It’s no secret that the world of podcasts underwent a major renaissance in 2015. It’s never been easier to download your favorite podcast to take anywhere on your smartphone or tablet. Podcasts are an indispensable journalistic resource and will become even more so in 2016. The modern journalist simply must stay on top of the gadgets, software, and trends that shape today’s industry. The good news is that podcasts make this easier than ever! Here are ten amazing shows to wrap your ears in 2016:
10. Content War
Ryan Hanley hosts ‘Content Warfare’, this serialized podcast features some of the world’s most prolific online content creators. Popular topics include content creation and marketing, audience building, and social media. This one is good for anyone who works in the digital media space and is interested in staying on top of the latest trends and tools available.
9. @Sree show
Technology journalist Sree Sreenivasan was named Fast Magazine’s Most Creative Person of 2015 for a reason, his @Sreeshow podcast is full of great practical advice for the digital journalist. Sree is prolific in the industry, teaching at the Columbia School of Journalism for more than 20 years before becoming digital director at the Met Museum of Art in New York City. He gives great advice on everything from making the most of social media, photography and design, to advice on the latest mobile technologies. It’s worth listening to.
8. The High Income Business Writing Podcast
Ed Gandia is a B2B writer who hosts a show that breaks down to the nitty-gritty of what it takes to be successful at copywriting or business writing. This bi-monthly show is very much geared towards those working in the commercial (freelance) writing space. Gandia uses real-life case studies to demonstrate the best ways to find better clients, prepare content, or optimize your business as a freelancer (and much more). This is an entertaining and very practical podcast and one to watch in 2016.
7. In the media
This hour-long weekly radio show/podcast seeks to explore “how media sausage is made” as it “lifts the veil on the media creation process.” And it does. Hosts Brooke Gladstone and Bob Garfield take us behind the world’s headlines as they entertain us with skepticism by revealing how the biggest stories come together, while uncovering the not-so-obvious political narratives in everything we consume in media. This is a revelation and should be a must listen.
6. The independent game
Freelance veterans Andrew Hayward and Nathan Meunier co-host “The Freelance Game” podcast covering the industry at large (with a background in video game journalism). This highly entertaining podcast specializes in giving advice on all areas of life as a freelance writer. If you need advice on pitching to editors, interview strategies, or diversifying your income as a freelancer, you should check this out.
5. The Media Podcast with Olly Mann
The Media Podcast is recorded in London’s Covent Garden and brought to us by Olly Mann (writer, gadget correspondent, LBC Radio presenter and occasional TV news commentator). Our affable host is our guide to all things broadcast, print, and digital media. The show frequently features the UK’s leading journalists and is a must-listen for anyone interested in the inner workings of the British media.
4.How to cover the money
The How To Cover Money Podcast is a weekly podcast purchased from us by the Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism at Arizona State University. Hosts Micheline Maynard and Mark Remillard offer tips on how to make money from stories (even if you’re not a business journalist). This is a serialized podcast that comes from a business journalism perspective (but helps all journalists by offering helpful strategies for covering and making money from stories in general). A very good reference for anyone interested in business or financial journalism.
3. Journalism.co.UK
This is one of Britain’s leading media-related podcasts for a reason. Listeners are invited to take a look at the latest trends in digital journalism. The show often features industry experts who give insight into how British newsrooms are handling these changes. Topics covered include everything from how to get into specific areas of journalism, like technology or broadcast, to tips for journalism students. The website (journalism.co.UK) is also worth a visit and can be a great place to find media jobs.
2. The Media Show (BBC Radio 4)
Guardian columnist Steve Hewlett hosts BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Media Show’, a podcast featuring debates in areas such as censorship, business, ethics and general analysis of the changing world of media. He expects new episodes every Wednesday. This one is well financed, well produced and secures influential guests on a regular basis. Recent guests include the CEO of Trinity Mirror, the owner of The Huffington Post and the CEO of Virgin Media.
1. The long-form podcast
Our number one podcast to follow in 2016 is The Longform Podcast. Each week, hosts Max Linsky, Aaron Lammer and Evan Ratliff (CEO of media software company Atavist) invite a renowned journalist or editor to take us behind the scenes of a news story (while providing a journalism masterclass). ). If you want to meet the people reporting the stories, or if you’re interested in how the world’s best copywriters or freelancers got their start, you need to listen to this podcast. Recent guests include a Pulitzer Prize winner, war correspondents and senior writers for the world’s leading publications. Longform deserves five stars and wins the award for the number one podcast to follow in 2016.