Audio Engineering Technology students’ podcast named a finalist in the fifth annual NPR College Podcast Challenge
Honors audio engineering technology student Noah Kammer is among the top 10 finalists in the fifth annual NPR College Podcast Challenge for their podcast “Death of a Narrative.”
Raised by librarian parents who valued storytelling and diverse perspectives, Kammer developed a deep appreciation for narrative-focused stories. Podcasts have become a cherished outlet for the Missouri native who co-created Vinyl Press Podcast, a student organization spotlighting student music and artists.
Kammer is also enrolled in a podcasting course taught by Belmont alumnus and podcast production professional Clark Buckner.
The connection began at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, where Kammer and classmate Avery Kniskern approached Buckner with questions about running a podcasting company, and he invited them to take his class.
Buckner helped push Vinyl Press Podcast beyond its initial concept, shaping it into a project with depth and direction.
From Classroom Idea to Creative Breakthrough
Earlier in the semester, Kammer shared an article from Rolling Stone about the decline of narrative podcasting with Buckner, who found the topic intriguing enough to discuss with the class. Buckner then assigned students a project to produce a short trailer for an original podcast concept.
When Kammer submitted “Death of a Narrative,” Buckner said it stood out immediately.
“It was definitely the strongest trailer I’ve had from a student,” Buckner said. “The pacing, the scripting, the sound design — it was so strong.”
Buckner encouraged Kammer to submit the project to NPR’s College Podcast Challenge. “Turning this trailer into a full thing seemed very difficult,” Kammer admitted. “But that’s what I ended up doing.”
The work and commitment paid off, leading to “Death of a Narrative” earning a spot among the top 10 national finalists.
“Seeing all the other students who cared so much about their projects was the most surreal part to me,” said Kammer.
The NPR College Podcast Challenge draws hundreds of submissions from students across the country each year, with only 10 finalists selected.
Kammer described going through multiple drafts of the podcast, constantly reviewing and seeking advice from friends and family.
“I put an obsessive amount of work into it. Almost every waking hour,” Kammer said. “The most important thing was making a piece that actually says something.” 
The foundation for the podcast grew from a question that has become deeply personal: “What do you do when the reason you got into something no longer exists?”
As a sound designer and music producer, Kammer is actively exploring what it means to create meaningful audio in an era where the very style of storytelling that inspired them is at risk of fading away.
At its core, “Death of a Narrative” is not just about the decline of a medium. It is about keeping it alive.
Finding Meaning in a Changing Industry
“It felt like the kind of podcast I loved was no longer a viable thing to pursue,” Kammer said.
Instead of stepping away, Kammer leaned in, using uncertainty as motivation to create work that is both intentional and impactful.
Looking ahead, they hope to continue developing
longer, more personal projects that center on meaningful storytelling and emotional connection.
“I don’t think storytelling is going anywhere—we’re just doing it in different ways now, and sometimes in more casual, candid formats,” Kammer said.
Each finalist received a $500 prize and the grand prize winner will receive an additional $5,000 once announced. The NPR College Podcast champion, as well as many of the finalist podcasts, will also appear on NPR programs, including “Morning Edition" and “All Things Considered,” in the coming weeks.
Learn More
Learn more about the program in this story