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social podcasts Archives | POD BIBLE https://podbiblemag.com/tag/social-podcasts/ THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PODCASTS Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:22:15 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Ethics and Entertainment: What should be driving editorial choices? https://podbiblemag.com/ethics-and-entertainment-what-should-be-driving-editorial-choices/ https://podbiblemag.com/ethics-and-entertainment-what-should-be-driving-editorial-choices/#respond Mon, 20 Feb 2023 06:30:44 +0000 https://podbiblemag.com/?p=72449 How do we make podcasting futureproof? What needs to be done to challenge the industry to innovate and produce daring content? In “Revelations”, Meera Kumar pokes and prods the audio industry and its creations to reveal the shows worth listening to and their place in the zeitgeist… I am very proud to have been named Best Entertainment Producer in last year’s APAs, but that moniker feels inaccurate considering my body of work consists almost entirely of factual narrative storytelling. So, I started to scrutinise the hypothesis that my work is prioritising entertainment. Is it journalism with flair or just a potboiler? Are we telling stories ethically and with purpose or are we just doing it to sell the intellectual property […]

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How do we make podcasting futureproof? What needs to be done to challenge the industry to innovate and produce daring content? In “Revelations”, Meera Kumar pokes and prods the audio industry and its creations to reveal the shows worth listening to and their place in the zeitgeist…

I am very proud to have been named Best Entertainment Producer in last year’s APAs, but that moniker feels inaccurate considering my body of work consists almost entirely of factual narrative storytelling. So, I started to scrutinise the hypothesis that my work is prioritising entertainment. Is it journalism with flair or just a potboiler? Are we telling stories ethically and with purpose or are we just doing it to sell the intellectual property rights to the book/TV/streaming spin-off?

The stories our ancestors told, whether through song or creepy fairy tales, had purpose. They entertained us but they also taught us life lessons like ‘don’t share your home address with strangers when visiting grandma’. Oral storytelling transmitted knowledge that saved our lives and preserved history. Studies have even shown that stories help us process concepts differently compared to when the same concepts are presented to us as facts.

Now podcasts are the oral stories we use to elevate truths that are in the public interest, but we tell them with high production value compared to traditional journalism. This and the explosive growth of our medium is why I question how we tell stories now and whether we’ve strayed too much towards entertainment, prioritising big stories that make big money.

Many podcasts balance entertainment and purpose, with success. A handful of chart-topping true crime podcasts have even uncovered flaws in original police investigations and led to 40 year old murders being solved (The Teacher’s Pet) or freed a wrongly-convicted person from jail (Serial). Furthermore, both the teams behind Serial and Sweet Bobby received evidence and information from listeners during their investigations, which contributed to the resolution of the stories. These live investigations drummed up a lot of excitement, audience participation and attention. They were entertaining but they also did some good in the world.

That being said, these few successes may not justify the trending unwieldy ‘investigations’ and witch hunts. Often we’re ruthless in our pursuit of the best tape and the best access, with some podcast hosts recording phone calls (we don’t hear whether the person knows they’re being recorded for a podcast before the conversation, which is illegal in the UK if you intend to share them with a third party) and knocking on people’s doors out of the blue – completely disregarding a person’s right to privacy. But the more dramatic the tape, the higher the chance that the podcast will be featured on Best Of lists and the TV people will come knocking and ask to buy the IP. After all, every production company wants to follow the podcast to TV examples of Missing Richard Simmons, The Shrink Next Door, Song Exploder, and Limetown. That’s where the money is, I’m told (but not for the real people we’re actually telling a story about who never see a penny). The possible IP sale at the end of the rainbow is a massive driving force behind which stories get greenlit by companies and which gather dust in the Notes app on my phone. It’s a worrying sign that money is increasingly driving our editorial decisions, instead of whether the public needs to hear a story because of its potential real life impact. The ethics of buying and selling true stories was recently challenged on an episode of Lights Out, highlighting that contributors aren’t always aware of how a show is made or how their involvement may affect them, which is something that Ofcom is trying to address. There have been cases like S Town, in which the producers were sued for invasion of privacy, revealing personal information (including about a contributor’s sexuality, suicidal tendencies and financial affairs), and for not getting adequate consent from the contributor. The case was settled but the podcast is still widely debated for being more voyeuristic than journalistic. And yes, it is in development to be turned into a movie.

