Laura Joyce Davis, Host/Executive Producer, Shelter in PlaceLaura Joyce Davis is the host and executive producer of Shelter in Place, which won the “Changing the World One Moment at a Time” award at the International Women’s Podcast Awards. She is a full-time lecturer and managing editor at Stanford University's Storytelling Project, the CEO and co-founder of Narrative Podcasts (an online course), and one of Podcast Magazine's Top 22 Influencers in Podcasting in 2022. Her work has been recognized with a PR News Social Impact Award, a Fulbright scholarship, and occasional praise from her three children.Her favorite project management tools: Butcher block paper, nice markers, post-its, white boards, and gel roller pens. Scroll down for takeaways you can use from today’s show. A note about Sound Judgment: We believe that no host does good work alone. All hosts rely on their producers, the hidden hands that enable a host to shine. We strive to give credit to producers whenever it’s possible to do so. The episode discussed on today’s Sound Judgment: March 2022, Season 3, Episode 25: Cloud Cuckoo LandSubscribe to Sound Judgment, the Newsletter, our once- or twice-monthly newsletter about creative choices in audio storytelling. Share the show! Follow Elaine on LinkedInHelp us find and celebrate today’s best hosts!Who’s your Sound Judgment dream guest? Share them with us! Write us: allies@podcastallies.com. Because of you, that host may appear on Sound Judgment and shower you with gratitude and a decent cup of coffee.For more information…on Sound Judgment and Podcast Allies, our production and training company, visit us at www.podcastallies.com.Takeaways from Laura Joyce Davis, host of Shelter in PlaceYou need a strong hook to entice listeners. And you might have heard that there’s an unwritten 30-second rule – that’s all the time you’ve got. But you can get away with a lot longer lead if you create suspense. How can you voice a script naturally, and avoid that awful “readerly” quality? Take a tip from Laura’s Broadway actor brother:  Stop focusing on the words in every sentence. Instead, focus on the whole thought you’re conveying.  At some point, you’ll need to grapple with how much of yourself to share with your listeners. This is a big part of finding your voice. There are huge payoffs to sharing parts of yourself…and this is a question that you may need to wrestle with over and over again.More takeaways coming soon! Credits Sound Judgment is a production of Podcast Allies, LLC. Host: Elaine Appleton GrantProject Manager: Tina BassirSound Designer: Andrew ParellaIllustrator: Sarah Edgell  
Improve your storytelling Check out our popular workshops on interviewing, story editing, story structure, longform narrative, audience engagement, guesting, scriptwriting and more. Hire Elaine to speak at your conference or company. Subjects include: Effective Storytelling; Communicating for Leaders; Communicating about Change; Mastering the Art of the Interview; Success in Guesting, and much more. Discover our strategic communication services and coaching for thought leaders using storytelling tools to make the world a better place. Serving writers, podcasters, public speakers, and others in journalism & public media, climate change, health care, policy, and higher education. Visit us at www.podcastallies.com. Subscribe to Sound Judgment, the Newsletter, our twice-monthly newsletter about creative choices in audio storytelling. Connect:Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram✉️ Email Elaine at allies@podcastallies.com? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts? Leave a rating on Spotify ?️ Share the show by word of mouth and on your socialsHelp us find and celebrate today’s best hostsWho’s your Sound Judgment dream guest? Email me: allies@podcastallies.com. Because of you, that host may appear on Sound Judgment. Credits Sound Judgment is a production of Podcast Allies, LLC. Host: Elaine Appleton GrantPodcast Manager: Tina BassirProduction Manager: Andrew Parrel