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A Pitch for Podcasting

By Hilary Brueck

When I turn on music podcasts, it's usually to discover new sounds, hear some different artists and maybe listen to some acoustic renditions of old favorite tunes.

So when Alex Kapelman and Whitney Jones, producers of “Pitch” podcast had me listen to their show, I was expecting to hear about the sounds and the rhythms of music.

But what I noticed and admired right off the bat about Pitch was how the duo talks about the stories behind music: they're not just listening to music, they're digging into long lost loves and voter registration issues!

It's all part of a bigger exploration of the connection between music and the people living around it, a concept called “music ecology,” or bringing the human experience into the story of music. 

Pitch is rolling out their second season of shows this month (with a first-ever karaoke-themed episode set to debut tomorrow). If you've ever wondered how to work with sound design, how to make your tiny podcast go viral, or even, if you're just looking for that next great podcast to add to your library, check out our conversation and head over to www.hearpitch.org for the latest episodes of Pitch.

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WNYC's Manoush Zomorodi talks women in radio, podcasting, and why she loves neurotic hosts.

By Hilary Brueck

Here at the Radiofile, we're big New Tech City fans. Maybe that's because (full disclosure) Matt's also an intern at WNYC, but I'd like to think it's more because every week they bring us funky new tech stories.

A recent favorite of mine was this segment about why more women are gravitating to computer science (and how that's great for the economy).

New Tech Host Manoush Zomorodi has a very upbeat, cinematic (and unmistakable) radio voice. So when Manoush agreed to sit down and chat, I couldn't wait to ask about the changing role of women's voices on the radio.

I was delighted when our candid conversation also steered to the virtues of "weird, strange and unusual" podcasting, being a neurotic host, and, last but not least, why being called a bitch in your comments section should sometimes be considered a badge of honor.

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#NowHearThis: Google Glass may have to hit the road before it ever gets behind the wheel.

By Hilary Brueck

(WNYC-Tedeytan/flickr)

There's really no better way to start a busy day in New York City than with the sweet, soothing savvy of Soterious Johnson on WNYC. But this morning, I was especially excited to hear Soterious announcing our very own Matt Collette's latest story about Google Glass would be part of the day's NYC Morning Edition mix. 

Check out all the scene setting Matt does in this story: he brings us right into the world of developers and tech geeks. We're in the bar with Launa Rich trying on Google Glass and wondering, how do you control this thing, anyway? Then we move on to the road, and into the car with Robert Sinclair, a AAA employee who's weary of people using more tech in the car.

I left the story curious for what's going to happen next. Will Google Glass prove to be the car-worthy tech of the future? Will wearable tech be applauded as a well-placed navigation device, or chastised as a demonic smartphone on steroids?

I guess we'll have to wait for Matt's next trip to the bar to find out.

What’s the best thing you heard today? Submit your own #NowHearThis via Facebook,Twitter, or email.

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#NowHearThis: The Depths of the Internet

By Veronica Jean Seltzer

It's your lucky day! Why you ask? Because I'm giving you a #NowHearThis twofer. Planet Money has been all over covering the Internet lately. They are answering all the questions we are curious about when it comes to online life. We even recommended one of their Internet stories in a previous #NowHearThis, but they have gotten even better!

One of my favorites? A David Kestenbaum story about "The Wild West of Internet Domains". It explains why we're starting to see new domains like .sexy and .tips. With all of these new homes for websites, what will happen to our beloved .com, "the New York City" of domains? Listen to find out!

                              If you're in the mood for something a little less whimsical, try out this brief piece on the Heartbleed Bug. Very few have explained if we should really worry about this bug and why. One of the best things about this Heartbleed story is its clear explanations, very typically Planet Money.

What’s the best thing you heard today? Email us at [email protected] or share a link with us on Facebook or Twitter.

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#NowHearThis: Pulitzer's nod to audio: 'Become Ocean'

By Hilary Brueck

While we couldn't convince the Pulitzer committee to delve into the rich world of audio reporting this year, they did come out the other side of today's 2014 Pulitzer announcements with a song.

Become Ocean is the latest orchestral work from American composer John Luther Adams. The Pulitzer committee awarded Adams the storied prize for his 

"haunting orchestral work that suggests a relentless tidal surge, evoking thoughts of melting polar ice and rising sea levels."

Adams will be rewarded with $10,000 and oh yeah, the Pulitzer Prize--which was also notably handed out to reporters at the Washington Post, The Guardian U.S. and the Boston Globe this year. In addition to being one of the most prestigious journalism accolades, the Prize is awarded annually to an original piece of American music.

About his work, Adams writes:

"As a composer it’s my belief that music can contribute to the awakening of our ecological understanding. By deepening our awareness of our connections to the earth, music can provide a sounding model for the renewal of human consciousness and culture."

What’s the best thing you heard today? Email us at [email protected] or share a link with us on Facebook or Twitter.