Tag: podcasts

Play Your Part and The Roster Team Up To Deliver The Fearless, a Podcast Page Focused on Gender Equality in Sports

March 28, 2022

Some of the biggest cultural moments of the past five years point to an increasing recognition of athletes as being more than just the sports they play. Whether it’s tennis star Naomi Osaka choosing to opt out of interviews for her mental health or NBA legend Lebron James refusing to “shut up and dribble” when it comes to the deaths of Black people at the hands of police, conversations about social justice and sports are now par for the course. As part of Women’s History Month, we felt it was important to call attention to the battle for equality that women in the sports world fight every day.

Which is why two of our podcast editorial communities, the social justice–focused Play Your Part and the sports culture–focused The Roster, have teamed up to deliver The Fearless hub on Spotify. Centered around identity in sports as well as the economic realities behind the sports industry, the inaugural edition of The Fearless features a selection of podcast episodes curated by Play Your Part editor Ayo Oti and The Roster editor Deondric Royster, along with guest-curated playlists that offer a deeper insight into the equality struggles women face in sports. 

“Whether sexism, racism, homophobia, or even a mix of those and other societal ills, women—trans women included—have gone about breaking barriers in spite of the ones put in their way. Our page is an opportunity to share their stories and the creators that amplify them,” Ayo and Deondric told For the Record in a joint statement. “We believe there is an opportunity to explore this intersection between social justice and sports, and we hope that listeners interested in either or both issues will engage with The Fearless.”

Flipping the script

One of the guest curators for this edition of The Fearless is Dr. Amira Rose Davis, whose podcasts Burn It All Down and American Prodigies not only explore the intersection of gender, race, and equality in sports, but also the ways in which it parallels the world at large.

“​​I think one of the old adages is that sports reflect society, and people have pointed to that to say, well, the way that women are treated within the world of sports reflects a lot on how they are regarded by their state, by their government, by society as well,” Amira explained in an interview with For the Record. “I also push it a step further and like to think about sports as a laboratory. And so it’s not just that it’s reflecting society, but it also has a capacity to lead the way both in good and bad ways on many things.”

On Hear Us Now: Black Women in Sports, Amira’s playlist for The Fearless, she includes two episodes of her own from American Prodigies. These episodes share the stories of two Black gymnasts: Dianne Durham, who was left off the 1984 Olympic team despite winning the all-around at the 1983 World Championships, and Betty Okino, who was part of the USA team that took bronze in the 1992 Games. But looking beyond the challenges these athletes faced, Amira also considers how they worked to create a more sustainable space for Black gymnasts.

“A lot of what Betty details is echoed in other interviews we’ve conducted about the sport of gymnastics and other aesthetic sports like figure skating,” Amira revealed. “It is about body image ideas—about being voiceless. And with Betty, we have a conversation about how being a Black girl on top of being a woman made it harder to speak out.”

The path to payback

In addition to this intersection of gender and race in sports, another major point of emphasis for The Fearless is pay equity. While working on the hub, Ayo and Deondric were both inspired by the film LFG, which documents the U.S. Women’s National Team’s (USWNT’s) highly publicized legal battle for pay equity following their triumph at the 2019 World Cup. And it’s a big reason why Ayo and Deondric made a point to feature Alex Andrejev’s podcast, Longshot: Payback. 

Like LFG, Longshot: Payback explores the social and economic issues revolving around the USWNT and women’s soccer at large. Along the way, Alex, a reporter who covers Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Charlotte FC for the Charlotte Observer, takes a closer look at one pro soccer player in particular: Jessica McDonald, who has become a prominent face in the USWNT’s pay equity battle.

Jessica also contributed a playlist to The Fearless, which you can find on Spotify.

There’s a lot that’s inspirational about Jessica’s story, which includes overcoming a tumultuous childhood to win a national championship with the University of North Carolina and then recovering from a devastating knee injury early in her career to win the 2019 World Cup with the USWNT. But what stands out most is that the 34-year-old forward is one of the few single mothers currently playing in the NWSL, and prior to this year’s NWSL labor agreement, she had never had a season as a professional athlete where she made more than $42,000.

“It’s a little bit jaw-dropping to hear Jessica say, ‘Yeah, I was only making $15,000 in my first few years in the league.’ Like, here’s a World Cup winner saying this, and really, it was a mountain,” Alex reflected in an interview with For the Record. “It was after her time playing for the NWSL’s Houston Dash that she was working at an Amazon packing facility during an offseason and she was like, ‘I don’t want to do this to my son anymore. I feel like it’s time to kind of throw the towel in.’”

Alex hopes that Longshot: Payback can help bring more exposure to athletes with stories similar to Jessica’s and help put into perspective just how little they’re being paid relative to the sacrifices they make. But Alex’s other hope is that this will inspire women in sports to continue banding together and demanding fair compensations from the leagues, federations, and organizations they play for.

This is a sentiment shared by Amira, who has seen the same phenomenon play out in the WNBA with its players securing a historic labor agreement, and she believes that the next step in pay equity in sports is to consider the idea of “fair compensation” in a more holistic way.

“Why are there players who are six foot and change squeezing onto coach flights? What about child care? What provisions are there for parents, for pregnancy, for adoption, for multiple forms of family making?” Amira asked. “We’re obviously seeing there’s more of an emphasis on not needing to work multiple jobs just to afford life as a professional athlete. And I think one of the big things that we need to continue to see happen are these widespread collective bargaining agreements that include provisions about quality of life and not simply that paycheck number.”

Interested in learning more about the ways that gender inequality affects women in sports? Head over to The Fearless and start streaming one of the podcast episodes handpicked by our teams at Play Your Part and The Roster. And for more on the film LFG, be sure to check out the curated podcast picks from the editorial community over at Listen If You Watch.

Spotify’s Sound Up Program Seeks Aspiring Podcasters To Create Shows Geared Toward Kids and Families

March 8, 2022

Since 2018, Spotify’s Sound Up program has worked with underrepresented creators to help them develop their podcasting skills and grow audiences. To date, Sound Up has launched in 12 markets—including Japan, Italy, the U.S., U.S. LatinX, India, Mexico, Australia, Sweden, the U.K., Germany, Brazil, and Argentina—and has offered participants educational resources, technical support, and opportunities to build relationships with fellow podcasters. 

Along the way, Sound Up alumni have gone on to create award-winning shows while Dope Labs, FOGO, Search Engine Sex, and You Heard Me Write have all ranked on Spotify’s podcast charts. 

For its latest iteration, Sound Up will be working with 10 up-and-coming podcasters in the U.S. who create high-quality content geared toward kids, families, and co-listening experiences. With the U.S. population growing ever more diverse, family content from underrepresented creators is needed now more than ever. Sound Up is on a mission to discover and elevate those voices.

So what can you expect from Sound Up Us: Kids & Family 2022 edition? Check out these four fast facts:  

1. Up to 10 underrepresented creators will be part of the program for five months

Those selected for the program will go through a three-phase immersive experience where they will hone their storytelling, get more experience in audio production, and workshop their ideas around creating high-quality content for families. Along the way, they’ll receive support and guidance through in-person training and virtual workshops while also having access to all of the technology and tools needed to succeed. 

2. This is the first family-focused iteration of Sound Up

After launching a sports-focused program in the U.K. earlier this year, Sound Up is now turning its attention to families. Why? Simply put, co-listening is an increasingly great way for kids and their families to spend quality time together while enjoying content that is educational and entertaining. Sound Up wants to continue to support this trend by allowing underrepresented creators with fresh perspectives to deliver more content to listeners in this space.

“We are so excited to launch our very first genre-specific programs this year. We are always adapting the program to reflect the changes in the medium and with our focus internally on Kids & Family it just made sense to expand our curriculum,” said Natalie Tulloch, Global Lead of Sound Up at Spotify.

3. Creators will work with top professionals

Sound Up’s longtime partner and collaborator Rekha Murthy, an independent podcast strategist, along with Dawn J. Fraser, a professional storyteller and communications coach, will be facilitating this program, giving participants the chance to collaborate closely with some of the best in the industry. 

“Our hope is that we will be able to bring experts from the field of childhood development in conjunction with our amazing facilitators and podcast experts into the classroom to help participants tell stories that connect with their audience,” Natalie explained.  

4. Participants will create their own pilot episodes 

In order for participants to put what they’ve learned about the art and strategy of podcast creation and development to the test, they will create their own fiction or nonfiction pilot episode that accounts for kids’ intellectual and emotional well-being, and allows families to listen together.

Sound Up is accepting applications for this program now through April 8. On March 24 at 3 p.m. EST, Dawn, along with Spotify Head of Kids Audio Content Verdell Walker, will host a Q&A session on Spotify Greenroom to answer any questions applicants may have. For more on application requirements, be sure to click here.

For more information on Sound Up, and to check out the incredible podcasts that Sound Up alumni have created so far, check out the official Sound Up website.

Programa Sound Up, do Spotify, Continua Trazendo Vozes Diversas Para Podcasts

March 4, 2022

Desde o seu início em 2018, o programa Sound Up, do Spotify, ajudou criadores  sub-representados a colocar o pé – e o microfone – na porta da podosfera. O objetivo do programa é diversificar as vozes no espaço de áudio, fornecendo oportunidades educacionais, recursos e acesso a especialistas do setor aos participantes. Os graduados do Sound Up em outros mercado, como Estados Unidos e Austrália, já lançaram programas populares que foram classificados nas paradas de podcast do Spotify, incluindo Dope Labs, Search Engine Sex, You Heard Me Write, e FOGO: Fear of Going Outside.

Agora, quatro anos após sua criação, o Sound Up foi lançado em 12 mercados (Japão, Itália, Estados Unidos, LatinX, Índia, México, Austrália, Suécia, Reino Unido, Alemanha, Brasil e Argentina) e ajudou centenas de graduados a encontrar oportunidades na criação de podcasts.

Como funciona o Sound Up? Em cada mercado, 10 participantes são selecionados para fazer parte do programa. Os criadores passam por uma experiência imersiva virtual ou presencial, na qual aprimoram sua narrativa, obtêm mais experiência na produção de áudio e têm a chance de desenvolver suas ideias. Após o término da sessão, os participantes continuam a receber apoio do Spotify durante todo o ano, enquanto criam um piloto profissional de sua ideia, que tem a oportunidade de se tornar um Original Spotify.

Em 2020, à medida que pessoas ao redor do mundo alteravam seu estilo de vida com base nos protocolos de distanciamento social e nos riscos do COVID-19, o Sound Up também teve que se adaptar. “Foram dois anos incrivelmente difíceis em que, globalmente, tivemos que ajustar o programa aos treinamentos virtuais”, compartilhou Natalie Tulloch, Líder Global do Sound Up. “Mas também tivemos a chance de ver histórias maravilhosas começarem a tomar forma, e agora que lançamos novos podcasts, é incrivelmente gratificante.”

O For the Record viajou pelo mundo para conferir alguns dos participantes atuais e recém-formados do programa para saber mais sobre suas experiências e os podcasts que estão criando.

Maickson Serrão (Brasil)

Pavulagem – Contos da Floresta, de Maickson, é um podcast de não ficção sobre histórias do folclore amazônico. O criador está atualmente trabalhando com sua equipe para mapear o enredo de todos os 12 episódios do programa. “Vamos falar de criaturas como a Mãe da Mata, uma lenda muito famosa aqui, mas também de contos desconhecidos como o pássaro que come gente”, compartilhou Maickson. “Já entrevistei alguns contadores de histórias tradicionais. Essas pessoas vivem dos muitos rios da região e também são anciãos dos povos indígenas da Amazônia brasileira.” Durante sua experiência no Sound Up, Maickson apreciou como o programa era prático, enquanto também permitiu muitas oportunidades de liberdade criativa. “Espero que todos os participantes do Sound Up tenham muito sucesso e que o programa continue impactando a vida de muitos outros jovens talentos em nosso país. Muitas histórias precisam ser contadas sobre as pluralidades e a diversidade florescente do Brasil”, disse Maickson.

 

Samara Costa (Brasil) 

ZUMBIR é um podcast que destaca os contos de ficção afrofuturistas. A criadora, Samara Costa, está atualmente trabalhando em ideias para episódios, e isso envolve muitas viagens. Ela visitou recentemente Angola como parte de sua pesquisa. “As histórias e mitos angolanos tiveram um grande impacto em mim, especialmente o som, o misticismo e o estilo de vida dos jovens angolanos”, explicou Samara. “Acho que a combinação de referências brasileiras e angolanas serão elementos que servirão de base para a criação de alguns episódios de ZUMBIR.” Sua parte favorita da experiência Sound Up foi ver seu episódio piloto ganhar vida, de uma ideia no papel a um episódio polido. “Pude sentir a voz dos personagens, como eles falam, andam, como riem, tudo pelo áudio… Foi fantástico! Tudo isso foi criado com o apoio técnico e emocional de todos os envolvidos no Sound Up, desde mentores e organizadores até amigos que fiz durante o programa.”

 

Caio dos Santos (Brasil)

Raízes é um podcast documental que conta histórias de famílias brasileiras. Na primeira edição, Caio investiga suas próprias origens em um esforço para responder uma questão: De onde eu vim? O participante do Sound Up está atualmente trabalhando na produção da primeira edição e já escreveu dois roteiros. “Eu aposto que muita gente se conectará com o carisma dos personagens e suas histórias”, compartilhou Caio. Para a próxima fase de sua jornada, o podcaster espera continuar contando contos do povo nordestino. 

 

Lucas Moura (Brasil)

O podcast de Lucas Moura, Calunguinha, o cantador de histórias é um podcast fictício que espera expandir a imaginação de crianças negras compartilhando a história dos negros no Brasil e no mundo. Lucas está atualmente trabalhando na finalização de roteiros e encontrando as vozes certas para fazê-los brilhar. Sua parte favorita no programa Sound Up foram os artistas com quem conseguiu se encontrar para o podcast. “Convidamos um artista (Lázaro Ramos) para participar do nosso podcast e ele aceitou”, explicou Lucas. “Ali ficou claro para mim que o Sound Up é um projeto que pode ajudar a ampliar meus horizontes.”

 

Gigi (Reino Unido)

Gigi acabou de terminar o programa e está trabalhando em seu podcast Journeys With Grace, que é uma história de descoberta imersiva e independente. Da narrativa aos detalhes de direitos autorais, a experiência de Gigi no Sound Up trouxe muitos novos conhecimentos sobre a indústria. Sua parte favorita do processo foi desenvolver o trailer e o episódio piloto. “Cobrir meu trailer com paisagens sonoras e adicionar áudio atmosférico aqui e ali foi divertido para mim – um pouco estressante e divertido”, explicou o podcaster. “Sou criativo, então, ver minha visão se concretizar foi um momento super legal. Esse sentimento é insubstituível.” Agora, seu foco é desenvolver o roteiro e encontrar uma maneira de convidar os ouvintes para o seu programa de maneira íntima. “Estou ansioso para o processo, para minha visão estar aí para todos e o podcast encontrar e ressoar com as pessoas que deveria.”

Para criadores do Reino Unido e da Irlanda interessados ​​no programa Sound Up, as inscrições estão abertas até 14 de março de 2022. Envie sua inscrição aqui.

 

Fatima Hellgren Camara (Suécia) 

Podcast de Fatima Hellgren Camara, Välkommen till Ön (Bem-vindo à Ilha) é um olhar cômico sobre pessoas irritantes e seus hábitos frustrantes. Toda semana ela discute essas pessoas e se elas devem ser enviadas para uma ilha deserta muito, muito distante. A série acaba de terminar sua segunda temporada, durante a qual Fátima aprendeu a editar e produzir seus próprios episódios. Sua parte favorita do Sound Up? “Ter tido a oportunidade de aprender um conjunto de habilidades totalmente novas”, compartilhou a apresentadora. “No entanto, minha parte favorita foi me familiarizar com o equipamento técnico.”

 

Roba Kadhem (Suécia) 

Atualmente em sua terceira temporada, Lyssna Tjejer (Listen Girls) é um podcast co-hospedado por Roba Kadhem e Aya Said. No programa, as duas discutem temas do Pink Room, o maior grupo de mulheres do Facebook da Escandinávia. Por meio do Sound Up, Roba experimentou um maior senso de comunidade entre outras pessoas do setor. “Foi muito aconchegante ver essas pessoas incríveis todas as semanas e conhecê-las, mesmo por meio de uma reunião virtual”, explicou Roba.

 

Arunima Tenzin Tara (Índia) 

Em Dinner by Ear, a apresentadora Arunima Tenzin Tara dá dicas aos ouvintes sobre como preparar um jantar em apenas 30 minutos. Atualmente, Arunima está testando novas receitas, desenvolvendo versões rápidas de jantares que ela adora e lendo o máximo possível sobre a história dos alimentos. Ainda no meio de sua participação no Sound Up, toda essa preparação permitirá que ela comece a gravar os episódios assim que chegar a hora. Sua parte favorita da experiência até agora foi entender por que ela estava fazendo esse show e quem era sua audiência. “Acho que esse exercício foi algo que gostei porque me obrigou a analisar criticamente o conceito do meu podcast e restringir a audiência a um tipo muito particular de pessoa”, explicou Arunima. “Esse foco me ajudou a ter clareza sobre o tipo de receitas a serem incluídas no programa.” À medida que avança para a próxima fase, Arunima terá a chance de gravar sons na cozinha, criar músicas originais e passar um tempo aperfeiçoando sua voz.

 

Shreya Dasgupta (Índia)

O podcast Imagined Tomorrow, de Shreya Dasgupta, apresenta uma variedade de especialistas que usam seus conhecimentos em ciência e tecnologia para especular sobre o futuro da Índia. Shreya está usando as ferramentas que aprendeu na Fase Um de sua experiência no Sound Up para se preparar para uma nova temporada; atualmente ela está no processo de delinear, pesquisar e reportar processos para os próximos episódios. Até agora, ela teve duas partes favoritas do programa. “O primeiro foi conhecer podcasters incrivelmente criativos”, disse Shreya. “O segundo foi aprender com os mentores do Sound Up e outros da equipe do Spotify, que não apenas depositaram sua fé na minha ideia, mas também foram super comprometidos e entusiasmados em ver minha visão.” Shreya em breve entrará na Fase Dois de sua experiência no Sound Up.

 

Peppa Smith (Austrália)

Yaama Mama é um podcast criado por Peppa Smith que se concentra na paternidade de crianças indígenas. Por meio de temas sérios e comentários sarcásticos, o programa examina e desconstrói a maneira como os pais são ensinados a criar os filhos em sua comunidade. Peppa está atualmente em um momento de pesquisa, trabalhando na coleta de informações para serem usadas em seus episódios. Uma de suas partes favoritas do Sound Up foram as pessoas que teve a chance de conhecer. “Tive reuniões em que encontrei pessoas extremamente inteligentes e talentosas na indústria”, disse a podcaster. “Também tive a sorte de que os outros membros da turma para 2021 são uma multidão brilhante, engraçada e incrivelmente bonita.”

 

Esses criadores e suas histórias são apenas uma pequena amostra dos podcasts que estão sendo desenvolvidos por meio do Sound Up. Para saber mais sobre o programa e como funciona para amplificar vozes sub-representadas, visite o site do Sound Up.

