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 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 music in the

introduction and the outro, which sets an exciting and upbeat tone, engaging the audience. This

music can be heard at the timestamps, 0:28, near the beginning, and again at 5:13, around

the end. By using the same music in both the Richard Wagamese podcast and the Mary

Two-Axe Earley podcast, I can establish a sense of consistency throughout the series, which

enables the audience to feel more comfortable as they become accustomed to the familiar

music. The use of sound effects throughout the podcast also allows for a more intriguing and

engaging product. The slurping straw effect is used at the beginning (0:00) in the

commercial, and especially catches the reader’s attention, creating an effective

advertisement and an intriguing podcast. The drumroll sound effect is used when the

Indigenous influencers are first introduced (1:08 in the Richard Wagmese podcast), which

creates a slight feeling of suspense as well as engagement with the audience, as they become

excited to learn about the Indigenous influencer. A swoosh sound effect can also be heard

when transitioning from topics, (1:21 and 4:24), which allow the audience to better

understand the topics being discussed, as this effect notes that a shift in conversation is

taking place. Lastly, the ping effects are used to add more interest to the podcast when used

to describe aspects of Wagamese’s traditional life involving hunting, fishing, and trapping,
(1:35). This further catches the audience’s attention, as it adds a lighter, amusing tone to

the podcast. The effects and speed of my voice appeal and are more understandable to the

target audience, which is around young teenagers to young adults. Along with sound

effects, 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 and

interested. This can be heard at 2:45, as my voice creates a positive, hopeful tone while

explaining the lighter side of Wagamese’s life. 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. This can be heard around 1:40, and as my

speech shifts, the audience can understand the difference in the topics being discussed, and

how they impacted Wagamese. In addition, I feel that through the use of quotations from the

Indigenous influencers mentioned (2:09 and 3:27), credibility is built with the listener, as I use

factual information to explain Wagamese’s life, which builds trust with the audience while

creating a more intriguing podcast through the use of a different voice. Throughout the

podcast, I also feel that I present Wagamese and the events in his life with fair

representation, as I remain polite and respectful of his experiences. I introduced him with

enthusiasm and thoughtfulness at 0:59, using a drumroll sound effect and an excited tone

of voice. Along with explaining the pain in his life, I make sure to include his achievements,

allowing for a balanced perspective and a positive representation of Wagamese, which

creates a more ethical podcast.

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

technology used in the podcast. 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. Lastly, 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.

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 silence, balance, subjectivity, bias, and objectivity. While changing from

topics of discussion or transitioning from a commercial to the podcast, I use brief moments

of silence to aid the audience in understanding what is being discussed. After the

commercial, a moment of silence is incorporated to signify the start of the real podcast,

allowing the audience to differentiate between the ad and the actual product. Silence is also

used after introducing Richard Wagamese, after the swoosh sound effect at 1:21 to

emphasize the start of a discussion. At 2:42, silence is used again to transition between
topics. After discussing the struggles Wagamese faced, I move on to the resilience,

determination, and strength he holds, and use silence to indicate this change in discussion

rather than a sound effect, as silence is more appropriate when shifting from a heavy topic.

The silence emphasizes the pain Wagamese went through and allows the audience to think

about his difficult experiences while the tone shifts as I begin to talk about lighter subjects.

In terms of balance, I feel that I provided a fair perspective of Wagamese, as I discuss both

the positive and negative aspects of his life. At 2:36, I discuss the pain he went through as

he became involved in substance abuse and homelessness, but at 2:56, I explain how he

created beauty from his dark past. This balance allows the audience to gain an

understanding of the differences in Wagamese’s life without deeply reflecting on my

personal opinions. In connection to balance, I feel that I also remain unbiased throughout

the podcast, as I don’t pick a side or express my personal feelings regarding Richard

Wagamese’s life, which can be seen as I speak on both the good and painful sides of his life

while refraining from using opinionated language. Instead, I use verifiable facts to arrive at

a claim, using Wagamese’s awards to explain why he’s inspirational and a good author

(4:39), and these facts mixed with little opinionated language builds credibility. These facts

also contribute to a balance in subjectivity, as I express some of my feelings on Wagamese

in a neutral tone, allowing the listener to understand my connection to the influencer

without seeming overwhelming. All of this contributes to the objectivity of the podcast; the

fairly represented, balanced, unbiased, and open-minded product allows the listener to

build their personal opinions on the Indigenous influencer, allowing my podcast to be more

credible and ethical. 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.