A holistic program, from narrative podcasting to creative living (2021-22)
It took us two years to master the elements necessary for an award-winning, top 1% global podcast: scriptwriting, voiceover, interviewing, audio editing, sound design, collaboration, production, and more.
It took us the previous 20 to figure out creative living: why we’re creating. Money and creativity. Our creative personality. The character we bring to every story (ourselves). With Labs, we condensed this to 16 weeks.
Labs was an iteration of our program after the Intensive (2020-21), and leading up to the current self-paced course. The course is the latest version of the curriculum we developed from our award-winning intensive and podcast, and includes a private coaching session and the three workshops.
Like grad school for scripted podcasting
Labs was not designed to be casual or easy, but a rigorous seminar-style environment for self-driven learners committed to growing with a tight cohort of motivated peers. The magic happened when each person worked hard on their own, then showed up for calls prepared to dig deep and contribute. Labs helped us refine the curriculum for the current course and workshops.
If you’re serious about audio storytelling, our programs are for you.
“This has been a wonderful class. Creating my own narrative show felt completely daunting before this. Now it seems within reach. I can’t thank you enough.” — Joshua Dudley, spring ‘22
Labs modules: story, structure, & sound
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1: why create?
This is where it all begins. We’ll dig into this deceptively simple question that guides everything we do, from episodes to coaching, training, and mentorship.
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2: great story
You’ll get tools to move from idea to first draft to final episode script, and a larger framework that centers your listener as the hero for any story or episode type.
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![Image of Nate Davis wearing red shoes, for module 3, "creative personality," in the Narrative Podcasts Labs training program]()
3: creative personality
You’ll use leadership development tools to understand your creator frame of reference, and use that framework to find your creative superpower.
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4: great sound
You’ll articulate your audio editing ethos, learn which parts you can speed up and which to slow down, and create an audio editing manifesto.
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5: tell me more
You’ll develop a personal guide that identifies what’s most important as you interview guests—and be prepared to be your best when you are interviewed yourself.
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6: finding your voice(over)
You’ll learn how to get high-quality audio no matter where you’re recording, and how to sound natural when you’re hosting, even when reading a script.
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![Blurry photo for module 7 of the Narrative Podcasts Labs training program, the best audio storytelling program online.]()
7: let's get personal
You’ll learn how to see discomfort and resistance in your writing as windows to the heart of the story, and how to discern what to share, and what to leave out.
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![Image of doll lying facedown for module 8, "how not to podfade," in the Narrative Podcasts Labs training program]()
8: How not to podfade
You’ll learn how to start well: to align your intentions and actions with conditions, and get advice from us and other experts on priorities and practical details.
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![Image of pen and notebook for "great structure," module 9 in the Narrative Podcasts Labs online training program]()
9: great structure
You’ll learn more advanced story construction, and provided with tools to implement it—and experiment with and refine your own writing processes.
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![Image of tangled computer mice in a box, for module 10, "the messy middle," in the Narrative Podcasts Labs online training program]()
10. the messy middle
You’ll gain tools for assessing where and why you’re stuck, and for diagnosing and working through practical, intellectual, emotional, creative, or writing blocks.
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![Picture of horse manure for module 11, "befriending the beast," in the Narrative Podcasts Labs online training program]()
11: befriending the beast
You’ll go deeper into podcast production both for individuals and teams, and develop a personal guide for making project management and production sustainable.
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![Image of headphones and sheet music for module 12, "sonic storytelling," in the Narrative Podcasts Labs online training program]()
12: sonic storytelling
You’ll learn how to use music, sound, and dynamics to create vivid cinematic soundscapes that surprise, delight, and highlight your story’s ideas and voices.
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![Image of bourbon drink for "beyond networking," module 13 in the Narrative Podcast Labs online training program]()
13: beyond networking
You’ll learn to approach the industry not as self promotion, but as relationship building that results in sponsors, partnerships, and collaboration.
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![Image of two halves of a rubber puzzle, for module 14, "pitch perfect," in the Narrative Podcasts Labs online training program]()
14: pitch perfect
You’ll learn the secret to pitching yourself and your ideas well, to increase your odds from episode pitches to magazine submissions to job interviews.
