Last month, I made the trek to Oshawa to speak with media students at Durham College. This class was given an assignment to critically review an episode of Toronto Mike'd. They were allowed to choose any episode they pleased.
I was given the opportunity to read these critiques, which I found fascinating. There was much praise, but I naturally focused on the negative. In a tweet storm yesterday afternoon, I shared some of what I read. Here are those tweets.
This student didn't like it when I mentioned @NMKeogh's dog was in the studio with us.
If a guest brings her dog with her, wouldn't you want to know that? pic.twitter.com/D7cgvCOa7Uβ Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
This student felt my episode about the @TOwolfpack was for "middle age males". pic.twitter.com/S7dpKQvyD0β Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
This student digs the vibe of Kick out the Jams eps! pic.twitter.com/fGcUSdfAodβ Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
Although I will naturally focus on the negative, most of the feedback is really positive. Considering none of these students are old enough to get 99% of my references, this is high praise! pic.twitter.com/Yn3iZkWL50β Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
This student thought I asked an inappropriate question of @IAmALBeaton. I respectfully disagree. pic.twitter.com/wi4m7ppxbEβ Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
Pleased to see a student cherry picking the @strombo episode for her assignment. pic.twitter.com/oFHSZMOH6Fβ Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
This student chose a very, very early episode in which @rosieferg and I discuss the best pizza joints in Toronto.
That resulted in this wonderful feedback. pic.twitter.com/GsWRf6cp8Mβ Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
"Filling time with memories" is something, right?
And yes, the podcast was a bit long.#apodcastaboutnothing pic.twitter.com/YQrvhQm1G4β Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
This student's comment reminds me of the time my 100%er brother told me he wouldn't listen if I devoted an entire episode to cycling. pic.twitter.com/3VCZwPsM9Pβ Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
The thing is, when @ColinJamesMusic visited, I really was trying to "keep a conversation for the duration of the podcast".
That was the plan! pic.twitter.com/NhzLKFDFbTβ Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
I am so very glad this student chose the @acidtestmusic episode and not a certain other episode that shall remain nameless. pic.twitter.com/NkH42yLQofβ Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
I hope this review of the @leeharveyosmond episode got an A+ pic.twitter.com/9iU3V3yCR9β Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
This is accurate. pic.twitter.com/2N2dmvi4vmβ Toronto Mike (@torontomike) December 4, 2018
In a future entry, I'll share the three aspects of podcasting I struggle with most. Some of these conundrums were reiterated in these students' papers.
400+ episodes in, I still have much to learn.