Prologue
Why "Great Sound" Is Important For Podcasts
I'm no snob when it comes to quality audio – I record my podcast in a "closet studio" with about $500 worth of gear...including the laptop!
Still, quality audio is important if you want people to trust you and your podcast. Here's a study by USC that proves it.
The good news is that you can do a lot with a $60 mic. And there are a lot of great opportunities for podcasters who know how to tell and record a great story. If that's you, keep reading, because Audible is looking for you for their new podcasting program.
Need help with your audio quality? Marcus dePaula added a second "pay what you can" mic workshop tomorrow. I've got more info on that also.
I hope you're finishing out a great week and staying healthy!
Podcaster Opportunities

Audible Podcast Development Program - Now Taking Submissions
Audible is launching a podcast development fund and is taking submissions through January 18. The program is for people to develop a dream idea with the full support of Audible. You'll also get $10,000 as well as a new computer and other things you'll be able to keep when the program is over.
It's a good opportunity for the right person. Audible has some great people working on this and you'll have access to a huge audience of people who love audio content.
Podcasting Events

Podcast Microphones Workshop - Saturday, December 19
Want to make your mic sound better? TOMORROW is your opportunity.
This is a music business friend of mine who's done engineering for artists like Creed and Amy Grant. He produces several podcasts by people you've heard of, including WHOA That's Good by Sadie Robertson of Duck Dynasty and Dancing With The Stars fame.
He knows his stuff when it comes to great sound and this "pay what you can" workshop is worth your time. It's interactive, so bring your own mic and he'll help you make it sound better with your voice.
Again, this is happening TOMORROW, but if you can't make it, you can get the recordings.
Podcasting News

Sinister sounds: podcasts are becoming the new medium of misinformation
This article does a good job of showing the power of podcasting and also the double-edged that all podcasters should be aware of.
As much as I love that we have direct access to listeners via podcasting, this also has become a problem as lack of filters have made it easy to distribute misinformation and disinformation via podcasts.
I'm sharing this as something for you to think about, not to sound any alarms or scare you. But if people start not to trust podcasts because of what some podcasters are doing, we'll all be negatively affected.