paulcrosstoronto’s Podcast

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 9

On April Fools and Fake News.  From March 29, 2019.  In which I maintain it's inappropriate for Radio news and public affairs program makers to make up fake stories to broadcast on April 1.  If your currency with your listener is trust, it seems to me it's just wrong to fabricate stories and present them as if they are real! Makes fair use of bits from CBC Radio 1.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 8

On declining to say his name. From March 22, 2019.  The prime minister of New Zealand will not participate in giving a mass murder terrorist the publicity he sought.  She will not speak his name.  And Radio listeners do not need to hear his name in every story about the case.  It will become a required part of the story at times -- when the story is about the court developments -- but even then, there's a way to focus the story. We had an approach in the big, tough rock'n'roll Top 40 Radio newsroom at 1050 CHUM Toronto that went back to the 70s.  Radio today might benefit from our historic approach. Makes fair use of some bits from Newstalk 1010 CFRB in Toronto.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 7

On the New Golden Age of Audio:  From March 15, 2019.  From the 1920s to the 1950s, Drama on the Radio was a popular listening pastime.  Radio drama still is popular in many parts of the world.  But there's a new Golden Age of Audio drama, too.  It's in podcasts! Fair usage of bits of The Shadow; Suspense; X Minus One; Dead Air; Limetown; Tanis and Mind's Eye.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 6

On International Women's Day:  One of the unsung great Women pioneers in Radio.   From March 8, 2019.  The first "Director of Talks" at BBC Radio was a woman.  She was recruited by BBC in 1926.  One of the programs she created in 1929 still airs today; 90 years later! So why don't Radio professionals, students and academics know about Hilda Matheson?

Makes use of bits of the "Week in Westminster" from BBC (2019).  Refers to "Radio Girls" by Sarah-Jane Stratford (New American Library, 2016), "Broadcasting" by Hilda Matheson (Home University Library, Thornton Butterworth, 1933) and my review https://paulcrossradio1.wordpress.com/2017/01/28/how-a-novel-about-radio-becomes-a-valuable-resource-for-teaching-and-learning-about-radio/ (2017)

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 5

"On reflections from PodCamp". From March 1, 2019.  Podcast makers and listeners gathered at Podcamp Toronto were treated to two days of presentations and discussions, and left with inspiration, ideas, guidance, and new friendships.  What a great event.  My follow-up here is about some of the take-aways, trends, and tips from Podcamp.  And I'm certainly not leaving out representation of two of my recent former students in the post-grad Radio and Media Production program at Humber College in Toronto, who were recognized at the second annual Canadian Podcasting Awards celebration during the weekend.  Have a listen!

Cross Talk: Season 2 Extra - Pop-up!

On the "Pop-up" podcast.  From February 26, 2019.  For discussion.  Can a pop-up podcast of a limited number of episodes -- a one-off, or a very short series -- be compatible with your brand while showing some diversity in your content? It won't be suitable for everyone, but I think there are some good possibilities. There was some reaction pro and con, when I raised the prospect in my presentation at Podcamp Toronto February 24th.  Here are some more thoughts about it, including the way I presented the prospect at Podcamp.  Pop up:  A short run related to your main show; at the end of the run, you just don't make that particular product anymore...but your main brand carries on.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 4

On podcasting, on Podcamp weekend.  From February 21, 2019.  Podcamp Toronto runs this weekend.  I will be presenting a session called "Not the same old Story:  One-offs, Serials, and Seasons".  It's all about strategy for telling your story, and how to lay it out across time.  This week's episode hints at some of the areas I will cover in-depth in the presentation.  Is the story one episode of your show alone? Does it need to play out in a serialized fashion? What about a pop-up serial of a limited number of episodes? Do you have enough material and access to more, to go more than one season? And how can you keep so much audio and other material organized? Let's talk about it!

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 3

On World Radio Day.  From February 13, 2019. February 13th is designated "World Radio Day" by UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.  It's great to see messages from Radio workers, celebrating their Radio experiences and some from listeners, too.  But the idea behind the day is even bigger.  This year's theme is Radio's role in fostering Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace.  Here's my look at World Radio Day -- with some input from my Radio friend Jonathan Teye in Ghana.  Also makes use of audio made available by UNESCO; you can find a bank of audio from them on soundcloud under World Radio Day. 

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 2

"On reporting extreme weather".  From January 31, 2019.  Includes Six Simple Rules for weather forecast reporting on Radio.  Maybe you wonder where Radio stations get their weather information from; or what a forecast is supposed to mean.  Fair use application of bits of broadcast audio from 680News, Global NewsRadio AM 640, NewsTalk 1010 and AM 740, all in Toronto.  Reference to Environment Canada. 

Cross Talk extra: Snow Day!

On Making a Podcast on a Snow Day.  From January 29, 2019.  What if the electricity goes out? Radio and the land-line phone are still good to go; let's make a podcast on battery power! Along the way, I get some advice from my son, about managing a frustrating situation with a snowblower.  I know I'm not alone on that one! Just for fun today.  #snowday