I Binge on Documentary Style Podcasts, Not Netflix
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While I’ve only listened to a few audiobooks, I’m a podcast junkie. I enjoying listening to three genres:
- News (e.g., current events and sports)
- Interviews
- Long form, documentary-style programs
When I used to work in an office, I’d tune in to podcasts as I got ready for work, getting in 10–15 minutes of listening time.
Back then, I was taking my daughter to school on the same ride as my commute — her school was less than a mile from my office, which was convenient.
I wouldn’t listen to podcasts during that morning drive, but I’d listen in bits and pieces throughout the work day.
Then I’d listen more when I returned home in the evening.
These days, I go out for walks of 45–90 minutes. I listen to podcasts while I walk.
In the documentary-style genre, here are four of my favorites:
Wind of Change
By Pineapple Street Studios, Crooked Media and Spotify
Host: Patrick Radden Keefe
Are you familiar with the popular Scorpions song “Wind of Change”? This podcast explores whether it was written by the CIA.
Before you chalk it up to a crazy conspiracy theory, I’ll note that Patrick Radden Keefe writes for New Yorker, has published long form investigative journalism and has written several books.
Keefe has researched this story for 10+ years.
It’s an eight episode podcast. It was riveting!
Boom/Bust: The Rise and Fall of HQ Trivia
By The Ringer
Host: Alyssa Bereznak
I’ve never played HQ Trivia, but once watched my daughter play it.
Still, I love a good story, especially one that played out in real life.
Alyssa Bereznak and The Ringer team piece together and tell an intriguing story — one that involves hubris, jealousy and infighting.
Amazing highs! And discouraging lows.
Like “Wind of Change,” this is an eight episode podcast that’s like a great audiobook.
Land of the Giants (Season 2)
By Recode
Hosts: Rani Molla & Peter Kafka
“Land of the Giants” covers the role of Netflix’s culture in its epic rise.
I don’t think Netflix’s hard-driving, somewhat-ruthless culture would be a match for me.
That being said, Episode 1 has me hooked. I’ll rotate this in with my daily podcasts.
Season 1, hosted by Recode’s Jason Del Rey, featured “The Rise of Amazon.”
I’ll listen that after I finish Season 2.
A fresh look at virtual events
David Meerman Scott is a well-known marketing expert and speaker.
David’s in-person speaking engagements have been halted due to the pandemic.
So he’s pivoted to speaking at virtual events.
Recently, Skillsoft hired David to be co-host of their Skillsoft Perspectives 2020 virtual event.
From David:
“Skillsoft Perspectives 2020 also included a live musical performance by Kev Sylvester and Wil Baptiste of Black Violin who played from their studio in New York City.
I was in the Boston studio and interviewed Wil and Kev after their performance. The live interplay between Wil and Kev in their NYC studio was popular with attendees.
Black Violin gained many new fans (including me)!”
David shares interesting thoughts about virtual events:
👉 They’re more like television than theater
👉 The best virtual events reimagine what’s possible rather than recreate what’s familiar
👉 Virtual events need to include the audience!
Read the post at David Meerman Scott’s website.
Twitter Corner
In each newsletter, I recommend a Twitter user to follow.
This week, I recommend L. Michelle Smith (@LMichelleSpeaks).
I discovered L. Michelle via Ian Truscott’s Rockstar CMO podcast.
In the episode, Ian and L. Michelle discuss “the current social unrest in the US, the Black Lives Matter movement and her journey as a diversity and communications leader.”
I recently subscribed to “The Culture Soup Podcast,” which L. Michelle hosts.
Commitment Corner
I admire the statements made recently by two companies in support of Black Lives Matter.
Rand Fishkin, Co-Founder of SparkToro, published a Statement on Racial Injustice from SparkToro.
Todd McKinnon, Co-Founder and CEO of Okta, published “Our Commitment to Investing in our Black Colleagues and Communities.”
Thankful Corner
In June, Joe Pulizzi (@JoePulizzi), Fonder of Content Marketing Institute, joined our Meetup to discuss his latest book, “Corona Marketing: What Marketing Professionals Need to Do Now to Survive the Crisis.”
Helena Ronis (@curiousleyne), Co-Founder of AllFactors, attended the Q&A, then wrote an in-depth post summarizing it.
It’s an amazing post! 👏
Read it on the AllFactors website.
Kessler’s Corner
Thankful to Doug Kessler for joining us this week at the Bay Area Content Marketing Meetup.
Doug is Co-Founder and Creative Director of marketing agency Velocity.
Image: A slide from Doug’s presentation, showing how Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose helped lead the content marketing revolution.
Doug spoke about a new B2B marketing framework called the “galvanizing story.”
According to Doug, “With a galvanizing story, strategy, content, marketing, sales and demand generation all have a focus and a shared, guiding concept.”
Watch the recording of Doug’s talk:
In Your Corner
A true crime story:
The Hero of Goodall Park
A powerful and moving story from ESPN.
“When a car careened onto a baseball field in Sanford, Maine, during a Babe Ruth game in 2018, it set in motion a true-crime mystery 50 years in the making.”
The story involves horror and tragedy. It ends with an apology and forgiveness.
Read the story at ESPN.
Job Corner
Argyle is looking for a webinar and virtual events producer.
The company is based in New York, but the position is remote to start.
If you’re interested in applying, I’m happy to pass along your resume and cover letter to the hiring manager.
Bonus Corner
Demand Gen Report published an interesting interview with Forrester analyst Steve Casey.
The title of the interview: “Why B2B Brands Must Treat Buyers As Equal Partners.”
Casey mentions four environmental factors driving changes in B2B buyer expectations:
- Buyers have more information
- Millennials are driving decisions
- Apple and Amazon set a high bar for customer experience
- Social distancing during the pandemic
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