Whether you’re a solo founder, a startup team, or a global brand, having a podcast could be one of the smartest networking moves you make. Here’s why.

1. Instant Access to Influencers

Think of your podcast as a backstage pass to conversations that matter.

Inviting a guest onto your show gives you a reason to reach out to people who might otherwise ignore your cold email – industry leaders, potential collaborators, even future investors. A podcast interview isn’t just a Q&A; it’s a 30- to 60-minute relationship-building opportunity disguised as content.

You’re offering them a platform and visibility. In return, you get time, insights, and often, an open door for future collaboration.

Pro tip: Always follow up. A post-episode thank-you can easily lead to a meeting, a partnership, or even a client.

2. You Become a Connector, Not Just a Consumer

One underrated benefit of podcasting is the ability to bring people together.

When your business hosts a podcast, you’re no longer just attending networking events – you’re creating them. You can connect people across your industry, feature clients, give shoutouts to partners, and build a community around shared conversations.

That makes you more than a voice – you become a hub. And in networking, being a connector is far more valuable than being a collector of contacts.

3. Demonstrate Expertise Without the Pitch

Let’s be honest – nobody likes the hard sell. A podcast allows your business to share its values, insights, and vision in a more natural, engaging way. Instead of pitching your product or service, you’re discussing trends, challenges, and stories that matter to your audience.

It’s thought leadership in action. Over time, your show becomes a portfolio of your knowledge, passion, and credibility – something your network can easily share and reference.

Bonus: When your podcast is well-produced and consistent, it also becomes a subtle signal of professionalism and commitment.

4. Keep Your Network Warm

Most of us struggle to stay top of mind in our networks. A podcast solves that.

If people subscribe to your show, they’re hearing from you regularly. That means when they need something in your field – advice, a recommendation, a service – you’re already front-of-mind. It’s long-term, value-first relationship management without the awkward check-in emails.

And when you include guests, they often promote their appearance, bringing your name to their audience too. It’s networking by osmosis.

5. Build a Global Rolodex (and Reputation)

One of podcasting’s most powerful advantages is that it’s borderless. You’re not limited to networking in your local market. With a podcast, you can connect with people and audiences around the world, expanding your reach far beyond what’s possible at a physical event or trade show.

For businesses looking to scale, export, or just think bigger, this global exposure can open unexpected doors – from international collaborations to global speaking opportunities.

Final Thought: The Mic Is Mightier Than the Business Card

Podcasting isn’t just content – it’s a conversation starter. It creates a reason to connect, a space to showcase expertise, and a platform that gives back as much as it puts out. In a networking world increasingly defined by authenticity and value, a business podcast is more than a marketing tool – it’s your digital handshake.

So if you’re wondering how to grow your network in 2025, consider this: don’t just go to the table. Host it.

The post Mic to Market: How a business podcast supercharges your networking appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Lou Sanders is a recognisable face on our TVs, often stealing the show. Seemingly out of nowhere she put in side splitting appearances on Hypothetical, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and, of course, Taskmaster. But to those in the podcast world it wasn’t out of nowhere, because she has been tearing it up as a guest on a wide range of podcasts for years now!

Lou’s unique takes on subjects have been what made her stand out on TV and they’re exactly what makes her a consistently hilarious and rarely repetitive podcast guest. Here’s some of our favourite episodes…

DRUNK WOMEN SOLVING CRIME
15: The Mother of All Criminals and Stolen Bermuda Shorts // Nov 2018

DWSC has been one of the blow up successes of podcasting, and, as luck would have it, two of Lou’s favourite things are drunk women and solving crime! The perfect guest, right? Not quite. She’s now sober. But fear not, as that doesn’t hinder her ability to approach the crimes in question from the strangest of angles. It makes no sense that she’s the only sober person. Listen now >>

UNEXPECTED FLUIDS
E4 S2: Sex tech Fails //Sep 2019

Taking your podcast live can throw up all sorts of issues but going live with a podcast about sexual mishaps and mistakes presents its own set of… unique hurdles. So who better for the London Podcast Festival appearance of Unexpected Fluids than the often uncomfortably comfortable Sanders! Lou gleefully shares tales of Tinder  terrors, fiancé foibles and so much more… Listen now >>

BIRTHDAY GIRLS’ HOUSE PARTY
New Year’s Eve // Dec 2018

The birthday girls bring party after party to the podcast world… but you don’t bring out a party pro like Lou Sanders for just any do. No, no no. You save Lou for THE NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY! Resolutions, choosing who to kiss at midnight and international New Year’s traditions all combine to make it a Birthday Girls’ House Party you really don’t want to miss. Listen now >>

FLIMS TO BE BURIED WITH
Christmas Special // 2018

After interrupting many episodes while living with host Brett at the Edinburgh Fringe, listeners were eagerly awaiting Lou’s full appearance on Films To Be Buried With. Sadly, things didn’t go quite to plan. As something of a precursor to her own podcast, instead of “first film you saw?” or “scariest/funniest film”, Lou proceeded to change the questions to “first cuddle you saw?” and so on. Ridiculous, but an unexpectedly tender and bloody lovely. Listen now >>

THE COMEDIAN’S COMEDIAN
110 // Feb 2015

Recorded three years before the episodes above, Lou’s chat with Stuart Goldsmith on The Comedian’s Comedian finds her in a much more calm and reflective mood as she discusses her career to date. Although there are sneak peaks of Lou’s performing persona, the majority of the podcast shows a side that we perhaps hadn’t heard before and allows us to learn about her journey as a comedian. Listen now >>

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We hope you enjoy these Lou Sanders podcasts. Read more Podcast Prophet articles in the Pod Bible magazine, which you can read online or buy in our shop.

The post Top podcast guest appearances – Lou Sanders appeared first on POD BIBLE.

As the festival draws near, we caught up with Founder, Dylan Pugh, to find out what we can expect at the festival this year…

It’s nearly festival time! Which shows are you most excited about seeing in this inaugural year?

They’re all going to be great shows obviously, but two in particular stand out for me. We have Morning Kombat, the leading MMA/Boxing podcast in the US and reigning Sports Podcast of the Year, flying over to play their first live show in the UK. They have a huge audience over here, and great guests lined-up, so that will be a great one.

And the FozCast will also be playing their first ever live show too, which is really exciting. I’ve been a huge fan of the way Ben Foster has built his own audience as a content creator – and he’s bloody good at it too! We’re excited for his fans to be able to watch the FozCast live in-person for the first time.

You mentioned some predictions for Sports podcasting in 2022 last time we spoke (more immediate content, the rise of the ex-professional, keeping episodes short and regular) – did we see it all happen?

We definitely saw more ex-athletes launch a podcast this year, from Jonny Wilkinson and Andrew “Beef” Johnston, to Neil Warnock and Chris Kamara. I would expect that trend to continue in 2023, with more current athletes in their prime joining the party.

Any things about 2022 podcasting that surprised you?

We didn’t see as much growth in the live audio space as I was expecting. Facebook flirted with it, but cooled their plans, Twitter Spaces has not been as widely adopted, and Spotify’s plans with Greenroom are yet to materialise at scale. In the same space, we saw more live-streaming and watch-alongs from leading sports podcasters – another trend I expect to continue to grow this year. And I was surprised by how quickly the live podcasting scene has not only returned post-Covid, but accelerated at such pace.

What are your predictions for sports podcasting in the next 12 months?

More current athletes in their prime to enter the game as podcasters, more sports podcasts going live and on tour, and in general, I think we’ll see some more variation in the types of podcast being created – niche topics and different formats. There’s clearly a formula that works for sports podcasting at the moment and I can see why people are sticking to that, but my opinion is that there’s now a lot of repetition. Those that do something different to the norm will cut through

Both the audio industry and the sports industry have a big gender disparity – do you think podcasts could help to engage these audiences?

Absolutely. There’s huge momentum around women’s sport right now and the growth trajectory is significant. To my earlier point, the sports podcast landscape is very ‘samey’ in terms of the format and profile of the hosts – and the gender disparity is shocking. So as women’s sport continues to grow in popularity, there’s a huge opportunity to add some fresh new voices to the space.

There’s already some amazing podcasts such as the No Balls: The Cricket Podcast, The Good, the Scaz & the Rugby and Jill Scott’s Coffee Club, and from our work with the Sports Podcast Awards, we are seeing more female producers out there too, which is great to see.

TV has made big strides in the number of female voices in sport, but these are not the current athletes and top stars themselves. Podcasts can be an amazing platform to showcase their true personalities and to build these characters and role models to inspire the next generation of female sport stars and audio creators.

I would urge anybody that commissions a sports podcast to think about the opportunity here, and the responsibility that we have as an industry to redress this balance.

For those interested in attending a live sports podcast show, how can they get involved with Pod Live?

We have live shows each night from Wednesday 8th to Sunday 12th February at Kings Place in London. There are two shows each night, with four on the Sunday, and tickets can be bought HERE. We have shows covering Rugby, Football, Cycling, F1, Combat Sports and some general sports comedy shows like Fighting Talk and Socially Distant Sports Bar – so something for everyone!

The post Speaking to Dylan Pugh from Pod Live appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Ever fancied jumping into bed for a duvet day with a celebrity? You’d get to find out what their bedroom looks like, what pulls them under the duvet, their weird sleep habits and how they got out of bed during the tough times.

In Duvet Days, Abby Hollick jumps into bed with special guests for unfiltered, honest chat. You can listen in as musicians and artists open up about mental health, fame, recovery, childhood and relationships. In this longform interview series, Abby discusses what a ‘duvet day’ means to Emeli Sande, Munroe Bergdorf, Nicola Coughlan, Joel Golby, Camilla Thurlow, Yrsa Daley-Ward, Yola, Rosie Jones, Laura Dockrill, Hannah Cockroft, Lemn Sissay and Ray BLK.

The podcast has recently returned for series 2 so we sat down with Abby to ask her a few questions…

What is it about podcasts that appeals to you?

A mate in your ear. It’s company on a long journey or while I’m in the bath. I also love learning more about people I admire and investigating how our minds work – using podcasts as free therapy basically! Podcasts are also a chance for the world to hear stories from people who have been silenced or ignored for too long.

If you could go back to just before you recorded the first episode of your podcast and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Don’t record for hours as you have to edit this Abby! Also, It’s ok to say ‘sorry my arm has gone dead I just need to put the mic in the other hand’! For some reason I was embarrassed to say this and would stay fixed in this painful, rigid position.

Abby with Paralympian Hannah Cockroft

What makes a great podcast guest?

Funny, vulnerable, open and hopefully saying something for the first time. Someone who says it like it is and is a bit of a maverick or someone who has survived something extraordinary and has some wisdom on how to do life and cope. Also, guests whose stories and experiences have been shut out of mainstream radio for too long.

What makes a great podcast host?

A woman! I was desperate to hear more women, back in the day the longform interview podcast was dominated by men but thankfully that’s changed. I want to think the host is my friend, so a good listener and someone who asks insightful follow-up questions. I’m not surprised so many comedians have podcasts as a funny host with outrageous anecdotes is always a laugh and you want to be in the pub with them.

What’s been your worst podcast moment?

I mean I live in fear of not pressing record. When I flew to Ireland to interview Nicola Coughlan I made her tell me she could see the red light and I had pressed record before we started, as I couldn’t go all the way to Galway and mess up! I’ve definitely had tough moments when I’ve asked questions and been told ‘I don’t want to go there’ and felt like I was being too intrusive but I just apologise and say fair enough. I’m not going to stop asking the questions I think listeners want to hear.

What is your podcast/podcaster pet peeve?

It annoys me that I can’t listen to podcasts when I am editing my own podcast as I feel podcasted out. Also I say ‘so’ a lot which irritates me when I edit myself. Its also a peeve if a group of friends on a podcast all talk over each other and share ‘in-jokes’ and I feel left out.

Is there anything you found annoying as a podcast listener… but then understood when you started making your own?

I used to think ‘why didn’t the host ask this or follow-up on that?’ but when you’re in the hot seat and being the interviewer your mind can go blank or you can worry about the time pressure, your battery power etc and you can make these mistakes so I am now less judgmental as a listener. Kirsty Young is the queen of the follow-up!

Previous guest Emeli Sandé

Which one podcast episode of your own means the most to you?

It means a lot when anyone says yes to be honest as they are trusting me to sit on their bed and chat about such personal stuff but I am really proud of Laura Dockrill’s episode as she was so open about suffering from postnatal psychosis, recovery and CBT therapy. I was extremely moved by her and full of admiration and I think it’s one of the most extraordinary descriptions of a mind exploding and then she pieces it back together again. Also, she’s hilarious and our babies were born around the same time. Both her and Joel Golby, whose parents died by the time he was 25, don’t feel sorry for themselves at all and use humour to explain really traumatic things, I loved meeting them. It was also huge for me to interview Christine and the Queens the day after her gig as I am such a fan and that gig blew my mind, I went with a friend who didn’t know her and we both left shaking – her dancing is out of this world!

Which one podcast episode (not of your own) has had the biggest impact on you?

One?! Ok out of Maya Angelou on Oprah’s podcast, Robin Williams on WTF with Marc Maron, Zadie Smith and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on the New York Public Library, Aisling Bea on Griefcast, Zadie Smith on Adam Buxton and Toure Show (can you tell I love Zadie Smith) and Ellen Burstyn on Death Sex and Money… I am going to go with Ellen Burstyn’s ‘Lessons on Survival’.

Finally, what are your plans for the podcast moving forward?

Ooh that’s a question for BBC Sounds! Season 3 hopefully as I’m hitting my stride now and I’d love to interview Lizzo. And Michaela Coel and Jill Soloway.

Listen to the Duvet Days archive on BBC Sounds, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

Read our other World Mental Health Day 2022 suggested posts.

The post THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO… Abby Hollick from Duvet Days appeared first on POD BIBLE.

POD BIBLE: Can you give us a little bit of an insight to the National Trust podcast?

SEAN: I like to say it’s the podcast that immerses you in art, history and adventure. And it really does all the things that you would get if you came to a National Trust property. One day we could be talking about an obscure artefact that lives in an archive in one of our buildings, the next we could be on paddleboards, paddleboarding through The Menai Strait in Wales, or the next week, we could be on the back of mountain bikes going bikepacking. So it’s really varied, but if you like adventure, if you like history and heritage, it’s a podcast that packages all of that stuff into one.

But I think the thing that most people like about our podcast is it’s really immersive. And one of the things we try to do is to make the listener feel like they’re there. And especially during lockdown, we really became one of the only ports that people could go to those places, so we’ve come up with lots of techniques that really immerse people within the podcast, and often people say “I felt like I was there” or “I can’t wait to get my walking boots on because you inspired me to go on a walk.”

POD BIBLE: You mentioned it very briefly there, how was that transition into recording and creating things during the lockdown period?

SEAN: Not easy, because probably 99.9% of our podcasts are recorded on location. So that really put a spanner in the works for what we were doing. But it gave us opportunities to be creative, and it gave us opportunities to tell stories that we couldn’t or wouldn’t have told before. So one of my favourites was an episode called ‘Meet the Silver Surfers’. It was about these people in their 70s and 80s, who had been in these groups where they were really active and then suddenly, they were plunged into this world where they had to learn technology. Even with my mum, you know, she never really embraced her smartphone. And then I was getting text messages and the emojis and all of this stuff. And so it was how these kinds of people, these grandmothers embraced Facebook to be able to see their friends. But we ended up looking at a group of people in their 60s and 70s, who would go on these virtual tours around Cuba and the Mediterranean, and because they needed exercise, they all walk in front of their TVs. So that was that was a really nice story that we told.

I think the other thing that we did, that has now become a kind of staple of our podcast, is what I call the microphone distribution network. We started sending microphones out to get those interviews that normally we would rock up with our microphones and record in people’s homes or offices. And that’s really freed us up to take the podcast global you know, so we can have interviews in America, we can have interviews in Australia with experts that really help enhance the knowledge that we have within the National Trust. So the pandemic gave us some difficulties that we had to overcome, but it’s really enhanced what we do and really pushed forward the storytelling we’re able to do now.

POD BIBLE: The show is very much geared towards being outdoors and being in the properties in quite adventurous ways. Is that something that you’ve learned to do from being the producer, or were you already in that world?

SEAN: A bit of both really. Before I did the National Trust podcast, I have a podcast called The Codpast and one of the episodes I did was about a guy who had ADHD and to deal with it, he decided he was going to walk round the coast of New Zealand, I think it took him three years. And The Codpast was an interview based podcast, but that one I did in a very narrative style. And that kind of sparked my interest in doing narrative podcasts. And when I got to the National Trust, I decided to really utilise some of the skill set that I learned from working in television, because my background is television. Rather than using shotgun mics and things, we started hiring DPA mics, so the head-worn mics that Madonna would wear. And we put all of our presenters on radio mics. So if they wanted to climb a tree, they could. It really gave the presenters freedom to really explore rather than waiting for a Producer with a microphone to point it in their direction before they spoke.

And I think when I first started [The National Trust] were doing walks, literature, authors, homes, and gardens. And I started to think, how do I how do I turn a walk into a podcast? Do I just replace the studio with the outdoors? And I didn’t want to do that. So we worked out ways of how we could really embrace and engage the listener. So one of the things is we do a recce before we record, so we know exactly what’s coming in, where things are going to happen and where the best sounds are. And where a presenter will walk over the crest of the hill and, and see a beautiful view. And then we’ll add corresponding music that does that.

But we also have two scripts: we have a script for the Producers, and the script for the Presenters. And the Presenters kind of look at this and start to get hives because there’s massive blank spaces in their script, where there’s stuff that we know as Producers, but they don’t know. So we really want our Presenters to be experiencing things for the first time on microphone. And I always say, the best way to get a sense of a place is to listen to someone’s experience in that place, rather than them knowing everything and asking questions that they already know. So that’s how we did it.

And then it just expanded really. We started small, and then, you know, we’ve started doing these quite epic episodes every year. So last year, it was ‘A beginner’s guide to bike packing’, where we do a 36 mile journey – which is not far for bikepacking, but when you are carrying your recording kit, you’ve got the Producers, you’ve got the Presenters, you’ve got the Soundman, and we’re all on bikes, travelling along 30 degree inclines…. it’s quite a feat!

POD BIBLE: For the most part, you do standalone episodes. So how do you create a show that feels very unified, but each episode is quite unique at the same time?

SEAN: That’s an interesting question, because sometimes people do go “none of the episodes are the same, what you know, how would we create a synergy?” And I think, you know, all of the all of the episodes are about the National Trust. But what I like to do is look outside the Trust. So a lot of the time, ideas will come from an article that I’ve read and I think “okay, so is that something we do within the Trust is that something we can tap into?” So, our epic episode this year has been a beginner’s guide to paddle boarding. Paddleboarding is really big, you go down the middle aisle of your local supermarket, and you’ll see a blow up paddleboard. It’s something that’s really taken off, and it is something that is done at Trust places. But also, you know, one of the things we look at is carbon neutral transport to our places. Our places can be quite far away and the logical thing for a lot of people would be to go by car. But you could hike to our places, you could run to our places, you could cycle. And there’s lots of places we’ve got electric vehicles, but we thought, why not create an episode where we paddleboard to a National Trust property. So we still incorporated some of the art and history, but actually, we incorporated that adventure into the process of getting to the property.

I think everything we do is rooted in the National Trust. But we just find ways that we can utilise things that are quite zeitgeist, but also engaging new audiences. Because I think sometimes the National Trust does have an image of, you know, cream, teas and country homes. That is what we do, we do it really well. But there’s a lot more to the National Trust and the adventure side of what we do in the outdoorsy side of what the Trust does really appeals to a wider audience. So as often as we can we really try and tap into that.

POD BIBLE: Is there something that you still really want to do with the podcast, which you haven’t yet managed?

SEAN: I’ve talked about our epic episodes – we have done a wild swimming episode, we’ve done a backpacking episode, we’ve done a paddleboard in episode. So we’ve done land and sea, we haven’t done air yet. So that’s the next one. There is one episode that we’ve been trying to do for a while, which is called the jetpack paramedic. So there is a company called Gravity that makes jetpacks and there was a test with the Yorkshire air ambulance, where they use jetpacks for mountain rescue. I think they got to someone in 90 seconds, where if the mountain crew had to climb up, it would have taken them half an hour. And that was done on National Trust land. So that’s a story we’ve been trying to do for a while. That was scuppered by lockdown, we weren’t able to finish off doing that. But yeah, something to do with air travel, whether it’s jetpacks or paragliding or hang gliding. That’s an episode that I’d really like to do…

POD BIBLE: And what is the most interesting thing that you’ve learned from doing the podcast so far?

SEAN: I mean, I think that I’ve learned a lot about myself, to be honest, in doing the podcast. I think, an episode that I did last year for Black History Month was called ‘Black hiking’. I am someone who comes from London, and I went to Cornwall as a kid, but I’ve never really embraced the outdoors until I started working for the National Trust. And I remember one of my first recces that I did, I found myself halfway up a mountain in the Peak District. And it was completely silent. And that completely freaked me out. You know, being from London, if everything’s completely silent, something badly wrong has happened. So it was very interesting to try and get used to being in the outdoors. And I remember I met a guy and I said “this is really freaky. It’s too quiet” and he was saying, “Oh, no I couldn’t hack it in London because it’s too noisy.” And my love for the outdoors has grown with the National Trust and it’s probably reflected in a lot of the episodes that we do. But I think that’s probably the thing that I’ve learned the most.

But I think, from a production point of view is just how engaged in podcasts can be and how immersive, you can get with podcasts. And my boss at the National Trust had never listened to a podcast before I came. And I got her to listen to a podcast and she was like, “Oh, this is amazing. It’s this brave new world that I’ve never heard of before.” So I think it’s just the power of podcasting, and how you can really touch people with it, and really help people transport themselves to new places, if it’s done in the right way.

POD BIBLE: And it also goes the other way, the National Trust is such a big organisation, to have so many fantastic podcasts that you do, it really does just help to elevate podcasting, which we’re always going to be happy about!

SEAN: Yeah, and I think one of the great things about the podcast is we do tell stories that you potentially wouldn’t hear elsewhere in the Trust. We do dig deep and we do podcasts that are sometimes challenging, we do pick up on challenging topics. And I think it’s a great way just to show the breadth of the organisation because you could just see the National Trust as cream teas, and in country piles, but there’s so much breadth to it, The people that we work with are absolutely incredible, super passionate, super knowledgeable, and to be able to share all of that knowledge with the listeners, and just share some of these beautiful places with listeners is a really great thing to be able to do in a way that you can’t really do with video, and you can’t really do with copy.

I always say that podcasting is halfway between reading a book and watching a film: you give people just a little bit of a clue of what something looks like or sounds like, and then their imagination does the rest. So the places that people go to in our podcast are probably even more incredible than the actual places that we record them because their imagination’s doing all the work!

POD BIBLE: We do try to give people a ‘point of entry’ into podcasts, particularly when there’s a big back catalogue like yours. You’ve mentioned a couple of good episodes in there already. But is there one particular episode that you think people should absolutely go and listen to?

SEAN: I think ‘Operation Hillside’ is a really good episode, because it is the kind of thing that we like to do: really dig deep into the subject matter and tell stories that are really surprising about the National Trust. It’s one that I can’t tell you too much about, because that will be a big spoiler. But it’s a really interesting story. And it’s a story about something that you probably know, but in a very different way. And I think, you know, one of the producers that I worked with, went to some really deep depths to find archive material and things. And so it’s just a really rich listen to that’s probably a really great one for people to start with.

Listen to Sean talk about the National Trust podcast on the Pod Bible Podcast episode #114.

Listen to the National Trust Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

The post Sean Douglas: Senior Podcast Producer for the National Trust appeared first on POD BIBLE.

To coincide with Black History Month, The Smarter 7 series released its third episode called BLM on Friday 29th October! This episode features activist Imarn Ayton, who rose to fame when she spearheaded the BLM protest in London alongside Madonna, John Boyega and Kehinde Andrews; Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University. The episode was written and hosted by Smart 7 producer Olivia Davies.

Former instalments of the Smarter 7 series are 9/11 and The Budget both of which were hugely successful in their own right. With three more episodes already in the works for 2021, the Smarter 7 podcast has you covered and up to date with the most important topics of our generation.

The post The Smarter 7 podcast releases BLM episode appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Ahead of the new season, I sat down with Joel Emery and Adam Jarrell, co-writers and creators of The Offensive, to discuss predicting the future of football, what to expect next from the Premier League circus this season, and what is in store for Ashwood City in the coming months.

Have there been times where something you’ve scripted in the show has then happened in the real world?

JOEL: When it comes to writing the plot for the show, you think to yourself: “What is the most cynical thing the board of directors at a top football club could do?” And as soon as you enter that thought process, you invariably end up predicting the patterns of elite-level football. We predicted the Super League a month before it happened – except I think we called it ‘The Gazprom Super Euro League’. When the pandemic shut down football, Ashwood City’s Chief-Executive Patrick Nolan furloughed all the staff – around 4 days later in the real world so did Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle… much to the disapproval of football fans. Liverpool reversed that decision, the fallout was that bad.

ADAM: We built our storyline last season around grassroots fan ownership, in the coming months the same things happened at Rangers and Newcastle – among others. Our favourite ‘prediction’ (if you can call it that) was during a Europa League episode where we had a story about the club’s left-back walking out with a mascot who was taller than him. 3 hours after the episode aired, it happened to Man Utd’s Dan James in a game versus AZ Alkmaar.

Has it become harder to satirise football ownership – particularly in the last six months with the European Super League saga – when so many owners and CEOs seem to be as villainous as Patrick Nolan now?

J: I think it’s left us feeling somewhat vindicated, to be honest. There’s always the worry that our characters will go too far, be too cruel, be too greedy or callous but the football world always reflects people back at us that are – somehow – so much worse. Patrick is an Old Etonian, Cambridge educated, a former banker with a hatred of football fans and a desire for money and power… Is he that far removed from other football club owners? No. Not at all. In some cases, he’s actually one of the nicer ones, which is worrying.

A: The challenge with the satire around the ESL was how it launched and crashed so emphatically. As well as football goings-on, our show also specialises in PR disasters, social media faux-pas, egg on the face of the wealthiest elites in football… and all of a sudden when the ESL popped up and managed to collapse in the funniest and most humiliating way for all parties involved we were left scrambling to outdo them in a way.

How do you expect the tension between fans and owners to play out this season and beyond – both at Ashwood City and in the real world?

J: This is going to be a bleak answer… I can’t see how fans get a meaningful foothold on the game again. Fan ownership will roll on for a few more years, but I can’t see a fully fan-owned Premier League club. We’ll come to a point where fans purchase a piece of their club, but not a controlling stake. And if you thought club owners were bad enough already – wait until they have access to money that isn’t theirs.

Where do you see your next rich source of material coming from this season? In other words, what do you think football’s next big fuck-up will be?

A: Well… the answer there is probably the road to Qatar 2022! Amidst football’s genuine attempts from fans, players, brands and charities to find a heart and soul, there is also the colossal and unstoppable wealth of Manchester City and PSG, the impending collapse of football institutions like Barcelona and Inter Milan and of course the race for mid-table sides to sell their soul to the Saudi Arabian wealth fund. As real social change happens at the bottom in football – with inclusivity, mental health awareness, social responsibility – the opposite is happening at the top.

J: The next big fuck-up is the super-owners versus the super-organisations like UEFA, Premier League and FIFA. What do the brands caught in the middle do? Is it right for a brand that celebrates Pride Month to sponsor a tournament in Qatar? Is it right for a team that works with men’s mental health charities to brand themselves head-to-toe in Chinese gambling websites?

A: I realise this all sounds really gloomy, but I promise we’ll find an amusing way to poke fun at it all.

Can you give us a teaser about this season of The Offensive?

A: This season, Ashwood City are going to be pushed into areas they could never have dreamed of – thanks to the shady and devious activity of their Chief-Executive and his anonymous financial connections.

J: For those that remember Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano suddenly turning up at West Ham – you’re in for a treat.

For both connoisseurs of the beautiful game and fans of comedy, The Offensive is unique entertainment – with a bite. The new season of The Offensive is live! Listen via the Stak website, ACAST, and Spotify.

This article was written by Finn Ranson, an Assistant Producer at Stak, as part of a paid advertising package.

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

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Let’s kick things off – how did your podcast come about?

We had a mini series on our YouTube channel where our subscribers would send in their dilemmas and we’d try and answer them. It was such a great series and went down so well with our audience that we decided to move it over to the podcast world. And this November we’re excited to tell you that we’ll be taking the podcast on a UK tour for seven nights of live shows! A live podcast show with our fans — what could be better than that?

What do you love about making podcasts?

We love that we’ve built a really positive and strong community, and it’s always so flattering to see people emailing in and trusting us with their really personal issues.

What is the craziest dilemma you have answered on the podcast?

There have been so many! We couldn’t possibly pick just one.

How did you come up with the name, The Girls Bathroom?

We were trying to think of the perfect place where these discussions would naturally arise. As every girl will tell you, the girls bathroom is often a place where we all flock to on a night out — and often leave with more friends than when we walked in.

Do you think there needs to be more women in the podcasting space?

Absolutely, the more the merrier! There are so many incredible women out there who would make amazing podcasts for all of us to enjoy.

What’s one hot top for the budding podcaster out there?

Be consistent and find your niche!

In The Girls Bathroom, Sophia & Cinzia want to help you with your dilemmas, by trying to make sense of these boys wasting your time, the girls trying to make your lives difficult and all the things in between. So join them for a fun but real chat in the girls bathroom! Listen now on Acast >>

@SophiaTuxford // @cinziazullo1

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Celebrating podcasters is a common occurrence, but in this modern world being a solid, grade-A guest is something that needs celebrating. Our Podcast Prophet for issue #007 of the magazine was Kathy Burke.

Let’s not beat around the bush… Kathy Burke is a national treasure. After a long time away from the public gaze, her introduction to social media and resulting leap into the world of podcast guesting has been a joy to behold. With Kathy as a guest you are guaranteed honesty, frankness and either a lot of swearing or one hell of an editing job. The following episodes offer a wide variety of conversations, but be sure to search Kathy’s name in your podcast app to discover even more brilliant guest appearances.

OUT TO LUNCH w/ JAY RAYNER
Kathy Burke // Dec 2019

In the recent surge of food podcasts, Jay Rayner has stood out with his ability to get so much from this guests. In this episode he takes Kathy to Scott’s (the most expensive private dining room in London) and she isn’t in the slightest bit intimidated. Tales of sugar sandwiches and rationed oxo cubes as a child juxtapose beautifully with her comfort in very different surroundings. Listen now on Acast >>

THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST
Ep.15 & Ep.56 // Kathy Burke // Apr 2016 & Nov 2017

A double dose of Buxton & Burke for your ears? Yes please! After an extensive career overview on Ep.15 Kathy returned for another ramble-chat on Ep.56 where she and Adam discussed the theatre, cringy memories, illness, movies and so much more. As down to Earth and unaffected as ever, both episodes remind us of what a treasure Kathy is.  Listen now on Acast >>

DESERT ISLAND DISCS: 2005-2010
Kathy Burke // Aug 2010

Desert Island Discs is the ultimate music show that isn’t really about the music, and that rings all the truer in podcast form. Kathy’s appearance brings insight into her somewhat troubled upbringing, how punk and an English teacher saved her in different ways and the roles she’s most related to. Oh and arguably the greatest luxury item selection of all time…  Listen now on Acast >>

ALAN DAVIES: AS YET UNTITLED
#CreamCakesAndPernod // Aug 2016

Essentially an audio recording of a TV show, As Yet Untitled brings together four celebrities to discuss anything they like with no plan or agenda. Joining Kathy in this 20 minute episode are Omid Djalili, Alex Horne and Shaun Ryder as well as host Alan Davies. Some may cower when confronted by four big male characters at one table. Not Kathy Burke. Listen now Acast>>

STEP BACK IN TIME w/ RYLAN CLARKE-NEAL
1997 – Kathy Burke // Dec 2018

In Step Back in Time, Rylan Clarke-Neal invites a showbiz pal to go back to a momentous year from the 80s, 90s, or 00s for a celebration of its pop culture highlights. 1997 was the year of choice for Kathy meaning she was able to dicuss her early career (including the origins of Kevin & Perry) before moving on to the Teletubbies, Brit-pop, and the death of Princess Diana. Listen now on Acast>>

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We hope you enjoy these Kathy Burke podcasts. Read more Podcast Prophet articles in the Pod Bible magazine, which you can read online or buy in our shop.

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Discovering Dementia is a podcast that was started in 2017 by Penny Bell. From episode one, Penny brings the listener into her family as they learn to live with her mum’s dementia. Episodes are a mix of an audio documentary and interviews with people live with dementia in different ways, and the organisations that help them. It’s a podcast worthy of more attention and we asked Penny more about it.

Tell us about your show! Who are you and what’s your elevator pitch??

The podcast began after my mum was diagnosed with dementia. At the time, we weren’t given a lot of information about the road ahead and what to expect, so I started doing my own research. Then I thought it might be helpful to share what I found out with others who may be interested or going through the same thing. One story seems to lead to the next, so it really is a journey of discovery.

Why podcasting? What is it about the format that appeals to you?

I’ve worked as a nurse and as a radio journalist. Two very different careers but both centre around people and their stories. After bringing up a family, it was this that drew me back into the world of audio, just as podcasting was taking off. I love its free nature, that there are no hard and fast rules, no limitations. You can appeal to a niche group and set your own schedule and format. Episodes are there forever for the audience to dip into whenever they’re ready. Now, there are so many affordable ways to record and produce audio yourself. Podcasting has really opened things up to allow new voices, new stories and new creative ways of telling them to emerge.

I’ve already learnt a lot about dementia from listening to the podcast. If there was one thing listeners took away from your podcast, what would you like them to learn about dementia?

My mum has always been keen to break the stigma that surrounds dementia. It is progressive in nature but there is so much you can still do, especially in the early stages, and you should continue to do the things you love for as long as you can. People living with dementia become experts at living in the moment. Life may be a little bit different, but you are still the same person.

And I think in this instance it is also poignant to ask: do you have a dream listener? Who do you think needs to hear these dementia stories?

This podcast is for anyone who want to know more about dementia for whatever reason. It could be someone living with dementia, a family member or carer, or even professionals working in the field. It has been so comforting to connect with people who really understand the experience of dementia. It’s important to know about the ups and downs so you can feel better prepared and I hope by sharing stories, people will realise they are not alone.

Is there a particular episode that means the most to you?

Each one is special because of the people I’ve met through doing it. But episodes like Season 2 Episode 1, where I am talking to my mum and hearing what she really thinks about living with dementia have been very powerful for me. In this one I also interviewed a scientist about the hopes for future research into dementia. We also talked about the importance of social interaction, something that has been so difficult through the current pandemic. Wherever possible, until covid, I have been out and about recording, so listeners can come with me and learn about things at the same time as I do.

Which podcasts inspire you most?

I am inspired by podcasts that make the most of all that audio has to offer, using creative sound design to build mood and emotion. Today in Focus uses these techniques to tell real life news stories, like in its recent Freshwater mini-series. I also admire podcasts that share the reality of difficult life experiences, like Griefcast. I am constantly amazed by the huge variety of podcasts on offer and try to listen to as many as I can.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

To get in touch, email hello@discoveringdementia.co.uk
Twitter: @dementiapodcast
Instagram: @discoveringdementia
www.discoveringdementia.co.uk

Listen to Discovering Dementia on ACAST, SPOTIFY or your favourite podcast platform.

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

My name is Carl Richard. I am a Stand Up Comedian based in Reading Berkshire. My Podcast is all about the music I’m listening to each week. It’s essentially part Spotify playlist part radio show part comedy podcast.

Primarily for fans of Hip-Hop, Funk, Soul, Jazz and Knob Jokes!

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

An early Joe Rogan episode featuring Doug Stanhope and Joey Diaz or it might be a Ricky Gervais and Karl Pilkington one I can’t really remember.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

I’m a comedian it’s now mandatory to have a podcast but I also really love music and love making playlists so when Spotify made the technology available to use full length songs in a Podcast it was a no brainer for me to have my own online radio show.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I love American comedy podcasts like WTF with Marc Maron and Bill Burr’s Monday Morning Podcast where you really get to hear the personality of the comedians. I’m trying to combine that style with radio shows like ‘The Craig Charles Funk N Soul Experience’ and ‘The Huey Show’ So I guess I’m inspired by American comedians and 6Music.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

So far I haven’t had any guests but I would love to talk funk and Red Dwarf with Craig Charles.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

Having to put out a weekly product is a great way to keep your brain active and don’t leave things to the last minute.

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

The tunes in Episode 1 and 2 are great but I sound a bit Partridge so start on Episode 3.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

My website carlrichardcomedy.com is a good place to start but also on Instagram @carlrichardcomedian1.

Listen to This Week’s Playlist now on SPOTIFY!

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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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On the 17th of February, Stakhanov launched its newest show My Seven Wonders with Clive Anderson, co-produced with Alaska TV and hosted by legendary presenter and award winning comedian, Clive Anderson. Each week, Clive welcomes a new guest and asks them the same big question: which seven wonders of the world would make it onto your personal list? From tomato soup to Irish hurling, every guest gives Clive a unique window into their lives with each one of their wonders. The debut series features 10 episodes with such guests as Dara Ó Briain, Shappi Khorsandi and Griff Rhys Jones OBE. The show was planned, recorded and launched entirely remotely by Stakhanov. As the show’s lead producer, Beth Madden helped Clive through the tricky process of creating and publishing a bespoke podcast.

