Digital Culture Podcast

In this episode, James interviews Jonny Goode - Communications Manager at Blast Theory and winner of the Digital Ambassador award at the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. Jonny shares their journey from joining the organisation in 2021 to leading a transformative approach to digital communications, data strategy, and audience engagement.

They reflect on the development of Blast Theory’s comms strategy, the impact of AI-driven project Cat Royale, and the importance of transparency and knowledge-sharing in the arts.

James and Jonny discuss:

• How using automated data dashboards to streamline reporting can free up time for strategic thinking and creative planning.
• What Blast Theory’s shift to behind-the-scenes, artist-led content revealed about audience engagement and storytelling online.
• Why advocating for digital tools and sharing knowledge and personal insights has helped Jonny support better digital practice across the arts.

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)
• Explore Jonny’s Digital Culture Award win
• Learn more about Blast Theory’s Cat Royale project
• Check out some of Blast Theory’s useful resources & templates shared in the episode

Jonny Goode won the Digital Ambassador category in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. The winner of this category was decided by a panel of experts, led by Zak Mensah - Co-CEO of Birmingham Museums Trust.

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR

In this episode, James talks to Samia Malik – singer-songwriter, visual artist and one of the winners of the Digital Culture Network Award – about how she transformed her creative practice through digital innovation.

With support from the Digital Culture Network, Samia developed a digital-first strategy for her project ‘Songs to Heal and Empower’, using targeted ads and audience data to grow her following and build a strong online presence. Her latest project, ‘Azaadi - A Journey to Freedom’, continues this work with a focus on reaching global audiences and building online communities.

They discuss:

• How Meta and YouTube ads can be effective in reaching millions beyond existing networks
• Why using digital platforms can help artists share work and connect with wider audiences
• What practical steps artists can take to build online communities and grow their digital presence

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)
• Explore Samia’s Digital Culture Network Award win
• Head to Samia’s website to explore her music and other work

Samia Malik was awarded a Digital Culture Network Award in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards.

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR

In this episode of our Digital Culture Awards series, James talks to Flo O’Mahony and Amy Smith from Zoo Co – joint-winners of the Digital Inclusion category - about their production ‘Perfect Show for Rachel’.

Created with and for Flo’s sister Rachel, who is learning disabled, the show places Rachel at the heart of the creative process as live director. Using a custom-built desk with 50 tactile buttons, Rachel controls lighting, sound, video, and cast actions in real time.

Flo and Amy share how the project evolved from early improvisation and iPad experiments into a fully staged production with a cast of 13, live scribe, British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, and a touring workshop model that empowers other learning disabled people to direct their own stories.

They discuss:

• How starting with people - not tools - led to meaningful digital innovation and inclusive creative practices.
• Why treating Rachel’s decisions as dramaturgy reshaped the company’s approach to collaboration and access.
• What new possibilities emerged – from touring workshop models to the creation of an access equipment library for artists.

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)
• Explore Zoo Co’s Digital Culture Award win
• Learn more about ‘Perfect Show For Rachel’
• Find out how to access Zoo Co's free Access Resource Library

Zoo Co were joint winners of the Digital Inclusion category in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. The winners of this category were decided by a panel of experts, led by Tom Ryalls - Cultural Consultant, Strategist and Writer.

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR

In this episode, James Akers speaks with Louisa Sanfey and Tam Gilbert from Extant – winners of the Digital Inclusion category at the Digital Culture Awards – about their powerful project, 'Unseen'.

The project began as a response to 2022’s The Unseen report, which explored the intersection of visual impairment and domestic abuse. Extant’s creative team - made up largely of visually impaired artists - worked alongside people with lived experience through creative writing workshops to develop a 45-minute audio drama.

Louisa and Tam explain how the project went on to influence accessibility in sound design software, inspire live performances and panel events, and contribute to sector-wide training and advocacy.

They discuss:

• Why digital storytelling can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and driving change around underrepresented experiences.
• How inclusive digital practices enabled a collaborative creative process and extended the project’s reach.
• What unexpected outcomes emerged - from influencing accessibility in creative tech to shaping cross-sector partnerships.

This episode includes discussion of domestic abuse and violence. While no specific personal experiences are described, some listeners may find these themes sensitive.

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)
• Find out more about Extant’s Digital Culture Award win
• Listen to 'Unseen'
• Learn more about The Unseen report

Extant were joint winners of the Digital Inclusion category in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. The winners of this category were decided by a panel of experts, led by Tom Ryalls - Cultural Consultant, Strategist, Writer.

Music by ⁠⁠⁠SHAR

In this episode of the Digital Culture Podcast, James talks to Simon Glenister, CEO and founder of Noise Solution, winners of the Using Data category in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards.

Simon explains how their music education mentoring programme supports young people facing exclusion, mental health challenges, and other complex needs. The sessions combine music with technology and are supported by a secure online platform where participants can share their progress with trusted adults.

Data is built into every part of the programme. From tracking wellbeing to analysing feedback with AI, their approach helps show impact, improve delivery, and support funding.

In this episode, they discuss:

• How embedding data collection into the core of a programme can improve both outcomes and reporting.
• Why building a culture of trust and collaboration around data encourages meaningful engagement from staff and participants.
• What AI can reveal from conversational feedback and how it can be used to surface insights around wellbeing.

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document).
• Find out more about Noise Solution's Digital Culture Award win.
• Visit the websites for Noise Solution and Transceve.

Noise Solution were the Using Data category winners in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. The winner of this category was decided by a panel of experts, led by Katy Raines - Founder and CEO, Indigo Ltd.

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR

In this episode, James Akers talks to Katy Clinch, Retail Manager at the Migration Museum, about the digital marketing tactics that helped them win a Digital Culture Network Award. With support from the Digital Culture Network, the museum boosted sales and extended the reach of its online shop through smart use of Meta ads and video content.

They discuss:

• Why using print-on-demand can help manage demand during busy periods and reduce operational pressure
• How experimenting with Meta ads and video content led to significant growth in online shop sales
• What it means to align digital marketing with a museum’s mission and values

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)
• Learn more about the Migration Museum’s Digital Culture Network Award win
• Visit the Migration Museum online shop

The Migration Museum was awarded a Digital Culture Network Award in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards.

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR

In this episode, James Akers interviews Chris Sonnex - Artistic Director & Joint CEO of Cardboard Citizens - about their award-winning project 'More Than One Story’. The project - a series of 9 short films written and produced by and for people with lived experience of homelessness, poverty, and inequity - was the theatre company’s first experience of creating digital theatre.

Chris explains their collaborative approach to the work, why they chose the medium of film to tell these stories, and how that decision, along with choosing relevant partners like the Big Issue, saw them reach an audience of 157,000.

They discuss:

• How digital storytelling techniques can be used to create meaningful content that resonates and drives social change.
• The important role partnerships and working collaboratively can play in driving engagement online and in-person.
• What’s next for the project

This episode includes discussion of homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence in a general context. While no specific personal experiences are described, some listeners may find these themes sensitive.

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)
• Learn more about why Cardboard Citizens won a Digital Culture Award
• Watch ‘More Than One Story’
• Book tickets for ‘More Than One Story’ Live in London on 9 November

Cardboard Citizens were the Digital Content category winners in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. The winner of this category was decided by a panel of experts, led by Megan Jones - Digital Content Manager, National Museums Scotland.

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR

In this episode – the second in our Digital Culture Awards winners series – James Akers interviews Nik Wyness, Head of Marketing and Engagement at The Tank Museum, winner of the 2025 Digital Marketing category.

Nik shares how The Tank Museum’s digital marketing journey began with a focus on building an active online community through video to raise awareness and evolved into a robust content strategy that now drives global engagement and revenue.

They discuss:

• How understanding their niche audience and content testing across different platforms shaped their strategy
• Why adapting to challenges, including the pandemic, accelerated their digital growth
• Practical advice for other cultural organisations looking to grow their digital presence and build resilient, engaged online communities.

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)
• Find out more about the award-winning project
• Explore The Tank Museum YouTube page

The Tank Museum were the Digital Marketing category winners in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. The winner of this category was decided by a panel of experts, led by Ranjit Kaur Atwal – Marketing Manager at Unlimited and freelance Communications Consultant.

The next ten episodes will feature award winners from the 2025 Digital Culture Awards, showcasing the very best in digital transformation, digital engagement, and use of technology in creativity and culture across England.

In this episode, James Akers interviews Nadia Sommella, Marketing and Communications Officer from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts about how they redesigned their visitor survey process. With support from the Digital Culture Network, they worked to make data collection more inclusive, accessible, and impactful.

They discuss:

• Why collaborative survey redesigns led to better data
• How introducing digital survey options alongside traditional paper methods improved accessibility and increased participation
• What support was available from the Digital Culture Network

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts was awarded a Digital Culture Network Award in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards.

Links and resources discussed in this episode

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)
• Find out more about the award-winning project

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR

In this episode, James Akers interviews Owen Hopkin, Director of New Technologies and Innovation at Arts Council England and Dr Oonagh Murphy from Goldsmiths.

We discuss:

• The journey, challenges, and considerations in formulating an AI policy in a values-driven and legally compliant way
• The creation of a practical toolkit designed to guide organisations in developing their own policies
• The importance of sector consultation and the need for evolving AI policies

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)
• Responsible AI at Arts Council England – Report on how the Arts Council is using AI responsibly in its internal work
• Responsible AI Practical Toolkit – a framework to help creative and cultural organisations that want to create their own Responsible AI policies and practices
• AI: meeting the challenges and embracing the opportunities – Owen shares Arts Council England’s thinking on AI and what’s coming next
• 2023-26 National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) – Explanation of how Relationship Manager support National Portfolio Organisations

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR