Women In Media

Host Sarah Burke and guest Jess Knights record an impromptu episode of the Women in Media Podcast. They discuss the implications of the American election as the polls begin to close in real time. They discuss the evolving role of podcasts in political discourse, and the impact of media on voter behaviour. They explore how younger audiences are gravitating towards podcasts for authentic conversations, the significance of women's voices in politics, and the challenges of navigating political discussions in a divided time. Personal anecdotes highlight their experiences in the industry and the importance of supporting marginalized communities. They explore the choice of independence among women, the political landscape affecting women's rights, and the need for a shift towards valuing women's contributions in society. The conversation ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing the potential for positive change and the importance of women's voices in shaping the future.

Links:

Find out more about Jess Knights: https://jessknights.com/

Politics and Podcasting Findings from Triton Digital: https://rainnews.com/dax-shepard-tops-ranker-political-podcasts-surge-listener-demos-are-older-educated-afflluent-triton-signal-hill/

Thank you to BASMA BEAUTY for being a sponsor and offering listeners 50% off at checkout with the code WOMENINMEDIA50 at https://www.basmabeauty.com/

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From one founder to another, host Sarah Burke interviews Angel Nicole, the founder of the ALIVE Podcast Network.

Angel Nicole transitioned from radio to podcasting after 25 years in the industry, creating the ALIVE Podcast Network to amplify Black voices in media. Angel's background in journalism informs her approach to content creation, although the idea was born out of some misfortune during her maternity leave.

Angel tells Sarah about her podcast network and the vision to provide monetization opportunities regardless of audience size. She emphasizes how community and collaboration are central to the network's success. The network has nearly 75 podcasters and continues to grow, supporting underrepresented creators.

Angel and Sarah also discuss the upcoming American election, and her recent experience covering the DNC on Media Row. Angel hosts the podcast ALIVE Now and you can hear some of the coverage there. She reflects on the significance of the DNC and historic moments in American politics, particularly the nomination of Vice President Harris. They also explore some challenges women are up against in the media industry.

More About Angel Nicole:

Angel N. Livas is a 2024 Inc Magazine Female Founder Honoree, TEDX Speaker, and award-winning producer who has amassed over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry. Her expertise has been instrumental in the success of numerous shows, including those of which she created for renowned personalities Larry King and Jane Pauley.

Motivated by her firsthand experiences, Angel recognized a pressing need to monetize and protect the intellectual content of Black creatives. It was this vision that led her to found the ALIVE Podcast Network, a groundbreaking media tech company that amplifies Black voices and provides creatives a space to control their narratives. The platform has received critical acclaim, culminating in a prestigious NAACP Image Award nomination for the hit show “Under Construction with Tamar Braxton” in 2022. After a mere 5-months, the first black woman-owned podcast network with proprietary technology, became a Techstars Portfolio Company Powered by JP Morgan, further solidifying Angel's status as a tech innovator. She also has an unwavering commitment to community service, which is reflected in her receipt of the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (Biden Administration) and her leadership as a charter member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - Alpha Beta Alpha Omega Chapter.

Angel N. Livas is a devoted mother to two sons, a Howard University graduate (Magna Cum Laude), and a 2024 Black Ambition semi-finalist and Goldman Sachs Million Black Women in Business participant.

Ebo: https://joinebo.com/

Pitch What's Possible (AWS show): https://aws.amazon.com/startups/lp/pitch-whats-possible?sc_channel=sm&sc_campaign=Startups&sc_publisher=LINKEDIN&sc_country=global&sc_geo=GLOBAL&sc_outcome=awareness&linkId=621767742\

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Angel Nicole and the ALIVE Podcast Network

(02:30) Angel's Journey from Radio to Podcasting

(06:00) The Birth of the Alive Podcast Network

(10:55) Building a Community for Black Voices

(15:29) The Unique Structure of the Alive Podcast Network

(20:11) Engaging with American Politics through Podcasting

(21:54) Star-Studded Events and Political Engagement

(24:10) Understanding the American Election Process

(26:21) Historic Moments at the DNC

(30:15) Navigating Challenges as a Woman in Media

(33:32) Proud Moments and a story about Costco Connection Magazine

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On a special edition of the Women in Media Podcast, host Sarah Burke hosts a panel of incredible music industry women to discuss their challenges and most defining moments. Panelists:

Cristina Fernandes

Music PR & Publicity @ Listen Harder, established in 2004. Happy 20th anniversary! Listen Harder Inc. is a Canadian independent publicity company specializing in music publicity. Clients include Alexisonfire, City and Colour, Barenaked Ladies, Bedouin Soundclash, Good Kid and Frank Turner! Find out more about Listen Harder: https://listenharder.com/

JJ Wilde:

A chart-topping, history-making, award-winning singer-songwriter dominating the rock music scene. Check out her new album Vices and more: https://jjwilde.com/

Hannah Rose Platt:

An acclaimed singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and storyteller, born and raised in Liverpool, now based in Bristol: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3OTvfzhtWkwy79ctyAGPMA

Follow her on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahroseplattofficial/

Tre Stead:

One of the UK's most diligent female Tour Managers, with nearly 20 years experience working with a variety of international artists throughout the UK and Worldwide, including Frank Turner!

