Canadian History Podcasts

Canadian History Podcasts Janis Thiessen (bio) PODCASTING HAS TAKEN OFF AMONG CANADIAN ACADEMICS, particularly during the remote learning required by COVID-19 pandemic, both as a tool of research dissemination and classroom instruction. I am fortunate to collaborate with two experts in digital history: Kent Davies Kimberley Moore University Winnipeg's Oral Centre.1 Some years ago, when was preparing SSHRC Insight Grant application on our behalf, suggested podcast one outcomes. "I don't know what that is," replied, "but I'll write it down." "It's like Netflix for radio," explained, before he launched lengthy campaign educate me. Since then, have become fan 99% Invisible Fridge Light, while my undergraduate students, Centre assistance, helped generate episodes SSHRC-funded history Preserves.2 Preserves is attempt create listenable scholarly podcast, meticulously researched cited any academic literature storytelling format hopefully enjoyable wide audience. As describes us, we are "oral historians who thought incessantly about transmission knowledge through storytelling, fanatical listeners, added bonus us having background broadcasting/radio production."3 Our website provides transcripts (footnoted after episode 3!), sources, credits. It this experience co-host, researcher, writer led invitation review essay. [End Page 236] For those unfamiliar how access podcasts, process simple. If you an iPhone or Apple computer, open pre-installed app, search title (or topic interest), tap show your choice, then "follow." android phones, Google Play store, "Google Podcasts," download app. Within topic) interests you, "subscribe." You can also follow podcasts downloading using other popular apps such Spotify, Stitcher, Audible. The proliferation result low barrier technological entry assumption broadcasting skills attention aurality not required. All needed, seemingly, some free audio editing software, cheap microphone: Podcasters range from hobbyists deliver rambling monologue their favourite heard few dozen people, investigative journalists narrative storytellers well carefully crafted programmes, which often available broadcasts many thousands downloads month, more.4 A good reveals breadth depth knowledge, only subject matter but oral/aural medium itself. There no shortage ignore aurality, overlooking value "ambient sound [field recording, music, effects] evoke mood develop narrative."5 Add pressure produce weekly biweekly maintain audience glut "low-cost 'chumcasts'," little educative production independent podcasters (most them white males) without teams.6 237] field is, surprisingly, very small part current plethora. And yet podcasting, radio, be "especially suited telling quieter, less well-known stories behind historical events – complicate understanding think know."7 essay, consider 14 address grouped into three categories: productions, official organizations/associations, media companies. Independents Historians, journalists, teachers, graduate students,8 heritage drawing own expertise connections unaffiliated employers. These tend either monologues interviews. Independent Canadian...