There are also worries that podcast productions are skewing actual justice, as in the case of The Teacher’s Pet trial where it was recorded that “the unrestrained and uncensored public commentary about the applicant’s guilt, is the most egregious example of media interference with a criminal trial process”. Mere months after the podcast was released the suspect was finally charged, but it very nearly jeopardised the case. It meant that there could be no jury in the trial (for fears that they may have been biased by the podcast), the trial was delayed in order to let speculation die down, and the suspect’s lawyers could use it to request that the judge permanently halt the prosecution. The judge claimed that the podcast was unbalanced and pushed a particular narrative using evidence that couldn’t be used in court. More worryingly, the judge said that the show “may in whole or in part have completely deprived some evidence of its usefulness”.

Podcasts may have the power to aid justice but they rarely start from a presumption of innocence until proven guilty and much of what is shared in a podcast would never hold up in court and would be discarded as hearsay. Whilst these deep dives into what a neighbour may have heard are captivating, it can be a dangerous and unethical presentation of a story – both for the people involved in the story, and for the producers who may be held liable in court. This is an even bigger risk for indy podcasters who may not check their scripts with lawyers prior to publishing, and may not have access to insurance. Take Only Murders in the Building for example – it’s a great streaming show but in reality their podcast could get them convicted of criminal contempt.

The concerns discussed above aren’t isolated to a single genre. Regardless, we want the most exciting tape and the as-yet-untold reveal but we have to be aware of the power of our shows over listeners and how every word we write could damn or distress a person, and – in some cases – subvert the course of justice. Indy producers in particular need to be cautious about how much personal information they reveal about contributors, be clear about getting consent, and be aware of the journalistic and legal principles that will keep their story from overstepping the line.

The line between ethical storytelling and entertainment is a line we draw ourselves as Producers. Yes, it would be great to sell the IP and then be able to tell more stories, but that shouldn’t be the deciding factor in which stories we tell or how we tell them. Yes, a show needs to be dramatic and entertaining in order to retain listeners but that needs to be balanced with journalistic integrity. And yes, it feels great when you get emotional tape and spicy rumours, but not at the risk of abandoning our duty of care.

Listen to Meera’s Podcast Recommendations:

Check out these episodes for more insight to ethical considerations in podcasting…

Ep 3 | Podcasts —> TV = Big Money? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This episode of Shameless Acquisition Target explores the podcast to TV phenomenon if you want to delve into it a bit more. Laura Meyer’s show has received lots of praise for its look at the podcast industry. Listen on your podcast app >>

Lights Out – ‘Accounts and Accountability’

Lights Out is a new show on BBC Radio 4 that explores a different topic each episode and encourages people to take a close listen. In this episode,  a documentary-maker hosts an open-call audition for subjects to star in her next project. Accounts and Accountability offers a dive into the ethics of buying and selling true stories. Listen on your podcast app >>

Meera KumarMeera is an award-winning Producer and Content Development Exec. She was selected as one of the Rising Stars of 2022 in the British Podcast Awards, was named Best Entertainment Producer in the 2022 Audio Production Awards, and has won two Lovie Awards. Meera has produced stories for the BBC, Sony Music, Universal, UK Parliament, Waitrose, and other well-known brands. Meera is Ambie nominated, and has had her work featured in The Guardian and The Times and selected as one of Spotify’s Best Episodes Of 2021.

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OVERHEARD IN THE STUDIO // Menopause, ghostly figures, children in peril and the worst thing to happen… https://podbiblemag.com/overhead-in-the-studio-004/ https://podbiblemag.com/overhead-in-the-studio-004/#respond Tue, 15 Feb 2022 09:00:42 +0000 https://podbiblemag.com/?p=70136 Overheard in the Studio, the series that pulls out the weird, wonderful and brilliant things we overhear while in the Content is Queen studio, is back again for the new year with more earwigging treasures. For this issue we have reached out to the amazing podcasters who are in our wider community and located all over the UK to find out what exciting projects they have been working on. “Most people cannot remember who they are beyond parenthood” – Leesh, Black Menopause and Beyond Black Menopause and Beyond is a podcast hosted by Anita Powel who explores what it is like dealing with perimenopause and questions this media-quiet milestone that affects most women. In one of Anita’s latest episodes she […]

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Overheard in the Studio, the series that pulls out the weird, wonderful and brilliant things we overhear while in the Content is Queen studio, is back again for the new year with more earwigging treasures. For this issue we have reached out to the amazing podcasters who are in our wider community and located all over the UK to find out what exciting projects they have been working on.

Black Menopause and Beyond

“Most people cannot remember who they are beyond parenthood”

– Leesh, Black Menopause and Beyond

Black Menopause and Beyond is a podcast hosted by Anita Powel who explores what it is like dealing with perimenopause and questions this media-quiet milestone that affects most women. In one of Anita’s latest episodes she speaks to her friend Leesh. Leesh presumed that one day she would have a child. After years of wanting to fall pregnant, she was diagnosed with a non-cancerous tumour and told that her pregnancy that ended in a miscarriage in 1998 had triggered her brain into a phantom pregnancy.

In 2011, after being in a state of Phantom Pregnancy for 11 years, she was finally put on medication to resolve the issue. Now, she is childless and postmenopause. In the podcast Leesh talks about these past emotional decades, how she has coped with her childlessness and society’s devaluing of childless women. It is an emotional listen and I would recommend anyone who is in the same position to check it out.

Listen to episode twelve of the Black Menopause and Beyond podcast, where you can find out more about menopause from the perspective of a black woman.

HOney and the HEx

“Drag performers have reported seeing ghostly figures and shadows in their dressing rooms”

– Tatum Swithenbank, Honey and the Hex

Honey and the Hex is a sister duo exploring the origins, traditions and intersections of folklore and where they lie today. Through a progressive lens, they delve into myths, magick and mystery in English and Scottish folklore. In their Black Cap episode, Honey and the Hex take you back to a 17th Century rural Camden Town where they explore the ghosts who still inhabit the iconic venues. Think haunted Drag shows, teapots full of deadly drugs, and a witch so dangerous several of her boyfriends ended up in the oven. The Black Cap was an extremely important LGBTQIA+ venue from around mid 1960 until 2015 when it very sadly closed. Thanks to incredible community campaigning from ‘We are the Black Cap’ the reopening is finally looking like a possibility.

Listen to Season two, episode three of Honey and the Hex ‘The Black Cap’ where you can also find more wonderful mystical episodes to check out.

Epic Fun Land

“This is my handy Scream-o-Meter 3000! These bad-boys are sanctioned by the government, so if there’s a child in peril on this island, I’ll be the first to hear about it.”

The Health Inspector, Epic Fun Land

Epic Fun Land is a comedy-fiction podcast from the team who were nominated for the Imison Audio Drama Award in 2021 for their previous drama, Scoop McDoolie. Epic Fun land is a proof-of-concept pilot written by Isaac Fisher, Dan H and Nala Vanslembrouck. The show was produced with funding support from Content is Queen. Epic Funland is about a miserable gourmet chef called Clive, who is exiled to a grotty theme park island in the North Sea. The chef must learn to love his new home by going on a series of whimsical adventures with its dim-witted but good-natured heir, Sebastian. It is hilariously funny and one for those who loved silly shows like SpongeBob growing up. I would love to see this turned into a cartoon one day.

Listen to Episode one of Epic Fun Land ‘You must be this tall to die’

20 NOT something

“The worst thing that ever happened to me was when I got everything I thought I wanted.”

– Lewis Jenkins, 20 NOT Something

20 NOT Something is the podcast for 20 somethings who haven’t quite figured out what their ‘something’ is yet! Host Emma Tindall interviews people in the public eye who are aged 30 and above about their messy twenties decade – from olympians and CEOs to authors and comedians, it’s a fun, reflective and nostalgic conversation to reassure those who might feel a bit lost in their twenties!

The latest episode featured was a 2021 round-up episode incorporating all the best bits of the year. You’ll hear from celebrity dating guru Paul Brunson on getting married in his early twenties and the freedom and power that comes from finding ‘the one’ so early. Comedian Fern Brady also compares her experience of working in strip clubs with being a stand up comic in her twenties, and author and journalist Elizabeth Day weighs in on why she thinks that ageing is actually where all her strength and power has come from.

Listen to the series now, where you can check out some more brilliant interviews of Emma’s guests’ turbulent twenties.

