Month: December 2018

Just Listen Podcast App Serves Random Podcast Episodes

~ jen

Just Listen is a podcast app that was created by Wenbin Fang. It serves up random podcasts for you to listen to.

Just Listen is a simple podcast app for iPhone. This podcast player is designed for the 99% audio listeners instead of podcast veterans.

Features include:

Just Listen is episode oriented. Expand your area of podcast listening. There are a lot of fabulous podcasts for you to discover, ranging from self-care and education, to comedy and music, to politics and cultures, to true crime and storytelling, and even more!

One episode at a time: Conquer the audio overload. Don’t let the long podcast playlist destroy your podcast listening experience.

Random episode every time: Chance on different podcast episodes that you didn’t know you were interested in. No need to regret if you miss some podcasts. You’ll always find more interesting ones.

Dismiss to discover: Say goodbye to an uninteresting episode, you will discover a new one which is more likely to hit you. You can keep away from the episodes you don’t like while avoiding similar audio content. Burst your ideological bubble, keep an open mind, and embrace democracy.

Engage to better discover: The more you engage in Just Listen, the more you will discover your undiscovered interests. Discover your interests in audio content and discover yourself.

Life, Listened Podcast Seeks Pregnant Talent

~ jen

Life, Listened is a podcast created by Meagan Francis and Sarah Powers, the creative team behind The Mom Hour. They are seeking pregnant talent to help with a podcast project. Life, Listened is creating a new podcast focused on the journey to motherhood – and they want to feature your story.

We are seeking a diverse cast in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, with an EDD no earlier than April 1, 2019. Our project will share stories from diverse backgrounds, locations, lifestyles and socioeconomic status, both first-time and veteran parents. Chosen participants will receive a stipend to compensate them for telling their stories. Women of color especially are encouraged to apply.

Those who are interested, and who fit the criteria, can apply on the Life, Listened website by filling out a form.

Here are a few things to know before you apply:

Life, Listened will provide the audio recording equipment (microphone and headphones) as well as coaching on how to get great sound in a home studio. You need to provide a laptop or desktop computer (no tablets or mobile devices) and be willing to download free software in order to capture your recordings. You will also need a good Wi-Fi connection for recorded interviews.

This project will require you to create a 10-20 minute recording weekly (on your own schedule) documenting your pregnancy journey, as well as participate in bimonthly hour-long interviews throughout your pregnancy. Life, Listened will also ask you to check in during your first two months postpartum with an interview and 2-3 solo recordings.

For full details, visit the Life, Listened website. If everything there sounds good, then you should submit your application and sample recording no later than January 16, 2019.

Backpack Studio Allows Studio Quality Recording

~ jen

Backpack Studio (the new replacement for Bossjock Studio) is for podcasters, broadcasters, and DJs. Backpack Studio enables easy studio quality recording, anywhere. It can be downloaded from the App Store.

Backpack Studio allows you to create professional sounding quality recording – from anywhere in the world. It mixes your show for you, so you can focus on being creative. From the developer of the former bossjock studio, based on years of refinement and user feedback. Backpack is a must have app for all podcasters, broadcasters, and DJ’s and voiceover artists. 

Features include:

  • Automatic Mixing: Record from your mic while simultaneously triggering sounds – intros, background music, and sound effects. The sounds automatically duck and adjust their volume in real time.
  • Infinite Soundboard: A first of its kind scrolling soundboard with unlimited pads. Pads can be rearranged and pinned to appear on every page.
  • Pad Editor: Completely control each individual sound pad. Configure the size, color, and playback behavior.
  • Effects Engine: Studio quality compression, limiting and eq algorithms are automatically applied to the live mix. Just press record and backpack does the rest. (Voice effects coming soon.)
  • Mic Support: Works with all USB/external mics like the Apogee Mic, IK Multimedia iRig Mic, Cast and Blue Mikey. Backpack also enables you to mix the left and right channels or disable the iOS built in gain control (AGC).
  • Accessibility: Full VoiceOver compatibility for visually impaired producers.

Patreon Removed Creator who Engaged in Hate Speech

~ jen

The New York Times reported that Patreon removed the Patreon account of Carl Benjamin for using racist language on YouTube. Carl Benjamin (who also goes by Sargon of Akkad) is a YouTuber.

According to The New York Times, the removal of Carl Benjamin’s Patreon account influenced Dave Rubin, host of The Rubin Report, and Jordan Peterson, host of Jordan B. Peterson Podcast, to leave Patreon as a protest. Sam Harris, host of Waking Up, chose to depart from Patreon. 

