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Podcast spotlight: Final Draft – Great Conversations

Launched in June 2018, Final Draft – Great Conversations (FDGC) is a podcast that looks back at some of the authors and writers that were previously featured weekly on 2SER’s long-running Final Draft, where ‘big names of arts and culture sit cheek-by-jowl with those just beginning to make their mark’. Produced and presented by Andrew Pople, each episode uses the interview format to explore books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world. Outside of volunteering in community radio, Pople works as a speech pathologist for young people, and sees podcasting as another way of amplifying the voices of people who have stories to tell. He spoke to Books+Publishing for our ‘podcast spotlight’ series.

For new or uninitiated listeners, describe your podcast in under 50 words. 

Have you ever fallen in love with a book and just wanted more?

That’s what I get to do in this podcast: take an in-depth look at our world through books and writing from across Australia and abroad. I talk with the creators and we connect their art with our world.

What makes your podcast unique? 

There’s an adage that you can’t be what you can’t see and, in the conversations I present on Final Draft, my aim is for everyone to find a story they can relate to as well as a story that helps inspire them to something greater. Taking in a wide range of writing, we focus on debut Australian authors, as well as representing voices from across our own community network.

When and how did you get started in podcasting? 

Final Draft has been a feature of 2SER’s programming for years, and I’ve been producing and presenting the show for the last five years. In that time, the show has always had an online presence but getting a podcast of the show has been a long term goal.

The Final Draft – Great Conversations podcast released its first episode a month ago. It’s a natural extension of the broadcast format but allows the show to reach an audience beyond Sydney and share these stories. The podcast honours the show’s goal to support great writing, but it also offers a greater depth of enquiry and discussion for listeners.

Where and how is your podcast recorded (and how big is your team)? 

Final Draft is recorded at the studios of 2SER 107.3 in Sydney. I work pretty much solo on the show; researching, recording and editing for broadcast and podcast. The work tends to get done on a Friday (I’m a speech pathologist the rest of the week), but of course the reading gets done anywhere and everywhere.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to all the great people at 2SER whose friendship, mentoring and contributions to the show are invaluable. These include Anthony Dockrill, Melanie Withnall, Emma Lancaster, Ellen Leabeter, Miles Herbert, Cheyne Anderson, Ninah Kopel, Miles Martignoni and Jake Morcom.

What kind of listeners does your podcast reach? 

We’re very new in the podcast realm, but the goal is to reach lovers of books and reading. We cover literary fiction, YA, popular fiction, children’s literature, as well as the issues that inform these works, so there’s something for everyone.  2SER broadcasts across the Sydney area, and I’d imagine at this early stage we’ll be reaching fans of the show. Of course podcasting gives us enormous scope which I want to use to share great Australian writing with the world.

What have been your most popular guests or most memorable episodes? 

In five years I’ve spoken with Stella Prize winners, Miles Franklin winners, Booker Prize winners, as well as authors whose skill and imagination jump off the page and into their conversation. If I have to pick one (that’s available on the podcast right now…) I’d say Claire G Coleman. Her debut Terra Nullius (Hachette) is brilliant and when we found a mutual love of Terry Pratchett it all clicked!

What recent trends have you noticed in podcasting? (Do you have any predictions for this format in the future?) 

In the last year or two I’ve loved discovering great fictional narrative podcasting. Think tightly scripted, quirky and highly addictive stories. I never learned to binge TV properly, but these podcasts have me plugging in the headphones and walking for hours just to fit it all in. Alice Isn’t Dead is a recent highlight that has just done its third season.

Why do you think people are drawn to this format?  

The easy answer would be convenience—it’s there in your pocket anywhere, anytime. Personally though, when I look at the quality of programming being put out there by large and small organisations, I feel it’s the way podcasting innovates in storytelling and informs people across styles and genres that is drawing people to the format.

How do you fund your podcast? Do you have plans to explore other funding options?

Final Draft is part of 2SER’s weekly programming.  As a community radio station 2SER has regular supporter drives where we ask listeners to become financial supporters. That pays for the equipment, studios etc. I’m a volunteer myself, so the funding all goes to creating amazing radio! Of course people who love the content we produce can contribute anytime at 2ser.com

What plans do you have for your podcast going forward?

As I write this the podcast is barely a month old. My short term goal is to discover more of the potential that this format offers. Long-term, I’d like to explore the possibilities of a more narrative-based podcasting approach, featuring Australian voices and connecting with important but under-discussed issues in the industry.

Sneak preview: we have a regular segment on Final Draft called the Aussie Classics Book Club where we discuss great works of Australian fiction in their context and discover what makes them classics. Bringing this to a podcast format is the next goal.

What other bookish podcasts (or podcasts for people who love reading, writing and sharing ideas!) should we be listening to, Australian or otherwise? 

There’s so much to discover! I think I have to mention here all the amazing investigative podcasting and storytelling coming out of 2ser at the moment. Things like last year’s award winning Just Words, and current brilliance like History Lab, and Breathless.

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