Spotify’s Sound Up Program Continues to Bring Diverse Voices to Podcasting

February 28, 2022

Since its start in 2018, Spotify’s Sound Up has helped underrepresented creators get their feet—and mics—in the door for podcasting. The program’s aim is to diversify the voices in the audio space by providing participants with educational opportunities, resources, and access to industry experts. Sound Up graduates have released popular shows that have ranked on Spotify’s podcast charts, including Dope Labs, Search Engine Sex, You Heard Me Write, and FOGO: Fear of Going Outside.

Now, four years after its inception, Sound Up has launched in 12 markets (Japan, Italy, the U.S., U.S. LatinX, India, Mexico, Australia, Sweden, the U.K., Germany, Brazil, and Argentina) and helped hundreds of graduates find careers in podcasting. 

How does Sound Up work? In each market, 10 participants are selected to be a part of the program. The creators then go through a four-week virtual or in-person immersive experience where they hone their storytelling, get more experience in audio production, and have a chance to workshop their ideas. After the session ends, the participants continue to receive year-round support from Spotify as they create professional pilots of their ideas, which have a chance to become a Spotify Original.

In 2020, as people around the world altered their lifestyles based on social distancing protocols and COVID-19 risks, Sound Up also had to adapt. “It was an incredibly difficult two years where, globally, we had to adjust the program to virtual trainings,” shared Natalie Tulloch, Sound Up Global Lead. “But we also got the chance to see wonderful stories begin to take shape, and now as we launch new podcasts, it feels incredibly gratifying.”

For the Record traveled across the globe to check in on a few of the current and recently graduated program participants to learn more about their experiences and the podcasts they are creating.

Gigi (U.K.)

Gigi just finished the program and is working on her podcast, Journeys With Grace, which is an immersive self-contained story of discovery. From storytelling to copyright details, Gigi’s Sound Up experience taught her plenty about the industry. Her favorite part of the process was developing the trailer and pilot episode. “Layering up my trailer with soundscapes and adding atmospheric audio here and there was fun to me—a stressful kinda fun,” explained the podcaster. “I’m a creative, so seeing my vision come to fruition was a super-dope moment. You can’t really replace that feeling.” Now her focus is on developing the script and finding a way to invite listeners into her show in an intimate way. “I’m looking forward to the process, the vision being out there, and the podcast finding and resonating with the people it’s supposed to.”

For U.K. and Ireland creators who are interested in the Sound Up program, applications are open now through March 14, 2022. Submit your application here.

 

Fatima Hellgren Camara (Sweden)

Fatima Hellgren Camara’s podcast Välkommen till Ön (Welcome to the Island) is a comedic look at annoying people and their frustrating habits. Each week she discusses these people and whether they should be sent off to a deserted island far, far away. The show just finished its second season, during which Fatima learned how to edit and produce her own episodes. Her favorite part of Sound Up? “To have been given the opportunity to learn an entirely new skill set,” shared the host. “However, my absolute favorite part was getting acquainted with technical equipment.”

 

Roba Kadhem (Sweden)

Currently in its third season, Lyssna Tjejer (Listen Girls) is a podcast cohosted by Roba Kadhem and Aya Said. On the show, the two discuss topics from Pink Room, Scandinavia’s largest Facebook group for women. Through Sound Up, Roba has experienced a greater sense of community from others in the industry. “It was so cozy to see these incredible people every week and get to know them so well even through a virtual meeting,” explained Roba. 

 

Arunima Tenzin Tara (India)


In Dinner by Ear, host Arunima Tenzin Tara gives listeners tips on preparing dinner in only 30 minutes. Arunima is currently testing out new recipes, developing quick versions of dinners she loves, and reading up on as much food history as possible. Still in the middle of her Sound Up program, all this preparation will allow her to start recording episodes as soon as it’s time. Her favorite part of the experience thus far has been determining why she was making this show and who her audience was. “I think this exercise was something that I enjoyed because it forced me to critically analyze my podcast concept and narrow the audience down to a very particular kind of person,” explained Arunima. “This focus has helped me gain clarity about the kind of recipes to include in the show.” As she moves into the next phase of the program, Arunima will have the chance to record sounds in the kitchen, create original music, and spend time perfecting her voice.

 

Shreya Dasgupta (India)

Shreya Dasgupta’s podcast, Imagined Tomorrow, features a variety of experts who use their backgrounds in science and technology to speculate on India’s future. Shreya is using the tools she learned in phase one of her Sound Up experience to prepare for a new season; she’s currently in the outlining, researching, and reporting process for upcoming episodes. So far, she’s had two favorite parts of the program. “The first has been getting to know such incredibly creative fellow podcasters,” said Shreya. “The second has been learning from the Sound Up mentors and others on the Spotify team who not only placed their faith in my idea, but have been super committed and enthusiastic about seeing my vision through.” Shreya will soon be entering phase two of her Sound Up experience.

 

Maickson Serrão (Brazil)


Maickson’s Pavulagem – Contos da Floresta (Pavulagem – Tales From the Forest) is a nonfiction podcast about Amazonian folklore stories. The creator is currently working with his team to map out the storyline for all 12 of the show’s episodes. “We’ll talk about creatures like Mãe da Mata (Mother of the Forest), a really famous legend here, but also unknown tales like the bird that eats people,” shared Maickson. “I have already interviewed some traditional storytellers. These people live off the many rivers in the region and are also elders from Indigenous people from the Brazilian Amazon.” During his Sound Up experience, Maickson appreciated how hands-on the program was while still allowing plenty of opportunity for creative freedom. “I hope that all participants from Sound Up become very successful and that the program continues to impact the lives of many other young talents in our country. Many stories need to be told of Brazil’s pluralities and blooming diversity,” said Maickson.

 

Samara Costa (Brazil)

ZUMBIR is a podcast that highlights Afrofuturist fictional tales. The creator, Samara Costa, is currently working on ideas for episodes, and that involves a lot of traveling. She recently visited Angola as part of her research. “The Angolan stories and myths made a big impact on me, especially the sound, mysticism, and lifestyle of young Angolans,” explained Samara. “I think that the combination of both Brazilian and Angolan references will be elements that will serve as a basis for the creation of some ZUMBIR episodes.” Her favorite part of the Sound Up experience was seeing her pilot episode come to life, from an idea on paper to a polished episode. “I was able to feel the voice of the characters, how they talk, walk, how they laugh, all through audio.… It was fantastic! All of this was created with the technical and emotional support of everyone involved in Sound Up, from mentors and organizers to friends that I made during the program.”

