This show always gets me thinking of audio and storytelling in new ways — endlessly helpful (and just fun to listen to)

Rob gets it and he wants you to get it too. Thanks for making this show Rob!

Rob provides very good suggestions and insights on the “How To’s” of podcasting. He presents exciting and well represented examples for his critiques and guidance. Only suggestion for him to follow is it to keep his articulation clear of crackles and dry mouth. Thumbs up.

I’ve been listening to this pod since the ‘SaltCast’ days. Frankly, I’m embarrassed that I haven’t reviewed this program until now. Rob’s a treasure and I hope he continues to share great stories (and their backstories) with us for years to come.

I like this pod, but you feature two trans artists in this most recent episode and manage to misgender both of them despite you using audio of one of them saying their pronouns! How does that happen? How does that get through a script checking process? Ariana deserves better then this

Sound School Podcast is a story-centered sound universe that will almost certainly help you see whatever you are working on now more clearly. You’ll hear, “don’t stop.” And you really won’t want to stop. Because, our guide, Rob, shares stories with a balanced mix of deeply serious craft talk and criticism with his specific warm and focused kindness. Listen for the punk rock, for the crickets, for the quirks, and not only that. Listen for great stories and hear from the people who make them.

Always useful

As a podcast producer, How Sound is my Bible. I have never listened to an episode without learning something helpful or hearing something that reinforces my nuanced practice. And it’s genuinely fun to listen to, every time it makes me smile or experience a moment of awe. I recommend How Sound to audio producers and storytellers at any level of experience.

I’ve had HowSound on my radar for a while but hadn’t been making any audio stories until, in the middle of the pandemic, I dove headfirst into making a podcast with my 95 year old dad called “Keeping Dad Alive.” Now I search the archive to find episodes that relate to questions that come up. For example, “The squirm test” was really helpful when I was working on an episode about some undignified things that were happening in my dads life.

Searching for information on sound design, I happened on your podcast on this topic. Quite interesting and has given me a bit more to consider as I venture down the path of trying to launch my own podcast “Consider if you Will!”. Subsequently have been listening to other episodes. Excellent work and while some material does not interest me, it certainly kept my attention. Now, I am still at a loss for selecting sound effects for the signature of the show and where to find talent to brainstorm ideas, at least I now have a starting point. Well done! -SMeche

Rob is the best type of educator: he provides examples of how something can be done, explains it in an approachable and technical way (when appropriate), he is personable and light hearted, and best of all he has integrity (see Scoring Stories: Part 2 - music as emotional authoritarianism - as 1 example). Episodes often are stories themselves. And the radio producers and journalists Rob interviews leave me inspired. And even though there are puns, he usually gives you fair warning about them. Thanks, Rob for doing what you do.

I went back and started at the first episode. I have systematically listened to each one. Some twice. I have followed featured podcasts from Rob’s recommendations. Shared them with friends. And I have incorporated everything I hear into my own podcast efforts. I say efforts because sometimes I say to myself… “Oh, Rob would be horrified!” Rob is the best. Aside from the technical, process part (which I love), the stories featured along the way will make you laugh, cry, think. It is the best way to listen to diverse content and thinking. Bravo. This is my first and only podcast review. Not many hosts can compel you to take out your EarPods, log into iTunes and rate a podcast. Rob can. Keep it coming.

Rob does such an amazing job with this podcast. I’ll be listening to an episode, and I will get so completely sucked into one of the bits he’s selected to play, that I totally forget what the episode was about. Then I re-play it, and I’m like “oh yeah, that’s right, he was going to play that bit because it’s completely engrossing”…then he explains WHY it’s so engrossing, and somehow, some way, knowing just what magic happened to make the clip that good…makes it better. I dabble in production, and it’s helpful, inspiring, and just plain fun to hear these little expositions of the magic that happens behind the scenes to make great radio. Keep up the awesome work, Rob :) Dave Fly-In Radio

Rob Rosenthal is a great teacher and this is an excellent podcast for aspiring radio producers. Highly recommend.

