PODCAST PREFERENCES

podcaster Click play. Cue the background music and a calming voice. The start of a podcast. by Connie Ryu and Yasmin Kudrati-Plummer preferences

While podcasts may seem simplistic in their format as audios, the work required behind each is immense. To keep listeners captivated, podcasters must employ tactics such as appropriate background music, engaging voices, illustrative conversations, deep insight, and more.

The TJTV Podcast Network (TJPN) creates podcasts that use such strategies for Jefferson students, and in such they have explored and gained inspiration from other podcasts they may listen to. They have a stronger understanding of both the work put into them and how effectively they are made. Here are some of the podcast recommendations they have given that nail what matters in the podcast media: engaging presentations that are both informative and holistic.

whitmanochiai

Executive Producer

jessicachung

Podcaster/Staff Member

mayukavalluri

Podcaster/Staff Member

laurazhang

Podcaster/Staff Member

Planet Money

by NPR

nPR’s podcast “Planet Money” explains — surprise — money, aiming to inform listeners on economic issues that likely influence their daily lives. “A lot of what makes podcasts engaging is not just what you’re saying, but how you make the sounds that the listeners are going to hear,” senior podcaster Whitman Ochiai shared with his recommendation. “Money in itself can oftentimes be a pretty complex topic, but they’re able to take it and put it in a way that still keeps listeners engaged because they have a strong presentation ability [varying speed of speech, pitch and tone of voice, and sentence structures].”

podcaster TJPN podcasters share their podcast recommendations preferences

Stuff You Should Know

by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant

popular podcast “Stuff You Should Know” (SYSK) features a number of topics while often making pop culture references for comedic entertainment. Hosted by Josh Clark and Charles W. “Chuck” Bryant, SYSK immerses listeners into insightful, everyday conversations shared between buddies. “There’s not really one topic in particular that they cover; it’s more of just a general educational podcast, which I like since you can just choose whatever episode interests you,” sophomore Jessica Chung said.

Hidden in Plain Sight

by Chad Grills

hidden in Plain Sight’’ highlights stand-out businesses that rarely get much attention and is hosted by Mission CEO Chad Grills. The featured businesses have good work ethics or do beneficial things around the world (for example, making a product for those who are in dire need of it) but don’t get the recognition they deserve; they are hidden in plain sight. “I think it’s really cool how [the podcast] highlights those who do good in the world and brings awareness to all the good these companies are doing. It gives them the attention that they deserve but are unfortunately not getting,” freshman podcaster Mayuka Valluri said.

You’re Wrong About

by Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall

the independent American pop culture podcast “You’re Wrong About,” features two journalists (Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall) who discuss misinterpreted events and people. “They uncover a lot of intriguing topics, and it’s always interesting to hear multiple sides of the story that I haven’t experienced before. The co-hosts are not just extremely knowledgeable, but also really funny, which creates an overall entertaining podcast,” freshman Laura Zhang said.

DANCING

TO YOUR OWN BEAT

When I was six years old, my mom got me into tap dancing because she wanted me to do something other than play video games the entire day. And so I did tap dancing classes three times a week and competed in state competitions. Once we moved to Tennessee, I started moving away from tap dancing and more into freestyle dancing when I was eight years old.

Tap dancing is mostly synchronization with your group partners. With freestyle hip hop, it is more of body strength instead of just synchronization. You can do what you want, and use your

entire body instead of just

one portion. You have the liberty to attach moves together, making yourself look good. However, doing

one random dance move after another is definitely

hard.

PHOTO by Sean Nguyen REPORTING by Sean Nguyen WHAT I’VE LEARNED

Last year was a way to get out of my comfort zone where a lot of people were even surprised I could dance. Looking at my physique, people expect that I’m pretty weak. Although I am weak, I’m just strong

enough to move myself

around while dancing.