Podcast Research

Before diving into recording our podcast, we have decided to dedicate an evening to binge watch some actual podcasts! Of course this was done in pursuit of research. We chose to research three drastically different from each other podcasts - hopefully this will help us understand the wide range of podcasts and their diversity in style. Additionally, we had a look at a similar podcast to ours - hopefully this research will help us understand how to create our own.

Therapy Gecko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKU0rO9mMBU

• phone calls from the audience

• green screen

• stock footage

• costume / body paint

• social media / website links at the right top side of the screen

• Clips - to advertise the podcast

• Logo as well as the phone number at the top of the screen

• very simple "low effort" design but made on purpose

• "talk to a real gecko" - tag line?

• informal mode of address, however, the advices given are genuine

• couple / life advice

• 'unhinged therapy session'

• reminds me of laughter therapy

• the podcast has merch - another income source

• available on platforms such as YouTube, Spotify and Twitch - donates?

• live chat (Twitch)

• typically two calls per episode

Distractible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95Ipnv181sM

• intro - classical music, old man narrator explaining what the episode is about - old television inspired animation - helps to create a 'brand identity'

• Run by three people, one of them is a well known youtuber Markiplier - star placement

• each week a different person is hosting and choosing the topic of the episode

• the host is chosen through a "point system" - points can be lost and earned as the conversation goes - the host decides on who gets points

• the video is recorded through the use of web cams which are later edited in a style of a YouTube video, featuring special effects, camera zooms and non diegetit sounds

• The podcast can be found on platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcast

• mostly follows the lives of the hosts or their interests

• The Podcasts is advertised in various ways; social media, mentioned in YouTube videos, animation videos, clips

• merch

• the podcast has its own reddit page as well as a discord

• ending - announcing next podcast, as well as socials

The Group Chat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z1J29yP2Bw

• Run by six friend, five of them live together in a house

• Quick and smooth intro animation

• Every episode of the podcast is sponsored by the same company (gamersupps)

• Narrating stories about what’s been going on with their lives

• Recorded on a Discord voice call

• Very chill and light-hearted

• Lightly scripted, sometimes not script at all

• Natural conversations

• Discount promotions and social media on screen

• Censors things said if needed

• Minimal editing style

• They also upload IRL group content on the same channel

• The one person who hasn’t revealed his face yet instead has an animation play when he speaks to simulate talking

• Very funny and entertaining group of guys

I am an Immigrant

“I am an Immigrant” by Maryna Sulym is a podcast about being an immigrant and the stigma surrounding it. The goal of the podcast is to reduce the stigma around immigration through putting a new perspective on it. It almost feels like you are listening to a chat between friends. Since immigration can be seen as a sensitive or difficult subject to talk about, this tone helped destigmatise it and make it feel like it is a normal thing to talk about. The guests talk about their personal experience with immigration, why they decided to move and their experience adapting to their unfamiliar environment.

Each episode begins with a simple guitar jingle played alongside a short clip. The jingle returned halfway through the podcast, alongside a call to subscribe and share the podcast, which functions as a short break. She advertises the podcast on the website iceandfire.co.uk and uploads the episodes onto Spotify, Apple Podcast, YouTube, Podbay, Castbox and Tunein.

Their podcast is targeting people who immigrated to the UK, mostly because of its themes. However, they also cover the experiences of young adults, such as university students, which could be seen as their secondary audience.

Although this podcast is focused on immigration, it did not strictly stick to talking about that, as it also discussed the guest’s life and interests. This shows that just because a podcast has a particular theme, it does not mean it has to strictly stick to that theme and avoid talking about anything else, which mostly applies to podcasts which are casual/chatty. We are planning to make our podcast in a similar style, as it comes off as much more personal and enjoyable!