The Sound Off Podcast

How much time are we spending chasing the next big thing in podcasting—and what are we giving up on too soon?I’m joined by Lauren Passell, founder of Tink Media, who wants to call her business “the slow company.” She helps podcasts grow through thoughtful recommendations, strong relationships, and the kind of consistent work that rarely delivers overnight results. Our conversation had me questioning where I put my own time and how quickly I expect it to pay off.We start with what it took to put on the International Women’s Podcast Awards in Toronto, including the struggle to secure even small sponsorships and the people who showed up to support women in audio. Lauren is candid about the disappointment, the joy, and what she learned about community when enthusiasm didn’t always translate into support.That same question—what does meaningful support actually look like?—runs through our discussion of podcast discovery and growth. We get into why promo swaps deserve more patience, why the right audience matters more than the biggest audience, and why I care more about time spent listening than downloads.Lauren also shares the inspiration behind her upcoming podcast, Welcome to the Bathroom, and reminds me how much possibility there is in simply being curious about people.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I push back on the idea that every podcast needs video. A video strategy isn’t about following trends—it’s about choosing what fits your audience, goals, time, and budget. I walk through seven approaches, from going audio-only to using short clips, audiograms, simple YouTube recordings, separate audio and video productions, video-first shows with an audio version, and horizontal and vertical formats. I also share why audio still accounts for 88.1% of Sound Off Podcast consumption and why creators should measure attention, not just views. Whatever approach you choose, make sure it’s sustainable, then give it a fair test—around three months—and let the results guide your next move.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Richard Stroobant has spent more than 40 years in broadcasting, although for a good chunk of that time, most people in radio knew him simply as "Big Dick." And yes, there's a story behind that nickname.Richard and I first worked together in Edmonton in 1994, before he returned to Calgary and became part of the legendary team at CJAY 92. Those were some wild days in radio, when a 19 share was possible for a rock station, margaritas appeared on Friday mornings, and management occasionally had to apologize for what happened on the air.In 2006, Richard made the move from radio production to teaching at SAIT, where he's spent the last 20 years helping launch broadcasting careers. His former students include Ron Tarrant, who went on to become head sound designer for The Howard Stern Show, Winnipeg radio personality and social media star Tyler Carr, Jenn Dalen from Stingray and Angela Valiant at 107.3 The Edge.We talk about what made radio so much fun back then, the importance of finding a good mentor, and how broadcasting schools have had to adapt to an industry that's changed dramatically. Richard also shares how he was ready to teach online years before COVID forced everyone else to figure it out, and why today's graduates need skills that extend well beyond radio.There's plenty of radio nostalgia in this episode, but it's also a conversation about where the next generation of broadcasters and content creators might be headed.My Recommended Microphones for PodcastersIf you're starting a podcast, I recommend using a dynamic microphone, especially if you're recording at home in a room that hasn't been acoustically treated. You don't need to spend a fortune to get good sound, but you do need the right microphone and proper technique.Shure MV7 – A great option for beginners and experienced podcasters. It connects directly to your computer via USB or to an audio interface via XLR.RØDE PodMic – An affordable, durable dynamic microphone that delivers excellent sound for the price. It uses XLR, so you'll need an audio interface or mixer.Shure SM7B – My professional choice and a broadcast industry favourite. It's an XLR microphone that requires an interface with plenty of clean gain.Remember, buying a good microphone is only half the battle. As Richard explains in this episode, proper microphone placement makes an enormous difference. Keep the mic slightly off-axis, about 45 degrees from your mouth, to avoid popping your Ps and Bs. And don't forget a windscreen.For more advice on improving your podcast, this 2022 episode, The Top 10 Reasons Why Your Podcast Isn't Working is more relevant than ever.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can a podcast make you feel less alone? I’m joined by Jay Nachlis from Coleman Insights to explore what research can tell us about community, companionship, and the relationships listeners build with podcast hosts.Picking up on our conversation at Podcast Movement in New York, we discuss Coleman’s research with the Locked On Podcast Network and why listeners often describe their favourite hosts as friends. We also explore how those connections can extend beyond listening and bring people together.Jay and I get into the rise of video podcasts, the role of YouTube and smart TVs, and why audio remains such an important part of the experience. We compare the challenges of podcast discovery with the increasingly frustrating hunt for something to watch across streaming services, and share lessons podcasters can borrow from radio.We wrap up with practical ways to give your show a clearer focus: testing titles, artwork, and descriptions with Pod Predictor, and creating a trailer that tells people why they should listen. I also explain why a good trailer can keep working for your show long after launch.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are a million people online trying to crack the algorithm. Sam Bird might be better off because he never really tried.Sam is a comedian, content creator, podcaster and host of CBC’s Street Cents. He grew up around broadcasting, experimented with stand-up and acting, made a hockey comedy podcast, created branded content and worked behind a bar and at Starbucks while figuring out exactly where he fit in the media business.Then this summer, something clicked.A series of simple videos built around a Québécois character Sam had been doing for years suddenly found a massive audience. But the interesting part of Sam’s story isn’t that something went viral. It’s what he did with the attention once it arrived — and everything he had already learned before it did.Sam and I talk about building an audience in a media world where your competition isn’t necessarily another creator or podcast. It’s everything else fighting for someone’s attention. We get into why Sam deliberately keeps much of his content lo-fi, why an iPhone and ten minutes of editing can sometimes outperform expensive production, and why creators need to recognize when something is connecting and move quickly without overthinking it.Sam is also a second generation broadcaster - his father is Ted Bird who worked in Toronto and Montreal on legendary stations like CFTR, CHOM, CJFM and CJAD, K103, and others, is the host alongside Terry Dimonte of Standing By: The Terry and Ted Podcast. We also talk about growing up in a broadcasting family, learning comedy, his work hosting CBC’s Street Cents, building Birdcore, negotiating brand partnerships, and the surprisingly useful lessons bartending taught him about managing a career with a dozen things happening at once.Most importantly, Sam understands that building an audience doesn’t mean allowing the audience — or an algorithm — to decide who you become.If you create podcasts, videos or anything else that requires people to give you their increasingly scarce attention, there’s a lot in this conversation worth stealing.Follow Sam:Instagram: @sambirduelTikTok: @sambirduelYouTube: @birdcoreshowListen to Birdcore See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.