Imriel Morgan is the Founder and CEO of the podcast club and agency Content is Queen. She is a Marketing Maven and cultural innovator in the podcasting industry. Imriel’s mission is to make podcasts inclusive, affordable and accessible.

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20 of the best podcasts to listen to right now! https://podbiblemag.com/20-of-the-best-podcasts-to-listen-to-right-now/ https://podbiblemag.com/20-of-the-best-podcasts-to-listen-to-right-now/#respond Mon, 27 Dec 2021 10:00:50 +0000 https://podbiblemag.com/?p=69977 Enjoy this short retrospective of the podcasts we’ve covered on the Pod Bible website in 2021. Plus, 20 of the best podcasts from this year… I think it is safe to say that the 2021 podcast game has been strong: across ten ‘New This Month’ articles, I’ve written about more than 108 new podcasts, and 36 new seasons of classic pods and we’ve sent over 50 newsletters with recommendations of new, classic and indy podcasts. And that doesn’t even scratch the surface! I’ve been able to sample plenty of new podcasts as soon as they came out, but there were still many podcasts missing from those articles (a couple even made it into my favourites for the year). We now […]

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Enjoy this short retrospective of the podcasts we’ve covered on the Pod Bible website in 2021. Plus, 20 of the best podcasts from this year…

I think it is safe to say that the 2021 podcast game has been strong: across ten ‘New This Month’ articles, I’ve written about more than 108 new podcasts, and 36 new seasons of classic pods and we’ve sent over 50 newsletters with recommendations of new, classic and indy podcasts. And that doesn’t even scratch the surface!

I’ve been able to sample plenty of new podcasts as soon as they came out, but there were still many podcasts missing from those articles (a couple even made it into my favourites for the year).

We now know that the rise of the celebrity podcast wasn’t confined to the first lockdown of 2020: this year has had more celebrity podcasts than we can shake a mic-stand at. On the Pod Bible website alone, we’ve covered podcasts from Alan Cumming, Hayley Hasselhoff, French and Saunders, Oti Mabuse, Dominic Monaghan, Clive Anderson, Rob Brydon, and many more!

Let’s not forget the classic podcasts we’ve seen go from strength to strength. As well as the podcasters that have launched books and live shows, we’ve seen the return of podcast events like the London Podcast Festival, milestones of 100, 200 and 400 episodes, and big news from companies like Spotify, Apple and Acast.

But from a listener point of view, all this means content that is getting better all the time. So, without further ado, these are some of 2021’s best podcasts you need to listen to right now!

Human Resources

If you listen to one podcast on this list, make it this one! The short way I would describe this Broccoli Productions show is “a British 1619”. More accurately, Human Resources explores the British involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, and how the trade has influenced every part of modern Britain (my mind was blown thinking about how Isaac Newton relied on data gathered from slave routes.) Read our interview with the host, Moya Lothian-McLean, to find out more. Listen now on your app >>

The Log Books

The Log Books first launched in 2019, and looks at the LGBTQ+ history of the UK. Now, I’m sad to say it’s in its final series. I love the use of the notes from the log books, alongside interviews with Switchboard volunteers. As a straight, cis woman, I’m finding that the current series from 1992-2003 is teaching me about a world that runs parallel to my own memories. Listen now on your app >>

You’re Dead To Me

Firstly – I love a podcast with a pun in the title. Secondly, You’re Dead To Me is the perfect mix of learning and fun (with a bit of rudeness and innuendo for good measure). I love how keen the comedians are to learn, and how the historians are passionate about their subject without being precious about it. The show has covered a lot of historical periods now, and it looks at countries from around the world so there really is something for everyone! Listen now on your app >>

Unobscured

Unobscured “looks at parts of history we think we know” but the fourth season was about the Romanovs and Rasputin, which I actually knew very little about. I feel like I know more now! (although I do have Boney M. on near-constant repeat in my head…) This show is one of the non-fiction offerings from Aaron Mankhe’s Grim & Mild, and as such, there is a great storytelling element to the narration. Listen now on your app >>

Cancelled

Broccoli Content has been one of the most prolific and innovative production companies in the UK this year, so it’s no surprise that a second show of theirs made it onto my list. I think the style of Cancelled is really interesting – each episode is a monologue about a high-profile ‘cancellation’ in recent years (Piers Morgan, Doja Cat and Nike are some examples) written by different authors but all narrated by Cameron Bernard Jones. The music is fun and Jones is hilarious as the narrator. Listen now on your app >>

