Sarah Koenig and Julie Snyder, co-creators of the hit podcast Serial, take to the stage of the historic Balboa Theatre, presenting their talk Binge-Worthy Journalism.

After it launched in the fall of 2014, Serial became the fastest podcast to reach 5 million downloads in iTunes history.  Co-created by veteran radio journalists and producers, Sarah Koenig & Julie Snyder, Serial quickly went on to become the most popular podcast in the world.  At a time when being first and being fast dominates the media, and quick sound bites are offered at every turn, Serial did exactly the opposite: in Season one, it presented a 12-part series centering about one legal case, taking its time and proving that slow-motion journalism could captivate and sustain its vast podcast listenership. 

In their live presentation, Sarah Koenig & Julie Snyder will take the audience backstage in the creation of this cultural phenomenon.  Using some of their favorite tape, they’ll tell personal behind-the-scenes stories, explain how they constructed certain episodes, and allow the audience to follow the ups and downs of creating a new form of modern journalism.

Sarah Koenig is the host and co-creator of Serial. After it launched in October 2014, Serial has been downloaded more than 60 million times, the most listened-to podcast in the history of the form.  At a time when being first and being fast dominates our media, Serial did the opposite, proving that slow-motion journalism could captivate listeners.

Julie Snyder has been the guiding force behind two of the most successful ventures in audio broadcasting. She is the co-creator of the podcast Serial, which debuted in October 2014 and has been downloaded more than 60 million times, the most listened-to podcast in the history of the form.  She is also the senior producer of the public radio show This American Life, heard by more than 4 million listeners a week.