Explain Why Your University Matters feat. Notre Dame Stories

With an early career in TV news & congressional PR, Andy Fuller had always been video first. But its when he was mowing his lawn one afternoon listening to a podcast, that he realized how captivating the work of audio-only storytellings could really be. 

Andy Fuller is the Executive Director of Brand Content at Notre Dame, and the host of the University’s podcast Notre Dame Stories. Highlighting the work and knowledge of the University's faculty and students, Notre Dame Stories features interviews with Notre Dame faculty members who can lend insight into some of the major national and international stories of the day, as well as pieces that show the breadth of the life and research at the University.

Andy joins The Word on Campus host and university.fm owner Robert Li to dive into one of his favorite episodes, catching up with Notre Dame alums all over London. 

Listen as they chat about Andy’s 10+ years with the University, capturing sound all over London, Andy’s favorite editing platforms and audio gear, and leaning into narrative storytelling.

The Word on Campus is produced by University FM.

Episode Quotes:

Writing for the ear: A skill for all media

23:07 - The soundbites you need for video are very similar to the soundbites you need for audio. And even when you're writing too, you have to write for the ear. In other words, you have to make people understand something the first time they hear it—because they can't read and go back, right? If they didn't catch something, they can't go back two lines and say, "Wait, I didn't quite get that." You kind of have to be clear right from the bat. And shooting for video and interviewing that way is a good practice for your audio output as well—because you've got to be clear first and immediately.

How podcasting's accessibility is fueling its growth

21:12 - That's why I think podcasting has taken off the way it has because the barrier to entry is quite a bit lower than it ever used to be. You sometimes have the tools in your literal back pocket to make what can be really good parts of an episode.

The impact of the podcast in Notre Dame community

28:46 - This idea of understanding an issue at depth and how the university is addressing it, providing timely information, then also brand affinity, where we're really seeing impact on that—the only thing I'll mention there is it also is a great way to repurpose content sometimes. If we have some video interviews and we cut that package, okay, cool. Can we also go to our podcast channel as well? Because communications 101 is kind of go where the audience is, you need to be where they are. And a lot of people are in their cars, driving to work. And we wanted to have a presence or an option for them to get some Notre Dame content information, that platform in that way at that time as well. So repurposing has been a nice, value-add to the podcast as well.

Show Links:

• Countless Journeys: Notre Dame in London | Podcasts | Stories
• Notre Dame Stories | Podcast on Spotify

Guest Profile:

• Andy Fuller Twitter
• ND Storytelling Twitter
• Andy Fuller LinkedIn
• Fuller House: Brothers Tony and Andy Fuller bring Notre Dame stories to life | Latest | NDWorks