Speaking of podcasts....

Been discussing podcasts via e-mail with Dan Wheeler in Danbury, and as part of hunting around for some examples, I came across this article: Newspapers' nascent podcasting projects in perspective - Editors Weblog- Analysis.

One preoccupation of newspapers looking to include podcasting is how to produce them in a way to which readers can relate. Are readers merely interested in hearing the print journalist read his or her article or does it have to sound more professional to keep the reader coming back?

Of course, given that choice, it's the latter, right?

I submit, however, that the goal should really be to sound professional and off-the-cuff (authentic) at the same time. That's a challenge, but it's doable. The podcasts I enjoy the most sound as if they are not following a script, while also not injecting a lot of ums and ahs in between.

I'm a huge fan of The Splendid Table Kitchen Questions. It's basically the call-in portion of The Splendid Table, a public radio program produced by American Public Media (home of Marketplace and A Prairie Home Companion, among many others). The podcasts's real charm is that its completely unscripted (well, aside from the call screener), but always informative.

On the flip side, Celtic Music News podcast is outstanding for its musical content, but I cringe every time I listen to the host in between songs because he always seems lost and unsure of where he's going next.

Here's what some other newspapers are doing across the country. If you don't have iTunes or other software that can subscribe to podcasts, get thee to Juice, and give their free software a trial run.

Here's a list I collected for Dan:

Papers more our speed:

Pensacola News Journal: http://multimedia.pensacolanewsjournal.com/podcast/pod_pop.shtml

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=PODCAST

The Daily Journal (Kanakee County, Ill.): http://ww2.daily-journal.com/podcast/index.cfm

And the big boys:

SacBee: http://www.sacticket.com/music/story/13712786p-14555138c.html

NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/multimedia/podcasts.html (I love the Music Popcast. And even the Most E-mailed Stories one is pretty good. It's about three minutes, and always has a quirky, creative spin on describing the stories.)

SFGate: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/indexn?blogid=5
Description of their intent: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/about?blogid=5

Philly.com: http://www.phillyfeed.com/

If you're really interested, I'll send a list of the music podcasts I listen to regularly.