5 things you MUST see at the Podcast Show 2023

The Podcast Show 2023 is taking place this week at the Business Centre in London. I attended The Podcast Show last year and was so blown away by the amount of content on offer that I regretted not having forensically scoured the schedule to create an advance action plan days beforehand. Once again, I am likely to spend much of my time dipping in between the ‘Theatre’ programme, spanning three large spaces and featuring conversations with bigger names, major production companies and commissioners, and the four more intimate ‘Talking Podcasts’ rooms which feature more grassroots advice, on topics such as PR-ing your podcast and entering awards, alongside inspiring case studies from the world of indie podcasting. Yet there are several other strands – from practical advice on the Rise-Up stage to an Ask The Experts programme.

So this year, here are a few tips that you may want to add to your own agenda:

1. Why Audiences Respond to Comedy Podcasts – with Dan Schreiber, Luisa Zissman, Paul Chowdry and Chris Lander
Wednesday 11.30am – The Studio Stage

In this panel discussion, Global’s Head of Comedy Podcasts Chris Lander unpacks new research into audience attitudes to comedy podcasts with a stellar panel of comic talent. Pod Bible coverstar Dan Schreiber of No Such Thing As A Fish who will no doubt be giving a nod to his new show We Can Be Weirdos.

2. Evolutions in True Crime and Investigative Journalism
Wednesday 1pm – Gallery Stage

This sounds like a fascinating discussion for fans of Serial and all the excellent true crime pods that have followed. What are the new directions, innovations and ethical considerations in this space? What does the future of the genre look like? Panellists are set to include Matthew Shaer of Campside Media, Alexi Mostrous of Tortoise Media and David Waters of Novel.

3.  Duos In Podcasting: How to Not Get Professionally Divorced
Wednesday 3.15pm – The Origin Theatre

As someone who has spent years writing and speaking about breakups, both the personal and professional kind, this title really caught my eye. How do you keep a podcast partnership going even when you’re driving each other mad? Roman Kemp interviews podcasting duos Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks (Staying Relevant) plus Adeola Patronne and Mariam Miss (Pressed) to find out.

4. Pod Bible Live – Creating a Community and Network Around Indie Podcasts
Thursday 11.30am – Talking Podcasts ‘Creator 1’

Come and see Pod Bible Digital Editor Fran Turauskis quizzing Kobi Omenaka (cofounder of Stripped Media and host of Flixwatcher, Simple Politics and The Wire Stripped), Tom Dark (Head of Darkside Media, ex Head of Podcast Promotions at Warner Records and host of Monkey Tennis – The Alan Partridge Podcast) and yours truly all about building networks and communities around our podcasts.

5.  A Podcaster’s Manifesto: How Pod Save the U.K. Can Change the World
Thursday 2.15pm – The Origin Theatre

Crooked Media, who launched Pod Save America in the wake of a certain President Trump’s inauguration, have teamed up with Reduced Listening and Nish Kumar to tackle our political landscape head on. Nish will share his view on political podcasting and how the medium can create change.

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In between sessions, don’t forget to visit the Pod Bible stand (Stand J13) to say hello to the team and pick up copies of the latest issue and back catalogue.

There’s hundreds of stalls to visit including Pod Bible Lead Partner Audible, and Media Partners Stak and Auddy. And if last year is anything to go by, the Spotify stand should be worth a visit to see what treats and goodies they have up their sleeve. (Last year they offered personalised tote bags – printed on demand with your pod art – and signature juices to provide welcome rehydration for frazzled podcasters…)

Enjoy the show!

The Podcast Show is the biggest international festival for the business of podcasting and will bring together thousands from
the global podcast community under one roof. Day passes are still on sale and extra 10% off selected passes when you use the code “PODBIBLE” until 22nd May.