Created by the team behind Cheerful Earful, the global festival of funny podcasts, The Golden Lobes shine a spotlight on the creators and shows that keep audiences laughing week after week.

There were 13 award categories in total: Best Blooper, Best Tangent, Grower, Not a Shower, Best Social, Funniest Student podcast, Best Guest, Best Listener Moment, Earworm Award, Best Live podcast, Best Scripted Show, Best Artwork, The Big Ears Award and The Listener’s Lobe. For the full list of winners, see here.

Today, we’ll hear from some more of the award winners to find out more about their podcasts and how they felt about winning a Golden Lobes award.

Best Live Show

Lateral with Tom Scott

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m David Bodycombe, aka “Producer David”. Lateral is a comedy panel game all about weird questions with wonderful answers. Each week, three guests join forces to work out things like: how did someone’s broken bathroom extractor fan cause 250,000 Americans to get married last year? There is a link! (Answer in episode 36.)

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

You can’t go wrong with any of the episodes featuring Ella, Caroline and Tom from ‘Let’s Learn Everything!’ such as #131, ‘Very happy mice’. Their sense of fun and wonderment is infectious. However, many listeners start with our first episode and work forwards, because our format hasn’t changed very much over the two years.

What does winning a Golden Lobes Award mean to you?

We often tend to fly under the radar in terms of PR, so it’s lovely to receive some validation that we’re doing something right! We won the ‘Best Live Show’ category for our very first live event, which happened to be at the Cheerful Earful podcast festival itself. We’ll be back for the 2025 festival, so we have a lot to live up to!

Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

Our official website at lateralcast.com has details of our previous episodes, full transcripts, and a link to send in your own question ideas. There’s also details of our tie-in book, and the Producer’s Club for ad-free episodes and bonus fun stuff. We have full video episodes on Spotify, or search for “lateralcast” on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram for clips.

Judge’s comments

“Knows how to make the audience part of the show, an essential device to a successful live show (be it comedy or a podcast). Easy-to-follow gameshow format that feels inclusive to all. Well executed all round. Who wouldn’t want to be in the audience??

The host skilfully maintains the pace of the game, slowly unveiling more and more details, all the while cracking jokes. There is clearly chemistry across the panel, with the entire panel chipping in with jokes. The host brilliantly gets the crowd involved so they feel a part of the show and the recording captures the energy and laughter of the room. Nice to have some backing music whilst the question is read out. A fantastic clip which showcases every ingredient for a brilliant live show.”

Listen >>

Best Social

Thots TV

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

We are three flatmates and best friends who record on their ratchet living room floor. Thots TV is a nostalgic podcast (for adults!) about kid’s TV of our past, where we discuss shows we love and hate and the changing cultural landscape of children’s media. Our pod is overly candid, and every conversation we have on mic is just like one we’d have in our kitchen at 3AM. If you want to hear our critique of popular kids shows (and also know more about us than our own families) then let us slide into your eardrums before we hunt you down and make you listen anyway.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Our Thomas and Friends episode is the perfect introduction to our podcast, with a nice mix of facts and comedy. Our favourite episodes are the ones about shows with rich history, and in this one we unpack a cultural landmark while also letting our listeners feel as though they are hanging out in our living room with us. You’ll come away having had a good laugh, and hopefully will have learnt something new as well.

What does winning a Golden Lobes Award mean to you?

Having a passion project that you share with your two best mates is already one of the greatest feelings, but to be able to call it “award-winning” is on another level. We’ve not had a day off in three years, and though we can’t complain about that, to know that people appreciate our work is immensely rewarding. Cheerful Earful (who run the Golden Lobes) is run by some of the nicest people in the industry. Getting to hang out with them at the ceremony was a highlight of our podcasting journey, and we can’t thank them enough.

Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

We’re very active on Instagram (we did win Best Socials after all) but you can find us in lots of places:

Instagram: @th0tstv
X: @thots__tv
TikTok: @thotstvpod
YouTube: @ThotsTVPod
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/mu5Y8TNE

Judge’s comments

“There’s an effortless, infectious chemistry between the hosts that feels like you’re eavesdropping on a hilarious flatmate chat over a bottle of wine. Social media is clearly part of the podcast’s DNA with memes, clips, and even historical retellings that have built a super engaged community beyond the episodes. Keep doing what you’re doing!

This entrant clearly goes beyond simply posting clips of the podcast and hoping for the best. It’s clear they have a deep understanding and connection to the content (kids TV) that their audience is hungry for and they create non-podcast content to satisfy that hunger. They’ve carved out and nurtured a seriously impressive niche and the fruits of their labour are clearly very delicious. I’d maybe exercise caution when it comes to copyright rules; I’d hate to see such a successful account be caught out!”

Listen >>

Grower Not a Shower (Cult Favourite)

CheapShow

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

CheapShow is Paul Gannon & Eli Silverman’s “economy” comedy podcast that searches the charity shops, bargain bins or Poundlands of the UK to discover the treasure amongst the trash. Tonally, a lot of people have described our podcast as a cross between the sitcom “Bottom” and old magazine TV show “That’s Life!” but with a focus on cheap food, old vinyl, charity shop curios, retro board games, and whatever terrible surprises come our way. One week we can be a review podcast or game show, the next week an outdoors travelogue or narrative adventure – we’re a bit of a shapeshifter!

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Tricky one – because there are many types of episodes that we do!

We tend to soft reboot the show every 50th episode, so anyone can jump in and start from a relatively clean slate.

If you want to hear us with a guest – Ep 375 with comedy legend Robert Popper has a REALLY bizarre surprise at its centre.

We escape the studio for “walkabout” episodes, Ep 357 takes us to Los Angeles for an odd adventure.

Ep 181 is a crowning achievement as it’s our 3-hour doc about the greatest pop culture story never told… Winkie!

What does winning a Golden Lobes Award mean to you?

It means a LOT to us! We’ve been going 10 years, heading towards 450 episodes and we’re probably the living definition of a cult podcast. We’ve had amazing support from our audience and our guests/contributors over the years but we’ve never really been “recognised” in more mainstream circles.

We love our odd, dumb, creative, surreal, vulgar podcast and to collect a Golden Lobe award that celebrates our achievements, despite us never grabbing hundreds of thousands of listeners, shows us that there are some industry people out there who love what we do too and that’s incredibly satisfying, emotionally, to hear.

Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

CheapShow is everywhere! Your one-stop-shop for ALL things CheapShow is www.thecheapshow.co.uk.

From there, you can find links to our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Bsky etc) as well as our fortnightly YouTube series “Cheap Shots” which are shorter, but more visual versions of our usual format. It’s also where we host our live stream events and more interactive productions.
One last thing! To celebrate our 10th year of existence, we are releasing a vinyl album of songs and music from the past decade of CheapShow – and it’s fabulous! (Details here!)

Judge’s comments

“I adore the audience’s passion for this podcast, which has clearly carved out and owned a niche. The boys grubby humour is infectious and a welcome antidote to safer comedy. Singing ability is questionable.

The podcast brings the live shows to life brilliantly, with the audience and atmosphere in the room being captured effectively to engage listeners in the live experience rather than exclude them. With listeners contributing music, animation and art it’s clear the podcast has established itself as a cult favourite – 450 episodes is no small feat!”

Listen >> 

Also receiving Golden Lobes’ awards were:

This Paranormal Life won the Big Ears Award (Funniest Podcast) – listen >>

Joe Marler’s Things People Do won the Best Guest award – listen >>

Harry Hill’s Are We There Yet? won the Best Earworm award – listen >>

Ghastly Women won the Best Tangent award – listen >>

Legitimate Likes won the The Listener’s Lobe (Fan Favourite) award – listen >> 

Frank Off The Radio won the Lobes Legend (Services to Funny Audio) award – listen >>  

For more information on The Golden Lobes Awards see the Cheerful Earful website.

The post Catching up with the winners from The Golden Lobes Awards – Part 2! appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Created by the team behind Cheerful Earful, the global festival of funny podcasts, The Golden Lobes shine a spotlight on the creators and shows that keep audiences laughing week after week.

There were 13 award categories in total: Best Blooper, Best Tangent, Grower, Not a Shower, Best Social, Funniest Student podcast, Best Guest, Best Listener Moment, Earworm Award, Best Live podcast, Best Scripted Show, Best Artwork, The Big Ears Award and The Listener’s Lobe. For the full list of winners, see here.

We asked the organiser of the awards, Giles Gear, about what it was like to run the event:

“The Golden Lobes celebrate the funniest podcasts, people, and moments in the audio world. They began as an idea that grew out of our festival, Cheerful Earful, which is now entering its fourth year. It was hugely important to us that the Lobes were affordable (£25 to enter unlimited categories), accessible (just 5 minutes of audio required, keeping the barrier to entry low), and fun (because putting together your best bits shouldn’t feel like a chore). I personally get fed up seeing established awards charging nearly £100 just to enter or even attend the night.

What started as a mad November idea and a few chaotic WhatsApps culminated in a fantastic inaugural awards night at The Clapham Grand this May. We had a huge range of shows involved – from big networks and the BBC to indie favourites and even podcasts with only a handful of listeners. Any show that brought the laughs, regardless of genre or size, was welcomed with open arms.

The evening was a runaway success, with Frank Skinner kindly saying: ‘The Golden Lobes was a fun night out: none of the cheesy nonsense of more established awards ceremonies, nor anywhere near as long. It was just a bunch of very funny people saying very funny things. British comedy podcasts seem to be in a great state.’ We saw such a wealth of winners, and what started as a mad spin-off from our festival may well become the thing that endures. We’re already cooking up wild ideas for 2026 and welcome anyone to get involved!”

Today, we’ll hear from some of the award winners to find out more about their podcasts and how they felt about winning a Golden Lobes award.

Best Scripted Podcast

Harford: An Oral History

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m Dan Hooper, a Welsh comedy writer based in Frome. Harford: An Oral History explores the surreal history of Haverfordwest – known locally as Harford – through its inhabitants. Each episode explores a chapter from the town’s past – from an attempt to build the world’s tallest building to a battle enactment that escalates into a real conflict. My aim is to create something layered and strange – like stumbling onto a late-night radio broadcast. I didn’t want this to follow the usual chat or interview format. The Guardian called it “brimming with dry wit and unlikely twists,” and The Observer described it as “punchy” and “crackling with bible-black, absurd, twisted humour.”

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

The Funeral, it tells the tale of a group of teenagers finding a new hangout spot – the local crematorium. Then years later, one of them returns, becoming entangled in a long-buried family feud, a mistaken funeral, and an overly convoluted cover-up.

What does winning a Golden Lobes Award mean to you?

The chance for more people to listen to the show and to finally own a statue in the shape of an ear.

Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

All you need to know about me is weaved into the podcast. Ok, probably not, at least not consciously. Just listen to the show!

Judge’s comments

“Yes. Lovely stuff. Several good gags in a very well-written, involving monologue. What’s lovely here is the commitment to the concept; the world feels real, the writing feels lovingly crafted, and the production feels considered as well. Any laughs here are perhaps on the smaller side, partly because of a seemingly deliberate low-key delivery, but they are there, and they’re worth finding. A real stand-out.”

Listen >>

Best Artwork

Go Home, You’re Drunk!

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

Go Home, You’re Drunk! is a comedy horror roleplaying adventure which sees a comedian try and find their way home after a night out! The podcast features some of the UK’s best comedians from shows like Taskmaster, Have I Got News For You, QI & Mock The Week. Inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and escape rooms, comedians must roll well and solve puzzles to survive whatever monsters await them on their journey. Can Marcus Brigstocke escape an abandoned tube line? Will Russell Kane get out of a sinister sports bar? Can Sophie Duker survive a boozy art class?! Listen and find out!

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

The very first episode starring Jordan Gray is a great place to start, in the episode Jordan has to put a stop to the Chicken Dipper Ripper who is terrorising chicken shops up and down the street! Another perfect introduction would be Nick Helm’s episode, which we were lucky enough to receive a Golden Lobe nomination for, or Alasdair Beckett-King’s episode where he has to navigate his friends’ stag and hen dos whilst being pursued by a terrifying witch called The Hag. Every episode is led stylistically by the guest, so just pick a comedian you love and get listening!

What does winning a Golden Lobes Award mean to you?

It was truly amazing to receive recognition for all the hard work we’ve put into the podcast and we’re very grateful to Cheerful Earful who are such a wonderful organisation. We’re also very excited to be doing our first ever live show with them in London this October!

Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

Find us on Instagram & X @YoureDrunkPod and check out our website here.

Judge’s comments

“This artwork is really great! The composition of the drawing is excellent with a really clever use of layering and perspective and the type at the top perfectly fits with this. Everything has a really cohesive colour palette that perfectly represents the night time without being too dark or grey. The subject is excellent and is a really creative way of displaying the host’s role in the show and lastly the drawings of the characters are really expressive and well done! I can’t say enough good things about this one it’s just really great!”

Listen >> 

Best Blooper

I’ve Had A Rosé, Let’s Talk About Feelings with Sam Lake

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

Hi, I’m Sam Lake and I’m the host of I’ve Had A Rosé, Let’s Talk About Feelings (I know, the name alone is incredible). Each week, I’m joined by a new guest from the world of comedy. They choose a beverage that comforts them, anything from tea to Tennents. Then we talk about something they’re passionate about and I try to find out how it connects to their feelings and how they manage them. We’ve covered it all: Pokémon, Elvis, Lucozade, Britishness, The Supernatural and OF COURSE Henry Paget, the 5th Marquess of Anglesey.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

To embrace the silly, stupid and giggly core of our show, I’d recommend Episode #32: Espresso Martinis & The Texas Chainsaw Massacre with Phil Ellis. Probably the episode with the most breaking down in uncontrollable laughter. If you want an episode that’s more on the feelings side, proper deep chats, Episode #7: Family & Baileys with Josh Glanc & Episode #27: Rum Punch & D*ck with Sikisa are what you want.

What does winning a Golden Lobes Award mean to you?

We were THRILLED. We’ve only been doing this pod for little over a year and we can’t believe we’re officially an award-winning show. Plus, winning Best Blooper is so on brand for THIS show. And now we have a trophy (and a hole in the studio ceiling) to compliment it.

Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

Across all social media we are at @ivehadarose where you can find highlights from all our episodes. And to listen to the full episodes, click here.

Or watch our episodes in glorious 4K(ish) on our YouTube channel.

Judge’s comments

“The contrast between Sam’s calming ASMR description to Marjolein shouting “IT’S BAD IT’S BAD IT’S BAD” is just brilliant. And her massive cackle after making a hole in the ceiling – it’s impossible not to laugh at Marjolein’s laugh!

This is such an unexpected live, visual moment that makes you wish you were in the room.”

Listen >> 

Best Listener Moment

Single Ladies In Your Area

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

Comedians Amy Gledhill and Harriet Kemsley are in their 30s and recently single …UH OH! They’re trying to navigate the dating scene… but the landscape has changed.

Everyone insists that you should use dating apps, but are also totally fed up with them.

Dating in your 20s seemed so much easier, but didn’t we just run head first towards red flags?

And with children and busy careers taking up most of your time, what if you’re just… tired?

These are questions and challenges that our hosts tackle headfirst, as they attempt to unlearn the (toxic) education on love, sex and relationships they endured in the 00s, and laugh themselves through the current dating world. They’ll speak to experts and friends, talk about dates they’ve been on and share your dating horror stories to try to figure it all out, so we all feel less alone!

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Episode 15: Pubes, periods and bumping into your ex with Chloe Petts

What does winning a Golden Lobes Award mean to you?

We are thrilled to have won a Golden Lobe award. Thank you to everyone who has listened so far!

Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

On IG at @singleladiespod, @thatamygledhill, and @harrietkemsley.

Judge’s comments

“I loved the rapport between Amy and Harriet and even though I’m not single anymore, I definitely want to check out their show now to reminisce about dating disasters of past. I almost spat out my drink at the reveal moment in this listener story and they had me laughing throughout the piece.”

Listen >> 

For more information on The Golden Lobes Awards see the Cheerful Earful website.

The post Catching up with the winners from The Golden Lobes Awards – Part 1! appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Starting a podcast can be a rollercoaster: thrilling, but with enough ups and downs to make you feel sick. New hosts quickly realise the path to success is rarely a straight line. In fact, it often takes months of hard work before they’ll see any profit.

On top of this, working with sportspeople can be exhausting. They have high standards, they constantly want feedback, and they’re much more comfortable focussing on the negatives than the average podcast producer is. Sportspeople are used to sitting in a room on a Monday morning and picking apart their own performance, in front of all their mates. They’re used to coaches calling them out when something could be better, and they’re obsessed with marginally improving each week.

Eventually you see all that previous paragraph as a positive, but it took me a while to get to that place.

Our strategy involves re-investing early profits back into a podcast to enhance quality and increase reach. There will be a moment when a host starts to earn, provided they have the right mindset, but it’s rarely in the early quarters. Because as soon as we make money, we tend to spend it.

Crowd co-owns its content with athletes, and as with any financial investment, you need to establish a strong foundation of trust. We commit to transparency, and openly discuss expectations, goals, and challenges. We like to tell our hosts they’ll see no profit for the first six months, partly to see what reaction they give. You can tell a lot about a person if you ask them to podcast for free for six months and they just nod and say, “I’m all in”.

Choosing the right host is hard. For me, it boils down to one question: would you run a coffee shop with them?

Stick with me. It’s an analogy that started off as that one about politicians needing to know the price of a pint of milk to prove they are in touch with reality. Only, to host a successful Crowd podcast, we need a bit more.

Not only should you know the price of milk, but you also need to know the cost of the beans, the coffee machines, the sandwiches and the cookies. You should understand your customers, your competition, and your place in the market. You have to be reliable. You have to be nice to the team around you, and you probably need to be famous enough that we can stick your face in the window.

It’s a tough combination to find, but if you wouldn’t take on that financial and emotional burden with your suggested frontperson, then it’s probably not going to work.

Consider Dan Cole, England rugby legend and cohost of For The Love Of Rugby. Dan has no social media presence, which is not ideal, but he asks more questions than any Crowd presenter when it comes to spending his podcast’s money. Off air, he’s a details man, he enjoys talking strategy, and he has a vision. On air, he’s just as engaging when moaning about traffic on the M6 as he is when taking you inside an England scrum.

His co-host Ben Youngs, England’s most capped male rugby player, calls me three times a day with fifteen new ideas for what the podcast could be. He wants every episode to be better than the last, and he’s appointed himself as commercial director for the show. They could run a very successful coffee shop with each other, but instead they host the “Best Rugby Podcast” – a title given to them after a fan vote at the 2025 Sports Podcast Awards.

At Crowd we find working with sporting talent incredibly rewarding. Athletes dedicate countless hours to honing and perfecting their craft, and this same work ethic translates seamlessly into producing high-quality content. They’re also obsessed with analysing statistics and, in podcasting, constantly aiming to climb higher and higher in the charts.

Their competitive nature pushes our sportspeople to excel: they’re not just striving to beat teammates, but also their own personal bests. When Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas started podcasting, he was driven to deliver the most insightful and entertaining cycling show in the world. If his show ever stops growing, we just mention that Joe Marler or Jimmy Bullard are catching him, and he soon finds another gear.

In truth, every podcaster (and coffee shop owner*) needs endurance and commitment to consistently deliver. We’re just lucky that it comes naturally to our athletes.

*The author has never run a coffee shop in his life, but he thinks about it a lot

To find out more, visit the Crowd Network website.

The post Unlocking podcasting potential: The art of working with talent appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Breaking the glass ceiling

S7 Ep7: Keep calm and chill with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

As US President Donald Trump threatens or imposes trade tariffs, The We Society invited the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to share her thoughts during this period of uncertainty in world trade. The first woman and the first African to serve as Director General of the WTO, Dr Okonjo-Iweala also gives her perspectives on women in leadership positions and her beliefs on creating positive change in the world. Listen here >>

“My highlight from Season 7 was hearing Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s interview. I particularly enjoyed her take on the glass ceiling for women in leadership roles, her calm and measured approach to addressing political tensions, and her personal story that led to her Directorship of the WTO. Her relatability and calmness were reassuring given the tumultuous nature of recent politics.” – Emily Finch, Producer of The We Society Podcast

Fear in a digital age

S7 Ep2: Anxiety, Artificial Intelligence and work with Anthony Elliott

We’re living in a technological tsunami, with artificial intelligence despatching goods in response to our clicks, identifying our favourite music, accelerating likes and dislikes on social media, even replacing jobs. As the speed of AI innovation accelerates, power seemingly sits firmly in the hands of big tech companies, with governments and the public on the side-lines. Can we tame this AI revolution to work for societal and economic advantage? Or is it too late? Listen here >>

“What makes this episode compelling for me is the different perspective that Anthony brings to looking at how AI is shaping our lives and what this might mean for the future. It made me consider the impact that AI is having in my own life – whether for better or for worse!” – Dr Rita Garnder, Chief Executive Officer, Academy of Social Sciences

Tackling domestic homicide

S7 Ep5: Tracking and stopping domestic abuse with Jane Monckton-Smith

Content warning: This podcast episode covers themes of domestic abuse, violence against women and domestic homicide.

Around one in four women have experienced domestic abuse, according to the Crime Survey of England and Wales. But abuse is not usually a one-off event, it’s part of a protracted pattern, and by studying the timeline, perhaps this shocking statistic may change. Professor Jane Monckton-Smith has dedicated her career, first as a police officer, and now as Professor of Public Protection, to understanding this pattern, with her research informing policy and saving lives. Listen here >>

“What makes this episode compelling for me was being familiarised with Jane’s important research showing that there is an established timeline for homicides – the Homicide Timeline. Equipped with this knowledge civil society can do much more to prevent this dreadful pattern from occurring and reoccurring so more lives can be saved. One of our most important podcasts.” – Will Hutton, host of The We Society Podcast

The science of hate

S6 Ep7: Stopping hate crime with Matthew Williams and Neil Chakraborti

The riots which took place in the summer of 2024 in Britain, which emerged following the Southport stabbings, demonstrate how hate is bubbling just under the surface of our society. Behind the violence and destruction are statistics. Between 2012 and 2023, hate crimes in England and Wales rose by 252%, according to Home Office research. But this is just the tip of the iceberg… Listen here >>

“What makes this episode compelling for me is the personal reflections that both Matthew and Neil bring to this episode – it was fascinating to hear how their personal experiences of hate led to the impactful work they’re doing now.” – Amy Williams, Senior Communications Manager, Academy of Social Sciences

Building climate resilient communities

S4 Ep3: Reframing the climate crisis narrative with Neil Adger

2024 was the hottest year on record, being about 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, and January 2025 has followed this trend. Extreme weather events are being felt more frequently and more intensely – with scientists claiming the recent wildfires in Los Angeles were made 35% more likely due to climate change. What are the likely impacts going to be for communities the world over and how can we adapt to a changing climate? Listen here >>

“What makes this episode compelling for me is the discussion around the lesser known and perhaps underappreciated impacts of climate change but also the note of hope that Neil shares on what researchers and communities are doing to encourage climate resilience in societies across the world.” – Dr Rita Gardner, Chief Executive, Academy of Social Sciences

Brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences, The We Society sees author, journalist and Academy President, Will Hutton invite expert guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems. See the full back catalogue of episodes.

Listen to The We Society on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

The post Purposeful podcasting: exploring societal issues with The We Society appeared first on POD BIBLE.

1. Builds Authority and Trust

A podcast allows you to share insights, industry trends, and expert knowledge in a more personal and engaging way. Unlike blog posts or social media updates, podcasts provide an opportunity for in-depth discussions that establish you as an industry thought leader. When listeners hear your voice and opinions regularly, it fosters trust and credibility, making them more likely to choose your business over competitors.

2. Creates a Stronger Connection with Your Audience

Unlike text-based content, podcasts have the unique advantage of being more intimate and conversational. Your voice carries emotion, personality, and authenticity, helping to humanise your brand. When listeners feel connected to you, they are more likely to engage with your business, recommend it to others, and become loyal customers.

3. Expands Your Reach and Visibility

Podcasts are accessible on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, allowing your business to reach a wider audience beyond traditional marketing channels. With millions of podcast listeners worldwide, tapping into this growing audience can introduce your brand to new potential customers who might not have discovered you otherwise.

4. Encourages Consistent Engagement

Podcasting creates an opportunity for consistent touchpoints with your audience. Whether you release episodes weekly or biweekly, regular content keeps your brand top-of-mind. Loyal listeners anticipate new episodes, providing you with a dedicated audience that is actively engaged with your brand over time.

5. Offers Cost-Effective Marketing with High ROI

Compared to other forms of content marketing, podcasting is relatively inexpensive to produce. With minimal equipment and hosting costs, a podcast can deliver significant returns by driving website traffic, increasing brand awareness, and generating leads.

Additionally, repurposing podcast content into blog posts, social media snippets, or video clips enhances its value and reach.

Final Thoughts

A business podcast is more than just an audio platform – it’s a strategic tool for brand growth, audience engagement, and thought leadership. If you want to build deeper connections, increase visibility, and stay ahead of the competition, now is the perfect time to launch your business podcast. So grab a mic, start recording, and let your voice shape the future of your brand!

For more information and a production team that can help, please reach out to Stu on info@podbiblemag.com

The post 5 reasons why your business needs a podcast appeared first on POD BIBLE.

2024 was a HUGE year for Abroad In Japan – the show turned six years old, Chris and Pete were reunited in Tokyo for the first time since the pandemic, and Chris became a Sunday Times best-selling author! With bi-weekly appearances on YouTube and a global community of listeners, the podcast has never been more popular – and neither has Japan!

Thanks to a sleepy yen and some compelling offers from airlines, there’s never been a better time to visit – so whether you’re planning a short layover, or a 21-day mega-break in Tokyo, Japan could be a top contender for your 2025 travel itinerary. And who better to guide you through every noodle-slinging, temple-trekking, capsule-hotel-crashing moment than award-winning filmmaker Chris Broad and England’s top Japan enthusiast, Pete Donaldson?

The podcast inbox is always bursting with questions like, “Where should I stay?”, “What’s the best ramen spot?”, and “Where can I find that weird fish-flake rice thing Chris keeps talking about?” Well, we’ve got you covered. We caught up with Pete to give you some essential tips to jump-start your Japan plans:

How To Fly

If time is short, the only airport worth floating into is Haneda – it’s a mere twenty minutes away from central Tokyo by car. It was built on a reclaimed chunk of the Tokyo bay and is so much closer than its smaller brother Narita, which means you get chopsticks deep into some gorgeous ramen even sooner!

How To Eat

If you’re wanting the best pork ramen – or financially ambitious sushi – you can usually find an excellent spot on most street corners or even inside most train stations in Tokyo. But why consume the sort of dish you can easily find at home? Mia Nagamatsu’s Katsuo Shokudo in Uguisudanicho gives you the chance to eat some incredible shaved dried fish on rice (katsuo-boshi). And with a queue that forms every morning at 8:30, it’s a pretty popular institution. If you fancy something a little less adventurous, then how about a ham and seafood okonomiyaki fried pancake in Sakura-tei in Harajuku?

Where To Stay

There’ll be those of us who want to experience Tokyo at full pelt – Capsule Hotels, Love Hotels, dozing off in a karaoke booth after the last train – and true, they’ll have a great (if sleepless) time of things. But somewhere between the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi and a Shibuya Centre Gai flower bed lies the salary man’s business hotel – brands like APA and Sotetsu Fresa provide small yet perfectly formed hotel rooms at more affordable prices than their larger cousins. Brands such as Dormy Inn provide a minimalist approximation of a relaxing onsen too (perfect for that jet lag!).

Where To Stray

Speaking of jet lag – or “time stupidity” as the Japanese call it – if you’re up at 5am, why not turn this to your advantage and get on an early train to somewhere a bit more peaceful? There are your usual suspects, Kyoto or Nara – but if you’ve brought your hiking boots, why not catch a bullet train North into the mountains of Nikko? The national park provides wild monkeys, hot springs and – in a country famed for its temples – Toshogu Shrine is one of the best you’ll see here!

If that’s left you scrambling to book the next available flight to Tokyo or if you just want to hear more about all things Japan, listen and subscribe to the Abroad in Japan podcast. New episodes are released every Monday and Thursday!

Listen and subscribe to Abroad in Japan wherever you get your podcasts.

–

This column was created with Stak. Stak produces podcasts that entertain and inform, including some of the UK’s biggest and most popular shows – boasting a combined 4 million monthly listen and over 45 years of podcasting experience. Whether recording remotely or in our broadcast-grade London  studio, we special in every stage of the podcasting process. To find out more or get in touch, visit our website at stak.london.

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1. Define Your Purpose and Audience

Knowing why you’re starting a podcast is essential. Are you sharing expertise, building a community, or promoting a brand? Defining your purpose will help guide your content and strategy. Additionally, understanding your target audience – who they are, what they care about, and where they listen – will shape your content style, format, and promotional approach.

2. Content Strategy and Format

Planning content and choosing a format (like interview-based, solo, or storytelling) is crucial. Decide on your podcast’s theme or niche and brainstorm episode ideas to stay relevant and consistent. Also, consider episode length and frequency – weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly – and how long each episode should ideally be, based on audience preferences.

3. Technical Equipment and Setup

Audio quality is vital for keeping listeners engaged. A good microphone, headphones, and editing software are foundational. Research what equipment best fits your budget and needs, and find a quiet recording space to minimise background noise. Familiarise yourself with basic editing to enhance the audio experience and maintain a professional sound.

4. Branding and Marketing Strategy

Your podcast needs a strong brand to attract listeners. Create a memorable name, logo, and cover art that align with your theme. Plan how you’ll promote your episodes, using platforms like social media, a website, or collaborations with other podcasters. Think about SEO for podcast directories to help listeners discover your show.

5. Consistency and Commitment

Podcasting requires dedication, from creating content to editing and promoting each episode. Producing quality episodes consistently will help build a loyal audience over time. Plan a content calendar, set realistic goals, and commit to a posting schedule that works for you without leading to burnout.

Considering these factors will give you a solid foundation to launch a podcast that resonates with your audience and grows sustainably.

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A lot has happened in 2024. From re-elections and the Paris Olympics to Barbenheimer, Brat Summer, the Euros, and even Oasis reuniting, the world didn’t stop – and neither did Stak! Through award-winning storytelling, sell-out live shows, and reaching millions of fans across the world, Stak have continued to redefine the connection between sports and storytelling, keeping listeners entertained, educated, and up-to-date with independent voices.

It’s been a hell of a year for Football Ramble, which celebrated 17 years of entertaining, totally unserious football broadcasting. From Euros watchalongs that brought fans together to a sold-out Palladium show, Football Ramble: Time Tunnel, celebrating football through the decades, it’s been a season of unforgettable moments. Across the leagues, Second Tier continued to celebrate Championship football, cementing long-term partnerships with Jameson and SBK and delivering a true matchday experience with their pitch-side episodes. With even more twists and turns on the way across the football season, we cannot wait to see what’s to come in the new year!

P1 with Matt and Tommy have been unstoppable this year, surpassing a staggering 20 million downloads, selling out their debut US tour, and now prepping for their next tour which kicks off in the UK this December. The energy of the P1 community is unmatched! With Matt and Tommy bringing the podcast to new heights every single year, P1 has remained the destination for F1 fans – watch out for 2025!

But 2024 wasn’t just about live shows and downloads – it was a stellar year for stories that really resonated – and Stak was at the forefront for a lot of them! The World’s Hardest Puzzle soared to No. 1 in the documentary charts, with celebrated cycling documentary Ghost in the Machine following as a listener favourite! Stak also officially launched their sports narrative feed, Legacy, which is now home to award-winning series Inside the Qatar World Cup and new, chart-topping documentary The English Disease. With the world hungry for more gripping stories, Stak is perfectly placed to continue to bring vital sporting stories to the masses. We’re excited to hear what is cooking for the new year!

Awards season also kept us busy, with Upfront getting their flowers at the Women’s International Podcast Awards and Stak winning silver for Best Network at the Audio Production Awards. But the real highlight was connecting with our listeners. From sold-out live events to collaborations with YouTube, we’ve worked to bring the podcasts you love to life, in fresh and exciting ways.

And for us, it’s not just about delivering great content – it’s about shaping the industry. Sharing ideas and conversations at events like the Broadcast Sports Summit and The Podcast Show has been a reminder of why we’re in this space: to push the boundaries of what podcasts can be and do.

So as the year wraps up, we’re looking back with pride and forward with excitement. Here’s to finding the next great story, connecting to listeners across the world, and keeping podcasting fun. See you in 2025!

This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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1. Microphone

A quality microphone like the Audio-Technica ATR2100x or Shure SM58 is crucial for clear and professional-sounding audio. USB mics are beginner-friendly, but XLR mics offer better sound quality with more control.

2. Headphones

A good pair of closed-back headphones, such as the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, allows you to monitor audio while recording, and edit precisely without sound leakage.

3. Audio Interface (if using XLR mics)

An interface like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 converts your microphone’s analog signal into digital for your computer, offering superior sound control.

4. Pop Filter

A pop filter helps reduce harsh sounds like “p” and “b” that can distort recordings. It’s a cheap but effective tool to improve audio clarity.

5. Recording/Editing Software

Software like Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition allows you to record, edit, and enhance your podcast audio.

These are your core tools for starting with a professional edge!

