Listen up!  Podcast Narratives
Dr. Maria Ristani
January 2021

In the last few years, podcasts have been gaining considerable momentum across much of the English-speaking world; rapid developments in sound technology and design, along with the growingly-smarter smartphones we all possess, have obviously facilitated such a boom, and audio-storytelling (in sad decline for many years) is now witnessing its spin-off renaissance. Non-fiction podcasts such as Serial or Radiolab originally set the stage, with audio-based fiction soon following suit. Both are now feeding on wide audiences to whom podcasters promise (and deliver) compelling “movies for [their] ears”.

 This seminar sets out to familiarize students with podcast (fiction) narratives. What are the idiosyncrasies of the podcast medium? How does it differ from radio? What is the role afforded to sound and voice in the audio narrative world created? How do we as listeners/readers engage with it? In this 3-hour workshop, we will be sharing, listening to and discussing short podcast excerpts to test out in practice what we’ll first explore and think through in theory.  

This is an online seminar held via Zoom platform.

When: Monday 18/1/2021
What time: 10:00-12:30
Language: English

As there is a limited number of participants, students interested in attending the workshop can register (and receive the zoom meeting link) through the following form:  https://forms.gle/nx7Sue9vKCF136fh8

Maria Ristani (Short Bio)

Maria Ristani holds a BA in English Language and Literature, an MA in English Literature and Culture, and a PhD from the English Department of the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki (Greece). Her PhD thesis focuses on the intrinsic musicality of Samuel Beckett’s ‘text-scores’, exploring, in particular, the role of rhythm in the verbal and scenic idiom of his late plays. Part of her work has been presented at conferences in Greece and abroad, and published in international journals and volumes. Her research interests include contemporary British drama, sound art and acoustics, and the use of media in contemporary performance. She is currently affiliated with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Department of English Literature) where she teaches drama and research methodology courses.

Listen up! Podcast Narratives