Tips from the Pros on Creating a Documentary-Style Podcast

Keen readers may notice that we just wrote about why to follow a simple, straightforward podcast format. However, documentary-style podcasts definitely have their place. They provide a richer experience for the listener and can help you engage a broader audience and share big ideas beyond your client base.

We reached out to three of our clients to find out why they chose a documentary format and their strategies for creating them. 

Why choose a documentary-style podcast?

Both Jill Dougherty, producer and host of the Kennan Institute’s Kennan X podcast, and Mary Anne Andrei, producer of University of Tulsa’s Switchyard podcast, wanted to reach a broader audience, and in fact they have spent their careers doing so. Dougherty spent 30+ years as a journalist for CNN and remains a contributor, and Andrei is an award-winning multimedia journalist (and the President’s Professor in Media Studies at the University of Tulsa).

As Dougherty explained, “The Kennan Institute, part of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, advises Congress on issues related to Russia, and it is imperative to connect with the broader community to inform the discussion.”  

Andrei echoed those sentiments. “My productions in both audio and film at Nebraska Public Media afforded me the opportunity to tell stories in more accessible mediums so that I might reach a wider audience,” she said. Switchyard is dedicated to eye-opening essays, moving fiction, soul-stirring poetry, and honest, thought-provoking conversations. 

John Ross, producer and host of the Institute for Justice’s Bound By Oath podcast, went in the documentary direction for a different reason. “We thought it would be cool to take on a robust documentary style podcast to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 14th Amendment,” he told us. “The history is fascinating, and we use it in litigation constantly.”

By the way, Bound by Oath is a great example of how to make a serious topic approachable and interesting. “We tell the story of historic civil rights cases that impact the law and our lives – decades or centuries later - and the backstory of what was happening with the litigants,” Ross said. “My favorite episodes are the ones where we hear from the real people whose cases went to the Supreme Court decades ago – while they went on with their lives.”

The elements that make a great documentary podcast

Get background on the interviewee 

Given the specific focus of Bound by Oath, Ross prepares for the interview by learning as much as possible about a person’s story (if the interviewee is a party to a case) or the legal concept (if they’re a law professor or litigator). This allows him to craft specific questions that will draw out a good story.

Tease the story at the beginning 

One of the best ways to hook a listener? Tease the story at the beginning of the episode. For Ross, that means teasing the current case or controversy. “I return to it at the end after telling the story of the older cases,” he said. 

Use a narrative structure

If you have ever listened to Ira Glass on This American Life, you are familiar with the narrative structure. This gives your story a beginning, a middle, and an end. “To guide them through the storytelling, ask for details,” Andrei suggested. "’And then what happened?’"

Depending on the topic, Andrei said you may have to break away from the narrative to give context, history, or explain things along the way. 

Choose your characters for a good story

Experts aren’t always the best storytellers. However, as Andrei pointed out, they are important for providing background or history or to explain a concept, “Make sure to include a scene with someone who has firsthand experience and is also a good storyteller,” she suggested.

Include natural sound for an immersive experience

“I love capturing the sound of a place to give our audience a more immersive listening experience,” Andrei commented. “For example, our host for the skateboarding podcast, Center of Gravity, described skateboarding down a street in Omaha, Nebraska, so we recorded him bombing that hill on his skateboard and we added a short clip to his narration.” 

For the Switchyard podcast, Andrei and her team weave in sound and music to help create scenes and transitions.

Ask this one final question

At the end of every interview, Andrei asks her interviewee if there's anything that she didn't ask that they would like to tell her. “My subjects almost always surprise me with additional stories,” she noted, “and this often leads to some of the best interview tape.”

Overwhelmed? How to dip your toes into a documentary style

As a long-time journalist, Dougherty knows exactly what you need to create a good story. Her advice will allow you to weave in some of the above elements without getting overwhelmed. “Interview with one or two subjects, add music, leave in natural sound, and use a conversational narrative style” - doable for just about anyone!

And don’t forget that we are here to help. If you’d like to try producing a podcast with additional elements like natural sound and music, we can help guide you through the process. Reach out today to schedule a conversation about what’s possible!