Our 2025 class of The Aiir Radio Academy 30 Under 30 were all surprised with phone calls to let them know they had been successful. This week on the podcast we share some of their reactions as they received the exciting news. We also hear more from Ricki Lee, CEO of Aiir, who has sponsored this year's 30 Under 30, about how he got started in the industry.

BBC Asian Network has recently launched its first speech and current affairs show, Asian Networking Trending. The station has been broadcasting across the UK on DAB and online since October 2002, and in 2024, it won UK Station of the Year at the ARIAS. Head of the Network is Ahmed Hussain, who took over in 2020. He discusses Asian Network Trending and why they identified a need for this type of show, as well as how the station has evolved and what the future holds.

What is sonic branding and why is it so important? Chris Stevens from TMStudios talks about the new sonic branding the company has created for all of Bauer’s Magic Radio brand. He also chats about how they work with a client to get the right sound and feel for a range of audio to make a station stand out, and how sonic branding can help your listeners instantly recognise your brand. 

Audiotrain from Audio UK have linked up with the BBC and relaunched. This free resource provides modules for training in audio and podcast skills. Juliette Nicholls is Audiotrain Programme manager, and this week on the podcast she tells Georgy all about the training programme, what the modules are, some of the amazing names sharing their advice and knowledge and how you can sign up.

*RAMP closes on 9th November - previous episodes to listen to before making your application are 
RAMP 2026  and What's RAMP and Why You Should Apply  * 

How do we change our mindset around AI? How do we learn to navigate what it can do for us in the audio and radio industry? Dan McQuillin from Broadcast Bionics answers these questions along with talking about embracing change, what actually is ‘AI slop’, and why he is passionate about nurturing new talent and ideas by supporting our Foot in the Door and RAMP programmes. 

Our latest Foot in the Door event was held at The University of Sunderland and this week on the podcast Spark University Sunderland are our guest hosts. Grace and Granger from Spark spoke to some of the people involved in the event, from the talks to the networking, who shared their invaluable knowledge. 

Our RAMP scheme for 2026, sponsored by Broadcast Bionics and BBC Sounds, has now launched. RAMP is the Radio Academy’s mentor programme for mid-career professionals and in the podcast we chat with course lead Fran Plowright about the power of mentoring and hear from some of the 2025 cohort at their graduation about what the scheme has meant to them.  

Adam Skinn brings you the third part of a special Radio Academy Podcast, sponsored by Rayo, covering all of the action from The Radio Academy Festival 2025 in London. Tom Jackson, Ruth Cooper-Dickson and Issy Brand chat with a range of speakers from the event, including Louis Theroux, Nick Ryan, Steve Taylor and the hosts of all four stages who reflect on the event.

Adam Skinn brings you the second part of a special Radio Academy Podcast, sponsored by Rayo, covering all of the action from The Radio Academy Festival 2025 in London. Tom Jackson, Ruth Cooper-Dickson and Issy Brand chat with a range of speakers from the event, including Phil Maguire OBE, Monica Whitlock and Penny Murphy - and we go all Eurovision, hearing from Will Wilkin and Remember Monday.

Adam Skinn brings you part 1 of a special Radio Academy Podcast Sponsored by Rayo, covering all of the action from The Radio Academy Festival 2025 in London. Tom Jackson, Ruth Cooper-Dickson and Issy Brand chat with a range of speakers from the event in this episode, including Valerie Geller, Tony Phillips and Axel Kacoutiè.