Radio is NOT Dead: The Evolution of Audio Dramas and Journalism (ft. Jay Bradley, Noah Pantano, and Peter Champelli)

Welcome back to Let's Talk Media! In this episode of the media analysis podcast, host Vedant Akhauri explores why the radio industry is far from dying, it is simply evolving. Featuring two distinct conversations, this episode dives into the creative freedom of fictional radio dramas and the critical, artistic importance of audio journalism.In this episode, we discuss:The Boundless Nature of Audio Dramas: Ithaca College students Noah Pantano and Jay Bradley discuss founding TNT Radio Productions. TNT Radio Productions is an organization dedicated to creating new and original works for the radio/podcast format. They explain why audio storytelling is only limited by imagination, noting that you don't need a $3 million budget for massive set pieces when you can build entire worlds creatively through sound.Freedom from the Radio Waves: Noah and Jay explain how the podcast boom has revived the radio drama format. There's less monitoring, allowing creators to tell more diverse and experimental stories.Producing During a Pandemic: A look at how TNT Radio Productions adapted to the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown, using Discord, home recording equipment, and virtual collaboration to piece together their mystery adaptation, Clouds of Witness, and an original script, The Assist.March 2026 Update: The production discussed in my interview with Jay and Noah, Clouds of Witness, has finally been released on ⁠YouTube⁠ and your favorite podcast apps.Radio vs. TV Journalism: We are then joined by Peter Champelli, the Station Manager for WICB 91.7 FM. Peter breaks down why he views radio journalism as the most artistic form of reporting.Why Radio is Not Dead: Peter argues that radio is evolving, not dying, comparing its trajectory to the transition from print to online media. He emphasizes that local radio stations remain crucial pillars of the community, while successfully expanding their reach through original, on-demand podcasts.The Cultural Impact of Podcasts: Peter discusses the podcasts that shaped his love for audio, including how Serial pushed the medium into mainstream pop-culture conversations, and his deep appreciation for Radiolab's innovative, fast-paced audio production.If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating to be notified of future episodes. You can subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow the show on Instagram @letstalkmediavaRemastered: June 19, 2026. Because we're talking about radio, the original audio has an Old Radio filter. I don't have the original files anymore, so remnants of that filter remain in certain sections of the remastered audio. "The Voices" by Josh Woodward. Free download: https://www.joshwoodward.com/