TV/Web Producer Kate

This week's podcast is not to be missed!

First of all you'll learn all about how you can meet Robin in person. For real, she really wants to meet you!

Robin's Angels. This looks like trouble.

Then, you'll head to Atlanta's famed East Lake Golf Course, where Rafer gets some fashion tips from golfer Anthony Kim. Kim was kind enough to take the time to point out Rafer's "homeless" style and "pancake" shoes. Wow, that bad huh?

Rafer handles the fashion critique well, and even manages to revamp his look between dodging golf balls lobbed at him by Vijay Singh, who Bob Van Dillen manages to shake down for 5 bucks.

Meanwhile, Richard Lui swings a golf club for the very first time in his life. (Overheard: "How do I hold this thing?") Does the ever-cool Richard look a little nervous there?? Nah!

Watch the podcast here, sign up for weekly updates and check us out on iTunes. Let us know what you think about this week's podcast! Leave your comments below.

Anchor Robin Meade

I’m still patting down my hair and brushing of the glitter from my trip to Nashvegas! I hosted the “Next Great American Country Star” competition this week in Nashville, for the GAC network. We took our Headline News cameras along, so you’ll have to check out the podcast for answers to such questions as “What does it take to win?” "Who are the judges?" and “How much work does that kind of production require?”

One very important aspect of any country music competition is wardrobe.

But let’s discuss what’s on my mind now: I’m wondering if it's appropriate to have soloists compete against bands on these shows.

I ask because the winners of the Next GAC Star … were a band. So if you think of it in terms of math … they had four guys. Four guys with four different groups of family members, four different social networks, etc. Four times the potential for voters who already know them, and likely voted for them, regardless of whether or not their performance was the strongest.

The runner up was a solo artist, whom the judges widely predicted would win.

Does being a group give you an unfair advantage? (Just about all the contestants in the finals I emceed were good enough for a record deal, so there won’t be a problem there.)

Personally I love these shows and the stamina, perseverance and talent level of anyone who competes. Bravo to all of them. Bravo!

Why do you think we, as a viewing nation, love the talent shows so much?

From Producer Darian

We have some special treats in store for you in this week’s podcast … and one of them will get your toes tapping.

Head to CNN.com/Robin and look for the new podcast every Friday.

First, we go behind the scenes at the Republican National Convention with CNN.com’s Melissa Long. She gives us the scoop on how much work it actually takes to cover a political convention

Also, as I am sure you guys are aware, hurricane season is upon us. Do you ever wonder what our reporters go through, standing outside in a storm, to keep you up to speed on the storm?

Maybe you’ve seen the unbelievable video from Jeanne Moos of our team out in the field, braving the extreme elements. In this week’s podcast, Sean Callebs will let you in on a few secrets of how reporters survive out there in the field, when Mother Nature is not so friendly.

On a personal note, Hurricane Gustav really hit close to home for me. I am a Mississippi native and I have family in both Mississippi and Louisiana. In fact, my sister lives in Baton Rouge and couldn’t get out of the city before the storm hit. The good news is that she and her family are fine and other than the power going out they didn’t sustain any damage to their home. Talk about a blessing!

On a lighter, more musical note, we all know Robin loves her country music. You’ve gotta check out her jam session with country group “Lost Trailers” in the podcast this week. Their latest album “Holler Back” just cracked the top 5 on the Billboard country album charts. Since they are just crazy about Robin, they wrote a song just for you podcast viewers!

Check out the newest edition of the podcast every Friday. And remember, it’s free!