
Louisiana Tech (Pt 1): Purpose-Driven Podcasting
09/04/23 • 32 min
1 Listener
Learn about a podcast that’s unlocking the untapped potential of academic studies, distilling complex research into digestible, practical advice for industry experts.
Dr. Craig Van Slyke, a passionate higher education podcaster and professor, shares his podcasting journey as the creator and host of three podcasts, emphasizing the vital importance of having a clear purpose to create & sustain meaningful content.
Join hosts Jennifer-Lee Gunson & Neil McPhedran as they discuss The Cyber Ways Podcast with Craig, which explores the ever-evolving realm of cybersecurity; decoding complex academic research for real-world application, for cyber security professionals in the field. Learn how Craig successfully navigates the balance between academic rigor and audience engagement, and why quality content and a passionate, niche audience matter more to him than chasing numbers. Craig shares his experiences, challenges, and the rewards of podcasting in higher education. Whether you're an academic looking to amplify research or a podcast enthusiast, this episode offers practical tips and a fresh perspective on the art of podcasting.
Chapter Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Jenn & Neil introduce today’s guest, Dr. Craig Van Slyke, and introduce his podcast Cyber Ways that is the focus of part one of a two part series with Craig
(00:04:38) Overview of the Podcasting Journey
Craig, a seasoned podcaster and professor, walks us through his podcasting journey and the story behind each of his three podcasts.
(00:06:59) Defining Your Podcast's Purpose
The importance of clearly defining your podcast's purpose and understanding your target audience to create engaging and purpose-driven content. We dig into the specific purpose of the Cyber Ways, bridging the gap between academia and the professional cybersecurity community
(00:10:30) Appreciating & Knowing Your Audience
Jen & Craig discuss the idea that impact cannot always be measured by number of downloads, but rather the significance of getting this academic research into the hands of the people who can implement it, the professional cyber security community.
(00:14:10) Privacy & the Digital Footprint
The unique challenges posed by cybersecurity and privacy with an online presence & data collection, and Craig reminds the audience that although this information is out there, we should still be taking the necessary security precautions.
(00:20:59) Preparing for an Interview
Craig walks us through his preparation process with a run of show document to help keep everyone in the right balance between in-depth content and audience accessibility.
(00:23:06) Quality Over Quantity in Podcasting
The importance of prioritizing quality over quantity when producing podcast episodes and the potential drawbacks of excessive length.
(00:24:56) The Unique Value of Podcasting
Craig talk about faculty support and highlights his motivation to deeply engage with a dedicated audience and deliver purpose-driven content
(00:27:27) Closing
Neil & Jen share their takeaways and wrap it up.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (05:35) - Overview of the Podcasting Journey
- (07:56) - Defining Your Podcast's Purpose
- (11:27) - Appreciating & Knowing Your Audience
- (15:07) - Privacy & the Digital Footprint
- (21:56) - Preparing for an Interview
- (24:03) - Quality Over Quantity in Podcasting
- (25:53) - The Unique Value of Podcasting
- (28:24) - Closing
Learn about a podcast that’s unlocking the untapped potential of academic studies, distilling complex research into digestible, practical advice for industry experts.
Dr. Craig Van Slyke, a passionate higher education podcaster and professor, shares his podcasting journey as the creator and host of three podcasts, emphasizing the vital importance of having a clear purpose to create & sustain meaningful content.
Join hosts Jennifer-Lee Gunson & Neil McPhedran as they discuss The Cyber Ways Podcast with Craig, which explores the ever-evolving realm of cybersecurity; decoding complex academic research for real-world application, for cyber security professionals in the field. Learn how Craig successfully navigates the balance between academic rigor and audience engagement, and why quality content and a passionate, niche audience matter more to him than chasing numbers. Craig shares his experiences, challenges, and the rewards of podcasting in higher education. Whether you're an academic looking to amplify research or a podcast enthusiast, this episode offers practical tips and a fresh perspective on the art of podcasting.
Chapter Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Jenn & Neil introduce today’s guest, Dr. Craig Van Slyke, and introduce his podcast Cyber Ways that is the focus of part one of a two part series with Craig
(00:04:38) Overview of the Podcasting Journey
Craig, a seasoned podcaster and professor, walks us through his podcasting journey and the story behind each of his three podcasts.
(00:06:59) Defining Your Podcast's Purpose
The importance of clearly defining your podcast's purpose and understanding your target audience to create engaging and purpose-driven content. We dig into the specific purpose of the Cyber Ways, bridging the gap between academia and the professional cybersecurity community
(00:10:30) Appreciating & Knowing Your Audience
Jen & Craig discuss the idea that impact cannot always be measured by number of downloads, but rather the significance of getting this academic research into the hands of the people who can implement it, the professional cyber security community.
(00:14:10) Privacy & the Digital Footprint
The unique challenges posed by cybersecurity and privacy with an online presence & data collection, and Craig reminds the audience that although this information is out there, we should still be taking the necessary security precautions.
(00:20:59) Preparing for an Interview
Craig walks us through his preparation process with a run of show document to help keep everyone in the right balance between in-depth content and audience accessibility.
(00:23:06) Quality Over Quantity in Podcasting
The importance of prioritizing quality over quantity when producing podcast episodes and the potential drawbacks of excessive length.
