The year was 2004 however, some would argue that podcasts didn’t really take off until around 2014. The majority of people agree it was Adam Curry (former MTV VJ) and Dave Winer (software developer) who wanted to find a way to download online radio broadcasts to the iPod - a game-changing device at that time, released a few years earlier in 2001. Podcast creators Adam Curry and Dave Winer used an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) aggregator software, along with a program Curry invented, called iPodder, to extract audio files and transfer them to an iPod.
This allowed them to then listen to radio broadcasts on-demand and on the go, all from their iPod (Riverside FM).
Podcasts are very versatile, and I believe that is a big reason they are so popular today. You can listen to news via a podcast, listen to people who are masters in their field on one or listen to comedy and so many other uses. They have now become visual through platforms like YouTube, which is even more engaging than just audio versions. They act as a great way to disseminate knowledge to a wide variety of people.
I haven’t meet many people who don’t listen to at least one podcast in their week. In my opinion, they are the future of comms. You just have to look at the likes of Steven Bartlett and Tom Bilyeu and their viewing figures to see this potential coming to life.
Podcasts aren’t just for listening to people chatting about the hyper-niche. They can teach us a lot about the world. And once political podcasts came into fashion, the subgenre began to provide a whole new way to broadcast the news, and it made current affairs, dare we say it … fun. As per Timeout.
The likes of NWA and Public Enemy used music and songs to get across political messages and problems that were going on within society at the time. This was their way to disseminate knowledge. Podcasts can be our way to do this, our way to tell our stories, speak our truths and uncover our history! I have recently started a podcast myself called reallifecurriculum. Our aim is to bring people together who teach and advise on how we can improve mindset, growth and positivity. I feel the platform I have created enables me to have conversations on a deeper level than in my normal everyday life. It feels amazing knowing I’m putting content out there, but more important, that it is reaching the ears of those who need to hear it. I would also like to think that me doing this may give someone else the affirmation in their own mind that 'SO CAN THEY'!
Through me putting myself out there and just taking that leap of faith in starting a podcast, I’ve learned a lot, met amazing people who I align with, plus received opportunities that wouldn’t have come if not for that initial leap of faith and belief in myself.
One of those opportunities is hosting podcasts for Centric, which I feel privileged and honoured to do, and I’m excited about the upcoming episodes (launching this April!).
For me, this is so important. Especially given the values and mission of Centric, through this podcast, seldom-heard voices will be given the platform to be heard, and untapped knowledge with be unveiled out of the darkness and into the light. For too long, the seldom-heard communities have not had the chance to voice their opinions and I believe there isn’t a better time than now with the work Centric are doing. It's time to shake things up and cause some disruption (in a good way) as it’s long overdue.
It’s also time for us as a community to claim that equity back and claim our stake - podcasts are just one of these methods of doing so. Centric are already shaking things up with our research method. The system doesn't want the marginalised communities taking back their power or don’t do anything for them to grow out of their environment and potentially reach the same level as them. For too long, we have been seen as the minority and haven’t had the power really to drive change, now is the time the power shifts!
Podcasts are a great way to engage the youth. Everyone has a phone, a tablet, or some type of technological device they use constantly, which the youth especially rely upon. It has meant many are not interested in reading books and literature reviews. So, how do we disseminate the knowledge to get a message through to them?
For me, the answer is obvious. I am eager to push this strategy to get the youth to discuss important topics together. Whether that be discussing the current school curriculum or wider learning in general. It’s important, especially when it comes to seldom-heard communities, that history is remembered and we are able to tell the truth. This hasn’t always been the case regarding our story and so called ‘truth’, however, who knows our story and truth better than us, those who have lived it and experienced it first-hand?
Why should we be the last to know?
We should be at the forefront.
That time is now …
reallifecurriculum x Centric
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References
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Dissemination of Knowledge - Empirical Expansions
Cost of Living and MLTCs
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