Search For An Episode

In a landmark media move, The Walrus has acquired Lead Podcasting, bringing together two powerhouses of Canadian journalism and podcast production. Led by Jennifer Hollett, The Walrus—a respected long-form journalism publication turned digital media organization—sees podcasting as a critical avenue for storytelling and audience engagement. Amanda Cupido, founder of Lead Podcasting, brings a team of skilled podcast producers with a strong journalistic background. The acquisition represents more than a business transaction; it's a strategic alignment of values centered on fact-based storytelling and community connection. Both organizations share a commitment to high-quality, trustworthy content and see podcasting as an intimate medium for exploring ideas. The partnership will operate under The Walrus Lab, leveraging Lead Podcasting's production expertise to expand their podcast offerings while maintaining their core mission of sparking meaningful conversations about Canadian stories. I did make reference to Jennifer's appearance with Erica Ehm on "Reinvention of the VJ" which ran back in 2021. Here is Jennifer's appearance on that show, documenting her time at Much. Here is the Press Release from The Walrus:   Toronto, December 4, 2025 : The Walrus has acquired Lead Podcasting to expand its audio storytelling and The Walrus Podcasts. “We’re thrilled to have Lead Podcasting join The Walrus as part of our suite of podcasts and innovative revenue model,” said Jennifer Hollett, executive director of The Walrus. “The Walrus Lab produces custom content with clients, in a range of formats: from print to events to podcasts. Lead shares our journalistic approach to podcasting. We only grow from here.”  The Walrus is a Canadian leader in fact-based journalism, storytelling, content creation, and event production with enormous convening power. The Walrus Lab is the client services wing of The Walrus that offers the above services and expertise to other organizations, under their brand.  The Walrus Lab's editorial eye combined with Lead Podcasting’s production excellence creates a competitive edge in a popular medium. The Walrus Lab has worked with Lead Podcasting over the past several years to produce podcasts with partners, including Sorry for Your Loss with Mount Pleasant Group, Canadian Time Machine with the Government of Canada, and From Research to Impact with Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.  “I could not have picked a better home for Lead Podcasting. As we continue to see increased growth in podcasting globally, this acquisition is an exciting advancement for both the podcasting and legacy media landscape in Canada,” said Amanda Cupido, the founder and CEO of Lead Podcasting. “Since Lead Podcasting’s inception in 2020, we’ve brought on some of the best talent across the country who have helped define what the podcasting industry looks like today. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow and innovate alongside the brilliant team at The Walrus.” Cupido is an award-winning podcast producer, speaker, author, and entrepreneur. Her books, Let’s Talk Podcasting: The Essential Guide to Doing It Right and Let’s Talk Podcasting for Kids , are Amazon bestsellers and have inspired people around the world to embrace the medium for close to a decade. She will continue to work with The Walrus Lab in a leadership role as their Executive Podcast Advisor.  The entire Lead Podcasting management and production team will join The Walrus Lab and merge with The Walrus Podcasts. This in-house agency work is part of a diverse, innovative business model that funds the independent journalism of The Walrus. Hollett and Cupido both welcome inquiries from brands interested in learning more about creating a podcast with this new team.

When I first heard about “Julian on the Radio”, I knew the résumé: big markets, big stations, big moments. What I didn’t fully appreciate was just how much of that career was built on curiosity, risk, and a stubborn love for people. Julian takes me back to his start at Z104 in Washington, DC—the intern who never left the building, ran street stunts, answered phones, and was simply there the day the board op didn’t show up. From there, we trace his journey through Chicago’s B96, Seattle, Las Vegas, and other competitive markets, unpacking what made 90s radio and MTV feel so electric and why so many of us are still chasing that feeling. We also get honest about the tougher stuff: career instability, identity outside the studio, shrinking staffs, and the sometimes-lonely reality of today’s radio buildings. Julian is candid about the push-and-pull between loving the art and navigating the politics, and why connection—not just content or followers—is still radio’s real superpower. This one’s for anyone who’s ever moved cities, chased a shift, or wondered what’s next. Julian has also been featured in some great pieces including one of my favourites from Barrett Sports Media. Check out his demo. Also I mentioned that I would suggest a few conferences radio people could check out if they wanted to expand their horizons. I was going to just mention a couple but I forgot about a few of the obvious ones: Podcast Movement at SXSW : (FREE) Now has a presence there thanks to Bryan Barletta and Tom Webster's direction. VidCon: Video Creators galore. Twitchcon : You're gonna love Rotterdam Social Media Marketing World: You'll learn how to make prettier posts.

