Continuing Studies: for Higher Ed Podcasters

Discover how one podcast is deftly weaving together marketing tools, scholarly resources and engaging author conversation all while bringing their beautiful art and architecture books to the audio world. Join host’s Neil McPhedran and Jennifer-Lee Gunson with Jessica Holahan, one of the hosts of the Yale University Press Podcast as they discuss her journey as a host, how the press uses the podcast to further Yale’s mission, it’s unique episode specific audiences, and the ways they assess episode value and make decisions about which books to feature beyond metrics. Throughout the conversation, Jessica shares valuable insights into audience focus, preparing for interviews effectively to balance engaging dialogue while rendering complex subjects accessible and some her most memorable interviews. Explore the Yale University Press’s engaging storytelling of visual books through their long-running podcast series and learn tips to enrich any higher education podcast along the way. 

Chapter Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Hosts Jennifer Lee and Neil McPhedran introduce the episode the Yale University Press, and today’s guest, Jessica Holahan, a host of their podcast

(00:03:22) Jessica’s Podcasting Journey
Jessica explains how she came into her role as the director of marketing for art and architecture books at the Press.

(00:04:36) The Yale University Press Podcast
The history and evolution of the podcast, as well as the purpose and partnerships of Yale University Press.

(00:09:28) Targeting Diverse Audiences
Jessica explains the diversity of the podcast's audience due to the diversity of books they publish, as well as the ways that the podcast is used as a marketing tool and beyond in the scholarly and art worlds.

(00:12:33) Next Steps and Challenges
Plans and challenges for Youtube and the podcast incorporating visual aspects into art and architecture book episodes as well as some of the freedom they have experienced by not including visuals to date.

(00:14:42) Sustaining Podcast Content Creation
Insights into the unique advantages that being a press brings in terms of constantly changing content, and how they select which books to feature, as well as the new realization of being a higher education podcast and it’s opportunities.

(00:18:08) Episode and Guest Preparation
Jessica explains her approach to preparing for and getting the best out of author interviews to tell a great story. 

(00:21:04) Podcast Analytics and Decision Making
Some of the basic listener metrics, and thoughts on who that audience is

(00:23:06) Episode Specific Audience-Centric Approach
Neil and Jessica discuss the podcast's unique episode specific audiences and subsequent uses

(00:24:26) A Recommended Episode
Jessica recommends a standout episode for listeners

(00:27:46) Lessons in Podcasting Strategy
Neil and Jennifer reflect on the episode and share  their takeaways, highlighting the wide usage for the podcast and varied audience.