An article about podcasts, interviewing a podcaster who podcasts

Andrew Cope, a fourth-year computer science major and co-host of podcast “How Do You Feel About That?,” loves podcasts. It comes as no surprise, then, that one of his episodes is about — you guessed it — podcasts. That episode alone has thousands of listens, as it’s one of his show’s most popular episodes.

“We’ve thought about making a second episode, just by popular demand,” Cope said.

What started as a reaction to seeing renowned podcaster and host of “Serial,” Sarah Koenig, speak at the Mondavi Center, transformed into acting on one of Cope’s passions: starting his own podcast with co-host Myah Daniels.

Indeed, Cope seems to be a good expert on the subject of podcasts; if you listen to as many podcasts as he does — roughly 40 hours a week, to be exact — you can’t help but think about the underlying implications that make this medium so intriguing.

One such concept is the authenticity of podcasts. The “likes” and “ums,” the conversational speech that imbeds itself in the form “lessens the abstraction between the podcaster and listener,” according to Cope.

It must be noted, however, that multiple types of podcasts exist. For example, one type is the more heavily produced, scripted and “story-telling” style, like those found through NPR; the other is more conversation-based, like what Cope records in his living room once a week. No matter the format, there is an idiosyncratic character that fosters itself in each podcast.

“Say you are writing an article — you have to have an angle and have it be in a certain format,” Cope said. “But when you are talking about a topic in a podcast, your confusion is allowed to show because that’s how people talk, and that’s why it’s fun to listen to. ‘The Weeds’ is a podcast that has three people who are really knowledgeable and competent writers, and they talk about things like the tax plan. They say things like ‘I don’t even know what that is’ and talk through weird jargon they don’t know. It is an authentic way how people grasp ideas. That is more interesting to me, almost seeing the first draft and getting to know a human being.”

Even one of the most famous podcasts, like “Serial,” follows the same principles. Koenig isn’t afraid to let her various confusions show, to stutter her words and express her frustrations as she tries to piece together the murder of a high school student.

“If Sarah Koenig had a podcast where she just told what happened [in the murder] it wouldn’t be interesting,” Cope said. “What made it so good was that we saw her naturally through the whole process.”

Indeed, Koenig did not record each of her episodes in advance. Rather, each episode was done week by week as new revelations in the case emerged in her investigation of the case. Therefore, a definitive conclusion (spoiler alert: which she never even got to by the end of Season 1) was not necessarily the point of the podcast as a whole. Maybe the point is to get to know her.

“When you are getting to know someone, you won’t get to know them by this prepared speech that they have,” Cope said. “You want to be friends with them through a conversation over lunch, getting to the core of that person. Some of the podcasters I listen to I feel like I know really well even though I never met them before in my life, but I have these anecdotes that they have given me […] There are podcasts I’ve listened to that have had recorded people going through crazy things and crying. That’s a really intimate moment I got to share with that person who I don’t even know.”

While different types of podcasts exits — conversational, storytelling and everything in between — they seem to work toward this specific purpose: understanding human narratives and human experiences. There is inherent value in getting to know people.

Beyond that, there is merit in understanding someone else’s point of view or a perspective that you would not have otherwise had the opportunity to hear.

“There is so much value to hear the private conversations of others,” Cope said. “The hosts of ‘Another Round,’ a Buzzfeed podcast, don’t need to sit me down and say, ‘this is what I’m feeling about white privilege.’ […] Maybe if I heard the ideas about white privilege on paper, I may not get it as fully as I would being told by two black women. It is a lot about how it is presented to you. Hearing it from the human being can be more compelling and worthwhile. There can be more information hidden in between the lines in someone’s voice that you may not be able to get on a black and white piece of paper.”

Podcasts, therefore, may not express completely refined anecdotes and ideas. However, that does not diminish the significance of what a podcast can offer.

“I think for a reference piece, podcasts are not a good fit,” Cope said. “They are not researchable, you can’t really Google the content of a podcast. You have to be aware of which information is best stored in a podcast. But there are still wonderful things that a podcast can do that other forms cannot do. In podcasts, you have people’s voices and their inclinations. You only convey more information, not less.”

Podcasts express what other mediums can’t — the human element.

“I think that is the most important thing of all,” Cope said.