Patreon, as you might expect, has Patreon Community Guidelines. A portion focuses on Hate Speech. Part of that section reads:

Patreon connects creators to their platform all over the world. We are a global platform built on promoting creativity, which makes us a very inclusive group. Therefore, there is no room on Patreon for hate speech such as calling for violence, exclusion, or segregation. Hate speech includes serious attacks, or even negative generalizations, of people based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or serious medical conditions.

The New York Times reported that Patreon has taken a “highly personal approach” to policing speech. Their Trust and Safety team has human moderators who investigate complaints about any content posted on Patreon and other sites like YouTube or Facebook that violate Patreon’s Community guidelines.

If a Patreon creator has broken the Community Guidelines, the Trust and Safety team reaches out to them with a specific plan. That plan usually involves asking for the content to be removed and for a public apology. In short, Patreon doesn’t use an algorithm that automatically removes the accounts of creators who break the rules.

Jacqueline Hart is the head of Patreon’s Trust and Safety team. She wrote a post on Medium that explains more details about what Carl Benjamin said on YouTube that led to his removal from Patreon.

As you may expect, the medium post includes a quote from Carl Benjamin, and contains inflammatory language. She provides a clear explanation of how Carl Benjamin’s words broke the Patreon Community guidelines. 

As a reminder, freedom of speech means that the government cannot throw you in jail because you said something it disagreed with, or because you criticized the government. Private businesses, including websites like Patreon, are not part of the government. They have the right to create community guidelines and to enforce them.

Spreaker Introduced Listening Evolution Statistics

~ jen

Spreaker has introduced Listening Evolution statistics, which are now available in you Spreaker show’s statistics page.

Your Listening Evolution statistics enable you to see your episode’s cumulative plays and downloads over a maximum of 30 days from its release date. This gives a much clearer picture than your daily trending charts which don’t give an overview of your individual episode performance. Also, you can track how well your episodes are being received and therefore make adjustments to release campaigns.

The Listening Evolution statistics can help you find ways to improve your podcast’s success. Spreaker points out that this is particularly interesting for those who are using the Spreaker Monetization Program. Improving your episodes’ lifespans will also help you increase your revenue.

Visit the Spreaker blog post about Listening Evolution statistics for examples of how to use them. It also has instructions that walk you through how to find your Listening Evolution statistics. The Listening Evolution statistics is available to all Anchorman and Station plans, which have Full Statistics as part of their accounts.

RØDE Microphones Created PodMic for Podcasting

~ jen

RØDE Microphones built PodMic for Podcasting. The all-new PodMic is a broadcast-grade dynamic microphone designed for podcast applications.

With a built in pop filter and a rich, even sound it will give your voice a silky, professional quality. The PodMic can be used with any XLR interface, but it is optimized for use with the new RØDECaster Pro.

When we designed the PodMic, we set out to create the ultimate Podcasting microphone. Durable, great-sounding, easy to use and flexible. Whether your podcast features screaming sports commentary or intimate poetry readings, the PodMic will deliver a balanced, easy-to-listen-to vocal tone that your listeners will love.

The end-fire dynamic capsule is protected by a stainless steel mesh grille and an integrated pop shield, allowing you to get up close to the microphone for that intimate “radio” sound.

PodMic Specification:

Acoustic & Electrical Specification:

  • Acoustic Principle: Dynamic
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid
  • Frequency Range: 50Hz ~13kHz
  • Output Impedance: 320Ω
  • Sensitivity: ~ 57.0dB re 1 Volt/Pascal  (1.60mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz)
  • Phantom Power: Not required

Mechanical Specification:

  • Color: Black
  • Weight (g): 937
  • Dimensions (L x W x H, mm): 172 x 109 x62
  • Compatible RØDE Accessories: PSA1

At the time I am writing this blog post, RØDE is having a Match & Win contest. Someone will win a complete podcasting setup worth $999. The prize includes the RØDECaster Pro, 2 PodMic, and 2 PSA1 boom arms. Visit the RØDE website for more details and to enter the contest. You must enter before January 31, 2019.

Podcast Day by Radiodays will be in June of 2019

~ jen

Radiodays Europe announced that London will be the host city for Podcast Day 2019. The event will take place on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at King’s Place in central London. It is the third Podcast Day.

Radiodays Europe (RDE) Podcast Day is a satellite event from the team that brings you Radiodays Europe each year. Podcast Day was created in response to the need to bring together the Podcast world in Europe. The first RDE Podcast Day was held in 2017 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Attended by over 200 participants it was a day which focused on innovation in this new area of radio.

Registration for Podcast Day 2019 is open. The registration is being done through Trippus.se, who will accept VISA and MasterCard. It appears that there is a fee in addition to the price of the ticket.

