I never thought I would find myself listening to a podcast during my free time this summer. Though, I can’t give myself all the credit. In our recent communications classes, we’ve been exploring different forms of media that effectively connect with their target audience. Our main focus has been podcasts and editing them into full-blown auditory experiences that engage and immerse the listener. The example our teacher, Professor Lopez, gave us of a podcast that perfectly creates an immersive listening experience was Radiolab’s More Perfect: Political Thicket.
This episode examined the emotional and physical toll of the Baker v. Carr case by focusing on the experiences of the individuals involved. Before listening, I had never considered the personal sacrifices that can come with careers in public service. The podcast demonstrated that behind major political decisions are real people facing immense pressure, responsibility, and stress. Learning that Justice Whittaker relied on tranquilizers during the case and later sought psychiatric care, while Justice Frankfurter suffered a life-changing stroke, highlighted the serious consequences that overwhelming workplace stress can have on a person’s well-being. This thought had never crossed my mind before the podcast. It made me realize that our government and political leaders are under an incredible amount of pressure. This podcast reinforced the importance of recognizing the human side of leadership.
What made this podcast especially impactful was its use of sound design. During a scene describing Whittaker’s quiet retreat by a lake, the sounds of birds and water created such a vivid atmosphere that I felt immersed in the moment alongside him. Rather than simply hearing the story, I experienced it emotionally, which deepened my understanding and empathy. I thought about all the factors that may have contributed to his decision-making. Whittaker had a very humble upbringing that may have connected him to the people more than the other justices, leading him to want to take the step that would consider every member of the state’s opinion. On the other hand, he understood that taking this step would involve the Court too deeply in politics and might give it too much power. I felt sad for Whittaker, and I realized just how powerful podcasts can be.
This week in communications, we were introduced to the idea of creating our own podcasts. I discovered that there is a certain intimacy in hearing verbal discussions. When reading an article, you can understand the author’s message more often than you can feel it. Podcasts allow listeners to hear speakers shift in tone, their passion, the quiver in their voice, and even their “ums.” Hearing these things makes the speaker feel much more human, and listeners begin to feel connected and comfortable.
A photo of our headphones and microphone used while learning about creating our own podcasts.
Aside from the emotional aspect of creating a podcast, we were also able to learn more about the technical side. I had never even considered creating a podcast, but after these lessons, I’ve realized that a lot goes into it. There is always somebody monitoring the audio to make sure everything is perfect. There is extensive research that needs to be done before creating a podcast, and there is also a great deal of editing that takes place after recording.
Communicating Change 