Introduction
We are doing a podcast project because podcasting provides a unique method to tell stories. Instead of writing essays we are able to dive more creatively into the spoken word and experiment with the stories we tell and how we choose to tell them. With being able to add music and sound effects it further adds another layer of depth to the story.
Inspiration
The inspirations for my podcast were my own podcast because I wanted to have a casual conversation with the listener. I also wanted it to feel like I was just talking to a friend and not nervous (even though I definitely was). Modern Love from the New York Times also helped me find my tone. Yet I also wanted to have some informative elements so I really liked Invisibilia also from the New York Times and Smarty Plants which combined information and humor in an understandable way.
Production
The Big Brain Bang
The Big Brain Bang tells the story of one teenage girl’s wandering brain about the ways of the world. Featuring random shower thoughts and YouTube style try-its the Big Brain Bang is a bangin way to start off your day.
Bio
Lauren Haragan is a senior at Los Altos High School and a first year senior at Freestyle Academy. Lauren has been podcasting since spring of 2020 when she started a podcast about being an essential worker called Diaries of a Bagger. Now she is expanding her podcast repertoire to include The Big Brain Bang so she can cover all the random topics her heart desires.
Reflection
I really valued the experience of making a podcast script and editing the recordings because my original podcast is very off the cuff with no editing and no script. I usually go in with an idea and then talk about it but I usually end up on a tangent somewhere else. I also enjoyed how the podcast didn’t have to be strictly scripted. We could use it to guide us and this was especially true for people who did interviews. I also learned how to find the right kind of music and make sure it fit with the vibe of the podcast. Tips I would give to first time podcasters would be to get comfortable with recording because if you’re not you’ll sound really stiff. Depending on what you’re going for you’ll want to sound comfortable and casual, not stiff and stuffy.