New podcast explores how technology has dramatically changed storytelling

From news to fiction to film to photography to podcasts to social media and even the human voice, technological innovation has inspired and enabled new paradigms in storytelling.

This month, in partnership with Antica Productions and Trint and in association with WAER, the Newhouse School will launch “StoryTech with Jeff Kofman,” a podcast that explores this new era of storytelling. Upcoming guests include Ted Koppel ’60, H’82, acclaimed journalist and former longtime anchor of “Nightline” on ABC, and Stacey Mindich ’86, a Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning theatrical producer. 

“This collaboration is an example of what’s best about the Newhouse School: The ability to bring professionals together with students to produce strong content destined for a wider audience,” says Newhouse dean Mark J. Lodato. “We all know podcasting is growing fast and it is a space where the Newhouse School intends to lead.”

During host Jeff Kofman’s 33-year career as an Emmy Award-winning international journalist, he reported from more than 40 countries for ABC, CBS and CBC News. He left news media to found Trint, a London-based tech startup that leverages the power of AI to turn audio and video into powerful content for reporters and producers.

“For a long time, I’ve been fascinated with how technology and innovation shape what we read, hear and watch,” Kofman says. 

In each episode of StoryTech, Kofman weaves in his experience as a journalist, war correspondent and tech inventor to explore how storytelling has been shaped by innovation. WAER general manager Chris Bolt ’89, G95 says, “The episodes provide a kind of media literacy that helps people understand what they’re hearing, watching and reading.”

The first two episodes of “StoryTech” will air Jan. 31. Listen at www.waer.org/podcast/storytech or wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, contact WAER general manager Chris Bolt at 315.443.5242 or cabolt@syr.edu.