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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · 14h

It's true. Radio is the most visual medium. Former @npr.org reporter John Burnett made pictures for listeners writing from his notes -- color notes he took while reporting. He was wicked good at it. @prx.org @transom.bsky.social

Revisiting: Fill Your Notebook with Color Notes

Revisiting: Fill Your Notebook with Color Notes - Transom

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Reposted by Sound School Podcast

Transom @transom.bsky.social · 1d

In this archive episode from 2018, legendary NPR reporter John Burnett answers a perplexing question "How to make an immigration story visual when no mics are allowed in the courtroom?" Answer: Fill your notebook with color notes.

@soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social @rob-rosenthal.bsky.social

Revisiting: Fill Your Notebook with Color Notes

Revisiting: Fill Your Notebook with Color Notes - Transom

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Reposted by Sound School Podcast

Transom @transom.bsky.social · 8d

Years ago, Jamie Yuenger produced a story with some extremely vulnerable tape from someone she spent the time moose hunting with.

@rob-rosenthal.bsky.social @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social asks Jamie how she got the tape and they discuss the ethical complication and resolution. Listen here:

A Matter Of Ethics

A Matter Of Ethics - Transom

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · 15d

My ears perked up listening to "Ghost of a Chance" from @startribune.com. What caught my attention was the relationship between the host (Melissa Townsend) and the reporter (Eric Roper). I thought "Hmmmm.... I think that's a new approach." Have a listen. @prx.org @transom.bsky.social

Host Sits Down With a Reporter

Host Sits Down With a Reporter - Transom

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · 16d

One of my hopes (one of MANY) is that when you listen to Sound School you say to your self "Hunh. That's interesting. I should try that." @serialproductions.bsky.social. @nytimes.com. @prx.org. @transom.bsky.social

Writing Like TV in a Podcast

Writing Like TV in a Podcast - Transom

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Reposted by Sound School Podcast

Transom @transom.bsky.social · 19d

New one-on-one consulting sessions offered, tips for audio fiction, knitting with dog hair (!), and the latest from both @taliaaugustidis.bsky.social and @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social -- it's all in the latest newsletter over on Substack!

Over the Transom | 09.19.25

One-on-one consulting, jumping into audio fiction, and knitting with dog hair

open.substack.com

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · 29d

Writing like it's a television drama complete with instructions for a camera operator. That's an unusual maneuver for a podcast. One I'd never heard before. Neither had Susan Burton until she wrote that way herself for #TheRetrievals from Serial and @nytimes.com. @prx.org. @transom.bsky.social.

Writing Like TV in a Podcast

Writing Like TV in a Podcast - Transom

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · Aug 28

Quote Joe Strummer & you immediately get my attention:

"Punk rock isn’t something you grow out of. Punk rock is an attitude, and the essence of that attitude is ‘give us some truth.’” — Joe Strummer

bit.ly/2025HPNSympo...

2025 Symposium CFP

The 5th Annual Humanities Podcasting Network Symposium: “Podcasting & Power” Oct. 24th & 25, 2025 (Virtual) Call For Panels and Presentations Punk rock isn’t something you grow out of. Punk rock is ...

bit.ly

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · Aug 26

I write and write and write and then... "poof!" I'm stuck.

Robert Smith of @npr.org's @planetmoney.bsky.social has the same problem. Robert says he arrives at the end of a story with "empty pockets."

As a fix, Robert created at taxonomy (word of the day?) of memorable endings.

Fill Your Pockets with Endings

Fill Your Pockets with Endings - Transom

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · Aug 12

At the risk of not making any friends, I find this approach to sound design cheesy:

"I flew to Los Angeles...." (sound of jet taking off)
"A dog barked in the distance..." (sound of dog barking in distance)

Let's talk about how to avoid this.
@prx.org, @transom.bsky.social, @radiolab.bsky.social

Don't Say Rabbit, See Rabbit

Don't Say Rabbit, See Rabbit - Transom

transom.org

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Reposted by Sound School Podcast

Transom @transom.bsky.social · Aug 7

In this @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social throwback, @rob-rosenthal.bsky.social talks tracking tips with @martinepowers.bsky.social of @washingtonpost.com. It is bound to make your narration stronger, clearer and more conversational.

Tracking Partners - Transom

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · Jul 30

A constant piece of advice for producers is "Find a good talker." But what about shy people? @erikalantz.bsky.social and her sister, Elin Lantz-Lesser, producers of The Turning, are experts at helping shy people open up. @prx.org @transom.bsky.social transom.org/2025/revisit...

