Listening with Kato McNickle
What insights and strategies from personal experiences can enhance podcast creation, audience engagement, and content sharing?
This conversation explores how passion transforms podcasting into a tool for connection and creative expression.
“You begin with looking at the podcasts that you do love, listen to, or what is the kind of audio you enjoy consuming. But the next thing you need to do is start defining the difference between: okay I was in love with what it had to say, versus how did it bring me through and get me to understand what it had to say. So you’re looking at the mechanism.” ~ Kato McNickle (13:20)
This conversation highlights how personal experiences, particularly in theater and storytelling, shape an individual’s approach to podcasting. Topics discussed include the interplay of soundscapes, rhythm, and emotional resonance in creating a compelling audio experience. Kato shares insights from directing films and plays, connecting those learnings to podcast production.
Another key theme is the importance of championing others and building genuine connections through shared interests. This approach is contrasted with traditional marketing methods, emphasizing the value of interaction and authenticity in promoting podcasts. Practical advice is offered for analyzing and improving podcast structures by examining admired examples and borrowing elements for creative reinterpretation.
Takeaways
Championing others — Sharing others’ work authentically builds credibility and fosters deeper connections.
Analyzing structure — Dissecting and understanding the mechanisms of admired podcasts improves storytelling and technical skills.
Theater and podcasting parallels — Skills in soundscapes, rhythm, and stage presence translate effectively into podcast production.
Emotional resonance — Podcasts benefit from an intentional focus on creating an intimate and emotionally engaging experience for the listener.
Content and connection — Prioritizing why a podcast exists and the connection it creates with listeners outweighs technical perfection.
Resources
Gaping Void — Mentioned as an example of how people share creative social objects to spark conversations.
The History of English Podcast — Referenced as an example of a passion project inspiring podcasting creativity.
Star Wars storytelling structure — Referenced as a framework for adapting classic narratives to new formats.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
— Hello👋 I’m Craig Constantine.
This is Podtalk. Short conversations with indie podcasters that are not just about podcasting, because I like to take the scenic route.
In each episode, I talk with podcasters about their shows, experiences, what they’ve learned, what motivates them, and… well, pretty much everything related to podcasting from the indie creator’s point of view. I hope these episodes spark ideas and conversations for you, and lead to new ways of looking at this wonderful art of podcasting.
If you like Podtalk, you’ll love the Podcaster Community, https://podcaster.community/
I appreciate your time and attention, and I don’t take it for granted.
— Thank you!
My personal mission is creating better conversations to spread understanding and compassion. This podcast is just one of the things I do in service of my mission. Drop by my website https://craigconstantine.com/ for my weekly email, my other podcasts, writing and more.
Thanks for listening!
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