Brittany Grunig , whose journey through Canadian country radio perfectly illustrates why one should bel bullish on radio’s future. Brittany shares how growing up in small-town Nova Scotia, studying marketing at Holland College, and stumbling into a radio internship led to gigs at Ocean 100 , K-Rock , and CFCY , before a chance interview booking helped her leap to New Country 94 in Ottawa . We talk about her rapid evolution from on-air host to Music Director and eventually Regional Program Director at Bell, navigating competitive markets, the infamous hit/non-hit regulations in Ottawa, and how she used creativity, artist relationships, and a passion for Canadian country to build compelling stations and shows. Brittany then explains why she moved on from corporate radio, how motherhood reshaped her priorities, and why she’s now energized by working with My Broadcast Corporation in Kingston. Her optimism about fiercely local, community-first radio will make you rethink what’s possible for the next 10 years of audio. I mentioned during the show that I once had country superstar Meghan Patrick on a podcast. Did you know she is a leading member of the Buffalo Bills Mafia? Oh look!! The video of the show!

Brion O'Brion is the radio in Lansing, Michigan on Power 96.5. A true veteran in urban and hip hop radio, Brion shared his radio story—from growing up in Virginia and spending time overseas, to discovering his love for radio with the legendary “Rap Attack” show on WRAP. We talked about the mentors who shaped his path, the competitive radio scenes in Orlando and St. Louis, and how setbacks taught him resilience and the importance of adaptability. Brion opened up about the changing landscape of radio, the impact of social media, and why connecting with audiences—both on air and online—is the key to radio's future as an influencer medium. (Yes I wrote that).He also gave candid advice to aspiring radio personalities while reflecting on his own family’s legacy of perseverance. Brion’s passion and honesty remind me why I love doing this show, and how much I miss radio events like the Conclave. Did someone say the Last Conclave? THE CONCLAVE 45 is a Radio Industry Conference bringing together broadcasters, owners, and industry leaders from across the U.S..  A conference, featuring seminars with panels discussing current and future issues and technology in radio broadcasting. The event aims to connect radio broadcasters and owners with modern technology and programming ventures. The Conclave has been held annually for nearly 50 years and will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The last one takes place September 15 to 17, 2026!

I am joined by my longtime friend and media personality Nat Lauzon. Nat does weekends on 92.5 The Beat in Montreal and shares her experience launching her new podcast called Feedbag. In an honest and lighthearted conversation, (Lighthearted because we talk about farts) Nat opens up about facing big life changes, including navigating midlife, finding creative freedom, and her recent health challenges with stage zero breast cancer. Nat is successful because she prepares for, and embraces change, balancing personal and professional passions, and turning challenges into opportunities for growth. You will enjoy stories about building a podcast from the ground up, the importance of technical support, and the joy of sharing the mic with loved ones. With moments of humor, vulnerability, and practical advice, this 30 plus minutes with Nat is a solid must-listen for anyone interested in creativity, storytelling, and charting your own path, instead of having other people decide it for you. Here is the trailer for Nat's Feedbag. Oh and look - here is the video for our episode we recorded.

Traci DeForge is the founder of Produce Your Podcast and co‑founder of the Podcast Professionals Association —and unpacks her journey from radio prodigy to podcast entrepreneur. Traci shares how rapid consolidation in radio, a burnout moment in 2004, and a leap into business strategy led her to launch a broadcast‑quality podcast in 2016 that grew into a full‑service production agency. She said so before the recording started but she is audio first. Audio remains powerful (theater of the mind), video is useful for discovery but shouldn’t replace audio, and podcast SEO—especially detailed show descriptions—drives discoverability. Traci also stresses monetization through host‑led promotions, the value of guest appearances for visibility, and the legitimacy of archiving a show when its purpose has run its course. For podcasters seeking practical wins: update your show description, prioritize audio quality, and consider guest booking to amplify reach. Listen to the episode to the end and get all the excellent tips. Twice in this episode we mentioned the late Todd Cochrane. I put together a highlight of some of the great things he said on this show - in an episode I titled One Last Listen. The Video for Those Who Like To Watch And don't forget to Follow Traci's podcast for free audience growth hacks.

