Valerie Geller is back with an updated edition of Beyond Powerful Radio, a must-have guide for today’s audio communicators navigating podcasting, social media, storytelling, and AI. Six years in the making, the book will continue to act as a companion for any content creator.

Staying true to her core principles—tell the truth, never be boring, and make it matter—Valerie urges content creators to focus on authenticity, listener relevance, and compelling storytelling. We dove into th "prism method," a storytelling technique that adds depth by exploring multiple perspectives.

We also covered the rise of AI and reaffirm the need for human creativity to be apart of that process. I zeroed in carefully on what has been lacking in broadcasting over the last decade, and that's risk-taking. Valerie's words offer actionable advice for podcasters, including how to craft promos, conduct meaningful interviews through deep listening, and how to build a consistent content strategy. She emphasizes the importance of refining content before promotion and understanding the difference between writing for the eye and the ear.

Drawing on her work with over 500 radio and TV stations and 100 podcasts, Beyond Powerful Radio is invigorating and inspiring—ideal for broadcasters, podcasters, and journalists adapting to new platforms and striving to truly connect with their audiences.

You can get your copy of the book through the publisher, Routledge or Amazon.

If you teach or train? There’s a full accompanying Instructor Manual available for download here:   

If you would like Valerie to work with your performers and creators, please contact her through her website.

A Transcript and video of the show is available on our network page.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the things you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Mary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jordan Blair first fell in love with the storytelling in podcasts. Then she started a bedtime story podcast called Dreamful Bedtime Stories; initially for her children, but unexpectedly evolving to attract a diverse audience of adults seeking relaxing content. Her podcasting journey involved extensive research like listener surveya and using Buzzsprout's resources and community. She experimented with monetization strategies like listener support, affiliate marketing, and sponsorships, always prioritizing brand alignment.

Jordan became deeply involved with Buzzsprout, first as a community moderator and later as a co-host of the Buzzcast podcast. She is a big fan of the Rodecaster Duo and we spent a litte time at the end of the show geeking out over a few tech toys.

Buzzsprout is a great places to host your podcast, especially if you are starting out. There is an excellent Facebook Group (where you can find Jordan moderating), a great Tuesday Newsletter and companion podcast, and now a Reddit group.

A Transcript and video of the show is available on our network page.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the things you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Mary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the podcast world, a feed drop is when one podcast publishes an episode from another podcast directly into its own feed. I know, sounds serious. It's not really. It's basically a way to share and promote another show by letting your audience hear an actual episode of it. That's what you're getting today. Now, for a few years, you might have heard this on the Sound Off Podcast: "Transcription of the Sound Off Podcast is powered by the You May Also Like Podcast, the show about people, places and things. Follow the show on your favorite podcast app, or at YouMayAlsoLike.net."

Well, what is that show? Originally, it was called the Hot Air Podcast with Matt Cundill, and then it morphed into something different. You May Also Like tells stories about creatives who aren't necessarily in broadcasting. Today's episode, though, does feature someone well known to the broadcast world. David Tyler has appeared on the Sound Off Podcast before- way back in 2016- and recently he appeared on You May Also Like. So do me a favor, give this show a like and a follow, and I hope you like the short format, presentation and style of it.

David Tyler, a seasoned broadcast and voiceover talent since the 80s, discusses the importance of communication. He emphasizes that effective communication is more than just words, and shares techniques for concise speech, such as recording and editing one's own words. Tyler's book, "Connect: A Field Guide for Master Communicators," aims to help young professionals improve their communication skills, advocating for brevity and preparation. He also highlights the need for cultural sensitivity in communication and the power of silence to deepen engagement.

David's podcast, "The Master Communicator," complements his book by offering bite-sized communication lessons.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I catch up with Jeremy White, who left his position at 92.5 The Beat in Montreal back in January 2023. He spoke at length about the challenges and limitations he faced while working at 92.5 The Beat in Montreal. After leaving the station, he transitioned to creating his own independent media platform, focusing on his YouTube channel and podcast that features in-depth interviews with music artists.

Jeremy spoke of the restrictive nature of traditional radio, where talent is undervalued and creativity is secondary. He describes his experiences voice tracking for stations, creating a professional video setup, and ultimately breaking free from corporate constraints. His move to fill in on talk radio at 640 Toronto was an unexpected but enlightening experience that showcased his versatility as a broadcaster.

We got into it over the music industry's gatekeeping practices, sharing frustrating experiences of booking interviews and promoting artists. He emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand and creating high-quality content that transcends traditional media limitations.

Currently, Jeremy can be found running the Mohawk Market with his family and producing great online content. He remains passionate about disrupting radio's traditional models, advocating for more support of talent and innovative approaches to broadcasting. His story is a testament to breaking rules, staying true to one's roots, and creating opportunities outside of conventional media structures.

Currently, you can hear Jeremy on great radio stations like 105.5 WJYY in New Hampshire, on his podcast, or or on his YouTube channel.

A Transcript and video of the show is available on our network page.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the things you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Mary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is an easy one.

Steve Kowch from CJAD 800AM in Montreal in 1997 when the station announced that all tombstones in the province would need to be changed to French within a year.

We had Steve on our show back in 2017 where he told the story in this 4 minute bonus session. But aside from this tale, this episode is one of our best and continues to resonate today with all the cutbacks going on in the radio business these days - especially to newsrooms.

Check out the episode here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When it comes to careers in radio, it's not about whether or not you'll get fired someday- you will. It's about how you bounce back. And I can't think of a more perfect example of bouncing back than Bob Willette.

A radio veteran of 25+ years, Bob recently joined Indie 88 in Toronto after being let go from his program director role in Kingston. We discuss the challenges facing the radio industry, including corporate consolidation, content repurposing, and Canadian content regulations.

As a former award-winning program director, and now a full-time announcer, Bob had a whole lot of ideas for Indie 88. He shares exactly what they were and how he managed to integrate them, emphasizing the importance of creativity and live radio. We explore the changing media landscape, the role of the CRTC, and the need for radio stations to adapt to new technologies and audience preferences. We also dive into Bob's storied radio history, beginning all the way back with Humble and Fred on 102.1 The Edge, one of Toronto's most beloved Alternative stations.

If you like listening to Bob (and why wouldn't you), you should know he's got a podcast of his own: Bob's Basement, "A show about change." I'll let you discover the rest for yourself, but if you enjoy music, movies, comedy, live shows, radio, TV or cinema, Bob's got you covered.

You can also connect with Bob on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X and Facebook.

A Transcript and video of the show is available on our network page.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the things you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Mary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Heather Osgood is the owner of True Native Media, and returns to talk about the same thing we talked about last time - podcast monetization strategies. A lot has changed since Heather's last visit on the show, but one thing that has not changed is suggesting podcasters consider their niche audience when seeking advertisers. And podcast monetization methods extend beyond traditional ads; consider Patreon support, affiliate partnerships, and direct brand relationships. Heather emphasizes the importance of understanding different ad types as well: baked-in, dynamic insertion, and host-read ads; each with unique pricing and engagement strategies.

One golden suggestion from Heather - know which advertisers to approach. Podcasters should focus on mid-level companies within their industry rather than large, hard-to-reach brands. The key is creating long-term partnerships by understanding an advertiser's expectations and delivering value and added value.

Something else we often forget is to highlight podcasting's unique strength: high listener engagement, with audiences typically consuming 80% of an episode compared to seconds on social media platforms. Her podcast brokerage service offers another monetization avenue, helping podcasters sell their shows to interested buyers or networks. Do you know how much of your show listeners are consuming? Apple and Spotify have that data for you, if you know how to access it.

You definitely want to follow Heather's show, Podcast Advertising Playbook, and if you feel your show is ready to be represented by True Native Media - reach out to her and her onboarding team. (She explains who would be an ideal partner in the show)

A Transcript and video of the show is available on our network page.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the things you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Mary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Farwell is a testament to passion and perseverance in broadcasting. He started as a teacherand quickly realized radio was his true calling. His career began in the small market of Salmon Arm, British Columbia, where he learned the multifaceted nature of radio, handling everything from answering phones to writing commercials and reporting news.

Farwell's career trajectory took him through various markets, including Thunder Bay and eventually Toronto, where he worked at MOJO Radio, CFBR and the legendary 1050 CHUM. His versatility became his greatest strength, earning him respect from veteran broadcasters like Tom Rivers and Evelyn Macco. A defining moment came during a 24-hour reporting marathon covering a transit strike, showcasing his dedication to journalism.

Returning to his hometown of Kitchener, Farwell found his niche at 570 News Radio. He expanded his repertoire by hosting a local Rogers TV show and later transitioning to a talk radio format. His commitment to community engagement and storytelling has been a hallmark of his career.

The Sound Off Media Company was home his OHL podcast for a few years, which has grown to over 500 episodes and attracted a global audience. Farwell's ability to adapt, his love for radio, and his deep connection to the Kitchener-Waterloo region have defined a remarkable broadcasting career spanning decades.

A Transcript and video of the show is available on our network page.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Mary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ashley Greco discusses her career journey from high school to becoming a morning host at Pure Country in Ottawa. She recounts her early experiences, including moving schools, finding purpose in theater, and starting a high school radio station. Ashley details her career progression, from internships at Kiss 92 and Skyward Traffic to co-hosting at Z103 and CHUM. She shares her transition to Ottawa, the challenges of co-hosting with Gord Saint Denis, and her foray into voiceover work. Ashley also reflects on the evolving role of traffic reports and the impact of social media on her show prep.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Mary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Graham Richardson, a veteran Canadian journalist, discussed his career, including his time at CBC, ITV (Edmonton) CTV, and his coverage of the 2022 Ottawa trucker convoy protest.

We talked about the challenges of maintaining media trust amidst the proliferation of content and the impact of government subsidies on media organizations. Graham talked about the importance of local news in providing essential services and the need for media to adapt to changing viewer habits, and what he has seen working in Ottawa for CJOH Television as the 6PM news anchor.

What I really like about Graham, was how he covered the Trucker Convoy from a local and national level. He managed to convey the viewpoints of both the residents who were ticked off with the commotion and the truckers who travelled to deliver their message to Ottawa. It was truly a strange time and Graham's reflection is compelling.

He also talked candidly about his transition to Edelman Global Advisory, where he now works on media and crisis management for clients, including the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

A Transcript and video of the show is available on our network page.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Mary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.