even when it's not working, is comfortable. Are you ready to say goodbye to your old life in order to find your way to a new, better one? But you don't have a map? That's what Daily Creative host Todd Henry and his "story architect" producer Josh Gott wrestle with in the episode we deconstruct together, "The Curious Death of Todd Henry." You won't be the same after you listen to this episode — a play in se...
2024-04-0339 min
Sound Judgment[Bonus] Introducing Sound School Podcast: Tracking PartnersIt's a brave thing to share the outtakes from a tracking session. All the blemishes are right there. But Martine Powers and Rennie Svirnovsky from the audio team at The Washington Post have graciously done just that. They invited Sound School's Rob Rosenthal into their studio to witness Martine at work voicing an episode of The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop, with assistance from Rennie. Hearing how they work as tracking partners is a real gift for anyone who wants to perform better in the mic booth.Today on Sound Judgment, we’re excited to share this ins...
2024-03-2731 min
Sound JudgmentSix Proven Storytelling Strategies to Engage Your AudienceThe six storytelling strategies you're about to learn are drawn from the patterns I've seen across more than 150 behind-the-scenes lessons — lessons learned from some of the best hosts, producers, writers and editors I've had on Sound Judgment. You can put these techniques to use right away in your studio or at your writing desk. This episode pulls together examples from compelling shows and award winners. In almost every case, the creators who use these strategies are multi-talented. They produce podcasts, they're writers and journalists, they speak on stages, they act, perform, and do live storytelling shows at places like Th...
2024-03-1338 min
Sound JudgmentStorytelling Secrets, Part 6: SpecificsThis is the sixth and final part of our new Sound Judgment quick-hit series on storytelling strategies for hooking your audience and keeping them with you. Today: specifics. The more specific our language, the more sparkling and memorable it is. In the last 18 months of speaking with incredible storytellers for this podcast, no one has been better at this than Sam Mullins. In 2023, Sam won the the Best Podcast of the Year award at the Ambies, The Podcast Academy's attempt to rival the Oscars. He won it for his documentary series Chameleon: Wild Boys, from Campside Media.
2024-03-1307 min
Sound JudgmentHow Storytelling Can Heal Your LifeImprove your storytelling, interviewing, writing, producing, hosting and guesting skills! Sign up for new Sound Judgment workshops today at www.podcastallies.com/workshops. On this episode, Emily Silverman and host Elaine Appleton Grant discuss: — Why she thought starting a live storytelling event for physicians should be her next step as she was coming to terms with being in the wrong career while also searching for her biological parents and considering becoming a mother.— How leaving the full-time practice of medicine felt like an "identity death" to Emily — and how journalists and podcasters navigati...
2024-02-2843 min
Sound JudgmentShould you tell your own story? Navigating the tricky art of memoirSharing a personal experience, especially a traumatic one, is a particularly popular scripted podcast form. Memoir done well often shoots to the top of the podcast charts or the bestseller list. It moves us, leaves us breathless, inspires standing ovations and prompts us into conversations and confessions of our own. Sometimes memoir creates change.But memoir produced without first grappling with why your experience matters to others can sound cheap, sensation-grabbing, and empty. As listeners, readers, and viewers, we are bombarded with confessions.There is a fine line between transformative and indulgent.Moreover, stories...
2024-01-3136 min
Sound JudgmentThe Art of True Curiosity with Kelly Corrigan of Kelly Corrigan WondersThis episode was sponsored by Signal Hill Insights. Want to know how your podcast is affecting listeners? Need to plan to share outcomes with a branded client? Visit measureyourpodcast.com for a free 4-part email series that will tell you how and why to measure the unique impact of branded podcasts. Go beyond counting downloads. Instead, obtain real responses from real listeners to demonstrate the ROI of branded podcasts. You’ll learn how research generates practical insights to optimize your production and drive renewals. Kelly Corrigan is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, the h...
