13 episodes

Casting Call is like a Hollywood singing competition, but for people who are pros at audio interviews and non-fiction storytelling. On the show, an esteemed panel of judges will join host Jonathan Goldstein to vet submissions from aspiring podcast hosts across the country, and select three finalists to travel to Gimlet HQ to make a pilot of their show. One talented hopeful will have their pilot turned into a mini-series, produced by Gimlet, and maybe even get a Squarespace sponsorship of their own -- the pinnacle of podcast fame.

All of the glory and the drama of the competition will be documented for listeners to hear. Expect a behind-the-scenes look at the weird and wonderful world of podcasting. You’ll learn what makes a good host and how entertaining shows get made.

Casting Call Squarespace / Gimlet Creative

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

Casting Call is like a Hollywood singing competition, but for people who are pros at audio interviews and non-fiction storytelling. On the show, an esteemed panel of judges will join host Jonathan Goldstein to vet submissions from aspiring podcast hosts across the country, and select three finalists to travel to Gimlet HQ to make a pilot of their show. One talented hopeful will have their pilot turned into a mini-series, produced by Gimlet, and maybe even get a Squarespace sponsorship of their own -- the pinnacle of podcast fame.

All of the glory and the drama of the competition will be documented for listeners to hear. Expect a behind-the-scenes look at the weird and wonderful world of podcasting. You’ll learn what makes a good host and how entertaining shows get made.

    Episode 1: I Have This Idea For A Podcast...

    Episode 1: I Have This Idea For A Podcast...

    5,000+ aspiring podcast hosts pitched their ideas to the Casting Call competition. But only three can become finalists. Host Jonathan Goldstein documents the vetting process and seeks counsel from his friend and colleague, Gimlet CEO Alex Blumberg.
    Casting Call is a reality competition podcast brought to you by Squarespace and Gimlet Creative. We’re on a mission to find America’s next top podcaster, and we need your help. After listening to the series, vote on your favorite pilot at CastingCallShow.com. The winning host will get their very own Gimlet miniseries. The winner will be announced in Casting Call's final episode on October 3rd. 
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 13 min
    Episode 2: Bring In The Judges

    Episode 2: Bring In The Judges

    We narrowed down 5,000+ entries to six semi-finalists. Which three will become finalists? To decide their fates, host Jonathan Goldstein brings in an esteemed panel of judges: Aminatou Sow, Nazanin Rafsanjani, and Anthony Casalena. Hear their opinions and find out which contestants will make pilots of their shows.
    Casting Call is a reality competition podcast brought to you by Squarespace and Gimlet Creative. We’re on a mission to find America’s next top podcaster, and we need your help. After listening to the series, vote on your favorite pilot at CastingCallShow.com. The winning host will get their very own Gimlet miniseries. The winner will be announced in Casting Call's final episode on October 3rd.
    Checkout Aminatou Sow's podcast, Call Your Girlfriend.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 26 min
    Episode 3: You’re Coming To Brooklyn!

    Episode 3: You’re Coming To Brooklyn!

    Three hosts have made it to the final stage of our podcast competition. Now, each is teaming up with a Gimlet producer to make a pilot episode of their show.
    So, who are these people? Our Gimlet producers sit down with the hosts to discuss their inspiration for their shows, the road they took to get here, and more.
    Casting Call is a reality competition podcast brought to you by Squarespace and Gimlet Creative. We’re on a mission to find America’s next top podcaster, and we need your help. After listening to the series, vote on your favorite pilot at CastingCallShow.com. The winning host will get their very own Gimlet miniseries. 
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 19 min
    Episode 4: The First Pilot

    Episode 4: The First Pilot

    We’ve made it to the final stage of Casting Call. There are spoilers in this episode. There are even spoilers in this description. Begin at Episode 1.
    If you’re still reading, we trust you have listened to the first three episodes.
    This is “The Final Say,” a pilot made by finalist Debra Jarvis. It’s a show that features conversations with people facing death so that listeners can learn from them and understand how they can improve their lives. Find out what it’s like to produce a show about this sensitive subject, and listen to the result. You might want to grab some tissues.
    Casting Call is a reality competition podcast brought to you by Squarespace and Gimlet Creative. We’re on a mission to find America’s next top podcaster, and we need your help. After listening to the series, vote on your favorite pilot at CastingCallShow.com. The winning host will get their very own Gimlet miniseries. The winner will be announced in Casting Call's final episode on October 3rd. 
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 33 min
    Episode 5: The Second Pilot

    Episode 5: The Second Pilot

    We’ve made it to the final stage of Casting Call. There are spoilers in this episode. There are even spoilers in this description. Begin at Episode 1.
    If you’re still reading, we trust you have listened to the first four episodes.
    This is “Our Allowance,” the pilot from Natalie Peart. This show is a space for people of color to share how they’ve made money work for them, despite living with an economic system not built for their financial success. Hear what it took to develop this show, and listen to the episode this finalist made. It tracks a centuries-old financial tradition that’s transforming for the modern day.
    Casting Call is a reality competition podcast brought to you by Squarespace and Gimlet Creative. We’re on a mission to find America’s next top podcaster, and we need your help. After listening to the series, vote on your favorite pilot at CastingCallShow.com. The winning host will get their very own Gimlet miniseries. The winner will be announced in Casting Call's final episode on October 3rd. 
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 32 min
    Episode 6: The Third Pilot

    Episode 6: The Third Pilot

    We’ve made it to the final stage of Casting Call. There are spoilers in this episode. There are even spoilers in this description. Begin at Episode 1.
    If you’re still reading, we trust you have listened to the first five episodes.
    This is “An Exciting Business Opportunity,” the pilot from Anna Ladd. This podcast is all about multilevel marketing companies—or MLMs. MLMs are companies like Amway, LuLaRoe, and Mary Kay. In this pilot, you’ll learn about the dark underbelly of LuLaRoe, a leggings MLM. Plus, you’ll get to take a peek behind the curtain and learn what it’s like to report on one of these companies.
    Casting Call is a reality competition podcast brought to you by Squarespace and Gimlet Creative. We’re on a mission to find America’s next top podcaster, and we need your help. After listening to the series, vote on your favorite pilot at CastingCallShow.com. The winning host will get their very own Gimlet miniseries. The winner will be announced in Casting Call's final episode on October 3rd.
    Learn more about LuLaRoe by reading Claire Suddath’s incredible piece in Bloomberg Businessweek:
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 45 min

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