Jan. 26 to March. 9, 2023
Thursdays, 7–8:30pm EST (4–6:30pm Pacific)
Registration for this class is full.
Email us at info@pandemicuniversity.com to join the waiting list for the next offering and get first dibs when it’s announced.
Department
Broadcasting
Instructor
Courtney Kocak
Capacity
16 spots (0 remaining)
Podcasting isn’t just a hobby—it’s a legitimate business! In this seven-week course with writer, podcaster, and comedian Courtney Kocak, you’ll learn how to reach audiences and advertisers with your podcast.
Courtney will start with the 411 about creating high-quality content before diving into the various stages of production. You’ll get hands-on practice in recording, post-production, publishing, and marketing. The final classes teach creative avenues for bringing in cash from your podcast through sponsorships and crowdfunding, before workshopping your final assignments together. You’ll leave this course with a trailer and marketing plan for your current or future podcast.
Payment plans can be arranged. Email to request.
Prerequisite: All you need is a podcast idea. Experience with basic audio tools is encouraged but not essential. Beginners are welcome.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Thursdays, 7pm–8:30pm ET, Jan. 26 to March. 9, 2023
- Class 1 (Jan 26): Distilling the premise of your show and recording techniques
- Class 2 (Feb 2): Episode planning, booking guests and making a trailer
- Class 3 (Feb 9): Scripting, post-production and editing
- Class 4 (Feb 16): Publishing and trailer workshop
- Class 5 (Feb 23): Marketing and launch
- Class 6 (March 2): Generating income and freelance podcasting
- Class 7 (March 9): Workshopping final projects
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Courtney Kocak is a writer, podcaster, and comedian based in Los Angeles. She’s worked as an Executive Producer on several top podcasts, including The Bellas Podcast, which debuted at #1 on Apple Podcasts, and PayPal’s Never Stand Still, hosted by CEO Dan Schulman with guests including Matthew McConaughey, Mark Cuban, Maria Sharapova, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, and more. Courtney was also the Managing Producer for Girlboss Radio. Her KCRW radio story about Maebe A. Girl, the first drag queen elected to public office in the U.S., won an LA Press Club award for gender/LGBT reporting. She also produced audio as a companion to The New York Times Magazine’s 2020 photo series about food scarcity, “America at Hunger’s Edge.” Courtney currently hosts two podcasts: Private Parts Unknown, about love and sexuality around the world, which has over 1.5 million downloads to date, and The Bleeders, about book writing and publishing. She’s the creator and curator of the popular Podcast Bestie newsletter on Substack. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
REGISTRATION
After checkout, you’ll receive a receipt with a link to download your syllabus, which will include Zoom passcodes, pre-class homework, and additional course information. You will also receive an emailed reminder a few days before your first class.
I definitely recommend Courtney’s class for anyone wondering how to start podcasting.
Student
ELIGIBILITY AND PREREQUISITE
This course is intended for committed students. Have a podcast or podcast concept ready for your day of class. Experience with basic audio tools is encouraged but not essential. Beginners are welcome.
Please be on time. If you’re going to be late, email your instructor and T.A. as soon as possible. The course is intended for live participation, however, if you can’t be present for a class, or must leave early, a recording will be provided in the student folder the morning after.
You’re expected to be present and intellectually curious during class time. In addition to attending each class, you are expected to be available across all dates to complete your writing assignments. If your work is more than 48 hours late, however, you may or may not get feedback. If you’re going to blow a deadline, simply tell us and group mates.
ACCESSIBILITY
Pandemic University is committed to offering a fulfilling and inclusive education. Classes are held via Zoom with Closed Captioning features enabled through auto-transcription technology. A teaching assistant will be present to correct transcription mistakes and assist in other ways. The course includes workshops and class discussions, thus students are required to participate through audio; accommodations can be made for people with speaking or other disabilities if they inform us ahead of schedule. Video is encouraged of all students in order to optimize everyone’s virtual classroom experience.
REFUNDS
Space is limited to 16 students. Anyone wishing to cancel their registration have until Jan. 19, 2023 to receive a guaranteed refund (minus 2.9% e-commerce service fee). If you cancel between Jan. 20 and Jan. 25, 2023 we will only offer a refund if and after the vacated spot is filled. No refunds whatsoever will be offered after the course begins on Jan. 26, 2023. Violations of the Code of Conduct may also result in your removal from the course without compensation.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Although PanU is technically a fake university, we’re committed to high standards of artistic integrity, quality education, and maintaining a safe virtual environment for students. Abusive behaviour toward classmates or instructors will not be tolerated at any point during the course, including in private messages, and will result in expulsion without refund.
Other violations that could have you expelled from this course include: refusing to participate in group workshops; plagiarism and misrepresentation of others’ ideas as your own; racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia either in your notes (written or spoken) or in your work; sharing recordings of classes; sharing classmates’ work without their consent.
The final say on whether or not you continue in class belongs to the instructor alone. If you have any questions, email info@pandemicuniversity.com.