Storytelling podcasts, Part 2: Using storytelling elements to create a better podcast

It’s the second part of our series on storytelling podcasts. We’re joined again by Isabelle Mongeau, a writer and producer at Q’d Up Audio, to get insight on how to make a compelling narrative podcast.

We’ve already talked about the basics of narrative podcasts and the process of putting them together but now’s the time to get a little more creative. In this episode, Isabelle introduces us to storytelling podcast elements and how they make a more compelling series by using a time-tested process.

Show highlights:

Introduction

Re-introduction of Isabelle

Podcast recording software update (2:15)

John shares an update on some technical issues experienced when using SquadCast on a previous episode.

Storytelling elements in podcasts (3:05)

John, Jay, and Isabelle talk about the importance of following basic storytelling elements in your podcast.

Storytelling podcast basics: The story arc (5:07)

The beginning of any narrative poses a question. As simple as a character’s motivation to how someone overcame challenges, a good storyline is based around a question that comes up throughout the series.

Storytelling podcast basics: Exposition (5:46)

Exposition is simply the background information within the storyline. While that sounds simple enough, exposition can be one of the more challenging parts of creating a narrative podcast because of a desire to overshare which can turn off audiences. Isabelle explains some tips and ways of thinking so you can build your exposition into your storytelling podcasts naturally.

Storytelling podcast basics: Conflict (10:14)

Conflict doesn’t have to mean actual fights. Isabelle talks about what conflict really means and how it can be incorporated into a story in a variety of ways.

Storytelling podcast basics: Climax (12:07)

As the name suggests, the climax is the peak of the story. But while it is a confrontation of your conflict, Isabelle notes it doesn’t have to be a positive resolution or even a resolution of the conflict at all. Jay talks about how using the highs and lows can make other types of podcasts better as well.

Storytelling podcast basics: Resolution (15:49)

Whether your climax ends with a high or low, the resolution is simply the answering of the question first posed in your story arc. Isabelle also explains what denouement means, along with Jay, give some real-world examples of different types of resolutions in media today.

Storytelling elements: Characters (20:34)

Even in non-fiction stories, every person ends up fulfilling a role in the story. It can even be as simple as your story’s protagonist and antagonist. Jay points out that in non-storytelling podcasts, things like hosts and experts fit into clearly defined roles.

Conversational dialogue roles (23:27)

Isabelle shares a roundtable podcast she listens to and how conversational dialogue between the two hosts sets up their clear roles and adds balance to a podcast. Jay and Isabelle also talk about how tone, structure, and word usage is important in a narrative podcast.

Links:

Q’d Up

Pod Vader – Twitter

Pod Vader – Email

Pod Vader – Linked In

John – Email

John – Linked In

Izzy’s Ink – Youtube

Isabelle Mongeau – Twitter

Isabelle Mongeau – Email