Women Vs Hollywood

This film podcast takes a look at the history of cinema, and women’s role in it – including some of the triumphs that women have had at different points in film history. Hosted by Empire journalist Helen O’Hara and based on her book of the same name, the episode about the Silent Era was the biggest surprise – I went away from the podcast and watched The Hazards of Helen! (NB this podcast was part of a limited series on the same feed as Helen’s other podcast, Bah Humbug, so you’ll have to scroll to get to it!) Listen now on your app >>

Windfall from Outside/In

Offshore wind farming could invest tens of billions of dollars in America’s economy, reshape their coastal communities, and be a green energy solution in the fight against climate change. So why is it taking so long to get them built? This miniseries from Outside/In looked at the politics, history, economics and more of wind turbines in the USA. It was a really great insight into something that seems like a simple solution. I also found the disclosure about journalistic integrity refreshing. Listen now on your app >>

Unearthed

Unearthed is unique on this list because it is the only podcast that we haven’t covered in Pod Bible – print or digital. But we really should have! Ryan Latto’s podcast unearths the truth about Scottish history, folklore and myths by speaking to people whose lives are still connected to them. This series looked at Scots in America and I was going to pick a favourite episode, but honestly I loved them all! As a journalist and tour guide, Latto has great storytelling and attention to detail. But he also enjoys the freedom of the podcast format with updates on his return to nursing during the vaccine push, and bonus episodes countering opinions he thinks are dangerous. Listen now on your app >>

The Town That Knew Too Much

I like podcasts that make me want to go away and look things up. The Town That Knew Too Much made me do this a lot (and I am particularly pleased I found out what the golden hare from Episode 4 looked like). This is the second series from journalist Nick Hilton that focuses on the idiosyncrasies and histories of towns in the UK (this series was about Cheltenham). Hilton was Broadcast Editor at the Spectator before leaving to create his company Podot, so the production is top notch. Listen now on your app >>

Stuff The British Stole

This Australian podcast is also the only podcast on this list not from the UK or USA. I enjoy this history podcast for the true-crime twist it puts on the genre. This year, Stuff The British Stole has looked at some famous stuff (‘Losing Your Marbles’) and heartbreaking stuff (‘Not Your Venus’). Sometimes the items are returned, and sometimes they are not.  The British Empire really took a lot of stuff, but it should mean there are several more seasons of this to come! Listen now on your app >>

Whistle Through The Shamrocks

It’s a celebrity making a podcast! And this is especially amusing considering this tweet from one of the creators last year. But Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls) and Camilla Whitehill are really levelling up the celebrity-podcast. The sleepy Irish village of Ballysnavougherenn is the scene for an epic audio drama about foul winds, potato farming, and evil English lords. But in the framing of the drama, we hear Coughlan and Whitehill directing the play. This is actually the only fiction podcast on my list (and does it count as fiction if Coughlan is playing a form of herself..?) Listen now on your app >>

Blind Landing

In the summer of 2021, there were a number of Olympic and Paralympic themed podcasts that came out around the time of the Tokyo games. But whilst most were celebrating sports, Blind Landing ran an investigation into a catastrophic mistake during the gymnastics at the 2000 Games in Sydney. This is a pretty specific topic, and the podcast is a passion project, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t got universal appeal. Listen now on your app >>

Storytime with Seth Rogan

It’s another celebrity making a podcast! But as the description says, this is “not a typical comedian-hosted chat show!”. Episodes are short and sweet, and we hear a guest’s story interspersed with Seth’s monologues, conversations with people who know the storyteller and music breaks from all genres. The first episode, Glorious Basterds, has Seth talking to a Jehovah’s witness-turned-comic about her journey to comedy, which involves a Quentin Tarentino film and Paul Rudd. But does Paul Rudd remember..?! Listen now on your app >>

Coiled

One thing I’ve noticed more of this year is professional producers dropping epic passion projects for us to enjoy. Coiled is a great example of this. Producer Leanne Ali works in Podcast Commissioning at the BBC, but her own podcast with Sylvie Carlos explores black afro hair in society and history, framed with a personal journey as Leanne transitions back to her natural hair. They go so deep into topic, there’s something for all listeners. Listen now on your app >>

