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April 2008
EMPODIMENT: What makes a slick Podcast?
By Chris Miller
The first podcast article (March 2008 issue) spoke about evaluation, or what makes a good podcast. This month we’ll be looking at some of my favorite podcasts and what attractive qualities draw people in. These are the ones that have kept me listening and in some cases, actually caused me to take notes. Starting this month, what we want are your submissions. Please send us a link to your podcast for consideration at reviewmypodcast@tfwm.com
All of these podcasts or varying styles have great content and good audio quality.
CREATIVE SYNERGY WITH ANTHONY COPPEDGE AND GREG ATKINSON
www.creativesynergypodcast.com
Episode: 1:Communications
Length: 30m to 1h
Format: iTunes or a direct feed at http://www.creativesynergypodcast.com/feed/creativesynergy.xml
Summary: “A relevant resource to inspire and influence church leaders” is the tag line that best describes the podcast. Anthony Coppedge and Greg Atkinson are church consultants with a vast experience working at churches in fields of communications, technical directing, and worship. This is an extremely polished podcast with timely subject matter. They are organized in both content and structure. The beginning of this podcast starts off with music and overridden by a sound byte from the interview that happens later on in the podcast. Then the hosts introduce themselves and welcome you to the podcast. Anthony and Greg explain what they are going to do which usually includes an interview or two with guests who are experts in their field. In episode 5, they have a Church Copyright Administration as well as two copyright attorneys.
This podcast has sponsors as well as a terrific website to support the podcast. The simple website consists of links to previous podcasts, notes that highlight the talking points, as well as contact information, links to other blogs and related websites. This is a great example of cross promotion.
RELEVANT PODCAST BY RELEVANT MAGAZINE
www.relevantmagazine.com/podcast.php
Length: 1h to 1h 20m
Format: any format including iTunes, iPodder, etc. http://www.relevantmagazine.com/podcasts/relevantmagazine.xml
Summary: An extension of Relevant Magazine’s publication “Covering God, Life, and Progressive Culture.” The podcast setting is a group of relevant staff hanging out, talking about topics casually and light-heartedly, very similar to a morning radio show. Two guys, a girl, and an Englishman and I’m pretty sure he really is English. The four talk about movies, music, sports, and topics relevant to their lives. They have in-studio performances like Mike Dunn, celebs like Nick Cannon from Drumline and Roll Bounce, and cool authors.
JESUS GEEK BY JOHN WILKERSON
www.jesusgeek.info
Length: about 10 minutes and posts 3-5 times per week.
Format: iTunes, Zune Marketplace, Juice Receiver, My Yahoo, Google, Odeo and manual.
Summary: OK I admit it: I am a geek at heart. There are many who are more geeky than myself, but among my friends I am a geek. I work with geeks, my wife is a geek, and I listen to the jesusgeek podcast by John Wilkerson. John markets his podcast as 10 minutes of technological TNT and spiritual know-how. He likes both Mac and PC. Technically, he gives tutorials on the simple and the complex; from ‘how to download his podcast’ all the way to explaining ‘how to add new MIME types to IIS 6.0 so that you can make a link that opens Office 2007 documents on a 2003 server.’
Tech speak, I know. But I really learn a lot from John. What I find is the most entertaining part of this podcast is that at some point during the episode he makes a really fast transition from technical jargon right into bible study. And he’s not too cool for the Old Testament too. He ends every podcast with his signature sign-off “Thanks for sticking me in your ears” You’re welcome John.
HOLLYWOOD PASTOR BY JR MAHON & JAKE BLAKENEY
www.hollywoodpastor.com
Length: 20m to 50m
Format: iTunes only
Summary: Self-deprecating evangelism at it’s best. JR and Jake talk about the current goings-on of Hollywood Pastor, a ministry they recently started to reach the lost of the film and television industry. The personalities of these guys sell the podcast. Most episodes start off with a hip song as an intro overtaken by talking, as if in the middle of a conversation. This may seem informal but it’s intentional. It creates a party-like or conversational atmosphere. It’s as though you get to hang out with the cool people, listen to their jokes, and hear their real-life complaints. JR’s TV and film experience is what drives the conversation. His brutal honesty makes this a hilarious and realistic Christian experience. I know JR personally and I also know he’s probably going to make fun of this very review in some way. Have at it.
MANY PASTORS IN ONE PLACE...
Oneplace is a gathering of multiple podcasts and includes John Macarthur’s ‘Grace to You’, Alistair Begg’s ‘Truth for Life’, and Hank Hanegraff’a ‘Bible Answer Man’.
www.oneplace.com
Length: usually less than an hour
Format: Free Registration is required to download manually or to subscribe to iTunes, Real Media, and Windows Media. At the time of this writing I had issues subscribing using iTunes.
Summary: All of these podcasts are extremely transforming. I commute to work and listen to all these guys on the radio but I would almost always get half way through or miss part of the broadcast. Podcasts fill the gap for me. I love this about all of the Oneplace podcasts because you can listen to them over and over again. Stylistically, you’re probably thinking ‘what kind of maniac listens to post modern stuff and John Macarthur?’ but they all round out my world and give me new perspectives.
“Grace to You” usually has a wrap up section at the end, which I am not hugely fond of but it’s a great listen and Macarthur often challenges the status quo.
“Truth for Life” is a great chance to hear a great message from a put-it-to-you-straight pastor.
“Bible Answer Man” was a favorite when Walter Martin did the show and now Hank carries on the tradition. His immense knowledge and heart for the lost make me listen over and over again.
Other podcasts I enjoy:
Mars Hill Bible Church, Passion Podcast, Engadget, The Official LOST Podcast, and Ask a Ninja can be found on iTunes.
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