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With over 380 episodes, interviewing some of the most recognisable names in show business, White Wine Question Time is a hive of fascinating conversations with a huge range of star-studded guests. From insights with TV legends like Joe Lycett and Bruno Tonioli, to esteemed actors like Sam Neil and Steve Pemberton and even conversations with royalty such as HRH Princess Eugenie, Kate brings out a new side of guests we know and love, blending warmth with her quick wit to reveal stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

To help you explore the White Wine Question Time universe – whether you’re after hidden gems, unheard stories, or simply the perfect chat to wind down your evening – we spoke with producers Charlie Morgan and Tayler Owen. Here are their top episode picks to guide you through some of the best moments yet. Take it away, Charlie and Tayler!

Charlie Recommends:

Sarah Parish on acting adventures, her worst jobs, and overcoming unthinkable tragedy

If White Wine Question Time is about spending time in the amazing company of some fascinating people, Sarah Parish is as good a guest as you could hope for. She’s whip-smart, fun, and hugely affable – I could’ve spent all day listening to her! She was also incredibly open and vulnerable about the realities of losing a child, and to hear about her charitable work to help those going through the tragic situation her family went through was both moving and inspiring.

Michel Roux Jr. on why selling La Gavroche was never an option, leaving Masterchef and what’s next

Kate is a fantastic interviewer and I think the show’s at its absolute best when she’s sharing the airwaves with a guest with a fascinating story. Michel Roux joined us just as he was closing his legendary restaurant Le Gavroche, so we caught him in a period of deep reflection and gratitude. To hear about what the restaurant had meant to his family, some of the hilarious and at times unbelievable stories from its hallowed halls and to dig into his life away from the stovetop was an absolute pleasure.

Tayler Recommends:

Sam Neill on the importance of friendship, discovering acting at 30, and life beyond Hollywood

Kate’s chat with Hollywood legend Sam Neill simply feels like a warm hug. Diving into his extraordinary life, Sam shares how he found acting at 30, his passion for producing world-class Pinot Noir, and how he balances life away from Hollywood on his peaceful New Zealand Vineyard. He also opens up about his battle with cancer – and how that inadvertently led him to writing his much-loved memoir – as well as his commitment to “not letting the old man in” as he celebrates his 77th birthday. This episode is as heartwarming as it is charming!

Lynda La Plante on a remarkable life in showbiz, a career in crime fiction, and parenthood in later life

This episode is one of our juiciest listens! Here, Kate sits down with the incredible no-holds-barred writer Lynda La Plante who takes a deep dive into her storied 60-year career, opening up about her storytelling brilliance, embracing motherhood later in life, and the shocking end to her marriage. Her life behind the scenes is just as enthralling as her writing. Trust me, you’ll definitely want to grab a glass of wine for this one!

To listen and subscribe to Charlie and Tayler’s suggested episodes, check out White Wine Question Time wherever you get your podcasts, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday and Friday!

This article was provided by Stak as part of a paid advertising package. Stak produces podcasts that entertain and inform, including some of the UK’s biggest and most popular shows – boasting a combined 4 million monthly listen and over 45 years of podcasting experience. Whether recording remotely or in our broadcast-grade London studio, we special in every stage of the podcasting process. To find out more or get in touch, visit our website at stak.london.

To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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1. Create Catchy Titles & Thumbnails

Your episode titles should be compelling, clear, and include keywords that grab attention. Pair them with eye-catching thumbnails to stand out in podcast directories and social media.

2. Leverage Social Media

Share short audio or video clips (teasers) from your podcast on platforms like Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok. Engaging visuals and sound bites can create curiosity and draw listeners to the full episode. Also, make sure that you’ve included all the information that people would need to find the full episode, either in the clip itself or in the caption – ensure that it’s obvious what the podcast name is, what episode the clip is from, and on what platforms listeners can find the full-length version!

3. Collaborate with Guests and Other Podcasters

Invite guests with their own audience to cross-promote the episode. Appear as a guest on other relevant podcasts to tap into their listenership, creating a win-win for both.

4. SEO & Podcast Directories

Optimise your podcast description, episode titles, and show notes with relevant keywords so it’s easily discoverable in search engines and podcast directories. Submit to all major platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

5. Engage Your Audience Directly

Encourage listener interaction by asking for reviews, answering audience questions, or creating community spaces (like Facebook groups or Discord). Engaged listeners are more likely to recommend your show to others – and hearing an enthusiastic podcast recommendation from a friend is often more likely to encourage someone to listen to your show than more traditional advertising methods (and it’s definitely cheaper!).

By following these tips, you can increase your podcast’s visibility, attract new listeners, and build a loyal following. Remember, consistency is key, so keep producing high-quality content and engaging with your audience. Happy podcasting!

The post Top 5 tips to get people to listen to your podcast! appeared first on POD BIBLE.

“Tomorrow, if we have a case of cheating with a motor in the bike, [I’m] sorry but it will destroy our sport.” – head of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), David Lappartient.

Cycling fever is heating up with the Tour de France just around the corner, but under the building excitement for the sport is a hidden air of scandal…

Ghost in the Machine is the investigative documentary uncovering the rise of motor-doping within professional cycling, with host Chris Marshall-Bell travelling all over Europe to discover how detrimental this could be for the sport. Now, with its final episode being released on June 28th, Chris rounds off his investigation with interviews from two of cycling’s most powerful men – as well as being driven through the perilously snowy outskirts of Budapest by an engineer who crafted futuristic motors for the sport.

Throughout the investigation, ex-professional riders have given their testimony admitting that they have always had their suspicions about motors being used in some of the world’s biggest races. Chris’ journey began with some bad, budget airlines’ coffee, as he headed for the Belgium city of Aalst to speak to Femke van den Driessche, the only competitor ever banned from the sport after being caught with a hidden motor inside her bike at a world championships in 2016. She’d turned her life around, isolating herself away from the sport, but pointed Chris in the direction of the man who’d installed the motor inside the frame, one Nico van Muylder – who said after the discovery he’d received several calls claiming to be from interested pro-cycling teams.

Since the investigation began, Chris has uncovered a redoubling of efforts to stamp out motor-doping from cycling’s governing body, the UCI. Several major figures in the organisation even admitted to enjoying the podcast – purely off the record, of course!

But, there’s a new sheriff in town: ex-FIFA and UEFA match fixing and corruption expert Nicholas Raudenski, who’s been tasked with identifying how motor detection processing can be improved in the sport. It’s clear that there is still a lot to do when it comes to stamping out cheats in an already compromised sport, but with journalists like Chris, and investigations such as Ghost in the Machine, the flame underneath these authorities has truly been lit.

Tune in for the final episode of Ghost in the Machine to be released on Friday 28th June, wherever you get your podcasts. Listen and subscribe at the link below:

lnk.to/ghostinthemachine

And if you have any further information about motor-doping that you wish to share with us, we’re all ears! Just give us an email at: motordoping@gmail.com.

This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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JR: Lou Mensah’s list of achievements in podcasting is certainly impressive. Creating the podcast Shade in 2019, Lou has received recommendations in The Guardian, Esquire Magazine and Grazia, as well as being the silver award winner in the 2019 British Podcast Awards for Best Arts and Culture podcast. So how would Lou describe her podcast Shade – what’s it about?

LM: “My guests champion the work of artists of colour within the wider cultural landscape. I love talking with artists whose work stimulates the senses but also has the scope to create wider conversations about inclusion. Shade is a space to be inspired by artists and their stories.

I remembered how isolated I felt being a self-taught, female photographer of colour in the 90’s, without access to inspiring conversations about art or my place within it. I also had a disability which meant that I couldn’t socialise with other artists. Back then my sense of community came from reading about other artists’ lives. When I decided to create the podcast I wanted to create an intimate and welcoming space for everyone, from established artists to listeners who
simply enjoy the odd gallery visit.”

JR: Like many podcasters, Lou has taken away some personal highlights from her time producing the show.

LM: “A highlight so far has been Season 4 which was in response to the 2020 BLM uprisings. I felt that we needed a space to process how we felt about the arts and its response to the uprisings, and how our work may change as a result. It was also an opportunity to talk with those working within the media whose job it was to respond to that seminal moment in civil rights history. I talked with the Editor of TIME, journalists from i-D and The Guardian, plus curators, photographers and critics about how the uprisings had impacted their work. I was lucky to have guests on the show who had refused to talk to other press outlets during this time.

One guest was a founding member of BLM UK, who entrusted me with his story. I am proud to have created a space for the conversations that are glaringly missing from mainstream broadcasting platforms. Sometimes podcasting can feel like talking into a void, but the response to the show affirms that the podcast caters for an audience eager to engage with and support
these conversations.”

JR: Despite time restraints, Lou is looking to the future and production for an upcoming season is in process.

LM: “As an independent podcaster I only have time to work on the show a few hours a week, so I am proud that in it’s short life Shade has garnered attention and support from some art heavyweights, including from the South London Gallery and Hauser & Wirth for example, who will continue to support Shade next season. For season 5 I am working with the Sound designer Axel Kacoutié and we are taking the show in a completely new direction. We will launch our collaboration online and at an event in September [2022]. I hope to see some Pod Biblers there!”

Shade is now in its eleventh season, but find out more about Lou’s collaboration with Axel Kacoutié, Interludes, here >>

Listen to SHADE on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps now >>

The post Good Samaritan // SHADE appeared first on POD BIBLE.

In 2018 The BBC launched BBC Sounds, a new audio platform to host audio, radio (both live and pre-recorded), and podcasts. I was in the right place at the right time, a young comedian who had got to the final of the BBC New Comedy Award the year prior, so when the staff at the BBC’s W1 offices were told there was a budget for new content and a mission to find ‘new talent’, I was one of the lucky few to get the phone call to ask ‘hey, fancy making a podcast?’.

It was a call that changed the direction of my career and indeed the direction of my life at that time. Six years later, with thousands of pounds of license fee’s payers money having gone in and out of my account, an ARIA award win at London’s palladium and six different series of podcasts under my belt, I look back and wonder ‘When I answered that call, did I even know what a podcast was?’

I pitched a few ideas back in 2018 but the one that stuck was to make a show about drug use in the UK. Jacob Hawley: On Drugs was born, a kind of gonzo journalism comedy/documentary podcast where I as host would travel the UK, interviewing people, performing stand up and having conversations, all with the objective of investigating how people use drugs in Britain.

My name was above the door, and indeed I hosted it, but I was partnered by a producer named Nick Coupe. Nick had been working in-house at the BBC on a mix of radio, TV and online projects for years, and I don’t say this to be kind, but I basically struck gold in being fortunate enough to make the show with him. Thanks to Nick, the show had everything; backing music, stings, artwork done by some feckless East London graphic genius, he found us huge guests to interview, he recorded me performing stand up and chatting to my mates and cut it all up into snappy, beautiful half hour episodes that discussed everything from drug laws, people shitting themselves in front of DJ’s, even conversations with the parents of a lad I went to school with who’d OD’ed on MDMA.

We made a show. We made a hit. We reached 12th in the iTunes charts, had millions of downloads, were featured in broadsheet newspapers, we had adverts going out on TV. It was the highlight of my young career. But at the time, I didn’t stop to think that, actually, we hadn’t made a podcast at all. We’d basically made a really, really good Radio 4 show, but we’d done it on a topic that Radio 4 wouldn’t have dared to touch, and in their infancy, BBC Sounds were naive enough to broadcast.

And then lockdown hit. I received no support money from the government as I’d only been self-employed two years, Nick the producer was in a similarly precarious position, so we drafted a new idea about a lockdown themed series and had it commissioned in a day. Financially, and for a short while I thought I’d won the lottery again; I could make the show remotely, we were getting huge guests because no one had anything else on, and our numbers were still strong. I couldn’t have known that, actually, lockdown was the end for what I was doing.

Within those months where we were all locked up at home, every man and his dog started making podcasts. James Acaster partnered with Ed Gamble, Rob Beckett with Josh Widdicombe, Danny Dyer with his daughter, stars of the screen dropped down a league, formed deals with Acast et al, and found success. When the masks came off and the doors opened with lockdown lifting, these guys had taken over the top of the charts, they’d made their branded deals, and they were finding it easier than they used to find doing TV… so why would they stop?!

People of my profile could no longer compete with the celebrities who’d taken over the top of the podcast listening charts. But cleverly, the other people on my level of profile were no longer trying to. Rather than trying to become megastars with broadcasters like the BBC behind them, podcasters on my level bought podcast mics off Amazon, downloaded Garage Band and just did it themselves. Podcasting became punk rock. You make it yourself, you put it out yourself, you find an audience by yourself, and they love you, for doing it all yourself. I watched my peers commit to a low-fi method of production but more importantly, a level of authenticity. And despite my efforts, despite journalists (nudged by the BBC’s PR teams) describing me as ‘authentic’, you can’t be ‘authentic’ and also make the kind of shows we were making, for the kind of money I was earning, with the level of production and editorial input that the BBC insisted that our shows had.

By the end of lockdown I was making the third in my series of BBC Sounds podcasts, a show about pornography and sex entitled Jacob Hawley: On Love. We made most of the show whilst dodging the protocols that come with a pandemic, we visited a porn site whilst wearing masks, the irony wasn’t lost on me and my producer that we were essentially making a show about intimacy whilst it was illegal to be too close to people.

The show did okay but numbers had been dwindling for a while. There was still an appetite for it from the listeners and the BBC, but as is often the case, things, and people, were moving on.

