From Listener to Producer

In the podcase by Patrick J. McGinnis and John Lafkas (2020), you listened to an interview with 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.

Note: 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

  • Length: 30-40 minutes
  • Deadline: Varies by group – schedule with your mentor and instructor
  • Submission: Final show notes uploaded via Canvas
  • Recording Location: CSU Recording Studio (Address: 2301 Research Blvd, Fort Collins, CO, 80526)

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.