Using Sound as Storytelling in Academic Podcasts

Can you tell a story through sound?

Sam Harnett and Chris Hoff, creators of Ways of Knowing, discuss their journey of blending sound and academia in this captivating episode. Frustrated with the repetitive nature of public radio, they shifted focus to sound as a central storytelling tool, using it to evoke emotions and memories in ways traditional narratives can't. Their project, Ways of Knowing, challenges how academic knowledge can be conveyed through immersive audio, collaborating with universities to produce sonically rich, intellectually rigorous content. This conversation dives deep into their creative process, technical challenges, and the future of audio storytelling in education.

Episode Links:

• The World According to Sound
• Ways of Knowing 
• Sam Harnett: LinkedIn 
• Chris Hoff: LinkedIn 

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction
Neil and Jennifer introduce guests Sam Harnett and Chris Hoff from the Ways of Knowing podcast.
(00:03:04) The World According to Sound
How The World According to Sound started as a reaction to traditional public radio formats.
(00:06:07) Sound and Memory
The immersive soundscapes used to evoke both learning and emotional responses.
(00:09:58) Humanities and Sound in Podcasting
The challenges and opportunities of bringing humanities research to life through sound.
(00:12:16) Producing High-Quality Soundscapes
The technical side of the podcast, from recording sound to mixing it for immersive experiences.
(00:13:39) Importance of Sound Design
The significance of strong sound design and thoughtful podcast structure.
(00:16:20) University Collaborations
How each season of Ways of Knowing is shaped by different academic institutions.
(00:20:46) Future Topics and Ambitions
Potential future topics including the economics of higher education.
(00:25:27) Creating Evergreen Content
The importance of creating evergreen content that remains relevant.
(00:29:41) Audio vs. Video
The trend towards video in podcasting and why Sam and Chris focus solely on audio.
(00:34:20) Conclusion

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (03:04) - The World According to Sound
• (06:07) - Sound and Memory
• (09:58) - Humanities and Sound in Podcasting
• (12:16) - Producing High-Quality Soun