Podcast course FAQs — Narrative Podcasts

Narrative Podcasts Course: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the course for?

The course is for people who are dedicated to personal and creative growth, but have limited time or schedules. Demanding job? Parent of small children? Caregiver for a relative? This course is for you.
You get the same comprehensive narrative podcasting and vocational development curriculum as the Intensive and Labs, but with no live coaching or peer interaction, so you can take all the time you want.
(Note: if you are very limited on time or budget, see the “podcasting starter kit” from Multitude on our Resources page.)
What will I get out of this?

In terms of skills, you’ll get audio editing, interviewing, scriptwriting, voiceover, sound design, production, collaboration, and other skills — the complete toolkit you’ll need to produce a narrative podcast start to finish. You’ll be qualified to apply for jobs in podcasting, have the confidence to pursue your own work, and overcome impostor syndrome.
But our own journeys have taught us that skills have to function in context of our personalities, needs, and lives, so we’ve included key vocational tools as well. You’ll gain a better understanding of your priorities, needs, and goals, and how to better integrate your creative work and life.
What makes this course different?

We believe this is the most thorough and holistic self-paced course, not just about narrative podcasting, but integrating podcasting and creativity into your whole life.
There are other audio storytelling courses online, but we would say that it takes more than 4-8 weeks to teach narrative podcasting. There are also one-off classes, boot camps, or workshops, but they don’t offer a full idea-to-launch curriculum. There are also many good courses that focus on the technical side of podcasting, or launching and marketing your podcast — but those courses don’t teach you about storytelling, or help you figure out what kind of storyteller you are.
What's your approach to podcast training?

We say “voice your story; change your life” because that’s what happened to us. We believe there are stories waiting to be told inside each one of us, and that the medium of narrative podcasting has a unique power to transform us in the making, and listeners in the receiving.
We’ve recorded a four-minute episode in progress about “voice your story; change your life” here.
Is there homework?

In addition to audio tutorials and reflections, exercises, podcast planning tips, and assigned episodes, we provide further growth recommendations to enable students who have more time to maximize their learning. Like a lot of things in life, you'll get out of this what you put into it!
If you do complete all the elements of each lesson, you'll emerge with both a completed pilot episode, and clarified vocational and life direction.
Can I see the full curriculum?

Yes! You can visit this page, or download the PDF with the details of all 16 lessons, 23 speakers, 44 audio tutorials and reflections, and 99 exercises, diagrams, and templates. (In an academic setting this would be called a syllabus: the full list of all reading assignments and work. This PDF also includes testimonials from graduates, and appendices for sources and inspiration, and awards.)
Do you have lower-commitment options?
Yes! Our one-day workshops condense key aspects of our curriculum into two-hour Saturday sessions. For spring 2023, we have three workshops planned:
- March 25: scriptwriting & editing
- May 13: recording & voiceover
- June 24: audio editing & sound design
You can sign up for a single workshop, or get the bundle for a better deal. Also, if you decide to take the course later, your workshop fee will be discounted from your course registration!
Can I hear sample episodes, trailers, or graduate work samples?

Yes! See the Teaser/intro page to hear 3-7 minute episodes summarizing a key lesson from each module. Each teaser episode focuses on a topic like creative motivation or story structure.
These episodes reflect the same approach to scriptwriting, audio editing, and sound design that we used to create Shelter in Place, and then to record each audio tutorial, and which you’ll learn in the course.
You can also hear sample podcast trailers from our graduates here. This page also has a checklist of five things every great trailer does.
Should I buy a microphone?

If you know you’re committed to podcasting, yes. (And with your course registration, you’ll get an exclusive discount on Shure microphones.)
Laura used the $100 Blue Yeti for the first 170+ episodes of Shelter in Place, including both episodes that won or were nominated for awards. Now we use the Shure MV7 or SM7b, but you can complete the assignments simply recording voice memos on your phone in a quiet space.
How did you develop the curriculum?

The sixteen lessons in our holistic narrative podcasting and creative living curriculum originated from three main sources: first, making 200 scripted episodes (in two years!) of our award-winning podcast, Shelter in Place (full website here). Second, running our Social Impact Award-winning intensive program. And third, reflecting on key career and life lessons we’ve learned over the past 20 years that we wish we’d known when we were starting out.
The curriculum includes our all-star list of writing books, self-help exercises, personality tests, vocational assessment tools, plus a bunch of great guest speakers.
What do I need for the course?
- Openness to personal growth, self-assessment, and writing practice.
- Web access.
- A computer for using your audio editing program.
- A quiet place to record audio (closet or bedroom can work!)
- Real headphones, not just your phone’s earbuds. We use the Sony MDR-7506; the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x also fits the “quality, proven, affordable” criteria.
- Fluency in English
Which audio editor (DAW) should I use?

This depends on your budget, your goals, and how committed you are. Pro Tools is the oldest and gets mentioned the most in audio editor job postings, but is also the most complex and expensive. Laura used Logic Pro X for 100+ episodes, but switched to Hindenburg in the spring of 2022, and hasn’t looked back.
(Note: as a student, you get a complimentary four-month license to Hindenburg Pro and a discount if you want to buy it after!)
Can I see an example of a narrative podcast script?

Yes, sample scripts are just one of the many examples, resources, templates, and diagrams we include in the course. You’ll also get our exclusive 73-item master narrative podcasting checklist (yes, really!), templates for production and project management, a podcast creation flow chart, story structure diagrams, and more. Creating a memorable scripted podcast isn’t a paint-by-numbers kind of job, but we give you every tool we have learned or built ourselves.

I've learned enough: sign me up!

“I appreciate that the course helps with the system, but also with digging into what works for my creative personality. It feels like I've learned more in three weeks than in all of the random googling I did for three years.” — Chris Marot, spring ‘23 course

More story podcast course FAQs

What if I'm just interested in audio editing?

Then other courses will be a better fit. Our course is designed for people who want a complete toolkit for narrative podcasting — including audio editing, but also with a serious work on writing, vocational direction, self-awareness, and personal growth. There are a number of other online courses where you can just focus on audio editing.
What if I don't have any writing or audio experience?

It will be a little harder, but you’re still welcome here! The course is accessible for all types of learners, but students with writing or audio experience will have an easier learning curve. (Like training for a marathon is easier if you already have experience running.)
How much time per week will this take?

Between the personal growth exercises, technical skill practice, and idea and scriptwriting work, you will probably want to plan on 2-5 hours per week if you really want to see meaningful progress. If you’ve heard the saying “You get out of it what you put into it,” well this is kind of the same thing.
Can I get a refund if I'm really busy?

No, we do not offer refunds, because the course is not something like a gallon of milk that will expire. We are confident that you will get your money’s worth whether you go through the course next month, or next year.
Can I take more than a week for lessons?

Yes, the intent with only one hour of coaching call a week is that Labs can work for busy people with other commitments. Many of the topics will benefit from multiple efforts or more mulling over. We just chose a weekly cadence to fit the familiar semester time frame.
Will my login expire?

No, you will have permanent access to the curriculum, and the option to schedule individual coaching sessions with us in the future. We want to build lasting relationships with fellow storytellers!

I'm ready

Even more scripted podcast course FAQs

Why should I start a podcast?

As two longtime writers, we say that podcasting helped us truly find our voice. This is true in the literal sense of practicing voiceover and narration skills, but also in the metaphorical sense of accepting ourselves as creators and people. In our experience, this is a unique benefit of podcasting because each of us has a unique life background — and unique sound.
(There may also be business or financial or career-related benefits to starting a podcast, and we and our guest speakers discuss those as well, but our approach puts those secondary to personal growth.)
What is a narrative style podcast?

“Narrative” is just a more literary word for “telling a story.” As we discuss in the welcome audio tutorial, it may be easiest to understand a “narrative,” or scripted podcast, in contrast to an interview show (a host asking a guest questions, like On Being), or an unscripted podcast, which is just one or more people talking into a microphone. Making a narrative style podcast is way more work than an unscripted podcast — but can be way more fulfilling.
Shelter in Place is the case study we use in the course, since that’s the example where we could take you behind the scenes.
What's the difference between audio storytelling or a narrative, scripted, or story podcast?

