Episode 59
“…People often say that even though it’s just audio, [podcasting] is a very visual medium. Because everything, every piece of information that you give the listener, you want them to be able to picture it in their heads…
You’re helping them visualize, OK, what did the room look like? What did the day look like? What did the space look like? What were they doing?
And so they should be creating an image in their minds as they listen that often feels very visual. And if you study some great podcasts, some great interviewers, they’re constantly drawing out those visual details so people have something to picture.”
What is a narrative podcast — as opposed to an interview? What makes them compelling? Why is the podcast format so popular?
Bianca Giaever is a radio producer and filmmaker. We had an in-depth conversation with her where we explored these questions, and more.
Bianca is the creator and host of the podcast Constellation Prize, distributed by The Believer magazine. She has also worked as a producer on The New York Times audio team, hosting episodes of The Daily that include Delilah, An Obituary for the Land, and Cosmic Questions. Her film, radio, and print stories have appeared on This American Life, Radiolab, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and the TED conference.
Her awards include a Daytime Emmy and a Webby Award. Her latest project and upcoming film, Free Help, was profiled in The New York Times. She was a Class of 2025 fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University and is an Associate Fellow at the Film Study Center at Harvard University.
Originally from Seattle, she is currently based in Cambridge, Massachusetts after having spent years between Vermont and New York City. Bianca has also recently taught a podcasting course at Harvard Summer School.