As I’ve already described, the whole landscape of podcasting had changed to essentially what it is today – shiny floor shows made on big budgets, with high profile hosts, funded by ads, OR basement, patreon funded, punk rock style shows that represent the alternative. I was a man with no profile making a show with a big budget that couldn’t be funded by ads. I was neither one nor the other, I didn’t fit into either category.

Also, as you’d expect with a show that was essentially a man in his 20s presenting shows on drugs and sex to a largely Radio 4 audience, we’d rubbed a few people up the wrong way, and the BBC were starting to get a bit tired of it. ‘Balance’ was the key word and the commissioners made sure I was kind to everyone, understanding of every viewpoint, and essentially didn’t nail any colours to any masts on any topics, to avoid potential complaints. That didn’t stop me writing things on my personal social media accounts that would sometimes wind people up. I was in a room once with Tim Davie, the director general of the BBC and a former Tory candidate. I don’t imagine an expensive show about drug use made by a lefty comedian who often tweeted things that wound up the older generations of the listenership was at the top of the list of things he wanted to recommission.

Things essentially came to an end because people moved on, our commissioner left as BBC Sounds cut their budgets for original content, our Exec moved back toward Radio 4 and my producer correctly found his place in the loftier world of television. I pitched a few new things to new people but the truth was I never loved the ideas I was throwing around and there was no longer either the space or appetite for someone like me doing what I could do.

What I should have done is carried one with what I was good at. I should have found a low budget way of continuing to create Jacob Hawley: On Drugs. I should have retained the IP and my own access to the RSS feed so that I could continue making the show with my name on it and getting it to the people who enjoyed it (I actually looked into the possibility of this and, despite the show having my name on it, I didn’t own it, and thus I wouldn’t be able to keep releasing shows under that name, despite that name being my name). I should have just begged Nick to keep making it with me on the side of his new job. My agents should have protected me with these rights upon signing contracts, but then, this had never happened before, podcasting was so new. These things happen.

And then I think about this sometimes and think, maybe not. I remember reading the reviews of the show on iTunes once, naturally paying attention to the only negative one I could find at the time (I’m sure there have been more since). The only two star review I could find basically said ‘it’s a fine show, but I just wish they’d hired a different host’. Now, I promise I’m not just personally hurt that this guy had enjoyed my show but specifically not the sound of, well, me. What jumps out is the fact he referred to me as the ‘host’. The host?! It was my fucking show! The whole thing was my idea! It literally had my name on it! It wasn’t the one show, they hadn’t just hired me to front it.

But here’s the thing, when you sound that well produced, when you spend that long doing different takes of the voice over, when everything is that well packaged… it isn’t really your podcast, is it? It’s the BBC’s. They’re paying for it. They’re editing it. Indeed, they had an awful lot of say on what I could and couldn’t say.

That was the lesson I took away from the whole experience. Sure, its great if your podcast sounds good, if it looks good, if its advertised well. But that’s not what a podcast is supposed to be. That’s a radio show, a TV show.

The point of a podcast is the listener should be able to get closer to you than they would if they were watching you on tele or hearing you on the radio. There should be a shorter gap between your idea and their ears, there should be less edits, less lawyers saying whether you can or can’t say something.

I didn’t give up on podcasting, but this realisation lead me to changing direction, and like many fallen stars who’ve been dumped by the BBC, I embraced punk rock.

I now make a show in my spare room, with two microphones, one that I stole from a mates warehouse, one that I bought online and I’m pretty sure doesn’t fully work. I film it on my phone.

It’s called The Screen Rot podcast. Me and one of my best mates, and indeed one of my favourite comedians, Jake Farrell. The objective of the show was simple – make something that replicates the way we make each other laugh on Whatsapp. For years I’ve been sending Jake the dregs of social media on Whatsapp, mainly as a wind up. I send him Instagram’s Nutter Of The Week, the weirdest bits of Tik Tok, and he will chastise the content, and then me for sending it to him.

That’s our show. Each week we find a different content creator. And we take the piss out of them. And we take the piss out of each other.

It doesn’t have millions of downloads, it has thousands. It will never be in a chart or listed as ‘most listened to’. But a few hundred people really love it. They message us constantly about it, they have a go at us if we’re not harsh enough on the content we’re discussing or indeed on each other. They interact with it more in their small numbers than the millions of people downloading my BBC shows ever would. They know for a fact that no one else could host it, because honestly, why would they want to?! It’s maybe not a hit, it has a cult following rather than a huge following, but most importantly, it’s a podcast. And its ours.

Listen to The Screen Rot Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

The post Jacob Hawley: On podcasting appeared first on POD BIBLE.

The inspiration for starting a podcast is intrinsically personal – Tom Davies has used his own journey as the foundation for his highly regarded Proper Mental Podcast, a show which leaves no stone unturned for mental health. Tom has always been beautifully open about his own experiences:

“I started Proper Mental to create the sort of platform that I needed when I was struggling. Initially it was going to be a short series of conversations but it seemed to resonate with so many people it made more sense to start making a weekly show.

In 2016 my mental health declined to the point of collapse and I experienced a breakdown. I didn’t tell anyone what was happening to me. Mental health just wasn’t on my radar and I’d never heard anyone I could relate to talk about being poorly. I didn’t have the words to describe what was going on, I didn’t know who I could tell if I did. I thought I was going ‘Proper Mental’.”

Tom’s audience continues to grow and the national award nominations are also starting to roll in – but Tom makes it clear that the outreach of the podcast is the most rewarding part of the process.

“It wasn’t until I started speaking openly about my mental health and listening to others talk about their own experiences that I could really start working towards recovery. Speaking to so many people has given me an incredible understanding of my own mental health journey and a fascinating insight into what other people are going through.

I make the podcast so that anyone who listens might feel less alone, get a better understanding of their own experiences or gain insight into the experiences of others and maybe find out about organisations, support systems or self-care techniques that they might not know much about.”

As with any aspect of mental health, Tom has to skilfully and humbly steer the conversations with his guests.

“It feels like a real privilege to be able to hold space for my guests and the fact that they trust me with their stories is an honour I will never take lightly. I recently recorded an episode with a street artist, and former soldier called Jay Wheeler, who was medically discharged. It was incredibly moving and I couldn’t be prouder of how we navigated such a challenging story. Another episode that was an incredible experience was one I recorded with my wife. We talked through my experience with mental ill health from her perspective and the effect it had on our family and that resonated with a massive amount of people.”

The Proper Mental Podcast has plans to continue, and Tom is also putting a lot of time into further outreach efforts.

“I did my first live show last year, it was really well received and a lot of fun. I’m currently in the process of pulling together everything I’ve learned from almost 100 conversations about mental health and putting it all into a talk that I’d like to deliver to schools, workplaces or at events. I try to introduce my listeners to charities and organisations that they might not be aware of and speak to experts about different aspects of support and self-care so anyone listening can get a better idea of what’s out there.”

Listen to Proper Mental on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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