Pieces Of Britney

Britney is free! In November 2021, Britney Spears was legally released from a 13 years conservatorship that curtailed a lot of her human rights. I found this BBC Radio 4 podcast a great way to begin to understand how it got to that stage. Pandora Sykes takes us through Britney’s life using a mix of documentary, archive audio and interviews. The dramatic interpretation woven through the episodes (written by playwright Katie Hims) could have been melodramatic, but instead really helped to humanise the megastar. Listen now on your app >>

Finding Natasha

Arguably, every family’s myths are worthy of a podcast. But when you throw in Soviet Russia, the world-renowned Mariinsky Ballet school and a daring escape from a locked hospital, you have the makings of a great investigative podcast. Read my full review of Finding Natasha or listen now on your app >>

Aberfan: Tip Number 7

For those who are old enough, the name of this small Welsh town is well known, but for me, this was almost entirely new. In 1966, 150,000 tonnes of coal waste slid down a hillside, killing 116 children and 28 adults in the village of Aberfan. This BBC podcast goes into how and why this happened. The interviews from those affected by the disaster – survivors, their family and rescuers – are sobering and the sound design is harrowing. Listen now on your app >>

Off Menu

Okay, so I know Off Menu is in many people’s favourite podcast list already. BUT one of the main reasons I wanted to include it is the centenary episode we were treated to back in June. We finally got to hear James and Ed’s own dream menus and restaurants. And some of it surprised even themselves. If you’re new to Off Menu and not sure where to dive in, be sure to read this Point Of Entry article by super-fan Twitter account @nocontxtoffmenu to get started. Listen now on your app >>

Sweet Bobby

From the amount of ‘end of year’ lists Sweet Bobby is on, it may be as popular as Off Menu (in fact, it’s currently #3 in the Apple Podcast charts). And for good reason – the subject of the series is just astonishing. British woman Kirat Assi befriended a man on Facebook called ‘Bobby’, and got reeled into an epic catfish scam that lasted over a decade. To give you an idea of the scale, host Alexi Mostrous was actually researching for another show when he came across Kirat’s story, and decided there was so much to this story it could be a whole series itself. Listen now on your app >>

Harsh Reality

A last-minute entry, I only started listening to Harsh Reality this week, but I’ve already caught up with the 5 episodes available. It investigates a shocking example of the ‘cruel reality TV’ that thrived in the noughties. Miriam Rivera was already a model and star of the ballroom scene, but saw a new dating show as her chance to become a superstar. Instead, There’s Something About Miriam chose to surprise the men she dated with the fact that she was trans. The fact there are several content warnings at the start of the episodes tells you a lot: this is a gripping and heart-breaking listen. Listen now on your app >>

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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO… The Receipts https://podbiblemag.com/the-receipts-its-a-group-chat-in-podcast-form/ https://podbiblemag.com/the-receipts-its-a-group-chat-in-podcast-form/#respond Tue, 09 Mar 2021 10:00:32 +0000 https://podbiblemag.com/?p=67204 As part of our week-long offering of podcasts to listen to beyond International Women’s Day we’ve looked back into our magazine archives. Choosing the best podcast interviews from so many women worth celebrating was difficult, but if you haven’t read this conversation with our cover-stars of Issue #010, we thought you should! This is the Gospel According to… The Receipts.  Since their inception in 2016, The Receipts have grown a cult following due to their open & unfiltered approach, where no subject is off limits. We caught up with Audrey, Tolani & Milena to discuss the importance of authenticity, corrupted files and podcasting during a pandemic. Tell  us about your show! What’s your elevator pitch? Audrey: The Receipts is a […]

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As part of our week-long offering of podcasts to listen to beyond International Women’s Day we’ve looked back into our magazine archives. Choosing the best podcast interviews from so many women worth celebrating was difficult, but if you haven’t read this conversation with our cover-stars of Issue #010, we thought you should! This is the Gospel According to… The Receipts. 

Since their inception in 2016, The Receipts have grown a cult following due to their open & unfiltered approach, where no subject is off limits. We caught up with Audrey, Tolani & Milena to discuss the importance of authenticity, corrupted files and podcasting during a pandemic.

Audrey Indome, Milena Sanchez & Tolani Shoneye

Audrey Indome, Milena Sanchez & Tolani Shoneye

Tell  us about your show! What’s your elevator pitch?

