Continuing Studies: Higher Ed Podcasting

Hosted by Jennifer-Lee Gunson & Neil McPhedran. HigherEdPods.com. Podium Podcast Co.

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Aug 2026

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About the show

We explore the intersection of higher education and podcasting. Each episode of Continuing Studies features insights from seasoned university podcasters who share tips, best practices, and stories from their podcasting journeys. Hosted by Jennifer-Lee Gunson and Neil McPhedran, this series covers everything from the technical aspects of podcasting to the art of storytelling and conducting interviews. Continuing Studies is more than just a podcast; it's a community. Connect with fellow higher ed podcasters, share your experiences, and continue your podcasting education on HigherEdPods.com. We're also on a journey to infuse Podcasting 2.0 best practices into our show. Our goal is to try every feature to determine the best suited for higher education podcasting. We'll be sharing our learnings and reviewing new podcasting apps and hosting services embracing Podcasting 2.0. Show Website: https://www.continuingstudiespodcast.com/ Show LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/continuing-studies-podcast/

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August 11, 2026Episode 8128 min

How Podcasting Can Change the Classroom Dynamic: Live from Higher Ed PodCon 2026

Can podcasting make teaching more human, more connected, and more effective? In the second live episode from Higher Ed PodCon, Neil and Jen sit down with Rudy Salo, a lawyer, law professor, public transportation geek, and co-host of Good Is in the Details . Rudy explains how a philosophy podcast about everyday life, dialogue, and critical thinking found its way into the syllabus and how it's helping students see the person behind the professor, and why that human connection changes what happens in the classroom. They also get into Socrates, student trust, law school, and why Rudy says, Better Call Saul is the most accurate legal show. Episode Links: Connect with Rudy Good is in the Details Connect with Us: Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco Youtube HigherEdPods Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (01:43) - Meet Rudy Salo (01:50) - A philosophy podcast about everyday life (03:34) - Using dialogue to think better (06:44) - Curiosity, humility, and critical thinking (07:50) - What “podcasting as pedagogy” means (08:31) - Turning conversations into course material (10:30) - Bringing audio into law school (13:45) - How podcasts humanize professors (17:15) - Building connection beyond the classroom (19:30) - Using episodes to clarify hard concepts (21:03) - Letting teaching uses emerge organically (22:15) - When a podcast becomes a course idea (24:12) - What legal dramas get wrong (26:30) - Conclusion

July 28, 2026Episode 8032 min

The Art of Hosting: Live from Higher Ed PodCon 2026

How do great hosts create conversations that feel purposeful, natural, and worth staying with? In this episode of Continuing Studies , Neil and Jen sit down with Sophie White from EDUCAUSE live at Higher Ed PodCon to talk about the art of hosting. Drawing from her work on EDUCAUSE Shop Talk , Sophie shares how purpose can shape everything from guest selection to audience focus, and how hosts can create the conditions for more thoughtful, candid conversations. They also discuss co-host chemistry, managing multiple guests, balancing rigor with fun, helping nervous guests feel at ease, and why podcasts can be a powerful way for higher education organizations to add context, personality, and connection to their work. Episode Links: Listen to EDUCAUSE ShopTalk Connect with Sophie White Connect with Us: Share Feedback, Suggestions, & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco Youtube HigherEdPods Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:13) - Meet Sophie White (02:34) - EDUCAUSE Shop Talk (04:24) - Topics and guests (07:30) - Purposeful hosting (10:18) - Co-host chemistry (14:21) - Trust and communication (16:34) - Rigor and fun (19:05) - Managing multiple guests (23:18) - Tricky guest dynamics (24:21) - Helping guests relax (26:40) - Being human on mic (27:32) - Podcasts as engagement (30:42) - Conclusion

July 13, 2026Episode 7930 min

Helping Academics Bring Research Podcasts to Life: Funding, Training, and Production Support

