Today's episode on the latest (written by human, recorded, edited and uploaded yesterday so as latest as I could do!)

Podcasters: Listening to your own episodes all the way through is the fastest way to improve. You'll notice pacing issues and verbal habits you can't hear while recording. And catch editing errors. And you'll get BETTER on all fronts this way!

Check it out! This is a fantastic Halloween audio drama playlist by @madisonstandish.bsky.social SO many great eps to hear! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ufAC60udqOkWZgCMQb5TS #audiodramas #voiceactors #audiodramasunday  PS: go go go comedy audio drama! lol.

Voice actors: Character voices should come from personality choices, not just accents. Think about how the character breathes, their energy level, and their speaking rhythm (cadence makes a huge difference!)

The Sora AI thing is proof of something very important: The technology itself is useless without the ability to use the likenesses of real, living, unpredictable people, and the art they create. And the only way to get those likenesses or that art is to summarily steal it.

Online, trust is placed in the human being behind the content. And it has been studied and found to be extra fragile online (fewer signals). From the latest episode of Human Internet Theory, available on YouTube and where you get podcasts.

The Pratfall Effect shows that a competent person who makes a small mistake becomes more likeable. This makes the person seem more approachable and real.  Learn more and how it applies to generated AI avatars in the latest episode https://youtu.be/_SYDGGY-uxU

Uncanny Valley: brains expect something that looks human to act perfectly human when it looks realistic. When it is super close to looking human, but slightly off, it creates a mental conflict that feels unsettling. Learn more and how it applies to our generated AI, see https://youtu.be/_SYDGGY-uxU

It's not just the clip titles, it's been more and more AI garbage in descriptions, automatic copy for posts, everything. Just give me an option to turn it off. I don't want to burn a lake to generate titles and descriptions I'll never use. This is irresponsible.

The "Uncanny Valley" is a theory from robotics that explains our emotional response to human-like robots. As a robot becomes more human, our empathy grows, but when it gets almost perfect, our response suddenly drops into revulsion and unease.

Your audience is more focused on what they can get from your content than they are on you. They are watching because they believe you can provide them with value, solve a problem, or save them time. This is far more important to them than any of your perceived flaws.

The fear of being on camera is not about the equipment itself. It is about a deep biological wiring in our brains. For most of human history, social rejection was dangerous for survival, so our brains evolved to be highly sensitive to social judgment.

THREE EPISODES dropped on the podcast, and later today corresponding videos on YouTube. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts. Learn what the human internet theory is (responding to the dead internet theory with HUMANITY online amongst all the generated.... stuff.)

Companies are now generating thousands of podcasts with generated hosts & millions of episodes using AI. Probably an example of the "Dead Internet Theory" happening (as Altman has stated too). It is important for human creators to understand this changing landscape.

I just wanted a simple insurance policy for my work equipment. Now I’m being interrogated about its history with waterfowl. Just another day as a podcast producer in Grackleton. Find season one at https://stereoforest.com/grack #audiodrama #comedy

I had to make a list of supernatural creatures my co-hosts are no longer allowed to discuss on air. The list is long, and yes, “worm ghosts” are on it. COMPLETE SEASON NOW OUT! Find "Grack Public Access" wherever you do podcasts.  #audiodramas #audiofiction

Pro-tip: When the product is called “Ghost Away” and smells suspiciously like the stuff you use to stop dogs from chewing furniture, maybe don’t spray it directly in your co-host’s face in case it isn't the bitter apple spray and more of a bear spray. Lesson learned.

COMPLETE SEASON! Grack Public Access Season 1: 7 hours of #audiodrama comedy. Join Tog Chesterfield, "Jen deHaan" & Parker Spoon: one mystery gets solved, but a can of worms opens up right quick for Season 2 (out soon!) Original Audio Fiction Series: https://StereoForest.com/grack #audiodramasunday

Today's life hack from my co-host: cooking raw chicken in a hot shower. Please don't do this. I am obligated to tell you not to do this. This is now a public service announcement. COMPLETE SEASON NOW OUT! Find "Grack Public Access" wherever you podcast. #audiodramas #audiofiction #audiodramasunday

Times are tough for artists, writers, and other creative folk. If you have the means, consider signing up for someone's Patreon, or commission some art, or buy a book. Write a skeet about a creative you enjoy. Spread the word about their work.

Pray for the cashiers of Grackleton. My co-host has a new "character" he's trying out on them. It's... a lot. It really gives improviser, right? COMPLETE SEASON NOW OUT! Find "Grack Public Access" wherever you do podcasts.  #audiodramas #audiofiction

COMPLETE SEASON OUT NOW!  Meet Tog, Parker, and producer "Jen" along with other fine townsfolk from Grackleton on their community access radio show. In this finale we close a mystery, but open up a big new one in the process. #audiodrama #podcasts

What do you do when your co-host swears a life debt to you, leaves you cryptic snacks & "protects" you from bushes outside your house? Asking for a friend. Me. I'm the friend. Get Grack Public Access wherever you podcast, or at https://stereoforest.com/grack #audiodramas #audiofiction #podcasts

Just a normal day at work taking ad copy from a new sponsor whose lessons are in a root cellar and whose husband must not be looked at directly. What could possibly go wrong? Get Grack Public Access wherever you podcast, or at https://stereoforest.com/grack #audiodramas #audiofiction #podcasts

lol

Ever wonder how I pick the spots where we record Grack Public Access? I don't. Watch this to learn how uncreative I really am. Get Grack Public Access wherever you podcast, or at https://stereoforest.com/grack #audiodramas #audiofiction #podcasts

Tog, if you see this, please come back from your Hoobastank adventure. Parker has sworn a life debt to me and I don't know what the return policy is. Get Grack Public Access wherever you podcast, or at https://stereoforest.com/grack #audiodramasunday #audiofiction #podcasts

Hot take: The only way to truly challenge yourself is with the threat of abject failure and overwhelming shame. Crying tears that turn into diamonds is for amateurs. Get Grack Public Access wherever you podcast, or at https://stereoforest.com/grack #audiodramas #audiofiction #podcasts

My job as a podcast producer required me to research global toilet paper habits today. The things I do for this show… (For the record, I’m a clumper not a folder.) Get Grack Public Access wherever you podcast, or at https://stereoforest.com/grack #audiodramas #audiofiction #podcasts

Today at work I learned about the “Stardust Man,” an imaginary friend who dances on rooftops and throws glitter. And no, my co-host is not a child. He is a grown man. Get Grack Public Access wherever you podcast, or at https://stereoforest.com/grack #audiodrama #audiofiction #podcasts

My job is basically being a full-time translator for a man who communicates exclusively in baffling euphemisms. Today’s entry: “fig pudding.” Get Grack Public Access wherever you podcast, or at https://stereoforest.com/grack #audiodramas

Our theme this week was "Venomous Spiders." Our sponsor was "Piano Lessons with Lorna Spat." We didn't really talk about either.  EPISODE SEVEN of the series is out NOW! Where you podcast, or at https://stereoforest.com/grack #audiodramasunday #audiodramas

When your main host abandons you to follow Hoobastank on tour, you have to step up. My first day as host involved floor snacks and a life debt. Standard stuff, really. Find episodes wherever you podcast, or at https://stereoforest.com/grack #audiodramasunday #audiodramas

What what what! YES!!!

Our theme this week was "Venomous Spiders." Our sponsor was "Piano Lessons with Lorna Spat." We didn't really talk about either.  EPISODE SEVEN of the series is out NOW! Where you podcast, or at https://stereoforest.com/grack #podcasts #audiodramas

Creating fiction podcasts (audio dramas) merges creative writing, voice acting, audio production. You're building immersive environments for the listener & bringing stories to life. So much fun (and a TON of labour! oof). SUPPORT AUDIO DRAMAS IF YOU WANT THEM TO LIVE!

Tog has run off with Hoobastank. Jen is hosting this week with Parker. We recorded from a hallway in The Tennis Stop. It smelled strongly of urinal cleaning solution. As one might expect?  EPISODE SEVEN of the series is out NOW! Where you podcast, or at https://stereoforest.com/grack #audiodrama

Forget holidays. My town celebrates the anniversary of a submarine getting stuck in a lagoon. What’s the strangest local tradition where you live? From the latest episode of Grack Public Access. Find it wherever you podcast. #audiodrama

Pacing and cadence is so important to consider for voice actors and podcasters. Your listener might not know this as a technique, but they will notice if it's missing. Use deliberate changes in your speaking speed to build tension or emphasize a point or ideas. #podcasting #voiceacting

You know it's a rough day at work when you get served with a lawsuit by the very ad copy you are reading live on air. I hate my job. From the latest episode of Grack Public Access. Find it wherever you podcast. #audiodrama

Your relationship with the microphone changes between podcasting and voice acting. A podcast often benefits from a close, intimate sound, inches away. Commercial voice acting might require more projection and distance. Each has its own technique. #podcasting

A script gives you words. Creativity provides subtext, pauses, emotion... basically, what makes it worth listening to. This is true for both a voice actor reading a scene and a podcaster delivering a monologue. (1/2)

Apparently I’ve been waving wrong my whole life. Now I have to consciously mirror every wave I receive. Social interaction is exhausting. From the latest episode of Grack Public Access. Find it wherever you podcast. #audiodrama

So the latest podcaster spam email is to compliment your ep then mysteriously "I have something exciting to tell you, if you want to know I'll tell you in the next email!" Uh no, and it didn't work when I was 10 years old, either 😂 Also is that how you end up with a 🍆? I never did online dating.

That awkward moment when your chaotic co-worker suddenly promotes you to “bestie” live on air. Do I get a raise for this? From the latest episode of Grack Public Access. Find it wherever you podcast. #audiodrama

Just another day at work where I have to gently explain to a grown man that the Earth was not, in fact, vivisected like an egg roll during the Renaissance. It’s in my job description. Probably. From the latest episode of Grack Public Access. Find it wherever you podcast. #audiodrama

When your podcast’s new sponsor is a group of lawyers whose official slogan is “We’ll sue the diapers right off ya.” I have to read their ads without making a single mistake. Wish me luck. From the latest episode of Grack Public Access. Find it wherever you podcast. #audiodrama

Give yourself permission to create a bad first draft. A first bad episode. Your first goal is to finish the thing! This applies to a podcast script, an episode edit, or a voiceover take. The learning and iterating and getting better happens during revision. #podcasting #voiceacting #audiodrama

We all have that one food we irrationally hate. My co-host’s is okra. His reason involves the ghost Slimer from Ghostbusters. I don't get paid enough to unpack that. From the latest episode of Grack Public Access. Find it wherever you podcast. #audiodrama

The creative challenge of a solo podcast is maintaining energy and interest. You have to be both the host and the guest. Varying your vocal delivery is key to keeping the listener engaged from start to finish. And it's fun to learn and get better at (I hope!)