Mastering Podcasts with the ARC Radio Station
Senior thesis as a media and communication student is amazing–mostly because you get to choose what you want to do. With this freedom, I decided to do something that I have always dreamed of doing, but never had the chance to do–podcasting! As an avid consumer of podcasts, I’ve always wanted to create my own, but something that was unique and attuned to my interests. I am thankful that my senior thesis course gave me the opportunity to create something personal to me, and I am especially grateful to the ARC radio station for providing me with the tools to do so!
So, how can you, as a student, use the radio station resources for creative purposes outside of the typical radio show? Let’s talk about it! To begin, I had a conversation with the current ARC president, Jake Smith, about what podcasting might look like for me. All of the equipment that they have in the station is perfect for podcasting, from the high quality microphones to the soundproof studio itself. There is minimal training, and then a guidelines acknowledgment that you have to complete before being in the station alone, however, other than that, it is a pretty quick start.
I think it is wonderful that the school has a hub for this sort of creative outlet because it is a bit less popular and well-known medium. However, I have found that the ARC station is the perfect place to release that creative energy through podcasting. The ease of recording really shocked me, as I always picture podcasting being very difficult, especially since I had never done it before. However, the instructions that were given to me in the training were so easy to understand and I was able to record without a hitch!
As for coming up with ideas for podcasts, that has to come from you. I suggest looking into your personal interests and seeing if there is a gap in the podcasting market for that particular thing. Or don’t, and just pick whatever you want and do it for fun! I personally decided to do a podcast on case studies of crisis management, which sounds so boring to a lot of people, I’m sure, but it was so fun to record regardless.
If you are interested in having a show, reach out to the current ARC president, Jake Smith at jsmith_21@arcadia.edu, or to the Media and Communication department chair, Lisa Holderman at holdermanl@arcadia.edu. They can help you figure out how to get started in the station itself! I would definitely consider doing a podcast through the radio station; don’t feel constrained by the fact that it is a “radio” studio, there is so much more to be done in it!
