CLASS - Thursday, July 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2025 5-7pm ET / 2pm - 4pm PT 

Closer Listening

Deep listening is a crucial tool in developing a critical ear and defining your own creative style. Join long-time audio champion Julie Shapiro for lively group listening sessions and in-depth discussions about carefully curated, widely sourced audio stories. You’ll come away a more discerning listener, newly inspired by audio’s potential, and more informed about your own work.
Only AIR members may purchase the class at this time. AIR Members must log in to access the enrollment button. Not a member? Join now. 
Write your awesome label here.

Key Takeaways

  • You'll be inspired by a range of audio stories from around the world, and familiarity with audio culture beyond American podcasting.
  • You'll come away better equipped to articulate your opinions and express feedback about audio stories of all styles.
  • You'll collect new ideas for experimenting with your own production practice.
  • You'll leave feeling part of a new cohort of like-minded audio fans and makers.
  • You'll listen differently! To everything.

About this class

  • Thursday, July 10, 17, 24, 31
  • 2 -4pm PT / 5-7pm ET
  • Virtual
  • 4 x 2 hour classes
  • $370 AIR members 
    $425 non-members
  • Payment plans available at checkout. 
Deep listening is a crucial tool in honing production skills and developing your own style. Plus, it’s illuminating, informative, and FUN. Join career listener Julie Shapiro for lively group listening sessions and in-depth discussions about carefully curated, widely sourced audio stories. In each class we’ll listen to a range of audio and together discuss everything from story choice to structure, character development to technical quality, writing and narration to sound design. We’ll go far beyond the binary of liking/not liking, or the “what” and “how” of stories, and dig into the “why” and “to what end” of each selection.
Besides spending intimate listening time with fellow audiophiles, you’ll come away a more discerning listener, newly inspired by audio’s potential, and more informed about your own practice.

Note: This course is based on active participation! Students will be expected to share opinions, engage with each other throughout, and bring suggestions from their own listening diets.

Who is this class for? 

This class is for everyone! From dedicated listeners to new producers to seasoned veterans to audio-curious media professionals looking to ease into podcasting. It’s for anyone looking to be reminded about audio’s potential as both a conveyor of information and an art form. It’s for those seeking community amongst fellow audiophiles. The more diverse perspectives and experience levels feeding into the discussions, the better!

Familiarity with podcast production is helpful, but not required.
Meet the instructor

Julie Shapiro

Julie Shapiro is a career listener, audio executive, and creative consultant. She is co-founder of Audio Flux, a home for innovative, short-form audio. She has developed and produced podcasts with Canadaland, including A Field Guide to Gay Animals and The Copernic Affair. She was Vice President of Editorial, PRX, and Executive Producer of PRX's Radiotopia, where she co-founded and executive produced Ear Hustle and Radiotopia Presents, among other podcasts. From 2014–2015, Julie helped found and manage the ABC’s Creative Audio Unit. In 2000, she co-founded the Third Coast International Audio Festival, where as Artistic Director she shaped the Festival's creative trajectory and nurtured a robust international listening culture. Shapiro has taught radio to university students, presented at conferences and festivals the world over, and produced stories for the airwaves and podcasts in the US and beyond.
Write your awesome label here.