Podcasting has given me the chance to provide another platform for communications in my community. Since April, I have posted close to 100 pieces on my site, received favorable press coverage, and been able to restore a career as an audio producer and reporter. However, at this point, the listeners are not there in big numbers, but I am confident they will be as it becomes easier and easier for me to get sound files to willing listeners.

By creating the Charlottesville Podcasting Network, I have forged a way to publicize my work, bring others to the medium of sound, and positioned myself to capitalize on radio's shift from a passive medium to an active, on-demand one. But most importantly, I'm creating programs that address the needs of my community, essentially starting a public-radio news department in a town that did not have one. I'm experimenting with new ways to convey information, trying to tweak all the different ways in which I can communicate more information to the listener.

I'm 32 years old. I got my start in public radio ten years ago as an intern for WVTF Public Radio in Roanoke, VA, and then moved to New Hampshire to take second internship in 1996. However, it was very difficult at that time to find work in the field, so I got out. I spent the next four years doing other things, until I returned to WVTF, where I became a jack-of-all-trades stringer. But, how many stringers win Edward R. Murrow awards? In 2002, a piece I did on Virginia's eugenics movement received a nod [from that august organization] for best documentary. I also created an arts program, covered the General Assembly, and produced a talk show. I thrive when I am able to juggle many products at once.

And that's what creating CPN has allowed me to do. I've created a company, Wordcast Productions, to take advantage of the many opportunities that podcasting offers anyone in the world to distribute an audio or video message. I am working with businesses to produce their own podcasts for their sites. I have found an underwriter willing to pay me. I'm helping a major public university distribute audio content that has never been made available before. I'm partnering with non-commercial stations to find new audiences for their public affairs programs. I'm experimenting with the Charlottesville Daily Progress by producing original audio programming for its website.

None of this would have been possible without podcasting.

I am still trying to figure out how to meter listenership. It is hard to persuade people to spend part of their leisure time with you, and it's especially hard when you are not already an established presence in the community. You have to spend time growing listenership by providing quality programming.

The question radio producers should be asking themselves in the fall of 2005 is not, Who is listening? The question to ask is, Who will be listening, and what can I offer them to listen to?

Apple has sold 22 million iPods. It will sell many millions more.

Are you ready?

Here are the two URL's for the two podcasts I manage:

http://www.cvillepodcast.com/
http://www.virginia.edu/uvapodcast/