The Future of Content podcast

Remember when podcasting was just an audio medium? Now it’s virtually understood that a podcast will also have a video component because of the popularity of viewing video. In this episode, we sit down with Bob Bowdon, the visionary behind Vidafair, to uncover the transformational journey from text-based tutorials to dominant video platforms like YouTube, now the second largest search engine.  Bob brings decades of expertise in video and broadcasting, sharing how video has become indispensable for various aspects of content marketing. Bob’s new firm Vidafair empowers content creators to set their own fees, ensuring fair monetization. From TikTok's snappy clips to Joe Rogan's marathon podcasts, we unpack how different formats engage audiences – short-form videos keep users glued to the platform while long-form content builds deeper connections with creators.  This week’s episode invites viewers to ponder how they would like to use video and how artificial intelligence will or won’t play a role. Connect with us! Todd Ross Nienkerk on LinkedIn Bob Bowdon on LinkedIn VidaFair About Four Kitchens Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world. At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions. Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good.   

In this episode, we’re joined by Jim Vomero, Senior Engineer at Four Kitchens, to explore how AI is reshaping the landscape of web design, content management, and user experience. From improving editorial workflows to rethinking navigation and search, Jim shares his insights on where generative AI is making an impact — and where human-centered design still leads the way. We discuss: How to build a better editorial and admin experience in enterprise CMS platforms like Drupal. Why designing backend workflows with authors in mind makes content creation easier — and even fun. How AI could eventually replace FAQs, navigation, and search by answering user questions directly. Why prompt engineering, token budgets, and metadata matter when optimizing content for AI-powered tools. The opportunities (and challenges) of using AI for taxonomy management, content recommendations, and personalization. Tune in to hear how Jim’s hands-on experience with a major university project reveals the future of content creation, delivery, and governance — and what AI can and can’t (yet) do. Ready to learn more? Jim Vomero on LinkedIn Todd Ross Nienkerk on LinkedIn About Four Kitchens AI, content strategy, design systems… Keeping pace with the web is hard. We’re here to help. We help some of the world’s most forward-thinking organizations build digital platforms that stand out and stay relevant. Whether you’re looking for a complete redesign, long-term support, or an extension of your team, we’re here to help you succeed today and lead tomorrow. Learn more about how Four Kitchens is creating the future of content.

Generative AI is transforming how we interact with content — but are we using it efficiently? In this episode, we’re joined by Sebastianna Skalisky, Content Strategist at Four Kitchens, to explore how organizations can optimize their content for AI-powered tools — making them more accurate, cost-effective, and useful. We discuss: How we built a ChatGPT-style chatbot for a major university using retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to provide precise, reliable answers. Why structured content is critical — and how AI struggles with unorganized, outdated information. What token budgets are, why they matter, and how they impact both cost and performance. How AI’s disruptive nature is forcing organizations to finally clean up their messy, outdated content. Tune in to learn how to get the most out of AI — and why better content leads to better results. Ready to learn more? Sebastianna Skalisky on LinkedIn Todd Ross Nienkerk on LinkedIn About Four Kitchens AI, content strategy, design systems… Keeping pace with the web is hard. We’re here to help. We help some of the world’s most forward-thinking organizations build digital platforms that stand out and stay relevant. Whether you’re looking for a complete redesign, long-term support, or an extension of your team, we’re here to help you succeed today and lead tomorrow. Learn more about how Four Kitchens is creating the future of content.

Delving into the future of content, this podcast discusses immersive experiences beyond screens, universal content management systems, and the integration of AI in content creation. Exploring the challenges and possibilities of spatial computing, flexible editing across platforms, and the evolution of CMS towards AI integration, this conversation offers insights on the exciting advancements shaping the content landscape.

Greg Dunlap, Director of strategy at Lullabot, discusses crafting better content through CMS design. He emphasizes involving authors in the development process, reducing cognitive load, and creating user-friendly systems. Greg shares insights from his book on Designing Content Authoring Experiences, aiming to improve author experiences. The episode invites listeners to rethink CMS design from the ground up for better user experiences.

