Event: From Idea to Episode: Four Session Podcast Workshop
About this Event
This four-session course offers a structured journey through the full podcasting process — from concept development and recording technique to editing, publishing, and audience building. Led by Jeff VanDreason, participants will develop a working podcast episode by the final session, equipped with the skills to continue podcasting independently.
DATES - October 1, 15, 29 and November 12
Cost: $120 CCTV Members | $150 Non Members
Register:
Curriculum:
- Develop a clear podcast concept, format, and target audience
- Record high-quality audio using CCTV's equipment or other podcast studio resources
- Edit and produce a polished podcast episode using industry-standard software
- Publish a podcast episode to a hosting platform and understand distribution channels
- Apply basic promotion strategies to build and sustain an audience
- Understand ethical and legal considerations for podcasting, including music licensing and interview consent
About the Instructor
Jeff Van Dreason is an award winning writer, sound designer, and podcaster, best known as the co-creator of the hit, full-cast indie audio drama Greater Boston and the mastermind behind The Perfect Sentence, a deeply personal audio fiction concept album. A passionate advocate for the medium, he served as the co-director of the PodTales audio fiction festival and has lent his writing, editing and sound design skills to prominent shows like Forgive Me and Fan Wars. Bringing his deep love for auditory storytelling to the page, Jeff also shapes the sonic landscape as an editor for EAR•WAX Magazine, a dedicated podcast publication championing independent music curation, immersive audio fiction reviews, funky sounds, soothing tones, and absolutely all things ears.
Agenda
🕑: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Session 1 — October 1: Concept & Voice
Info: What makes a great podcast: formats, tone, and audience
Defining your show: concept, purpose, and episode structure
Voice and mic technique: recording your first test segment
Assignment: Draft your podcast concept one-pager
🕑: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Session 2 — October 15: Recording & Interviewing
Info: Best practices for recording: room setup, mic placement, noise management
Conducting and recording effective interviews
Review and feedback on concept one-pagers
Hands-on recording session: record a full segment or interview
Assignment: Complete a raw recorded segment for editing next session
🕑: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Session 3 — October 29: Editing & Production
Info: Introduction to audio editing: cuts, levels, noise reduction, and pacing
Adding music, sound design, and transitions
Editing the raw segment recorded in Session 2
Peer listening and feedback
Assignment: Produce a complete edited episode draft
🕑: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Session 4 — November 12: Publishing & Promotion
Info: Episode setup, show notes, and cover art
Distribution: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pinecast (if through CCTV) and RSS feeds
Audience building: social media, cross-promotion, and consistency
Legal basics: music licensing, consent, and copyright
Final episode share and cohort celebration
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
