Continuing Studies: Higher Ed Podcasting

25 years ago, MIT made a bold choice: share our knowledge with the world, free of charge. Eventually, out of this, Chalk Radio was born as one tool of MIT's OpenCourseWare to deliver that knowledge. 

In this episode, Neil and Jen talk with Brett Paci, producer of the Chalk Radio podcast and Assistant Director of Media Production at MIT OpenCourseWare, about how that mission has evolved over 20+ years. From static course materials, to YouTube lectures, to short-form clips, to narrative audio, and now to full podcast and video formats. What makes their approach stand out is that it’s never been about chasing formats; it’s about following the audience. 

Brett shares how the team experiments constantly, and adapts based on how people actually consume content, whether that’s a 30-second clip, a full lecture, or a long-form conversation. It’s a practical look at how one of the world’s most recognizable institutions continues to evolve, not by sticking to one format, but by constantly adapting to meet learners where they are.

Episode Links:

• Contact Brett Paci on LinkedIn
• MIT OpenCourseWare
• Chalk Radio Podcast
• MIT OpenCourseWare on YouTube

Where in the World are Jen & Neil:

• Higher Ed Pod Con
• The Podcast Show (London)
•  EPOD Conference

Connect with Us:

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected]
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] 
• Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]
• Twitter:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Who is OpenCourseWare For?

What are the core skills that make a great podcast host? Before podcasting, there was broadcasting, and there’s still a lot to learn from it.

This week, Neil and Jen go back to school, well, Jen's school that is. They head to BCIT’s broadcasting studios to host Jen’s former instructors, Kathryn Stewart and Kevin Ribble, now co-hosts of Ignite My Voice. Kat and Kevin share what podcast hosts can learn from broadcast training, using your breath to manage nerves on the mic, how to keep an audience engaged, storytelling & listening, and letting go of imposter syndrome.

They also explore co-host dynamics, writing for audio, and how podcasting blends the discipline of radio with the freedom of conversation. It’s a fun, practical, behind-the-scenes look at the core skills that make for better podcasting—and why your voice is your most powerful tool.

Episode Links:

• Ignite My Voice 
• Listen to the Ignite my Voice Podcast
• Contact Kevin | Kat
• BCIT's Broadcasting Program

Connect with Us:

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected]
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] 
• Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]
• Twitter:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction

What does it take to turn rigorous scientific research into stories millions of people actually want to listen to?

This week, Neil and Jen sit down with Blythe Terrell, executive editor of Science Vs., to learn how one of the world’s most popular science podcasts blends deep research, narrative storytelling, and a bit of humour to reach millions of listeners. Science Vs. certainly doesn't opt for the path of least resistance, Blythe walks Jen & Neil through the realities of making a weekly narrative show and their extensive fact-checking and citation practices.

The conversation also explores what higher education podcasters can learn from Science Vs.: how to build trust with audiences, how to story-tell your research, and why showing your work through transcripts and citations matters more than ever. Along the way, Blythe shares insights from teaching podcasting at NYU, working with scientists to communicate beyond academic jargon, and even collaborating on peer-reviewed research sparked by podcast episodes. It’s a thoughtful look at how podcasting can expand the reach and impact of scientific research, while having a whole lot of fun. 

Episode Links:

• Listen to Science Vs.
• Contact Blythe
• NYU's Science, Health & Environmental Reporting Program
• Queen's University Sexual Health Research Lab | Blue Balls & Sexual Coersion | The Orgasm Gap

Connect with Us:

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected]
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] 
• Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]
• Twitter:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction

How can podcasting bring diverse voices and forms of academic work to a larger audience?

Neil and Jen sit down with Will Brehm, creator of FreshEd, to talk about how a decade of academic podcasting has evolved from a simple interview show into a broader platform for research, storytelling, and new voices. Will shares how FreshEd grew into a multi-show network, why moving beyond English-language content matters, and what he’s learned experimenting with formats like narrative series and audio journals.

The conversation digs into bigger questions, too: what it would take for podcasting to be recognized as legitimate scholarly output, how institutions can start to value non-traditional research, and why building an audience is just as important as creating the work itself. It’s a thoughtful look at where academic podcasting is today and where it needs to go.

Episode Links:

• Connect with Will | Bio |LinkedIn
• FreshEd

Connect with Us

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected]
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] 
• Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]
• Twitter:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods
• Higher Ed Pod Con

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction

Can you actually study podcasting at university—and does it lead to a career?

Neil and Jen talk with Chloe Sackur and Max’ed Aadan, recent graduates of the MA in Podcasting program at City St. George’s, University of London, about what it’s really like to learn podcasting in a university setting. They share how the program blends technical training, storytelling, pitching, and industry placements—and how that hands-on approach helped them move directly into podcasting careers. From a Spotify scholarship to producing a UN podcast series and industry roles after, Chloe and Max walk through the opportunities that came from the program and what surprised them most along the way. The conversation also touches on where podcasting as an industry is heading, why practical experience matters so much, and what advice they’d give anyone considering studying podcasting or trying to break into the field.

Episode Links:

• Connect with Chloe | LinkedIn | Chloe’s Podcast
• Connect  with Max’ed 
• Women’s World Equity by Design
• MA Podcasting - Master's degree • City St George's, University of London
• Continuing Studies Ep 53: Class is in Session: Building the Future of Podcasting Through Education with Brett Spencer
  
  

Connect with Us

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected]
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] 
• Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]
• Twitter:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods
• Higher Ed Pod Con

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction

What happens when a classroom podcast turns into peer-reviewed scholarship, an AI teaching tool, and its own academic platform?

When Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian first launched Innovation Fuel, the goal was simple: bring real entrepreneurial stories into the business classroom. Five years later, that idea has grown into something much bigger.

In this episode, Neil and Jen catch up with Dave and Gelareh to talk about how their podcast evolved into published peer-reviewed podcast episodes and papers, and now an AI-powered classroom tool called Innovation Fuel Studio. They share how they’re turning podcast episodes into scholarly outputs, getting them into academic journals and libraries, and building a system that lets students role-play directly with AI versions of founders and CEOs.

It’s a wide-ranging conversation about case-based learning, ethical AI use, peer review, and what happens when podcasting becomes part of the academic infrastructure itself. If you’ve ever wondered how a higher ed podcast can grow beyond marketing and become part of teaching, research, and innovation, this one’s worth a listen.

Connect:

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected] 
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: www.linkedin.com/groups/14115712/ 
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn / [email protected]  
• Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn / [email protected] 
• Twitter:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods

Links:

• Innovation Fuel Podcast
• Innovation Fuel Studio
• Contact Dave & Gelareh
• Marketing Corner Talks Podcast
• Douglas College Library

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction

As universities face pressure to evolve, podcasting is emerging as an unexpected catalyst and channel for change.

Carola Boehm first caught Neil’s attention with her EPOD abstract suggesting the ivory tower might be starting to crack — a bold (and maybe slightly controversial) take that kicked off this conversation about how podcasting is reshaping the way knowledge gets created and shared in higher education. So this week, Carola “schools” Neil and Jen on her “University 3.0” idea — universities losing their place as the sole gatekeepers of knowledge toward more open, collaborative learning spaces — and what podcasting has to do with that shift. The conversation also touches on the EPOD conference, pressures facing universities right now, and why even small podcasts can play a meaningful role in connecting people, ideas, and communities.

Episode Links:

• Carola Boehm | LinkedIn
• EPOD Conference
• Carla's 2026 EPOD Abstract
• Embedding Culture 3.0 and University 3.0 in Leadership Development Programmes for Heritage Organisations and Heritage Sites (2025)
• Why Podcasting Needs to Lean into Culture 3.0 

Connect with Us

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected]
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] 
• Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]
• Twitter:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction

A thoughtful look at how podcasting is expanding the ways academic work is created and shared.

Jim Ambuske, historian and producer, is back to share his thoughts on where audio is going in the academic world and what it’s going to take to have it recognized as a scholarly medium. Jim gets into his new work on the In Pursuit project, what he’s seeing in the world of digital archives and oral history, and why he believes audio and video are important ways to share academic work beyond the page. They also dig into the real challenges facing higher education right now—from funding pressures to tenure expectations—and why, even with all of that, Jim is still optimistic about what creators and institutions can build next.

Episode Links:

• Jim Ambuske
• Jim Ambuske | LinkedIn
• In Pursuit
• Jim Previous Episode: Making History Heard: Bringing the Past to Life Through Podcasts

Connect with Us

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected]
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] 
• Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]
• Twitter:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction

Start your 2026 inspired and ready for what’s next in higher ed podcasting—straight from the people building it.

What’s ahead for higher ed podcasting in 2026? This episode rounds up predictions from creators and educators around the world, spotlighting the trends shaping the year ahead. Hear why podcasting may gain more academic credibility, how universities could lean on audio as a PR and outreach channel, and why short mini-series and binge-drop formats are on the rise. The conversation also explores a major shift toward research storytelling that highlights process (not just results), the growing role of podcasting across the entire student lifecycle, and the ethical questions AI is bringing into production. A forward-looking listen for anyone creating podcasts in higher education.

Connect:

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected] 
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: www.linkedin.com/groups/14115712/ 
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn / [email protected]  
• Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn / [email protected] 
• Twitter:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods

Episode Links:

• Carl Hartley’s Episode: Podcasting and Journalism: Balancing Innovation and Integrity 
• Jenna Spinelle’s Episode: The Democracy Group: The Power of a Podcast Network
• Kate Young’s Episodes: Continuing Studies: Higher Ed Podcasting | Purdue: Effectively Engaging Alumni / Clips, Strategy, and Search: How This Is Purdue Scales Its Reach
• Brett Spencer’s Episode: Class is in Session: Building the Future of Podcasting Through Education
• Marta Perrotta’s Episode: Broadcasting Without Borders: How Podcasting is Changing Journalism
• Jim Ambuske’s Episode: Making History Heard: Bringing the Past to Life Through Podcasts
• John Boccacino’s Episode: Syracuse University: Podcasting the Voice of a University  

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction

The evolution of Think Fast, Talk Smart and what it teaches higher ed about communication and connection.

To close out the year, Continuing Studies revisits one of its most popular episodes — the first-ever live recording from the inaugural Higher Ed PodCon in Chicago. In this special conversation, Matt Abrahams, Stanford GSB lecturer and host of the globally acclaimed podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart, shares the remarkable evolution of his show — from its early DIY production with his sons to becoming the #1 careers podcast worldwide.
With more than 68 million plays across 125 countries, Matt reflects on building community, experimenting with video, embracing AI, and transitioning to an independent platform while staying deeply audience-focused.
Whether you’re a higher ed podcaster or simply passionate about meaningful communication, this “Best Of” episode offers timeless insights on creativity, connection, and the ever-evolving landscape of podcasting.

Episode Links:

• Think Fast Talk Smart
• Matt Abrahams
• Matt Abrahams | LinkedIn   
• Higher Ed PodCon
• Think Fast, Talk Live: Building a Podcast Audience 

Connect with Us

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: [email protected]
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or  [email protected] 
• Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn or [email protected]
• Twitter:  @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction