The Audio Academy Podcast

ARIA award winner Mishal Husain, Bauer Media Audio UK’s Simon Myciunka and BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Presenter/ part-time tandem cyclist Greg James feature in the first of our three Audio Academy Festival 2026 podcasts, supported by Rayo. Tom Jackson, Ruth Cooper-Dickson, Sami Hussy and Alisa Mayers speak with panellists, hosts and delegates to give you a flavour of the 2026 event.

The Audio Academy mentoring scheme is now open for applications and is aimed for those looking for mid- level career support. Applications need to be in by 1st November - to find out more and to apply go to our website audioacademy.org.uk 

Also, we'd like your thoughts on the key question we are asking the audio industry at the moment - What is the one, most important thing you’d like to see the Audio Academy do over the next 12 months?

Contact us at [email protected] with your ideas and suggestions.

Rich Addis from the Music, Audiobook and Podcast Content Relations Team at Dolby in London chats about the Dolby Library Stage at the Audio Academy Festival 2026.

The Dolby Library Stage offers an immersive audio experience, featuring cutting-edge content created using state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos technology. But how does Dolby Atmos differ from stereo and other audio systems? What makes high-quality sound so powerful when creating an audio project? And what are some of the highlights you can expect to hear at the Dolby Library Stage?

Rich answers all these questions and gives us a preview of what to expect from this unique audio experience.

And there’s still time to buy a ticket for the festival on 1st October 2026 for a full day of discussion, fantastic guest speakers, and inspiring sessions about the audio industry   - visit the website audioacademy.org.uk/festival to see the schedule and book your place. 

Broadcaster Jamie Cawdell from On Air Content takes a closer look at the art of voice tracking — exploring both its benefits and the pitfalls to avoid.

How long should it really take to voice-track a radio show? Why is voice tracking often seen as the poor relation to live broadcasting? And what’s the difference between simply filling a programme and properly preparing it?

Jamie shares practical advice on making voice-tracked shows sound natural, engaging and genuinely live. Because when it’s done properly, even fellow radio professionals shouldn’t be able to tell the difference — let alone the listener.

Who and what would you like to hear in future podcasts? Let me know - you can email [email protected] 

Please like and subscribe to the Audio Academy Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you. 

Audio Academy Festival tickets for 1st October are on sale at the Audio Academy Website

Was 2026 the Podcast World Cup? In the past, the media war has always been between the BBC and ITV, and who would get the biggest ratings for the matches, especially the England games. But this year, that all changed, with multiple podcasts either launching or putting out special World Cup editions. Marcus Speller from fan favourite The Football Ramble and TalkSport’s Head of Podcasts, Abi Paterson, chat about how they approached this year’s tournament, how successful their podcasts were, and what lessons they learned.

Who and what would you like to hear in future podcasts? Let me know - you can email me at [email protected] 

Audio Academy Festival Tickets are on sale now at  audioacademy.org.uk

Joe D’Angelo, Senior Vice President of Broadcast Radio and Digital Audio at Xperi shares the Xperi story and explores how technology is transforming the in-car audio experience. We discuss the evolution of connected car audio, how listeners are engaging with radio and digital audio, and the valuable data that connected in-car consoles can provide to broadcasters and advertisers.

Book your Audio Academy Festival tickets now at audioacademy.org.uk/festival/ for 1st October 

Who and what would you like to hear in future podcasts? Let me know - you can email [email protected] 

This week, as we return to full-length episodes of the podcast, we’re looking ahead to the future of the Audio Academy. Where do we see our place in the industry, and how can we best support our members as they develop their careers?
We’re also asking our members an important question: What is the one thing you’d most like to see the Audio Academy do over the next 12 months?
Who better to explore these questions with than our Managing Director, Aradhna Tayal Leach, who brings more than 20 years of experience in the audio industry, working as a strategic consultant and leader across media, events and engagement.
Join us as we look at where the Audio Academy is heading, what the industry needs, and how we can continue to support the people at the heart of audio.

Festival tickets are on sale now for the Audio Academy Festival on 1st October - check out the amazing guest speakers we have announced already on the website audioacademy.org.uk/festival/  

In the final episode of our Summer Shorts series this week, we hear some previously unheard audio from the Crossed Wires Podcast Festival in Sheffield. We hear thoughts and reflections from the BBC Sounds Garden, the Loose Lips local podcast stage, the Gangster Podcast, comedian, musician and podcaster David Eagle, and BBC Radio Sheffield. 

Festival tickets are on sale now for the Audio Academy Festival on 1st October - check out the amazing guest speakers we have announced already on the website audioacademy.org.uk/festival/  

We look back at Radio Days, held in Riga, Latvia, in March, with previously unheard audio from the conference. We hear from Mohit Bakaya, Controller of BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra; Dave Riley Jones of Aiir; Matt Deegan and Nikki Burch from the BBC, as they explore audiences’ connection with radio and the evolving role of public service broadcasting. 

Who and what would you like to hear in future podcasts? Let me know - you can email me at [email protected] 

This years 30 Under 30 scheme has been extended to 24th August so get your applications and nominations in now at audioacademy.org.uk/30-under-30/

Audio Academy Festival tickets are available now - check out our website audioacademy.org.uk/ for details.

Fellowships of the Audio Academy are awarded each year at the festival and represent the highest honour the Academy can bestow on a member of our industry. In 2025, Bernard Achampong, Nick Pitts, Rachel Barton and Chris North were all made Fellows of the Academy. This week’s podcast brings together some highlights from the conversations they shared across their individual episodes giving advice for people wanting to get into audio and how to be different in the industry. 

Who and what would you like to hear in future podcasts? Let me know - you can email me at [email protected] 

This years 30 Under 30 scheme closes on 21st August so get your applications and nominations in now at audioacademy.org.uk/30-under-30/

Audio Academy Festival tickets are available now - check out our website audioacademy.org.uk/ for details.

Stephanie Hirst is a Fellow and former trustee of the Audio Academy. She's one of the UK's most recognisable and respected voices on the airwaves, from Spinnin' the Decades on Greatest Hits Radio to Belters on Hits Radio, which celebrates its fifth anniversary at the end of August. Stephanie has built a loyal audience with her passion for great music and infectious enthusiasm. In this previously unheard conversation, Stephanie joins us to share her lifelong love affair with vinyl, which inspired the vinyl request hour on Spinnin’ The Decades, and reflect on the phenomenal success of Belters.

Apply for 30 Under 30 on our website  before 21st August

Apply for a Audio Academy Festival Bursary on our website  before 9th August

Buy Audio Academy Festival Tickets here