How Sound is a great podcast if you’d like to dive deep and understand the art and craft of great radio storytelling. Insight into the decisions made to create a great radio story only makes listening to them a richer experience. The opportunity to get to do so, listening to a segment, then hearing that segment discussed with the creator is illuminating. The way Rob Rosenthal questions, challenges and even instructs his guests brings to life the creative process of crafting a story for radio. One of my favorite How Sound episodes (18) is the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of “Ghetto Life 101”. I never would have heard “Ghetto Life 101” had it not been featured in How Sound. Thanks for such a great podcast!

Is the man

When I got curious about how radio was made- I stumbled upon HowSound - which became the most epic resource imaginable for me!!! I wound up joining the PRX website and streaming every episode of HowSound back to day one. Then skipped on back to the entire SaltCast which was the predecessor to HowSound. This journey of listening has developed me powerfully into someone who can listen deeper and appreciate more profoundly the craft of radio making. HowSound reminds me of my undergrad days in art school doing critiques of various artworks in the studio- which developed me as a visual artist. This podcast has the same effect it brings language to the un-languaged. I deeply appreciate the incredible amount of time and dedication that goes into creating this podcast.

I'm so grateful for How Sound! As a longtime print journalist making a transition to radio, with three small kids who make it impossible for me to even think of applying to the Transom workshop, listening to How Sound kind of feels like the next best thing - useful, easily understandable instruction on all different elements of radio production and story structure. I love how Rob focuses on certain pieces and invites in producers to explain what they did. It's invaluable as a learning tool for anyone who is new or new-ish to radio (and probably for those who are more seasoned as well.)

Thanks, Rob, for a show every podcaster and radio producer should keep under their pillow. Always learning something from listening to it since I discovered it a few years back.

Rob Rosenthal delivers masterful storytelling in how-to format, a more competent use of vibrating air molecules is hardly imaginable, every minute a must hear for your ear.

Rob Rosenthal and the HowSound team have become like family to me. As I learn how to create my own radio programs and Podcasts, I routinely invite them all into my living room via the Podcast to teach me the ropes. In the world of journalism, they often say that the secret to a good story is when you ‘show them, don’t tell them.’ HowSound does that superbly. Every episode is like a digital anatomy lesson, followed by a lesson in radio physiology. Wonderful, wonderful stuff!

You couldn’t ask for a more comprehensive, candid, and useful look into the craft of audio production, radio, and podcasting. Rob is a gentle, knowledgeable, funny, self-effacing, and incisive guide. If there is a new episode in my queue, it’s always the first thing I listen to.

As a wannabe podcaster, this is invaluable. The information shared is great, the insights are absolutely usable, and the variety of material really shows the strength of podcasting as a medium.

I've been to the Third Coast festival, which is a great way to connect with people and ideas around making radio. But How Sound is still far and away one of the best resources for inspiration. Rob deconstructs great radio stories in great detail to help you understand narrative, structure, and sound design. Highly recommended!

I originally started listening to How Sound looking for ideas/tips/info on the technical aspects of capturing sound. While that does feature in the podcast, it's much more about the story telling. And, in the process of explaining storytelling, Rob shows us real examples from real podcasts. It's become one of my most significant sources of new podcasts to start listening.

Rob is a fantastic teacher and storyteller, and this podcast is a must listen for anyone who wants to make great radio!

...but riveting. Rob Rosenthal is a genius teacher and guide, his guest lecturers skilled and passionate, and the classroom is familiar and welcome, doubling as a podcast and a curriculum. Thank you, HowSound team. This show is better than the gift-getting part of Christmas.

Finally, a podcast truly about story telling and journalism that you can learn from. This podcast achieves with many other informational podcasts don't - learning by doing. You don't have to be a journalist or a writer do you appreciate this podcast. It's fascinating for everyone.

Not your typical "how to" series. I learned a lot from some of the best being on this show and sharing their process.

I enjoy listening to this podcast and I don't even crete podcasts. I like how he breaks down stories and story telling. Definitely worth a listen.

As a beginning host for my own podcast, I find this practical, insightful, useful. Bravo and thanks. With gratitude, Steve Leveen, America the Bilingual

Love this show! It's both instructional and provides great stories!

First season was amazing and I gave them money for the second. Now rather than a cool, interesting sound each week, we get random audio of their US tour. I'm really disappointed.

