After transferring all the recordings from my iPhone, where I originally recorded them, to my laptop, I got to work in Soundtrap, editing the podcast together. I put in all my recordings and used the quiet room noise I collected to ease transitions. I also added a recording of Jameson Atkins playing guitar that I had not originally intended for the podcast, but it fit as ambient noise. As with the intro and outro, he agreed that the music would be licensed under the same CC BY 4.0 as the rest of my work on this site.
Screenshot by Riley Evans
Final Product
Transcript
Intro music played by Jameson
Hello all today’s discussion will focus on the influences on Billy Strings’ music that serve to set it apart from traditional bluegrass
Thanks to his dynamic approach to the typically very traditional genre of bluegrass music, the Grammy Award-winning guitarist Billy Strings has grown a cult following as well as mainstream status
His presence in the bluegrass scene has been backed by new fans and spirit, re-energizing the sphere
Strings learned guitar from his dad, who brought the bluegrass. He grew up steeped in the same traditional bluegrass that his music is mostly based on. The influence of traditional bluegrass guitarist Doc Watson is quite noticeable in his technique, but is also frequently acknowledged by Strings as a major inspiration.
Ambient guitar
When he was a teen, Strings brought his talent to the stage, playing with a heavy metal band. In an interview for the Bluegrass Situation, Strings said that he never learned how to perform like a bluegrass musician, citing his metal experience as the origin of his distinctive flair; Strings “can’t just stand there and play.”
In my opinion, live performance is where Billy’s light shines most purely. His shows are bursting with energy and possess an animation not often seen in the conventional world of bluegrass.
Today, Strings listens to a wide variety of genres including Memphis trap and heavy metal.
His music taste is extremely diverse, a quality that bleeds into his work, creating a distinct style that draws fans in flocks.
This podcast was written and produced by Riley Evans, with music by Jameson Atkins
Thank you for tuning in to this exploration of Billy String’s musical influence
For my podcast, I talked about tea. To be specific, I talked about the science behind tea. It is a 2-minute educational podcast that briefly discusses the origins and the making of tea. My podcast is titled, “The Science Behind the Perfect Cup of Tea”.
Pre-Production
Researching
To start out, I had to do my research on tea. I searched for what I specifically wanted to talk about which was where tea came from and the process of its creation. I found a lot of useful information from theses two websites:
In those websites they discussed that tea came from a plant from Asia called camellia sinensis. It goes into depth on the process of its making. First it is harvested, then laid out to dry, and rolled to release enzymes and stimulate oxidation. This is all done to affect the color, strength, and taste of the tea. They also gave guides on how to boil tea so it can be of best quality.
Outline
After gathering all the information I needed, I started to write my script. While writing it, I kept in consideration of where I wanted to insert sounds and add music for my intro and outro. Since I needed it to be 2 minutes long, I kept editing it to match the time limit. I even recorded myself speaking and waited 10 seconds twice, imagining the intro and outro playing. I made sure to insert when I wanted to insert the sounds that I would record.
Here is my transcript:
Me: Hello, everyone. I am Mariam and in this podcast we will be discussing the science behind a perfect cup of tea.
*Music plays (10 seconds)*
Me: All tea, whether it’s black, green, white, oolong, or Pu-erh, comes from Camellia sinensis. Camellia sinensis is a sub-tropical plant that is native to Asia. Fun fact: mint and chamomile tea are not actual teas because they do not come from camellia sinensis. Now, how is tea made? First, after the leaves are harvested, they are laid out to dry then rolled.
*rolling leaves sound*
Me: This is so the leaves can release enzymes and stimulate oxidation. Things like the color, strengths, and taste of the tea are all determined by how long the leaves are exposed to oxygen. Did you know that the water quality and the temperature used to boil the tea affects the quality of the tea? It is best to use softer water because it creates a cleaner taste. The temperature should be adjusted depending on the type of tea. Lighter teas such as white and green tea should be boiled at a lower temperature, while stronger teas such as black tea should be boiled at a higher temperature.