What was the inspiration behind the my seven wonders podcast?

Clive: A few years ago on a particularly enjoyable working trip to America, I was sitting in a bar overlooking the magnificent concourse of Grand Central Station in New York. America no longer has a particularly extensive railway system, so nowadays Grand Central is essentially a terminus for a number of suburban lines. But it was built to a fantastically high standard of design in 1913 and still preserves the grandeur of a golden age of rail. I thought this really is a wonder of the world, and started to assemble in my mind a list of the wonders of the world I had seen. Any wonder can be interesting in and of itself. But taken together, they provide an excellent basis for lengthy conversation as well as some insight into the character of each guest.

What was the process behind prepping and launching a new show remotely?

C: Our original plan was to record these podcasts in Stakhanov’s production studio, which is conveniently located a gentle stroll away from my home in Highbury. But once Covid-19 kicked in, the recording had to be done remotely. For me, this meant sitting in a stationery cupboard with only room for me, my laptop and a high-quality microphone amongst the shelves of printer paper, old files, notebooks, and other such assorted junk. Not a particularly elegant set-up. But from my cupboard-studio, I am linked to the guest sitting in their home. Luckily there was my producer, Beth, to bring us together via Zoom or Zencastr – so my technical skills weren’t tested too much!

Beth: It’s been a bit weird not being able to meet everyone that I’m working with face to face! I like to have a bit of a chat when I’m in the studio and get to know the team – have a coffee with them, hear some stories. So that has been slowed down a bit over Zoom, but Clive still managed to get a few funny stories in while we’ve been prepping to record so I’m happy with that for now.

C: Although this is not as intimate as everybody getting together in the same place, it is sometimes easier to persuade guests to talk into the microphone in their homes, rather than coming to Highbury – which, oddly enough, is not the centre of everyone’s universe. So in some ways, I rather like doing things this way. Funny how quickly you get used to things.

Without giving too much away, what’s been the most surprising wonder a guest has brought to the show so far?

C: Almost all of the wonders have been a bit surprising. Most guests have kept away from monumental structures and selected much more personal items. But, I think the most surprising wonders are Muswell Hill and goose pimples – each chosen by a different guest.

What would be one of your seven wonders?

C: I would have to stick to my original inspiration of Grand Central Station, but I might stray into other areas if I ever get to picking the other six wonders!

B: “Now this one may be slightly lockdown induced” has been a favourite line of our last few guests, but I’m going to have to use it as one of my wonders would have to be gigs! Ah, I miss those times.

Listen to My Seven Wonders with Clive Anderson now on the Stakhanov website, or ACAST, SPOTIFY. Stakhanov produces podcasts that entertain and inform, including some of the UK’s biggest and most popular shows – boasting a combined 4 million monthly listens and over 45 years of podcasting experience. Whether recording remotely or in our broadcast-grade London studio, we specialise in every stage of the podcasting process. To find out more or get in touch, visit our website at stakhanov.studio!

@stakhanov // @stakhanov.studio

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Celebrating podcasters is a common occurrence, but in this modern world being a solid, grade-A guest is something that needs celebrating. Our Podcast Prophet for issue #011 of the magazine was creator of I Will Destroy You, Michaela Coel.

WAYS TO CHANGE THE WORLD
Falling out of love with Christianity, Chewing Gum and avoiding Stardom // Jan 2019

So much is covered in this chat with Channel 4’s Krishnan Guru-Murphy that no write-up can truly do it justice. From Michaela’s fascinating relationship with faith, to reflections on the assault that led to her recent smash hit I May Destroy You, Krishnan’s robust questioning brings out the best in Michaela and reveals yet again what an inspiration she is. Listen now on Acast >>

THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST
Ep.30 // Michaela Coel // Sep 2016

We’re delving deep into the Adam Archive for this one, but as always with Dr Buckles we are rewarded with a nuanced and compelling conversation with a healthy does of silliness and irreverence. Whilst there’s a lot of focus on the BAFTA winning Chewing Gum, there’s also time for discussions on bodily functions and sex clubs. Pod perfection. Listen now on Acast >>

GROWING UP WITH GAL-DEM
Michaela Coel on feedback and ‘taking the note’ // Jun 2020

Gal Dem are focused on platforming the voices of women and non-binary people of colour. In their podcast they ask guests to revisit old diary entries/letters/etc. The extraction Michaela chooses (from a period 10 years ago when she was unsure about acting) uncovers a profound bit of advice applicable both within and outside her chosen field. Listen now on Acast >>

BLOOD ON THE TRACKS
Michaela Coel, Benjamin Zephaniah, Bez, Mike Bubbins // Jan 2019

On Blood on the Tracks, Colin Murray gathers together four music obsessives to debate their favourite tracks – a format that allows Michaela to show her side of her personality not seen in some of our other recommended episodes. Tune in for studio singalongs, tales of dancing with Janelle Monae and a surprising love for Spandau Ballet. Listen now Acast>>

SMALL DOSES
Side Effects of Pan Africanism // Jan 2019

A three-way, two-part whirlwind of a conversation that leaves you energised and educated. Amanda Seales is joined by Michaela and Noma Dumezweni to discuss pan Africanism and the Black diaspora. The section highlighting the difference acknowledging history and accepting it is one of many eureka moments to be had by us, the listener. Listen now on Acast>>

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We hope you enjoy these Michaela Coel podcasts. Read more Podcast Prophet articles in the Pod Bible magazine, which you can read online or buy in our shop.

The post Top podcast guest appearances – Michaela Coel appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Song Exploder

Song Exploder is for people that like to know the nuts and bolts. Artists break their songs down to the individual tracks and instruments from a recording, and then tell listeners exactly how a track was made. Host Hrishikesh Hirway asks some of the most well-known musicians in the world about specific decisions that created their most well-known tracks. Hrishikesh actually removes his side of the conversation, so what we hear is a story of how the guests brought their songs to life. Guests include some of the biggest names across all genres: Fleetwood Mac, Billie Eilish, U2, Metallica, Solange, Lorde, Yo-Yo Ma, The Roots, Bon Iver, and more. Listen now on Acast >>

Sodajerker On Songwriting

This show is created and hosted by Simon Barber and Brian O’Connor, otherwise known as the songwriting team Sodajerker.  There are hundreds of episodes devoted to the art and craft of songwriting.  Simon and Brian have interviewed some of the most successful songwriters in the world – from Burt Bacharach talking about bringing songs to life with arrangement, to the one and only Sir Paul McCartney giving us an insight to his process. Listen now on Acast >>

Soundtracking with Edith Bowma‪n

We’ve interviewed Edith Bowman about her passion podcast. In Soundtracking, she sits down with a variety of film directors, actors, producers and composers to talk about the music that inspired them and how they use music in their films, from their current release to key moments in their career. The actual soundtrack is woven into the interview and it’s a really interesting listen. Edith’s spoken to some of the greats: Trent Reznor, Sofia Coppola, Tim Roth, Ben Wheatley and many more. Listen now on Acast >>

Desert Island Discs

Not only is Desert Island Disks a British institution but it’s still one of the best music interview-style podcasts out there. It’s been through a few hosts over the years, but currently Lauren Laverne is in charge. You all know the formula by now: you get eight tracks, a book and a luxury to take to a desert island – what do you choose? Many guests have talked about the soundtrack of their lives, including Ricky Gervais, Yoko Ono, Bruce Springsteen, Dame Judi Dench and so many more… the back-catalogue goes back to the 1970s! Listen now on Acast >>

Off The Beat And Track

I couldn’t complete the list without shouting about my own podcast, could I? It’s released through fellow Pod Bible co-founder Scroobius Pip’s Distraction Pieces Network and for each episode, I ask my guest to pick seven songs which have sound tracked their own creative journey. We hear what the songs mean to them, and what they are reminders of, from growing up to their clubbing days and so much more. I have spoken to some fantastic guests including Foo Fighters, Motley Crue, Idles, Fatboy Slim, Suede, Chic, Sleaford Mods andPublic Enemy. Listen now on Acast >> 

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Do you agree with Stu’s choices? Let us know on Twitter, or get in touch at info@podbiblemag.com if you want to recommend your own top 5 music podcasts.

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m Laura Kidd, a music producer, songwriter and solo artist known as Penfriend, beaming songs and podcast episodes into peoples’ ears from my home studio The Launchpad in Bristol, UK. With “Attention Engineer”, my mission is to encourage creativity in every listener by sharing deep, honest conversations with some of the artists I admire the most. We talk about where ideas come from, celebrate the magic of making things and travel through topics like productivity, mental health, balancing online and offline life and everything in between. It’s aimed at listeners who are interested in how things are made, who might want to be more creative in their own lives and would appreciate a friendly nudge in the right direction.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

An “attention engineer” is someone who works for a big tech company, deploying sneaky techniques to keep you stuck to your screens as much as possible. After building up a sizeable audience for my music using the internet, I started feeling concerned that not only was I expected to spend all day on social media telling people about myself, but that I was encouraging my audience to do the same thing. After reading books like “Deep Work” and “Digital Minimalism” by Cal Newport, amongst others, I’ve been working to retain better control over my time and attention, two of the most valuable resources we have.

I’ve always been a performer who wants to meet the people in the audience after the show – the idea of the person on stage being more important than those who paid to come and see them has always felt weird and wrong to me. With my podcast, I want to keep breaking down these barriers by really humanising the artists I speak to – there’s no room for starryness or a load of PR hot air and selling on “Attention Engineer”.

At its basic level, my podcast is an attempt to create something more meaningful, resonant and valuable than a bunch of tweets about my face, and it means so much to me that listeners have found it helpful as well as entertaining.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

It was the Ricky Gervais Show – I was an extra on his show “Extras” around the same time as the podcast began (yes, that’s me standing next to David Bowie in the singalong scene!). The first to make a deep impact on me, though, was WTF by Marc Maron. I was introduced to it on a UK tour in 2012 and have listened loyally ever since.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

WTF is a big inspiration – Marc has always asked such great questions about the craft behind creative careers, and I love discussing that sort of thing because I always want to learn how other people make their work. It was due to hearing many guests on WTF talk about their experiences of meditation that led me to try it, which was life-changing. My new interest in mindfulness led me to another podcast that has had a profound effect, “Hurry Slowly” by Jocelyn K. Glei. It’s about mindful productivity, slowing down and going deeper, and I’ve come across so many great people through that series, like Austin Kleon, whose books on creativity are really wonderful. My other favourite is “Creative Pep Talk” by Andy J. Pizza, which is a must-listen for artists of all stripes. I love how Andy’s goals are so clear – each episode is packed with really practical tips on how to supercharge your creative practice and get your work out there. I highly recommend all three.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

I have to say, I’ve had several dream guests on the podcast already – Tanya Donelly, Corin Tucker, Miles Hunt, Mark Chadwick, Lemn Sissay, Bernard Butler…BUT early on in the planning stages for the series I made a list that had Shirley Manson from Garbage at the top of it. I’ve loved her work since I was a teenager, so it would be a total dream come true to have a conversation with her.

What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far as a podcaster?

I thought I knew what I was getting into, because I’d already made a podcast series for someone else before starting my own, but the additional workload was an adjustment. I was already a very busy person before I started “Attention Engineer”, but I’m glad I decided from the start to publish consistently every Wednesday. It’s a real commitment, especially as I make the whole thing myself, but it’s so rewarding to get regular feedback from fans of the show. I love hearing that someone has been inspired to pick up the guitar again after years of not playing, or that something discussed on the show sparked an idea, or encouraged them to give something new a try. That’s what it’s all about.

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

That’s a tough one, but I’d go with ‘Episode 18 – Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff)’. I’m thrilled to have known Miles for nearly a decade now, after being a fan since I was kid, and he’s been a big supporter of my music over the years. I’m always very happy to delve deep with guests, whether I’ve met them before or not, but listeners have told me this episode felt like they were overhearing a chat between friends down the pub. We talked about the magic of songwriting, how the internet has changed musicians’ careers and how Covid-19 dashed Miles’ dreams of becoming a long distance truck driver.

Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

Visit my website penfriend.rocks and you’ll find my music, writing and all the podcast episodes, of course. I’ll even send you two free songs immediately when you sign up to my friendly online community. I’m @penfriendrocks on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

LISTEN ON ACAST

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY 

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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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