Podcasting as a Creative Practice and the Spirit of Radio: Local Histories of Maitland

Abstract

Addressing the question “how is a podcast created?” – four podcasters document their practice as research, framing their experiences as a research enquiry while making their first podcast. Practitioner Based Enquiry was the methodology and reflective practice was one of the methods underpinning the stages of podcasting production. These accounts of practice, and the reflective deliberations, are critically examined using Gidden’s Structuration and Bourdieu’s Cultural Production theories to reveal how these actions are creatively and collaboratively enabled and constrained by past actions and the podcasting production context. Constrabling describes moments of simultaneous opportunity and restriction that occur as radio traditions meet innovative podcasting practices.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Newcastle Australia.

Notes on contributors

Susan Kerrigan

A/Prof Susan Kerrigan does creative practice, qualitative and mixed methods research. She was Chief Investigator on two Australian Research Council Grants examining regional Creative Industries. Her research focused on creative practices and how creative products are culturally consumed.

Harry Criticos

Dr Harry Criticos, teaches audio, radio and podcasting production in Communication at the University of Newcastle. As a radio presenter and producer he has researched Australian regional radio and has designed and taught podcasting.

Vicki Kerrigan

Vicki Kerrigan is a doctoral communications researcher and former ABC Radio broadcaster. Her PhD research explores the barriers to effective communication between Aboriginal patients and hospital-based doctors in Darwin. She created the podcast: Ask the Specialist: Larrakia, Tiwi and Yolŋu stories to inspire better healthcare.

Simon Ritchie

Simon Ritchie is a PhD student at the University of Newcastle, he is a musician and sound designer and has composed musical scores and created sound designs to bring theater, music and podcasts narratives to life.