When I was in elementary school, if someone were to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say a cook scientist. At that time, I was confident that my love for baking and science meant that I needed to commit myself to a life in the kitchen. And I was ready to do that, until a new love came along. Talking. My love for talking is rivaled by very few things. If I get through one day without asking some variation of “do you want to hear my story?” it might not have been me. I believe that our voices are one of the most powerful tools we have, and I refuse to let my power go to waste. Knowing that, imagine how excited I was when I checked the schedule for this week to see the lessons would be about auditory media. At the time, I didn’t know the extent of it, but I knew these lessons would lead to deeper understanding and appreciation for one of my favorite forms of media.
I must admit that I am not a big podcast listener. Instead, I prefer to engage with video essays as if they were podcasts, turning my phone off and just listening to the information as I take the bus to school, cook dinner, or clean my room. One of my favorite youtubers, Jordan Theresa, is a self proclaimed “pop culture & internet trends video essayist,” who makes content on seemingly vapid topics such as bimbos, pick me men, and the old money aesthetic, but the videos speak to me. Why is that? After my week learning about what makes an effective podcast, I now know that the intentional use of voice, and the use of storytelling as a form of not only entertainment but also social commentary are what makes Theresa’s videos so engaging.
Theresa’s videos are an interesting case study to use, because when she creates them, they have a video component that accompanies the audio. This makes her videos particularly impressive, because viewers do not even need the visuals to be captivated by, and understand her message. That is because of the way she is able to use her voice. According to Hobbs, R. (2017). Digital Audio and Podcasting, to be as engaging as possible, an effective storyteller will utilize all aspects of the human voice and prosody. Characteristics like inflection, rhythm, loudness, appropriate tone, energy, phrasing, emphasis, and intonation are all involved when trying to communicate an idea with words. Additionally, we can use specific vocal tones to create an emotional connection with the reader. These are all tips that Theresa utilizes in her videos. She talks in a clear and concise manner, puts emphasis when necessary, slows down or even repeats important ideas, and her tone of voice shifts depending on what emotion she hopes to evoke in the listener. I now have an evolved level of respect for Theresa, knowing that she speaks in a specific way to ensure that her creations can stand on their own, without video.
Theresa’s latest videos have been titled “Is anybody getting tattooed anymore?,” “IPhone Face, The Personal Style Crisis & The Digital Divide,” and “The Doomed Politics of the Pick Me.” But in the end, her videos are much more than their titles. Theresa uses current pop culture trends, language, or events as a jumping off point to explore a variety of civic themes and provide social commentary. One might not like that aspect of her content, but I see it as the most valuable part. According to Hobbs, R. (2017). Digital Audio and Podcasting, dating back to ancient Greece, philosophers have recognized the importance of using stories rooted in local contexts to convey ideas about social values and morals that reflect community opinions. In many cases the use of storytelling can be more effective than reciting straight facts. Since then, storytellers have continued to combine entertainment and the exploration of complex societal and political topics. This is a method that Theresa employs in her content that makes her videos more accessible to viewers and more engaging. Because her videos have real world examples that viewers may have seen on their own social media, viewers are able to better understand the complex topic discussed and therefore more people can engage in conversations.
Learning about the creation of podcasts this week gave me a whole new lens to view the podcasts I listen to. Now I know what goes on behind the scenes and why the creators make the choices they do. This means that while I listen to podcasts, I have a whole new criteria that I can use to determine my opinions. Because of my love of talking, I have an affinity for podcasts and I loved learning more about them.
Communicating Change 