Hempen encourages Club's Independent Authors group to contribute to Update-1

Contributing to Update-1, the National Press Club’s podcast, is a terrific opportunity for members to tell their own stories and also to learn about a wide range of issues,  Mike Hempen, co-chair of the Club’s Broadcast/Podcast Team, told the Club’s Independent Authors group at an Aug. 8 meeting.

Hempen, a founder and producer of the podcast, said there have been more than 250 episodes in the series, many of which are archived on the Club website. The podcast debuted in 2013. Since then, the most popular segments have been about press freedom, followed by media literacy and those focusing on accomplishments of Club members, such book launches.

Hempen, who is chief audio supervisor at The Associated Press, said having a good topic is most important element of a successful podcast.

“It all starts with the subject matter,” he said.

Marketing through social media is important to boosting the profile of Update-1, he added.

For Club members who have never appeared on a podcast, Hempen provided some advice.

“Be yourself,” he said, and tell your story well.

The podcasts, which average two or three per month and are usually 15-20 minutes long, are available on the Club website as well as through Apple and Google podcasts and Spotify. They program has rotating hosts and is mostly taped in the Club’s Broadcast Operations Center on the fourth floor of the National Press Building. Some episodes are recorded by phone or Zoom.