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!

Producer Darian

Hi Podcasters,

Robin and I are working hard to bring you another addition of our podcast, "Robin Expressed.”

This week, we go space age. CNN's Miles O'Brien takes Robin–and you–behind the scenes as he straps on a jet pack and prepares to take flight. First Robin taking flying lessons, and now Miles taking off like something out of the Jetsons. Notice a trend here with our anchors hittin’ the skies?

If you live in Los Angeles, your may have felt the earth move a few days ago. A 5.4-magnitude earthquake will do that to you. In our podcast this week, you don’t wanna miss some iReports from viewers like you who had their cameras rolling when the quake hit! You’ll see their reactions. Also, Robin talks with Richard and Rafer about their experiences in earthquakes, when they lived in California.

Speaking of Mother Nature, we’re in the thick of hurricane season… Did you ever wonder how we are able to get so up-close-and-personal… and send back all of those jaw-dropping images… when a storm hits? In this week's podcast, Robin gives you a look at how that’s possible.

And one final note: my birthday was last Sunday. Now that I am two days older than dirt, I may want to take a cue from Robin and Miles and do something totally adventurous like skydiving or bungee jumping. On second thought, I think I just may go to Haagen Dazs.

Remember, keep an eye out for the new edition of our Morning Express podcast every Friday!

Producer Darian

Hi podcasters! The last few days have been a whirlwind.

Left to right, Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes talk about spending more than 5 years as hostages.

I am sure you guys out there know that Robin has been on a very special assignment. Robin was granted the first interview with Thomas Howes, Keith Stansell, and Marc Gonsalves. It comes just days after they were rescured from the rebel group FARC in Colombia.

I am sure you have been watching the show and listening to what the three former hostages had to say about their ordeal.

In this week’s podcast Robin lets you in on what was going through her mind as she was preparing for this exclusive interview and you get a peek behind the scenes as Robin and Producer Scott prepare for the historic moment.

Check it out now… it’s material you won’t see anywhere else!

I should add that they have done a fantastic job and we are so proud of them on the MXP team!!

Robin is on a “working vacation” this week, but don’t worry: you’ll still get your podcast fix! Robin made sure to get a brand new podcast ready for you ahead of time. It’s officially out Friday, but for those of you who just can’t wait, we’ve got a sneak peek of what to expect.

You can count on Susan Lisovicz to give you the latest on what’s happening with your stocks. But what is it like reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange? She’ll give us a behind-the-scenes look.

Why does Robin never sign off at the end of her show? One of our viewers wanted to know (and maybe some of you are curious too). You’ve gotta tune in to the podcast to get Robin’s answer!

Alert: As I mentioned, we shot this podcast ahead of time since Robin is off. So… if you notice the Georgia Aquarium in the background… you are NOT looking at last week’s podcast! We had to make it a 2-for-1 deal, and knocked out both shoots at the same time.
But don’t worry, expect plenty of fresh stuff!

Remember, we post a new podcast on our Web site every Friday morning… or check it out on iTunes by searching for “Robin Meade Expressed.”

Hi Morning Express viewers!

I'm Darian, the producer of Robin’s weekly podcast. In the future, I’ll be giving you a regular sneak peek into the upcoming podcast before it’s even available online! I’ll be sharing insider info. with you about what it took to put the whole thing together… plus, what footage got left on the cutting room floor.

I’m busy working on a new installment, which Robin shot before she went on vacation. I’ll tell you more about that one in a day or two. So be sure to look here for my next posting.

As for the podcast that’s currently online, be sure to check it out… if you haven’t already. Robin goes fishing, so to speak, at the Georgia Aquarium. She goes behind the scenes and shows you how the world's largest aquarium really works.

One of the highlights is seeing one of the main photographers of the podcast, CNN Senior Photographer Ric Blackburn, getting the opportunity to "Dive With Giants." It’s a program the aquarium offers, which allows people with a certified scuba license to dive with the largest fish in the world, the whale shark!

I know some of you may wonder how we manage to get a show as jam-packed as "Morning Express" on the air every weekday morning. It’s not easy, but we have a great team that really brings it all together. If you have ever been watching the show and wondered where all the camera operators have gone, wonder no more! In the podcast, Robin asks our Robocam operator Rocky how he’s able to control all those moving cameras with a single joystick.

Also: Many of you wrote to Robin about the loss of her German Shepherd Lexa. In this week’s podcast, she thanks all of you for your kind words.

OK, I’ve got to get back to work. Thanks for watching the podcast every week! We post a new one on our Web site every Friday morning. You can also go to iTunes and search for “Robin Meade Expressed” – and while you’re there go ahead and subscribe and it’ll be delivered to you each week. Best of all it’s free.

Talk with you soon!