Brandon Carter | Portfolio of Work

Human Centered Communication and Design

Podcast Production

From Campfire to Podcast Feed: My Experience in OSU’s Podcast Production Course

Before there were books, screens, or streams—there was the voice. Human beings have passed down stories for generations by speaking them aloud, face to face, often gathered around a fire. It’s one of the oldest traditions we have. That’s part of why podcasting feels so natural to me. Despite being a relatively new medium, podcasting taps into something ancient. It’s personal, immersive, and deeply connected—whether you’re telling stories, sharing ideas, or simply listening in.

That sense of connection is what drew me to podcasting. And it’s exactly what made Podcast Production one of my favorite courses at Oregon State University.

Telling Stories Through Sound

This was an intermediate-level production course, focused not just on making a podcast—but understanding every layer of what goes into a professional, distributed show. Over the course of ten weeks, we developed, launched, and distributed our own original podcast seasons using industry-standard tools and practices.

From the start, the course was built around doing. Each week brought a new creative and technical challenge. We created episodes across a range of genres—including interview formats, narrative stories, journalism-style pieces, and even audio drama. The repetition helped build fluency with the medium, while also giving me room to find my voice and style as a host and producer.

We worked with Adobe Audition, practiced vocal performance techniques, refined our editing process, and even hand-coded XML RSS feeds to publish our shows to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Each student finished the term with at least five fully produced episodes and over 90 minutes of original audio content.

My Final Project: 

Stumptown Sound Stories

For my final project, I created a show called Stumptown Sound Stories. My original vision was to interview Portland-based musicians about their musical journeys—how they got started, what inspires them, and how they navigate today’s music landscape.

With the tight timeline of the course and scheduling challenges, many of the artists I hoped to feature weren’t available for interviews. So I pivoted. Instead of live interviews, I leaned into storytelling—researching Portland’s musical history and highlighting influential artists and scenes from our city.

Episodes explore everything from the jazz roots of North Portland to the rise of indie icons like Elliott Smith and Esperanza Spalding. That pivot pushed me to strengthen my scripting, solo hosting, and sound design—skills I know will be valuable in any content or media production role.

Real-World Skills That Translate Beyond the Classroom

Podcasting is a multidisciplinary craft. In this course, I gained hands-on experience in:

  • Audio recording & editing – using Adobe Audition and pro-level gear
  • Scriptwriting & voice performance – writing for the ear, and delivering with clarity and tone
  • Creative direction – planning a full season, developing a format, and adapting when plans shift
  • Branding & design – creating cover art, titles, and descriptions for a target audience
  • Digital publishing – including creating and troubleshooting RSS feeds for distribution
  • Constructive critique – giving and receiving feedback to improve content collaboratively

Most importantly, I learned how to take a concept from idea to execution, under real-world constraints and deadlines—something every content creator, producer, or marketer has to do.

Podcasting may start with a voice, but it ends with strategy, systems, and storytelling that resonate. I’m proud of what I created in this course, and excited to share it with you.

Episodes of Stumptown Sound Stories are embedded below.

Stumptown Sound Stories

Season 1, Episode 03

Johnny Jewel

The Enigmatic Maestro of Synth-Pop and Cinematic Soundscapes

In this episode, we step into the cinematic world of Johnny Jewel, the elusive Portland-based producer behind Chromatics, Glass Candy, and Desire. Known for his brooding synth-pop sound and visual storytelling, Jewel has helped define a generation of music that feels both nostalgic and futuristic. We trace his journey from a turbulent youth to Portland’s underground scene, where he co-founded Italians Do It Better and crafted the influential sounds of Night Drive and Kill for Love.

From the haunting dreamscapes of Chromatics and the glossy textures of Desire, to his atmospheric solo work like Windswept, Jewel’s music has become a staple of both indie film and TV. We also explore the mystery of Dear Tommy, the infamous lost album he reportedly destroyed after a near-death experience. With stories of late-night synth sessions, high fashion collaborations, and even a teenage kidnapping, Jewel’s career is as surreal as his sound.

Join us as we explore the legacy of an artist who blurs the lines between music, memory, and myth—inviting listeners into a world of shadows, shimmer, and synths.

