Alexis Anthony

llusions of Closeness: Negotiating (and Re-Defining) Intimacy, Authenticity & Trust through Podcast Talk

Studies in podcasting have found that both podcast producers and consumers regard the industry a haven for intimacy, vulnerability, authenticity, and parasocial relationships. Yet little has been investigated about the exact nature of the relationship between host and listener and the potential distrust caused by synthetic and performative closeness. This paper and presentation are divided into two parts. The first evaluates the results of an existing study in podcasting and authenticity. The second challenges the results of the first with new information and research questions. 

Part 1: The existing study attempts to quantify authenticity as a function of three authenticity dimensions in podcast talk (speech, personal and interactive) and 17 discrete authenticity factors to measure varying levels of authenticity in 41 podcast transcripts and recordings. The composite frequency of these measures in the transcript samples constitutes an “authenticity score” for each podcast. The results reveal statistically significant positive relationships between the podcasts’ perceived authenticity and both SNS engagement rates and iTunes ratings. For podcasts with high authenticity score, followers of the podcasts’ SNS profiles were more likely to like, comment on, share or retweet social posts of podcasts and hosts. 

Part 2: New research and literature serve to challenge the notions of  intimacy, vulnerability, authenticity, and parasocial relationships in podcasts. Using Euritt’s work on podcasting and intimacy, Fairclough’s concept of synthetic personalization, and Habermas’ writings on illusions of privacy, the nature of the authentic parasocial relationship between host and listener is challenged, and the trustworthiness of podcast hosts is considered. 

BIO:  

Alexis Anthony 

Alexis Anthony holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication/Public Relations from the University of Maryland, a Master’s in Media and Communication from the University of Strathclyde, and is pursuing her Ph.D. in Media Research at the University of Westminster. She has worked as a marketing communications professional for nearly a decade, and has spent the last 5 years working in the podcasting industry as a researcher, writer, and marketing strategist. Alexis currently serves as a part-time lecturer in Media at King’s College London and the University of Westminster.