Podcast Junkies - Storytelling Interviews & Conversations with Podcasters Podcasting Passionately

152: The Art of True Crime Storytelling with David Ridgen

Dec 8, 2017

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In this episode of Podcast Junkies, host Harry Duran interviews David Ridgen, an investigative journalist and filmmaker who creates the true crime podcast "Someone Knows Something" for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Ridgen discusses his approach to investigating cold cases, the emotional toll of working on unsolved crimes, and the differences between making documentaries and podcasts. The conversation offers insights into the production process of investigative podcasts and the importance of providing closure for families affected by unsolved crimes.

5 Key Takeaways

1. When interviewing subjects, focus on listening rather than jumping in. Let silences speak and only ask questions you genuinely want answered. This allows for more natural, revealing conversations.

2. In investigative work, the process of looking into cases is often as important as the outcome. Involving family members and documenting their personal journey can be valuable even without a definitive resolution.

3. For true crime podcasts, extensive preparation is crucial. This includes field recording, transcription, multiple rounds of writing and editing, legal vetting, and careful audio production. A single episode can involve over 100 pages of scripting.

4. When approaching sensitive topics, make a quick connection with interview subjects to establish trust. Show empathy and understanding of nuance before asking tough questions.

5. For podcasters tackling heavy subject matter, having a strong support system of family and friends is vital. Finding ways to involve loved ones in the work, while maintaining appropriate boundaries, can help manage the emotional toll.