The art of podcasting (and why we love it)

Let’s face it: finding spare time in this day and age is no easy task; we all have things that we need or want to be doing. Take the life of a student as an example: each day they must attend class, socialize, exercise, and complete their homework — not to mention somehow fitting in time to eat, shower and hopefully relax before going to sleep. Despite this hectic onslaught of responsibilities (which extends well into adulthood), most of us maintain an innate desire to continue learning, so maximizing the time we do have is of the utmost importance. Enter the podcast.

The above audio demonstrates one of podcastings core strengths: niche audiences. Regardless of your tastes, there is likely someone out there creating custom content tailor-made for your listening. This expansive range of topics has translated into massive popularity: Apple recently announced that the iTunes Store had topped 1 billion podcast subscriptions. It’s a pretty clear indication that people are looking for something better to listen to than the top 40 while commuting, exercising or walking their dog.

THINK Out Loud

Around this time last year we noticed a trend on our YouTube page: the videos we had uploaded containing guest speaker lectures were among our most popular, and they were consistently generating the same number of views week after week. From this analysis the idea for the “THINK Out Loud” podcast was born. In addition to featuring audio-only versions of our speakers’ talks, we’ve also begun offering episodes dedicated exclusively to student roundtable discussions. Casual in nature, these talks provide our students with the opportunity to share their perspectives on the places that they live and visit.

Japan student roundtable:

How to listen and subscribe to THINK Out Loud

1. Website: The THINK Out Loud podcast can be streamed, downloaded and subscribed to directly from our podcast page.

2. iTunes: Listening to THINK Out Loud on your Apple device is easy: simply click the following link to open the podcast in a browser window. From there, click the blue “View in iTunes” button to open iTunes and subscribe. Doing so will make “THINK Out Loud” available for download and streaming on your iPhone or iPad device. Alternatively, you can also search directly on your iPhone or iPad in the App Store to stream or subscribe.

3. Stitcher: Users of Android devices can stream our podcasts using the Stitcher app.

 

Guest speakers wanted!

Now that you’re a podcasting aficionado, we’d love to hear your feedback on our content. We’re also always on the lookout for guest speakers who are experts in their field, so if you or someone you know would like to share their expertise on a subject, drop us a line!

Other Podcasts

Craving more content? These six educational podcasts are definitely worth a listen!

• Grammar Girl: Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing. Whether English is your first language or your second language, these grammar, punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer.
• This American Life: This American Life is a weekly public radio show broadcast on more than 500 stations to about 2.1 million listeners. It is produced by Chicago Public Media, distributed by Public Radio International, and has won all of the major broadcasting awards.
• TEDTalks: TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. On this feed, you’ll find TEDTalks video to inspire, intrigue and stir the imagination from some of the world’s leading thinkers and doers, speaking from the stage at TED conferences, TEDx events and partner events around the world. This podcast is also available in high-def video and audio-only formats.
• StarTalk with Neil Degrasse Tyson: StarTalk Radio is the first and only popular commercial radio program devoted to all things space and is hosted by renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. As Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, Tyson makes regular appearances as the “nation’s expert on space” on major news programs and popular shows (Daily Show, Colbert Report).
• Stuff You Missed in History Class: What were thirteen reasons for the American Revolution? What’s the story of China’s foot binding tradition? Join Holly and Tracy as they bring you the greatest and strangest Stuff You Missed In History Class
• Freakonomics Radio: In their books “Freakonomics” and “SuperFreakonomics,” Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner explore “the hidden side of everything,” with stories about cheating schoolteachers, self-dealing real-estate agents, and crack-selling mama’s boys. The Freakonomics Radio podcast, hosted by Dubner, carries on that tradition with weekly episodes.