Step-by-step guide to creating a podcast for older kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Products & Purchases
very little
It can sometimes feel like one big promo for Gen-Z Media since Jess' co-workers at Gen-Z Media regularly serve as guests and Gen-Z Media shows are often cited as examples of how to put together a new podcast.
Positive Messages
a lot
Creativity should be nurtured. Encourages listeners to find their voice and make their voice personal to themselves. Learning a new skill can be as much fun as actually doing it. Starting a creative project doesn't have to feel impossible, particularly if you take it one task at a time. Encourages listeners to be curious and explore and experiment. When pursuing a new goal or starting a new project, don't underestimate the value your community of friends and colleagues can bring.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Teamwork is highlighted and encouraged. Jess and her guests communicate in a lightly humorous, positive, and friendly way. They're always open to collaboration and constructive criticism. Jess' guests – often her co-workers at Gen-Z Media – are honest but kind if an idea doesn't feel quite right and offer guidance to help her find her way.
Educational Value
a lot
Gives listeners a step-by-step blueprint they can follow to start their own podcasts. Each episode focuses on a specific topic, from brainstorming your new show's concept to building an audience. The tips presented – such as sound-proofing the ceiling of your recording space – even surprise the host, Jess, from time to time. Each episode leaves listeners with action items to keep them in line with Jess' own progress. Some more technical aspects like editing and recording give more surface-level information and may still be confusing to listeners who've never recorded or used editing software. These could use more detailed and step-by-step episodes. Website includes additional resources and activities.
Diverse Representations
a little
The show is focused on the content at hand and the staff at Gen-Z Media so it doesn't leave a ton of room for diversity and representation. But Jess and her co-workers – who are often male – present a positive dynamic in a creatively minded co-ed workplace. There could me more diversity when it comes to accessibility. For example, in the episode about making a jingle, Jess gets help from a professional jingle creator, but there's no mention of how to create a jingle if you don't have a huge budget. Some episodes give free production options, but it could be better at speaking to listeners with different budgets.
Parents need to know that {Podcast Title Pending} is a show that operates as a one-size-fits-all approach to creating a podcast for listeners of all ages. The content is fun, clean and informative. Many kids or tweens may not be able to complete the action items in each episode on their own -- such as purchasing equipment and setting up a recording space -- so adults may want to listen along to be able to help them in the process. Some more technical aspects like editing and recording give surface-level information and may still be confusing to listeners who've never recorded or used editing software before. The show encourages listeners to be curious and experiment when creating their podcast and host Jess does a great job of demonstrating the importance of teamwork and communication. This is a great listen for kids and adults, but adults should be aware that there will most likely be a lot of follow-up needed from their end.
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What’s It About?
{PODCAST TITLE PENDING} walks listeners through every step of starting their own podcast. Host Jess Fisher is joined by expert guests in the podcasting space – including her Gen-Z Media co-workers – for episodes that typically run just over five to 10 minutes. Each episode streamlines the process to a single focus, including outlining, creating theme music, picking a name, and getting the necessary equipment. Listeners get specific examples of tools and tactics they can use. And each episode concludes with action items to keep listeners on track until the next episode of {Podcast Title Pending}. What makes the show relatable is that Jess is learning along with the listener, since the whole premise is that she's creating a podcast to help others make a podcast, but needs help figuring out how to make that podcast.
This show does a great job of anticipating the challenges a new podcaster may face as they explore the medium for the first time. {Podcast Title Pending} is great for kid, tween, teen and adult listeners as it's episodes are usually short and to the point as well as entertaining and relatable. It also gives listeners an inside look at what it takes to put together a podcast from the perspective of a well established production company, but then dials it down to make it accessible for newbies with fewer resources and knowledge in the space.
Admittedly, the show targets listeners already interested in starting a podcast. Most kids who listen will inevitably need adult assistance in getting their own shows up and running. {Podcast Title Pending} presents the various pieces that make up a podcast – from basics like a concept and name to later steps such as a recording setup and RSS feed – in a concise, streamlined way that will leave listeners eager to follow along and join in.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about host Jess' relatable approach to guiding listeners through the process of creating a podcast on {Podcast Title Pending}. Does it help to follow along with someone who is also still learning? How does this make a stronger teaching tool?
Every episode runs between 5 to 10 minutes long. Is this enough time to break down how to start a podcast? Why, or why not? Are there some episodes that need more explanation?
Why are teamwork and communication important when it comes to starting your own podcast or any project you want to create, but don't know where to start?
This show encourages curiosity. Why is this an important character strength and how does it help in learning how to do something new?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.