The BBC Academy Podcast

As large percentages of younger audiences come to podcasts via YouTube, we ask, is video the new audio? The line between video and podcasts has become blurry in recent years. It's getting harder to say that a podcast is an ‘audio only’ thing. People have been uploading video recordings of their podcasts for years. But what is a ‘video podcast’ - and how do you make a great one? And what about the purists who say, if you don’t have an RSS feed - it’s not a podcast? To help us answer this puzzle, we speak to Alison Lomax, Managing Director, YouTube UK & Ireland and the BBC’s Head of Visualisation, Joe Harland.You can view the visualisation edition of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUexDfHP2DI

In this episode of Podcastology, we’ll discover some of the ground-breaking new formats pushing the boundaries of what podcasts can do. Often, these innovations come from voices and communities who don’t always get heard. We find out who they are, and how they are taking podcasts in exciting new directions.We’re joined by Nicky Birch, who is the Editorial Executive for new formats in BBC Sounds, and Jesse Lawson, a multi award-winning freelance audio producer, sound designer and community facilitator who makes very innovative podcasts with a vast array of young people and previously unheard voices.

What are the magic ingredients judges are looking for - and do they even exist?? Well, yes, according to awards judges. But how do you quantify them? And what do you need to think about if you are setting out to make an outstanding podcast?We’re joined by people who know the answers to some of these questions: Tomi Dixon, who won ‘best new podcast’ at the Arias, for Colouring In Britain, and Talia Randall, who won silver at The British Podcast Awards in the Environment category, and the Sustainability Award at the 2023 Audio Production Awards, for Blossom Trees and Burnt out Cars. We’re also joined by Hannah Hufford - who is a podcast development producer at BBC Audio and was a judge at The British Podcast Awards.

This sounds like a contradiction - after all, you can listen to podcasts anywhere, and the most successful podcasts have a universal appeal. But, all stories come from somewhere, and as we discover, being rooted in a local patch can bring a real richness to your podcast. There is also a growing trend for podcasts which grow from a local community. We speak to award-winning podcast makers who know what it means to tell local stories: Andy Whittaker, a Sony award-winning radio host and podcast presenter based in Nottinghamshire, and Zoe Chamberlain, producer and presenter of the Brummie Mummies podcast. We’re also joined by Chris Burns, who is Controller of Local Audio for BBC Local and in charge of the 39 Local Radio stations in England.

We’ll look at where the medium is now, and where we think it's headed. We consider the future of podcasting, and what's coming next. What does the growing Gen Z audience want? Can technology make listening a more personal, tailored experience? Will your next podcast be presented by a bot?With some geeky language around ‘personalisation tools’ and the effect of artificial intelligence, we gaze into the future with Aniruddh Dimri, BBC Sound’s Head of Product, Cat Agostinho, Co-Director of Imagen Insights, who researches the Gen Z audience, and the Editor of Pod News, James Cridland.

This podcast tackles sensitive and distressing subject matter, including discussion about extremist groups, suicide bombings, chemical attacks and trauma.You don't have to directly visit a traumatic scene to be affected by it. Vicarious trauma affects those viewing or hearing disturbing material or hearing second-hand the testimonies of those directly affected by a traumatic incident. In this podcast the BBC's Chief Medical Officer Dr Clare Fernandes speaks to journalist Abdirahim Saeed, who works for the BBC Monitoring Team which monitors and verifies social media to pull into the BBC's reporting.You'll learn: • what vicarious trauma is • where it can affect colleagues in the BBC, including the types of roles and subject matter • how to safeguard your health, including limiting exposure to trauma and coping mechanisms • how to support and protect your colleagues • where to turn to for helpAbdirahim talks about what he's seen when covering extremist incidents, including ISIS and Al Qaida attacks and the war in Syria, how it's affected him and how he limits the effects of vicarious trauma on his mental health.This episode is part of a series focussing on wellbeing and mental health. Further episodes can be found by searching for the BBC Academy podcast on BBC Sounds.A transcript of this podcast is available on the episode's programme page.Although aimed primarily at BBC staff, the advice is useful for all those working in journalism, current affairs or other parts of the media industry who may come into contact with victims of trauma or view upsetting material.Help and support If you've been affected by what you've heard in this podcast, please search for support on the BBC Action Line website. You may also wish to contact NHS services, such as your GP.BBC Staff can talk to their team leader, contact a peer supporter or call the Employee Assistance Programme - details are on Gateway. Useful resources can be found on the BBC Headroom website and, for BBC staff, by searching 'wellbeing' on Gateway. Credits The podcast was presented by Dr Clare Fernandes and produced by Kasel Kundola. Production support was from Helena Lyons. Exec producers for the BBC Academy were Ben Toone, Zoey Glasgow and Kirstie Andrews.

