Podcast Reflection

Through this assignment, I have extended my learning on the different codes and

conventions that make up a podcast, the identities of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities,

and have worked on exercising my media creation skills. I have experienced victories and

challenges when creating two podcasts, which allowed me to further deepen my learning on

different factors that make up a podcast. One thing I feel I did well was using different codes and

technical conventions, including music, sound effects, speech, credibility, and representation. In

both my podcasts, I have practiced producing an authentic-sounding media text with the use of

music in the introduction and the outro, which sets an exciting and upbeat tone, engaging the

audience. The use of sound effects throughout the podcast, such as the drumroll, the swoosh

transition, the ping effects in Richard Wagamese’s podcast, and the slurping straw effect in the

commercial all contribute to a more intriguing podcast. I believe my speech is engaging, as my

voice, tone, and volume change depending on the topic being discussed. For example, when

talking about Richard Wagamese’s achievements, my voice and tone are more enthusiastic and

upbeat, making the listener feel engaged. When I discuss the abuse Wagamese faced, my voice

changes to a more empathetic tone, and my volume becomes lower, as this is more appropriate

speech to use when discussing trauma. In addition, I feel that through the use of quotations from

the Indigenous influencers mentioned, credibility is built with the listener, and through fair and

positive representation, this credibility is strengthened, as my podcast becomes more ethical.

On the other hand, areas for improvement include the topics in the commercial, the

technology used in the podcast, and the increased use of other codes and conventions. In both my

podcasts, I have included a commercial at the beginning promoting a smoothie for a hypothetical

brand, Juicylicious. Although I have exercised the use of some media strategies in this

advertisement, such as the slogan, “Juicylicious, be happy and healthy,” buzzwords including
“real fruit, juicy, healthy, and fresh,” and a promotion, “get half off when you purchase another

drink,” I feel that I could have created a better and more detailed idea, as well as incorporated

more strategies. The use of a jingle would have strengthened the advertisement, and a more

detailed, humorous, and different plotline for each podcast are other media strategies I could

have incorporated. The technology used in the podcast is another thing that could have been

enhanced. Since this was my first time using the editing program, Audacity, I was new to all the

features and had little experience with it. I feel that I could have made use of some more effects,

and could have improved the voiceovers in the commercial and quotations by using real people.

Lastly, I feel that I could have made use of other codes and conventions. Although silence is used

in some parts, it is very brief and I could have included it more by creating pauses between

thoughts, and opinions by expressing more of my feelings while remaining unbiased.

A strategy I found helpful was creating a script before recording my podcast, allowing

me to plan and organize my thoughts and ideas while incorporating several codes and

conventions. Looking through examples allowed me to better understand the techniques used in

podcasts and produce an authentic one. Along with the music, commercials, credibility, and

speech used which helps with authenticity and professionalism, I also used codes and

conventions including balance, subjectivity, bias, and objectivity. In both podcasts, I explained

the good and bad parts of the influencer’s lives, slightly expressing my opinions and allowed the

audience to know how I felt, but didn’t let this interfere with impartiality. I made sure to remain

unbiased, and this all related to objectivity, creating more meaning as it strengthens the points

made in the podcast. The target audience is mainly younger teenagers to middle-aged adults, as

the language and speech used resonates and is more understandable to this demographic. Lastly, I

chose these two influencers in particular because I found their stories unique, relevant, and
impactful. They both allowed me to understand more about the problems Indigenous people

faced in the past and present, as well as the themes of resilience, strength, and beauty related to

First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. I chose to be evaluated on the Richard Wagamese

podcast in particular, as I felt I made better use of codes and conventions, explained his life, and

personally connected and empathized with him more. Both these Indigenous influencers,

however, have allowed me to learn more about the beauty, strength, and brilliance found in

Indigenous communities, all while practicing codes and conventions in podcasts.