Overall, I felt like the audio essay had a much more formal tone to it. With only one speaker and a somewhat rehearsed tone, it's almost as if the speaker is trying to sell you something. However, I do believe there is great value in audio essays. They allow for the creative insertion of clips, sound effects, music, etc. and can really make an impact when delivering information. Podcasts, on the other hand, are much more informal and conversational. They sound less professional and less like an advertisement, but there is great benefit in this. With two people speaking instead of one, you get two sides of a story or argument instead of one presented as fact. It's also easier for the listener to relate to the conversation and think for themselves on the issue. All-in-all, I believe audio essays are better for delivering single perspectives on a topic (especially if trying to be persuasive), while podcasts are better for conversations, debates, and opportunities to interact with the information.