The Radio Academy Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Radio Academy
The weekly podcast for radio and audio makers, produced by the UK's Radio Academy, and hosted by Roisin Hastie. Each week, Roisin speaks to the people behind a recent radio or podcast project, to find out how it was made, and what they learnt along the way. Got a project we should be exploring? Email podcast@radioacademy.org
Stephanie Hirst is a Fellow and former trustee of the Audio Academy. She's one of the UK's most recognisable and respected voices on the airwaves, from Spinnin' the Decades on Greatest Hits Radio to Belters on Hits Radio, which celebrates its fifth anniversary at the end of August. Stephanie has built a loyal audience with her passion for great music and infectious enthusiasm. In this previously unheard conversation, Stephanie joins us to share her lifelong love affair with vinyl, which inspired the vinyl request hour on Spinnin’ The Decades, and reflect on the phenomenal success of Belters.
Apply for 30 Under 30 on our website before 21st August
Apply for a Audio Academy Festival Bursary on our website before 9th August
Buy Audio Academy Festival Tickets here
We’re looking back at our Meet the Experts podcast series, featuring industry leaders who took part in last year’s Festival 1-2-1 sessions. The 1-2-1s offer a unique opportunity to spend valuable time with station heads and commissioners, ask questions, and gain insight into the industry. In these conversations, our experts share their top tips on creating standout demos, writing compelling pitches, and developing the skills needed to succeed in the audio industry.
Bournemouth Social is tonight 29th July 2026 and we have a Newcastle Social on 4th August 2026. There’s still time to book your tickets for both of these. It’s free for Audio Academy members and just £4 for non members - book your tickets at the Audio Academy Website
It's the first episode of our Summer Shorts series, and we begin with previously unheard audio featuring Lady Unchained, recorded earlier this year. In 2024, Lady Unchained, from the Prison Radio Association, won a Gold ARIA Award for Best Specialist Music Show for FreeFlow. In this episode, she reflects on her personal journey from prison to joining the Prison Radio Association, and how that experience has shaped her work and passion for giving others a voice.
You can buy Audio Academy Festival tickets here and book your 1-2-1 session.
In February, Alice Nagendran took on the newly created role of Head of Business, Radio & Music Commissioning at the BBC, bringing together commissioning for speech and music radio and podcasts for the first time. In this interview, Alice explains the thinking behind this new approach, outlines how the BBC is strengthening its engagement with independent audio producers, and shares practical advice on what to do—and what to avoid—when pitching ideas.
Bok here for the London (16th July) and Newcastle (4th August) Summer Socials
Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield is now in its third year and has doubled in size, welcoming 50,000 people from around the world to 80 live podcast shows across 11 venues and stages. How does taking a successful podcast from the studio to a live audience change the dynamic of a show? We bring you highlights from across the weekend, including the festival Creative Director Greg James and conversations with Nicky Campbell, Marianna Spring from Top Comment, Dilly Carter from Sort Your Life Out: Unpacked, and Fun Kids' Dan Simpson.
Apply or nominate for 30 Under 30 here
Book tickets for the London summer social on 16th July here
As we launch this year’s Aiir Audio Academy 30 Under 30, 2019 alumnus Darby Dorras, Chief Content Officer at Platform Media, chats about what the accolade meant to him and how it can be your ‘calling card’ for the year you’re chosen. Leanne Alie, a 30 Under 30 in 2020 and now a freelance podcast producer, talks about the network of creatives 30 Under 30 can bring you and what she’s working on now.
The Aiir Audio Academy 30 Under 30 for 2026 is open now - apply or nominate here
Check out our social events in Birmingham, Crossed Wires in Sheffield and London here
Journalist, talent coach, and mentor Valerie Geller delivered one of our most popular sessions at last year's festival, and on the podcast this week she talks about making powerful radio and her latest book, Beyond Powerful Radio - a guide to the digital world. She shares her thoughts on how she approaches podcasting and video podcasting, and on how to connect, keep, and grow audiences.
Audio Academy Members can view Valerie's Festival Session here and access the 30% discount code for Valerie's book Beyond Powerful Radio here
If you are not a member then details of how to join the Audio Academy are here
Tickets for the Birmingham Social on 1st July are available here
This week, we meet the last of our new fellows, Chris North, founder of North Media Talent and the Audio Academy Executive Director of the festival and Foot in the Door. Last September, Chris was surprised by the honour and chats about the accolade, how he started in the industry and his long association with Demo Factor at the SRA Con.
You can book Birmingham Social tickets for 1st July - here
You can book London Summer Social tickets for 16th July - here
Audio Academy Festival tickets for 1st October and details of the freelancer early bird rate are - here
We find out what happened at our Liverpool Foot in the Door day, with guest producer Ella Eastaway from Moore Student Radio. Ella chatted to Aria Gold winner BBC Radio Merseyside breakfast presenter Kevin Duala, Mike Wooller, Head of Strategy and Podcasts at DMG Media and Julie Cullen, Managing Editor, BBC 5 Live, along with other students and delegates from the day.
It’s part 2 of the ARIAS 2026, and we continue with the winners of the next 11 categories, including a Special Recognition Award for Trevor Nelson, the Radio Times Moment of the Year, the John Myers Local Station of the Year and UK Radio Station or Network of the Year. There are also backstage interviews with Gold Award winners and what happened at the after-party.
It’s part 1 of the ARIAS 2026. We start with some Purple Carpet interviews before the ceremony, followed by the winners of the first 11 categories, including Best News, Best Speech Breakfast, Best Factual Series and Best Event Coverage, plus backstage interviews with Gold Award recipients.
Early Bird Festival Tickets are available to buy on the Audio Academy Website
South by South West Festival in Shoreditch, London, is a global festival of business, technology and creativity, packed with conferences, talks, a live music showcase and a film and screen festival. Adem Holness is Head of Music for SXSW and tells us how and when it all started, and how festivals like SXSW can shape what music stations play on the radio.
Audio Academy Members can claim a discount on SXSW tickets - here.
It’s Eurovision week, and as the competition turns 70, we ask the UK Head of Delegation, Andrew Cartmell, how they choose our entry, what kind of influence the Eurovision Song Contest has on music radio and how it evolves and stays relevant for the next 70 years.
Arias tickets, for the awards night on 21st May at The Roundhouse Camden, are available from our website audioacademy.org.uk
Jason Carter, the founder and festival director of The Podcast Show, which celebrates its 5th year this May, talks about how he first came up with the idea for the show, and how it’s changed and grown over the last 5 years. He also tells us how he keeps the content and stages fresh as podcasting continues to develop.
This week’s podcast features highlights from the Arias Nominations party at Spotify. We speak with Nick Pitts, Chair of the Audio Academy, Bob Shennan, Chair of Judges, and our host for the evening, Sophie Kay, presenter from Absolute and Kerrang. We also hear the instant reactions of some of the nominees in the room that night.
You can see the full list of nominations here
Book your ticket for the ARIAS Awards ceremony at The Roundhouse on 21st May here
Vote for the Radio Times Moment of the Year here by 8th May 2026
Adam Skinn gives us a flavour of the 3 days of SRA CON 2026, where he chatted with some of the delegates and the winner and judges of Demo Factor. We also hear from TV and radio presenter Simon Rimmer and keynotes speakers, KISS presenter Nick Bright and Stephanie Hirst from Greatest Hits and Hits Radio.
If you’d like to know more about the Student Radio Association go to studentradio.org.uk/
To live stream the Arias Nominations party on Wednesday 22nd April go to audioacademy.org.uk/
Chloe Straw has recently become Director of Operations for Goalhanger, but before that, she was CEO of Audio UK, the organisation instrumental in lobbying for a seat for podcasting on the Creative Industries Council. Chloe chats about both of her roles, what a day in the life of Director of Operations is like and why it’s so important that audio is represented on the Creatives Industries Council.
Anna Doble is digital editor for the BBC World Service and chats about how her role has expanded and changed with the ever-increasing visualisation of audio. She also talks about how some of the stories from the World Service Witness History series have been visualised on YouTube using generative AI animation and what the future holds for visualising podcasts.
We meet another of our new Fellows of the Audio Academy this week on the podcast. Bernard P Achampong is Chair of AudioUK, and an award-winning podcast founder with his company Unedited. He chats about his passions for storytelling, encouraging new talent and why he’s known as 'Che Guevara with headphones on.'
This week, the podcast was recorded at Radiodays Europe in Riga. We hear from keynote speakers, including Peter Niegel, CEO of Radiodays; Mohit Bakaya, Controller of BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra; and Rachel Quester, Supervising Producer for The Daily at The New York Times. Additionally, we hear from public service broadcasters from around the world and from young attendees supported by the RDE Youth Fund, which assists early-career audio professionals aged 18 to 25 in radio, podcasting, and digital audio.
This week’s episode comes from our Foot in the Door event at the University of Essex in Colchester. Guest producers Amos and George chatted to Fee Mak, BBC Radio 1Xtra, Henrie Kwushue, KISS Xtra, Ore Olukoga, BBC Radio 1, Kizzi, BBC Asian Network and Connor Knight from Radio Essex and Fun Kids. They also spoke to some of the delegates to get their reaction to the day.
Fellow of the Audio Academy and former trustee, Stephanie Hirst, has been in radio for over 30 years and calls herself a ‘radio nerd’. She’s taken over the 4-7 pm Saturday afternoon show on Greatest Hits Radio, called Spinnin’ The Decades, which includes an all-request vinyl hour. She talks about the honour of taking over the slot from radio hero Paul Gambaccini, what she loves about the sound of vinyl on the radio and what she thinks aspiring presenters should all be doing.
This week on the Audio Academy Podcast, we have a panel of leaders in Scottish radio, recorded at BBC Scotland in Glasgow. Hosted by Lynne Hoggan from BBC Scotland, we hear from Andy Everett, Managing Editor for Scotland and Wales at Global, David Robertson, Director of Content for Scotland and Northern Ireland for Bauer Media Audio, David Treasurer, Programme Director for STV Radio and Victoria Easton Riley, Head of Radio and Events for BBC Scotland.
Book now for our Foot in the Door event 12th March at the University of Essex in Colchester audioacademy.org.uk/training/
This week on the podcast, we meet another of our new Fellows of the Academy, Nick Pitts, who has been in the radio and audio industry for over 30 years. He chats about being Content Director at Magic Classical and Jazz FM for Bauer, the surprise of being made a Fellow of the Academy and his earliest memories and love of radio.
Book now for our Foot in the Door event at the University of Essex in Colchester 12th March - https://www.radioacademy.org/events/foot-in-the-door-university-of-essex/
This week, we meet the first of our new fellows from last September’s Radio Academy Festival, the founder and MD of We Are Grape. Rachel Barton. She talks about winning a competition to work at Radio 1, her love of music, and what becoming a fellow of the Academy means to her.
What impact can winning an ARIA have on your career? Lady Unchained from the Prison Radio Association won Gold for the Best Specialist Music show in 2024 for FreeFlow. She talks about how perceptions change once you’re an ARIA award-winning broadcaster and why you should apply. Former ARIAS winners, Iain Lee, Mylo and Rosie, Jayne Morgan, Justin Dealey and Louis Timpany also talk about how important winning was to them. You can enter the ARIAS here The deadline is 23.59 on Monday 16th February.
How does BBC Radio 1 find new presenters for the Christmas Takeover, and what are they looking for in a new voice? Georgy chats with Aled Haydn Jones, Head of BBC Radio 1, Alex Rata, Assistant Commissioner for BBC Radio 1 and Rachel McHalroy Commissioning Executive for Radio 1 about the process and how this opportunity has been a springboard for successful radio careers.
This week we’re answering your questions about the ARIAS. We have lots of tips and advice on what to enter, how to enter and how to win. Dixi Stewart, Acting Radio Academy MD, puts all your questions to Bob Shennan, Chair of Judges, and Victoria Easton Riley, Head of Audio and Events at BBC Scotland, also a Head Judge of the ARIAS.
This week’s podcast is the last in our Meet the Experts series where we ask leading industry experts for their insight and advice on having a lasting career in radio and audio. This week our topic is Production Companies and our experts are Paul Fernley, Business Development Director at Audio Always, Rachel Barton, founder and MD at We Are Grape, Rachel Simpson, Podcast Partner Manager at Spotify, Rebecca Maxted, Head of Development at Blanchard House and Steven Rajam, Creative Director at Overcoat Media.
This week’s podcast is another in our Meet the Experts series where we ask leading industry experts for their insight and advice on having a lasting career in radio and audio. This week our topic is Speech Audio and our experts are Managing Editor of BBC Radio 5 Live Julie Cullen, Programme Director at Times Radio Tim Levell, Commissioning Editor, Comedy and Entertainment for BBC Radio 4 Julia McKenzie, Head of Radio at RNIB Yvonne Milne and Global Content Partnerships Director at Acast Sophie Herdman.