(00:24:56) The Unique Value of Podcasting
Craig talk about faculty support and highlights his motivation to deeply engage with a dedicated audience and deliver purpose-driven content
(00:27:27) Closing
Neil & Jen share their takeaways and wrap it up.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (05:35) - Overview of the Podcasting Journey
- (07:56) - Defining Your Podcast's Purpose
- (11:27) - Appreciating & Knowing Your Audience
- (15:07) - Privacy & the Digital Footprint
- (21:56) - Preparing for an Interview
- (24:03) - Quality Over Quantity in Podcasting
- (25:53) - The Unique Value of Podcasting
- (28:24) - Closing
Previous Episode

UCW: Podcasting as Curriculum
Unravel the dynamic relationship between podcast & curriculum, both as a part of it, and a driving force behind it, with Dr. Gelareh Farhadian and Dave Keighron from the University Canada West. Through insightful anecdotes, learn how the "Innovation Fuel" podcast emerged as a powerful educational tool, teaching critical thinking and practical skills through real world case studies and cultivating invaluable networking opportunities for students. The unique role their producer plays in curating meaningful content and driving collaboration is also visited. Explore the symbiotic relationship between podcast and classroom, and unearth the unexpected outcomes and career-readiness benefits it offers to both students and educators.
(00:00:00) Introduction
Jen and Neil provide some background on UCW, and introduce Dr. Gelareh Farhadian and Dave Keighron of the "Innovation Fuel" podcast from the University of Canada West.
(00:03:05) The origins of Innovation Fuel
Learn what began "Innovation Fuel" and the unexpected learner benefits that have grown out of it
(00:06:42) The Prototyping Process
Dave & Gelareh discuss how the podcast has evolved from a conceptual idea, and what they have learned and changed along the way
(00:12:12) Podcast as Curriculum
Unravel the different ways of integrating the podcasting into the curriculum, and how the podcast has shaped the curriculum.
(00:16:34) The Vital Role of the Producer
Dave & Gelareh expand on how working with Tomas, their producer, has positively evolved their podcast through his connections and relationships with students, faculty, & the business community.
(00:18:32) The Feedback Loop
Discover the multitude of channels that Dave & Gelareh are receiving feedback and applying it to the podcast
(00:20:45) True Evergreen Content
Not only do past episodes continue to be available and serve as learning tools for students, Dave & Gelareh explain how they are building these up with followup and expanding their storytelling for learning and continuing to explore new solutions.
(00:22:09) Parting Wisdom: Podcasting Takeaways
Dave shares his advice to start doing, and Reid Hoffman’s “ Build your airplane as you’re falling off the cliff.”
(00:27:46) Conclusion & closing.
Neil & Jenn share their key takeaways from the episode.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (04:02) - The origins of Innovation Fuel
- (07:39) - The Prototyping Process
- (13:09) - Podcast as Curriculum
- (17:31) - The Vital Role of the Producer
- (19:29) - The Feedback Loop
- (21:42) - True Evergreen Content
- (23:06) - Parting Wisdom: Podcasting Takeaways
- (28:43) - Conclusion
Next Episode

Louisiana Tech (Pt 2): Podcasting Your Textbook
A new way for students to connect with and absorb a textbook in bite-sized episodes. Join hosts Neil McPhedran & Jennifer - Lee Gunson as they continue an insightful conversation with Dr. Craig Van Slyke, an academic trailblazer who's innovating in higher education through his use of podcasting. In this episode, zoom in on Craig's companion podcast, "Information Systems for Business," shedding light on its unique role teaching his cyber-security textbook. Craig shares anecdotes of students benefiting from this innovative approach, emphasizing the value of supplementary learning materials like his podcast. They also delve into the challenges of feedback and engagement in the podcasting world. Tune in for an enriching conversation that underscores the potential of podcasting as an accessible and impactful educational tool.
Chapter Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Hosts Jennifer-Lee Gunson & Neil McPhedran introduce the podcast, themselves, and Craig Van Slyke
(00:01:55) Information Systems for Business Podcast
Explanation of Craig's podcast and its role as a companion to his textbook. The purpose of the podcast is to make complex content more accessible.
(00:03:16) The Purpose of Behind the Podcast
Craig goes through his purpose behind the podcast as a learning tool, and additional touch point in an environment of different student needs
(00:04:55) Podcast Creation
Insights into creating multiple podcasts and leveraging podcasting experience.
(00:06:00) Modern Learning Styles
Discussion on how modern students prefer on-demand, bite-sized learning and the importance of adapting learning to this this changing world
(00:07:23) Making Content Accessible
The decision to make the podcast available to the public. Belief in the accessibility of educational content, and adapting to student’s needs.
(00:09:37) Impact of the Podcast on Student Learning
Craig talks about a study assessing the podcast's impact on student learning. Exploring student feedback on the podcast's usefulness.The challenge of not requiring students to listen.
(00:10:41) Podcast Support
Jen & Neil ask about adoption of this kind of learning from other faculty as well as other professors who are using the text. Craig clarifies that "Information Systems for Business" is entirely his initiative.
(00:11:59) One-Star Reviews and Feedback
Craig discusses the challenge of getting feedback and engagement from podcast listeners. Jen echoes this experience and the value of one-star reviews and passionate engagement.
(00:13:45) Exam-Related Spikes in Downloads
Neil and Craig talk about spikes in downloads around exam periods and the benefits of students revisiting content before exams.
(00:14:51) Podcast Disclaimer
Craig walks us through the disclaimer he gives off the top of each episode and the reasoning behind it.
(00:16:36) Episode Conclusion
Neil and Jen wrap up the interview with Craig, highlighting his passion for education and podcasting and each of their takeaways from the interview.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (02:52) - Information Systems for Business Podcast
- (04:13) - The Purpose of Behind the Podcast
- (05:52) - Podcast Creation
- (06:57) - Modern Learning Styles
- (08:20) - Making Content Accessible.
- (10:34) - Impact of the Podcast on Student Learning
- (11:38) - Podcast Support
- (12:56) - One-Star Reviews and Feedback
- (14:42) - Exam-Related Spikes in Downloads
- (15:48) - Podcast Disclaimer
- (17:33) - Episode Conclusion
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