AJ Churchill on How Apollo is Driving Podcast Findability, and the Future of Podcast Apps
and how it benefits indie podcasters in an ever competitive space
Welcome to the early access edition of Pod Chat, where you get first listen to the latest episode as well as a deeper look at some of the tools and tech mentioned in it.
In this issue:
Episode 4 of Pod Chat, with guest AJ Churchill
The use of Dolby in podcasting
Leave a review and help support Ukraine
Coming up next on Pod Chat
Pod Chat Episode 4, with AJ Churchill
In this week's Pod Chat, I chat with AJ Churchill, co-founder of Lunar.fm, the company behind the Apollo podcast app and the audio fiction sci-fi drama, Earth Eclipsed.
We talk about how audio production quality is changing with new technologies, as well as the innovations behind the Apollo app that are helping audio fiction podcasts be found, and how that can help other podcast app developers improve their own products. Also on the menu:
Apollo’s innovative tagging systems to fine-tune topic search
Where stereo mixes fit in
How podcasters need better findability when competing against bigger productions
AJ offers great insights into where he sees the future of audio production, and how audio fiction podcasts are a sleeping giant about to be awakened.
The use of Dolby in podcasting
One of the things we talked about in the episode is the growing use of Dolby in podcasting.
Traditionally the tool of movie makers to envelop the audience in the best aural experience, Dolby is being increasingly used in the podcasting space.
The Left Right Game podcast from QCODE, for example, uses Dolby Atmos to offer an all-encompassing sound experience that offers a deeper emotional connection to the sci-fi show.
Remote recording platforms SquadCast and Boomcaster use Dolby to help with sound production on their recordings.
SquadCast offers Dolby.io to level audio, as well as noise and echo reduction. Boomcaster automatically processes with Dolby mastering to ensure a consistent LUFS level of recording and clarity.
With Apple’s AirPods Pro and AirPods Max offering spatial audio surround sound, there’s a huge opportunity for podcasters to go beyond the default EQ processing on their shows, especially for podcasts that offer an emotional or dramatic pull.
Learn more about Dolby and podcasting here.
Leave a review and help support Ukraine
The war in Ukraine continues to have devastating consequences and life-changing upheaval for the people of Ukraine.
This includes families torn apart, and facing an uncertain future as the war continues to ravage their country,
Podcasting database, Podchaser, is looking to help, with their #Reviews4Good initiative.
From the Podchaser website:
In light of recent events, we’re donating to World Central Kitchen’s #ChefsForUkraine efforts, an initiative aimed at providing meals to individuals and families fleeing from Ukraine. So far they have served 1 million meals to those in need, and we’re excited to contribute to this cause.
To help with this, they will donate 25 cents to World Central Kitchen for every review left on Podchaser for the month of April 2022. If a podcaster replies to that review, they’ll double that donation to 50 cents.
I’m part of the team for podcast host Captivate, and we’ll be matching these donations through #Reviews4Good for all reviews of Captivate-hosted podcasts, up to a value of $1,000.
If you want to help support Ukraine, while helping out your friendly neighbourhood Pod Chat host, you can leave a review on Podchaser here, or by clicking that lovely button below.
You can also search the database for your favourite podcasts and leave them a review too while you’re there.
Let’s make this year’s initiative the best yet, and send some much-needed support and more to the people of Ukraine.
Coming up next on Pod Chat
April 29 - Bryan Barletta, Sounds Profitable
May 13 - Elsie Escobar, She Podcasts
May 27 - Hari Gopalakrishna, Boomcaster
June 10 - JJ Ramberg, Goodpods
I’m looking forward to bringing these guests and more to you over the spring and summer - it’s going to be a great few months ahead!
Until the next time, stay safe, stay well, and happy podcasting!
Danny.
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