Podcast Anatomy

Narration: One or two presenters often provide a “through line” for the story. This narrator will introduce the episode’s main ideas, and provide context for the appearance of other speakers or audio.

Source Audio: This includes interviews, excerpts from media, and recorded sounds of events being described. It’s the equivalent of a citation in a written essay, or a late night talk show guest saying, “I brought a clip!”

Additional Audio: Podcasts will often use background noise or distinctive sounds to set the scene, such as traffic noise, crowd noise, a telephone ringing, church bells, or a door opening.

Music: Background music can provide continuity and energy within an audio piece, achieve a certain mood, or mark a transition between sections.