Podcasting for Accessible Research & Cultural Heritage Preservation.

In my final thesis, titled "Pods and Prose: A Sonic Speculation on Podcasting as a Storytelling Tool with Appalachian Podcasters," I explored podcasting as a medium and platform that interacts with dominant and counter-narratives.

I chose to study the podcasting scene in the 13-state cultural region of Appalachia within the United States by creating and producing a podcast called “Pods and Prose.”

In my podcast, I interviewed five Appalachian podcasters about their experience podcasting, what narratives about Appalachia they interact with while podcasting, and how the narrative landscape of Appalachia is changing through the podcasting medium.

Through my research, I found that podcasting is a digital space that celebrates counter-narratives and breaks down harmful dominant narratives through conversation.

Additionally, I explored audio scholarship and learned the importance of preserving aural and candid conversation as a way to educate, reform, and connect with others. Podcasting is an untapped resource that can pave the way to more accessible knowledge and rsearch through the power of authentic conversation.