Sound School Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Old School Sound School – Concerning Breakfast Sep 22, 2026

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Whatever happened to handing tape decks to people so they can document their lives? These "radio diaries" offered an intimacy unavailable to most reporters. A perfect example is Annie Cheney's "Concerning Breakfast," produced for Jay Allison's series from the 1990s, "The Life Stories Collection." Annie's story is today's feature on the Sound School series "Old School Sound School."

Old School Sound School – 9/11 and The Sonic Memorial Project Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Sound School is launching a new series, Old School Sound School featuring classic and rare documentaries 20-plus years old. The series begins by marking the 25th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center in September of 2001. The Sonic Memorial Project is a remarkable, hour-long documentary from The Kitchen Sisters piece produced in 2002 on the very first anniversary of the attack. This is The Kitchens Sisters at their best.

Coming Soon: Old School Sound School Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Rob has a small but mighty collection of old audio documentaries on CDs. And even more audio files crammed on his computer. "Bazillions," he says, "and it's time share the ear candy!" In September, Rob's launching a series called Old School Sound School featuring deep cuts and classic docs and sound works from 20+ years ago. Please listen. Your ears will thank you.

Revisiting: Remember to Breathe Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

A breath may seem like the most insignificant detail in an audio story. But, actually, the opposite is true. For proof, all you have to do is listen to stories where the breaths are cut out. On this episode of Sound School, a primer on editing breaths. Perfect for people teaching audio storytelling.

Sounds Cool! Jul 28, 2026

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Sounds Cool!

Elizabeth Arnold — Have Mic, Will Travel Jul 14, 2026

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"(An) unstoppable, one-of-a-kind reporter." That's how NPR reporter Elizabeth Arnold is described in her recent obituary. Hear what that means in a story she reported at the North Pole, where she says "Nature doesn't want you here.... Maybe that's part of the pull. You come to defy it." I'm pleased to honor Elizabeth on the latest episode of Sound School.

Meditating with Platypuses, Penguins, and Wombats Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Nocturnal Worlds is certainly a curious podcast. A unique mix of science, nature, meditation, and lush soundscapes from Audiocraft, an Australian production company. Why mix science education and meditation? Olivia O'Flynn, the host and producer of Nocturnal Worlds, lays out the how and why of the show.

Deploy This One Tiny Maneuver to Improve Audio Essays Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Cloe Axelson, a senior editor at WBUR, was feeling like the essays she produced that were written by listeners weren't sounding conversational enough -- until she deployed this one simple trick. It's a trick any producer could use to help narrators sound more like themselves.

Witness to an Execution Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

How powerful can audio storytelling be? So powerful that distraught listeners stand-up, wave their arms, and yell "Turn it off! Turn it off!" That's how good the documentary we're featuring on Sound School is.

Jad and FayFay Talk "Fela Kuti: Fear No Man" May 19, 2026

Show notes

Jad Abumrad and FayFay Odudu, drop some valuable audio storytelling reporting and production insights on the latest episode of Sound School. Jad and FayFay recently earned a Peabody Award for "Fela Kuti: Fear No Man," the podcast about Fela, the Nigerian saxophone player and political activist. Jad and FayFay sat down with Lesedi Mogoathle in February for an online chat sponsored by Radio Workshop. It's a valuable conversation you'll want to hear.

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