More about Nate Davis - audio storyteller, copywriter, podcast coach

More about Nate Davis: creative director, copywriter, podcast coach

There are some people, like Laura, who were destined to make a scripted podcast since before those even existed. But me? I took the scenic — and bumpy — route to get here.

I’m an advertising refugee, bringing both bruises and lessons from the intersection of art and commerce. I’m an academics’ son, who spent twenty years running from teaching, before discovering that I’m a teacher too — I just had to find a new field and invent a curriculum.

When I’m not creating or coaching podcasting, updating the website or refining the Narrative Podcasts brand, I’m also a minivan-driving dad, an old-world oenophile, a reclaimed-wood builder, and occasional mullet perpetrator. I trail run and road bike, chasing my younger self, moments of quiet, and the inspiration that’s just around the corner.

But do you even podcast?

If you came here via Shelter in Place, you already have 200 examples of Laura’s mellifluous voice and artful production. But I’m newer to the microphone and editing suite. Since Laura took the job at Stanford, I’ve been trying to find my own voice as a narrator, and perspective on what makes a powerful scripted podcast. These teaser episodes (the seeds of my own podcast) are how I’ve done that, or you can see a sample podcast script here where I’m trying to articulate why we’re doing this.

Shelter in Place podcast: scriptwriting and voiceover work

I always hated the sound of my own voice. And I never thought I’d be a podcaster. But as I observed in “Feels like home,” sometimes the changes you need the most aren’t the ones you choose, but the ones life throws at you. If you’re hesitant about doing voiceover like I was, these samples may be reassuring that you don’t have to have a “perfect radio voice” to do podcasting — you just have to embrace your own! These episodes also give you a sense of some of my writing style, and preview some topics we get into in our curriculum.

For our 200th and final episode of Shelter in Place, I answered the same prompt as our listeners: “What has Shelter in Place meant to you?” (My VO starts around 59:30.)

How do you do a birthday episode for your daughter but make it relevant and interesting for non-parents as well? Make it a listicle. Laura and I trade voiceover sections.

For this second in our series of birthday episodes for our kids, Laura and I co-wrote and alternated voiceover in this listicle-satire piece of life advice inspired by our ten-year-old Gabe.

For this first in our three-part miniseries of episodes for our kids’ birthdays, we hit on the idea of poking fun at all the lifehacking listicles by writing as if our kids were these great self-help gurus. Laura and I co-wrote the script and trade VO sections.

This episode was the beta version of the behind-the-scenes reflections we were planning for our curriculum. We get into the tension of working with your spouse, critiquing the idea, not the person, and other key lessons we cover more in module 15, “collabs and critiques.”

My first extended foray into memoir and voiceover, this episode came from my struggle with a nagging running injury that made me confront my aging in a way I couldn’t escape. A three-angle story with great collaboration and counterpoints from intensive trainees Alana and Michele.

To quote Austin Kleon, “a hobby is something that gives and doesn’t take.” Photography is one of mine because it’s non-verbal, non-monetary, and non-promotional, just capturing bits of the beautiful and memorable — a gratitude practice with my eyes.

Hope springs eternal—especially after yesterday’s weather! 🌬 🌧
.
.
.
#50mmlens #bokehlicious

“And it didn’t even really hurt! She was so nice.” —Grace’s review of @redwoodpediatricdentist after getting four cavities filled. Dr. Franklin had a natural rapport, and Angela and receptionist was great about schedulin

Oh, and once upon a time I made an award-winning radio spot

For a national radio advertising competition, the brief was to promote recycling. I got the idea of a talking soda can, but it wasn’t until I got into the studio with Andre Bergeron (who helped me tighten the script, and donated hours of his time and sound effects) that the magic really happened. That experience opened my ears to how much better an idea can get with a talented collaborator. “Can Karma” ended up winning the student Radio-Mercury award in 2004. (See my other ad work here.)

There’s a face made for radio…

Our YouTube channel highlights different aspects of our approach to podcast training, and also serves as a humbling reminder that I should’ve worn more sunscreen in my 20’s.

I also moderate r/narrativepodcasts.

Or hear a lot more …

Want to make an award-winning scripted podcast? Laura and I would love to work with you! We currently have three ways of doing that:

Self-paced learning, with behind-the-scenes audio reflections and lectures

Learn more
One-day sessions on core aspects of story podcasting: writing, narration, and sound design

Learn more
Private coaching: unlock your creative process with expert advice

Sign up