Podcasts are able to offer this plethora of interactions and information because of how accessible they are. Podcasts demand the attention of only one physical sense — audio — to convey their ideas. This physically isolates the listener; there is nothing to get in the way of the quasi-human connection fostered by the podcast.

“If it wasn’t audio, I would maybe not have the time to invest to these ideas,” Cope said. “But since it only demands one sense, I can be doing other things while I am listening.”

Isolation in podcasts is not just auditory, but in design as well. Podcasts as a medium have a freedom and autonomy not often found in other forms of media.

“In theory, a video of someone and an audio of someone is basically the same,” Cope said. “In theory, the more senses you have, it would be better — it’s more information. But a TV news interview has a lot of other factors that it has to be aware of: time, viewership, ratings. Because of how podcasts work industry-wise, they don’t need to have those same constraints. On a TV interview, it just ends up being that when you are limited on time and can only cover the crazy extreme stuff, you don’t get to talk to someone for two hours.”

Moreover, content owned by the podcast producer and not another external entity.

“[…] a podcast is a text on someone’s website with mp3 files and download links,” Cope said. “There are therefore no networking constraints [as there are] with TV channels or things like that. You are hosting your own files on your own website. No one can take it down; it’s just there. That is the freedom of podcasts.”

Cope’s podcast “How Do you Feel About That?” can be found here.

Podcast co-host Myah Daniel is employed by The California Aggie.

Written by: Caroline Rutten — arts@theaggie.org

What to look forward to in the coming month

Double Dose of Jazz, Nov. 30

Where? Ann E. Pitzer Center

When? 7 p.m.

What is it? For a night of smooth melodies and lively performances, join the jazz bands of the UC Davis Music Department as they perform two concerts: one in the afternoon and one in the evening. The night will feature a variety of classic jazz pieces, all composed by saxophonist and jazz band director Jacám Manricks. For more information, visit the event page.

UC Davis Free Stand-Up Comedy Show, Dec. 1

Where? Wellman 2

When? 7 p.m.

What is it? This month, the UC Davis Stand-Up Comedy Club is giving back by hosting a benefit performance for the victims of the recent California wildfires. Although the show is free, the UC Davis Stand-Up Comedy Club will be accepting donations from audience members for a night filled with laughs to be had by all — and for a great cause.

Alottacappella, Dec. 2

Where? Sciences Lecture Hall 123

When? 8 to 10:30 p.m.

What is it? This year, The Liquid Hotplates will host their annual event in the theme of “A Gatsby Winter Night.” A variety of student groups will perform, including The Spokes, The Lounge Lizards, The Afterglow, Cleftomaniacs, Levels of Vocal Expression, Cloud 9 A Cappella, Acquire and GGN. Take a break from finals studying and stay entertained with these UC Davis a cappella groups.

Dixon’s Annual Tree Lighting Festival, Dec. 4

Where? Downtown Dixon

When? 4 to 8 p.m.

What is it? Get in the holiday spirit this year for a beautiful tree lighting ceremony that’s just a short drive away. Dixon’s Annual Tree Lighting Festival is a family-friendly event, funded solely by donations from the community. The festival will feature free carriage rides, a visit from Santa Claus, children’s crafts and activities, entertaining performances, free desserts and more. The night will culminate with a ceremonial lighting of a grand Christmas tree to kick off the holiday season.

Electric Christmas, Dec. 7 and 8

Where? Golden 1 Center

When? 7 p.m.

What is it? Presented by Radio 94.7 and Sprint, Electric Christmas will feature performances by The Lumineers, Portugal. The Man and Walk The Moon. With The Lumineers’ folk sound, Portugal. The Man’s indie vibes and Walk The Moon’s upbeat style, the night is sure to be one to remember. Tickets are still available and can be found at Ticketmaster.

Poetry Night Reading Series, Dec. 7 and 21

Where? John Natsoulas Gallery

When? 8 to 10 p.m.

What is it? Hosted by Dr. Andy Jones, Poetry Night at the Natsoulas Gallery often features seasoned performers who have had many works published, including award-winning poets. Jones is also a UC Davis UWP professor. Following the performance, Poetry Night also offers an opportunity for members of the community to read their own works in an Open Mic segment. The Natsoulas Gallery is located at 521 First St. in downtown Davis. For more information, visit the event’s website. Can’t make this event? The series takes place the first and third Thursdays of every month.