We start 2026 by kick starting your career with the first episode of our new Meet the Experts series. Back in September, at the Radio Academy Festival, we asked some leading industry experts for their knowledge and advice on making a demo, pitching an idea, skills sets you need and getting yourself prepared for a career in audio. This week our topic is Music Radio and our experts are Sam Moy, Rebecca Frank, Paul Sylvester, Sarika Unadkat and Sam Jackson.
For our last podcast of 2025, we look back at some of the amazing events we have held or attended this year. From our Foot in the Door days to the big night of the Oscars of the radio and audio industry, the Arias, the EPOD and Crossed Wires festivals, the International Women’s Podcast Awards, SRA Con, and of course our own Radio Academy Festival, we have been there, getting the best stories and chatting to the people at the heart of it.
A look back at the best of the Radio Academy podcast guests from 2025. Georgy chats with Academy Fellows Adele Cross and Liam Fisher, and she finds out what it's like to record in the Arctic with Oceans: Life Under Water, plus Ahmed Hussain, head of BBC Asian Network, talks about their new news and current affairs show. She also chatted to Scout Tzofiya Bolton from Prison Radio Association about her double Gold Arias win, to Radio 1 Xtra’s Fee Mak about women in broadcasting, and Ed Moorish from Lead Mojo talks about radio comedy.
The story of the very first radio drama is not what many people think; it was actually a children’s drama and was written by a woman. The Truth About Phyllis Twigg, written by Paul Kerensa and directed and produced by Helen Quigley from B7, airs on BBC Radio 4 on Christmas Eve and tells the story of the very first radio drama, which had been forgotten until now. Paula and Helen talk about the process of writing and commissioning the new play, and how other female firsts in radio have been wiped from the history books.
How do you successfully mix podcasting with daily reporting? Broadcaster Anoushka Mutanda Dougherty chats about her style of podcasting with the shows Diddy on Trial and Fame Under Fire, and how she cuts through the hype of showbiz’s biggest stories to get to what’s really going on. Contains Strong Language.
How do you capture the sounds of Christmas across the UK? Overcoat Media have produced ‘A British Christmas’ for the BBC Radio 4 Illuminated strand of programmes, which is made up entirely of a montage of WhatsApp voice notes from Christmas Day 2024. Amy Wheel, from Overcoat Media, and freelance producer James Bonney, discuss the show’s social history concept and how they gathered the audio.
Our 2025 class of The Aiir Radio Academy 30 Under 30 were all surprised with phone calls to let them know they had been successful. This week on the podcast we share some of their reactions as they received the exciting news. We also hear more from Ricki Lee, CEO of Aiir, who has sponsored this year's 30 Under 30, about how he got started in the industry.
BBC Asian Network has recently launched its first speech and current affairs show, Asian Networking Trending. The station has been broadcasting across the UK on DAB and online since October 2002, and in 2024, it won UK Station of the Year at the ARIAS. Head of the Network is Ahmed Hussain, who took over in 2020. He discusses Asian Network Trending and why they identified a need for this type of show, as well as how the station has evolved and what the future holds.
What is sonic branding and why is it so important? Chris Stevens from TMStudios talks about the new sonic branding the company has created for all of Bauer’s Magic Radio brand. He also chats about how they work with a client to get the right sound and feel for a range of audio to make a station stand out, and how sonic branding can help your listeners instantly recognise your brand.
Audiotrain from Audio UK have linked up with the BBC and relaunched. This free resource provides modules for training in audio and podcast skills. Juliette Nicholls is Audiotrain Programme manager, and this week on the podcast she tells Georgy all about the training programme, what the modules are, some of the amazing names sharing their advice and knowledge and how you can sign up.
*RAMP closes on 9th November - previous episodes to listen to before making your application are
RAMP 2026 and What's RAMP and Why You Should Apply *
How do we change our mindset around AI? How do we learn to navigate what it can do for us in the audio and radio industry? Dan McQuillin from Broadcast Bionics answers these questions along with talking about embracing change, what actually is ‘AI slop’, and why he is passionate about nurturing new talent and ideas by supporting our Foot in the Door and RAMP programmes.
Our latest Foot in the Door event was held at The University of Sunderland and this week on the podcast Spark University Sunderland are our guest hosts. Grace and Granger from Spark spoke to some of the people involved in the event, from the talks to the networking, who shared their invaluable knowledge.
Our RAMP scheme for 2026, sponsored by Broadcast Bionics and BBC Sounds, has now launched. RAMP is the Radio Academy’s mentor programme for mid-career professionals and in the podcast we chat with course lead Fran Plowright about the power of mentoring and hear from some of the 2025 cohort at their graduation about what the scheme has meant to them.
Adam Skinn brings you the third part of a special Radio Academy Podcast, sponsored by Rayo, covering all of the action from The Radio Academy Festival 2025 in London. Tom Jackson, Ruth Cooper-Dickson and Issy Brand chat with a range of speakers from the event, including Louis Theroux, Nick Ryan, Steve Taylor and the hosts of all four stages who reflect on the event.
Adam Skinn brings you the second part of a special Radio Academy Podcast, sponsored by Rayo, covering all of the action from The Radio Academy Festival 2025 in London. Tom Jackson, Ruth Cooper-Dickson and Issy Brand chat with a range of speakers from the event, including Phil Maguire OBE, Monica Whitlock and Penny Murphy - and we go all Eurovision, hearing from Will Wilkin and Remember Monday.
Adam Skinn brings you part 1 of a special Radio Academy Podcast Sponsored by Rayo, covering all of the action from The Radio Academy Festival 2025 in London. Tom Jackson, Ruth Cooper-Dickson and Issy Brand chat with a range of speakers from the event in this episode, including Valerie Geller, Tony Phillips and Axel Kacoutiè.
Thank you for joining us at The Radio Academy Festival 2025. We dissected everything from the history of radio to the future of audio and took a deep dive into where our industry is heading over the next decade.
We heard from individuals on every continent about sound and what it means to them.
And over the next few weeks, The Radio Academy Podcast supported by Rayo is sharing all the gossip.
The 2025 Radio Academy Festival’s theme is World of Sound and this week on the podcast we hear about some of the sessions from the new Dolby Library Stage and how they explore the fusion between science and sound. Georgy chats to Richard Addis from Dolby about their Atmos technology, she also talks with Kay Matschullat from Media Art Xploration about the exclusive preview of their immersive sound piece Sonic Sunset. Finally, broadcaster and Psychologist Dr Sian Williams explains how immersing ourselves in music changes the way we think and feel.
This week we are back to full episodes after the summer and we find out about the Fix Radio story with their CEO and founder Louis Timpany. Fix Radio is the UK's national digital radio station for tradespeople, with trade news and music. Louis chats about how he had the initial idea for the station, the importance of market research and what winning Gold at the Arias meant to the station.
This year's Radio Academy Festival 2025 World of Sound is on 17th September, so in this week’s Summer Shorts podcast we look back at some of the highlights of last year's festival, Impact Amplified. We’ll hear highlights from conversations with speakers and guests from all three stages, along with Arias winners and people getting their first break in the audio industry. Book 2025 Festival Tickets at https://www.radioacademy.org/
This week’s Summer Shorts podcast captures the atmosphere of the Crossed Wires Podcast Festival. With previously unheard footage from Georgy’s time in Sheffield soaking up the sights and sounds of the world’s biggest podcast festival. She finds out about the BBC Sounds Garden, chats to people about how they got their start in audio and there’s more from participants of the Radio Academy speed networking session.
Apply for our 30 Under 30 scheme
This week our Summer Shorts podcast is with friends Aileen and Julie from the You Keep Me Sane podcast. Georgy met them at The Podcast Show in London and discovered that one of them lives here in the UK but the other lives in Australia. They chat about how the podcast started and why, after only 6 months they decided to invest in having a stand at The Podcast Show to evaluate their brand. youkeepmesane.com/
In this week’s Summer Shorts podcast - where we revisit some best bits, highlights and previously unheard footage in bite size podcasts for your summer listening - Georgy chats with Geoff Jein, from Biscuit Jim, about the launch of the Pete Wicks podcast Man Made. In this previously unheard audio Geoff talks about how the mini Man Made podcasts for mental health awareness week weren’t planned as a marketing tool but happened organically.
It’s another Summer Shorts podcast - where we revisit some best bits, highlights and previously unheard footage in bite size podcasts for your summer listening. This week Georgy chats with Lloydie James Lloyd, Content Director of Fun Kids Radio, about how the station has taken their Science Weekly Podcast out on the road with a live tour. They talk about the new relationship between podcasts and live theatre and how the children and parents interact with the show. To see where the tour is going visit Fun Kids Science Weekly Live
Welcome to our Summer Shorts series - where we revisit some best bits, highlights and previously unheard footage in bite size podcasts for your summer listening. It’s Rajar time again and earlier in the year I chatted with Richard Johnson, managing director of the market research company Hallett Arendt. In this previously unheard footage he goes into more detail about the data Rajar collects and how the survey evolves in the future.
Andy Ashton, Network Director of Content for Greatest Hits Radio, was honoured at this year's Arias with a Special Recognition Award.On the podcast this week he tells Georgy what a surprise this award was, about the success of Greatest Hits Radio and what he loves about radio.
30 Under 30 is the Radio Academy’s ‘one to watch’ list of up and coming talent in the audio industry. This week’s podcast features highlights of a webinar held to answer any queries to potential applicants, with acting Radio Academy MD Dixi Stewart, former 30U30 alumni Naomi Oiku, judge Nicky Ness and chair of judges Jimmy Buckland. Georgy also chats with Ricki Lee, CEO of broadcast software company Aiir, the sponsors of this year's 30U30 scheme.
This week we are at the Crossed Wires podcast festival in Sheffield. Georgy chats with co-founders Alice Levine and Dino Sofos, from Persephonica, about how the festival has grown and catches up with people taking part like Sara Cox, Frank Skinner and Steph Hirst. She also gets reaction from participants of the Radio Academy Foot in the Door speed networking session, along with volunteers in the BBC Sounds garden and broadcasting students from the University of Sheffield.
This week the podcast comes from the EPOD Conference at Morley College in London. EPOD, Education Through Podcasting, is for academics, researchers, and professionals to come together and share their research and practices using recorded audio media and podcasting. Georgy chatted to some of the organisers, speakers and students to discover how podcasting is being used in education.
How do you put on a whole summer of live music across the BBC and handle the logistics of massive OBs? In this week’s podcast Georgy chats with Rhys Hughes, Head of Live Music and Events for BBC Popular Music, about the planning, tech and team that goes into events like Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Download and Glastonbury.
This week’s podcast comes from last night’s International Women’s Podcast Awards, which took place at the BBC Radio Theatre in London. We’ll hear the winners' acceptance speeches, and current RAMP mentee and former 30 Under 30, Bea Duncan, was backstage, taking in the atmosphere and reactions of the winners. Ahead of the ceremony, Georgy also chatted with Naomi Mellor, founder of the IWPA and Everybody Media and Jennie Becker, the award event director.
Scout Tzofiya Bolton won two Golds at this year's Arias, for Best New Presenter for her Prison Radio Association Rock Show and Best Creative or Technical Innovation Awardfor The Ballad of Scout and the Alcohol Tag. Scout chats to Georgy about what the awards mean to her, how she ‘found her tribe’ with PRA and the open and honest way she told her story through poetry and music.
Geoff Jein has been working in the radio and audio industry for many years but he only founded his company Biscuit Jim last year. Recently they have launched two big new shows, the Zoe Ball Saturday show on BBC Radio 2 and Pete Wicks latest podcast for Bauer, Man Made. Georgy chats with Geoff about launching both of those in the same week and how you develop and nurture a new project alongside the talent involved.
This week we have part 2 of our Arias Award night roundup with highlights from the winners speeches and backstage interviews. This batch of winners includes Best Sports award, the Radio Times Moment of the Year and the big ones, the John Myers Local Radio Station of the Year, UK Radio Station or Network of the Year and UK Audio Brand.
This week we have part 1 of our Arias Award night roundup with highlights from the red carpet, winners speeches and backstage interviews. We’re featuring the first 11 awards of the night including Best New Presenter, Best Music Breakfast Show and Best Comedy Award, along with the surprise Special Recognition Award and the 2025 Judges' Award. Part 2 will feature the other 12 awards next week.
In this week’s podcast we try to demystify the world of Rajar, the radio industry standard figures released every quarter. We dive into what they mean, how they are collated and what you do with your reach, share and listening hours numbers. Georgy chats with Richard Johnson, managing director of market research company Hallett Arendt and Adam Bowie, who blogs extensively about Rajar.
Out of Frame is a new podcast highlighting the different roles in the TV and film industry that makes the magic on the screen happen. Georgy chats to presenter, Yinka Bokinni about the career’s advice the podcast can give and the range of guests she has spoken to about their roles. Yinka also chats about her own broadcasting journey and gives advice for aspiring audio presenters.
Georgy chats to Camilla Byk MBE from Podium.Me, the award-winning audio platform providing training to audio makers, journalists and writers under 25 years old. They talk about the ethos behind the company, young people’s voices and their new series of audio drama podcasts, My Podium.
