Slate Live executive producer Faith Smith sure knows how to throw a party. And on June 8 in the Chelsea section of Manhattan, she’s throwing a bash called Slate Day live for a few thousand Slate Plus members, podcast listeners and people who just want to have a good time.

Slate Day is one of Slate’s most ambitious live events. It’s a whole day affair with a venue at the SVA Theatre and another venue a few blocks away at the High Line. Thirteen Slate podcasts are featured and Slate Live attendees can do everything from compete in a pop culture trivia contest to groove to a dance party to listen to live music and even learn about the art of podcasting. In essence, Faith and her team have provided the proverbial “something for everyone” in the podcasting world of live performance.

Then, to raise the degree of difficulty, Faith is producing the Outward podcast Live event in Manhattan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots where police raided a gay club, prompting the beginnings of the gay rights movement.

After that, the Slate Political Gabfest goes international with a live podcast event in July in Toronto.

Faith Smith was kind enough to talk with Discover Pods about Slate Day Live and her job as the Slate Live producer, even though she’s in the midst of planning the big event.

Discover Pods: What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about organizing live podcast shows?

Faith Smith: Often, people believe it’s just setting up mics. But it’s a live event so we have to be concerned about sight lines at the venue itself as well as the sound at the event and eventually how that will translate to a podcast that can be downloaded. Unlike a Broadway show or concert, podcasts are typically unscripted events. Yes, each podcast follows a format for topics and most of our podcasts announce their topics at the beginning of the show, but conversation between hosts or between hosts and guests has a natural flow and we try on the production end to allow each show to find its balance.

DP: You have two venues running simultaneously at Slate Day. How do handle that unique challenge?

SMITH: The SVA Theatre and the High Line are just a few blocks away in the Chelsea section but there’s no doubt it’s a logistical challenge. But our experience with live events gives us the confidence that it can be done and seamlessly as well.

We plan even the smallest detail, the logistics, and then also the schedule of the events. I work with the podcast teams, the hosts and the editorial team to determine the equipment, the venue conditions and the needs of the audience. Then when the podcasts actually start, it’s the opposite of being super prepared. We let the unscripted podcast shows flow naturally.

DP: With Slate Day, you have multiple podcast shows and therefore multiple podcast producers, so how do you keep the event preparation on-track?

SMITH: On Slate Day, we’ll actually have 13 podcasts there, along with its show’s hosts and producing team. So collaboration is the key among the podcast teams. Of course, like any live event, there is a tremendous amount of advance work to be done before the first show goes live. The Slate podcast hosts and producers are like a family and enjoy working with each other and working live. It’s refreshing for them to get that instant feedback you receive with a live audience. With podcasts, hosts have to rely on their experience to know how well they are doing because feedback about podcasts comes a week or two after the show is actually recorded.

The energy that is generated by live shows is palpable and so valuable for podcast hosts. At a live event, they can hear and see feedback on their show in real time. There’s no substitute for that immediacy.

DP: How was New York City chosen as the venue?

SMITH: Much of our talent on Slate podcasts lives in New York so both venues in the Chelsea section of Manhattan are actually convenient for many of the hosts. Certainly, each venue has its characteristics so that dictates which podcast show appears at which venue.

Another key factor is hosts’ willingness to do live shows. I’ve never really met a host who isn’t willing to do live shows. It might come down to scheduling and availability. Like the Political Gabfest, our most popular show and our most popular live show — the three hosts have other jobs. As much as I’d love to have them on the road every week, we have our limitations. And so it comes down to availability.

All the hosts were enthusiastic about the events at Slate Day, especially Chris Molanphy when we discussed the possibility of him hosting a dance party at the High Line.

DP: From a personal perspective, how do think your UCLA degree in International Development and your time at the New America Foundation has prepared you for this job at Slate?

SMITH: It doesn’t seem like an obvious path but like a lot of people I found an opportunity through an internship. Through UCLA, I was able to get an internship to the New America Foundation.

I was New America’s director of external relations, responsible for initiating and stewarding New America’s media partnerships, while seeking new opportunities for partnership and creative outlets for the policy work of the organization. I was the founding curator of New America NYC and produced events on policy and culturally relevant topics and led audience and partner outreach. I also served as the program manager for the Bernard L. Schwartz Fellows program at New America.

Through Slate, I’m very involved with the Future Tense Partnership, which explores emerging technology and its impact on society. Future Tense pursues this goal via a channel on slate.com and a series of live events that brings together a surprising mix of thinkers, artists, and writers.

DP: Do you see any spike in downloads for the podcasts featured at a Live event like Slate Day?

SMITH: It’s the connection with the audience that is key. It’s about loyalty. It’s about building on a relationship we have with them. It’s a very important factor in our Slate Plus membership drive. It’s one of the benefits you get when you sign up for Slate Plus; you get a 30 percent discount on all ticket sales.

You get early access to tickets. We do occasionally do shows or gatherings only for Slate Plus members. It’s sort of all those factors together that makes us decide how to do events, when to do events, and if they’re successful. We do see an increase in downloads after the live shows and I think the live events build long-term listener loyalty.

DP: What’s the first thing you’ll do after Slate Day is done?

SMITH: That’s easy. Sleep. But not too long because we have the Outward Live event only nine days after Slate Day. So, no rest for the weary, as they say.