Find out more about Tre Stead: https://www.trestead.com/

A huge thank you to Frank Turner's Lost Evenings team and The Ally Coalition for inviting us to host this panel!

Find out more about Lost Evenings: https://www.lostevenings.info/

Frank Turner curates the four-day festival which took place at the brand new Theatre at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto this year for a seventh round. Each night of the festival will see a different headline show from Frank Turner who over the course of four nights will play over 80 different songs. Augmenting the evening live performances will be a These include pop-ups, open mic sessions and the Xtra Mile Recordings daytime showcase as well as panels, masterclasses and workshops where leading industry insiders, musicians, experts and music professionals offer insight and advice to audiences.

Find out more about the Ally Coalition: https://theallycoalition.org/story/

The Ally Coalition provides critical support for organizations dedicated to bettering the lives of LGBTQ youth and raises awareness about the systemic inequalities facing the LGBTQ population. Founded in 2013 by Jack Antonoff (Bleachers) and fashion designer Rachel Antonoff, TAC is committed to bettering the lives of LGBTQ youth through tours, social media campaigns and collaborative partnerships, providing meaningful support to organizations serving LGBTQ Youth.

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In this episode of the Women in Media podcast, host Sarah Burke interviews Shayla Ouellette Stonechild, founder of Matriarch Movement. They discuss the importance of amplifying Indigenous voices, Shayla's journey of healing and wellness, and the impact of personal loss on her mission to support Indigenous youth. She also shares some thoughts on mindfulness and her daily practices that foster spiritual connection. They also touch on the significance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, resources for learning about Indigenous issues, and Shayla's aspirations for future collaborations and initiatives.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Matriarch Movement

(02:57) Shifting Narratives: Indigenous Voices and Healing

(06:00) Personal Journey: Shayla's Background and Influences

(08:55) The Impact of Loss and Commitment to Change

(11:54) Yoga and Mindfulness: A Path to Healing

(14:51) Daily Practices: Connecting with Spirit and Nature

(17:53) Ceremonies and Spiritual Experiences

(20:50) Collaboration with Sophie Trudeau

(23:59) Reflections on Truth and Reconciliation Day

(26:59) Resources for Learning: Books and Podcasts

(30:02) Inspirational Figures and Future Collaborations

(32:56) Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

Shayla's Recommendations:

https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/21-things-you-may-not-have-known-about-the-indian-act

https://www.ictinc.ca/books/indigenous-relations

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-podcasts/148-missing-murdered-finding-cleo

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36626827-sacred-instructions

https://www.allmyrelationspodcast.com/

https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/

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In this solo episode, host Sarah Burke discusses her experience with AI and social media, specifically focusing on an Instagram trend where ChatGPT roasts your Instagram feed. She shares her identity crisis on social media and the struggle to find her authentic online presence. Sarah explores the use of AI tools in podcasting and the importance of balancing AI-generated content with human finesse. She also provides tips for improving social media presence, such as focusing on quality over quantity, being authentic, engaging with the audience, diversifying content, and offering value. Sarah concludes by inviting listeners to share their thoughts on AI and suggest topics for future solo episodes.

THIS BLURB WAS WRITTEN BY AI! I did that on purpose this time. But to add to the episode:

It takes A LOT of work to a) stand out in social media or podcasting and to b) to find your authentic voice in those places. This was an episode inspired by a silly trend that ended up having a real, true impact on confidence and self-worth. To anyone that finds themselves in a similar position, please send in your thoughts!

www.womeninmedia.ca

www.womeinmedia.network

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On this episode, host Sarah Burke sits down with Saroya Tinker with a live audience at the Queen Street Knix Store in Toronto, in partnership with Monday Girl.

Saroya Tinker is a former professional hockey player who recently transitioned to join the Professional Women's Hockey League’s broadcasting team, both on panel and color commentary. She is also the league's Manager of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Community Initiatives. 

