Head-to-head comparison
Out on the Wire (Book) vs School of Podcasting
Two of the resources tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Graphic-novel guide to audio storytelling craft based on interviews with top radio producers.
Best for: Storytelling craft book
One of the oldest paid podcasting courses, founded 2005, now owned by Podpage.
Best for: Structured podcast course
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Out on the Wire (Book)
Pros
- Unique illustrated graphic-novel format
- Real producer interviews including Ira Glass
- Deep story-structure focus
Watch-outs
- Published 2015 — pre-video-podcast era
- Narrative podcasts only
- Not a practical step-by-step how-to
School of Podcasting
Pros
- Two decades of continuous teaching
- Hall of Fame instructor with unlimited coaching access
- Free tier rolling out via Podpage acquisition
Watch-outs
- Curriculum in transition right now
- Older content still being refreshed
- Tone is folksy rather than slick
Which one should you pick?
Pick Out on the Wire (Book) if
You’re building around storytelling craft book. Jessica Abel's illustrated book unpacks how This American Life, Radiolab, Planet Money, and others actually construct stories. The graphic-novel format makes it readable in a sitting.
Pick School of Podcasting if
You’re building around structured podcast course. Dave Jackson has been teaching people to podcast for two decades and was inducted into the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2025, Podpage acquired the school and is rolling out a free tier and rebuilt curriculum in 2026.
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Frequently asked
What does Out on the Wire (Book) do better than School of Podcasting?
Out on the Wire (Book)'s standout is "Unique illustrated graphic-novel format". School of Podcasting doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Two decades of continuous teaching" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Out on the Wire (Book); if the second does, pick School of Podcasting.
What are the trade-offs?
Out on the Wire (Book): published 2015 — pre-video-podcast era. School of Podcasting: curriculum in transition right now. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use Out on the Wire (Book) and School of Podcasting together?
Both are resources tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Out on the Wire (Book) for one show or episode type and School of Podcasting for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.