 

Caio (Brazil)

Raízes is a documentary podcast that tells the stories of Brazilian families. In the first season, Caio investigates his own origins in an effort to answer one question: Where did I come from? The Sound Up participant is currently working on producing the first season and has already written two scripts. “I’m betting that a lot of people will connect with the charisma of the characters and their stories,” shared Caio. For the next phase of his journey, the podcaster is hoping to continue telling tales from the people of Northeast Brazil. 

 

Lucas Moura (Brazil)

Lucas Moura’s Calunguinha, o cantador de histórias (Calunguinha, the Singer of Tales) is a fictional podcast that Lucas hopes will expand the imagination of Black children by sharing the history of Black people in both Brazil and around the world. Lucas is currently working on finalizing scripts and finding the right voices to make them shine. The creator’s favorite part of the Sound Up program was the artists he was able to meet with for the podcast. “We invited one artist (Lázaro Ramos) to participate in our podcast and he accepted,” explained Lucas. “There it became clear to me that Sound Up is a project that can help broaden my horizons.”

 

Peppa Smith (Australia)


Yaama Mama is a podcast created by Peppa Smith that focuses on parenting Indigenous kids. Through both serious themes and sarcastic commentary, the show examines and dismantles the way parents are taught to raise children in her community. Peppa is currently in research mode, working on collecting information to be used in her episodes. One of her favorite parts of Sound Up was the people she’s had a chance to meet. “There’s been meetings where I have met with some hugely clever and talented people in the industry,” said the podcaster. “I’ve also been lucky that the other members of the cohort for 2021 are a brilliant, funny, and incredibly good-looking mob.”

These creators and their stories are just a small sampling of the podcasts that are being developed through Sound Up. To learn more about the program and how it’s working to amplify underrepresented voices, visit Sound Up’s website.

Ready for an Encore? ‘The Big Hit Show’ Examines Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ in Season 2

February 23, 2022

For movie buffs, music lovers, and TV show fans, the influence of pop culture can feel as ubiquitous as the air we breathe. But what happens when the films you love or the albums you have on repeat start to infiltrate political discourse and your extended family’s mealtime conversations? This is what The Big Hit Show—a podcast documentary series from Spotify and Higher Ground—seeks to explore. 

After breaking down the Twilight saga phenomenon during season one, host and journalist Alex Pappademas is back to discuss the power and influence of Kendrick Lamar’s iconic second record, To Pimp a Butterfly. Following his successful major label debut, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, the heavier and more universal themes of Kendrick’s sophomore album struck a chord with mass audiences when it was released in 2015. 

Seven years later, the album has more than 1.5 billion streams on Spotify and continues to hold its place in the zeitgeist. The cultural conversation regularly finds its way back to To Pimp a Butterfly, an album that, according to Alex and his podcast guests, made it bigger than mainstream—it changed the world. 

For the Record spoke with Alex about his decision to follow up his four-episode analysis of Twilight with an examination of Kendrick’s masterpiece in the second chapter of The Big Hit Show. 

The last chapter of The Big Hit Show was about the Twilight saga and this new one is about Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly—two moments in culture that don’t seem all that related. How are the chapters connected for you? 

To me, it’s all one story about what’s left of mass culture in the 21st century and the vagaries of creative success in a mediascape where there’s no such thing as a sure thing. Maybe it’s like a book that approaches one subject—the hit and often its surprising consequences—from four different angles. Part one is about how the Twilight saga defied conventional Hollywood wisdom, became a box-office sensation, and changed the lives of many of the people who worked on it. Part two, the Kendrick Lamar season, is about the next phase of a hitmaker’s arc. You’ve made your first hit—what do you know? How does success complicate the life and public image of an artist?

Why did you choose to cover Kendrick in this second chapter?

I’m a huge fan of Kendrick’s and a huge fan of To Pimp a Butterfly. But I also knew there was a specific story to tell here. Modern recording technology has made it possible for people to collaborate on music without ever meeting in person, but Kendrick made this record in a more timeless way—in actual rooms, with a big cast of characters who are fascinating musicians and fascinating people in their own right. So right away there was this interesting social, communal aspect to the story of how this record came together. Everyone who passed through those sessions—even for a day or two—seems to have come away from the experience with an expanded sense of their own potential, and I was excited about the opportunity to tell that story using the voices of the people whose creative lives were changed by that experience. 

Why is it important to revisit the themes of this record now? 

The themes of this record have been the themes of the last seven years and counting in America. To Pimp a Butterfly feels prescient now because even on the other side of a national protest movement, a global pandemic, and a presidential election, we’re still in the same place as a country in so many ways. This is an extremely personal album about what it was like to be Kendrick Lamar after the success of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City changed everything—struggling with fame and responsibility and homesickness and particularly with the violent deaths of several friends. But Kendrick was making this record between 2012 and early 2015, a moment that coincides with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and the beginning of a national reckoning on the subject of structural racism and police violence, and these songs were already touching on issues that would explode onto the national stage.

What can listeners expect to hear for the first time while listening to the show? 

We’re going to hear from people who knew Kendrick as a quiet, observant middle schooler and saw the potential for stardom and leadership in him before he saw it in himself. We’re also going to hear from the extended family of L.A. musicians who helped bring this record to life—players whose whole careers led them to a moment like this. We will hear the voices of legends including George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic, and we will find out the one thing you were absolutely forbidden to do when visiting Prince at Paisley Park.

Looking forward to future chapters, how will the show continue to tie these seemingly disparate cultural moments together?

One of the things I’m proudest of about these first two chapters of the show is the way they use Twilight and Kendrick as a way into a larger story about a country where big hits are increasingly the one thing we have in common. These shows aren’t just about the big hits they’re about—they’re about the moments in which those hits happened and what the success of Twilight or “Alright” revealed about what people living through those moments were hungry for, or turned on by, or afraid of, or angry about. In an increasingly fractious world, we can’t really draw conclusions about every person who bought To Pimp a Butterfly or camped out overnight for Breaking Dawn tickets, but I think there is something to be learned from the fact that it was these things that got people excited and not something else. 

Ready to hear how the music industry’s most influential players came together to create a world-changing album? Stream season two of The Big Hit Show below.  

Women Bring Their Own Perspectives to Podcasts in Indonesia

November 19, 2021

It’s no surprise that there continues to be a strong demand for podcasts around the world. The intimate medium offers a way for hosts to directly connect with listeners about topics that are most important to them. This format is an especially captivating way for those with underrepresented voices to tell their own stories, on their own terms. In Indonesia, where the podcast community is quickly growing, Spotify is working with female creators to ensure they have a seat at the mic and are supported on the platform.

