From Listener to Producer

In Week 2, you listened to The Podcase by Patrick J. McGinnis and John Lafkas (2020), where they interviewed Luke Holden of Luke’s Lobster. You got to hear a real founder reflect on the risks, decisions, and grit it took to build a business.

Now it’s your turn.

This semester, you’ll work in a pod of four classmates to create a professional-style podcast episode (a “podcase”) featuring a real-world mentor—someone with entrepreneurial experience and insights to share.

You’ll work in the same group of four students (your pod) for both the podcase and the final business case competition. Each pod will be paired with a mentor based on your preferences, skills, and interests. Think of this as a “mentor match,” and you’ll stick with this team throughout the semester.

Your Assignment

Each pod will be paired with a mentor. Your goal is to:

🎤 Produce a compelling podcast episode that tells a story about the entrepreneurial journey of your mentor.
🔍 Conduct research to understand their business, sector, and challenges.
💡 Craft questions that go beyond the surface to reveal their thought process, decisions, and values.
📝 Write up show notes to summarize the episode and connect it to themes from the course.

Examples of mentor businesses include:

  • An agritech startup solving water access
  • A rancher using regenerative grazing models
  • A food systems nonprofit improving rural distribution

What Makes a Great Podcase?

Good podcasts require more than just the technical equipment. To produce a professional-quality episode, you’ll need:

  • Background research on the mentor and their business
  • Clear structure for the conversation
  • Engaging co-hosts with prepared questions
  • Teamwork to execute your vision

Want inspiration? Explore high-quality podcasts like:

Roles Within Your Pod

Each pod member will take on a defined role:

🎬 Pre-Production (Guest Prep)

  • Research the mentor’s business and industry
  • Help the co-hosts develop interview questions
  • Meet with the mentor before the recording to prep them

🎙️ Production (Co-Host)

  • Co-lead the interview at the CSU Recording Studio
  • Drive the conversation and keep it on track
  • Reflect curiosity and professionalism throughout

🕵️‍♀️ In-Studio Fact Checker

  • Sit in on the live session at the CSU Recording Studio
  • Look up facts or data to support/clarify what the mentor shares
  • Step in with prompts or follow-ups if needed

✍️ Post-Production (Show Notes Lead)

  • Write engaging and informative show notes
  • Highlight important insights, links, and connections to course themes
  • Submit your draft to the team and instructor

Logistics

  • Recording Location: CSU Library Podcast Studio
  • Length: 30-40 minutes
  • Deadline: Varies by group – schedule with your mentor and instructor
  • Submission: Final show notes uploaded via Canvas

How You’ll Be Graded

Your podcase will be evaluated based on:

Criteria Points Description
Depth of research + prep 25 Evidence of thoughtful background research, preparation, and familiarity with the mentor’s work and industry.
Interview quality + flow 25 Questions are clear and engaging; conversation flows naturally and professionally; follow-ups deepen the discussion.
Insightful show notes 25 Notes accurately summarize the episode, highlight key takeaways, and are clearly written for an external audience.
Team coordination & clarity 25 All team members contribute meaningfully; roles are clear; final product is cohesive and well-organized.

Total: 100 points (10% of final grade)

The best podcasts don’t just talk—they tell a story, highlight decisions, and leave the listener thinking differently. Let’s make something worth sharing.