Description
Now two decades old, podcasting is an exuberant medium where new voices can be found every day. As a powerful communications tool that is largely unregulated and unusually accessible, this influential medium is attracting scholarly scrutiny across a range of fields, from media and communications to history, criminology, and gender studies. Hailed for intimacy and authenticity in an age of mistrust and disinformation, podcasts have developed fresh models for storytelling, entertainment, and the casual imparting of knowledge. Podcast hosts have forged strong parasocial relationships that attract advertisers, brands, and major platforms, but can also be leveraged for community, niche, and public-interest purposes.
In The Power of Podcasting, award-winning narrative podcast producer and leading international audio scholar Siobhan McHugh dissects the aesthetics and appeal of podcasts and reveals the remarkable power of the audio medium to build empathy and connection via voice and sound. Drawing on internationally acclaimed podcasts she helped produce (The Greatest Menace, The Last Voyage of the Pong Su, Phoebe's Fall), she blends practical insights into making complex narrative podcasts and chatcasts or conversational shows with critical analysis of the art and history of audio storytelling. She also surveys the emerging canon of podcast formats. Grounded in concepts from the affective power of voice to the choreography of sound and packed with case studies and insider tips from McHugh's decades of experience, this richly storied book immerses readers in the enthralling possibilities of the world of sound.
About the Author
Siobhan McHugh is an award-winning writer, documentary maker, critic, and podcast producer. She has won seven gold awards at New York Festivals for coproduced podcasts including Phoebe's Fall, Wrong Skin, and The Last Voyage of the Pong Su, and is consulting producer on The Greatest Menace, a queer true-crime podcast. McHugh has published four books of social history, including The Snowy: A History (2019). She is honorary associate professor in media and communications at the University of Sydney and honorary associate professor in journalism at the University of Wollongong.
Reviews
Absolutely fascinating, and a terrific lesson in how to tell good stories. Whether you seek instruction, or simply to know why some podcasts are better than others, this book is for you. Considering how rapidly podcasting is developing, McHugh manages to keep it bang up to date, charting the latest trends and the ever-expanding honour roll of podcasts circulating around the world. For those looking for practical guidance in creating or improving their own podcasting, she populates the chapters with real, living, breathing people in all the highs and lows of their humanity, which is, after all, the secret to great radio, journalism and outstanding podcasting. -- Olya Booyar, head of radio, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
Storytelling is Siobhan McHugh's gift, so it shouldn't be a surprise that this book is written as an immersive narrative ... the ideal book for students, trainers, researchers and anyone who wants to learn about the inner workings of podcasting. -- Kim Fox, American University in Cairo and co-chair of the Podcast Studies Network
An invaluable resource for anyone interested in understanding today's global podcasting phenomenon. I learned so much. -- Carolina Guerrero, CEO of Radio Ambulante Studios
The most in-depth guide to the best audio storytelling around the world. Packed with useful insights and ideas. -- Marc Fennell, creator of Stuff the British Stole
Essential reading for anyone aspiring to make memorable audio. This is the ultimate guide to podcasting from a master of the craft. -- Richard Baker, host of The Last Voyage of the Pong Su
A love letter to the power of podcasting and audio, from one of the most experienced storytellers with sound. -- James Cridland, editor of PODNEWS
Much more than a how-to guide for aspiring podcasters ... A reminder of the power of sound and the huge potential of the podcast medium. -- Richard Berry, University of Sunderland
McHugh's detailed explanations of how audio can transform words are profound. . . . The Power of Podcasting is a reminder that audio storytelling is an art form. * Australian Book Review *
Book Information
ISBN 9780231208772
Author Siobhan McHugh
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press
In The Power of Podcasting, award-winning narrative podcast producer and leading international audio scholar Siobhan McHugh dissects the aesthetics and appeal of podcasts and reveals the remarkable power of the audio medium to build empathy and connection via voice and sound. Drawing on internationally acclaimed podcasts she helped produce (The Greatest Menace, The Last Voyage of the Pong Su, Phoebe's Fall), she blends practical insights into making complex narrative podcasts and chatcasts or conversational shows with critical analysis of the art and history of audio storytelling. She also surveys the emerging canon of podcast formats. Grounded in concepts from the affective power of voice to the choreography of sound and packed with case studies and insider tips from McHugh's decades of experience, this richly storied book immerses readers in the enthralling possibilities of the world of sound.
About the Author
Siobhan McHugh is an award-winning writer, documentary maker, critic, and podcast producer. She has won seven gold awards at New York Festivals for coproduced podcasts including Phoebe's Fall, Wrong Skin, and The Last Voyage of the Pong Su, and is consulting producer on The Greatest Menace, a queer true-crime podcast. McHugh has published four books of social history, including The Snowy: A History (2019). She is honorary associate professor in media and communications at the University of Sydney and honorary associate professor in journalism at the University of Wollongong.
Reviews
Absolutely fascinating, and a terrific lesson in how to tell good stories. Whether you seek instruction, or simply to know why some podcasts are better than others, this book is for you. Considering how rapidly podcasting is developing, McHugh manages to keep it bang up to date, charting the latest trends and the ever-expanding honour roll of podcasts circulating around the world. For those looking for practical guidance in creating or improving their own podcasting, she populates the chapters with real, living, breathing people in all the highs and lows of their humanity, which is, after all, the secret to great radio, journalism and outstanding podcasting. -- Olya Booyar, head of radio, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
Storytelling is Siobhan McHugh's gift, so it shouldn't be a surprise that this book is written as an immersive narrative ... the ideal book for students, trainers, researchers and anyone who wants to learn about the inner workings of podcasting. -- Kim Fox, American University in Cairo and co-chair of the Podcast Studies Network
An invaluable resource for anyone interested in understanding today's global podcasting phenomenon. I learned so much. -- Carolina Guerrero, CEO of Radio Ambulante Studios
The most in-depth guide to the best audio storytelling around the world. Packed with useful insights and ideas. -- Marc Fennell, creator of Stuff the British Stole
Essential reading for anyone aspiring to make memorable audio. This is the ultimate guide to podcasting from a master of the craft. -- Richard Baker, host of The Last Voyage of the Pong Su
A love letter to the power of podcasting and audio, from one of the most experienced storytellers with sound. -- James Cridland, editor of PODNEWS
Much more than a how-to guide for aspiring podcasters ... A reminder of the power of sound and the huge potential of the podcast medium. -- Richard Berry, University of Sunderland
McHugh's detailed explanations of how audio can transform words are profound. . . . The Power of Podcasting is a reminder that audio storytelling is an art form. * Australian Book Review *
Book Information
ISBN 9780231208772
Author Siobhan McHugh
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press