2023-12-1446 min
Sound JudgmentIntroducing Podcast Perspectives: Audience Growth Lessons from LemonadaIf you liked this bonus episode introducing Podcast Perspectives with host Jeff Umbro and guest Jessica Cordova Kramer of Lemonada Media, you'll love: SJ S1/E1: Emotional Bravery on Last Day with Stephanie Wittels Wachs. Not only is she an amazing, evocative storyteller who knows how to get the best out of her team and guests, but she's cofounder and chief creative officer of Lemonada Media. We love hearing from you and getting your support! Please give Sound Judgment a five-star rating and a review. Visit our website to easily give us a 5-star rating an...
2023-12-0729 min
Sound JudgmentSecrets of Hosting In-Studio and Live from the Queen of Book Podcasts, Anne Bogel (Best-of Show)This episode was sponsored by Signal Hill Insights. Want to know how your podcast is affecting listeners? Need to plan to share outcomes with a branded client? Visit measureyourpodcast.com for a free 4-part email series that will tell you how and why to measure the unique impact of branded podcasts. Go beyond counting downloads. Instead, obtain real responses from real listeners to demonstrate the ROI of branded podcasts. You’ll learn how research generates practical insights to optimize your production and drive renewals. More on today's episode:When Anne Bogel...
2023-11-3042 min
Sound JudgmentHow Anna Sale invites listeners inThe episode discussed on today's Sound Judgment is Death, Sex & Money_—Bells & Bills: The Price You Paid for Your Wedding.We also discuss Death, Sex & Money — A Headline Stays Static Even as a Life Transforms.Anna Sale is the creator and host of Death, Sex & Money, the podcast about “the things we think about a lot and need to talk about more.” Anna won a Gracie for best podcast host in 2016 and the show won the 2018 Webby and 2021 Ambie for best interview show. (Jan 2024 update: Slate acquires Death, Sex & Money from WNYC Studios)Before la...
2023-10-1241 min
Sound JudgmentClassy's Jonathan Menjivar: The Fine, Awkward Art of the Personal Audio DocumentaryThe episode discussed on today's Sound Judgment is Classy with Jonathan Menjivar, Episode 1: Are Rich People Bad?Jonathan Menjivar is a senior producer at Pineapple Street Studios and the creator and host of Classy with Jonathan Menjivar. He also made the hit shows Project Unabom and The Clearing. Prior to Pineapple, he was a longtime producer at the public radio show This American Life and also served as the show's music supervisor. He's also worked as a producer at Fresh Air with Terry Gross and contributed to numerous public radio outlets, including Marketplace and Transom.org.
2023-09-2840 min
Sound JudgmentIntroducing Season 3: Inside the Minds of Today's Top StorytellersFollow Sound Judgment on your favorite podcast app. For more information on the show and to browse the back catalog, visit our website: www.soundjudgmentpodcast.com.Leave a voicemail for us! Just click on the microphone icon on our website. Sign up for our twice-monthly Sound Judgment newsletter on the art and craft of audio storytelling. Follow Elaine Appleton Grant on LinkedIn. Email us! allies@podcastallies.com. Sound Judgment is a production of Podcast Allies, LLC. We make beautifully crafted shows for social impact and higher ed organizations, NGOs...
2023-09-1401 min
Sound JudgmentHow to Make Serious Topics Fun with the hosts of Famous & GravyThe episode discussed on today's Sound Judgment is Famous & Gravy: Poetic Justice (Maya Angelou). Amit Kapoor is co-host and co-creator of the podcast Famous & Gravy. Amit has spent nearly two decades in management positions for media organizations, both commercial and non-profit, ranging from Match.com to Wikipedia. He is also a stand-up comic, former Wienermobile driver, video game voice actor, and a certified meditation instructor. Amit has an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in American Studies from The University of Texas.Michael Osborne is co-host of Famous & Gravy...
2023-06-2938 min
Sound JudgmentPushkin's Julia Barton on The Best Audio Storytelling of the Year[Scroll down for takeaways you can use from today’s show.]Win prizes! Tell us your favorite Sound Judgment episodeDeadline: 6.30.23This Sound Judgment season is quickly coming to an end. Our season finale airs Thursday, June 29. We go behind the scenes with the hilarious hosts of Famous & Gravy, the podcast that asks, “Would you like to have had this dead celebrity’s life?” To celebrate, we need your help! Please tell us your favorite and/or most useful Sound Judgment episode and why. In return, we’re selecting a winner, at random, to...