This week we look in detail at the 10 Arias nominees for the Radio Times Moment of the Year. Our host Georgy Jamieson highlights each entry and we hear from the people who have been nominated with the stories behind the entries and why you should vote for them. You can vote for your favourite moment here https://www.radiotimes.com/audio/radio/arias-moment-of-the-year-2025-vote/
This week's podcast comes from the Student Radio Association Conference hosted at Salford University. Adam Skinn takes you to the event, and alongside Issy Brand and Libby Hornsby talks with some of the guest speakers and delegates across the event including Jack Saunders and Dick & Dom.
After last night’s Arias Nominations. Georgy chats to some of the head judges about their experience this year. She’s joined by Chair of judges Bob Shennan and two category head judges, Ray Paul, founder of The Playmaker Group and Rebecca Frank, Content Director for Kiss, who talk about what the standard of entries was like this year, how they picked the winners and what it means to be nominated.
Fiona Hanlon spent 17 years with the BBC doing everything from making the tea and opening the post to launching a Radio 1 breakfast show and finally becoming the commissioner for BBC Sounds. Now she’s joined Persephonica, the Sheffield based podcast company, as their new managing director. She tells Georgy about how she got into the industry, her first jobs and what makes a great podcast idea.
This week’s podcast comes from our Foot In the Door event at Queen’s University, Belfast. Guest producers Izzy Edge and Fiona MacIntyre from Queen’s Radio chat with some of the guest speakers from the day and ask how they got their foot in the door of the audio and radio world.
In the last of our Meet the Fellow series Georgy chats to the Head of talkSPORT Liam Fisher, who was announced as a fellow of the Radio Academy at the festival last year. Liam talks about what it means to him to be made a fellow of the Radio Academy, his love of sport and his career highlights so far.
What’s it like to record a podcast in an unusual and remote location? Vicky Wright, producer with Manchester podcast makers Crowd Network, tells Georgy about travelling to the Arctic to record podcast episodes for the new series of Oceans: Life Under Water, which they make in collaboration with Greenpeace. Vicky talks about the challenges she and podcast host Hannah Stitfall faced, life onboard the Greenpeace ship the Arctic Sunrise and avoiding being eaten by a polar bear!
Fee Mak from Radio 1Xtra is passionate about encouraging women into the broadcasting industry. She tells our host Georgy about her journey into the industry via university and community radio stations, and how we break down the barriers that women, and especially women of colour, face working in radio and audio.
This week, we meet another of our Fellows, Phil Maguire OBE. Phil is the Chief Executive of the Prison Radio Association and was honoured with a fellowship at last year's Radio Academy Festival. He chats to our host Georgy Jamieson about where his love of radio came from, how his career started, and the important role the PRA plays for prisoners and their families.
To mark the end of one of the biggest British film franchises of all time, Bauer has developed Bridget Jones Radio on their Rayo app. Producer and music scheduler Rick Simmonds chats to our host Georgy Jamieson about the concept, commercial partnership, and technicals behind this pop-up station.
Radio 1Xtra breakfast producer, Adele Cross, is our latest guest on the Meet the Fellows series. Adele was made a Fellow of the Academy last September and she tells our host Georgy Jamieson how surprised and humbled she felt at the accolade. She also chats about how her radio career was a complete accident and the importance of mentoring young people in the radio and audio industry.
POV is the new comedy show made by Lead Mojo for BBC Radio 4 and features sketch comedy that started its life online and on social media. Comedy producer and owner of Lead Mojo Ed Morrish chats with our host Georgy Jamieson about the new series and finding new talent for radio comedy. He also talks about some of the big names in comedy he’s worked with, discusses the role of a comedy producer and his thoughts on visualised podcasts.
This week on the podcast we have the first of our Meet the Fellows series. Our host Georgy Jamieson chats with Kellie While, who was announced as a Fellow of the Academy at the Radio Academy Festival last September. Kellie is an accomplished folk musician who went on to work in radio production. As the head of creative at 7Digital, she was best known for producing Radio 2’s Folk Show and the BBC Folk Awards. She now runs her own Indie production company Pomona Audio.
This week on the podcast we celebrate Forth 1’s 50th birthday. The station first broadcast on 22nd January 1975 and joining our host Georgy Jamieson, to look back at some highlights of the station, are afternoon host Garry Spence and Boogie from the breakfast show, who has been host of Boogie in the Morning for over 20 years. They chat about the history of the station, the importance of the audience, visuals in radio and how proud they are of the Cash for Kids campaign.
This week on the podcast our host Georgy Jamieson hosts an webinar on the new look Arias. On the panel are the new Chair of Judges, Bob Shennan, Chair of the Awards Committee, Adam Utyman and Aradhna Tayal Leach MD of The Radio Academy. They will guide you through the new and updated categories, the simplified guidelines, the different entry requirements and the judging process. There’s also advice on how to prepare your entry and what the judges are looking for. radioacademy.org/arias/
This week on the podcast it’s a Happy New Year and news about the new look Arias for 2025. Host Georgy Jamieson has all the latest news as entries open and the details on how to enter. Visit radioacademy.org/arias for more information and the categories.
A special festive message from the Radio Academy. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
It’s the most eagerly anticipated TV event of the year. The Gavin and Stacey finale at Christmas is nearly here but what do you do when everyone’s talking about it but your best mate has never seen your favourite show? Music DJ and sports presenter Abbie McCarthy is a super fan of the classic sitcom and Olivia Jones, presenter for Virgin Radio UK, has never seen it - until now! The friends have come together to make the Never Seen Gavin and Stacey podcast. Host Georgy Jamieson chats to them about the idea behind the podcast, finding the fans to market it to, and what the listeners' reactions have been.
How do you rebrand a successful podcast and why? Russell Howard’s podcast with Avalon, Wonderbox, has now changed its name to Five Brilliant Things. Our host Georgy Jamieson chats to the podcast’s producer, Dan Atkinson, about the pros and cons of rebranding a podcast and why they decided to do it. They also talk about partnering with Adelicious and adding a new interactive listener show for Patreon subscribers.
This week on the podcast host Georgy Jamieson chats with the recent winner of the Audio UK Award Nicole Logan. They talk about how surprised and humbled Nicole was getting the award, her career journey and her new role with Goalhanger Podcasts. Nicole also talks about her first big project with Goalhanger, The Rest is Classified.
Outside In, from the Prison Radio Association, is their first podcast that focuses on showcasing the talents of prison leavers who learnt radio skills while serving at HMP Brixton. Our host, Georgy Jamieson, chats to Nancy Prentice, Head Of Talent Development , and Richie, one of the presenters of Outside In. They talk about how the podcast is the first to be available outside of the Prison Radio Network, their Talent Development Programme and the work the PRA do inside prisons.
If you’re looking to get into radio and audio then the BBC Apprenticeship scheme could be for you. This week on the podcast our host Georgy Jamieson talks to Ellena Stojanovic, who is the Schemes Portfolio Manager, and to two previous BBC apprentices, Lucy Burdett and Pearl Adewale. They discuss what the scheme is, who it’s for and why you should apply, as well as what opportunities are available afterwards.
This week on the podcast, host Georgy Jamieson chats to Summaya Mughal from BBC Radio Leicester. 2 years ago Summaya couldn’t swim, now she’s helped her BBC Local Radio colleagues complete The 1000 Mile Swimming Challenge for BBC Children in Need. Not only that but she presented her daytime show from inside the pool. They talk about the challenge, how initiatives like these give a network a sense of coming together and the health and safety nightmare of doing a live radio show in water.
This week on the podcast our host Georgy Jamieson looks at how podcasts have handled the run up to the US elections. She chats to Anne McElvoy, Head of Audio at POLITICO and host of their Power Play podcast and from Goalhanger Podcasts The Rest Is Politics US producer Nicole Maslen and their Head of Content, Tom Whiter. They talk about cutting through the hype of US politics and how to get to the heart of the story as well as planning for when the results come in.
This week our podcast was recorded at our RAMP 2025 webinar. RAMP is our mentoring scheme for mid-career radio and audio professionals based in the UK, with a minimum of five years’ experience. Our host Georgy Jamieson was a RAMP mentee in 2022 and speaks to a panel of past mentees, BBC Content Editor Glyn Tansley, Producer at Heart Scotland, Andy Logue and Freelance producer Naomi Oiku, who talk about the process and what they gained from the experience. They are joined by the 2025 head of judges Adele Cross and the RAMP scheme lead Fran Plowright.
This week on the podcast we talk about visualisation with Suzy Grant, Head of Visualised Pods and an Executive Producer at Listen. What is a visualised podcast and how is this relatively new genre changing the podcast market? Suzy tells our host Georgy Jamieson about how you make sure a visualised podcast also works for audio, why visuals are now so important and some of the marketing strategies employed to promote these podcasts.
This week’s podcast was recorded live at the International Women’s Podcast Festival. Our podcast host, Georgy Jamieson, chatted to the event organiser Kat Molesworth plus some of the speakers, including Golda Arthur from the ‘Overlooked’ podcast and Helen Parker from Chalk and Blade. We hear about the various sessions at the festival and why events like this are a safe and encouraging space to discuss the podcast industry.
Sean Thorne brings you the third and final Radio Academy Festival Special, where we hear from ARIA Gold winners for Best Music Breakfast Show - Boogie & Arlene. We also chat to Executive Development Producer at Goalhanger - Nicole Logan, Managing Editor at BBC Radio 5 Live - Julie Cullen, we talk grass roots podcasting with Lizzy Pollot from Acast and chat to the Quiet Riot podcast.
Sean Thorne brings you another special Radio Academy podcast from the 2024 Radio Academy Festival. Juliette Nicholls, Ben Coley and Sharon Boadu bring you conversations with some of the speakers including Trevor Nelson, Fresh Air's Nik Gandhi, Spotify's Jon Mounsor and the ARIA gold winner for best comedy, Laura Smyth.
Sean Thorne hosts a special Radio Academy podcast from the 2024 Radio Festival. Juliette Nicholls, Ben Coley and Sharon Boadu bring you conversations with some of the speakers including Scott Mills, Matt Chorley, Rima Ahmed, Adrian Durham, Kat Shoob & Ella Woods.
This week on the podcast we head back to May, and hear some of the red carpet and backstage interviews at the Arias. KISS FM’s Sam Darlaston chatted with big names from the audio industry, like Harriet Scott, Greg James and Marvin Hulmes as they arrived, and then he talked to the Gold Award winners as they came off stage.
Recorded at the Wales branch Summer Social in Cardiff, this special episode of The Radio Academy Podcast hears Molly Palmer sit down with acclaimed broadcaster, Huw Stephens. In front of a live audience, the pair discuss Huw's journey into radio, the launch of his new show on BBC 6 Music, and his newly published book 'Wales - 100 Records'.
Molly Palmer is a Cardiff-based DJ and presenter on BBC Radio Wales and will be leading a session at The Radio Academy Festival 2024. Watch and listen back to all our festival content via our website.
Midlands Summer Social: Meet The MD... One Year on!
The most recent stop on our Summer socials tour saw award winning DJ and presenter on BBC Radio 1Xtra, Kaylee Golding, sit down with the Radio Academy Managing Director, Aradhna Tayal Leach at the Grand Hotel in Birmingham. We celebrate Aradhna’s first year in the role as MD, and delve into her journey through the radio world, while giving advice to the next generation of audio professionals.
Over the summer we are revisiting some best bits, highlights and previous unheard footage in shorter podcasts for your summer listening. This week is our last ‘Summer Shorts’ and we are revisiting our 4 Meet The Fellows podcasts from January. We hear thoughts on the radio and podcasting industry from Nina Robinson, CEO & Founder Soundtruism Productions, Ray Paul the founder of The Playmaker Group, Sheena Mason, Deputy Content Director at Magic Radio and Matt Deegan Director of Folder Media and Podcast Discovery.
Over the summer we are revisiting some best bits, highlights and previous unheard footage in shorter podcasts for your summer listening. This week our ‘Summer Shorts’ podcast is from the Crossed Wires Podcast Festival in May. In previously unheard footage, our host Georgy Jamieson chats to Radio 1's Greg James about his time at BBC local radio, and we hear from a panel of experts on the variety of jobs on offer in the audio industry. Contains strong language.
Over the summer we are revisiting some best bits, highlights and previously unheard footage in shorter podcasts for your summer listening.This week our ‘Summer Shorts’ podcast is with comedian, impressionist and broadcaster Matt Forde. In this previously unheard audio Matt tells our host Georgy Jamieson about working at Absolute Radio and their support during his cancer diagnosis.
Over the summer we are revisiting some best bits, highlights and previously unheard footage in shorter podcasts for your summer listening. This week we revisit our host Georgy Jamieson’s chat from February with radio legend David Lloyd. David talks about the Boom Radio brand, the importance of listener data for a station and his thoughts on the future of music radio.
This week, with guest host Alexandra Forrest, we explore one the BBC’s trainee schemes - Open Music. The scheme brings together creatives and musicians across the UK, to bring new ideas and perspectives to BBC Radio 3, which this weekend has culminated in a Prom with BBC Introducing, live music and immersive experiences in sound at The Glasshouse in Gateshead - a collaboration between trainees, BBC production teams, BBC Proms and of course the venue itself.
We chat to co-founder of the scheme and Head of Production at BBC Radio 3, Jessica Isaacs, hear from Producer of the scheme, Melanie Fryer and Lucy Scott, Senior Producer at The Glasshouse, Gateshead before chatting to Ellie Ajao, Open Music and 30 Under 30 alumni to talk about their experiences.
Apply for The Reelworld 30 under 30 here: https://www.radioacademy.org/30-under-30/
Find out more about BBC Open Music and how to apply next year, here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3zVFxBp7GXV01LLhjp80Yd0/bbc-open-music-find-your-space-in-radio-and-music
‘A Summer of Sport’. Our guest host Lauren Aarons is joined by talkSPORT’s Live Editor and Radio Academy’s class of 2020 ‘30 under 30’ Ellie West-Thomas. In what will be the first time that talkSPORT has covered a multi-sport tournament, they talk about how the broadcaster plans to cover the Olympics, the on air line-up and how you begin to choose which sports make it to air!
This week we ask ‘So You Want to Start A Podcast? Our MD, Aradhna Tayal Leach is with a panel of experts in the podcast field; Fiona Hanlon from BBC Sounds , Lizzy Pollett from Acast and Ellie Clifford from Persephonica. In front of a live audience at the Crossed Wires podcast festival, they give advice and tips on how to get started on your podcasting journey.
This week we look at how radio handles a General Election and broadcasting live overnight for many hours. Our host Georgy Jamieson chats to executive producer and Election Night editor at Times Radio, Andrew Alexander and Rosie Seed, Co-Editor of the BBC Radio Election Results coverage, about planning, dealing with the unexpected and how they feel it went on the night.
**Listen to a special edition of the Radio Academy Podcast from the Salford Foot in the Door event. Becky Brown and Luke Jones from Shock Radio bring you interviews with some of the speakers including Laura Busson from BBC Radio 2, presenter and journalist Mary Mandefield and Absolute Radio’s Dan Noble. You will hear great networking advice from radio professionals as well as their journey into the industry.
Edited & Exec Produced by Matt Hallsworth
Guests:
Dan Noble - Absolute Radio Presenter
Dom Stirling - BBC Radio 1 Producer
Mary Mandefield - Broadcaster & Journalist (Hits Radio, Noted podcast)
Callum Marks - Production Director at Listening Dog Media
Laura Busson - BBC Radio 2 Commissioning Executive
Helen Thomas - Head of BBC Radio 2 & Chair of The Radio Academy
Aradhna Tayal Leach - Managing Director of The Radio Academy**
This week’s podcast focuses on 2 people who are part of our 30 Under 30 class of 2023. As we prepare to launch this year's 30 Under 30 our host, Georgy Jamieson, chats to freelance producer and content exec Meera Kumar, and senior producer and community builder Bea Duncan about what being part of this year’s 30 Under 30 means to them.
You can apply for 30 Under 30 at radioacademy.awardsplatform.com/entry/entrant - which goes live from 26th June at 6pm
The Political Party podcast with Matt Forde has stepped up from a weekly to a daily podcast for the general election campaign. Matt has set himself the incredible challenge of interviewing a candidate from all 650 constituencies between now and 4th July. Our host, Georgy Jamieson, chats to Matt about why and how you go about doing that on a podcast and how it’s going so far.
On the podcast this week our host Georgy Jamieson is joined by Virgin Radio presenter/producer Graeme Smith. For 2024 Graeme has been instrumental in launching and running the pop up station, Virgin Radio Pride. Find out about the work and strategy that goes into the music, branding and content and how they are not afraid to tackle challenging topics.
This week’s podcast comes from the very first Crossed Wires podcast festival in Sheffield. Our host Georgy Jamieson was there all weekend finding out what Crossed Wires is, who it’s for and chatting to some big name guests plus the organisers Dino Sofos and Alice Levine.
What are the logistics and strategies behind rebranding radio stations? Recently several heritage local stations rebranded to Hits Radio and our host, Georgy Jamieson, chats to Paul Gerrard, content director for Hits Radio, about the change. How do you carry something like this out and what are the pros and cons?
What is the Multitrack Fellowship and how can you apply? Host Georgy Jamieson chats to Fellowship Manager Laura Irving about who Multitrack are, and the opportunities they offer for people who often face barriers getting into the audio industry.
It’s time for the Arias Part 2 and this week we hear about the second half of the big night, including an emotional tribute to the late great Steve Wright MBE. We also go backstage for reaction from the winners and a bit of behind the scenes gossip.
This week the podcast comes from the Arias, direct from The Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with the winners, speeches, big moments and reactions. Podcast host Georgy Jamieson has been capturing all the highlights from the night.
Our guest this week is Molly Guinness, executive producer of the Arias nominated Times Radio Breakfast Show. She has also recently become a trustee of the Radio Academy. She chats to our host Georgy Jamieson about why she wanted to become a trustee, how breakfast radio sets the agenda of the day, 3 am alarm calls and the importance of the listeners role in the show.
This week our guest is former MD of the Radio Academy, now deputy director of BFBS, Sam Bailey. He has an exclusive for us about their new schedules, and chats to our host Georgy Jamieson about careers in BFBS radio and how they see their future in a digital market.
In this week’s episode our host Georgy Jamieson chats to Carolyn Hitt, Head of BBC Radio Wales, about their new schedule and how you introduce your audience to change. She also talks to broadcaster and journalist Lucy Owen, the new host of the BBC Wales Saturday lunchtime show, about what it’s like to take over an established radio programme and make it your own.
One of the founders of Goalhanger Podcasts, Tony Pastor, chats to host Georgy Jamieson, about how the brand has accelerated in the last 6 months, what sets their podcasts apart from others in the market and how super fans and live events are now a big part of what they do. And Georgy asks if anyone wants to hear The Rest is… Tiddlywinks?
Radio 5 Live is celebrating its 30th birthday, so in this week’s episode, host Georgy Jamieson chats to Julie Cullen, Managing Editor of 5 Live and award-winning journalist and broadcaster Gordon Smart, presenter of the Mon-Thurs 10pm - 1am and Sunday 8-10pm shows on the station. They talk about how 5 Live and radio has changed in the last 30 years, about the importance of being connected to every part of the UK and what their future looks like in a digital age.
What’s it like to be nominated for an Aria? And how does the judging process work? This week the podcast focuses on the Arias Nominations, which have just been released for 2024. Host Georgy Jamieson chats to chair of the judges Phil Riley and one of the head judges Paul Sylvester, both of whom have been nominated for and won Arias. She also talks to Jules Rowan - Podcast and Radio Presenter with Prison Radio Association, who is a judge this year and won Gold last year, with her Life After Prison podcast co-host Zak, as Best New Presenters.
In a world of constant breaking news alerts, Tortoise Media aims to slow everything down and take a deeper look at stories. This week’s podcast guest is reporter Claudia Williams from Tortoise Media, who tells our host Georgy Jamieson how Tortoise differs from other news outlets, how you balance detailed investigative journalism with the need to stay topical and what exactly is slow news?
Sean Thorne hosts a special Radio Academy podcast from the Glasgow Foot in the Door event. Conor Knight and Robyn Richford bring you conversations with some of the speakers including 5 Live's Gordon Smart, podcaster Shannon Singh and Clyde 1's George and Cassi.
This week Georgy Jamieson chats with Ella Watts, head of production at Six to Start and one of our 30 Under 30. They talk about Ella’s work creating dramas for apps, her love of audio drama, her passion project the audio drama and podcast Camlann and her thoughts on how the medium is exploding in America. They also come up with a Zombie/Archers mash up you never knew you needed!
Boom Radio celebrated its third birthday on 14th February by launching a new sister station, Boom Rock. Co-founder of Boom Radio, David Lloyd, chats to host Georgy Jamieson about the last three years. Running this radio station is proving to be more than a full time job for David, but the most rewarding thing he’s ever done in his career. They talk about launching the new station, the art of music scheduling, listener reactions and what David sees as the future for music radio.
For those about to rock - we salute you!
Host Georgy Jamieson chats to Jack Murley from The LGBT Sports Podcast, where she finds out why Jack’s mum inspired him to start it, how it’s broken down barriers in sport for the LGBTQ+ community and some of the amazing coming out and mental health conversations he’s had with guests. They also talk about LGBTQ+ History Month, the challenges of keeping a podcast going and what the future holds.
Topical BBC Radio 4 comedy The Skewer has been described as a ‘comedy concept album’ and a ‘satirical river of sound’, it’s also won multiple awards for broadcaster, writer and comedian Jon Holmes and his team. In this episode host Georgy Jamieson chats to Jon about how the show came about, the way the complex soundscapes are put together and why a change in the law meant the show could be made in the first place. Headphones on as we dive into The Skewer.
In this episode, we explore the dynamic world of radio and podcasts through an engaging interview with Matt Deegan, Director of Folder Media and Podcast Discovery, as part of our Meet the Fellow series. Matt shares his insights on engaging young audiences, the success of Fun Kids, and the future of the industry. Dive into the heart of radio innovation and creativity in this enlightening conversation!
mattdeegan.com
Join Radio Academy Managing Director, Aradhna Tayal Leach in a captivating conversation with Sheena Mason, Deputy Content Director of Magic Radio and a seasoned radio industry expert. In this episode, Sheena shares her inspiring journey and insights into the creative processes of radio content creation. With 30 years of experience, she reflects on the industry's evolution, offering valuable advice for aspiring professionals.
The episode delves into Sheena's recent honor as a Radio Academy Fellow, showcasing her exceptional contributions. Don't miss this episode to gain industry insights, discover creative secrets, and explore the transformative career of a radio industry leader.
The second in the Meet the Fellow series. In this episode, Radio Academy Managing Director, Aradhna Tayal Leach explores the dynamic career of Ray Paul, spanning two decades at the BBC and his current role as CEO of The Playmaker Group. Ray shares key insights from his BBC days, detailing the industry's evolution. The discussion highlights his innovative strategies at The Playmaker Group, emphasising creativity, community engagement, and adaptability.
In this episode, Radio Academy Managing Director Aradhna Tayal Leach welcomes Nina Robinson, CEO of Soundtruism, a newly appointed Radio Academy Fellow.
Nina shares her journey into the world of radio and podcasts, highlighting the founding principles of Soundtruism and her advocacy for inclusivity in the industry. She discusses challenges faced, lessons learned, and proactive initiatives promoting diversity.
Listeners gain insights into the transformative power of radio and podcasts, leaving inspired by Nina's dedication to fostering a more inclusive and innovative media landscape.
In this episode of The Radio Academy Podcast, Phil Riley, Co-founder of Boom Radio and ARIAS Chair of Judges, hosts a special panel discussing the ins and outs of the judging process. He is joined by Kiran Nandra, Camilla Byk and Nick Pitts as they go through the scoring process, discuss what they are looking for in the entries, and answer the questions of those who attended the live webinar.
The full webinar is available to view on our website.
Keep an eye on our website for news on this years ARIAs launch - and we'll be back with a new podcast episode next week! Happy New Year.
https://www.radioacademy.org/
In this episode of the Radio Academy podcast, we're taking a nostalgic trip through the vibrant events that defined the past year. From awards ceremonies to engaging training days and dynamic networking sessions, we'll revisit the memorable moments that made 2023 special for the radio and audio industry.
Thinking about getting in on the action this year? We've got the scoop on the perks of becoming a Radio Academy member. Not only does membership support a charity dedicated to industry excellence, but it also opens the door to a world of exciting events. If your employer is a Radio Academy Patron, you might score free or subsidised membership. For others, it's just £36 a year—unlocking access to networking opportunities and events spanning the UK, with branches in London, Yorkshire, NI, Scotland, Midlands, South West, and Wales.
So, whether you're reminiscing about the good times or curious about what lies ahead, join us as we set the stage for another fantastic year in the world of radio and audio.
https://www.radioacademy.org/
In this special episode of the Radio Academy podcast, host Hayley Hayes welcomes David Robertson, Content Director of Clyde 1, to celebrate the station's 50th birthday in December. Together, they explore Clyde 1's illustrious history, sharing memorable moments and insights into the station's enduring success. From overcoming challenges to community engagement and future plans, this episode offers a nostalgic yet forward-looking glimpse into the world of radio. Join us as we honour Clyde 1's legacy and the magic of radio broadcasting.
clyde1.com
In this episode, host Hayley Hayes interviews Adele Cross, the accomplished Producer of the 1Xtra Breakfast Show with Nadia Jae and Vice Chair of the Multi-Story Orchestra. Adele shares the behind-the-scenes magic of the 1Xtra Breakfast Show, highlighting its dynamic production process and the team's creative energy.