Podcasts provide a new outlet for women to share their perspectives of the world. As Indonesian creator Nadhifa Allya Tsana (also known as Tsana) explains, “Podcasts break the limits, boundaries, and rules that exist in traditional formats, all of which have played a part in suppressing females’ voices for decades. But podcasts are different. They are limitless—the creators can decide when, what, and even how long they want to discuss a topic that is meaningful to them.”

With 38 million streams, Tsana’s Spotify Exclusive podcast, Rintik Sedu (which in English translates to “sadness”), is the most streamed solo-hosted podcast in the country. Since January 2021, the show has held the number one spot on the Spotify Indonesia Charts, demonstrating the captivating hold the host, and her podcast, has on the Indonesian audience. But Tsana’s success doesn’t stop at one show. She’s expanded her presence with the teen romance-driven Spotify Original podcast Kuas, Kanvas dan Bulan Kesepian (Brushes, Canvas and Lonely Moon). Season two of the show recently launched in October 2021.

“Tsana’s unique view and gentle approach to storytelling has really resonated with her listeners,” shares Carl Zuzarte, Head of Studios for Spotify Southeast Asia. “She is paving the way for other female creators to express themselves through podcasts. Today, we see more female listeners and creators getting inspired and exploring their creativity through podcasting.” 

In response to the growing demand for relatable content that features strong female voices, Spotify is excited to announce five new Indonesian-language, female-led Spotify Original & Exclusive podcasts now available on the platform. 

NKCTHI: Surat dari Awan

This scripted fiction podcast features Indonesian actress Rachel Amanda in the lead and is based on the bestselling book and film Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini (NKCTHI). With two new episodes a week, the Spotify Original podcast explores the wonders and challenges of the lead character’s growth toward womanhood. 

Bisik-Bisik Senada

Talk show Bisik-Bisik Senada is a Spotify Original podcast hosted by three talented singers: Fatin Shidqia, Ghea Indrawari, and Ayuenstar. The women explore their life experiences, passion for singing, and perspectives on navigating life in the modern world.

HYPEBESTIE

Personalities Sarra Tobing, Canti Tachril, and Hadi Sylvester come together to discuss their views on love, life, and relationships as Gen Zers and millennials in this Spotify Original podcast. 

Happy Go Go

Spotify Original podcast Happy Go Go is hosted by up-and-coming comedians Mimin and Kimau, who are joined by actress Siva Aprilia. The show gives listeners a fresh perspective on life and wellness. 

Cape Mikir with Jebung

This show, which is exclusive to Spotify, is hosted by popular Indonesian singer Jebung. Episodes bring listeners into her world, where she discusses a variety of topics that pique her interest.

Spotify Welcomes Podcast Publishers in Germany, France, Spain, and Italy to Megaphone

October 19, 2021

Podcasts have taken the world by storm, and Europe is no exception. Thanks to the thousands of new podcasts that are released daily, listeners have a greater variety of podcast content to engage with and follow than ever before. And along with this growth in listening, come increased opportunities for podcast publishers to find new audiences and monetize their content. 

Just last year, Spotify acquired Megaphone, one of the world’s leading podcast publishing and advertising platforms. The platform is fully available in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada, and today—following a period of limited availability and local support—we’re formally launching Megaphone in Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, so even more podcast publishers can take advantage of the tool.

The formal expansion of Megaphone’s offerings in these markets will strengthen our ability to help local publishers create, distribute, and monetize their podcast content. European podcast ad spending is expected to grow more than 50% and hit over €200M by 2023—and our mission is to ensure publishers have the right tools to capitalize on this growth. Today, this includes host-read ads and Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI), with more monetization capabilities on the horizon.

Plus, our 24/7 White Glove Customer Service will be available to all publishers in live markets at launch and over the next year. We will also be growing the local sales and support teams for Megaphone in Europe. And down the line, we’ll be rolling out new features including audience-based insights, targeting capabilities for direct sales, and more.  

Head to Megaphone.fm to learn more.

This International Podcast Day, Let Us Help You Find Your Perfect Pod

September 30, 2021

Creators worldwide have been busy this year chasing audio inspiration—and in the process have added nearly 1.5 million podcast titles to Spotify over the past year. So this International Podcast Day, there’s quite a lot to celebrate.

Leading the storytelling charge are Taiwan, Colombia, Japan, Spain, Peru, India, Turkey, the Philippines, France, Poland, Argentina, Italy, and the Netherlands. These 13 markets showed the largest growth in their catalog offerings in the last year, with new podcasts across all sorts of genres, topics, and themes. 

And this global audio boom shows no signs of slowing down, which is exciting news for listeners, who have more options than ever to fit their tastes. But our growing catalog also poses a challenge for newbies and audio experts alike as they try to narrow down the next track or even the first episode to add to their queue.

So to celebrate International Podcast Day this year, we’re making the choice simple with our Find the One experience. Answer a handful of questions and let us help you find your perfect podcast match. The experience is available to listeners in the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and Australia and gives recommendations inspired by your Spotify listening habits.

But that’s not the only way to discover new podcasts tailored to your tastes. Though each user is unique, we have found that some listeners who share a favorite artist also share a favorite podcast. We followed the data . . . and found some of the shows hitting all the right notes.

Many fans of snappy rhymes and rhythm are drawn to . . . horoscopes, gaming, and comedy.

For plenty of listeners, pop melodies and talk shows go hand-in-hand.

Rock ‘n rollers are hard to pin down.

Country fans are hooked on the world around them.

Plus, we noticed a few patterns across our listeners.

These are just a few of the most popular podcasts among some of our artists’ listeners. For those in search of something new, Spotify also has plenty of podcasts to enjoy this season, so be sure to mark your calendars.

Launching this week:

Bonus: Today at 6 PM EST, Spotify Greenroom will close the day with listeners’ favorite podcasts with hosts Gigi Robinson and Jayson Buford. Sign up for Greenroom to tune in and follow your favorite shows here.

Now it’s time to find your next favorite show. Celebrate International Podcast Day by exploring the “Find the One” experience for a personalized podcast recommendation.

The Power of Streaming Audio for Storytelling: 3 Takeaways From Lydia Polgreen’s Chat With Brandy and Danyel Smith at Cannes Lions

June 21, 2021

Streaming across both music and podcasts has opened up new pathways for creators and listeners to connect. At this year’s virtual Cannes Lions Live, an annual event for the creative communications industry, Spotify hosted “The Sound of Culture: Music and Podcast for the Streaming Generation” to dive deeper into the power of streaming. 

