One of the most steadily rising forms of entertainment media in the past several years has been podcasts. Samford, always expanding its students’ access to content and media creation, established its own podcast studio on campus. Students may come in, record their podcast in the studio and release it on their own for their audience to enjoy.
Student podcast topics range from movie reviews and film discourse to discussion of current events and pop culture.
Students start their podcasts for any number of reasons. Sam Allen and Mitchell Dennen, hosts of “Club Sammitch,” were encouraged by their friends to turn their witty conversations into a form of media that others could listen to and enjoy.
“We have been told by a lot of people that we had a great banter,” Allen said. “We actually had several of our friends recommend that we start a podcast.”
Allen said they created “Club Sammitch” for fun and never expected it to be a success, but it ended up taking off. Even Samford President Beck Taylor made an appearance on one of their episodes, officially making “Club Sammitch” the only student podcast that managed to have the university’s president on their show.
Fellow student podcast “Hey Sit With Us” features topics more specifically relevant to female students on campus. The podcast began when Allie Blain took the Intro to Podcasting course in 2022 but has grown into an independent effort since then. Hannah Grace Nash joined as co-host, and they have worked on building their brand and website. Their podcast covers topics geared to a female audience, under the slogan, ‘Because we weren’t created to live life alone.’
“We talk about everything from what’s going on in pop culture, to music we’re listening to, things that are going on in our lives and then also deeper things, like things we’ve learned in college, things we’d want to share with people, encouragement, advice, lifestyle,” Blain said.
“The Reel Roommates” podcast keeps up with news in the entertainment industry, specifically films. Roommates Andrew White and Jared Hiday got the idea for the podcast from an abundance of spare time and curiosity.
“We got really bored one night, and Andrew knew a professor with a podcast studio in his office,” Hiday said.
The process of making a podcast can be as involved as the creators’ desire. Allen’s process may not be as polished as everyone’s, but he thinks people enjoy the more personal nature of it.
“We hit record and just start going, just start talking,” Allen said. “We think part of the reason that people enjoyed our dynamic as much as they did is because we didn’t cut anything, we let it roll, and people would see we make mistakes … we’re human.”
On the other hand, the “Hey Sit With Us” podcast involves more in-depth editing.
“Both me and Hannah are prone to ramble, and sometimes it doesn’t quite fit the topic of the pod, so we kind of have to cut some of that out, some of the ‘likes’ and ‘ums,’” Blain said. “Any errors we make, I’ll edit those out, and then we edit music and transitions … in the post editing.”
As for the future of their podcasts, Blain and Nash hope to grow their brand and continue the show, even after college.
“Our hope is for “Sit With Us” to keep going once we graduate and kind of just like see where it takes us,” Nash stated.
“Club Sammitch” released three full seasons, but Allen and Dennen had to put the show on pause due to busy schedules. However, Allen mentioned that starting this show has helped him learn a lot and has opened new opportunities to him.
“It’s been a really exciting opportunity to kind of explore [podcasting in the future],” he said. “I feel like I have a grasp on the world of podcasting for maybe future career endeavors.”
All three of these podcasts can be found on Spotify. Those who wish to start a podcast of their own can contact the Samford Communication and Media Department at wheath1@samford.edu to book the recording studio.
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