Podcasting in the time of pandemic: producing new shows in isolation
As the world continues to deal with the evolving COVID-19 virus, podcasts have become a source of entertainment, comfort and refuge for many people. And even with all the limitations of physical distancing and self-isolation, many podcasts, including ones featured on Podcast Playlist, have continued to release new episodes.
Some have even expanded to create completely new shows. Some have managed to set up home studios for seamless recording, while others have resorted to creative solutions. Who knew closets would provide the sound-proofing needed to record fairly decent audio?
Now that regular programming has become a challenge for many, we decided to take a look at what some of our favourite podcasters are doing, while they stay put in one place for the foreseeable future.
Here's what we found:
Canadaland
Canadaland is regularly releasing a segment called Isolation Interviews. Their list of guests includes Margaret Atwood, Robyn Doolittle, Sarah Hagi and Shad among others. Each segment is a one-on-one conversation between host Jesse Brown and the guest, where they explore the impacts of this global pandemic on the guest's day-to-day life.
Reply All
Alex Goldman and PJ Vogt at Reply All have recently been very busy, taking calls and broadcasting live. They've also started a new "series" if you will, called The Attic and Closet Show, where Alex records from his attic and PJ records from a closet in his apartment. In it, they've opened up phone lines and are checking in with everybody from far corners of the world.
Thirst Aid Kit
Over at Slate, Thirst Aid Kit co-hosts Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins have been busy tackling all the thirsty voicemails they receive from those in need of a thirst sommelier. They're also reading the fanfiction that their listeners are submitting. But the thirsting doesn't end there. They've asked listeners to leave a message telling them what celebrity they would like to be quarantined with and why for a chance to be featured on the show.
Criminal
Phoebe Judge at Criminal is turning to mystery, with a new podcast called Phoebe Reads a Mystery. In it she reads a chapter a day of Agatha Christie's first published novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
Here For You
Doree Shafrir and Kate Spencer of Forever 35 also have a new daily podcast called Here For You to offer comfort and support during this pandemic. Each weekday morning, they'll update you on what's been going on in their socially distant lives. They'll also find out what listeners are up to, offer advice and give them something to do, listen to, or watch as a source of distraction.
By the Book
Comedian Jolenta Greenberg and culture critic Kristen Meinzer, co-hosts of the By The Book podcast, wrote a book — How to Be Fine: What We Learned from Living by the Rules of 50 Self-Help Books. In a different time, they would have had a launch party. Since that's no longer happening, they've decided to have a virtual book launch hosted by Anne Bogel, of What Should I Read Next! podcast. Here's how you can attend while physically distancing.
Staying In with Emily & Kumail
Staying In With Emily & Kumail is a brand new podcast from — you guessed it — Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani. As writers who work from home, the couple are, as they say, "uniquely qualified" to lead listeners through these isolated and uncertain times. They'll give you entertainment recommendations, constant updates on the squirrel vs. bird war happening right outside their window and remotely talk to guests to see how they are faring under these circumstances. And to top it all off, they'll take all of the proceeds from their podcast and donate it to charities that are helping those who are hit hardest by this quarantine.
Which podcasts are on your recommendation list? Email, tweet us @PodcastPlaylist, or find us on Facebook.
For more great podcasts, check out CBC's podcast portal, subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
