|
What is a podcast?
You can think of a podcast as a radio broadcast that is transmitted
over the Internet. Podcast files are stored on websites and
one great advantage is that you can listen to the shows whenever
you want. It’s “my time” media, so in that
sense you can also think of podcasting as TiVO for radio.
Why should I care?
I know, you are a busy person and why should you take the time
to deal with one more new technology! Podcasting is transformational
for two reasons. One is that many highly respected, entertaining
radio shows are now also released as podcasts. In my opinion,
public radio in particular offers the most intelligent programming
you can find in the media landscape. Podcasting also gives
regular people a chance to create their own shows and share them
with the world. You can find podcasts on any topic under
the sun.
The “my time” aspect of podcasting truly is a benefit.
You can listen to a show for 15 minutes, turn it off, and come
back later to hear the rest. So you can listen to a whole
show during a fractured hour or errand running, rather than hearing
10 minutes and missing the rest. This is my #1 strategy for reclaiming
my mind space! I listen to podcasts while driving, walking
the dog, and doing chores.
I don’t have an iPod. Can I still listen?
Yes. There are 3 ways to listen to a podcast. I will
say that if you get into listening to them, investing in an iPod
or another MP3 player is an excellent tool. But you can try
out podcast listening without buying an MP3 player.
The 3 ways to listen are:
1. Sit at your computer and listen
to streaming audio. When you access a podcast
through the show’s archives or a podcast directory such
as iTunes, you can generally click a button to play the file
through your computer. The downside is that you can’t
take it with you in a portable way.
On The Mojo Mom Podcast’s archive page, you can just click
on the “POD” button and the eposiode will start playing
momentarily.
2. Download a podcast file and burn a CD. Through
the Mojo Mom Podcast archive page, you can also download a file
to your computer. You can then open it with a program such
as iTunes or the Windows Media Player, and burn a CD to take with
you to play in the car or a portable CD player.
To download a file, you can control-click (Mac) or right-click
(PC) on the same “POD” button, and a menu will pop
up that will give you choices about downloading files or opening
them with applications such as iTunes. Those applications
also allow you to search podcast directories and subscribe to shows,
so that new episodes are delivered to your computer as they become
available.
3. Download files to an iPod and take them with
you. The iPod isn’t just for teens, it can
be Mom’s best friend as well. Once you learn how
to download files, transferring them onto an MP3 player is a
simple step to take. If you get really into podcasts, being
able to take them with you on an iPod is really convenient. You
can load up an iPod with your music collection and other media
for all occasions. Invest in a car adaptor and you’ll
turn your daily round of commuting, kid pickups, and errand runs
into a rolling entertainment center and classroom.
How can I learn more about making my own podcast?
Podblaze.com has a
good FAQ about how to podcast.
Transom.org has great information
about interviewing techniques. Browse the Transom.org
site for the latest information about new recording tools. New
flash media recorders are the wave of the future for compact
on-the-go devices.
What are your favorite podcasts?
Your’re going to listen to The
Mojo Mom Podcast, right?
I love public radio and my podcast subscription list reflects
that. I subscribe to WUNC North Carolina Public Radio’s The
Story With Dick Gordon, and The
State of Things as well as This
American Life, Fresh
Air, and The
Diane Rehm Show. My favorite grassroots-produced,
Mom-based show is the Manic
Mommies Podcast.
Many of these podcasts are available free from the iTunes podcast
directory or as free streaming audio from the shows’ websites. Other
shows and a large audiobook selection are available for purchase
from Audible.com. |