Written By: Sydney Odman — arts@theaggie.org

It’s bigger, better, darker and spookier.

It’s Halloween time in 1984, and “stranger things” are still happening in Hawkins, Ind. Released to Netflix on Oct. 27, the second season of “Stranger Things” provides nine new episodes, or “chapters,” fully equipped with everything a good sci-fi sequel should contain. It’s bigger, better, darker and spookier, but still manages to stay grounded in the roots of its first season.

The Duffer Brothers allowed Season 1 to be left off on a satisfying yet anxiety-filled note as viewers yearned for more time to be spent in the world of the Upside Down. The audience was left wondering about the whereabouts of the beloved Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown), who previously sacrificed herself to save her friends at the end of the last season. Of course, the young telekinetic is back, with an unlikely ally in police chief Jim Hopper (played by David Harbour), who acts as a father figure to the angsty teen.

This time around, Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Will are simply trying to fall back into a state of normalcy. You know, Dungeons and Dragons, arcade games, walkie-talkie conversations, Ghostbuster costumes — typical 1980s teenage nerd stuff. But a vicious shadow monster, nicknamed “the Mind Flayer” by Mike (played by Finn Wolfhard) and his team, has other plans in mind, thrusting the city of Hawkins back into a battle against the dreaded Upside Down.

Similarly to its first season, “Stranger Things 2” offers a form of escapism and refreshing originality that most shows are lacking these days. The second season strongly delivers in terms of its nostalgia, unique cinematography, great music, innocent humor and well-developed characters.

The plot thickens as the Upside Down still lingers throughout the town, haunting Will Byers (played by Noah Schnapp) who is plagued by visions of swirling red storms, dark shadows in the sky and an unshakeable feeling that remnants of the Upside Down continue to linger inside him. His mother, Joyce (played by Winona Ryder), along with Chief Hopper, work together to help Will through these struggles, but the poor kid can’t catch a break.

Much to the satisfaction of its viewers, “Stranger Things 2” wraps up several open-ended ties left from the last season. Beyond that, we get to see our favorite characters — and even our not-so-favorite characters — dig deeper as they redeem themselves and learn fascinating truths about their pasts.

Eleven goes on a search for her birth family, discovering that she may not be as truly alone as she thought. Despite his heartbroken antics, Steve (played by Joe Keery) steps up as a strong ally and “babysitter” to the young team of ghostbusters, growing especially close to Dustin (played by Gaten Matarazzo) throughout the season. Mike continues his dedication to destroying the Mind Flayer while he still romantically hopes that Eleven will return to The Party someday. Lucas (played by Caleb McLaughlin) comes into his own, gaining more screen time and a stronger sense of self, while also growing a complicated relationship with Max (played by Sadie Sink), the new girl at school.

Despite its many strong suits, Season 2 of “Stranger Things” prompts some concerns regarding the future of the series. “Stranger Things 2” successfully, but predictably, manages to live up to the hype, still continuing to exist within its own comfortable sphere. Although predictability often hits upon exactly what viewers want to see, this season didn’t seem to take as many risks as the first did. If the third season were to follow suit with a similarly formulaic structure to its predecessors, will that strike a chord or leave viewers feeling burned out over the same-old, same-old once again? So far, co-creators the Duffer Brothers have done an extremely impressive job incorporating the perfect amount of nostalgic vibes, romantic moments, jump-scares and spooky monsters into the show. But it still remains to be seen whether or not the director duo will manage to shake things up in the town of Hawkins well enough to keep the hit series new and relevant.

As we anxiously await the third season and what is to come, there are several questions to be answered in the coming episodes. Is Will free from the Upside Down? How will the Mind Flayer attack next? What will happen between Eleven and Mike? The second season wraps up with what appears to be a happy ending, with an unsettling level of teenage normalcy. While Mike and his team mingle together inside the school dance, the image of the Mind Flayer looms over the ending scene, leaving audiences in bubbling anticipation for the exciting, new adventures sure to come.

Until next time, Hawkins — see you in Season Three.

Written By: Sydney Odman — arts@theaggie.org