BBC Radio 1Xtra has been celebrating its 20th birthday throughout this year. It launched on 16 August 2002, and has become a vital part of Black British culture and the music scene in the UK.

This week Christian talks to drive host Reece Parkinson about what the station has achieved in those 20 years. Reece discusses his personal journey in radio, why he was so keen to be part of 1Xtra, and why he thinks it is such an important radio station. He also shares his advice for people who want to break in to presenting.

Each week the Radio Academy Podcast takes a deep-dive into a recent radio or audio project.  If you've got something that you think should be featured email us on [email protected].

Last week all ears turned to BBC Local Radio, as Prime Minister Liz Truss faced a round of local interviews ahead of the Conservative Party conference.

Given the huge impact of the recent so-called "mini budget", and the PM's absence from the media circuit since it was announced, the interviews were closely followed by not just BBC local radio's loyal listeners, but by journalists in the lobbies of Westminster too.

The interviews were widely reported as very uncomfortable for the Prime Minister, and the journalists widely praised for their steadfast approach to challenging Truss on the issues affecting their listeners.  

In this week's podcast, Christian speaks to three of the eight presenters who held those interviews - Sarah Julian (BBC Radio Nottingham), John Acres (BBC Radio Stoke) and Graham Liver (BBC Radio Lancashire).  They explain:

This week it's a bumper edition of the podcast, as we break our own 20-minute rule to bring you an hour of highlights from the 2022 Radio Academy Festival.

Christian Hewgill has a selection of highlights from just some of our brilliant speakers and panelists. Hear from the teams and bosses at KISS, talkSPORT, and 6Music, and we've got in-conversation chats with Michelle Visage, Sam Ryder, Jon Holmes, Benbrick, Emma Barnett, Jess Phillips and more.

In a normal week, we used the podcast to shine a light on a brilliant project happening in radio and audio. If you've got a suggestion of something that would make a good episode, email us on [email protected].

The Radio Academy is a charity, and our work is funded by membership. It costs just £3 a month to be a member, and you'll be helping others learn new skills and develop their careers in radio and audio. Join now at radioacademy.org/membership

In-line with most broadcasters in the past week, this episode of The Radio Academy Podcast is a break from our scheduled programming, as we talk to the leaders of three radio stations about how they covered the sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II last week.

Joining Christian this week is Nick Pitts (Content Director of Jazz FM and Deputy Chair of The Radio Academy); Rebecca Frank (Content Director of the KISS network)  and Tim Levell (Programme Director of Times Radio).

In a roundtable discussion, they talk about the practicalities of the well-rehearsed Obit process; how much planning and preparation went in to that moment; and making rapid adjustments to the schedule, music and tone of their stations.

We'll be bringing you highlights of this year's Radio Academy Festival in the coming weeks.

This week Christian talks to Rob Tobin and Grace Hopper, producers of KISS Breakfast with Jordan and Perri. When the boys went off on tour with their group Diversity - the dance troupe made world-famous by Britain's Got Talent - KISS grabbed the chance to take the show on the road, making some big event radio along the way. 

Rob and Grace tell Christian...

The Radio Academy Podcast celebrates excellence in audio, by taking a look at cool recent project from the world of radio, podcasts or audio. If you work in radio, want to work with audio or are just looking for something new to feast your ears on, this is the pod for you.

Alongside its cousins the weather and the travel, the news is a massive part of radio.  And this week we're taking a look at one of the flagship news programmes on the BBC World Service, which has hundreds of millions of listeners across the globe.

Jackie Leonard is one of The Newsroom's main presenters and its podcast The Global News Podcast is celebrating 15 years on air. It's become a huge success for the BBC and this week's pod is for you if you're interested in the world around us - and how news makes it to air. Jackie tells Christian Hewgill...

After nearly a quarter of a century at BBC Radio 1, Scott Mills is leaving to take over BBC Radio 2's afternoon show. 

From early breakfast, to drive, afternoons and hundreds of breakfast cover shows - Scott has soundtracked a generation of Radio 1 listeners lives.

This week, in an extended episode, Christian Hewgill talks to Scott about his unforgettable time at the station he wanted to work at since being a child. Expect some Scott Mills gold, and a few things to learn along the way, including...

If you listen to this podcast you probably love radio. So thank goodness for the pirates. 

For one day only, on Friday 12th August, Absolute Radio Pirates was born. A pop-up station celebrating the music and personalities of the pirate radio stations of the 1960s, 55 years after they were brought to an end.

Executive Producer of the project, broadcaster Jon Holmes, tells Christian Hewgill how he and his team turned hundreds of hours of pirate radio archive in to a special station, which transported us back in time to the days of the pirates. 

In this episode, you'll learn from Jon:

Listen back to all of Absolute Radio Pirates online, or via their app -

https://planetradio.co.uk/absolute-radio-60s/shows/ar-pirates/

Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James has become known for its big summer stunts. From hiding its presenter and making listeners and find him, to trapping him in an escape room, to locking him in a caravan! Its not easy being Greg James, you know.

This year's event sounds simple enough - a giant jigsaw with pieces hidden all over the UK. But organising that was quite a mission. Talking to Christian Hewgill this week are Chris Sawyer and Leila Mitwally, producers on Radio 1 Breakfast and the brains behind the giant jigsaw challenge.

In this episode you'll learn from Chris and Leila... 

Christian Hewgill takes the reins of The Radio Academy Podcast, and kicks things off by talking to Darren Coventry from the BFBS podcast Tea & Medals.

It proudly shines a light on stories of "valour, courage and bravery" and sees Darren, himself a former solider, hear from men and women who've received the highest honours the military has to offer. 

In this episode Darren shares his story - going from being a military policeman to podcast presenter. And he talks about the complexities of telling stories that are not only heroic, but also sometimes traumatic for those involved.

Areas covered in this episode include: