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Possible Mumsnet Podcast - please tell us what you think

(44 Posts)
carriemumsnet (MNHQ) Thu 19-Jan-12 11:10:38

What if you could hear Mumsnet as well as read it? We're at the very early stages of looking at adding audio on demand to the site, including a regular Mumsnet podcast that you could listen to whenever you like on your computer or smartphone.
The first step is to find out whether you'd listen to a Mumsnet podcast and if you would, what would you want to hear? Would you want to hear other Mumsnetters, experts, celebrities, or a mix?
Would you want to share stories, find out about recommended products and services, or swap tales of parenthood's highs and lows? What bits of Mumsnet do you think would make the best podcast programme? And most crucially - would you have the time or inclination to listen?

We'd really value your views on this - thanks for your timesmile

MilesJuppisasexgod Thu 19-Jan-12 14:03:16

Yes, yes and yes again, and I speak as one who listens to podcasts probably on average more than an hour a day while driving.

Just my own pov, but the mix you are suggesting sounds absolutely fine although my own personal preference would be to be lighter on the slebs and more on the other MNers (getting commentaries on the hotter AIBU threads would be cool!)

Just another take: I used to listen to the Womans Hour podcasts a lot when they were just 10-15 minute bites featuring just one piece because then you could be really selective about what you downloaded. Since they went over to podcasting pretty much the whole progreamme I have been less keen as there is always something that is someoen's idea of a snore fest and fast forwarding/deleting isn't safe when you are driving!

HTH

Go for it grin

Doyouthinktheysaurus Thu 19-Jan-12 14:13:37

It could work, could be awful <sits on fence>

A round up of the funny , interesting threads would be good, s&b recommendations, discsussions about topical erm....stuff, not so much celebrity stuff. Unless they were interesting people, not just on because they have dc's iyswim.

I love the Marathon Talk podcast which has a weekly interview with someone related to the field of running, not always well known but always very topical and of interest to runners.

The only problem with MN is that you cover a massive range from people ttc to people with teenage and even older children. It may be hard to find a common link that works for all.

I listen to podcasts when I'm running so I'd definitely be up for giving it a go. Can't be too short though, I go a long way.....and I'm very slowwink

CalatalieSisters Thu 19-Jan-12 18:18:01

I find all of the static, non-conversational content of MN a bit shuddersome and unappealing, so I wouldn't listen to a podcast. One of the original sources of Mumsnet's appeal to me was that I dislike women's magazines and it was so refreshing just to hear women's voices unmediated by editorialising.

MN these days seems more and more to be trying to be an online women's magazine with a talkboard attached. I particularly dislike it when threads are started by HQ to try to generate raw material for this sort of editorialised content.

FirstOfficerDouglasRichardson Thu 19-Jan-12 18:18:03

I listen to a lot of podcasts.... Hhmmm... Could work I suppose. Bit like woman's hour, with thread round ups, book club review, guest interview etc... Hmmmmm...

Not sure. It could be good? It could be awful?

FirstOfficerDouglasRichardson Thu 19-Jan-12 18:24:29

I hate the extremely amateurish sounding ones... So probably wouldn't like to hear MNers chatting... I think you'd have to get someone decent in to host as it were.

bagelmonkey Thu 19-Jan-12 18:30:53

'This American Life' did an episode which was basically a collection of short random pieces put together that worked really well. I think the longer episodes are often a bit hit and miss, but if you got a brief synopsis of the content you could get a fair idea if it was likely to interest you.
I'd definitely be interested in a podcast version of the talk roundup.

NanBullen Thu 19-Jan-12 18:33:55

just a conversation between mnetters would be good, like a panel every week/month. chatting about all sorts, and arguing! grin

babyheave Thu 19-Jan-12 18:36:40

Please, keep the sleb thing to a minimum or make sure they're famous for something more than just being on TV or an actor. <mutters about bloody hating sleb stuff>

Don't see how AIBU commentary would work but that's probably because I think AIBU us the most annoying and pointless topic on here.

What I'd really like is something funny and witty that makes me laugh. Satire always works - think more Private Eye than take s break. You could also have a topic of the week and pick the best of threads in
That area to tempt people to expand their forum horizons.

Of course I'll download it at least once. I've bought into the MN "brand" after all, but whether I download it again depends on the content.

MrsMicawber Thu 19-Jan-12 19:33:24

I wouldn't listen to slebs vomit in my mouth

I would love for you to work out/ or ask for mners who are active posters and are experts in different topics, and have them talk about their thing. It could be someone who's been volunteering in a refugee camp, someone with a big family, someone who has succesfully run their own business, someone who has left a violent relationship... anything inspiring or informative.
HTH.

IwishIwasmoreorganised Thu 19-Jan-12 19:39:37

I've never listened to a podcast!

I don't think I would because I usually MN on my laptop in the living room with the TV on, and I don't own an ipod or smartphone!

ouryve Thu 19-Jan-12 19:48:49

What Iwish said!

If the TV or radio isn't on, then the kids are around and drown out everything including my own thoughts. If the TV is on when the kids are about, chances are I have the subtitles on because I can't hear it!

NannyPlumIsMyMum Thu 19-Jan-12 20:44:43

Mm no. Not for me .

Hoolet Thu 19-Jan-12 20:45:15

Mainly what MilesJuppisasexgod [Really? in puzzledposhtone emoticon] said. Definitely not too long.

At the moment the Talk round up dodges the contentious stuff that gets to the nitty-gritty of MN. If that could be handled right, so that all the bite hadn't been taken out of the MN experience, then I think it could be great.

CatHairInMyFaceCream Thu 19-Jan-12 21:14:15

Would love a round up of all the classics grin You could have a whole series dedicated to classics alone.

I listen to podcasts, I'm also looking for new material - MN podcast is a great idea.

NessaRose Thu 19-Jan-12 21:25:10

I have never listened to a podcast. I only have a mp3 player can you listen to them on that?

Albrecht Thu 19-Jan-12 21:43:39

Yeah I would listen atleast once.

You might have missed type thing... of funny threads. But tbh are you going to podcast people taking the piss out of Petre Andre or mistyping 'Vagina'?

Or you could go the serious route and ask people to expand on their experiences of stillbirth or living with disability for example. There was a thing on Radio 4 recently about a woman's experience of behaving violently and going to prison, being separated from her child - horrific but interesting to hear what she felt about the whole thing.

(I like it better than the MN tv idea as it can be pretty anonymous still)

mummeeee Fri 20-Jan-12 07:03:54

I commute by train, long journey but just twice a week, so listen to podcasts then. I usually listen to desert island discs and the Friday night comedy from radio 4. I've also listened to the woman's hour one, like some other posters....and the guardian family podcast.

Really not sure how you would get a good mix of content whilst keeping it relevant... But I know there are some proper creative people out there who could do it smile

MilesJuppisasexgod Fri 20-Jan-12 10:58:45

just a conversation between mnetters would be good, like a panel every week/month. chatting about all sorts, and arguing

That's a brilliant idea sounds just like Loose Women, not that I've ever watched it

JesusLovesCusty Fri 20-Jan-12 11:19:26

this will absolutley not work unless you have my hero Sandi Toksvig narrating.

i would listen to it if it were easily listenable without being too techy - like a button on the site or something

absolutely do a panel, one mumsnetter picked at random - except when sandi is on - then you must pick me.

You can also ask sue perkins, shes also jolly naice.

all we need is Ellen and my iconic lesbian triumvirate is complete.

CustyandtheLesbianTriumvirate Fri 20-Jan-12 11:22:25

I needed to do it in their honour really

MilesJuppisasexgod Fri 20-Jan-12 11:39:13

Agree with Custy

but just remember you don't have to be a lesbian to want to marry at least two of her triumvirate!

CustyandtheLesbianTriumvirate Fri 20-Jan-12 11:52:08

but it helps

crockydoodle Fri 20-Jan-12 13:18:20

I listen to podcasts while working. I would love a mumsnet one. Most I listen to are very americanised, eg fly lady. I would like a more British one

bran Fri 20-Jan-12 13:18:47

I think it could work very well, but what I have found with podcasts that I listen to is that it's not so much the content that matters but how much fun the podcasters are having. A podcast with two or three people who are interested in the topic, have something to add other than just reporting the facts and who get on well enough to keep the conversation bubbling is almost as nice as a natter with your friends in a coffee shop. If the podcasters are nervous or ernest it can be a bit dry and then it's more comfortable to read the various summaries or Q&As.

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