The conversation explores Adele's dual role as a Radio Academy trustee and Vice Chair of the Multi-Story Orchestra, emphasising her passion for nurturing talent and fostering community engagement. Through engaging anecdotes, Adele inspires listeners with her dedication to radio, arts, and meaningful storytelling, showcasing the powerful impact of music and creativity in connecting people.
multi-story.org.uk
In this episode of the Radio Academy Podcast, host Hayley Hayes welcomes India Rakusen, the talented creator of the award winning '28ish Days Later' podcast. Together, they embark on a captivating conversation that delves deep into the heart of '28ish Days Later.' This thought-provoking podcast fearlessly explores the intricacies of the menstrual cycle, unraveling the science, drama, personal stories, and politics that surround this natural phenomenon. Join Hayley and India as they explore the empowering narratives and enlightening insights that make '28ish Days Later' a must-listen. Get ready to be inspired and informed as they shed light on this important topic, challenging societal norms and sparking meaningful conversations.
In this episode of 'The Radio Academy Podcast,' host Hayley Hayes engages in a spirited conversation with Sylvie Carlos, the creative force behind 'Back That Book Up.' Sylvie, an award-winning radio and podcast producer and sociologist, shares her passion for literature, sociology, and podcasting.
They delve into the heart of 'Back That Book Up,' a podcast that celebrates authors of colour, exploring political, artistic, and powerful themes within their works. Sylvie's unique approach of distilling complex narratives into three impactful words sets the stage for enriching discussions.
Throughout the episode, Sylvie's experiences in academia and her disruptive mindset shine, offering listeners a unique perspective on the intersection of radio, podcasting, and literature. As a PhD student, Sylvie bridges the gap between scholarly research and public discourse, fostering insightful dialogues.
The episode concludes with Sylvie's vision for the future of 'Back That Book Up,' inspiring listeners to back up diverse voices and the joy of reading.
frizzandgo.com
In this episode of the Radio Academy podcast, join us for an insightful journey into the world of audio careers. Host Hayley Hayes hands over the reins to guest presenters Florrie Ward and Kiera Ford from Leeds Student Radio, who take us behind the scenes of the recent Foot in the Door one-day event.
Discover the valuable experiences and knowledge shared at the event, designed specifically for individuals venturing into the dynamic realm of audio. Florrie and Kiera provide a firsthand account of the event's highlights, offering listeners a glimpse into the exciting opportunities and challenges faced by newcomers in the industry.
Whether you're an aspiring radio professional or a seasoned enthusiast, this episode offers a wealth of information and inspiration. Tune in to gain valuable insights, learn from industry experts, and get a taste of what it takes to succeed in the ever-evolving world of audio.
In this episode of the Radio Academy podcast, join host Hayley Hayes as she delves into the dynamic world of branded content and its intersection with the booming podcast industry. Featuring exclusive insights from industry experts Michaela Hallam and Neil Cowling of Fresh Air Production, this episode explores the art of balancing creativity with strategic marketing objectives in the realm of branded podcasts. Discover the secrets behind Fresh Air Production's transition from national radio shows to pioneering brand-funded podcasts and learn why companies are increasingly turning to podcasts as a powerful tool for authentic audience engagement. From creative challenges to measuring impact and envisioning the future of branded podcasts, this conversation offers a captivating glimpse into the innovative landscape of audio storytelling and its compelling influence on modern marketing strategies. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that sheds light on the limitless potential of podcasting in the realm of brand communication.
freshairproduction.co.uk
In this episode, join host Hayley Hayes as she delves into the enriching world of radio and audio mentoring through the Radio Academy Mentoring Programme (RAMP). With Hayley's personal experience as a mentee, you are invited to explore the transformative power of mentorship for mid-career radio and audio professionals in the UK. Discover the behind-the-scenes stories of past mentees, their remarkable growth journeys, and the invaluable lessons learned from experienced mentors.
This episode not only sheds light on the essence of the RAMP initiative but also announces the opening of applications for the 2024 cohort. Hayley provides a succinct overview of the program's eligibility criteria and emphasises the approaching deadline, urging aspiring mentees to seize this golden opportunity. Tune in for an inspiring blend of personal narratives, as we celebrate the profound impact of mentorship in shaping the future of radio and audio professionals.
RAMP 2024 is open for applications until 26th November 2023.
https://www.radioacademy.org/mentoring/
Host Hayley Hayes speaks with Anna Davies, the passionate host, and Dave Howard, the producer of the OnFarm podcast. Anna shares her journey from a deep love for agriculture to the creation of OnFarm, a podcast that has become a beacon in the farming community. Delving into the nuances of agricultural practices and innovations, they reveal the inspiration behind her choice of guests and topics, emphasizing the profound impact the podcast has had on farmers worldwide. Meanwhile, Dave takes us behind the scenes, providing a glimpse into the production process, the challenges faced, and the innovative techniques used to engage listeners. Together, they discuss the rewards and challenges of running a niche podcast, their strategies for audience connection, and their vision for the future of farming-related content. This episode offers a unique peek into the synergy between passion and expertise, shaping the success of OnFarm as a pivotal voice in the agricultural podcast landscape.
on-farm.co.uk
bespoken.media
Host Hayley Hayes chats to Talia Augustidis, an accomplished producer whose work has graced BBC Radio 4’s Short Cuts, Times Radio, and the Financial Times. Talia is not only a powerhouse producer at Broccoli Productions, but also a passionate advocate for audio storytelling and collaboration. She organises engaging listening events with In the Dark, bridging the gap between audiences and the captivating world of audio narratives. Tune in to hear Talia's insights on audio storytelling and her innovative approaches to connecting people with the magic of sound.
In the Dark's upcoming London event here:
http://www.inthedarkradio.org/london-event-mon-20th-nov-jess-shane-christina-hardingecall-responsethe-jago-dalston/
Host Hayley Hayes chats with Hanna Adan, the talented presenter and producer behind BBC Sounds' Museum of Bad Vibes podcast. In this episode, we explore BBC Sounds' Audio Lab, a hub of innovation where emerging audio talents find their voice. Discover how the BBC supports grassroots podcasters and nurtures the next generation of audio storytellers through unique commissions.
Hanna unveils the secrets behind her captivating series, "The Museum of Bad Vibes," delving into cultural and spiritual artifacts housed in British museums. She questions their place in these institutions and ponders whether they should return to their countries of origin. Don't miss this engaging conversation about culture, history, and storytelling in the world of podcasting.
Over the three weeks we brought you our Festival 2023 Rewind, with inspiration and sharing from this year's Radio Academy Festival which took place on 12th September in London.
Sean Thorne presents the final of three Festival 2023 Rewind episodes, exploring how audio creators are connecting with listeners:
Edward Adoo speaks to Pete Snodden, Ralph Bernard & Carolyn Pitt
Imogen Brewer speaks to Stephanie Otty, Dhruti Shah & Camilla Byk
Simon Lederman speaks to Adam Stoner & Stephanie Hirst
Over the three weeks we'll be bringing you our Festival 2023 Rewind, with inspiration and sharing from this year's Radio Academy Festival which took place on 12th September in London.
Sean Thorne presents the second of three Festival 2023 Rewind episodes, exploring how audio creators are connecting with listeners:
Matt Deegan and Manveen Rana with Edward Adoo
Romesh Ranganathan with Akylah Rodriguez
Harpz Kaur with Akylah Rodriguez
Zak and Jules with Simon Lederman
Over the next three weeks we'll be bringing you our Festival 2023 Rewind, with inspiration and sharing from this year's Radio Academy Festival which took place on 12th September in London.
Sean Thorne presents the first of three Festival 2023 Rewind episodes, exploring how audio creators are connecting with listeners:
Edward Adoo speaks to Steve Lamacq.
Simon Lederman speaks to Helena Merriman.
Akylah Rodriguez speaks to Mohit Bakaya.
Imogen Brewer speaks to Cat Agostinho, Tito Mogaji-Williams and Adrianna Deaconescu.
Host Tim Cocker speaks with Sangeeta Pillai, host of the award winning Masala Podcast, about her mission to reach and change the lives of the diaspora of South Asian women around the globe. A lofty goal? Sure, but one which has driven Sangeeta to great heights already with honest, open conversations about subject matters few have the bravery to cover, particularly with such honesty. Sangeeta shares her vision, passion and secrets to finding an audience and making a difference, as well as how to put on a killer live podcast show.
Host Tim Cocker is joined by the Chair of the Radio Academy Festival, and general radio guru, Dixi Stewart to revisit some moments from past Festivals. Bob Mortimer, Ruth Fitzsimons and David Lloyd were speakers in years gone by who started conversations then which are just as relevant and important today.
Host Tim Cocker is joined by the Chair of the Radio Academy Festival, and general radio guru, Dixi Stewart to revisit some moments from past Festivals. Bob Mortimer, Ruth Fitzsimons and David Lloyd were speakers in years gone by who started conversations then which are just as relevant and important today.
Find out about the Radio Academy Festival 2023 at www.radioacademy.org
The window is closing on the Reelworld Radio Academy 30 Under 30 Class of 2023. Entries and nominations ends on 31st August 2023, so get involved at www.radioacademy.org. To talk about what the accolade means and why others should aspire to achieve it, here's host Tim Cocker and 3 members of our 30 Under 30 Alumni: Jayne Cheeseman, Cassidy Baillie and Summaya Mughal speaking on a Radio Academy Panel.
Holiday time for the Radio Academy Podcast, but Tim Cocker interrupts his family holiday with a quick update which demonstrates this is very much the calm before the storm. Exciting events on the horizon! www.radioacademy.org
The great British weather couldn't dampen our 'Summer Socials' which went off in style in Leeds, Birmingham and London this month. At the latter, newly appointed Radio Academy Managing Director Aradhna Tayal Leach took the hot-seat to share her story as well as her vision for Radio Academy and how it could support you, and all radio and audio peers, moving forward. Hear some of that event, hosted by 30 Under 30 alumna Silvie Carlos, and which also includes a sample of the questions from the audience.
Tim Cocker is joined by co-owner at Unedited Andrew Spence, who also produced "It Was All A Dream...The Football Academy Journey" for talkSPORT. The programme explored the, often harsh, reality of those who don't make it to the top of the sport. As you'll hear, Tim's discovery of this programme opened up a conversation about how you keep the content you make 'ever-green', finding the audience it deserves, even if it doesn't happen straight away.
Tim Cocker gets you the insights of three key members of the BBC Radio 1 team who masterminded the madness for the stations big summer activity for 2023. Producers Chris Sawyer and Tom Gane, along with Project Co-ordinator Katie Crooks, share the story of the 'Giant DJ Hunt' from inception (in a pub, obviously) to that moment at 12pm on Friday July 21st when Radio 1 was switched off.
The next generation of audio stars were announced at our latest ceremony - the 2023 Young Audio Awards on July 7th. Jordan North and Tyler West presented the ceremony, with guest appearances from Vernon Kay, Ken Bruce, Jordan & Perri and Darren Bent among others. All of them there to recognise the talent and effort of 8 to 18 year olds across the UK engaging with, and engaged by, radio and audio.
George Butler is the Chair of the Awards and sits down with Presenter Tim Cocker to share his thoughts on the Class of 2023 and shares his insights on the trends and habits among younger audiences.
After 31 years at Radio 2, and 45 years in BBC local radio, Ken Bruce's move to Greatest Hits Radio represented a landscape shifting move in UK Radio. 3 months after this new chapter began, we reflect on the change with one of the individuals who delivered the coup of getting Ken. Gary Stein is Bauer Media's Group Programme Director, and he shares with you the story behind the deal, the impact so far and its strategic importance to Greatest Hits Radio.
This past week, The Cycling Podcast team arrived in the Basque region to begin their 11th year covering the Tour de France, having recently marked the 10th anniversary since their maiden podcast, recorded on an iPhone whilst sat in a park. Safe to say things have grown a bit since those earliest days. They are one of the most successful sports podcasts in the UK and can be seen on listener charts alongside household names and the biggest media companies. Lionel Birnie shares his story of the Podcast and his reflections on the journey he began with friends Daniel Friebe and the late Richard Moore, whos loss in 2022 is still both a hole in the fabric of the Podcast, and the drive to keep it on the road.
Magazines, newspapers, autobiographies, TV documentaries and reality shows...now Katie Price has a podcast too! With her sister Sophie it promises to "tell the truth" about Katie and her life. We've seen and read a lot over the years...how different will those preconceptions be from the reality?
The Crowd Network let us in on their latest launch, with Producer Kristina Hrywnak revealing why this is such an exciting addition and what it's like working with someone so media savvy and full of stories.
For years Artificial Intelligence was the stuff of science fiction. Then, a few months ago it was what students were using to do their essays for them. Now, it's looking more and more like a part of our daily lives in radio and audio.
'Radio Futurologist' James Cridland takes a break from his trips around the globe as a speaker and thought leader, and from editing his daily podcasting newsletter 'PodNews', to chart the rise of AI in radio. He'll give us the lowdown on Radio GPT, one of the most talked about ventures in this space, and predicts what it will mean for those of us working, or aspiring to work, in the industry. Scary? Maybe a little. Fascinating...absolutely!
Sophiena has amassed a giant following sharing her life on Tik Tok. More recently she's repeating the feat on Instagram. Now, she has her own podcast, with co-host Emma Jones of the Absolute Radio Breakfast Show, already rocketing up the charts with the newly launched Secret Mum Club, from the Audio Always stable.
Who picked up the phone to who (or slid into the DMs) to launch this journey? How does Tik Tok storytelling translate to audio? What is the mission and the hopes for Secret Mum Club? Questions Tim delves into with Audio Always' Social Exec Ollie Thomson and Comedy Exec Ben Cartwright.
Another live episode for this week's podcast, as Miranda Sawyer sits down with ARIAS Best New Presenters winners Zak and Jules at The Podcast Show.
Zak and Jules present the Life After Prison podcast - regular listeners will remember them from our episode back in January. The podcast does what it says on the tin - covering stories and issues related to those that have experienced the criminal justice system. Zak and Jules were selected through an exhaustive audition process, and just a a year later they stood up on stage at The ARIAS holding a Gold.
Miranda talks to them about their back-stories, about how they focus their interviews on what their listeners would find useful, and what their own experiences of prison bring to their approaches to making audio.
You can listen to Life After Prison at https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/
This week's episode focuses on an ARIAS Gold Winner - Moment of Truth, which won Best Sports Show at this year's awards.
Moment of Truth is a 15-episode series for BBC 5 Live and BBC Sounds that follows the second half of the 2021/2022 football season through the eyes of League One managers Paul Warne of Rotherham United and Karl Robinson of Oxford United.
It's made by indie Folding Pocket, led by Exec Producer Simon Clancy. He sat down with his CEO, Matthew Sherry, for a session at this year's Podcast Show London curated by The Radio Academy.
They talked about how you go about gaining the trust of your subjects when you make a follow-doc, the advantages of it being audio only, and the technical methods used to capture the intimate moments throughout the season.
Listen to Moment of Truth, on BBC Sounds - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0cf9vkv
Guest presenter Harriet Scott talks to the creators and hosts of the world's biggest Eurovision fan podcast, about the incredible fortnight of content from Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool.
Rob and James started The Euro Trip during lockdown, and it quickly became a huge hit amongst Eurovision aficionados, for balancing insightful journalism alongside the fun and nonsense of the song contest.
In this episode, they talk about how their passion project escalated over the last few years, and they give their top tips for developing your idea into a serious contender.
Laura Rawlings has had to step back from the podcast for health reasons, and we'll be continuing with guest presenters for the next few episodes. More details inside the episode.
It's Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme of this year's campaign is Anxiety.
Anxiety is a totally normal emotion in all of us - whether that's the pressure to deliver day-in day-out, our career prospects, our work-life balance, our working relationships, or anything else.
At The Radio Academy, we want to learn about how we can support colleagues feeling anxiety in their work lives. And to do that, we'd like to hear your stories of your experiences, so we can get together the right resources and right experts to provide some help.
There's a form on our website - it's totally confidential if you want it to be - but we'd really appreciate hearing what you're going through, or have gone through in the past.
Please visit - https://www.radioacademy.org/mhaw-2023/
This week's episode of The Radio Academy Podcast might provide some stimulus - something to reflect on. The presenters at Absolute Radio have sat down to talk about their own experiences with mental health and anxiety, for two special programmes they've called Time To Listen.
There are two programmes - both are on our website now for you to listen to, and we're sharing one of them here as this week's podcast.
If you need help or advice with any of the issues discussed in this week's episode please visit - https://planetradio.co.uk/absolute-radio/music/news/time-to-listen-absolute-radio/
It’s the second half of the ARIAS show, with all the action from on stage, and some special backstage interviews. In this section, you can hear:
Best Music Special
Best Specialist Music Show
Best Commercial Partnership
The Comedy Award
Best Music Entertainment Show
Best Drama
Best Audiobook or Reading
Best Station Sound
The Impact Award
Recognition of Tim Blackmore ARIAS Guest of Honour
Community Station of the Year
The Grassroots Award
Best Local Show
Radio Times Moment of the Year
The John Myers Station of the Year
UK Station or Network of the Year
An ARIAS special this week, as Laura and Lauren report from backstage at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London and we bring you highlights from the first half of the show. This episode is part one, including the following awards:
Best New Presenter
Best New Radio Show
Best Speech Breakfast Show
Best Speech Presenter
Best New Podcast
Tony Blackburn receives The Pioneer Award
Best Sports Show
Best Coverage of an Event
Best News Coverage
The 2022 Special Award, following the death of HM The Queen
Best Music Breakfast Show
The Creative Innovation Award
Best Factual - Single Programme
Best Factual - Series
Part two will be out next week.
Shamima Begum, the British teenager who left London to join the Islamic State made headlines around the world. The question of Shamima's citizenship and what to do with her divides British society. While her case was widely reported, important parts of her story remained unknown, until now.
In this episode, Laura speaks to the creator of The Shamima Begum Story, a ten-part podcast series on BBC Sounds and feature length film.
How do you tell a story like this and decipher fact from fiction, especially when it involves going to hostile environments where the personal risks are huge.
Inspired by Josh Tate becoming the UK’s youngest newsreader at 16, we wanted to find out what skills, experience and knowledge are required for the job.
This week Laura catches up with Josh to see what’s happened since his first on-air bulletin and she sits down with three people in charge of radio news to discuss being a newsreader. Laura’s joined by Lorraine Herbison (Head of News and Sport for Bauer Media in Scotland), Paul Nero (MD and controlling stakeholder of Devon’s Radio Exe) and Toby Sealey (Head of News at News UK Broadcasting). A must listen for anyone wanting to work or progress as a newsreader.
What a start to the year for Owain Wyn Evans - he's the new host of BBC Radio 2's Early Breakfast, which is also the first daily weekday show created outside of London.
Laura caught up with him in Cardiff for a quick chat about how the show is going, working with Bengo Media, and what he enjoys most.
What an offer. That’s what the Dave Berry Breakfast show promised listeners - Absolute Radio You.
It’s the second year the team at the station has run this competition and a chap called Kevin who works at a theme park suggested an idea that beat hundreds of other entries and so, Absolute Radio Kevin was born.
In this week’s episode Laura is joined by Dave Murphy (Breakfast Show Producer) who helped put the station together and coached Kevin. They discuss what went on behind the scenes to create Absolute Radio Kevin, how they successfully recorded all the links with the star of the station in just one day and why you should always have faith in your listeners.
When the nation was clapping for the NHS, Kate Fairweather thought we should celebrate the frontline workers of the canine world too. And so, Dogs With Jobs was born.
Within two years, the monthly show won ‘Podcast of the Year’ at the Community Radio Awards 2022. It was recognised for its inspiring content and the passion of its host.
This week, Kate talks to Laura about Dogs With Jobs, which is available as a podcast and on Petersfield’s Shine Radio.
Hear how Kate and her colleague John Welsman overcame the challenges of recording on location, how they got the best out of their interviewees, and how the podcast became more than a passion project.
For anyone wanting to know how to get a foot in the door of the radio industry - this is for you.
Rosie Wright is Times Radio’s recently appointed Early Breakfast presenter. With only six weeks under her belt she joined The Radio Academy’s podcast host Laura Rawlings in conversation at our ‘Last Mondays’ event.
These are our highlights of the chat - and they focus on Rosie’s career journey from student radio to a show on a national station. It includes a brilliant insight into what it takes to build a broadcasting career and how to make the most of whatever opportunity or platform you have.
If you love this and want to listen to the whole conversation, it’s available on the Radio Academy website, exclusive to RA members.
It made headlines around the world. The sleepy city of Salisbury - the location of the Novichok Poisonings.
To mark the fifth anniversary of this huge event, a new series on BBC Wiltshire and BBC Sounds looks back at what happened, with those who were there.
How do you tell the story of a landmark moment in history? How do you create a series that works on radio and as a podcast?
Laura speaks to Marie Lennon, a journalist at BBC Wiltshire who covered the story at the time and is the local producer for My Moment In History: The Salisbury Poisonings.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Laura shares one of her favourite pieces of Radio Academy content from the last year - Emma Barnett, live at The Radio Academy Festival in September 2022.
Emma is best known as the chief presenter of Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4. She has won multiple awards - including Best Speech Presenter at The ARIAS in 2022. That Gold led to an appearance on The Festival's ARIAS Winners Stage, where she was interviewed by Magic's Harriet Scott.
Emma gives us an insight into presenting the longest-running women's show in the world.
From massive pan-network national campaigns, to your nearest station raising for the local good cause, with silly stunts, marathon broadcasts, and heartfelt packages - radio has long known how to pull on the heart strings of listeners to raise substantial sums for charity.
But when times are tight, how do you encourage people to part with their cash? How do you craft a campaign that keeps listeners engaged? How much planning goes into these events? And what extra value do annual appeals bring to stations?
This week Laura is joined by a roundtable of radio guests to establish the key to running a successful fundraiser on the radio.
From BBC Radio Lancashire, Graham Liver who has fronted many BBC Children In Need campaigns in his area. From Bauer's Cash4Kids, Sales and Marketing Director Emma Brown. And from CAM FM - the student and community station for the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University - Station Manager Olivia Copeland.
Pete Black is Bauer’s Director of Music. It’s a new role and with only a few months under his belt, he joined KISS Content Director Rebecca Frank in conversation at our ‘Last Mondays’ event.
In these edited highlights, you'll hear Pete talking about his new role and transition from the music industry to radio. He and Rebecca share advice on how to get production teams working well with artists and labels, and how to create exciting moments for listeners.
If you love this and want to listen to the whole conversation, it’s available on our website, exclusive to Radio Academy members.
(Just a warning - there's a swear word in this episode)
Hear how BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq show celebrated the station’s Goes Back month in January with four exclusive remixes of iconic albums.
Laura finds out how Matt Tasker (6 Music and Radio 2 producer) persuaded some of the biggest names in electronic music to rework their tracks.
It provides a great insight into working to a broad brief and tailoring it to a specific show and podcast series. The conversation is likely to make you feel nostalgic for your music era.
Laura Rawlings takes the reins of The Radio Academy podcast, and begins by talking to Andi Durrant, Director of indie This Is Distorted and Exec Producer of Dance Britannia - the KISSTORY series of interviews with dance music legends hosted by Sister Bliss.
Andi shares how the team at Distorted worked with Sister Bliss to put the shows together with some of the biggest names in British dance music - Fatboy Slim, Paul Oakenfold, Groove Armada and more. They talk about troubles with timezones and technology, remote recording and the unfortunate collapse of their original broadcast partner. Andi describes the joy of working on a genre you love and how that passion feeds through into the series.
It's definitely one for the dance music fans but there's much more to this episode. If you've ever worked on an audio project that's gone pear-shaped, Andi's experience of getting this great series to air will resonate with you.
In Christian's final Radio Academy Podcast episode, he's joined by co-presenter William Hanson and producer Ben Cartwright from the hit podcast Help I Sexted My Boss.
The guys are on to talk about how they've successfully transitioned in to TikTok. But they also cover how they've grown the podcast, why it's worked so well, William and his co-host Jordan North's chemistry - and why Jordan couldn't make the interview. (No spoilers, but it does involve Jason Derulo).
Also - meet the person taking over from Christian from next week!
Life After Prison is a new podcast for anyone who has an interest in what it's like to have spent time behind bars, and how to adjust to life after. It's also an ideal resource for anyone who's spent time in prison, or who has been affected by the criminal justice system.
This week Christian is joined by the show's presenters Zak Addae Kodua and Jules Rowan, as well as producer Beth Madden from the Prison Radio Association.
They talk about why there's nothing else like this show in the podcast space. They address the challenges of opening up about immensely personal stories, and talk about why they feel their show is important for people both inside and outside the world of criminal justice.
The Audio & Radio Industry Awards are the premium awards scheme in the sector, recognising the talented individuals and teams in UK audio and radio who excel at their craft and produce the very best body of work in the world.
And this week Christian is joined by two head judges, Phil Riley and Helen Thomas, for an invaluable insight on the dos and don'ts of entering the awards. There's also an insight in to how the process works. It's a must listen if you're planning or thinking of entering this year.
Their top tips include... * Read the Rubrics! * Put your best audio first (don't worry about chronology) * Get a non-radio friend to read and hear your entry before you submit * And get started early - don't leave it to the last few days
What happens when tragedy makes you a target? Why would anybody accuse terrorism survivors of being liars and "crisis actors"?
On this week's Radio Academy Podcast, Christian talks to the BBC's Disinformation and Social Media Correspondent Marianna Spring.
For her Radio 4 series Disaster Trolls, she's been investigating how people caught up in the Manchester Arena bombing and other UK terror attacks are targeted with extreme conspiracy theories, online abuse and threats.
Marianna explains how she set about making the series, the journalistic considerations when putting something like this on the air, how you go about doorstepping potentially dangerous people, and some of the realities of being a journalist in the social media age.
For the first Radio Academy Podcast of 2023, Craig Charles and his producer Helen Weatherhead join Christian to look back on the first year of their 6 Music afternoon show.
