The official student news site of Athens Drive High School

ATHENS ORACLE

The official student news site of Athens Drive High School

ATHENS ORACLE

The official student news site of Athens Drive High School

ATHENS ORACLE

Search site

Podcasts

An audio platform of entertainment

There are many forms of entertainment in the twenty-first century. There are featured films, television and literature. There is one form that is not used as much as others. The form of “Podcasts.” A Podcast is radio on demand on the internet. The Public Radio Alliance’s own tagline is “Television for your ears.” Podcasts can deliver many types of genres, from news to economy to scripted series. The word “Podcast” comes from the English words “iPod” and the “broadcast.”
“I don’t really listen to Podcasts. I don’t have time with three AP classes,” said Samuel Atira Ruiz, junior.
There are multiple ways to listen. Apple products (iPad, iPhone, etc.) already have an official Podcast app. Some networks and shows have their own website where one can stream on, such as “Wondery” and “Panoply.” Other radio apps can stream podcasts, such as Stitcher and Spotify. One can even download episodes to listen offline without wasting cellular data. Podcasts are something one can do without eyes. They can be playing in the background and a person can be doing something else, whether washing dishes, doing exercise or in bed.
Perhaps one of the most popular podcasts is “Serial.”

The Serial Podcast on an iPhone.

Athens Drive English teacher, Tiffany Johnson makes Serial a lesson plan. Serial is about a reporter, Sarah Koenig, investigating the Baltimore 1999 Hae Min Lee murder. The murder took place in Baltimore and Lee’s ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was arrested for it. Koenig researches plot holes pertaining to the arrest of Syed. These include, witnesses, alibi’s and a person who confesses to aiding and abetting Syed.
Many shows also follow the “investigative-journalism” genre. Shows made by the “Public Radio Alliance”

The Public Radio Alliance logo

are considered docu-dramas. One of their most popular programs is called “Tanis.” Tanis is about the host, Nic Silver, and his search for a mysterious myth that has surfaced in the PRA’s hometown of Seattle. Silver describes it as “…[it] may be the last genuine mystery of the [internet] age.” “The Black Tapes” is the second PRA show and is about the mysterious supernatural occurrences that have happened on the west coast. The host, Alex Regan, and her consultant, Dr. Richard Strand, do their best to find out the truth on the supernatural. The latest PRA podcast is the first “fictional” show they are doing: “RABBITS”. RABBITS follows host Carly Parker trying to find out about the mysterious cult that supposedly kidnapped her friend, Yumiko Takada.
Fans of American Movie Classics’ (AMC) “The Walking Dead” would likely enjoy the “We’re Alive” podcast. “We’re Alive” is on military veteran, Sergeant Michael Cross, leading a group of survivors trying to outlive the zombie apocalypse in southern California. The so called “zombies” aren’t the only threat in the apocalypse. The survivors also have to deal with shortages of food, medicine, and other rogue humans. Starting in 2009, the feed has over 151 episodes, releasing three episodes every month. This podcast predates the pilot of The Walking Dead by one year, the latter first airing in 2010.
Fans of the “superhero” genre may like “The Bright Sessions.” The Bright Sessions is about a therapist, Dr. Bright, giving therapy to people with extraordinary abilities and helping the organization of the Atypical Monitoring (The A.M). These patients include, a time traveler, a telepath and someone that can feel others emotions.
Anyone can make a podcast, all one needs is a voice recorder, a written script and some sort of editing software tool to edit sound. Some editing tools include “Audacity” and “WavePad.” One can get paid for making podcasts via advertising space and a “Patreon.” A Patreon is a donation site for artists where people can donate a minimum of a cent for exclusive rewards. It is good for content releasing every week. The era of Podcasts is keeping the radio drama genre alive and kicking.

The Patreon Logo.
More to Discover
Donate to ATHENS ORACLE
$0
$500
Contributed
Our Goal