When audio producer Vivien Schütz moved from Germany to New York City, she was searching for her people. After meeting producer Max Wasserman at On Air Fest, they decided to build a space for audio makers that felt nothing like traditional networking — and Audio Spice was born.

Three years later, Audio Spice has grown into one of New York City's most beloved audio communities, hosting free, sound-focused gatherings for creatives across the city. Their magic lies in their variety, as no two events are the same. They've played audio trivia, smashed piñatas filled with creative prompts, danced in the dark, hosted community skill shares, and so much more. And they've done it all on a zero-dollar budget.

In this episode, JT sits down with Vivien and her co-organizer Laura Rojas Aponte to hear what it takes to build a creative community from scratch. They get into how they secure venues, navigate unpredictable attendance, and figure out what sustainability looks like for a volunteer-run collective.

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Giles Gear is the founder of Cheerful Earful, an international comedy podcast festival held in London, Melbourne, and New York City each October. 

In this conversation, Giles shares the remarkable grassroots story of how he built this three-continent festival from zero investment. Together, Giles and JT explore the state of comedy podcasting, why indie shows with dedicated followings can outsell big names, and the creative venue strategies that make large-scale events financially sustainable.

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Peter Niegel is the CEO of Radiodays, one of the most influential global conferences for audio professionals. He's also a longtime media analyst at the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, where he's spent more than 25 years studying the industry's evolution.

Radiodays began as a European conference and has since expanded into a truly global platform, with events across Europe, Asia, and North America. In this episode of Your Next Chapter, Peter and JT discuss how cooperation among international markets sparks innovation and curiosity in the industry. They also dig into the rise of AI in audio; where it helps, where it could harm, and why trust and credibility remain essential as new technologies flood the space.

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Kate Helen Downey is a podcast producer and live-event creator who's adapted popular podcasts like Revisionist History, Scamfluencers, and Glamorous Trash for the stage.

In this episode of Your Next Chapter, Kate and JT dig into what live events can offer podcasters beyond ticket sales. Kate shares how her background in theater shaped her approach to live audio, why there's no single "right" format for live audio, and how risk and experimentation in events can turn fans into a community.

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Arielle Nissenblatt is one of the most trusted voices in podcast community building. Outside of her official role as Director of Community and Content at Pinwheel, Arielle organizes local community events for New York podcasters on limited budgets.

In this episode of Your Next Chapter, Arielle and JT explore the value of hosting and attending community events, whether major conferences or small local networking events. She shares how she defines success for community events, why a bit of “woo woo” opens up doors, and how events are bringing hope back to the industry.

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Dr. Chioke I’Anson is the founder of the Resonate Podcast Festival in Richmond, Virginia. He joined JT fresh off Resonate's fourth year to talk about how the festival has evolved into a hub for narrative audio makers. In this conversation, Chioke explains the inspiration behind the festival and why it has centered creativity in its programming. Chioke also shares the strategy behind Pitch Party—the Shark Tank-style competition that has launched real deals—and how taking pitches public can spark the momentum creators need.

Plus, Chioke and JT workshop how to design a first-time event from scratch, why retreats beat conferences, and what’s ahead for Resonate in 2026 and beyond (including a potential international edition).

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Bryan Barletta is the founder of Sounds Profitable and the new President of Podcast Movement, following a major industry merger. He sat down with JT to discuss the acquisition that brought Sound Profitable's team and ethos into Podcast Movement, and what this means for the future of podcasting's largest event.

Together, they explore how Podcast Movement is evolving to become more community-driven, with peer-selected panels, faster content distribution, and more accessible pricing for creators. Bryan also shares practical advice for crafting events that provide real value and connection in this digital industry.

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Andreea Coscai is the creator of Eurowaves, a growing hub for European podcasters, and a marketing and community manager at Tink Media and EarBuds Podcast Collective. She sat down with JT to discuss the state of the European podcasting market and community. Together, they discuss the challenges and opportunities for podcasters to collaborate across languages and borders. Andreea also shares examples of European podcasts to check out — plus her take on emerging podcast events across the continent.

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Greg Hess, co-creator of the hit satirical podcast MEGA, joins JT to share what it takes to bring a podcast on the road. From booking the first venue to scaling a national tour, Greg reflects on the strategy, surprises, and lessons behind turning audio into a live experience.

Scott Newman, Founder of On Air Presents, joins JT to explore how podcasting is evolving beyond the feed and into immersive live events. From On Air's recent rebrand to dreaming up a new podcast experience in Ibiza, this episode marks the launch of our new series, spotlighting the intersection of sound, story, and spectacle.