Featured Topics

  • The origins of Johnny Jewel and his early life
  • Portland’s influence on his creative direction
  • Formation and evolution of Glass Candy
  • Birth of the Italians Do It Better record label
  • Critical acclaim of Chromatics albums Night Drive and Kill for Love
  • The enduring mystery of the unreleased Dear Tommy
  • Desire’s lush synth-pop aesthetic and cinematic appeal
  • Jewel’s solo projects and soundtrack contributions
  • Collaborations with David Lynch, Chanel, and feature films
  • The myths, aesthetics, and mysterious persona of Johnny Jewel

Music Featured in This Episode

  • Glass Candy – Digital Versicolor
  • Chromatics – Cherry
  • Chromatics – Tick of the Clock
  • Chromatics – Shadow (Live on Twin Peaks)
  • Desire – Under Your Spell
  • Johnny Jewel – Windswept

Support the Artists

Johnny Jewel’s influence reaches far beyond Portland, but like all local artists, his work thrives through community support. Here’s how you can help:

  • Stream their music on platforms like Bandcamp, Spotify, or Apple Music
  • Buy albums and merch directly from the artist or label
  • Attend live shows and support local venues that book these artists
  • Share their work with friends or on social media to help expand their audience

Supporting artists ensures Portland’s creative ecosystem remains vibrant and thriving.

Credits

Hosted, written, and produced by: Brandon Carter

Intro/Outro music by: Brandon Carter

All other music clips used with attribution to Johnny Jewel’s affiliated projects.

Stumptown Sound Stories

Season 1 , Episode 02

Papi Fimbres

In this episode, we follow the journey of beloved Portland percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Papi Fimbres, from his 2019 move to Leipzig, Germany, to his powerful return with a new sound. Before leaving, Papi organized a flurry of farewell performances — including the all-ages Homiefest — marking the end of an era for his many Portland bands. But the move wasn’t about leaving Portland behind; it was about artistic growth. In Leipzig, he and his wife Shana Lindbeck formed Dreckig, blending cumbia rhythms with German electronic influences to create something fresh and bold.

When they returned to Portland, they brought back a more mature sound, showcased in Dreckig’s third album, Digital Exposure. The response was overwhelming — from the stage at Pickathon to venues across the city, their performances were met with love and deep resonance. But this is just one part of Papi’s story. He’s been a driving force behind countless bands, a boundary-pushing DJ, and a key connector in Portland’s evolving music scene.

Papi’s influence reaches far beyond percussion — he’s helped shape a more inclusive, diverse, and community-centered music culture in Portland. From folk-dominated stages in the ’90s to today’s multicultural and collaborative spirit, his impact is both rhythmic and cultural. Tune in to hear how his journey continues to move both hearts and feet.

Featured music clips (in order of appearance):

• A live performance from A Beat Happening

• “Regresso” – Orquestra Pacifico Tropical

• “Kiksadi” – Máscaras

• “Drink the Moon” – Sun Angle

• “Échale” – Sávila

• “Glacial Palms” – Paper/Upper/Cuts

• “Non Zero Sum” – Dreckig

Episode Credits:

Hosted, written, and produced by Brandon Carter

Intro and outro music by Brandon Carter

All other music featured in this episode is by bands involving Papi Fimbres, either as a member or contributor.

Special thanks to the Portland music community for their continued creativity and inspiration.

Stumptown Sound Stories

Season 1, Episode 01

“The Birth of Portland’s Alternative Scene”

In this debut episode of Stumptown Sound Stories, host Brandon Carter traces the roots of Portland’s alternative music scene—from the raw edge of The Wipers and the communal ethos of Dead Moon, to the rise of Elliott Smith, Heatmiser, and the cultural landmark venue, Satyricon. We also explore the indie labels, zines, festivals, and community-driven spaces that helped shape Portland’s distinct sound and ethos.

You’ll hear music clips from the era’s most influential bands and learn how Portland’s unique cultural climate—gritty, inclusive, and independent—allowed artists to thrive without the pressure of mainstream success.

Whether you’re a longtime Portlander, a music history nerd, or just discovering the scene, this episode sets the stage for a season of deep dives into the people and places behind the city’s rich musical heritage.

Featured Artists and Clips

  • The Wipers – “Is This Real?”
  • Dead Moon – “Dead Moon Night”
  • Heatmiser – “Lowlife”
  • Elliott Smith – “Between the Bars”
  • Y La Bamba – “Collapse”
  • The Dandy Warhols – “Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth”
  • The Decemberists – “This Is Why We Fight”
  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra – “Multi-Love”
  • The Builders and the Butchers – “Bringin’ Home the Rain”
  • Caicedo – “Colombia”

Mentioned Venues, Labels, & Institutions

  • Satyricon (Portland’s CBGB)
  • Kill Rock Stars
  • Jackpot Records & Studio
  • Tender Loving Empire
  • KBOO Community Radio
  • Music Millennium, Everyday Music
  • Pickathon, PDX Pop Now!, Musicfest NW
  • Snipehunt Zine

Episode Credits:

Hosted, written, and produced by Brandon Carter

Intro and outro music by Brandon Carter

All other music featured in this episode is by bands listed above

Special thanks to the Portland music community for their continued creativity and inspiration.

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