*boiling sounds*
Me: Getting the temperature right isn’t just about taste; it ensures you maximize the beneficial antioxidants and polyphenols in every cup.
*sound of water poured into a cup*
*ends with song (10 seconds)*
Production
Recording
I used my phone to record my voice and the sounds. Before I recorded my voice, I wanted to decide on the vibe that I wanted to go for. This was important because the vibe of the podcast would be determined by things like the tone of my voice and the type of music that I picked. Since tea usually makes you calm, I decided on a calm-like theme. So I spoke softly and quietly. For the sounds, I recorded them using objects and tools near by my house or in my house. The first thing I recorded was a water pouring sound. I did that by pouring a full cup of water into another cup. The second sound I recorded was a bubbling water sound. That was created by blowing into a cup of water with a straw. It is supposed to imitate water boiling. The last sound I recorded was rolling a leaf. I went outside and picked up a crunchy leaf because during the process of making tea, a dried leaf is rolled.
Post-Production
Editing
The editing platform I used was Soundtrap. In the website, I first imported my recordings, then inserted the sounds I created where I wanted to. I made sure to adjust the volumes so that the sounds don’t overtake my voice. After doing that, I tackled my intro and outro. First, I had to find a song that can fit the vibe of my podcast and that was royalty-free. The song that I picked was Silent Descent by Eugenio Minnini and the website I got it from was:
To insert the song in the recording, I first split the voice recording after I introduced myself and the podcast name and then split the song after 10 seconds to insert in between the two split voice recordings. I then used the fade feature at the end of the song so it sounded smoother when it transitioned back to my speaking voice. The final thing I did was duplicate the 10 second song audio and put it at the end for an outro.
Listen to my short-form podcast about “Scrapbooking and Collages: The Art of Creative Hobbies On A Budget” below!
Official Podcast Transcript
Click the drop-down arrow to access my podcast transcript
0:00 seconds [Up-beat guitar music plays]
00:13 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Welcome to Craftingly Creative! Today’s episode explores scrapbooking and collages, a method of creative expression that won’t break the bank!
00:24 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Nowadays, basic items like food or clothing come with a painful price tag. However, you can still enjoy arts and crafts without blowing your budget. Hobbies like scrapbooking and collaging allow for creative expression without needing much money to create art.
00:36 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] I believe creativity should not get lost in a sea of bills. However, our hobbies shouldn’t financially burden us, but be an outlet to enjoy life and express yourself.
00:47 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] According to Fiorito, Geiger, and Routledge, scrapbooking is the art of creating personalized albums to preserve memories and special moments. They suggest scrapbooking can boost one’s mental health, raise nostalgia, social connections, and promote meaning, making it perfect for combating stress without worrying about the expense.
1:02 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] The MoMA defines collaging as “the technique and the resulting work of art in which fragments of paper and other materials are…affixed to a supporting surface”. Like scrapbooking, collaging is mentally beneficial. Seregina and Brockerhoff highlighted its benefits in heightening a sense of community, reflecting on emotional complexities, and a better understanding of self and personal experiences.
1:21 seconds [paper flipping noises]
1:26 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Scrapbooking and collaging are affordable, too. Jennifer Wilson, host of the Scrapbook Your Way podcast, suggests printing your supplies, and I suggest using free or reduced printing services at your local library, too. Additionally, use the items you might discard in your scrapbooking. Bottle caps, old paper scraps, ticket stubs, etc. are unique objects for art, and are all around you at no extra cost.
1:45 seconds [scissor cutting noises]
1:49 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Lindsey McGinnis advises collecting and using the pages of old, forgotten books, magazines, brochures, and maps for your collage. Artful Haven suggests using 3D objects into your collages. Leaves or sticks, old buttons, fabric scraps, and dried flower petals are low-cost and add dimension to your art.
2:07 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Also, antique and thrift stores are great for materials like old newspapers, postcards, and other items at low prices. And don’t feel restricted to working on fancy paper or photo albums. You can use old journals, lined paper, old records, cardboard, or your own wall.
