What does it take to turn rigorous scientific research into stories millions of people actually want to listen to?

This week, Neil and Jen sit down with Blythe Terrell, executive editor of Science Vs., to learn how one of the world’s most popular science podcasts blends deep research, narrative storytelling, and a bit of humour to reach millions of listeners. Science Vs. certainly doesn't opt for the path of least resistance, Blythe walks Jen & Neil through the realities of making a weekly narrative show and their extensive fact-checking and citation practices.

The conversation also explores what higher education podcasters can learn from Science Vs.: how to build trust with audiences, how to story-tell your research, and why showing your work through transcripts and citations matters more than ever. Along the way, Blythe shares insights from teaching podcasting at NYU, working with scientists to communicate beyond academic jargon, and even collaborating on peer-reviewed research sparked by podcast episodes. It’s a thoughtful look at how podcasting can expand the reach and impact of scientific research, while having a whole lot of fun.

Episode Links:

• Listen to Science Vs.
• Contact Blythe
• NYU's Science, Health & Environmental Reporting Program
• Queen's University Sexual Health Research Lab | Blue Balls & Sexual Coersion | The Orgasm Gap

Connect with Us:

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com
• Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com
• Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (04:03) - What Is Science Vs. and How the Show Works
• (05:29) - Inside the Narrative Production Process
• (09:41) - Treating Episodes Like Research
• (10:30) - Handling Feedback, Criticism, and Listener Trust
• (13:48) - Why Show Notes, Citations, and Transcripts Matter
• (17:41) - Teaching Podcasting and Science Communication at NYU
• (23:39) - Science Vs. & Queen's University's Published Research
• (31:48) - The Future of Podcasting in Higher Education
• (33:47) - Conclusion

Join us at Higher Ed Pod Con in Cleveland, OH, July 16 - 17 2026
Sign up by May 29 for Early Bird Pricing

How can podcasting bring diverse voices and forms of academic work to a larger audience?

Neil and Jen sit down with Will Brehm, creator of FreshEd, to talk about how a decade of academic podcasting has evolved from a simple interview show into a broader platform for research, storytelling, and new voices. Will shares how FreshEd grew into a multi-show network, why moving beyond English-language content matters, and what he’s learned experimenting with formats like narrative series and audio journals.

The conversation digs into bigger questions, too: what it would take for podcasting to be recognized as legitimate scholarly output, how institutions can start to value non-traditional research, and why building an audience is just as important as creating the work itself. It’s a thoughtful look at where academic podcasting is today and where it needs to go.

Episode Links:

• Connect with Will | Bio |LinkedIn
• FreshEd

Connect with Us

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com
• Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com
• Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods
• Higher Ed Pod Con

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (04:31) - Fresh Ed’s Mission and Making Research Accessible
• (08:15) - Will & Fresh Ed’s Journey
• (14:42) - Flux and Putting Students at the Center
• (14:56) - The Thinking Ear and the Idea of an Audio Journal
• (19:13) - Funding, Open Access, and Staying Ad-Free
• (22:22) - Advice for Recognizing Podcasting as Research Output
• (25:44) - Lessons Learned After 10 Years of Podcasting
• (27:51) - What Needs to Change for Podcasting in Academia
• (32:45) - Conclusion

Join us at Higher Ed Pod Con in Cleveland, OH, July 16 - 17 2026
Sign up by May 29 for Early Bird Pricing

Can you actually study podcasting at university—and does it lead to a career?

Neil and Jen talk with Chloe Sackur and Max’ed Aadan, recent graduates of the MA in Podcasting program at City St. George’s, University of London, about what it’s really like to learn podcasting in a university setting. They share how the program blends technical training, storytelling, pitching, and industry placements—and how that hands-on approach helped them move directly into podcasting careers. From a Spotify scholarship to producing a UN podcast series and industry roles after, Chloe and Max walk through the opportunities that came from the program and what surprised them most along the way. The conversation also touches on where podcasting as an industry is heading, why practical experience matters so much, and what advice they’d give anyone considering studying podcasting or trying to break into the field.

Episode Links:

• Connect with Chloe | LinkedIn | Chloe’s Podcast
• Connect with Max’ed
• Women’s World Equity by Design
• MA Podcasting - Master's degree • City St George's, University of London
• Continuing Studies Ep 53: Class is in Session: Building the Future of Podcasting Through Education with Brett Spencer
  
  

Connect with Us

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com
• Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com
• Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods
• Higher Ed Pod Con

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (04:36) - What the MA in Podcasting Program Teaches
• (05:54) - Chloe and Max’ed’s Backgrounds
• (09:18) - Why Podcasting?
• (10:51) - Hands-On Learning and Industry Placements
• (12:12) - Roles After Graduation
• (15:51) - Producing a Podcast Series with the United Nations
• (20:45) - Where Podcasting Is Heading as an Industry
• (25:08) - Advice for Students Considering Podcasting Programs
• (30:42) - Networking and Building a Portfolio After Graduation
• (32:32) - Conclusion

Join us at Higher Ed Pod Con in Cleveland, OH, July 16 - 17 2026
Sign up by May 29 for Early Bird Pricing