First of all, we should point out that Tod Maffin is to blame for the existence of PAB. While he didn’t specifically pitch the idea for the event, he laid the tracks that set the train in motion. He created the need for destinations and helped encourage people create compelling content to fill the carrier signal (geeky radio history references). He’s also been amazingly supportive of the event and the people behind it. So, besides being a broadcaster and futurist, Tod’s a community builder and great friend.

Tod will be delivering the workshop What It Is: Awesomizing Your Podcast Using Secrets From Radio. The basics focus on what “it” is — you know, that little something, that thing on the end of your tongue, that makes you know if you like a radio piece or personality or if you don’t. We all know if a host has It, but I outline exactly what It is so one could duplicate it.

Don’t think of it as a session with applications in audio only. Tod’s session applies to all content creation, to all storytelling and all audience engagement (audio, video and text). It’s just that he is (like we are) partial to power of audio as the most visual medium.

We asked Tod to answer five very important questions.

What is your best memory of creating media for other people to enjoy?

I think my best memory of creating media was during the CBC lockout some years back. I ran one of the popular blogs covering events around the lockout, bringing people on the line together, and hopefully bridging the communications gap between management and labour.

Which media creator has been most inspiring to you and why?

Ira Glass has been my most inspirational model for storytelling. His show (This American Life) is one of the few shows I know of which both follows a formula AND makes each show sound new and unique.

What do you think is the most important consideration to media relevance?

[NOTE: There was some confusion over this question. We'll add the answer when we get it.]

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

If I could do it all over again? Hmmm… tough one. I’ve been pretty happy with the way things have gone. I probably wish I’d have kept doing my podcast (The How To Do Stuff Podcast), but I got quite ill so I wasn’t able to keep doing it. I keep meaning to get back to it, but just never have found the time or same level of inspiration.

[NOTE: We remain fans of the long absent How To Do Stuff Podcast and will be campaigning for its return.]

How do you hope your PAB2010 session will change the way people think and/or act?

I hope my PAB session will help people find and tell stories better, and use their storytelling to make change in their communities.