Big news
I’m launching a new bootcamp for emerging voices in narrative podcasting
Hi podcast lovers,
I’m back! Now on Substack, and with some big news…
The big news
I’m launching a new bootcamp for emerging voices in narrative podcasting. We provide our students with hands-on training, free professional gear and software, career mentorship, access to opportunities, and a peer community. Here are the key details:
The first session will run for seven (7) weeks, from Monday, October 2 through Friday, November 17.
It’s 100% remote. You can attend from anywhere with internet.
We have a small cohort size, capped at eight (8) students.
The bootcamp will cost $8,750 for full-paying, early applicants. This includes ~$1k of professional gear and software for students to keep forever.
We offer need-based scholarships to students, depending on enrollment numbers.
You can learn more and apply at our website.
Why I’m doing this
I’m in love with narrative podcasting. (Duh.) I’m greedy; I want a never-ending queue of surprising, impactful, and thoughtful podcasts. To get there, we need to invest in training emerging talent to develop their unique voice. Podcast Love’s mission is to identify, nurture, and empower emerging voices in narrative podcasting to help push the industry forward.
I’ve taught graduate-level narrative podcasting classes at NYU since 2016. I’m so proud to have seen talented students graduate and secure gigs at places like like NPR, Conde Nast, and WNYC. My classes routinely max out, and many students have told me that I’m one of the best teachers they’ve had ay any level.
A big part of that is the people I’ve worked with. I’m super lucky to have an incredible team of seasoned industry pros join me in the bootcamp, including: Maura Walz (our editorial coach) Ben Montoya (our sound coach) and Betty Ming Liu (our life coach). Combined, we’ve taught, coached, and edited hundreds of students and professionals.
What students will experience
The bootcamp is seven (7) weeks long, with three hours of classes a day, and quick turnaround work. A typical day might include:
Zoom classroom sessions M-F, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. PST (featuring dynamic lectures and peer workshopping).
1-on-1 meeting with a coach.
2-3 hours of independent work on a piece.
You’ll create two short narrative audio pieces for your professional portfolio. You’ll do everything yourself, from ideation all the way through post-production. You won’t be alone though; you’ll get lots of editorial and tech support from our staff and your peers. We support you with:
Hands-on training. You’ll learn the traditional fundamentals of narrative podcasting. We also place a heavy emphasis on developing your own voice, literally and metaphorically. To do that, we cultivate a space for you to play and experiment.
Coaching and mentorship. You’ll get lots of 1-on-1 time with our incredible team. We’ll give you on-demand feedback that’s thoughtful, kind, and transparent. We’ll also give you tips on how to survive and thrive in podcasting, and do our best to help you land gigs during the bootcamp—and beyond.
Access to opportunities. We want you to be a culture add to help make the industry better moving forward. You’ll meet heads of networks, hosts and editors at leading narrative podcasts, and some of the best freelance producers working in the trenches.
Tight-knit community. Connect with peers who might live half a world away but love podcasts just as much as you. Nerd out on podcast recommendations, debate the future of the industry, and get help when you’re at a stuck point—or just need some moral support.
Cost and what’s included
The bootcamp will cost $8,750 for applicants who apply by the early deadline of July 15, and $9,250 after that. The final deadline to apply is August 1. We offer scholarships to select students, depending on enrollment numbers.
The cost includes:
Seven (7) weeks of dynamic instruction, workshopping, and peer discussions.
Personalized, 1-on-1 coaching on storytelling, editorial, tech, sound design, scoring, reporting, and your career.
~$1k of professional gear and software for students to keep forever.
Professional mixing and mastering for your pieces.
Exclusive Q+A’s with some of the top executives, hosts, producers, and editors in podcasting.
On-demand support from our team of experts.
Lifetime access to Podcast Love’s Slack group and community.
A certificate of completion so you can humble brag in your Zoom background.
Head to our website to learn more and apply. If you have any questions, are interested in additional classes/programs, or have any other thoughts—please drop me a line. All you have to do is reply to this email.
With podcast love,
Alex