2:19 seconds [paper flipping noises]
2:25 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Overall, scrapbooking and collaging is beneficial to one’s mental health, especially if done economically. When using the materials around you, these two hobbies are low cost with wonderful returns.
2:35 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Until next time, this was Arianna Salvador with Craftingly Creative!
[Up-beat guitar music plays]
Equipment I Used For Recording My Project
The recording equipment I utilized for my podcast was simple and accessible. I recorded all of my podcast, ambient room noise, and various sound affects on my Voice Memo app in my Iphone. I also recorded all the aforementioned audio in my closet, as my massive quantity of clothes helped absorb sound (I think).
The Software I Used To Edit My Podcast
Like my recording process and equipment choices, the software I employed for the editing process was nothing advanced. I downloaded my Iphone audio to my computer, which I then put into the website SoundTrap. I then used SoundTrap to finalize, polish, and add additional audio to my podcast script.
FioRito, Taylor A., et al. “Creative Nostalgia: Social and Psychological Benefits of Scrapbooking.” Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, vol. 38, no. 2, Apr. 2021, pp. 98–103. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2020.1748986.
Seregina, U., & Bröckerhoff, A. (2022). Collaging Covid Holidays: Using Collage as a Communal Method for Reflection and Research. Art-Based Research in the Context of a Global Pandemic (pp. 64-79). Routledge. https://doi-org.umw.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9781003170518-5
My chosen topic is basic skincare. I think that most people don’t fully cover their basics when it comes to their skincare. Skincare is not only important to look good, but a to maintain skin health.
Outline
Recording will be done at my house on my personal microphone. I don’t think there are any specific sounds I plan to include other than intro and outro music.
0-15
Introduction music
Topic introduction
15-35
Importance of skincare
35-55
Step one- Cleansers
55-75
Step two- Moisturizers
75-100
Step three- Sunscreen
100-120
After the basics
Signing off
Script
This audio is designed to leave you understanding the basics of an everyday skincare routine.
Skincare is not just a luxurious thing only the frivolous do, but a necessary routine to take care of part of your body. It improves skin appearance while also reduces damage and signs of aging.
Cleansers are the first step of any skincare routine. They are designed to remove impurities and extra oil from the skin, as well as laying a clean foundation for the products to come.
After cleansing your skin might feel a little dry. Moisturizers contain emollients that help lock in moisture. If your skin is on the oilier side, try a water-based moisturizer. Since they’re water-based, they help moisturize without overflowing oily skin with even more oil. If your skin is on the dryer side, a traditional thicker cream may be better for you.
Last in every routine should be a sunscreen. Sunscreen is not only for days at the beach, but should be used daily to avoid cumulative damage from the sun. It’s important to find a daily sunscreen that feels comfortable to ensure you’ll follow through with wearing it daily.
Once you have the three basics of a basic skincare routine, you can expand to including additional steps, such as, toners, serums, essences, and ampoules. I hope you took something useful away from the audio. Stay glowy!
Equipment
I am using my MAONO DGM20S USB microphone, SteelSeries Sonar for my equalizer, and Windows Sound Recorder.
Photo by picsbyjameslee on PixabayAudio about Mexican American culture.
Process
The equipment used to make the audio of the narration was a smartphone and wired earbuds microphone. The software I used to edit is called Soundtrap. This platform made it easy to put together tracks. I used a copyright free intro and outro tracks along with a nature track. The two audios you hear before talking about food was made in my kitchen. I recorded the audio of turning my gas stove on and then created another track of sizzling to create a connection between kitchen sounds with my narration of food.
Attributions/Credits
Copyright Free Audios
Intro: Con Carne (7 sec edit) by Grumpynora on Pixabay
Outro: Emotional Guitar Loop V13 by IdoBerg on Pixabay
Nature/Birds: Birds chirping by freesound_community on Pixabay
“Mexican American culture is a vibrant blend of heritage, history, and everyday life. Today, I’m sharing how traditions, food, and community shape Mexican American identity across the United States.”
“Mexican American culture has roots in Indigenous traditions, Spanish influence, and generations of adaptation in the U.S. This blend creates a unique cultural identity that continues to evolve.”
Kitchen Ambience
“Food is one of the strongest cultural connections. Dishes like tamales, pozole, and arroz con leche aren’t just recipes — they’re memories passed down through families.”
“Traditions also play a major role. Día de los Muertos honors ancestors with altars, marigolds, and offerings. Quinceañeras celebrate the transition into adulthood, mixing Catholic customs with modern style.”
Nature/Birds Ambience
“Community spaces — local markets, festivals, and family gatherings — help preserve language, music, and shared identity. These places keep culture alive across generations.”
“Today, Mexican Americans make up more than 60 percent of the U.S. Latino population. Many navigate life between cultures, speaking Spanglish, celebrating both Mexican and American holidays, and shaping art, politics, and education.”
Here, you will see that I am literally telling everyone about Post Crossing, as it is the topic of my audio project. This short recording encompasses my actual experience with the program, so think of it like an elevator pitch, but the elevator keeps moving for two full minutes.
00:00:03
Ever since I was younger, I’ve been an enjoyer of collecting stationery, so everything from stickers to pens to paper, stuff like that.
00:00:13
And naturally that kind of evolved into me having pen pals, but I kind of fell out of it over the years just because it was a larger commitment and sometimes I didn’t feel like responding to a letter that I got sent over a month ago.
00:00:25
And so recently I found a program called Postcrossing, which kind of crosses
00:00:30
those bridges in a beautiful way.
00:00:32
It’s a program where you can sign up and send and receive postcards from people across the world.
00:00:37
And originally it began in 2005 by a man named Paulo who had the intention to connect people across the world despite their differences in like a small meaningful way through mail.
00:00:48
So it works by you just create an account, you request your first address, you write a registration code on the postcard so it can be logged when it’s received, and then after that one is logged your address is put into
00:01:00
to a pool to be a recipient for others.
00:01:02
So then that cycle continues and you can continuously have a rotation of sending and receiving cards.
00:01:08
And in my experience, I’ve gotten all kinds of different cards and it’s a lot of fun to be able to look at all the data on the cards that you’ve sent and received.
00:01:18
Personally, I’ve gotten a lot from Germany, but I’ve sent a lot to like Asia and South Asian countries and the style is always different and everyone has a little profile that you can fill out
00:01:30
so you know kind of what they like to receive and you can kind of tailor it to that, but ultimately it doesn’t really matter.
00:01:37
You’re just supposed to be sending a card and having that small little connection.
00:01:41
And then you can choose to send like a thank you note at the very end.
00:01:45
But Postcrossing is a really neat project that anyone can be a part of.
00:01:49
I’ve been recommending it to everybody because mail can be fun for everyone and I’m really enjoying it.
How’d I do it?
Quite simply, actually. I created this podcast by recording myself with my phone, and plugged everything into Sound Trap studio to cut and edit the audio together. The intro and ending tune came from Freesound.org. I pieced it together by clipping and cutting the audio files together, and adding in some fade between the clips, which resulted in a more punchy and complete recording, anyways.
Credits and More Information
For more information about Post Crossing, please visit the following resources:
Have your parents ever demanded your phone at night so you’d actually go to bed? Sure, it was probably because you had a habit of staying up till 3am. But the fear of blue light definitely plays a role. What if I told you that it might not just be blue light that keeps you up at night?
00:00:27 Speaker 1
Within your retina are specialized cells called iPRGCs, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, which act like built-in alarm clocks. They measure the amount of light so they can set your body’s master clock. Morning light signals cortisol to keep you awake and simultaneously your body starts a 16-hour countdown and once this hits zero it releases melatonin to make you sleepy.
00:00:54 Speaker 1
This is exactly why blue light should be considered a myth. Though iPRGCs are most sensitive to blue light wavelengths, scientific studies have shown that total light intensity matters almost as much.
00:01:07 Speaker 1
A 2011 study published by the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism states, “As a result of this exposure to electrical light between dusk and bedtime, presleep levels of melatonin were reduced by 71.4% and total daily levels of melatonin were reduced by about 12.5%.” While blue light is the hardest on melatonin production, other light sources can cause similar levels of harm to sleep.
[alarm blaring]
00:01:36 Speaker 1
Hey, I’m not done yet! Sheesh, that was jarring.
00:01:40 Speaker 1
Anyways, the solution isn’t about the color of light coming out of your screen, rather it’s actually about the amount of light. If you want to use your phone at night, the best solution is to dim your screen and keep the phone further away from your face. You might really want to consider keeping your body clock in check.
[outro music]
Production of the Podcast
Equipment?
I used my Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra voice recording app to record the audio. The audio from my prior blog post wasn’t as high quality as I had liked so I rerecorded and took testing samples to ensure there was no background noise like fans or too much movement. For the editing, I did that on my laptop which involved transferring over the audio files.
Editing Software?
The software that I used is called Soundtrap. It is free to use and was extremely easy to learn. I really enjoyed the editing process. First, I added all of the audio files to the editor and then began splitting them to trim out several seconds of silence. After that, I was able to organize everything, such as putting the intro at the beginning and outro at the end. I had to trim down some sections so that I was exactly at 2:00 minutes.
The first step in making my video was planning everything out. I started by writing a script, organizing my equipment, and making sure everything was ready before recording. Next, I recorded the audio portion of the project, which consisted of me talking about strength training. I also recorded two ambient sounds: one of a gym environment and another of a soccer ball being kicked. Finally, I edited all of the audio together. I used Soundtrap to combine the narration, ambient sounds, and music to create a polished and engaging video project.
I used different equipment throughout the project. To record I used my voice memos app on my phon that represented my microphone. To edit my video I used soundtrack.
Why strength training improves soccer performance.
00:00:10 Speaker 1
When people think about soccer training, they often focus on running, dribbling and passing.
00:00:16 Speaker 1
But one of the most important factors in athletic performance is strength training.
00:00:22 Speaker 1
The first main point is that strength training improves sprint speed and explosiveness.
00:00:27 Speaker 1
By doing squats, lunges, and RDLs with weight, it builds stronger muscles, which helps soccer players sprint faster and change direction more quickly.
00:00:37 Speaker 1
And in the game of soccer, you need to be able to sprint past your defenders and change direction quickly, especially in the midfield.
00:00:46 Speaker 1
Second, strength training helps reduce injuries by supporting your muscles, your joints, and your ligaments.
00:00:53 Speaker 1
When you strength train, you build strong muscles and having strong muscles support your joints and lowers the risk of common soccer injuries.
00:01:02 Speaker 1
For example, supporting your knee, which is your ACL, even supporting your Achilles.
00:01:09 Speaker 1
Finally, strength training improves endurance and helps players maintain performance throughout an entire 90-minute soccer match.
00:01:17 Speaker 1
Soccer is a sport all about endurance.
00:01:19 Speaker 1
By doing strength training, you enable stronger muscles, which means your body works more efficiently, helping players perform better throughout an entire game.
00:01:29 Speaker 1
Soccer is a sport where it requires a lot of running, so your cardio and endurance is super important.
00:01:36 Speaker 1
So whether you’re a beginner or a college athlete like me, strength training can help you become faster, stronger, more resilient on the field, which makes you a well-rounded soccer player.
For this assignment I chose to talk about the importance of reading. I talked about why reading is a hobby anybody can enjoy. I also talked about which types of books I personally enjoy and why.
My Process and Equipment
For this project, I used my phone and downloaded a voice recorder app. I recorded my audio in my room since it provided a quiet place to work in. I recorded multiple takes until I was happy with how I spoke and the length of my audio. I didn’t use any background music or sound effects.
My Outline and Script
Audio Transcript
Introduction(0:0-0:17)
Hello, my name is Dena Subhi, and for this project, I wanted to talk about one of my favorite hobbies, which is reading. Since I was a kid, I have found reading to be a relaxing hobby that allows me to explore many different amazing stories.