King’s Place, which is located in the heart of King’s Cross, was selected as the venue for Podcast Day 2019. It houses the first new build public concert hall to be built in central London since the completion of the Barbican concert hall in 1982. It is a five minute walk from two mainline stations and has four hotels just three minutes’ walk away.

At the time I am writing this blog post, there are few specific details about what to expect at Podcast Day 2019. Radiodays offers a look at the program from 2018 as an example. The program for Podcast Day 2019 will start being produced at the end of 2018.

The University of Chicago Seeks a Podcast Producer

~ jen

The University of Chicago is seeking a Podcast Producer. Those who are interested in the position are asked to apply with LinkedIn. It is a full-time position.

The Podcast Producer leads podcast production, marketing, and distribution from the News Office, working with University Communications and Schools, Divisions, and other units across campus. The role is vital to growing podcasting at the University, with the Producer building content and audience for individual shows as well as the larger UChicago Podcast Network.

Responsibilities include:

  • Set the vision to establish UChicago as the premier podcast producer within the higher education space
  • Develop new series that support UChicago and key goals and initiatives
  • Work with Nobel laureates, field defining researchers, and industry scholars to produce new and exciting podcast series, including developing, recording and editing individual episodes
  • Lead podcast distribution efforts across campus, developing and executing strategies to build audience for various series and the overall UChicago Podcast Network
  • Lead podcast marketing across campus, including building audience for and drawing attention to UChicago podcasts

Competencies include:

  • Previous success developing popular podcast series
  • Strong audio skills, including substantial experience in recording interviews, live events, and telling narrative stories
  • Ability to identify and tell engaging audio stories and develop interviews that draw in listeners
  • A journalist’s toolkit with experience researching new subject matters, prepping for discussions, and conducting meaningful interviews
  • Proven expertise in podcast distribution, including such platforms as Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, with a proven track record of building audiences for podcast series
  • Advanced marketing and social media skills, including a proven track record of growing listenership for podcasts

Those who are interested in the Podcast Producer position should visit the University of Chicago job listing to find out full details.

Podcast Websites Introduced Podcast Design Studio

~ jen

Podcast Websites introduced Podcast Design Studio. It is a fixed price graphic design service just for podcasters. It was created by Rebel Base Media.

We’ve been piloting Podcast Design Studio for the last 18-months internally at Podcast Websites, designing hundreds of brands, podcast covers, websites and more for our Podcast Websites members looking for more of a “white-glove” service.

Each item that you commission is done on a fixed-price basis and you’ll work with a designer one-to-one so that you can be sure that you know exactly what you’ll receive and when.

The following designs can be commissioned from Podcast Design Studio:

  • Podcast logo art
  • Logo design
  • Branding upgrade
  • Show level social media pack
  • Episode level social media promotional pack
  • Single, bespoke social images
  • eBook (full)
  • eBook (cover only)

Podcast Websites members can also commission the following:

Full custom website design & build using the Podcast Websites platform

  • Landing page design
  • Website content input

For more information, visit the Podcast Websites post.

NPR Says Remote Audio Data is Here

~ jen

NPR stated that after a year in development, RAD is being deployed for podcast listening measurement. RAD stands for Remote Audio Data.

Collaborative minds and leaders from across the media industry have worked closely with NPR to develop and launch a new podcast analytics technology: Remote Audio Data (RAD), a method for sharing listening metrics from podcast applications straight back to publishers, with extreme care and respect for user privacy.

NPR worked with a cross-section of nearly 30 companies to develop and test this new, parallel metric. NPR is excited to announce its open source release and launch in NPR One.

The industry leaders that are joining NPR in committing to implement RAD in their products in 2019 include: Acast, AdsWizz, ART 19, Awesound, Blubrry Podcasting, Panoply, Omny Studios, Podtrac, PRI/PRX, RadioPublic, Triton Digital, WideOrbit, and Whooshkaa.

The following companies support and have participated in pushing RAD forward: Cadence13, Edison Research, ESPN, Google, iHeartMedia, Libsyn, The New York Times, New York Public Radio, Voxnest and Wondery.

How does RAD work? Podcasters mark within their audio files certain points (quartile or some time markers, interview spots, sponsorship or advertising messages, etc.) with RAD tags (ID tags) and indicate an analytics URL. A mobile app is configured to read these RAD tags, and when listeners hit those locations in the file, bundle and send anonymized information to that analytics URL.

The publisher can then use that data, from all devices, to get holistic listening statistics.

NPR has a website where you can learn more about Remote Audio Data.