My love of podcasting

Michael Heit’s journey into podcasting began on long car drives during his time in the printing industry. Tired of the same old radio stations, he turned to podcasts like The Instance, The Nerdist, and This American Life, which quickly became a staple in his daily routine. When transitioning into a teaching career, his passion for podcasts deepened, as they became both an escape and entertainment as he made his way through the teaching classes. The more he listened, the more he thought—what would it take to create one himself?

With no prior experience, Michael decided to dive in headfirst. To ensure he could confidently guide students through the process, he first taught himself the ins and outs of podcasting. That journey led to a conversation with a friend and a simple pitch: “What if we create a podcast with the idea that everyone can cook? We can teach others how to become confident in the kitchen by selecting the right recipes to build skills in the right order.” That idea became Food & Fury, a show blending his love for cooking with on-demand audio storytelling. When Food & Fury went on hiatus, he collaborated with the same creative team to launch Hey Other Parents, a podcast exploring parenting from a fresh and relatable perspective. Meanwhile, his love for storytelling expanded into tabletop role-playing, where he launched Camp Pain, a live-play Dungeons & Dragons podcast, embracing the game the only way he knew how—behind a microphone.

Today, Michael is a teacher at Herricks School District, where he leads its award-winning Content Creation Podcasting Course. Now in its third year, the program teaches students how to develop and produce their own shows, gaining recognition for its innovative approach to media education. Through this work, he empowers students to find their voice, demystifies the podcasting process, and proves that storytelling, creativity, and even wellness can be found through the simple act of pressing record. Whether through education, gaming, or audio production, he hopes to inspire others to share their passions with the world. Come check out one of his sessions that is all about podcasting.