When our mental health is fragile at work it can often be difficult to know who to talk to, where to get help or just find someone to listen without judgement. It can be helpful to talk to someone who understands the pressures of the work environment but isn't necessarily a close friend or team member. At the BBC, this role is fulfilled by members of the Peer Support Network. In this podcast the BBC's Chief Medical Officer Dr Clare Fernandes talks to peer supporter and South-East Today Presenter Natalie Graham.You'll learn about: - how peer supporters can support mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, stress or crisis situations in work - what a BBC peer supporter is - and what they're not - other support available at the BBC, including the Employee Assistance programme A transcript is available on the programme page for this podcast.This episode is part of the BBC Academy series on wellbeing and mental health in the workplace.Though this podcast is aimed at BBC staff, you might find some of the content helpful if you work, or would like to work, elsewhere in the broadcast media industry.Help and support BBC Staff can find out more about peer support by searching for 'peer support' on Gateway. You can find further mental health and wellbeing resources by searching for BBC Headroom and listening to further episodes in this series on the BBC Academy podcast feed on BBC Sounds.If you're outside of the BBC and need immediate help please contact the BBC Action Line or Samaritans. Staff can contact the Employee Assistance Programme by searching for it on Gateway.Credits The podcast was presented by Dr Clare Fernandes and produced by Kasel Kundola. Production support was from Helena Lyons. Exec producers for the BBC Academy were Ben Toone, Zoey Glasgow and Kirstie Andrews.

How comfortable are you talking about the menopause at work? Given that 70% of those going through menopausal changes are employed and one in ten of those under 45 have symptoms, chances are a colleague or a member of your team may be experiencing it right now.In this episode, part of the Academy series on wellbeing and mental health in the workplace, the BBC’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Clare Fernandes speaks to content producer and BBC menopause champion Justine Bateson.Justine talks about her experiences of perimenopause, how it affected her physical and mental health and about the support she received working at the BBC.In this podcast you’ll learn: • insights into the menopause, including common symptoms and how it can affect your mental health • how to get support for yourself, a colleague or a member of your team • the importance of sensitive line management • the types of support available at the BBC, including Support at Work and the Women at the BBC staff networkThis episode is aimed primarily at BBC staff, especially team leaders, but is beneficial for all.You can find more on the topic of mental health and wellbeing by searching for this series on the BBC Academy podcast feed on BBC Sounds.Help and support BBC Staff can find further help and advice by searching ‘menopause’ on Gateway. All listeners can find support on the NHS website.There’s more content on wellbeing and mental health on BBC Headroom, as well as other podcasts in this series..A transcript is available on the programme page for this podcast.Credits The podcast was presented by Dr Clare Fernandes and produced by Kasel Kundola. Production support was from Helena Lyons. Exec producers for the BBC Academy were Ben Toone, Zoey Glasgow and Kirstie Andrews.

Never forget your audience is there. On occasion you can use them to your advantage to challenge the position of an interviewee. In this minipod, BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker explains how the audience can be your invisible fan club. This is the sixth in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level.Dur 17’06”

Forensic listening allows you to respond to your interviewees’ questions and delve deeper into the story, peeling back the layers of an argument as you do so. In this Minipod, BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker, gives the low-down on digging into the detail. This is the fifth in a series of Minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level.Dur 13’10”

If you’ve done your research the chances are that you’ll already have a rough idea of what your interviewee is going to say. In this minipod, BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker shares his tips on how to prepare for what your interviewee might say. This is the fourth in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level.Dur 11’45”

A confident interviewer needn’t ask long questions. Be curious and wear your knowledge lightly. In this minipod BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker, talks about how to frame your questions and to know when to hold back. This is the third in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level.Dur 13’05”

Pay attention! Listening really carefully to your interviewee can give you the clues you need to unlock whole new areas for discussion. BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker shows how really paying attention can pay off. This is the second in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level.Dur 11’38”

Want to be a more confident interviewer and get the best from your interviewees? BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker shows how focusing on what you want from an interview can make all the difference. This is the first in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level.Dur 9’21”

Good writing connects you to your listeners, grabs their attention and makes them remember your story. BBC Academy trainer, Sam Upton, shares some tips to take your writing to the next level.This is the fourth in a series of minipods on audio storytelling, where Sam shares some insider tricks and tips that'll help enhance your podcast, montage or radio package.Dur 8’40” Produced and presented by Sam Upton.

Let your listener experience what’s happening, as it happens, and give extra magic to your storytelling with a stand-up. Academy trainer, Sam Upton, explains how the stand-up can lend your piece an extra dimension.This is the fourth in a series of minipods on audio storytelling, where Sam shares some insider tricks and tips that'll help enhance your podcast, montage or radio package.Dur 8’37” Produced and presented by Sam Upton.

When you’re tell a story on location, do all you can to take your listener with you.In this minipod, BBC Academy trainer, Sam Upton, shares tips for using writing, sound and stand-ups to give that vital sense of place to your podcast or radio package. This is the third in a series of minipods where Sam shares some insider tricks and tips that'll help enhance your audio storytelling.Dur 8’01” Produced and presented by Sam Upton.

If you don’t use sound to help tell your audio story you make it easier for your listener to “tune out”. Sound can give detail, create atmosphere, act as punctuation, vary texture and more. But how much sound is enough? Listen to find out as BBC Academy audio trainer, Sam Upton, explores the many ways that sound can supercharge your podcast or radio package.This is the second in a series of minipods where Sam shares some insider tricks and tips that'll help enhance your audio storytelling.Dur 9’46” Produced and presented by Sam Upton.

Want to bring stardust to your audio storytelling? In this minipod BBC Academy trainer Sam Upton shares some insider tricks and tips that'll help enhance your radio package, montage or podcast.In this first episode Sam explains how planning your piece can give extra depth to your story. With examples from some of the best in the business she digs deep into the elements which, if used carefully, can make your story stand out from the crowd. It’s not just who you talk to but where you talk to them. And sound really matters.Dur 9’35”Produced and presented by Sam Upton.

How audience insights can guide your podcast planning