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![Sharp desert plant leaves photo, for module 15, "collabs + critiques," in the Narrative Podcasts Labs online training program]()
15: collabs + critiques
You’ll learn key skills for working with remote or in-person teammates, how to give constructive feedback, and how to approach creative partnerships.
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![Image of man in front of wall, for module 16, "why keep creating," in the Narrative Podcasts online training program]()
16: why keep creating?
You’ll audit your current commitments, develop a strategy to avoid (or recover from) burnout, and plan steps to stay true to your creative vision.
Who are Narrative Podcasts training programs for?
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Small-group learners
Labs is like a grad school seminar in that you’ll do a lot of work on your own, but meet weekly for rigorous, in-depth personal feedback.
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Journalists & writers
If you have a writing background, and want to develop the other skills necessary for great narrative podcasts, this course will be a great fit for you.
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Radio professionals
If you have worked on the technical side of podcasting or radio, but want to learn the secrets of telling a great audio story, this course is for you.
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Self-taught podcasters
If you got into podcasting on your own, but have never had organized training, our course will hone your strengths and fill in your skill gaps.
Who are Narrative Podcasts training not for?
[x] People who don’t see value in self-help or personal growth exercises
[x] People uninterested in stretching or developing writing skills
[x] People whose primary interest is technical skill tutorials
[x] People looking for extensive individual coaching
"I started this course with an imposter mindset—and finished with the confidence to land an interview with an important guest who I would have previously thought of as out of my league. This course will teach you how to juggle podcast technique while making space in your life for the larger questions about why we create in the first place." — Peter Hall, spring ‘22
Narrative Podcasts training course elements
Tutorials (audio or video, with transcripts), typically 15-20 minutes
Exercises to apply those skills and knowledge to your own work
Coaching calls for personalized feedback
Self-assessment tool to track growth and learning
One episode of Shelter in Place (30-60 minutes)
Exclusive reflections, behind the scenes of the award-winning Shelter in Place
Further growth: curated videos, episodes, articles, and recommendations
Still curious? Read our FAQ’s here.
From idea to launch, and the 71 steps in between.
(Seriously! But don’t worry, our course includes a master checklist!)
Narrative Podcasts course: exclusive benefits
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Shure USA
Narrative Podcasts Labs students receive an exclusive discount on all audio products from audio industry leader Shure. This includes their wide range of microphones, from the classic SM57 used by the Beatles, to the new podcast-specific MV7 that we use today — plus headphones, speakers, and accessories.
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Hindenburg Systems
Labs students also receive a complimentary four-month license for the streamlined, lightweight “audio editor made for storytellers,” and a 50% discount on the annual subscription if you buy afterward! Curious? Check out their great series of bite-size tutorial videos on their site.
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Notetracks
If you’ve ever collaborated on an audio project, you’ve probably wondered, “Why hasn’t someone invented a way to comment directly in an audio file?” Well, now they have! Notetracks brings real-time, contextual collaboration to audio creation, and Labs students get an exclusive discount.
Hear a sample module reflection
“What the adventure can teach us” is a sample of the 40+ exclusive behind-the-scenes reflections you’ll get with our course — from us and other experts in audio and podcasting. Reflections cover the gamut from audio editing and script writing, to pitching, networking, and production.
Labs graduate audio samples
Our students in 2021-22 came from a wide variety of backgrounds: self-taught podcasters, journalism, audio production, academia, and more. Some had extensive experience with acting or recording or writing, but wanted to define and grow in their own voices as podcasters, learn how to put together memorable stories, or clarify their vision for their show. These are a few samples of their excellent work!
As a veteran musician and producer, Stevie was already an ace in the studio, but they wanted to learn the writing side of narrative podcasting. This episode began as a straight interview, but became intriguing story.
Before signing up for Labs, Peter had already produced 20+ episodes of his interview podcast. Through the course, he refined his sense of who his show was for, his mission, his voiceover style — and his own place in the story.
A trained actor, Joshua already had a chat show, but needed to learn storytelling. This trailer introduces the hosts, and gives a clear “why” for the podcast to exist. Next, hear his trailer for “The Human Polygraph,” his upcoming narrative podcast.