2023-06-2241 min
Sound JudgmentHow to Tell the Truth: The Art of Memoir with Dana BlackMother's Day seems like it should be a Hallmark moment. But for many, reality is far different. Dana Black started her very personal podcast, I Swear on My Mother's Grave, for listeners suffering from complex mother loss — meaning not only people who have lost their mothers to death, but also, in life by estrangement, illness, addiction, circumstance. Sensitivity warning: This conversation touches on alcoholism and addiction. Audio storytellers can learn design the tone, writing, and mood of a podcast to foster intimacy with listeners. They can grapple with the defining the role of the podcast host. T...
2023-05-1145 min
Sound JudgmentBest Of: Emotional Bravery with Last Day's Stephanie Wittels WachsOne day in the summer of 2022, Lemonada Media’s Stephanie Wittels Wachs received a surprise: an invitation to the White House to witness the signing of a gun safety bill. The invitation was sparked by the tremendous emotional impact of their hit show, Last Day, and especially of this episode, "A Love Story." If you strive to make audio documentaries on the toughest problems we face today, this behind-the-scenes conversation is your road map. Scroll down for several actionable takeaways from this episode. Stephanie Wittels Wachs is a longtime actor, voice-over artist, theater teacher, author and...
2023-05-0444 min
Sound JudgmentThe Heist: How to Produce an Award-Winning Investigative Series with Sally HershipsThe episode discussed on today’s Sound Judgment: The Heist: https://apps.publicintegrity.org/theheist/Episode 2: Mnuchin's World was reported and hosted by Sally Herships. Our editor was Curtis Fox, with help from consulting editor Alison MacAdam and Center for Public Integrity’s Tax Project editor Allan Holmes. Production help from Lucas Brady Woods, Brett Forrest, Camille Petersen, and Ali Swenson. Theme music and original score by composer Nina Perry and performed by musicians Danny Keane, Dawne Adams, and Oli Langford. Engineer is Peregrine Andrews. The Heist is executive produced by Sally Herships and the Center for Public Integ...
2023-04-2048 min
Sound JudgmentHow to Pitch an Audio Documentary and the Unusual Origin of a This American Life StoryThe episode(s) discussed on today’s Sound Judgment: This American Life Episode 776, “I Work Better on Deadline.” Segment: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Quorum.”Reporter: Sarah Gibson, NHPRProducer: Chris BenderevHow to be a great host: Katie’s takeaways: What are your holy shit moments? We need holy shit moments. What are those surprises – in the story, or about the people in your story – that make you say, “Wow, you’re never going to believe this!” Holy shit moments help get your pitch accepted – and they generate word of mout...
2023-04-0645 min
Sound JudgmentWhy Should Audiences Trust You? with Audio Branding Host Jodi Krangle, Part 2Did you miss Part 1 of my conversation with Audio Branding's Jodi Krangle? Listen to it here. Takeaways from today's episode: 1. Imposter syndrome and the art of the interview When she started hosting, Jodi Krangle, who makes her living using her voice, had to overcome one big negative belief. “I didn’t think I was a speaker of any kind!” she says. It was hard for her to speak her own words, believe she had something worth saying, and be passionate enough to get her thoughts across. That was all harder than she expecte...
2023-03-3047 min
Sound JudgmentGrow Your Audience with Voiceover Talent Jodi KrangleWe’re doing something different on this episode. Jodi and I interview each other – and discover some real similarities and big differences between voice acting & hosting. One of the biggest similarities: As hosts and voice actors, we need to communicate emotion authentically. That’s where the joy and the success lies – and where many of the problems do, too. Parts 1 and 2 of this conversation with Jodi Krangle are running on Sound Judgment and also on Audio Branding. Thanks to Audio Branding editor Humberto Franco for doing beautiful work in audio and video. Follow Audio Branding here.