The pair talk about their presenter/producer dynamic, and what they wanted to do with the show when they launched it. They discuss their plans for the second year, just how unique the show is and, well... a few questions you might not expect. Like, does Craig cheat at the quizzes? Does Kelis own a Turkey? Do dogs hatch from eggs? And did Elvis Costello really want to run a newsagents?
This chat is one not to be missed!
In the UK, Michelle Visage is perhaps best known in the UK for sitting alongside RuPaul as a judge on Drag Race - the format is a global hit and has turned Michelle in to a superstar. But her journey didn't start on Ru's catwalk, or in the Strictly ballroom...
Michelle Visage is a radio lover through and through. And to celebrate the final Radio Academy podcast of 2022, Christian picks his favourite bit of Academy content of the year.
So we're handing the mic over to Stephanie Hirst at the Radio Academy Festival, to get an insight in to Michelle's journey through the world of radio. It includes why she waved goodbye to breakfast radio stateside, why she loves UK radio and finding a new home on BBC Radio 2.
It's commonly known in radio as the C-word. CHRISTMAS, of course.
This week Christian is joined by Ben Woolford, Head of Music at the Magic network, Stuart Davies, Content Manager at the Virgin Radio network and Gary Bones from the music team at BBC Radio 2.
They start by discussing the best time to "go Christmas" - Magic goes early and they flip their playlist to 100% Christmas, while Radio 2 and Virgin introduce the Christmas tunes from 1 December, ramping up the number of festive tunes as the big day approaches.
They discuss the secrets of making Christmas radio - do the Christmas songs actually get earlier every year? Is it just the same tracks year in, year out? Is there such a thing as too much Christmas?
It truly is the end of an era.
My Dad Wrote a Porno is a podcasting powerhouse. Its final episode is out later this month and this week joining Christian is the man whose Dad really did write a porno, Jamie Morton.
Jamie explains his emotions as the series draws to a close, talks us through some of the magic moments (from sell out world tours, to a listener in space) and gives some brilliant advice for anyone looking to make a porno, sorry, a podcast.
From The Radio 1 Roadshow, to Capital's Summertime ball, radio has long known how to put on a big bash for its listeners.
But what goes in to planning these events? How long does it all take? And how do you make sure it's just as good for listeners who aren't there, as those who are lucky enough to have a ticket?
This week Christian is joined by Andrew Wyke from TBI, a company which specialises in exactly that. They look at TBI's recent project Magic at the Musicals, to establish the key to putting on a big radio station event.
It's been more than a year since Grimmy hung up his BBC Radio 1 headphones. Now, he's written a book, started a new podcast and had a chat to Radio 1's Arielle Free for us here at the Radio Academy.
This week's episode is highlights of that event, in which Grimmy talks about discovering his love for radio, getting a foot in the door of Radio 1 and life after his time there.
If you love this and want to listen to the whole Grimmy conversation, it's available on the Radio Academy website, exclusive to RA Members.
(Just a warning, there's nothing too major, but a few naughty words do sneak in to this episode!)
"Ralph and Katie" is a BBC One sitcom. "Inside the world of Ralph and Katie" is its companion podcast on BBC Sounds.
This week, Christian talks to the team from Audio Always behind that podcast, who talk about how the project came about, and what they think is key to a good accompanying pod.
Jo Meek is the podcast's Executive Producer and Audio Always' Head of Factual and Development. Becky Green is also an Executive Producer, and Jules Hussey produced the TV programme. They explain why they were so keen to make a podcast which delved inside the world of not just the tv show, but its production too.
In a very competitive market, what's the key to a great daily news podcast?
Sky News think they've cracked it and this week joining Christian are two guests. A main face of Sky News on TV, Niall Paterson has recently taken over as host of a revamped Sky News Daily, while Paul Stanworth joined Sky at the start of the year and has been in charge of Sky News' new push on audio content.
Niall and Paul share what makes them stand out from the crowd, why the daily podcast has been a popular addition to Sky's content and a few of their favourite moments so far.
This week Christian hands over the Radio Academy Podcast mic to a guest presenter, Garry Spence from Clyde 1.
Garry is chatting to George Bowie, one of Glasgow and Scotland’s best-known radio personalities. He's been at the top of the game for a quarter of a century. He's celebrating a quarter of a century on breakfast, and also his cult dance show GBXperience.
George talks about the highs and lows of his career, what's changed, the pandemic and how long he plans to keep his alarm clock for.
This week, BBC Radio Leicester presenter Summaya Mughal talks to Christian about her Brown Gal Can't Swim podcast for BBC Sounds.
As part of the Commonwealth games legacy, money has been given to Swim England to help people from diverse communities in the West Midlands learn to swim.
Figures also show that 98 per cent of British South Asian women can't swim. Summaya is one of them and in the podcast she's set herself the challenge of learning to swim, with some big name teachers along the way.
There's also great advice on how to make a story that's very personal to you and the challenges it can bring.
Every week The Radio Academy shines a light on a recent project going on in the world of radio, podcasts or audio. If you've got an idea of a project we should be covering, email podcast@radioacademy.org
Is the radio industry known for its fashion sense? We'll let you draw your own conclusions there. But this week, Christian Hewgill is joined by Alex Lawless from production company Somethin' Else.
They were tasked with bringing one of the fashion world's biggest names in to the world of audio, with the Chanel Connects podcast. Alex and Christian talk about:
- The importance of determining who your podcast is for
- Why brands decide to go in to audio
- The value of getting to know your client
- How to make a truly global podcast
BBC Radio 1Xtra has been celebrating its 20th birthday throughout this year. It launched on 16 August 2002, and has become a vital part of Black British culture and the music scene in the UK.
This week Christian talks to drive host Reece Parkinson about what the station has achieved in those 20 years. Reece discusses his personal journey in radio, why he was so keen to be part of 1Xtra, and why he thinks it is such an important radio station. He also shares his advice for people who want to break in to presenting.
Each week the Radio Academy Podcast takes a deep-dive into a recent radio or audio project. If you've got something that you think should be featured email us on podcast@radioacademy.org.
Last week all ears turned to BBC Local Radio, as Prime Minister Liz Truss faced a round of local interviews ahead of the Conservative Party conference.
Given the huge impact of the recent so-called "mini budget", and the PM's absence from the media circuit since it was announced, the interviews were closely followed by not just BBC local radio's loyal listeners, but by journalists in the lobbies of Westminster too.
The interviews were widely reported as very uncomfortable for the Prime Minister, and the journalists widely praised for their steadfast approach to challenging Truss on the issues affecting their listeners.
In this week's podcast, Christian speaks to three of the eight presenters who held those interviews - Sarah Julian (BBC Radio Nottingham), John Acres (BBC Radio Stoke) and Graham Liver (BBC Radio Lancashire). They explain:
- How the interviewers were arranged
- The preparation that the teams went through
- How they balanced national talking points with local issues
- How they handled the live split-second decisions when the PM stumbled
- How they handled difficult social media reactions
This week it's a bumper edition of the podcast, as we break our own 20-minute rule to bring you an hour of highlights from the 2022 Radio Academy Festival.
Christian Hewgill has a selection of highlights from just some of our brilliant speakers and panelists. Hear from the teams and bosses at KISS, talkSPORT, and 6Music, and we've got in-conversation chats with Michelle Visage, Sam Ryder, Jon Holmes, Benbrick, Emma Barnett, Jess Phillips and more.
In a normal week, we used the podcast to shine a light on a brilliant project happening in radio and audio. If you've got a suggestion of something that would make a good episode, email us on podcast@radioacademy.org.
The Radio Academy is a charity, and our work is funded by membership. It costs just £3 a month to be a member, and you'll be helping others learn new skills and develop their careers in radio and audio. Join now at radioacademy.org/membership
In-line with most broadcasters in the past week, this episode of The Radio Academy Podcast is a break from our scheduled programming, as we talk to the leaders of three radio stations about how they covered the sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II last week.
Joining Christian this week is Nick Pitts (Content Director of Jazz FM and Deputy Chair of The Radio Academy); Rebecca Frank (Content Director of the KISS network) and Tim Levell (Programme Director of Times Radio).
In a roundtable discussion, they talk about the practicalities of the well-rehearsed Obit process; how much planning and preparation went in to that moment; and making rapid adjustments to the schedule, music and tone of their stations.
We'll be bringing you highlights of this year's Radio Academy Festival in the coming weeks.
Christian Hewgill has another Radio Academy Podcast. It's the pod that celebrates excellence in audio, by taking a look at cool recent project from the world of radio, podcasts or audio. If you work in radio, want to work with audio or are just looking for something new to feast your ears on, this is the pod for you.
This week Christian talks to Rob Tobin and Grace Hopper, producers of KISS Breakfast with Jordan and Perri. When the boys went off on tour with Diversity, the dance troupe made world famous by Britain's Got Talent, Rob and Grace grabbed the chance to take the show on the road with both hands, making some big event radio along the way. Rob and Grace tell Christian...
- The challenges of launching a breakfast show in the pandemic
- How to help presenters who are new to radio
- The tech behind getting such a big show on air from all across the UK
- How to make a logistical headache in to a creative oppourtunity
Alongside its cousins the weather and the travel, the news is a massive part of radio. And this week we're taking a look at one of the flagship news programmes on the BBC World Service, which has hundreds of millions of listeners across the globe.
Jackie Leonard is one of The Newsroom's main presenters and its podcast The Global News Podcast is celebrating 15 years on air. It's become a huge success for the BBC and this week's pod is for you if you're interested in the world around us - and how news makes it to air. Jackie tells Christian Hewgill...
- How the BBC keeps an eye on developments across the globe
- What to consider when making news for a worldwide audience
- How to select stories
- How to take a news podcast to the next level
- Why sometimes the most interesting stories don't always have to be the most timely
After nearly a quarter of a century at BBC Radio 1, Scott Mills is leaving to take over BBC Radio 2's afternoon show.
From early breakfast, to drive, afternoons and hundreds of breakfast cover shows - Scott has soundtracked a generation of Radio 1 listeners lives.
This week, in an extended episode, Christian Hewgill talks to Scott about his unforgettable time at the station he wanted to work at since being a child. Expect some Scott Mills gold, and a few things to learn along the way, including...
- What made him want to work at Radio 1?
- How he went from a commercial jock, to a feature-led presenter
- His all-time favourite features
- How he helped Radio 1 start doing video content
- How he formed relationships with sidekicks
- His friendship with Chris Stark
- The key to a long career on youth radio
- The emotions of leaving the station he loves
If you listen to this podcast you probably love radio. So thank goodness for the pirates.
For one day only, on Friday 12th August, Absolute Radio Pirates was born. A pop-up station celebrating the music and personalities of the pirate radio stations of the 1960s, 55 years after they were brought to an end.
Executive Producer of the project, broadcaster Jon Holmes, tells Christian Hewgill how he and his team turned hundreds of hours of pirate radio archive in to a special station, which transported us back in time to the days of the pirates.
In this episode, you'll learn from Jon: * How an idea gets developed from a blank sheet of paper, and can take a number of unexpected turns * How they used clever sound design to merge archive with new content, and music * How the workload of sifting through archive material should never be underestimated
Listen back to all of Absolute Radio Pirates online, or via their app -
https://planetradio.co.uk/absolute-radio-60s/shows/ar-pirates/
Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James has become known for its big summer stunts. From hiding its presenter and making listeners and find him, to trapping him in an escape room, to locking him in a caravan! Its not easy being Greg James, you know.
This year's event sounds simple enough - a giant jigsaw with pieces hidden all over the UK. But organising that was quite a mission. Talking to Christian Hewgill this week are Chris Sawyer and Leila Mitwally, producers on Radio 1 Breakfast and the brains behind the giant jigsaw challenge.
In this episode you'll learn from Chris and Leila... * Why the show does these big summer projects and how they started * What goes in to planning such an ambitious project * How to turn big ideas in to moments of great radio * The importance of having backup plans * How to tackle problems that crop up along the way
Christian Hewgill takes the reins of The Radio Academy Podcast, and kicks things off by talking to Darren Coventry from the BFBS podcast Tea & Medals.
It proudly shines a light on stories of "valour, courage and bravery" and sees Darren, himself a former solider, hear from men and women who've received the highest honours the military has to offer.
In this episode Darren shares his story - going from being a military policeman to podcast presenter. And he talks about the complexities of telling stories that are not only heroic, but also sometimes traumatic for those involved.
Areas covered in this episode include: * How do you get an interviewee to tell their story, especially when it might be a challenging subject to talk about? * How do you retrain, learn and develop your skills as an interviewer or producer, if your background is in something else? * How do you visualise a podcast for YouTube? * How do you tell a story if you've got a personal connection to the events that took place?
This week’s episode is a masterclass in escaping through audio, as Roisin talks to the producer behind BBC Radio 3’s Slow Radio episode, A Day in the Life of Honey the Dog.
Faith Waddell from Tandem Productions lovingly gathered Honey’s soundtrack, from waking up in the morning all the way through to her daily walk and dinner time. She shares her tips for working with animals, finding the right equipment and making sure you get enough audio on location.