Podcasting course curriculum: guest speakers
We’ve learned a few things about audio storytelling the past few years, but what makes our program even better is the group of generous and knowledgeable folks who joined us to talk about all aspects of narrative podcast production. Their reflections cover collaboration and personal vulnerability, audio editing fine points and EQ, professional voiceover techniques, marketing and growth, detailed scriptwriting, creative blocks, production process, networking, pitching, and more.
Module 2: great story
… Intensive grad, MFA writer, & “Letting the light in” co-writer Nik Schaeffer
Module 4: great sound
… Independent audio producer Katie Semro of Mother Mine and Transmission Times
Module 6: finding your voice(over)
… former Broadway actor Daniel Damon Joyce
… Upright Citizens Brigade alumna & Stitcher producer Michele O’Brien
Module 7: let’s get personal
… OBB Media producer & IWPA-award-nominated Deer Humans host Eve Bishop
Module 8: how not to podfade
… Marketing specialist and media polymath Cori Fry Hengst from Libsyn
… Radio and sales veteran and Advertisecast VP Laurel Earhart
… Female-podcaster-booster and community-builder Lauren Popish
Module 9: great structure
… Intensive grad, Golden Crane nominee, & Tired in My Twenties host Melissa Lent
Module 10: the messy middle (working through creative, emotional, and other blocks)
… intensive grad and New York Times communications associate Hannah Fowler
Module 11: befriending the beast (podcast production and project management)
… intensive grad and Wonder Media Network producer Alana Herlands
Module 12: sonic storytelling (sound design)
… Musician and audio gear expert Laura Clapp Davidson
… Intensive grad and CRC Media producer Clara Smith
Module 13: beyond networking (relationship-building in podcasting)
… Earbuds Collective founder, Squadcast community manager, and power-tweeter Arielle Nisenblatt
… Ashton Carter & Jasmine Hammond, community and production execs at Pod People execs all-around
Module 14: pitch perfect (presenting and selling ideas)
… Podcast marketer, newsletter queen and Tink Media founder Lauren Passell
… Female/NB podcaster uplifter and Skylark Collective + IWPA founder Naomi Mellor
"Not only do they provide such a wealth of knowledge from their own experiences and training, but they create and foster such a wonderful and inclusive space for learning." — Stevie Manns, spring ‘22 class
Questions? Read FAQs
Time you’ll need for the course, who our programs are for, what makes our course different, whether you should buy a microphone or other gear, thoughts on DAWs, curriculum background, the experience you need (or not), and other information to help you make an informed decision about signing up for our course.
Learn audio storytelling from a standout team
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Stanford Storytelling Project
In addition to teaching online here, Laura also teaches narrative podcasting in person at the Stanford Storytelling Project. Their mission is exploring “how we live in and through stories and, even more importantly, how to deepen our lives through our own storytelling.”
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Podcast Magazine: "top 22 influencers for 2022" honoree
Editors said of the list — mostly household names and big execs — “Whether inspiring, informing, and/or entertaining, each has made unique and powerful contributions to the medium.” A great vote for indie storytelling!
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Social Impact Awards: winner
The Social Impact Awards honor “communicators who better their community and the global community at large.” Our training intensive (where we developed this curriculum) won for mentorship and organizational mission.
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International Women's Podcast Awards: winner
Our episode “An Affront to Zeus” won the category “Changing the World a moment at a time.” The show, from Skylark Collective, attracted hundreds of entries from 13 countries. See the short award announcement video below:
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Golden Crane Awards: honorable mention
Our April episode “Hyphenated identity” featuring Intensive graduate Melissa Lent won honorable mention for “best stories reflecting the Asian experience” category in the 2021 awards, hosted by the Asian-American Podcasting Association.
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Descript Studio Sound Awards: finalist
Laura’s sample video showing how she used Descript’s new Studio Sound feature to improve a clip was a finalist in this contest. Descript is an audio-to-text editing tool which we used to create every single episode of Shelter in Place.
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WNYC Podcast Accelerator: finalist
Laura’s first podcasting project trailer, “Misinformed,” was a finalist for the 2019 accelerator contest, held at the Werk It! podcasting conference in Los Angeles. Judges were from WNYC, one of the country’s premier public radio stations.
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Radio-Mercury Awards: winner
While in advertising portfolio school, Nate won the student category of this nationwide contest with his 60-second spot promoting recycling, “Can Karma.”