I catch up with Jeremy White, who left his position at Montreal's 92.5 The Beat 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.

Elsie Escobar is, without question, one of the pioneers of podcasting.

All the way back in 2006, she started one of the original yoga podcasts: Elsie's Yoga Class, which garnered 4 million downloads in its lifetime. She stuck with it until 2013, when she joined Libsyn, and she's been co-hosting their official podcast The Feed ever since. She also happens to be the first Latina ever inducted into the Academy of Podcasters' Hall of Fame.

That's about as fruitful of a career as any podcaster could hope for, but like most of us, Elsie had another life before embracing the world of online audio. She pivoted from her Hollywood acting career after growing tired of feeling tokenized, thinking podcasting might finally let her stretch her creative legs - and boy, did it ever - but of course, not without a struggle. Getting into podcasting is hard enough today, even with the massive online infrastructure and endless number of tools & resources we have access to. Can you imagine how daunting it must have been in 2006? And yet, Elsie endured, and has an Everest-sized mountain of successes to show for it.

As someone who's been around since the dawn of podcasting, and has seen just about every evolution the medium has gone through, Elsie brought an incredible (and very rare) perspective to the show. Between her thoughts on things like monetization, adapting to new platforms, adding a video component, the importance of promos, and the future of the industry, anyone looking to make a living in this business will no doubt find something incredibly valuable in this episode.

Elsie is also the co-founder and co-host of She Podcasts, the largest online community for women and non binary podcasters on Facebook with over 20,000 members. She continues to make the podcasting space safer and more connected every day, and even shares her future plans to create a better ecosystem for her audience.

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.

Marc Scott knows voiceover, and how to market voiceover. He wrapped up his radio career in 2011 but shared his early fascination with radio and how he got his start in the industry through a high school co-op, and details his early career working at various radio stations across Ontario.

Marc pivoted to voiceover in 2011 after being downsized from his final radio job. He emphasizes the importance of marketing and business skills in building a successful voiceover career, and outlines his four-year trajectory from making $15,000 a year to moving to 6 figures by making some smart decisions.

The discussion delves into the risks of relying solely on online casting platforms, the importance of establishing fair rates, and the necessity of coaching and training before creating a solid demo. Marc also shares the impact his podcast has had on his coaching business, and provides advice for new voice actors looking to invest in their career.

Connect to his podcast here.

Throughout the conversation, Marc shares valuable insights and lessons learned from his own experiences transitioning from radio to voiceover.

Get Marc's 10 Voiceover Marketing Mistakes to avoid.

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.

Larry MacInnis has had an incredible career in radio, working largely for the legendary CHUM Radio in Toronto. He shares his incredible journey - from growing up listening to CJCB in Cape Breton, to getting his start in radio at CKEC in New Glasgow, to landing his dream job at CHUM in the most unpredictable of ways.

MacInnis describes the supportive and collaborative environment at CHUM, where character and talent were valued above all else. He recounts the creative freedom he was given to develop innovative campaigns like "Beat the Bank" and work on iconic morning shows with the likes of Roger Ashby, Rick Hodge and Marilyn Denis.

Beyond his work at CHUM, MacInnis also discusses his involvement with the Pro Bono Group, a collective of creatives who produce free public service announcements for worthy causes. He shares insights on the group's origins and impact, as well as his perspective on the role of AI in the future of radio and advertising.

If you work in radio or podcast - get on their distribution list and check out their work.

MacInnis reflects on the mentorship and opportunities that shaped his storied career, and his enduring passion for the radio industry. This episode offers a captivating look into the golden era of Canadian radio.

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.