
Podcasts have grown in popularity and research suggests they can be effective in achieving higher-level learning outcomes. Specifically, in agricultural leadership, they can provide a “real-world application dimension” to leadership concepts and diverse perspectives beyond those of the instructor and class members. Leadership Development in Agriculture and Community Nonprofits is a graduate-level course at [University]. One section of the course is taught asynchronously online, exclusively for students in a degree program designed for working professionals. The course explores prominent leadership theories through readings, presentations, and various assignments. However, asynchronous delivery limits opportunities to engage guest speakers who provide a real-world application dimension; something these students have indicated a strong desire for. To bridge this gap, we recorded a podcast to integrate throughout the course. The hosts converses with guests from diverse backgrounds who are engaged in leadership in agriculture, natural sciences, and food systems. They represent a variety of industry, Extension, and community nonprofit organization contexts. The episodes are intended to supplement the required course content, providing authentic examples of leadership and experience-based advice. Preliminary feedback from learners is positive, indicating appreciation of the diverse perspectives, authenticity of the conversations, and the opportunity to connect guests’ experiences with the course concepts. Additionally, learners were able to glean advice to implement in their own leadership practice. Moreover, positive feedback from the student who assisted with podcast production prompted the design of an alternative assignment for the course in which learners can select and host a leader of their choosing to record an episode for the podcast. The podcast will be publicly available and free to use. Some resources are required to create your own podcast. We used existing departmental resources including recording and production technology and software. A departmental grant funded a small stipend for the student assistant.
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