Oh and there’s also a surprise cameo in the interview from Roisin’s (not so slow) labrador, Bailey!
This week is Roisin's last episode before her maternity leave - next week, Christian Hewgill will take the reins.
Highlights of Roisin’s recent conversation with broadcasting legend Simon Mayo, recorded at our recent summer social to launch the ReelWorld Radio Academy 30 Under 30.
Simon talks about his move from BBC to commercial radio, sharing his experiences in the industry through the years, and reflects on 18 months hosting the Greatest Hits Radio drivetime show.
Roisin is joined by co-host Christian Hewgill, who was on the 2021 30 Under 30 list, who reflects on the value of being recognised on the list last year.
Until the end of August Virgin Radio has a pop-up station to champion the LGBTQ+ community called 'Virgin Radio Pride'. It's the second time the station has been on air, having initially launched last summer. In this week's episode Roisin is joined by co-host Christian Hewgill who has been making sports documentary for the station, and speaks to Shivani Davi who presents an evening show. They discuss why it's so important to have a national station focused solely on the LGBTQ+ community and how it's the most comfortable they've ever felt broadcasting.
Radio Academy MD Sam Bailey speaks to UK radio veteran Tim Blackmore, who has recently learnt that he as an inoperable brain tumour, and that he likely has a few weeks left to live.
Tim is one of the founding parents of British pop music radio. He helped launch Radio 1 in 1967, helped reboot Capital in 1977, and practically invented the independent audio sector with his company Unique in the 1980s. He was also one of the founders of the original Sony Awards and of The Radio Academy itself.
This isn't a full biographical interview - instead, Tim and Sam speak about Tim's reflections on the industry as he starts to say his goodbyes. They look back at the founding of The Radio Academy, its initial purpose and mission, and Tim shares his views on the current state of the UK radio and audio sector.
He describes the incredible reaction to his announcement of ill-health, contemplates his legacy, and passes on a farewell message to an industry he has helped nurture for 60 years.
(For an in-depth look at Tim's career, we recommend his Radio Moments Conversation with David Lloyd, available here - https://audioboom.com/posts/7228551-tim-blackmore-bbc-and-commercial-radio-producer )
How could we not talk about the biggest live music event on the planet… especially when it has its very own volunteer-run, community radio station on site!?
The team at Worthy FM have been covering Glastonbury festival since 2007, with everything on-air from Guinness World Record attempts to spontaneous cabaret performances.
In this episode, Roisin chats to presenter Gez Smith about what it’s like to volunteer and make radio at one of the most exciting places in the UK… and all the chaos that comes along with it.
What makes an award-winning Station of the Year? Fresh from their ARIAS Gold win, we sat down with the team behind Hits Radio for an online Radio Academy event.
For this week's podcast, we’ve taken some of the highlights from that discussion, focusing particularly on the Breakfast Show content, and the thought that went into putting togethertheir stand-out entry.
Programme Director Paul Gerrard and presenter Fleur East tell our host Mary Mandefield their recipe for a winning on-air combination.
This week’s episode features Edith Bowman in conversation with fellow ARIA-winner Abbie McCarthy, about her hugely successful podcast Soundtracking.
We didn’t want you to miss out on this live chat they did for the Radio Academy at The Podcast Show 2022 - so we’ve selected all the best bits for you to listen to.
Edith explains how she combined her passion for music and film to get the idea started, how Steven Spielberg made her cry, the logistics of recording a small podcast from home, and how she’s so dedicated that she’s only ever missed two weeks of production in six years of making it!
You can listen to Soundtracking at https://edithbowman.com/category/soundtracking/
Eurovision fans - standby to meet the man with your dream job! This week's episode is all about turning your personal passion into a major podcast from scratch.
Following years of experience as a music journalist at Radio 1, Steve Holden's started a brand new adventure… making the official Eurovision Song Contest podcast.
Roisin talks to Steve about using his geeky knowledge of Eurovision to seek out content and interviews, what he’s learnt along the way and of course he’s got some great backstage stories from covering the contest in Turin!
(Get the Eurovision podcast here https://availableon.com/theofficialeurovisionsongcontestpodcast)
Last week saw The Podcast Show hit London, with more than a hundred talks from podcasting greats across two days.
Our episode this week is highlights from one of the Radio Academy sessions we held at the show - a fascinating talk between broadcasting greats Jane Garvey, Fi Glover and Annie Macmanus.
They talk about their respective hit podcasts Fortunately and Changes, and answer questions from The Podcast Show audience.
If you’re grafting to make it as a radio presenter then this episode is for you! Roisin speaks to to Nicola Lashley - the new signing to the Viking FM breakfast show - and her co-host Alex Duffy. Nicola spent years volunteering at community radio (while holding down a day job) before her demo was picked up by Bauer.
Roisin spoke to the duo a couple of weeks after their first official show together, to find out how it’s going, and hear the story about how they got put together. Nicola explains how community radio gave her a grounding and training in the craft of live radio, and how she made the leap to go pro.
Alex talks about the impact of bringing in a new co-host, and how the two work together. The team give their top tips for how to breakthrough in the industry, and how to generate creative content.
This is definitely our most technical episode of the Radio Academy Podcast so far, as Roisin goes in-depth on station imaging. As one of our guests puts it, imaging is basically ‘everything you hear that isn’t a song or a presenter’.
Inspired by the new beds that Roisin started using in her day job at Newsbeat, and the reaction they got from listeners, this episode features Matt Fisher and Liam Hadley from the ARIA-winning BBC Popular Music Station Sound team, as well as Newsbeat’s Deputy Editor Ben Mundy.
The new Newsbeat imaging is produced by Wisebuddah in collaboration with the BBC Popular Music Station Sound team.
It's the second half of the ARIAS show, with all the action from on stage, and some special backstage interviews with Roisin. In this section, you can hear:
Best Music Entertainment Show
Best Marketing Campaign
The Impact Award
The Grassroots Award
Best Fictional Storytelling
Best Commercial Partnership
Best Station Sound
The Creative Innovation Award
The Pioneer Award, for Janice Long
Best Local Radio Show
Radio Times Moment of the Year
The John Myers Award for Local Station of the Year
UK Station or Network of the Year
We're taking a break next week, and the podcast will return on Wed 18 May.
An ARIAS special this week, as Roisin reports from backstage at the Adelphi Theatre, and we bring you highlights of the first half of the show. This episode is Part 1, including the following awards:
Best New Presenter
Best New Show
Best Speech Breakfast Show
Best Speech Presenter
Best Independent Podcast
Best News Coverage
Best Sports Show
Best Specialist Music Show
Best Coverage of an Event
Best Music Breakfast Show
Best Factual Single Programme
Best Factual Series
The Comedy Award
This half of the show also includes a link-up with the BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet, live from Kropyvnytskyi in Central Ukraine, as the ARIAS recognises the work of journalists reporting on the Russian invasion. You can also hear the first five of this year's Radio Times Moment of the Year nominees.
In his words, Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 show is an eclectic mix of content that ‘doesn’t work until you hear it’. From discussing the day’s big stories… to cooking a dolphin live on air.
In this week’s podcast, we’ve got some of the behind-the-scenes highlights shared by Jeremy, his editor Tim Collins and producers Tim Johns and Alison McGarragh after they sat down with Radio Sheffield's Paulette Edwards for our latest ‘Meet the Team’ Radio Academy event.
They discuss how they come up with those ideas for the show and how to get the best callers involved in the discussion.
In this week's episode, Roisin digs into BBC Radio 3's Diverse Composers project, which aims to uncover the stories of seven composers overlooked by history.
She speaks to researcher Michael Harper, producer Amelia Parker, and Radio 3’s Controller Alan Davey about how they told the composers' stories, and how each piece of research led to a set of new live recordings that become part of the station's playlists.
The composers' stories can be heard across two episodes of Radio 3's Free Thinking, available on BBC Sounds:
Part 1 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0013slw
Part 2 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00147tf
This week's podcast image shows researchers Dwight-Pile Gray, Dr Samantha Ege, Dr Maiko Kawabata, Ahmed Abdul Rahman, Phil Alexander, and Christopher Dingle.
The day that Russia invaded Ukraine, BBC News launched Ukrainecast - a daily podcast, providing detail and insight about the conflict. Six weeks on, Roisin speaks to the team that make the programme, about its challenges and revelations.
This episode is a summary of a Radio Academy online event, in which Roisin spoke to presenter Victoria Derbyshire, Senior Editor Jonathan Aspinwall and regular contributor Vitaly Shevchenko from BBC Monitoring who has been keeping listeners updated about his family in Ukraine.
From finding guests in a war zone, to sifting through misinformation - Ukrainecast has delivered some powerful accounts of the war. How did the BBC decide to mobilise Ukrainecast, and how did they pull it together so quickly? How does the team strike the balance of reporting on horrific events, while creating a compelling listen with responsible analysis? And what are the logistical issues involved in covering such a fast-moving story, taking place in such challenging conditions?
The video of the full event can be watched by Radio Academy Members at radioacademy.org/events
Roisin speaks to Emma B and Audio Always Producer Ailsa Rochester, about the month-long focus on the menopause that Magic ran throughout Magic.
The Audio Content Fund supported project aimed to have an open, frank and fun conversation covering diagnosis, support, and how menopause effects family and work for everybody.
Emma and Ailsa talk about how they approached it, what they learnt, and the three lessons they have for anybody considering a project like this.
This week Roisin chats to the team behind Jordan North’s epic rowing challenge for Comic Relief on Radio 1.
Jenny Keogh and Louis Chadwick talk us through the planning and thinking-on-your-feet involved in getting this week-long project on air, which saw Jordan row 100 miles along canals from London to his home town of Burnley.
Blood, sweat and tears went into telling this story which raised over £800,000 for charity. But while the on-air story focuses on Jordan's physical endurance, what does it take to create an epic radio experience like this, and what did the team learn along the way?
This week Roisin finds out what it's like making an improvised comedy show for the radio.
Folder Media Producer and improv performer Lloydie James Lloyd combined his two passions to come up with the idea for the Union Jack Radio podcast Dead British.
It features a group of performers, including Katy Schutte, who play historical figures without any advance notice of who their character is going to be!
Roisin digs into the difference between comedy for the stage and the radio, and what Lloydie learnt during production of this ten-part series.
A special episode this week - highlights of a brilliant event that The Radio Academy held to mark International Women's Day. We brought together three women who have pushed the boundaries in broadcasting - transforming what’s talked about across the country over the last 50 years.
Radio legend Anna Raeburn, podcaster Sangeeta Pillai and our host Emma B - spoke about breaking the mould and changing the game. Find out what it’s like to become a confidant for listeners - and how you go about discussing subjects that were previously off-limits.
These are just 20mins of highlights - if you want to watch the full hour-long event, go to radioacademy.org/events
Following the tragic death of Jamal Edwards a few weeks ago, this episode looks at how such a big loss to the music industry was reflected on BBC Radio 1Xtra.
Roisin is joined by Nadia Jae and her producer Adele Cross from the 1Xtra Breakfast Show to discuss how they reacted to the news on a deeply personal level, but also how it was covered throughout the day across the station and beyond.
You can listen to the 1Xtra Breakfast Show from 21 February 2022 on BBC Sounds at this address https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0014lvd (time limited to 30 days).
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An 'out of this world' episode this week, as Roisin speaks to Fun Kids producer Adam Stoner, about Mission Transmission - a project to broadcast children's messages from the Royal Observatory Greenwich to deepest outer space!
It's the first radio programme to have been sent in to deep space (with a Guinness World Record to prove it) and Roisin spoke to Adam about how the project came about, what technology was used, and what he learnt along the way.
You can listen to Mission Transmission at https://www.funkidslive.com/mission-transmission
In this week’s episode Roisin speaks to one of the most recognisable voices in British radio, Ken Bruce, and meets some of the team behind BBC Radio 2’s Piano Room Month.
Throughout February, they’ve been teaming up artists like Clean Bandit, Will Young and Ed Sheeran with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the famous Maida Vale studios to deliver unforgettable live radio.
As well as going behind the scenes with Ken and his producer Phil McGarvey, Roisin talks to Concert Orchestra member Sarah Freestone about the process behind each arrangement (you'll be surprised how little rehearsal time they need!), and Radio 2’s Head of Music Jeff Smith explains how the artist booking works.
Radio 2's Piano Room Month is available to listen to on BBC Sounds and watch on BBC iPlayer.
In our first full episode, Roisin Hastie speaks to Jackie Brambles and producer Alex Toal about her new Greatest Hits Radio Evening Show. It launched in January, and it marked Jackie's return to national radio after leaving Radio 1, 27 years ago.
Roisin asks Jackie and Alex how they put the show together - both working from home at opposite ends of the country - and how their Producer-Presenter relationship works. And, as will happen every week, Roisin asks Jackie and Alex to share their three Top Tips drawn from things they've learnt launching the show.
Introducing the brand new Radio Academy Podcast, with Roisin Hastie. Find out what we've got coming up and what to expect from this exciting new series for radio and audio people.