PBSC launched a new legal education podcast
July 20, 2018
Learn the law from your pocket
New podcast creates better understanding of legal issues
The Law Dictionary defines hearsay as “evidence that a witness offers the court despite not having first-hand knowledge of that evidence.” But students in the Faculty of Law define it as a fun way to educate listeners about the law.
Launched in January by students in Pro Bono Students Canada – Calgary (PBSC), the Hearsay Podcast bridges what students learn in the classroom to real-world situations that the general public can relate to. The first season of the podcast is hosted by third-year student Kaye Booth and second-year student Marcus Threndyle, and is produced by third-year student Lyndon Radchenka.
The idea to create a podcast was sparked by the podcast done by the PBSC chapter at the University of British Columbia. The team relies on a partnership with CJSW, who allow the group recording time and space (as well as air time), and receives faculty oversight from law professor Lisa Silver.
“The Hearsay podcasts provide a unique and accessible electronic platform for the better understanding of legal issues. In these interviews, the listener hears a variety of legal experts explain and reflect on a variety of issues that impact people every day such as immigration, legalization of marijuana, and Internet crimes,” says Silver. “These are lawyers giving usable and meaningful information to help people reflect on and understand the pressing social issues facing society today. This is Access to Justice at its best.”
Third-year law student Lyndon Radchenka produces the Hearsay podcast for Pro Bono Students Canada.
Lyndon Radchenka
Creation of an episode straightforward
At the beginning of the semester, the team meets to discuss current issues and possible episodes, followed by potential guests who could be interviewed for those topics. The group starts researching the legal topic and co-ordinating with the guests to arrange a time for an interview. Booth and Threndyle compile their research and perform the interview, which is then handed off to Radchenka.
“I go into the studio to boil down the interviews to make them accessible to the public, and shorten them to fit in our time slot,” says Radchenka. “Once I’ve done a first pass, they are reviewed by Professor Silver and CJSW for any final edits, and once those are done, the episode is ready to hit the airwaves.”
Going forward, the team’s focus will continue to be education for an audience that doesn’t have formal legal training, with a move toward telling stories as opposed to just offering interviews.
“Specific topics haven’t been decided yet,” says Threndyle. “But look forward to a three-part series on the differences between Canada and America through comparisons of similar Supreme Court decisions in each country. Many Canadians’ understanding of the law is largely absorbed through American pop culture, so we’d like to set the record straight!”
Hearsay is available on Apple Podcasts and other podcast apps.
Listen to past episodes of Hearsay