Archive - Sound Judgment

Five more storytelling hacks to improve your podcast

Part 2 of my list of ten ways to tune up your show, right now.

Jun 27 •

Elaine Appleton Grant

Five storytelling practices for improving your podcast today

So what if we can’t really define an “excellent” podcast. We can still make ours better than ever.

Jun 14 •

Elaine Appleton Grant

Finally, some good news in the fight for press freedom

Eric Spofford, the subject of the Pulitzer-finalist podcast The 13th Step, is indicted on charges of conspiracy and stalking.

Jun 3 •

Elaine Appleton Grant

May 2025

Don’t think you’re an artist? Think again.

Jocelyn Frank, senior producer of narrative audio at The Atlantic, has spent years co-curating a popular sound art festival. How all that art changes…

May 26 •

Elaine Appleton Grant

How to leave your audience wanting more

We tell stories to connect emotionally with others. Counterintuitively, talking about feelings can leave audiences cold. Here’s what to do instead.

May 12 •

Elaine Appleton Grant

April 2025

What is the role of a storyteller in a world in crisis? One wise woman sets me straight on a question many of us are asking.

Apr 28 •

Elaine Appleton Grant

11 "Quick & Dirty" Interviewing Tips for Memorable Conversations

Here’s a cheat sheet for your turn behind the mic. Also, a federal action impact map and what we can learn from the creator of Dying for Sex.

Apr 6 •

Elaine Appleton Grant

March 2025

Pitch Better, Part 3: An insider's list of pitchable podcasts

Plus: Should you pitch one article or a series? A podcast or an essay? A hybrid, multiplatform approach? Guidance from award-winning reporters

Mar 31 •

Elaine Appleton Grant

The essential elements of a winning pitch: Pitch Better, Part 2

What should you include in your pitch to catch and keep an editor’s eye? I dissect a successful query.

Mar 11 •

Elaine Appleton Grant

February 2025

Get paid what you're worth

Also, Pitch Better, Part 1: Where do ideas come from? Story pitching insights from bestselling authors Michael Lewis and Susan Orlean.

Feb 23 •

Elaine Appleton Grant

January 2025

Reporting on impact: What we need to do now

It's the right time to double down on producing great journalism — and why your north star must be the people and communities you serve.

Jan 29 •

Elaine Appleton Grant

What changes in an instant

The L.A. fires, moments of change, and how the economic system works for storytellers. And doesn't.

Jan 15 •

Elaine Appleton Grant

#nojs-banner { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; padding: 16px 16px 16px 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; background: red; color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; } #nojs-banner a { color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; } This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts