The episode(s) discussed on today’s Sound Judgment: This American Life Episode 776, “I Work Better on Deadline.” Segment: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Quorum.”Reporter: Sarah Gibson, NHPRProducer: Chris BenderevHow to be a great host: Katie’s takeaways: What are your holy shit moments? We need holy shit moments. What are those surprises – in the story, or about the people in your story – that make you say, “Wow, you’re never going to believe this!” Holy shit moments help get your pitch accepted – and they generate word of mouth.In your pitch, identify people – characters – who have high stakes and are in conflict with each other. Make sure you have access to them, too. Care about these people and frame your story through their eyes – in the This American Life story we dissected here, why it matters that one man imagines an eight-year-old breaking a violin, and another is terrified at the prospect of paying thousands to send his kid to a public high school. Snowshoes and violins make important things memorable. Issues alone do not.Here’s a three step pitch process for longform narrative: First, write a text-based pitch. This can be a short query letter or a full-fledged slide deck. Then, produce a sizzle reel. Use your best tape from whatever you’ve collected so far. If audio production isn’t your strong suit, ask for help. Finally, get feedback from friends or colleagues. Choose good storytellers or folks who have a great understanding of your potential audiences. Revise as necessary.Editors and program directors in public media have tough decisions to make about podcasts. Done well, they can grow your audience enormously. 96% of the NHPR Document feed’s audience is from outside New Hampshire (Katie corrected that figure post-production). But managed poorly, podcasts can rob newsrooms of talent and even hurt local news. As Katie says, the Daily News needs of the state are great. A longform project has to meet a high bar if we’re going to take a reporter out of the newsroom. The new greenlight process helps them decide how to vet story pitches and decide what’s worth listeners’ time - and reporters’ time. This process can help any newsroom, and any podcast network.About Katie ColaneriKatie Colaneri is the senior editor of New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team, which produces longform narrative audio documentaries. The team’s most recent work includes season 2 of the acclaimed true crime podcast, Bear Brook. Before joining NHPR in February 2022, she was the assistant news director at WHYY in Philadelphia, where she helped lead the newsroom for about five years. During that time, Katie also grew the station’s podcast portfolio, launching a daily news podcast and leading production of the Peabody-nominated investigative series Half Vaxxed. Katie is a graduate of Wellesley College. Connect with Katie on LinkedIn Subscribe to Sound Judgment, the Newsletter, our twice-monthly publication 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.Work with usWe make original podcasts for NGOs, purpose-driven brands, and universitiesWe also offer podcast strategy and consulting servicesOr contact us about our public media and individual training services for content creators and on-air talentVisit podcastallies.com or email us at allies@podcastallies.com for more information.    Credits Sound Judgment is a production of Podcast Allies, LLC. Host: Elaine Appleton GrantProject Manager: Tina BassirSound Designer: Andrew ParellaIllustrator: Sarah Edgell 
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