How do you turn a research idea into a podcast that is clear, credible, and actually doable? In part two of our three-part series on how collaborative research podcasts get made, Neil and Jen talk with Krissie Brighty-Glover from Research Podcasts about the process they use to bring academic audio to life. Part one explored a real research podcast from the academic’s perspective; this episode looks at the production side, from shaping the initial idea to supporting funding applications, training researchers, booking guests, editing, distribution, and accessibility. They also get into the “beauty and the beast” of podcasting, why good support can help researchers focus on their expertise, and how collaborative podcasting can elevate voices, create impact, and make research more accessible beyond traditional academic outputs. Episode Links: Research Podcasts Connect with Krissie Brighty-Glover Listen to Part 1 with Abigail Harrison Moore Connect with Us: Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco Youtube HigherEdPods Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (03:37) - Research Podcasts’ model (06:12) - Funding and impact (08:00) - Training researchers (10:23) - Production support (12:10) - The Editing Process (13:53) - Podcast literacy for researchers (15:27) - Co-creation in research (17:35) - Podcasts as research outputs (18:26) - Rethinking impact (20:14) - Centralizing university podcasts (24:33) - Networks and discoverability (25:38) - Advice for researchers (27:49) - Conclusion

June 29, 2026Episode 7828 min

Beyond the Interview: Using a Book Club Podcast to Bring Academic Expertise to the Public

How can academics make their ideas easier to find, more engaging, and harder to misrepresent? In this episode of Continuing Studies , Neil and Jen dig into the podcast, Archaeology Books for Fun with hosts Tristan Harrenstein and Barbara Clark. Barbara and Tristan excavate the ways they've used their podcast to reach an audience segment they were missing in their other public education programs, using a book club format, non-academic texts, playful branding, and eye-catching artwork. Take a listen to unearth practical tips on building a niche podcast, making expert knowledge approachable, and giving academics a clearer voice in the public conversation. Episode Links: Listen to Archaeology Books Are Fun F ollow Archaeology Books Are Fun Connect with Barbara Connect with Tristan Connect with Us: Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco Youtube HigherEdPods Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:35) - Meet Barbara Clark and Tristan Harrenstein (03:04) - How Archaeology Books for Fun got started (05:28) - Finding the audience public outreach often misses (06:37) - Why archaeologists need a seat at the media table (07:48) - Making a “dry” subject feel inviting (08:51) - Turning non-academic books into podcast conversations (11:00) - A different path beyond guest interviews (13:30) - Reading with a critical archaeological lens (14:08) - What strong branding does for a niche show (18:13) - Small changes that helped the show grow (21:01) - Letting audience data guide the next dig (23:38) - Podcasting as long-term public education (26:37) - Conclusion

June 15, 2026Episode 7733 min

Why Great Interviews Start with Not Knowing Everything

After 300+ interviews with Stanford experts, Russ Altman knows how to turn complex ideas into conversations people actually want to follow. In this episode of Continuing Studies , Neil and Jen talk with Russ, host of The Future of Everything , about the craft behind engaging expert interviews. Russ shares how he keeps highly technical conversations clear and fun, why he sees himself as the “jargon police,” and how curiosity can be more useful than trying to know everything in the room. They also get into his practical interview strategies, from preparing “emergency topics”, to using a mid-interview break to refocus, check in with the guest, and steer the episode toward a strong ending. A smart, fun, and practical listen for anyone trying to make expert knowledge more accessible. Episode Links: Connect with Russ The Future of Everything Connect with Us: Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco Youtube HigherEdPods Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (03:33) - From SiriusXM to podcasting (05:02) - Returning to the show’s original purpose (07:20) - Making science relatable (08:47) - Interviewing beyond your expertise (11:38) - Why not knowing everything can help (14:17) - The no pre-interview rule (17:43) - Emergency topics and interview prep (19:21) - The mid-interview break (24:59) - Video, shorts, and audience reach (28:31) - Advice after 300+ episodes (31:06) - Conclusion

June 1, 2026Episode 7630 min

How to Use Podcasting for Participatory Research

How can podcasting become more than a way to share research—and actually become part of the research itself? In this episode of Continuing Studies , Neil and Jen talk with Abigail Harrison Moore from the University of Leeds about Whose Power , a podcast project created with the Preservative Party, a group of young curators at Leeds City Museum. Abigail shares how the project uses podcasting as a participatory research space—one built around trust, consent, listening, and shared authorship. The conversation explores how podcasting can help break down gatekeeping in museums and academia, why audio can capture things that written research often misses, and what it takes to create a safe space where young people can lead the conversation. Abigail also explains why the project is staying audio-only, how voice, accents, pauses, and emotion became part of the research, and why participatory work requires much more preparation than simply turning on the mics. It’s a thoughtful look at how podcasting can open doors, shift power, and help researchers learn with communities—not just speak about them. Episode Links: Listen to Whose Power? Professor Abigail Harrison Moore Learn more about The Preservative Party Research Podcasts Connect with Us: Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco Youtube HigherEdPods Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:01) - Abigail Harrison Moore and Whose Power (03:04) - The origins of Whose Power (06:14) - Gatekeeping, museums, and youth voice (08:16) - Why podcasting became part of the project (10:00) - Podcasting as participatory research (10:58) - The podcast studio as a participatory space (12:37) - Trust, safety, and preparing the space (14:11) - Accents, pauses, and what audio reveals (15:38) - The emotional work of participatory research (17:05) - Why this project stays audio-only (19:08) - Non-negotiables before recording (21:49) - History, power, and who gets represented (24:18) - Podcasting as a research method (26:31) - What’s next: Research Podcasts and EPOD (27:23) - Conclusion

May 18, 2026Episode 7532 min

Using Academic Research to Make Sense of the News Cycle

How can a podcast use academic research to help us make sense of today’s news? Neil and Jen talk with Gemma Ware , head of audio at The Conversation UK and host/co-producer of The Conversation Weekly , about how the show brings academic expertise into the news cycle through narrative-produced audio. Gemma shares how The Conversation pairs academic rigour with journalistic flair, helping researchers explain complex ideas in a way that’s clear, accessible, and useful for a general audience. The conversation also digs into the craft behind the show: structuring episodes around the question “How did we get here?”, working with academics on mic, sustaining a weekly production schedule, and thinking strategically about multimedia, video, and discoverability. It’s a thoughtful look at how higher ed podcasters can translate expertise into stories that help listeners better understand the world around them. Episode Links: The Conversation Weekly The Conversation Gemma Ware Profile Connect with Us: Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco Youtube HigherEdPods Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:59) - What is The Conversation? (04:45) - The Editing Process (06:07) - From The Anthill to The Conversation Weekly (10:08) - The “How did we get here?” structure (12:21) - Turning current affairs into academic storytelling (14:12) - Sustaining a weekly podcast (15:37) - Helping academics communicate clearly (18:58) - Building a global audio network (21:12) - Podcasting, multimedia, and discoverability (27:19) - Leaning into niche expertise (29:56) - How long should the story be? (30:45) - Closing reflections (31:33) - Conclusion

May 4, 2026Episode 7431 min

How MIT Turns Teaching into Podcasts, Video, and Reach

25 years ago, MIT made a bold choice: share our knowledge with the world, free of charge. Eventually, out of this, Chalk Radio was born as one tool of MIT's OpenCourseWare to deliver that knowledge. In this episode, Neil and Jen talk with Brett Paci, producer of the Chalk Radio podcast and Assistant Director of Media Production at MIT OpenCourseWare, about how that mission has evolved over 20+ years. From static course materials, to YouTube lectures, to short-form clips, to narrative audio, and now to full podcast and video formats. What makes their approach stand out is that it’s never been about chasing formats; it’s about following the audience. Brett shares how the team experiments constantly, and adapts based on how people actually consume content, whether that’s a 30-second clip, a full lecture, or a long-form conversation. It’s a practical look at how one of the world’s most recognizable institutions continues to evolve, not by sticking to one format, but by constantly adapting to meet learners where they are. Episode Links: Contact Brett Paci on LinkedIn MIT OpenCourseWare Chalk Radio Podcast MIT OpenCourseWare on YouTube Where in the World are Jen & Neil: Higher Ed Pod Con The Podcast Show (London) EPOD Conference Connect with Us: Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco Youtube HigherEdPods Chapters: (00:00) - Who is OpenCourseWare For? (01:06) - Introduction (03:49) - Brett Paci and The Origins of OpenCourseWare (06:56) - From Course Materials to YouTube Growth (07:14) - Expanding Beyond What to Teach to How to Teach (08:26) - From Short Clips to Full Podcast Conversations (09:29) - Building an Audience Before Launching a Podcast (10:57) - Why Format Should Follow the Audience (13:19) - From Narrative Production to Conversational Podcasting (18:09) - Returning to Video and Experimenting with Format (21:24) - Testing Content: Full Episodes, Clips, and What Performs (26:00) - Treating Video as a Pilot and Learning What Works (30:10) - Conclusion