Sarah and Saroya discuss the progress the PWHL has made in providing living wages and full-time opportunities for women in hockey. She shares her personal journey of retiring from playing to focus on her role as a PWHL broadcaster and the league's advocacy work. Saroya opens up about the challenges she faced as a Black woman in hockey and the importance of representation, leading her to her work with Black Girl Hockey Club and mentoring the next generation. The conversation also touches on Saroy's self-care practices, her interests outside of hockey, and her vision for the future of women's sports, highlighting the need for continued collaboration and progress.

More about Saroya Tinker:

Tinker was a Yale University Women’s Hockey Team member before graduating with a degree in History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health. She was drafted fourth overall to the Metropolitan Riveters in 2020 before joining the Toronto Six in 2021. In the 2022-23 PHF season, Saroya was named a PHF All-Star and the Toronto Six won the 2023 Isobel Cup.

Tinker runs Saroya Strong, a mentorship program for young Black women in sports. She is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Black Girl Hockey Club Canada, a nonprofit organization that advocates for Black Women in ice hockey.

In 2022, Saroya was part of Front Office Sports’ Rising 25 Class, named one of Sportsnet’s Top-25 Women in Hockey, and won the PHF’s Denna Laing Award, awarded to “the player most actively applying the core values of hockey to her community as well as growing and improving hockey culture.” She also won the TIFF People’s Choice Award for Uninterrupted Canada’s Black Ice.

Saroya is one of the faces of diversity and inclusion in hockey - she is continuously pushing the boundaries of the sport and improving it for the next generation of players. In the fall, Breaking Down Barriers, a docuseries showcasing stories of diversity in hockey, premiered on TSN. Saroya is the host, writer, and executive producer.

Follow along with Saroya:

Twitter: @SaroyaTinker71

Instagram: @saroyatinker71

Black Girl Hockey Club: blackgirlhockeyclub.org

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Host Sarah Burke revisits a conversation with Olympian Alysha Newman from August 2021, shortly after the Tokyo 2020 olympics didn’t go as planned…

Alysha Newman went to Tokyo only three months after suffering a concussion. She had some recalibrating to do dealing with both the physical and mental effects of her brain injury.

The now 30 year old from London Ontario is smiling ear to ear three years later…after not only winning the bronze medal in women’s pole vault, but also becoming the first Canadian woman to medal in the pole vault! She's actually the first Canadian athlete to grab a medal since the 1912 Stockholm games. And as most would say, you should be focused on competing with yourself….well she did that too. She beat her own record by two centimeters. So if you want to twerk in celebration after numerous setbacks…go right ahead. 

At the time this episode was published, Alysha was the Commonwealth Games champion in the women’s pole vault (she set a Games record at the 2018 competition with a 4.75m jump). She represented Canada at both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, also placing fifth at the 2019 World Championships.

Alysha shares her experience with injuries, mental struggles, and the importance of self-care in high-level competition. She discussed the importance of self-care, mental health, and balancing education with personal aspirations. The conversation also touched on the importance of balancing personal brand and business partnerships, and the need for longevity, consistency, and authenticity.

Alysha was born and raised in London, Ontario, plying her trade as a competitive gymnast before a back injury forced her off the balance beam and into track & field. Alysha is a graduate from the University of Miami where she became a six-time NCAA Division I All-American and currently lives and trains north of Toronto in Caledon, Ontario.

We talk about her passion for working with brands that align with her values, being kind to your body and mind, and being transparent about difficult times as an influencer. I reference this Instagram post from August 3rd, 2021:

"Directly from me to you all, here is my truth of 2021. It was a absolutely sh*t year for me on the track. Completely opposite to my dreams and goals I put out for myself. Everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong. 

You could look at my 2021 year and say I hit rock bottom in my pole vaulting career or you could say damn Alysha, look at the mountains, obstacles and sh*t you put up with. It wasn’t easy, it was really hard on my family, my coaches and especially me and my mental health."

Follow @AlyshaNewman

https://olympic.ca/team-canada/alysha-newman/

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Sarah Burke interviews Erika Ayers Badan about her new book, Nobody Cares About Your Career: Why Failure is Good, The Great Ones Play Hurt and Other Hard Truths. They discuss the timing of writing the book, the challenges of transitioning between creative and corporate chapters, and the importance of vulnerability. They also touch on the experiences of being a woman in the media spotlight and the lessons learned from failure. Erica shares her thoughts on mentorship and the value of learning from both experienced professionals and the next generation.

More about Erika:

Erika Ayers Badan is a digital innovator, disruptor, and seasoned executive on the cutting edge of content creation, distribution, and monetization of premier and culturally relevant content. As an early adopter of internet culture, Ayers has always been interested in what’s next, driving digital entrepreneurship and large-scale revenue growth within companies.