A “scripted” podcast is a general term for any where the host is reading something instead of just talking (or interviewing) off the cuff. As writers, we appreciate the extra effort this step takes!
A “story podcast” is more specific, where might be something like The Moth, where voice actors read fiction pieces that were originally printed pieces or book excerpts. A “story podcast” could also be equivalent to a fiction podcast. Either way, you have the classic storytelling elements: character, setting, conflict, and resolution.
A “narrative” podcast, as we define it, is the most narrow of these terms, indicating a story, a script, and audio editing and sound design.
What does a narrator do in a podcast?

The narrator can serve several roles in a scripted podcast. One role is to create a common thread to tie together interview clips on a given topic, to create that sense of story that makes narrative podcasts interesting. In a memoir or personal essay-style episode, the narrator may be the person reading the entire script.
Narrating a scripted podcast involves both voiceover skills, and personal growth and self-acceptance, which is why we include exercises for both in our course.
How do you make a podcast narrative?

Since podcasting is not even 20 years old, you won’t find an “official” definition out there — but we’ve come up with these three key criteria: a narrative podcast 1) tells a story, 2) follows a written script, and 3) includes careful audio editing and sound design. We cover each of these elements extensively in our course, and also provide writing exercises, templates, and exclusive discounts on audio editing and gear to help you practice!
Where can I find podcasting courses?

Well congratulations — you found one here! In terms of comprehensive training on how to make a story podcast, integrating creative work and life, expert guest speakers, and exclusive discounts, we don’t think there’s a better value out there for online podcasting courses. But if you’re looking for something a little different, see our Resources page for some other options.

I'M READY

Fiction podcast course FAQs still going…

How can I learn more about podcasting smart?

We would say the key to podcasting smart is to align your intentions, actions, and conditions. Understanding your true intentions requires self-assessment and personal growth work, which we include a lot of in our course. Looking at the conditions (whether it’s the external market or your internal energy levels) is necessary so you don’t fight unnecessary uphill battles. Then finally, your actions with podcasting and creativity at large should result from those above two factors.
What are the best story podcasts for adults?

The Moth is a famous example of one type of story podcast: great voice actors reading previously-written fiction pieces. The other type would be audio storytelling created just for the medium of radio or podcasting, the most famous example (which began as a radio show, but which follows the same three criteria we’ve listed) would be This American Life. Other notable examples include Snap Judgment, Radiolab, 99% Invisible, Ear Hustle, and Radio Ambulante.
Why is storytelling important in podcasts?

What Robert McKee, Julia Cameron, Natalie Goldberg, and many other creative gurus all say is that stories are fundamental to how we human beings make sense of life. This has been true for us personally as well, which is a big reason why we created this course.
How do I write a podcast script?

It’s simple! 1) clarify your four story elements, 2) set a timer and write, 3) edit your draft, 4) get feedback, and then 5) revise your script again. Ta-da! A great fiction, narrative, or story podcast awaits.
We’re half joking of course — these are a ton of work and we just summarized multiple modules of our course in one paragraph. But for a fuller explanation of the steps listed above, see this whole page about podcast scriptwriting.
What's the difference between a fiction, narrative, and scripted podcast? Why do you have all three terms on your website?

A fiction podcast, like a fiction book, has material created by an author. Think Harry Potter, All the Light We Cannot See, or Americanah. The characters may be inspired by real people, but they are not real people. A scripted podcast is a more general term for any show where the host or narrator is reading something they’ve written, rather than just talking or interviewing — but it could simply be covering a topic rather than telling a story. “Narrative” is a more specific term for a scripted podcast that tells a story, and is the industry term you’ll hear for famous examples like This American Life, Serial, Snap Judgment, and 99% Invisible. And a story podcast, technically, could be a show where someone just talks instead of reading a script, but most great story podcasts are scripted.