Fiction Podcasting Course Expands Creative Opportunities

Fiction Podcasting Course Expands Creative Opportunities

February 17, 2026

With more than 4.5 million podcasts available worldwide and 158 million Americans tuning in each month, podcasting has become one of the fastest-growing media platforms. At Baruch College, students aren't just listening-they're creating.

Baruch's Weissman School of Arts and Sciences offers a Fiction Podcasting course, giving students hands-on experience in writing, producing, recording, editing, and performing original audio narratives. Created and taught by Associate Professor Giselle Regatão, a journalist with more than 25 years of experience and a seasoned podcast creator, this is believed to be one of the only college-level courses in the country dedicated to the intimate and immersive art of audio fiction.

"It's a unique platform for students to explore the intersection of creative writing and technology and discover the possibilities of audio storytelling," Regatão says. "Baruch is part of an exciting creative community in this field."

Creating More Career Opportunities

The class blends elements of creative writing, voice acting, and sound production, where students explore the growing narrative format which has gained popularity with mainstream television adaptations like Netflix's Archive 81. Prominent podcasters frequent the class, including Ignacio Lara Saldaña and Mara Vélez Meléndez, from the popular science fiction thriller Case 63 franchise, and Sharon Mashihi, creator of Appearances.

"What I loved about this class is the creative freedom," said Angela Perez ('27), a journalism major.

For Juan Paredes ('26), a journalism major with a minor in communications, the course helped him overcome adversity and defy multiple challenges.

"The class is something new for all students who take it," Paredes explained. "Everyone improves their creative, organization, writing, acting, and communication skills. It is amazing seeing how different each project ends up being."

Karizma Jerrigan ('27), a double major in English and journalism who is also the news editor for Baruch's student newspaper The Ticker, believes she now has more career opportunities.

"I never considered creating an audio portfolio until the conclusion of this class," Jerrigan stated. "Now I feel confident in my abilities to write scripts and work on audio editing, which showcases my diverse skillset and makes me stand out more to companies."

Last spring, NOMAD Magazine wrote about attending a Fiction Podcasting class. Read the article "Tales From the Classroom."

# # #