The conversation brought together three women  who have experienced—and influenced—the audio revolution first-hand: Gimlet Managing Director Lydia Polgreen, music industry multihyphenate Brandy, and journalist and host of the Spotify Original Music+Talk show Black Girl Songbook Danyel Smith. Lydia introduced the chat from a studio in New York City while Brandy and Danyel joined in from a set in Los Angeles—but “green screen magic” made them all appear to be together.

 

Despite the women’s varying career paths, all attested to the impact and opportunity streaming has presented to creators of all kinds, giving them the platform to connect with fans and listeners in a new type of two-way conversation.

Read on to hear some of the insights from Lydia, Brandy, and Danyel’s conversation.

The intimacy of podcasting is unmatched

Lydia: “When people put their headphones in, when you’re literally inside their brain, what they’re looking for is that kind of connection. It’s emotional, it’s personal, you’re often talking about things that touch people in very emotional ways, and to me those are the most powerful podcasts.” 

Danyel: “Being a writer for so long … even though you feel like you’re communicating with an audience, it doesn’t sometimes feel intimate. I think there’s something about being inside somebody’s headphones, being in their earbuds, where you’re actually talking to the person.” 

Streaming gives artists greater levels of exposure and listeners more choice

Brandy: “I love being able to connect directly [with my fans]. With Spotify, to be able to go through such an amazing platform to reach millions of people all around the world, you get a chance to have your existing fans introduced to new music, and existing fans introduced to your catalogue that they were probably not privy to.” 

Danyel: “I was one of those [people who] used to look at streaming so cross-eyed like, ‘I have my CDs, I’m good.’ But the thing about streaming to me is, we pick, we decide … and I think that streaming really has this ability to give you such a deeper connection to music. It lets you make your own playlist, it lets you go to your favorites, in the exact moment that you want to hear your favorite.” 

We’re still in the early stages of the audio revolution 

Lydia: “I would like to remind people that we are just at the beginning. People don’t realize this, but 2020 was the year where we went from more than half of the cars on the road having either an auxiliary jack or a Bluetooth connection, meaning that people were no longer using CDs. I think what that tells me is that we are in the early days of the streaming revolution.” 

Ready for more? Badge holders can check out the full conversation on demand on the official Cannes Lions Live hub. 

5 Fast Facts About Spotify’s New Podcast Charts

April 14, 2021

*Updated Oct. 28, 2021: Podcast Charts are now available on the web in an all-new, easy-to-use browseable experience across 26 markets and 15 languages.

With a sea of over 2.2 million podcasts to choose from, we want to provide resources for listeners to discover podcasts they’ll love, and for creators to find new audiences. There are many ways to find new shows to listen to on Spotify—from the recommendations on your Home page to our themed editorial playlists—and it’s also a priority for us to enable everyone to discover the podcasts that are most popular across genres and locations.

So today, we’re unveiling a brand-new Podcast Charts experience including new and more detailed charts, a web experience, and highly shareable features so podcasters and listeners alike can share the word of their favorite shows.

Spotify’s Podcast Charts are meant to be a one-stop shop for discovering new shows and seeing what the rest of the world is listening to. But more than that, they’re also the result of our commitment to transparency with creators, who can understand what factors into our charts and how they can position themselves for success. 

Here are five new features to know about in the new Charts experience:

  1. “Top Podcasts” is where you’ll find the overall most popular shows—ones fans have been listening to for some time, and rising newcomers. It’s determined by a combination of overall follower counts and the number of recent unique listeners.
  2. “Top Episodes” is where you’ll find of-the-moment trends in what people are listening to today. This chart is determined exclusively by the number of unique listeners on that day, providing a look into what’s buzzworthy at the moment.
  3. U.S. users can also now find our Podcast Charts on the web in an all-new, easy-to-use browseable experience. (We’re exploring additional markets—stay tuned!)
  4. We’ve built our charts to be as trustworthy and transparent as possible: They’re based on a combination of number of unique listeners and number of followers and provide expanded opportunity for podcasters to get their shows discovered. 
  5. The best way to support your favorite podcasters is by following them and listening to their episodes, since there are now more ways for them to be discovered. The depth and breadth of Top Podcasts and category charts allows many more podcasters to claim a spot, while Trending rewards new and emerging podcasters.

We’re excited for these updated charts to promote podcast discovery, enabling listeners around the world to easily find the best content from their regions as well as view charts from other countries for a global perspective—and potentially a new listening experience. We’ll continue to evolve our Podcast Charts experience to meet listener needs and open up new opportunities for creators.

Check out what’s currently rising on the charts: Go to the Browse All section of your Spotify app, hit Podcasts and then tap the tile for Podcast Charts.

Laugh Along to Three New Comedy Podcasts Coming to Spotify

April 1, 2021

In a year where people have come to expect the unexpected, comedy podcasts can provide a welcome respite with laughter and lighthearted listening. 

Spotify has three new podcasts for those looking for their next dose of humor. Read on for a little about each one, as well as a short Q&A with the creators, guests, and hosts who are responsible for the laughs. Get ready to chuckle.

The Sketch Factor is a scripted sketch comedy podcast produced by Radio Point, and hosted by Fred Armisen, who’s known for his work on the television shows Portlandia and Documentary Now! In this series, Armisen plays Xandor Szavost, an inventor, philanthropist, and billionaire who is using his fortune to finance a sketch comedy competition for his own amusement. At three to five minutes each, episodes are short and perfect for a quick comedy hit. For the Record caught up with the show’s cast member and comedian, Seaton Smith.

What’s the best April Fools’ prank you’ve ever been a part of?

Seaton: God, I hate pranks. One time I was late to a show, and my friend and his girl got there early and were bored. So, as a prank, he had his girlfriend call me and tell me that he started a fight with the bouncer and the police were there holding him down, and I had to hurry up and get there. It WAS funny. It just wasn’t the easiest thing to laugh at.

What would you say is the main difference between audio-only comedy, like what’s in this podcast, and comedy with a visual component?

Seaton: Comedy you just listen to is fun because it hits you differently. Visually, I need all of your attention, and if I lose your attention for a second, then the comedy is hurt. But with audio, you can go do other things and still be all into it. It’s like we’re in your mind as you go about your day.

The podcast Flameout, produced by Treefort Media, brings together comedians to unravel the biggest business success stories gone wrong. The stories feature insider interviews and juicy revelations that include comedic and unfiltered opinions on the business flameouts. We chatted with Michael Ian Black, Baron Vaughn, Atsuko Okatsuka, and Abbi Crutchfield, who all take a turn as show hosts.

