In honor of World Radio Day this week, The Sound School Podcast is celebrating with a story that exemplifies the power of radio to evoke striking images — a story reported from a remote hillside in Slovenia.  

Katz Laszlo says writing and tracking for herself is complicated enough. But it's an even greater challenge writing for and tracking with the two co-hosts of The Europeans podcast. Katz lays out how she and the hosts wrangle it all on the latest Sound School.

The podcast explores a tracking session for a narration about Prime Minister Maurice Bishop's execution and the invasion of Grenada, with discussions on the emotional journey of creating a creative project, enunciation techniques, and the collaborative script writing process.

Guest Jonathan Goldstein, podcast host and writer, discusses the challenges faced by the podcast industry in 2023, the significance of audio beyond monetary gain, the practice of taking color notes, a hidden family secret, the process of putting together a story, and humorous anecdotes about rental cars and Minnesota translation.

Rob takes himself to task on this episode. He felt the beginning of the last episode of Sound School was so boring, he rewrote it. Compare the old version with the new version be sure to tell us at Transom which is the better open. 

Theo Greenly reports for a public radio station in the far-flung Aleutian Islands in Alaska. When he started, about two and a half years ago, he thought he'd hit the ground running reporting in-depth, documentary-style pieces. Instead, he learned he really needed to get his bearings first and just report the news. His stories about how to report -- and navigate all the transportation challenges -- in such a remote location are fun and insightful. 

Fiction should stay in its corner, non-fiction in its corner. Or so Rob thought until he heard producer Pippa Johnstone seamlessly and effectively mix the two in her memorable podcast "Expectant," where Pippa explores a remarkably uncomfortable question: In a time of climate change, is it okay to have children? 

In this podcast, Catherine Carr interviews strangers about where they're going and more. She discusses her unique approach and engages in conversations with a couple on a train. They talk about travel, career choices, and life in Poland under Russian control. They also discuss the experiences of a producer who used to work at the BBC and is now a freelancer. The host then interviews a man she met at a subway station, discussing his love story and personal struggles.

Studs Terkel is considered by many to be a patron saint of documentary radio journalism. It's been 15 years since his death. On this archive episode of Sound School from 2012, Rob talks to Syd Lewis who worked with Studs for 25 years. The show also includes a lengthy excerpt from "Working With Studs," a Transom Radio Special produced by Syd, Jay Allison, and Viki Merrick.  

Rob acts as a story DJ, featuring excerpts from pleasing podcasts. Topics include Hurricane Watch Network, Clarence Thomas's beliefs and influence, adoption and forced adoptions, craftsmanship and podcast release schedules, and the profound connection between people and their treasured belongings.