podcast

For this assignment, I chose to listen to the podcast “The AI Breakdown” on Spotify. I picked this podcast because it focuses on artificial intelligence, which connects perfectly to my upcoming podcast project on generative AI and its effects on online communication. The host’s delivery was one of the podcast’s strongest points. The pitch was conversational but confident, making complex topics feel approachable. The pauses were well-placed, especially after introducing big ideas, which gave me as a listener time to reflect and absorb the information. The rate of speaking was moderate—not too fast to overwhelm, but not so slow that it dragged. The volume was steady and clear throughout, which made the listening experience smooth. I think audio was the best medium for this topic, because it felt like being part of an ongoing, timely conversation rather than watching a formal lecture. The intended audience was clearly people curious about AI—likely students, tech enthusiasts, or professionals wanting to keep up with trends. The language balanced technical terms and everyday examples, making it accessible without oversimplifying. The delivery technique I found most effective was the host’s use of pauses to break down complex points. For example, after explaining how generative AI works, the host paused before jumping into examples, which helped me keep up. I plan to incorporate this into my own podcast by practicing when to pause after important points, so listeners have time to process. Overall, this experience reminded me that good delivery is just as important as good content. As O’Hair et al. (2018) point out, “delivery brings your message to life” (p. 322). Without thoughtful delivery—attention to voice, pace, and volume—even the best ideas can fall flat. For my podcast, I will focus on speaking at a steady pace, using clear volume, and adding intentional pauses to keep my audience engaged. Reference O’Hair, D., Rubenstein, H., & Stewart, R. (2018). A pocket guide to public speaking (6th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin’s.