I stumbled across this podcast a couple of years ago and so glad I did. I'm delighted whenever I discover a new episode is available. I particularly like it when I get to hear the back story of another podcast I had already heard. Very insightful and informative. THANKS!

This is a wonderful tour of issues in the crafting of audio narrative, full of insight and compelling breakdowns of what works and what doesn't. I've used more than a few episodes as part of my own curriculum on writing for audio.

This podcast is fantastic. Plus it exposes you to other great podcasts, and radio shows! Love it!

Awesome show for people who are interested in radio storytelling and learning about new podcasts

I love podcasts and public radio. This show turns the discussion toward the production of radio we like to listen to, and each episode is a worthwhile journey through some storytelling/journalistic principle or problem. I know it sounds like some undergrad lecture in radio production, but somehow it's just as interesting and moving as any other podcast I listen to. Also, I appreciate that each episode is cut to around 15-20 minutes, which is refreshing when most podcasts these days run 30-90 minutes.

Howsound is far and away the BEST podcast for anyone interested in radio & podcast production! If you have even the slightest desire to produce a podcast -- or professional-quality radio reports and stories -- then you definitely need to avail yourself of all the high-quality goodness that HOWSOUND provides. Each episode is remarkable for its "back-story" insights; insights that are (1) available only from someone with Rob Rosenthal's audio/radio pedigree, and (2) so wonderfully crafted -- so expertly designed -- that this listener now has a real (and realistic) understanding of all that is possible in the radio/podcast realm. My sincere thanks to you, Rob, for bundling your wisedom, artistry and backstory insights into seamless episode after seamless episode of pure sonic (and highly edifying) delight!

I've listened through a few episodes on storytelling and have pulled away loads of valuable info. I'm a doc filmmaker w/ an interest in podcast-storytelling, but these principles apply directly to my field. Thanks HowSound for continually crafting such quality content. Your work is helping me tell better stories!

Thoughtful explorations into myriad approaches to audio storytelling, skillfully made by Mr. Rosenthal.

Love these radio works!

“Some cereal. S’posed to be good for you…” Who wants to listen to some podcast that’s s’posed to be educational? Me! "How Sound" features great stories along with fascinating insights into how they were made. It’s simply entertaining. Of course it is - It’s well told by a radio master! Like that old Life Cereal commercial, "How Sound" is... "Nutritious. Delicious."

So useful for a producer or journalist, or if you just like to learn how things are done. This is the "how stuff is made" for audio. And you get so much good information you want to produce 10 things at once just to put it into practice. Update: just listened to several more and it's just really good and I want to give it five more stars.

I'm starting my first podcast for my work, and How Sound has been so helpful in giving me insights for how to think even better about how we use scripts, music, how we interview, how we edit — everything. If you aspire to quality, well-produced audio storytelling, you need to give this show a listen.

HowSound not only teaches me about the tricks of the storytelling trade; it exposes me to all kinds of wonderful productions, including most recently The Biggest Story in the World, about The Guardian’s podcast covering climate change. So good! HowSound is a super listenable, highly engaging, masterfully produced podcast that’s a mainstay in my feed and should be in yours too.

I listen to HowSound to help me improve my understanding of storytelling and also as a source for finding out about great podcasts/radio. They put in a 5 star effort for both.

If you love listening to radio storytelling, this terrific, engaging series will show you more about how podcasts are conceived and designed. (And if you have any interest in making your own, this is an absolute must-listen.)

The episode featuring Nate DiMeo of The Memory Palace not only gave me a chance to re-listen to one of my favorite pieces of audio storytelling and revel in its creator's mastery of the subtle and sensitive, it gave me a wonderful perspective on how the current explosion of narrative podcasting relates to the history of great radio.

I've been listening to How Sound (formerly Saltcast) ever since I was lucky enough to take a class with Rob Rosenthal in Maine. I can't imagine having a better teacher, and I've just been able to extend my learning by listening to this show. Even if you aren't interested in making your own audio pieces, Rosenthal exposes you to all sorts of pieces that you might not otherwise have found your way to. He plays projects of former students and clips from the masters. Highly recommended for fans of Radio Lab, This American Life, Radiotopia shows, etc.