Growing Educational Podcast Listeners and Content

Our goal for this Taproot project is to increase the audience for The Fairhaven Stream, our monthly podcast featuring mostly alumni interviews about our very nontraditional school. We are now in the fourth season of the podcast, and we would like to expand the content to enter the larger conversation about the future of education. This project would involve sampling the content; suggesting better ways to create the episodes; making technical suggestions; advising how to increase our listeners.

Would you like to support a podcast that investigates a radical rethinking of education? The Fairhaven Stream exists to promote, explore and explain Fairhaven School and education generally. Beginning our twenty-eighth year, we are Maryland’s first Sudbury school, a K-12 place many alumni and alumni parents refer to as “magical.” Situated on twelve acres with a forest, a stream, an original building we built ourselves in 1998, and a second building with a music studio and a theater space, we have established a unique place where freedom and responsibility coexist for our remarkable students. We are also a true democracy where students of all ages run the school in partnership with the staff. One person, one vote. Despite our lengthy track record and compelling story, we regularly hear from new families versions of the following statements: “We had no idea you were here” and “I wish we had known about this school years ago.” Typically, between a third and half of our students qualify for reduced tuition, so we are in no way an elite institution. We are looking for skilled volunteers to collaborate on improving and promoting our podcast in order to attract more listeners and families looking for transformative education.

Entering our twenty-eighth year, each member of our small team believes very much in the school’s mission, and we have a long track record of success. Our Public Relations Committee has approved this pitch. We have always been a DIY organization, so we’re used to hard work! Our podcast team is two people and open to suggestions. As a self-directed school, each new student enriches the school dynamic, so we are very motivated to spread the word about Fairhaven School. After almost thirty years of doing our best to explain and promote the school, and three years of creating and publishing our podcast, we are excited to work with professionals to increase our listener base and our content. If we find the right partner, we would be an open book, happy to share not only our podcast, but also our other current promotional materials, our social media presence, and whatever it takes to increase the podcast’s following. Since we are launching a new website this fall, the timing is perfect for a fresh approach to the Fairhaven Stream. Your work and expertise would make a huge difference.