Listeners to Sound Judgment know I’m on a quest to unpack how today’s best hosts make their magic — and to define the universal skills and qualities of “hostiness.” What makes some hosts stars, while we don’t remember the rest?

Today, we name and explore the first of these universal skills:

#1: Sparkling, Attention-Grabbing Intros
Compelling hosts know how to grab and hold listeners' attention from the very first seconds of an episode. A great intro, also called a "lede," relies on the elements of:
— Surprise
— Curiosity
— Scene setting
— For interview and conversation shows, stating your purpose

We explore how three hosts, of two narrative podcasts and one interview show, use these elements in dramatically different ways to create remarkably effective ledes.

(Please note: This episode includes the sounds of guns and a brief discussion of some tough topics, including suicide, during my exploration of Stephanie Wittels Wachs’ lede into the Last Day episode, “A Love Story.” The third season of Last Day is about guns. If you’re a host or producer thinking about the tenth anniversary of the Sandy Hook school shooting yesterday, and how to report movingly and sensitively about guns, Last Day is a model of how to do this beautifully and ethically.)

The episode(s) discussed on today’s Sound Judgment:
Last Day, A Love Story, from Sound Judgment Ep. 1, “Emotional Bravery on Last Day with Stephanie Wittels Wachs”

Crime Show, Paging Dr. Barnes, from Sound Judgment Ep. 4, “Cinematic Storytelling with Crime Show’s Emma Courtland.”

What Should I Read Next, Ep 350: “Book mail keeps us together” and

Ep 351 “Book Club Favorites: LIVE from Bookmarks!”, from Sound Judgment Ep. 7, “Secrets of Hosting Live and In-Studio with the Queen of Book Podcasts, Anne Bogel.”

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Here’s a unique, last-minute gift idea for you or the podcast host in your life!

Make sure you’re doing everything you can to hook your listener with a personalized Hook-Your-Listener Audit. You or your podcaster will share an episode with us. We’ll examine the intro, sound quality, structure, relatability, credibility, pacing and more, all through the lens of hostiness. For the holidays, this 45-minute session, filled with action-packed takeaways specific to your show, is only $149. If your loved one (or you) has resolved to grow their show in 2023, this is a quick and painless way to transform your show – and more importantly, you as a host – from good to great! Get one of the last remaining sessions now through New Year’s Eve and schedule your audit for January or February. The price goes back up to $300 on January 1. What could be a more personal gift? Click here for this special holiday Hook-Your-Listener Audit.

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Help us find and celebrate today’s best hosts!
Who’s your Sound Judgment dream guest? Share them with us! Write us: allies@podcastallies.com. Because of you, that host may appear on Sound Judgment.

Help lift up indie podcast hosts and producers! Bring untold stories to our ears with this worthy cause

We’re delighted to support the Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund. LWC Studios launched the fund to support independent BIPOC, Queer and Trans audio producers in submitting high-quality work to media/journalism awards and receiving production education and training. Diversifying audio storytelling enriches all of us. Please support the fund in whatever way works for you.

Credits

Sound Judgment is a production of Podcast Allies, LLC. For more information on our production and training services, visit us at www.podcastallies.com.

Host: Elaine Appleton Grant

Project Manager: Tina Bassir

Sound Designer: Andrew Parrella

Illustrator: Sarah Edgell

Improve your storytelling Check out our popular workshops on interviewing, story editing, story structure, longform narrative, audience engagement, guesting, scriptwriting and more.

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Help us find and celebrate today’s best hosts
Who’s your Sound Judgment dream guest? Email me: allies@podcastallies.com. Because of you, that host may appear on Sound Judgment.

Credits

Sound Judgment is a production of Podcast Allies, LLC.

Host: Elaine Appleton Grant

Podcast Manager: Tina Bassir

Production Manager: Andrew Parrella

Audio Engineer: Kevin Kline

Production Assistant: Audrey Nelson

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