By: ISABELLE ANNE
KUALA LUMPUR: Emily Kwong, the host of NPR’s Short Wave and LAist Studios’ Inheriting, delivered an insightful keynote on longform reporting, emphasising the significance of curiosity and the need for pilots in the creation of successful shows.
Despite her experience starting two successful shows, Kwong admitted she is “terrified of beginnings,” viewing each new project as a personal challenge.
Her keynote offered both seasoned advice and personal anecdotes to inspire her audience to embark on their dream projects.
Kwong began her presentation by engaging the audience, asking them to consider why they hadn’t started their own passion projects. She suggested that emotions like anxiety or anger might be barriers, but emphasised that curiosity should lead the way.
“Curiosity can be stronger than fear,” Kwong stated, advocating for emotional awareness without letting these emotions dictate one’s actions.
This philosophy guided her in developing Short Wave, a science show that simplifies complex topics and presents them in an accessible, engaging way.
Kwong discussed the vital importance of piloting, describing it as a way to test and improve ideas before making a full commitment. She referred to the pilot phase of Short Wave, where they created a demo version to collect feedback, which helped to refine the show’s format and content.
This iterative approach, she argued, is vital in today’s “ultra-competitive, ever-expanding, fracturing podcast industry.” Kwong underscored the importance of thoughtful planning balanced with the flexibility to improvise—a metaphorical dance between structure and spontaneity.
Concluding her keynote, Kwong encouraged her listeners to make their own path, even when faced with uncertainty.
“There is no road,” she quoted. “You make your own road as you walk.” By embracing curiosity and resilience, Kwong believes anyone can create meaningful content that resonates with audiences.
