The Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice

What assumptions are holding you back from creating a more accessible show? If you knew more about your listener's accessibility needs, how would that change your show? Podcasting borrows so much of its policy and practice from more traditional forms of media, and while that's given us a great place to start, it's also slowed down innovation in this unique medium.

Meg Wilcox is a journalist and professor at Mount Royal University. Her research focuses on where podcasting could improve in terms of accessibility and ethics. In this episode, she shares how her experience producing an audio memoir for a woman with vision impairment prompted her to reconsider how we approach everything from recording and publishing to promoting our shows. You'll learn about the ethics of copyright ownership, the slow adoption of accessibility tools, and the ongoing barriers that, if dismantled, would give anyone with a podcasting dream the tools to make it come true.

Reframe how you think about your show's accessibility and availability:

• The power of accessibility upgrades to make podcasting better for everyone;
• The importance of understanding your audience and what they need;
• What's still missing in the wider world of media accessibility;
• Our flawed expectations around what's "professional" in audio.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:

How can a solid structure make your podcast process easier? Your podcast starts with a great idea—a topic that fires you up, that you can passionately go on about at length. That's a great place to begin a show, but without some structure, producing episode after episode can become tedious and stressful. That's why Mary advocates for building a show map. Think of it as Google Maps directions that help guide both you and your listener on a journey that's just predictable enough to make it feel comfortable and familiar.

If the thought of "structure" makes you think of strict rules for every episode, think again! Mary explains how to create a show map that guides you from intro to outro with lots of wiggle room and just enough direction to prevent decision fatigue. You'll keep your options open and speak with confidence because you know just where you need to go. With tips for identifying your existing structure and drawing on the expertise (or mistakes) of other shows, this episode is a must-listen for new and established podcast hosts alike.

Map out your show to simplify your process:

• Find your flow by setting some gentle boundaries for your podcast;
• Use the structure you already have to fine-tune your show map;
• Experiment to discover new components that keep it entertaining, for you and your listener.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:

How do you find the perfect podcast host to share airtime with? If a podcast is your passion project but you don't have a technical background, an audio-savvy partner could help make your dream a reality. That's what Darren Dukes, a Vancouver Island physiotherapist and running enthusiast, discovered when he convinced fellow runner and former radio broadcaster Jamie Weiss to be his co-host. Darren's vision and Jamie's recording prowess have resulted in a podcast that's drawing in avid runners and jogging-curious listeners alike.

Darren and Jamie chat with Mary about podcast partnerships, the importance of strong show structure, and the challenges and skill-building opportunities they've already encountered as they forge a new touchpoint for the vibrant West Coast running community.

Keep your show—and your motivation—running smoothly:

• The benefits of a local focus: a strong start without limiting your potential for growth;
• Maintaining positive momentum through feedback;
• The unexpected wins of shared airtime;
• How strong audio cues and a consistent structure help your audience keep up.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:

What's the worst piece of feedback you've received about your podcast? We all have one—that cringe-inducing review or comment that fires up our impostor syndrome. The one that makes us question our hosting skills, our topic selection, and our whole show. And yet, feedback, even the negative kind, doesn't have to get you down.

In this episode, Mary takes on trolls and seasoned listeners alike to suggest a very different relationship between host and reviewer: one of thoughtful collaboration. Find out how to filter and process your feedback in a way that improves its production value and boosts your confidence—in your show and your unique voice.

Convert your podcast comments into actionable intel:

• The track-and-tag system that helps you make the most of your feedback;
• Why email feedback is the cream of the crop;
• The real impact of platform reviews and ratings;
• Why new shows shouldn't ask for reviews.

Links worth mentioning from the episode:

What are you afraid of when you're recording your podcast? Training your voice doesn't start with what comes out of your mouth—it starts with what's going on in your head. Mary learned this 25 years ago from her radio school instructors, Kat Stewart and Kevin Ribble. In this episode, her former teachers take the mic to talk about finding your charisma and confidence as a podcaster and the vocal impact of fear and judgment.

Kat and Kevin want to make the world a better place, one confident, impactful podcast host at a time. Their insights stem from decades of experience and will have you reflecting on your podcast's ability to inspire change.

It's time to go back to school and learn:

• Why dealing with your fear of death is an essential foundation of voice work;
• The impact of tension and the nervous system on how you sound;
• Why you should channel your bestie when you're recording;
• The power of podcasting to make a difference in the world.

Links worth mentioning from the episode: