Music-Podcast Overlaps and The Fun of Surprise with Bryson Barnes (Head of Audio Production at NBC News)
Love Music More · hosted by Luke F. Walton
Guest: Bryson Barnes
Watch or listen
Topics discussed
Host note
Bryson Barnes is Head of Audio Production at NBC News, where his work has touched 15 Apple #1 podcasts and helped produce Peabody, DuPont, Pulitzer, Emmy, and Ambie-recognized shows. He started as a jazz trumpet player, and that background still shapes how he builds a podcast.
We talk about the overlap between music and podcasting: how music informs pacing and sound design, why a "sound world" matters as much in a news podcast as it does on a record, and the practical headaches of getting clean audio out of a remote interview. Bryson talks plainly about trusting his gut over chasing a formula, and about how much of what makes a podcast land is really about listening, not talking.
Selected moments
- Bryson on his transition from music to audio production 3:03 Bryson shares his path from being a jazz trumpet player to becoming a leading voice in podcast production.
- The impact of music on podcasting 3:41 Discussing how music informs his approach to podcasting and sound design.
- Elevating audio storytelling 5:00 Exploring the nuances and depths that music adds to audio narratives.
- Creative process insights 7:50 Bryson talks about the importance of creativity and structure in music and podcast production.
- Challenges of remote recording 42:44 He discusses the practicalities of getting high-quality audio from remote interviews.
- The significance of sound design 16:38 The importance of thoughtful sound design in enhancing listener engagement.
Selected excerpts
It just feels good to sort of vibrate and it's just a way that I can just be me in the moment.
Podcasts are effective because we’ve created a forum where people can just listen to other people talk and tell stories.
There’s so much going on there that’s affecting your perception. You know, it’s how deeply are you listening versus just letting the effect wash over you.
We can get deep and multifaceted with the sound world that you create.
The creative process is often about trusting your gut and tuning out the noise.
I love the term that you used, sound world. That’s what we’re creating whether we like it or not.
FAQ
Who is Bryson Barnes?
Bryson Barnes is the Head of Audio Production at NBC News, known for his work on award-winning podcasts and his unique approach to audio storytelling.
What insights does Bryson share about podcast production?
Bryson discusses the overlap between music and podcasting, emphasizing the importance of sound design and storytelling techniques in creating engaging content.
How has podcasting evolved over the years?
Bryson reflects on the journey of podcasting from its early days to its current status as a primary tool for news discovery, noting advancements in production quality and listener engagement.
These pages are host notes, not a full transcript. An automatic transcript is on the Spotify episode.