April 20, 2026Episode 7335 min

How To Be a Better Podcast Host (or Co-host)

What are the core skills that make a great podcast host? Before podcasting, there was broadcasting, and there’s still a lot to learn from it. This week, Neil and Jen go back to school, well, Jen's school that is. They head to BCIT’s broadcasting studios to host Jen’s former instructors, Kathryn Stewart and Kevin Ribble, now co-hosts of Ignite My Voice . Kat and Kevin share what podcast hosts can learn from broadcast training, using your breath to manage nerves on the mic, how to keep an audience engaged, storytelling & listening, and letting go of imposter syndrome. They also explore co-host dynamics, writing for audio, and how podcasting blends the discipline of radio with the freedom of conversation. It’s a fun, practical, behind-the-scenes look at the core skills that make for better podcasting—and why your voice is your most powerful tool. Episode Links: Ignite My Voice Listen to the Ignite my Voice Podcast Contact Kevin | Kat BCIT's Broadcasting Program Connect with Us: Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco Youtube HigherEdPods Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (04:25) - Introducing Kat, Kevin, and the BCIT Program (06:18) - Ignite My Voice & Podcast Freedom (10:02) - Keeping Listeners Engaged and Telling Better Stories (12:06) - Conversation Flow & "Story-Listening" (14:52) - Managing Nerves, Confidence, and Imposter Syndrome (18:21) - The “One Listener” Mindset and Audience Connection (20:19) - Voice, Breath, and the Mind-Body Approach to Hosting (24:21) - Co-Hosting, Scripts, and Finding Your Natural Style (28:37) - Conversation vs. Interview (30:11) - Letting Go of Fear (32:53) - Conclusion

April 6, 2026Episode 7234 min

How Science Vs. Turns Research Into Stories: Jokes, Citations, and a Lot of Editing

What does it take to turn rigorous scientific research into stories millions of people actually want to listen to? This week, Neil and Jen sit down with Blythe Terrell, executive editor of Science Vs. , to learn how one of the world’s most popular science podcasts blends deep research, narrative storytelling, and a bit of humour to reach millions of listeners. Science Vs. certainly doesn't opt for the path of least resistance, Blythe walks Jen & Neil through the realities of making a weekly narrative show and their extensive fact-checking and citation practices. The conversation also explores what higher education podcasters can learn from Science Vs. : how to build trust with audiences, how to story-tell your research, and why showing your work through transcripts and citations matters more than ever. Along the way, Blythe shares insights from teaching podcasting at NYU, working with scientists to communicate beyond academic jargon, and even collaborating on peer-reviewed research sparked by podcast episodes. It’s a thoughtful look at how podcasting can expand the reach and impact of scientific research, while having a whole lot of fun. Episode Links: Listen to Science Vs. Contact Blythe NYU's Science, Health & Environmental Reporting Program Queen's University Sexual Health Research Lab | Blue Balls & Sexual Coersion | The Orgasm Gap Connect with Us: Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco Youtube HigherEdPods Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:53) - What Is Science Vs. and How the Show Works (04:19) - Inside the Narrative Production Process (08:31) - Treating Episodes Like Research (09:20) - Handling Feedback, Criticism, and Listener Trust (12:38) - Why Show Notes, Citations, and Transcripts Matter (16:31) - Teaching Podcasting and Science Communication at NYU (22:29) - Science Vs. & Queen's University's Published Research (30:38) - The Future of Podcasting in Higher Education (32:37) - Conclusion