This document discusses several popular narrative podcasts such as "Serial", "The Black Tapes", and "Welcome to Night Vale". It notes that they use techniques like intimate first-person narration and limited descriptions to engage listeners' imaginations. These narrative podcasts have achieved widespread popularity and acclaim, reflecting key elements of radio like intimacy and imagination. The document also suggests these podcasts take influence from precedents like radio drama while establishing their own genres of audio storytelling.

1. Theater of the Imagination
The History and Techniques of Audio Drama
Edward Bowen

3. Limitations may be
• Self Imposed
• Technological
• Commercial
• Historical
Remember this guy.

4. This is Sarah Koenig …
Sarah Koenig https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Koenig

5. This is Sarah Koenig …
Journalist, Public Radio Personality, Host and Executive
Producer of the podcast “Serial” from WBEZ and the
creators of “This American Life.”
Serial (Podcast) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_(podcast)

6. “Serial” from WBEZ and the creators of “This American Life”
Episode One - October 3, 2014
Serial https://serialpodcast.org/
Season One Episode One The Alibi
https://serialpodcast.org/season-one/1/the-alibi
(Listen to first 4 minutes and 30 seconds)
4:30

7. “Serial” from WBEZ and the creators of “This American Life”
Episode One - October 3, 2014
Notice
• The use of “I” in a personal first-person narrative. Koenig tells us the
story of HER exploration of the mystery.
• Koenig’s low-key, one-to-one, intimate tone.
• The use of “you” that involves the listener in the story.
• The use of limited description to stimulate and engage the listener’s
imagination.
Storytelling Techniques for Podcasting: Dan Feld on Great Narratives
http://tinyurl.com/zlsfpxa
Creators of ‘Serial’ on modern storytelling and why podcasts are an untapped opportunity
for brands http://tinyurl.com/z5s64m2
This American Life DIY Radio Guides http://tinyurl.com/28p6zut

8. “Serial” from WBEZ and the creators of “This American Life”
• The fastest podcast ever to reach 5 million downloads,
leading iTunes rankings for months.
• Over 90 million downloads as of June 2015
• 2014 Peabody Award Winner, the first podcast so recognized
- “Serial rocketed podcasting into the cultural mainstream.”
• “Podcasting’s first breakout hit.” The New York Times
• “A new genre of audio storytelling.” The Guardian
Peabody Awards – Serial http://tinyurl.com/glpdrpm
What ‘Serial’-mania says about the growing popularity of podcast http://tinyurl.com/jjy6c6m
The 'Serial' podcast: By the numbers http://tinyurl.com/hjxbyt8
Serial podcast breaks iTunes records as it passes 5m downloads and streams
http://tinyurl.com/lz2hgk8

9. “Serial” from WBEZ and the creators of “This American Life”
“Serial” reflects the three key elements of successful radio
and audio drama
• Intimacy
• Imagination
• First Person Narrative
File these away for later.
The Serial effect' hasn't worn off http://tinyurl.com/zdmsj5c
The 'Serial' Effect: Programmers Ramping Up on Podcasts http://tinyurl.com/zgdrf5n

10. This is Alex Reagan …
Alex Reagan on Twitter https://twitter.com/alexreaganradio

11. This is Alex Reagan …
Journalist, Public Radio Personality, Host of “The Black
Tapes” podcast from the creators of “Pacific Northwest
Stories.”
The Black Tapes Podcast http://theblacktapespodcast.com/
The Strand Institute http://www.strandinstitute.com/

12. “The Black Tapes” podcast from the creators of “Pacific
Northwest Stories.”
Episode One - May 21, 2015
The Black Tapes Podcast http://theblacktapespodcast.com/
The Black Tapes Podcast Episode One A Tale of Two Tapes
http://tinyurl.com/zqdh8v4
(Listen to first 4 minutes and 30 seconds)
4:30

13. The Black Tapes Podcast http://theblacktapespodcast.com/
The Strand Institute http://www.strandinstitute.com/
Internet and Social Media Presence

14. Internet and Social Media Presence
Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/290547250/the-black-tapes-podcast
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Alex-Reagan/100009240934445
Twitter https://twitter.com/alexreaganradio https://twitter.com/strandinstitute

15. Do you believe …
Ten years ago over three hundred men, women and children
disappeared from a small town in Tennessee, never to heard
from again?
Limetown Podcast http://www.limetownstories.com/

16. Do you believe …
That a strange audio signal received from outer space 70
years ago might contain a deadly alien virus?
The Message Podcast http://themessagepodcast.com/
How General Electric Created The Hit Science-Fiction Podcast “The Message”
http://tinyurl.com/nsju3a8

17. Do you believe …
That a vast conspiracy is working to keep secret the access
to a mysterious world and its potentially devastating power?
Tanis Podcast http://www.tanispodcast.com/
Listen to This: how Tanis podcast keeps mystery alive in internet age
http://tinyurl.com/j4ksc2w

18. Do you believe …
Are these podcasts
In using standard and recognizable techniques to recreate a
form or genre, such as a documentary format such as
“Serial”
Deception
Or
Verisimilitude (the appearance of being true or real)?
Remember this for later too.

19. DNA Test
The DNA of these podcast contains strains from a number of precedents.

20. As well as previous podcasts.
“Welcome to Night Vale” – Night Vale Public Radio
Episode One – June 15, 2012
Welcome to Night Vale http://www.welcometonightvale.com/
Welcome to Night Vale - Pilot - Episode 1
https://youtu.be/barhR-i_Ak8 (Listen to first 2 minutes)
2:00
DNA Test

21. As well as previous podcasts.
“The Thrilling Adventure Hour”
Episode One – January 10, 2011
The Thrilling Adventure Radio Hour
http://thrillingadventurehour.com/
Episode One Beyond Belief “Hell Is The Loneliest Number”
http://tinyurl.com/huofhom (Listen to first 2 minutes)
1:50
DNA Test

22. Podcast Nerds Rejoice: Radio Plays Are Making A Comeback http://tinyurl.com/hlfp62v
A Radio Horror Revival In The Podcast Age http://tinyurl.com/h58e5zz
http://www.werealive.com/ http://www.thetruthpodcast.com/ http://thecleansed.com/
http://www.radiodramarevival.com/ http://www.finalrune.com/
http://www.projectiradio.com/shows/harry-strange-radio-drama/