Revisiting: Interviewing Shy People - Transom

transom.org

Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · Jul 16

It takes a brave father to answer pointed questions & a brave son to ask them. Sally Herships of @radiobootcamp.bsky.social takes the mic to ask producer @zachmack.bsky.social how he talked to his dad about his unwavering belief in conspiracy theories. @npr.org @prx.org @transom.bsky.social

Asking Dad Dicey Questions - Transom

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Reposted by Sound School Podcast

Transom @transom.bsky.social · Jul 15

On the latest @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social, @rob-rosenthal.bsky.social hands the mic over to @sherships.bsky.social and @zachmack.bsky.social to discuss the making of Alternate Realities. Prepare for conspiracy theories and polarizing family disagreements.

Asking Dad Dicey Questions - Transom

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · Jul 10

"Journalism is supposed to be providing information to audiences that is accurate and useful for democracy. Well, if that’s the end goal, then your systems and your processes, your practices, should align with reaching that goal.” @columjournreview.bsky.social

Is Objectivity Still Worth Pursuing?

A generation of journalists is challenging traditional standards.

www.cjr.org

Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · Jul 1

Insane. The Resonate podcast festival is ALREADY sold out about 30 minutes after tics went on sale. Damn. Somehow, I managed to get a ticket. Woot! Hope to see y'all there! www.resonatepodfest.com/home

RESONATE 2025

November 7–8, 2025 Tickets are SOLD OUT! Enter the ticket lottery below.

www.resonatepodfest.com

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · Jul 1

"The Great Withering" continues. Pineapple Street Studios: gone. Also, 45 staffers at @wgbh.org, laid off. Including my friend @ebbswest.bsky.social the Managing Editor at @wcai-npr.bsky.social. This episode from the archive is for him. @prx.org @transom.bsky.social transom.org/2025/revisit...

Revisiting: Think of a Radio Station (or Podcast) as a Musical Instrument - Transom

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · Jul 1

A standing ovation for my friends at @radioworkshop.bsky.social !! Stellar review in
@columjournreview.bsky.social. Radio on, people!!

A New Wave of Narrative Podcasts Takes On Africa’s Youth Struggles

Radio Workshop is part of a network of documentary-style podcasts growing across the continent.

www.cjr.org

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · Jun 18

"Oh. This is award-winning reporting." I had that exact thought listening to @leilafadel.bsky.social on @npr.org reporting from Syria after the fall of Assad. Listen to how Leila musically weaves scenes, stand-ups, narration, & translations. @transom.bsky.social @prx.org transom.org/2025/writing...

Writing Makes All the Difference: Beautifully Braiding Scenes, Stand-ups, and Narration - Transom

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Reposted by Sound School Podcast

Transom @transom.bsky.social · Jun 17

Journalist @leilafadel.bsky.social's stories from Syria after the fall of Assad are essential listening. And, as Rob notes in this episode of @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social, the way she braids together scenes, stand ups, and narration is top notch. @npr.org @prx.org
transom.org/2025/writing...

Writing Makes All the Difference: Beautifully Braiding Scenes, Stand-ups, and Narration - Transom

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · Jun 4

Make more, please.

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · Jun 4

"Last time on..." "Last time on...." "Previously, on...." "Last time on..." Oy. Such a cliche. Can't we write better? The answer is yes. Hear an example from @basialc.bsky.social in the #podcast "Pig Iron" from @tortoisemedia.bsky.social. @prx.org @transom.bsky.social transom.org/2025/writing...

Writing Makes All the Difference: The Episode Handshake - Transom

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Reposted by Sound School Podcast

Transom @transom.bsky.social · Jun 3

Instead of the "Last time on (insert name of podcast)" trope, try something else. On the latest @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social, Rob spotlights reporter @basialc.bsky.social's clever "episode handshake" in "Pig Iron."
@tortoisemedia.bsky.social @prx.org
transom.org/2025/writing...

Writing Makes All the Difference: The Episode Handshake - Transom

transom.org

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Reposted by Sound School Podcast

Transom @transom.bsky.social · May 28

“The Vietnam Tapes of Lance Corporal Michael A. Baronowski” by Christina Egloff includes live field recordings from the war that are remarkable. Make time to listen to this archive episode of @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social.
transom.org/2013/the-vie...

The Vietnam Tapes of Lance Corporal Michael A. Baronowski - Transom

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Sound School Podcast @soundschoolpodcast.bsky.social · May 21

Who could muster magic with a razor blade, a china marker, and three reel-to-reel tape machines? Larry Massett. And all he did was record "A Trip to the Dentist." @transom.bsky.social @prx.org

Revisiting: A Trip to the Dentist - Transom

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