2023-03-2343 min
Sound JudgmentJuleyka Lantigua: What if all of your editorial choices were to serve one person?Juleyka Lantigua is the Founder/CEO of LWC Studios, which received a Peabody Award nomination and won a Third Coast Award “Director’s Prize.” A Fulbright Scholar and Tory Burch Fellow, Juleyka holds a Master’s in Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. Connect with Juleyka at LWCStudios.com. The episode discussed on today’s Sound Judgment:How to Talk to [Mamí and Papí] About Anything, Episode 112, “Convincing Mamí My Depression is Not About Her.”A note about Sound Judgment: We believe that no podcast host does good work alone. All hosts rely on t...
2023-02-2352 min
Sound JudgmentThe Dinner Sisters: Navigating a Breakout Opportunity—and Devastating GriefDinner Sisters Producer and Co-Host Betsy Wallace is an editorial director for podcasting at WebMD. Her career pivot into podcasting started in 2018 with the first episode of the Dinner Sisters, a cooking podcast she produces and co-hosts with her sister, Kate. Through the Dinner Sisters, Betsy has cooked and reviewed more than 500 recipes from popular food blogs, interviewed dozens of New York Time bestselling cookbook authors and competed on Season 15 of The Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race. Together, Betsy and her sister, Kate Schulz, prepare three recipes each week, compare experiences and informal reviews, and run...
2023-02-0952 min
Sound JudgmentStanding Ovation Host Jay Baer: How to Craft a Million-Dollar StoryScroll down for takeaways you can use from today’s show. Enter the Sound Judgment Listener Name Contest! On Standing Ovation, Jay calls his listeners “clappers.” Glynn Washington of Snap Judgment calls his listeners “snappers.” What Should I Read Next? host Anne Bogel talks to her “readers.” What should we call you? Enter our contest, inspired by Jay Baer. Here’s how it works: Submit your ideas (as many as you would like) here.Deadline: Saturday, February 4. Prize: We’ll choose the best, most fun name from the entries. Jay Baer, the...
2023-01-2648 min
Sound JudgmentSnap Judgment's Glynn Washington: Lessons from a Master StorytellerBefore creating the Snap Judgment radio show, Glynn worked as an educator, diplomat, community activist, actor, political strategist, fist-shaker, mountain-hollerer, and foot stomper. Snap Judgment is heard on about 500 public radio stations in the U.S. and on podcasts everywhere. Scroll down for takeaways you can use from today’s show.The episode discussed on today's show"Zoo Nebraska," a Snap Classic, Season 13, Episode 18.The story of a chimpanzee and a man whose dream brought disaster to a small American town.This story details violence against animals. Sensitive list...
2023-01-1245 min
Sound JudgmentSecrets of Hosting In-Studio and Live from the Queen of Book Podcasts, Anne BogelAnne Bogel has spent the last six years of her life doing something uncanny: Every week on her hit show, What Should I Read Next, she excavates a guest’s reading life in fine detail. Then she recommends books that always seem to be the perfect choices for that guest, no matter who they are.It’s not just her unusual ability to pair book with reader that keeps her show at the top of the charts. It’s also the way Anne approaches hosting – as the art of practicing deep hospitality for her guests. That keeps her in l...
2022-12-0147 min
Sound JudgmentFinding your voice with Shelter in Place host Laura Joyce DavisLaura Joyce Davis, Host/Executive Producer, Shelter in PlaceLaura Joyce Davis is the host and executive producer of Shelter in Place, which won the “Changing the World One Moment at a Time” award at the International Women’s Podcast Awards. She is a full-time lecturer and managing editor at Stanford University's Storytelling Project, the CEO and co-founder of Narrative Podcasts (an online course), and one of Podcast Magazine's Top 22 Influencers in Podcasting in 2022. Her work has been recognized with a PR News Social Impact Award, a Fulbright scholarship, and occasional praise from her three children.Her...