Systems like Alexa and ChatGPT have brought conversational AI to the mainstream, allowing users to tailor how they experience this technology. This week, Polly M Allen of AI Career Boost joins the podcast to discuss how conversational AI is changing our physical and digital lives. With Polly's insights, the conundrums of AI-driven content creation and ownership becomes clear. From supporting content creation to tempering online interactions with Ghostbot, we assess AI's dual nature. Closing on an optimistic note, we envision a future where content's value is synonymous with its originality and authenticity, inspired by recent initiatives to honor genuine reporting. Want to learn more about Polly and the work she's doing at AI Career Boost? Then be sure to follow her by clicking on the links below! Polly M Allen on LinkedIn AI Career Boost Website

Visitor's experiences are curated the second they enter a museum. Every detail in the exhibit is carefully thought out, from the lighting to the placement of the artwork. In this episode, we speak with Michelle Graves, a museum curator from the Morris Museum. As we navigate the complexities of exhibition design and storytelling, it becomes clear that institutions like the Morris Museum are revolutionizing the visitor experience to ensure inclusivity and engagement.   Museums are evolving from their traditional “stuffy” demeanor. Innovative collaborations and immersive experiences are drawing a wider audience into their doors. Michelle reveals how the Morris Museum blends its historic architecture with contemporary gallery spaces, creating a narrative that respects the past while embracing the future. The discussion delves into the evolving landscape of museum practices, highlighting the vital role of technology and social awareness in shaping exhibitions that resonate with today’s audiences. Todd and Michelle’s conversation reminds us that museums are for everyone.  Want to learn more about the Michelle Graves, the Morris Museum and the ways they are changing the museum space? Check out the links below! Michelle Graves on LinkedIn Morris Museum  Art in the Atrium From Flower to Flame: The Artwork of Paul J. Stankard

Today, we sit down with Samantha Enslen from Dragonfly Editorial to chat about how you can turn industry jargon into compelling content. Samantha offers a valuable look into the process of making intricate concepts digestible, from employing the ISO's guidelines for plain language to embracing an "explain like I'm five" philosophy. Whether it's the tactile charm of print or the swift click-through of digital media, we examine the evolving landscape of content creation and why major businesses are leaning on specialized teams like Dragonfly to articulate their value. As we wrap up our dialogue, Samantha pulls back the curtain on the meticulous design choices that keep readers hooked, from the allure of a well-placed infographic to the familiar comfort of scrolling through a PDF. We then pivot to the significance of carving out a niche in a market brimming with agencies, as Dragonfly's expertise in demystifying complex content sets them apart. Eager to learn more? Samantha welcomes you into the Dragonfly community, where you can explore the interplay of writing, editing, and design to elevate your own content creation game. Samantha Enslen on LinkedIn Dragonfly Editorial

What does it take to build a thriving fan community around a franchise? Let's probe this question as we chat with Jenny Stiven, a fandom expert and an authority in audience development. From her work on The X-Files to her experiences with franchises like Stargate, Jenny brings a wealth of knowledge about the nurturing of fan communities and driving passionate engagement. Uncover the secrets behind cultivating franchise audiences. We get into the nitty-gritty of how content creators can foster sustainable communities and build robust relationships with fans. Hear from Jenny how she has successfully navigated the terrain of fan conversations in both digital and physical realms, keeping the momentum long after the content has been released.  Get ready for an enlightening conversation packed with valuable insights from the world of fandoms and audience development. >>Jenny Stiven on LinkedIn >>Jenny Stiven on Twitter >>SG Blaise

Dive headfirst into an enlightening conversation with our special guest, Katie Bayerl, a stellar young adult fiction author and content strategist. Katie's insights, stemming from her experiences as a teacher and her deep understanding of the teenage psyche, provide a fresh perspective on writing for young adults. We explore the appeal and unique characteristics of this genre, and why it strikes a chord with readers across all age groups.  Transitioning from the realm of fiction to the very real world of nonprofits, we dive into the complexities of storytelling and messaging for these organizations. Join us as Katie shares her expertise on the strategic use of headlines, headings, and imagery to guide the reader's journey through a story and the surprising truth that paper might be making a comeback in an increasingly digital world. Together, we tackle the challenges many nonprofits face - limited staff, resources, and time for content creation and how to navigate them.  Finally, we unwrap the future of print publications and discuss the immense power of personal connections in communication. Katie's experiences as a freelance consultant bring valuable insights into managing constraints in the nonprofit sector. We also delve into how a compelling story can resonate across multiple media platforms. This intriguing conversation is one you wouldn't want to miss! >>Katie Bayerl >>Katie Bayerl on Facebook >>Katie Bayerl on Instagram >>Katie Bayerl on Twitter >>A Psalm for Lost Girls