Making Podcasts More Conversational

(UPDATE JAN 23: Don't miss the followup to this post...)

Recently I learned that one of my favorite podcast series, Doug Kaye's IT Conversations, has evolved into a new organization called The Conversations Network.

Actually, at this point, these podcasts are not directly conversational. IT Conversations currently is the only show in this network, and it focuses on recording and podcasting live events (such as conference sessions), as well as interviews -- which is very cool, and in my opinion no podcast does that better. They do have a forum where listeners can discuss particular shows, and that's cool too (if somewhat underutilized right now).

This makes me wonder: How might podcasts become more directly conversational?...

What kinds of tools and strategies might be employed to make it easier to publicly comment on or discuss a podcast directly while listening? Current solutions involve cobbling together podcasts with voice mail systems, blogs, or forums; or simply reading selected listener mail on occasion. That helps, sure, but I'm just wondering what might be possible.

Here's what I'd love: I'd love to be listening to a podcast on my MP3 player, and hear something I want to comment on. I hit pause, and then speak my response as a quick voice recording (separate audio file). My player would automatically  encode my comment file with metadata about the podcast episode I was listening to.

Then, next time I attach my MP3 player to my computer, my podcatcher software would automatically spot any comments and upload them to an appropriate place on the podcast's web site. Then they would appear with comments, but as downloadable audio. (Ideally, accessible via feed.)

I don't know if this might be possible, or if anyone besides me would want that functionality. However, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this issue. Please comment below.

Comments

[David Brazeal]

I guess I don't see the point of that, Amy. I understand the drive to be as conversational as possible, but I think at some point we're just going to have to accept that some media are more conversational than others. Podcasts are good for global conversation in the same way that blogs are good for global conversation. But if the weak point of blogs is their ability to facilitate one-on-one conversation,
then podcasts are just as weak, times ten.

[Amy Gahran]

Yeah, David, I realize this might not be to everyone's taste -- but it would actually suit me quite well.

Also, many podcasters regularly request audio comments that they splice into their shows. This would be more appealing if I could use the same device (MP3 player) to record the comment and know where to send it -- rather than having to call a voice mail line on the telephone or hop into my recording software, record my comment, set the levels, save it as mp3, and send it.

That's what I have to do right now, so needless to say I don't submit many audio comments to podcasts. But I like them, because the human voice conveys a much richer context and is more emotive and subtle than text.

It is perfectly conversational in the sense of replicating a face-to-face conversation? Of course not. But, IMHO, there's room (and good reasons) for a much broader definition of "conversation."

Of course, if this angle doesn't suit you, that's fine. To each their own.

- Amy Gahran
RightConversation.com

[Jeremiah Owyang]

Genius

Pure Genius. Copyright or lick the screen or something right now.

That makes complete sense, I can pretty much bet that the next generation of mobile phones, or ipods will have this capability.

Imagine what could happen when this connects with VOIP, technology, and instant "voice chat room" is enabled where individuals can discuss a podcasts in real time voice.

In general communication will evolve from "text > voice > video" via the web. I think your suggestions are a natural evolution to what we're seeing now in blogs

Kudos to Amy for her foresight.

[Amy Gahran]

Ah, so typical for the online world -- one smart guy isn't hot about my idea, another thinks its genius.

Thanks guys, I appreciate your input and your involvement.

- Amy Gahran
Right Conversation

[Carter Harkins]

Well, I just discovered this post, so I'm a bit late to the conversation, but funny enough, at the same time this post was being written, my partner Daniel and I were hard at work developing a set of tools that would make podcasting MUCH more interactive. Click my name at the bottom of the post to see Innertoob in action. Amy, I'd love to pick your brain...