Ayers Badan was recently named CEO of Food52 after serving as a board member and advisor since 2019. Ayers Badan currently serves on the boards of the Premier Lacrosse League, and global public safety technology leader Axon Enterprise (AXON).

As the first-ever CEO of media magnate Barstool Sports, Ayers Badan led the company through explosive growth (+5000% in revenue and significantly more in audience), expanding the company from a regional blog to a national powerhouse brand and media company. During her 9 years steering the company, Barstool became a top ten podcasting publisher in the US, with the world's #1 sports, hockey, golf, and music podcasts, and a top 6 brand globally on TikTok. Ayers Badan has launched over 35 brands, including breakout franchises like Pat McAfee and Call Her Daddy.

Following Barstool’s exponential growth, Fast Company named Ayers Badan as one of its "Most Creative People in Business" in 2018, citing Barstool Sports' expansion into multimedia and merchandising during her tenure. That same year, Forbes ranked her 25th on its "Most Powerful Women in U.S. Sports.” In 2019, she was ranked #19 on The Big Lead's list of "The 75 Most Powerful People in the Sports Media Business." That year, she was also included on Crain's New York's "Notable Women in the Business of Sports.” Adweek named Ayers Badan as one of its "Most Powerful Women in Sports" in 2017 and 2020.

Ayers Badan has also held several senior roles at influential media and technology organizations, including President of BKSTG, CMO for AOL, VP of Branding at Yahoo! and Senior Director of MSN Branded Experiences for Microsoft.

Get Erika's Book:

https://www.amazon.ca/Nobody-Cares-About-Your-Career/dp/1250320585

https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/nobody-cares-about-your-career-why-failure-is-good-the-great-ones-play-hurt-and-other-hard-truths/9781250320582.html

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250320582/nobodycaresaboutyourcareer

Follow Erika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika

Follow Erika on Twitter: https://twitter.com/erika_

Connect with Erika on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikanardini/

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As entertainment news outlets continue to shrink, two industry powerhouses found themselves with a decision to make: sink or swim.

Katie Colley and Laura Ward, television personalities, discuss their new venture E Dose Daily, their experiences in media, and the challenges and triumphs they have faced along the way. They share insights on content production, industry shake-ups, and the value of owning their own content.

Formerly of Entertainment Tonight Canada and ETalk, Katie and Laura founded the female-led online news outlet, dedicated to delivering the latest updates while providing engaging and captivating coverage. The pair boast a long list of A-list celebrity interviews through their respective careers that includes the likes of Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Mark Wahlberg, and Susan Sarandon to sports legends such as Kyle Lowry, José Bautista and Shaquille O'Neal and major music sensations including Shania Twain, Backstreet Boys, Ariana Grande, Luke Bryan, Cardi B, and Metallica.

E Dose Daily aims to redefine how audiences engage with entertainment in the digital age. Having developed a fully renovated, state-of-the-art studio in the GTA, E Dose Daily will be able to host guests onsite as well as shoot interviews on location to ensure viewers get real-time updates for everything from red carpets to music festivals. 

With a focus on real-time content delivery, E Dose Daily will offer audiences unmatched coverage of the latest in entertainment news, pop culture trends, and exclusive interviews. The platform will utilize cutting-edge technology to deliver content swiftly and seamlessly across multiple digital channels. E Dose Daily will feature a diverse range of daily content with short, snappy segments that can be easily consumed on the go. Some specialty segments will include frequent installments of: 

Reali-TEA: with juicy gossip and candid interviews, it will keep fans up-to-date on all the latest happenings in the reality TV universe. 

Keep It Country: immersing fans in the heart of country music, offering an insider’s perspective on the latest news, trends, countdowns, and new releases. 

Toast To Tipsy: a laid-back fun segment inviting celebrities to mix up their favourite cocktail and join Katie and Laura to share personal stories, insights, and laughs, creating a genuine and candid connection that goes beyond the typical interview format. 

FOLLOW ALONG WITH E DOSE DAILY

INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK | X |FACEBOOK 

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Sometimes singers sing about singing, writers write about writing, and podcasters podcast about … yes, podcasting. This episode was recorded live off the floor at Taco Taco as part of the first Soundwave Summit in Toronto, a new indie podcast conference! Things may sound a little different because there is a live audience.

Maureen Holloway and Wendy Mesley were previously on the Women in Media Podcast for episode #36 (listen here), but in this episode, the tables are turned for a discussion about what's new in podcasting, what the biggest challenges are, and how it's going running a podcast network.

Find out more about the Women of Ill Repute:

https://www.womenofillrepute.com/   

https://www.instagram.com/womenofillrepute/

https://www.instagram.com/wendy.mesley/

https://www.instagram.com/missmoradio/ 

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