2022-11-1047 min
Sound JudgmentCinematic Storytelling with Crime Show's Emma CourtlandEmma CourtlandEmma Courtland is an award-winning podcast producer and oral historian. In 2020, she created Crime Show, an episodic documentary series "about people -- and sometimes crime." The show peaked at #2 on Spotify's podcast charts. Her work in audio has been recognized by the Podcast Academy (Nominee - Best Host, 2022), the Clue Awards (Nominee - Outstanding Episodic Series, 2022) and the National Council on Public History (Winner - Excellence in New Media).Emma holds a BA in English from UCLA and a MA in oral history from Columbia University.We believe that no host...
2022-10-2743 min
Sound JudgmentMaster the Secrets of Successful Cohosting with Pantsuit PoliticsScroll down for takeaways about co-hosting well from Sarah and BethAbout the guests: Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers host the popular podcast Pantsuit Politics, which was named one of 2021’s best shows by Apple Podcasts and has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Good Morning America 3, The Guardian, Elle Magazine, and Parents Magazine. They are also the authors of Now What? How to Move Forward When We’re Divided (About Basically Everything) (2022) and I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversation (2019), which was featured on MSNBC’s M...
2022-10-1341 min
Sound JudgmentEmotional Bravery on Last Day with Stephanie Wittels WachsStephanie Wittels Wachs is a longtime actor, voice-over artist, theater teacher, author and the co-founder, with Jessica Cordova Cramer, of Lemonada Media. Last Day is only one of Lemonada’s 30-plus podcasts and growing. Wittels Wachs and Cordova Cramer founded Lemonada three years ago. Its tag line matches Stephanie’s personality: Humanity. Unfiltered. A note about Sound Judgment: We believe that no host does good work alone. All hosts rely on their producers. We will strive to give credit to producers – the true behind-the-scenes talent – whenever it’s possible to do so. The episode: A Love Story
2022-09-2942 minSound JudgmentIntroducing Sound JudgmentThe beautiful voices included in this trailer are: John BarthFormer chief content officer, PRXCurrent principal, Creative Media LLCStephanie Wittels WachsHost, Last DayCo-Founder and Chief Creative OfficerLemonada MediaThe episode Stephanie mentions is A Love Story from Last Day, Season 2Subscribe to Sound Judgment, the NewsletterRead it first here. Who am I go behind the scenes to help explain the craft of hosting? Read my bio here.
Improv...
2022-09-0401 min
Start MarketingMarketing Strategy: How to Be a Podcast GuestLearn how to be a guest on podcasts to promote your small business. Hey Start Marketing listeners and welcome to today’s episode where we’re going to do a deep dive into how to use podcast guest spots as a way to promote your brand and business with our returning guest, Elaine Appleton Grant. Elaine Appleton Grant runs Podcast Allies, LLC, a training, consulting and podcast production company. She's passionate about teaching solopreneurs and mission-driven leaders how to produce and grow high-quality podcasts. A lifelong journalist, she reported, produced and hosted shows for three diffe...
2022-02-1738 minStart MarketingWhy podcasting is an Effective Marketing StrategyLearn why podcasts are an effective marketing strategy for your small business. Hey! Start Marketers, don’t forget, this season we’re shaking things up and trying to really live up to our mission to make marketing more accessible and actionable for you. In the spirit of breaking things down, we’re splitting our episodes into two segments. You’ll get to hear from each guest two times. The first, just like today, to hear about the strategic power of their marketing strategy and the second, the following week to hear about the bite-size tactics to implementing the stra...
2022-02-1025 min
Audio BrandingInterview with Podcast Producer & Storyteller, Elaine Appleton Grant- Part 1Elaine Appleton Grant is a writer, podcast producer, and public speaker. She co-founded Podcast Allies, LLC- a podcast consultancy and production studio out of Colorado. She has hosted programs in both Boston and Colorado on WBUR in Boston and Colorado Public Radio and appeared on National Public Radio. She currently produces two podcasts- Business Wars Daily and One More Shot. If you’re interested in the world of podcasting, this interview is for you!In the first part of the interview, we discuss:How she got into podcast productionElaine’s take on whether or not now is t...
2020-08-1937 min