About COM 294:
Podcasting is the democratization of media. From This American Life to Joe Rogan, from Code Switch to Hot Wings, new approaches to podcasting are dominating feeds around the world. But this proliferation of voices comes with a question. When everyone has a podcast, how can any single podcast stand out?
This summer, full-term, in-person class will explore the landscape of podcasting. But we will go beyond theory in this hands-on class. You will plan, write, interview, edit, and produce your own podcast.
About the instructor, Steve Scher:
Email: sscher@uw.edu
Over his long radio career (28 years with KUOW), Steve received accolades and awards for his incisive coverage of public affairs, breaking news and his beyond-the-headlines approach to issues. His in-depth interviews with award winning authors, political leaders, scientists, artists, and active citizens are noted for their intelligence and sensitivity. His work has been lauded in national publications in articles by Todd Mundt, James Fallows, and Bill McKibben.
He moved into podcasting excited to be part of the social movement that is democratizing access. In addition to a few independent podcasts, Steve served as Chief Correspondent of the Town Hall Seattle podcast, “In the Moment,” featuring in-depth interviews with authors, artists, and visiting scholars.
As a teacher in the industry and in higher education, he helps students develop storytelling skills grounded in creativity, clarity, rigorous fact-checking, and empathy. He has worked with students and adults to bring diverse voices to audiences worldwide.
He started a high school training program while employed by public radio to provide students with the skills and opportunities to tell their own stories. That program became an integral part of KUOW FM in Seattle with graduates working in the industry around the country.
He has taught interviewing at University of Washington since 2009. He taught broadcast news writing at Bellevue College, where, in collaboration with political science professor Tim Jones, he took students to Ireland for a hands-on, one-of-a-kind reporting experience.
He was a regular contributor to Seattle Magazine, where he wrote“Walk Signs,” a series of stories about Puget Sound neighborhoods. He was a regular contributor to the Mountaineers Magazine where he wrote the “Last Words.”