The Audio Academy Podcast

Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield is now in its third year and has doubled in size, welcoming 50,000 people from around the world to 80 live podcast shows across 11 venues and stages. How does taking a successful podcast from the studio to a live audience change the dynamic of a show? We bring you highlights from across the weekend, including the festival Creative Director Greg James and conversations with Nicky Campbell, Marianna Spring from Top Comment, Dilly Carter from Sort Your Life Out: Unpacked, and Fun Kids' Dan Simpson.Apply or nominate for 30 Under 30 here Book tickets for the London summer social on 16th July here 

As we launch this year’s Aiir Audio Academy 30 Under 30, 2019 alumnus Darby Dorras, Chief Content Officer at Platform Media, chats about what the accolade meant to him and how it can be your ‘calling card’ for the year you’re chosen. Leanne Alie, a 30 Under 30 in 2020 and now a freelance podcast producer, talks about the network of creatives 30 Under 30 can bring you and what she’s working on now.The Aiir Audio Academy 30 Under 30 for 2026 is open now - apply or nominate here Check out our social events in Birmingham, Crossed Wires in Sheffield and London here 

Journalist, talent coach, and mentor Valerie Geller delivered one of our most popular sessions at last year's festival, and on the podcast this week she talks about making powerful radio and her latest book, Beyond Powerful Radio - a guide to the digital world. She shares her thoughts on how she approaches podcasting and video podcasting, and on how to connect, keep, and grow audiences.Audio Academy Members can view Valerie's Festival Session here and access the 30% discount code for Valerie's book Beyond Powerful Radio hereIf you are not a member then details of how to join the Audio Academy are here Tickets for the Birmingham Social on 1st July are available here

This week, we meet the last of our new fellows, Chris North, founder of North Media Talent and the Audio Academy Executive Director of the festival and Foot in the Door. Last September, Chris was surprised by the honour and chats about the accolade, how he started in the industry and his long association with Demo Factor at the SRA Con.You can book Birmingham Social tickets for 1st July - here You can book London Summer Social tickets for 16th July - here Audio Academy Festival tickets for 1st October and details of the freelancer early bird rate are - here 

We find out what happened at our Liverpool Foot in the Door day, with guest producer Ella Eastaway from Moore Student Radio. Ella chatted to Aria Gold winner BBC Radio Merseyside breakfast presenter Kevin Duala, Mike Wooller, Head of Strategy and Podcasts at DMG Media and Julie Cullen, Managing Editor, BBC 5 Live, along with other students and delegates from the day.  

It’s part 2 of the ARIAS 2026, and we continue with the winners of the next 11 categories, including a Special Recognition Award for Trevor Nelson, the Radio Times Moment of the Year, the John Myers Local Station of the Year and UK Radio Station or Network of the Year. There are also backstage interviews with Gold Award winners and what happened at the after-party. 

It’s part 1 of the ARIAS 2026. We start with some Purple Carpet interviews before the ceremony, followed by the winners of the first 11 categories, including Best News, Best Speech Breakfast, Best Factual Series and Best Event Coverage, plus backstage interviews with Gold Award recipients. Early Bird Festival Tickets are available to buy on the Audio Academy Website 

South by South West Festival in Shoreditch, London, is a global festival of business, technology and creativity, packed with conferences, talks, a live music showcase and a film and screen festival. Adem Holness is Head of Music for SXSW and tells us how and when it all started, and how festivals like SXSW can shape what music stations play on the radio.Audio Academy Members can claim a discount on SXSW tickets - here. 

It’s Eurovision week, and as the competition turns 70, we ask the UK Head of Delegation, Andrew Cartmell, how they choose our entry, what kind of influence the Eurovision Song Contest has on music radio and how it evolves and stays relevant for the next 70 years. Arias tickets, for the awards night on 21st May at The Roundhouse Camden, are available from our website audioacademy.org.uk

Jason Carter, the founder and festival director of The Podcast Show, which celebrates its 5th year this May, talks about how he first came up with the idea for the show, and how it’s changed and grown over the last 5 years. He also tells us how he keeps the content and stages fresh as podcasting continues to develop. 

This week’s podcast features highlights from the Arias Nominations party at Spotify. We speak with Nick Pitts, Chair of the Audio Academy, Bob Shennan, Chair of Judges, and our host for the evening, Sophie Kay, presenter from Absolute and Kerrang. We also hear the instant reactions of some of the nominees in the room that night.You can see the full list of nominations here Book your ticket for the ARIAS Awards ceremony at The Roundhouse on 21st May here Vote for the Radio Times Moment of the Year here by 8th May 2026