How to Improve Your Podcast Audio to Engage Listeners: A Conversation with Chris Stone - Part 2

Audio Branding

“People are actually tuning in from their phones or, like, listening on Spotify or whatever while they’re shopping. And they actually measured how conscious people were of what they were spending. So yeah, it’s just really fascinating. It influences us in so many ways that I don’t even think we’re conscious of.”

“Oh, absolutely. I totally agree with that 100%. You know, they play music at sporting events, they play music, you know, virtually everywhere you go. It’s a component of everything. You just have to stop and listen to really be able to identify it. And yeah, now it’s got me wondering if I’m getting music piped into places I’m walking in. ‘Why am I so hungry right now?’ You know? ‘Why do I want to have pancakes?’" -- Chris Stone

This episode is the second part of my interview with longtime podcast producer, podcast host, and live streamer Chris Stone as we talk about the versatility of podcasting, some of the most memorable interviews he’s produced, and how sound impacts our lives in some surprising ways.

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(0:00:00) - Impactful Podcast Episodes and Audience Engagement

The second half of our interview begins with some of Chris’s most memorable podcast productions, such as a powerful interview with author and Afghan veteran Thomas Schueman. “We got some feedback from that show,” he says, “that, really, you could tell people were impacted by that and it kind of made us change a little bit of the direction of the show.” The conversation turns to the versatility of podcasting and the importance of planning ahead, even when the episode itself is unscripted. “I think there are people that need to understand,” he explains, “like, if you want to take this seriously, you have to, you have to, you know, be excellent. And that means you know, have a pre-call.”

(0:12:00) - Podcast Episode With Bret Michaels

We talk about another unforgettable interview he produced with musician Bret Michaels and the challenge he faced of working around Bret’s demanding tour schedule. “I had to route him in through my mixer,” Chris tells us, “and kind of pull him in and I was, like, spinning plates and doing all kinds of wild stuff here to just kind of get him in. Well, we got him in and it was a fantastic interview.” Our conversation turns to his earliest memories of sound, and his dad’s passion for the trumpet. “You know, music is just in my DNA,” he says, “it’s just a part of everything. It’s why I got in the music business, why I started playing bands, it’s… it’s really why I do everything.”

(0:18:05) - The Power of Sound in Podcasting

Chris shares his thoughts about what makes sound so important in our daily lives, and its hidden value in podcasting. “No one listens to an audio podcast because it sounds so good, right?” he explains. “They listen to an audio podcast because of what you’re delivering to them, and no one is going to receive what you’re delivering if they can’t hear you clearly and understand you.” We also discuss how sound is used to influence everything from social media to shopping decisions. “They play music at sporting events,” Chris tells us. “They play music, you know, virtually everywhere you go, it’s a component of everything. You just have to stop and listen to really be able to identify it.”

(0:25:23) - Updating Website to Represent Business

As the episode comes to a close, Chris tells us what he’s working on right now, from upcoming projects to his redesigned website, and how people can get in touch with him. “What I’ve been focused mostly on,” he says, “is serving my clients better. I’m always looking to improve the skills in live, remote production, in audio and video production, and scaling it up. I’ve got a team of folks that work with me now and it’s really just focusing on making that business better and scaling it up.”

Episode Summary

• Chris’s most memorable podcasts and the value of behind-the-scenes preparation.
• His work on interviewing rock icon Bret Michaels and early memories of sound.
• Music and sound’s impact on our lives, from personal connections to consumer behavior.
• How to get in touch with Chris, his latest projects, and revamping his website.

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