A Taste of Success

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96667434


This I Believe
for the NPR podcast directory is a four-year series that was originally based on a 1950s radio show. It features a weekly podcast from an American who has written an essay based off an individual and personal belief. Unfortunately, This I Believe isn't currently submitting essays to NPR. The values that the podcast essays cover can be spiritual, environmental, or may be as simple as being a better neighbor. I enjoy listening to these podcasts because they are often uplifting, inspiring, or relaxing. It reminds you that the possibility for anything is out there.

This particular podcast is about an educator in Harlem, Geoffrey Canada, who works with troubled children. It is hosted by curator of This I Believe, Jay Allison. After a brief introduction about his background, Canada reads his essay he has submitted for This I believe. The manuscipt is also included on the NPR website. The podcast is easy to follow because Canada reads his essay at a slow pase. This podcast is lengthy for the series (about seven minutes) and I found the introduction to be a little wordy. I think Geoffrey Canada does a better job of introducing himself in this essay.

My question for you is, did you find the format successful? Did you enjoy listening to Canada read his essay, or do you feel you would have gained more (information, enjoyment) if the podcast were structured as an interview, still providing Canada with plenty of time to elaborate on his experiences?

A Taste of Success



I enjoyed hearing Canada read his essay, but I think it would be an improvement to the form of this podcast if they had included clips of Canada being interviewed buring the introduction and conclusion. Both curators refer to an interview with Canada and Whatever It Takes author Paul Tough in September 2008. Instead of paraphrasing what Canada said, it would be more effective if the listener heard him say it, especially since he’s such a good speaker.

A Taste of Success

I did not really like the format in this podcast. It was awkward that someone else introduced his essay and stated what Canada intended to do with it. I think that, in this specific situation, an interview would be highly effective and place more importance on Canada and what his goal and overall purpose was for writing. The format just did not flow very well and I didn't necessarily mind that Canada read his whole essay because it wasn't too long, Im just more interested in why and what certain lines or passages mean to him as a writer and a person. I totally agree that a well-structured interview would have made the podcast a lot more informative and enticing.

HADOKEN!

That Guy's picture

I would have to say listening to an essay will always be boring knowing that it is an essay. The only way to grab my attention is to have Morgan Freemen or Sigorney Weaver read to me. The best course of action just break down the essay into a discourse. Pick out what you know is important and interesting. The interview would have been nicer, even though an essay is already a personnel form of writing its like lip singing (not as bad just a comparison) I would rather hear the person talk in real time about their experiences.

Taste of Success

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I did not like the format of this Podcast because I felt like it would have been more informative and entertaining if they interviewed Geoffrey Canada after reading part of his speech or having him summarize it for you. Although I enjoyed the essay and thought that he made some excellent points in it, I would have liked to hear an interviewer ask him some follow up questions about it. I wanted to know more about Geoffrey Canada as an individual and everything that has lead him to believe that "all children can learn". I feel like an interview would have done a better job of accomplishing this. I'm not so sure why this format did not work, but it kind of felt awkward having someone introduce Canada and then just hearing him read his speech.

This I Believe

I always listen to this, and I really think that the format is perfect the way it is. It is not meant to be an interview, its simply a reflection. I think the format as an interview would ruin the podcast.

A taste of success

Personally I don't like the format of the podcast. For some it mightbe interesting and fine the way it is but for listeners like myself an interview would have sparked more of an interest. In my opinion, it would have been better if Canada just breifly discussed different parts of the essay rather than read the whole thing.