Audrey: The Receipts is a podcast hosted by three women from London made up of Nigerian, Ghanaian and Colombian descent, the show is made up of our lived experiences and no topic is off limits.

Tolani: It’s basically a group chat in podcast form, or that bit of a night out when you’re in the toilets and all the other girls are telling you how beautiful you are, how you deserve all of life’s good bits and that you don’t need your ex.

Milena: We’re very open and little too honest at times!

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

Audrey: I love the simplicity of the format, the fact you can go to a studio and just talk without all the theatrics. There’s something really cathartic about the process.

Tolani: It’s cheap and it’s also a platform that doesn’t need gatekeepers. There is no set formula, you just go and tell your story.

Milena: I didn’t know much about podcasts prior to starting one but I loved that it felt therapeutic and was an easy way to vent and share all of our experiences.

What’s the secret to being a good podcast host?

Audrey: I think being authentic. As a fan of podcasts you can tell what’s real and what’s not,
I think authenticity translates to your listeners.

Tolani: For me, I would say being a good storyteller, whether the story is theirs or someone else’s, can they tell it well?

Milena: I think just being yourself, only you can do an amazing job at being you! Do not try and be something you’re not because you think that’s what the listeners want.

How have you found podding during a pandemic?

Tolani: Technology is both our best and worst friend. It’s great because it means we can record remotely, but not everyone’s internet connection is good. But it’s been a great way to stay sane during it all. I feel very lucky to be able to do my job and keep making people happy during this time.

Milena: Totally agree! It’s definitely been frustrating but we always get through it, the lovely messages we receive makes it all worth it!

Audrey: At first it was a struggle as we’re so used to recording in the studio but it’s gotten easier as time has gone on.

If you could go back to before you started out and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Tolani: My piece of advice for myself would be to not let other podcasts influence what I am doing too much. I think we tried to do formulas and it took a few episodes to really find our voice. Also, I would have learnt more about the production side of podcasting.

Milena: I would definitely tell myself to maybe not talk about the people I was dating at that current moment as one week I was in love and then the next I had deleted their number! Though I’ll admit, some made great stories!

Audrey: I would tell myself not to give up too easily. I found that in the past if I tried my hand at something and didn’t see immediate success I would give up.

What’s been your worst podcast moment so far?

Tolani: Ooooh worst, so listening to the earlier episodes stresses me out because the sound on them is so bad. That is the worst for me, just how bad the quality was.

Milena: I think the most frustrating moment we’ve had so far is recording an amazing episode and then the file corrupting, meaning we have to start all over again! Super annoying!

Audrey: For me probably speaking on certain subjects we weren’t equipped to speak about, but it’s all been a learning experience.

Which episode of your podcast means the most to you?

Tolani: Episode 5 of the podcast will always stand out to me. It was the episode we did on Daddy Issues and I think for me it was the first time I really let my guard down and decided to be vulnerable on the podcast. I think that’s when we really started podding.

Milena: I have two episodes that I truly love. Just like Tolly, one is episode 5 but also episode 81 Mummy’s Girl where we all spoke on our different relationships with our Mothers.

Audrey: My favourite episodes are the ones where we have teachable moments but the one episode that means the most to me is episode 12 where we discussed our hair journeys.

Which podcast or podcast hosts inspire you?

Tolani: Modern Love and Passing Through. For me, both these podcasts have perfected storytelling. They manage to tell stories that make you feel like you were there, or that they are sat right in front of you telling it to you and only you.

Audrey: I love hosts that are unapologetically themselves which is why Amanda Seales’ Small Doses is one of my favourites and Chuckie Online from Halfcast too, he’s a great conversationalist.

Finally, what are your current favourite podcasts?

Tolani: Modern Love and The Joe Budden Podcast, both very different podcasts, but I like to diversify my listening.

Milena: I always listen to 90s Baby Show but currently I’ve just discovered a new podcast called Mama’s Code that talks on the realness of motherhood which I love!

Audrey: Amanda Seales Small Doses, Kelechi Okafor’s Say Your Mind and Halfcast.

Subscribe now on Acast, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow Audrey, Tolani and Milena on Twitter @Ghanasfinestx // @Tolly_T // @milenasanchezx

The Receipts podcast art

 

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