Why do you think comedy has been so important over the last year?

Abbi: Comedy has been a release valve for all of my pent-up frustration—fear, anger, despair—during the past year. It wasn’t easy to adjust to virtual performances, but it was always a relief to do a show and connect with people. I thought it might be the new way for everyone to enjoy comedy (So convenient! No commute! No drunken fights!), but now with the vaccine, it seems more like a dystopian version of comedy. There is no substitute for live performance, as Milli Vanilli will tell you. 

What’s the best April Fools’ prank you’ve ever been a part of?

Michael: I faked my own death for 10 years, April 1, 2003 to April 1, 2013. Joke ended up being on me, though, because my wife remarried and started a new family in my absence. So that was kind of a bummer. 

Atsuko: I’ve never been a part of an April Fools’ prank because that would insinuate I had friends. Ha—it’s okay I’ve coped with it. Instead, I’ve been the subject of an April Fools’ prank, where a bunch of rich popular girls from school put shaving cream all over my car and wrapped it up with toilet paper. My car was parked in front of my uncle’s house. Because I was living in his garage. As an undocumented kid. Yay America!

What would you say is the main difference between audio-only comedy, like what’s in this podcast, and comedy with a visual component?

Baron: Listening to someone without seeing the speaker or any other visual component requires an entirely different level of focus. Not relying on visual cues means tuning into things like tone, inflection, and rhythm. You get a different sense of how someone talks. Those are things that are usually natural, but there are ways to play with that with intention. That, however, is for another April Fools’.

Nosy Neighbors is a new podcast featuring comedians Candice Thompson (previously a writer/correspondent on Lights Out with David Spade) and Chinedu Unaka (who will be featured on the upcoming season of Insecure). In each episode, the cohosts highlight the wildest neighbor stories of the week, dissecting and analyzing those involved, settling disputes, unpacking petty posts on local forums, and celebrating good neighborly behavior. The series includes call-ins from fellow comedians who share their own tales of notable neighbors. Both Candice and Chinedu answered a few questions for us.

Why do you think comedy has been so important over the last year?

Candice: Man . . . comedy should’ve made it onto Time Magazine’s Most Influential People of the Year list for 2020. We all would have lost our minds without it. Every comedian was an essential worker last year. Putting out online content became something I know I started doing more of to entertain other people, because I know they were looking for literally any reason to laugh, but I also did it for my own sanity. I had always thought of comedy as a career, but last year it felt like it became a charitable donation. I’m going to see if I can write it off on my taxes. 

What’s the best April Fools’ prank you’ve ever been a part of?

Candice: I’ve never been a huge prank person, but I do recall being on the receiving end of a prank in college when my best friend told me he’d gotten someone pregnant. We were so “ride or die” I was mentally preparing to drop out of college to help him raise the baby. I was like, “I can learn to breastfeed. How hard can it be?” That prank was stressful.

Chinedu: Me and my college friend Anthony bought a bunch of bike locks and locked everyone in our dormitory’s bikes together early morning before their classes. We locked our own bikes up in the mess too—because we’re not amateurs.

What would you say is the main difference between audio-only comedy, like what’s in this podcast, and comedy with a visual component?

Chinedu: Pajamas. You can be in your pajamas, it’s lovely. 

 

Want more? Listen to all three podcasts, now available on Spotify. 

Spotify Opens Doors for More Underrepresented Podcasters Through New Sound Up Programs

March 31, 2021

Diversity has long been a weak point for podcasting. Yet in order for this golden age of audio to truly shine, it has to include all of us. That’s why, several years ago, Spotify created Sound Up, a global program that gives underrepresented podcasters the tools to boost their platforms and build their own shows. 

You may already listen to some of these beloved shows, perhaps getting your science fix from Dope Labs by U.S. grant recipient Titi Shodiya and cohost Zakiya Whatley or exploring topics you’ve been too shy to look up yourself on Search Engine Sex by Indigenous Australian creator Rowdie Walden. Most recently, plenty of listeners flocked to play You Heard Me Write from U.S. participant Kacie Willis, propelling the creative new format to the 17th slot on Spotify’s Trending Podcasts USA chart.

And there’s plenty more where those came from. A few weeks ago during Spotify Stream On, our Sound Up Global Lead, Natalie Tulloch, announced that in 2021, we’ll be growing our program from 6 to 14 countries—enabling us to support an additional 140+ emerging creators this year alone. 

“The bigger the Sound Up alumni group grows, the more powerful we become,” Sound Up alum and Dope Labs cohost Titi said. 

The new programs include a Latinx U.S. program focused on creating Spanish-language or multilingual podcasts for an ever-growing Spanish-speaking U.S. audience, female creators in India, and lower-income youth from large urban centers in Argentina. Sound Up will also launch in Mexico, Spain, and Italy later this year. 2021 will mark its third year in Germany as well.

But these new programs aren’t the only news for podcasters to get excited about. Spotify also wants to offer opportunities and support to members of underserved communities aspiring to careers as podcast producers, sound engineers, and other behind-the-scenes roles in podcasting. So today, we’re also announcing Behind the Mic, a new apprenticeship program coming later this year to support aspiring Black podcast producers. 

The year-long paid apprenticeship will be led by Behind The Mic Lead Christabel Nsiah-Buadi, an award-winning radio producer, podcaster, and writer. She will oversee the three Black producers chosen for the program. They will get to enjoy a rotational program among show teams and producorial roles, as well as attend a weekly virtual class to refine skills and get exposure to the business and industry. Finally, they’ll each create, produce, and edit a podcast about their experience in the program. This year, two apprentices will be placed: one at Gimlet Studios in New York and another at Spotify Studios in Los Angeles. After the rotation, they will become permanent Spotify employees. 

“I am so thrilled that we will be able to support a yearlong education program and support more creators globally,” says Natalie. “We hope to expand the numbers of participants in the Behind the Mic program and the studios they’re able to work in. This is just the beginning.” 

Speaking of expansion, we’ll also be rolling out a version of Behind the Mic in Australia to Indigenous and First Nations producers in the coming months. But ahead of that, the Sound Up program in its original form is also returning to Australia in 2021. 

Aspiring podcasters who identify as First Nations (Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander) are invited to apply for the four-week virtual podcasting program to be held from May 31 to – June 25, 2021. The Sound Up 2021 program will be facilitated by Travis De Vries and Brooke Scobie from Awesome Black. 

Do you have a great idea for a podcast? Apply now. No experience necessary.