The benefits of reading (0:18-53)
It’s also a great mentally stimulating activity. This is because reading allows you to explore new interests and learn about many different topics. One of my favorite things about reading is that there is almost always at least one book that somebody will enjoy. Whether you like science fiction, fantasy, comic books, or any other type of book, there will almost always be one you can really enjoy. While it can be difficult at times to figure out what types of books you will enjoy the most and which ones best suit your interests, once you figure it out, reading can become incredibly fun.
My favorite genres and books (0:54-1:40)
My favorite genres to read are murder mysteries and fantasy books because I find their stories to be exciting and that they often have really interesting characters. Some of my favorite fantasy series are Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Some of my favorite murder mysteries are The Disappearance of Rachel Price and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, both by Holly Jackson. I like murder mysteries because I enjoy watching the main character try to figure out who the killer is before it’s too late. I enjoy fantasy because I have always loved learning about mythical worlds and the different adventures the characters have.
Conclusion (1:41-2:00)
In conclusion, I think reading is an amazing hobby and that you should give reading a chance even if you don’t think you will like it because I’m sure you will be surprised and be able to find a book you love. Thank you for listening to my project.
For this project, I decided to create a short podcast about how technology has changed our everyday lives. Technology is something we use almost every day, whether it’s for communication, education, work, or entertainment. As an applied physics student, I find technology interesting because it connects to many things I study in college. In my podcast, I talk about how technology has made our lives easier, especially when it comes to communication and education, while also discussing some of the challenges that come with it. My podcast is approximately 2 minutes and 8 seconds long.
Podcast Outline
I divided my podcast into different sections and added music and sound effects to make the recording more interesting.
0:00–0:08: Intro music to introduce the podcast.
0:08–0:33: Introduction about technology in everyday life.
0:33–0:35: Phone notification sound effect.
0:35–0:59: How technology has changed communication.
0:59–1:02: Keyboard typing sound effect.
1:02–1:47: How technology has affected education, work, and everyday life.
1:47–1:59: Conclusion and final thoughts.
1:59–2:08: Outro music to end the podcast.
Podcast Script
Introduction
Have you ever thought about how much technology has changed our lives? Think about it. The first thing many of us do when we wake up is check our phones. We use technology to communicate, study, work, and entertain ourselves. Today, I want to talk about how technology has changed our everyday lives and why it’s become so important.
Communication
One of the biggest changes is communication. Years ago, people depended on letters and landline phones. Today, we can text, make video calls, or connect with someone across the world in seconds. I think it’s amazing how technology allows us to stay connected with family and friends, even when they live far away.
Education and Technology
Technology has also changed education. As a college student studying applied physics, I use computers and different programs almost every day. For example, technology helps me analyze data, create graphs, and understand difficult concepts in physics. It has also made working from home and collaborating with people in different locations much easier. Technology makes everyday life more convenient. We can use GPS, shop online, and find information within seconds. But there are also challenges. Sometimes we spend too much time on our phones, and misinformation spreads quickly online. I believe it’s important to find a balance and use technology responsibly.
Conclusion
Finally, technology has made our lives easier and more connected. I’m excited to see how it continues to change our future.
Thanks for listening!
Recording and Editing Process
For my podcast, I wanted to make sure my voice was clear and easy to understand. I organized my recording into different sections to make editing easier. I also used music at the beginning and end to give the podcast a more complete feel. I added a phone notification sound before talking about communication and a keyboard typing sound before discussing education. I chose these effects because they connect to what I was talking about and help transition between the sections. For my recording, I used Razor X headphones, and I edited the audio using Cap cut and Audacity.
Working on this project helped me learn more about recording and editing audio. One thing I noticed was how important timing is, especially when trying to keep a podcast around two minutes long. I also learned how music and sound effects can make a recording more interesting without distracting listeners from the main message. This project gave me an opportunity to talk about something that connects to my major while practicing a new way of sharing information online.
Audio Recording
You can listen to my podcast and access my audio recordings using the link below.
