How Popular Are Podcasts for San Luis Obispo Students? Photo collage courtesy of freshman Megan Elzer.
While podcasts and audiobooks are not very prominent at San Luis Obispo High School, a decent number of students listen to them.
These include informational podcasts such as “Hello Hayes” and “Stuff You Should Know, ” as well as story-focused podcasts such as “Welcome to Night Vale” and “Modern Love”.
“Although I’m not an avid listener, I’ll listen to ‘Chuckle Sandwich’ if I have the chance,” said junior Mateus Iscold.
The amount of Americans 12 and older who listened to podcasts in 2014 went from 30 percent to 64 percent in 2024, doubling in ten years! This is a clear testament to how the share of Americans who listen to podcasts has increased in the last decade.
“I love listening to podcasts while I crochet or do chores though. My favorite one at the moment has to be ‘Hello Hayes,’” said freshman Hala Abo Ismail.
Podcasts are a great source of information from people with emotion and a drive, unlike audiobooks, infamous for being unable to follow along and having an almost artificial and emotionless tone.
“I don’t like audiobooks because I always get distracted or lose track of the words,” said Abo Ismail.
While podcasts are meant to be listened to because of a desire, audiobooks are usually seen as an alternative to real-life books simply because of a lack of time.
“I know several students that have their podcasts with several episodes. Audiobooks are a hit with many students–especially if the book is read by a professional reader,” said English teacher Lynnly Sainsbury.
Ninth grade English teacher Scott Nairne uses podcasts in his 9A sections. Students listen to a True Crime Podcast “Bully”, discuss it, and then create their own true crime podcasts about real teenage crimes.
“The outline of an informative essay and a podcast are very similar, so when given the option, students go for recording over writing. I enjoy listening to the podcasts and grading them as part of their final,” said Nairne.
Even if you don’t enjoy podcasts, you can always make your own. Thanks to supportive teachers, many other students in SLOHS have created podcasts of their own to talk about things that interest them, and so can you.
Source: pewresearch.org