Kendall Breitman is the community manager at Riverside.fm, and shares her journey from political journalism at Bloomberg and NBC to spearheading community management at Riverside, revealing how her passion for people and storytelling fuels her work. We got into the hurdles podcasters face—from choosing recording platforms to tackling complex workflows. Kendall highlights Riverside’s innovative approach, introducing tools like the CO Creator AI, which streamlines everything from editing to content repurposing, making professional podcasting more accessible than ever. And we talked about the importance of audience engagement, marketing strategies like video clips, and how AI now assists throughout the production process. Kendall offers valuable advice to budding podcasters: tap into the podcasting community, whether through Riverside’s Facebook group or wider networks, to share experiences and tips. With features like integrated hosting, live streaming, and upcoming webinar solutions, Riverside aims to empower creators of all levels. Whether you're an established host or just getting started, this episode delivers insights and inspiration for making the most out of your podcasting journey. The Podcast Superfriends had Kendall on for International Podcast Day. If you love the conversation about and below - you will love this too! Would you like to Try Riverside? Click Here. Just My Opinion I don't like the hosting offered by Riverside. You can't add a prefix enclosure (yet) and their stats are not IAB certified.... yet. This is frustrating for those looking for ceertified metrics externally in places like Op3 or Podtrac . I'd rather they innovate their recording tools and focus on building better sounding podcasts. I think they are just getting into the hosting game to make it harder for podcasters to leave. If Riverside is controlling the feed, it is one more reason not to go to a place like Descript who do not offer hosting. We need better sounding podcasts. Not more podcast hosts. If you are looking for a podcast host, I recommend you take a serious look at: Captivate Transistor TrueFans Buzzsprout RSS.com Or you can join us on Art19 or Megaphone when you work with the Sound Off Podcast Network.

For ten years now, I have saved the Christmas morning episode for my good friend Terry Dimonte. The 10th anniversary of gathering around the mic to talk about life, radio, and the small pleasures that keep us sane. Terry and I wandered through the evolution of podcasting—how it’s gone from niche experiment to a wonderully busy and democratic landscape where sound quality and human connection still cut through the noise. We talked about YouTube being the go-to discovery engine, reflected on back-catalog gems (that four‑year-old Christmas episode keeps finding new ears), and reminded listeners that episodes keep giving long after they’re released. (Did you know that a lot of podcasters get half their downloads from their back catalogue) We also talked about why we moved out of the city to the Laurentians: Quieter mornings, slow drives, and the kind of view that makes you actually stop. Along the way we compared radio’s old guard to today’s podcast reality, mourned the loss of in-person customer service, and celebrated the people—servers, doormen, producers—who make experiences memorable. Terry has plans for 2026. A beach break and Tuscany are penciled in. Merry Christmas and thanks for listening—here’s to another decade of stories. Here are a few links to the things we talked about: I made mention of a couple of articles from Fred Jacobs and Dave Beasing contrasting podcasting and radio...  you can read those here.  Also the episode regarding tourism was from a podcast called Forward Motion which I produce. The episode is here

Ivar Hamilton discusses the history and impact of CFNY, a Toronto radio station known for its free-form programming and support of new wave and punk music in the late 70's through to 1988. Ivar explains the station's evolution, its early support of artists like U2 and The Cocteau Twins, and its eventual shift to a more commercial format in 1988. We also covered Ivar's career transition to Polygram and later Universal, his role in promoting acts, and the challenges of adapting to digital platforms. Additionally, Matt mentions the upcoming documentary on CFNY, featuring interviews with key figures and artists. Ivar also mentioned his involvement in various radio shows, including a guest spot on "The Edge Time Machine" and hosting alternative Christmas music shows on stations like NYTheSpirit and The Bridge . The Sound Off Podcast Network has been assisting Ivar and Scot Turner launch their podcast, Music Milestones YYZ , which documents music history in Toronto. The podcast covers significant events, releases, and cultural references, often incorporating personal anecdotes from Ivar's 10 years at CFNY and 35 years at a major record label. Upcoming episodes will feature guests and discussions on notable musicians and events, such as the 45th anniversary of John Lennon's murder and the tours of Canadian classic rock bands in 2026. Oh and here is the full video of my conversation with Ivar:

Corey Dylan sheds light on the challenges and opportunities facing professionals over 40 looking to reinvent themselves. As Corey prepares to wrap up her radio career at Z90 in San Diego by the end of 2025, she's diving headfirst into full-time content creation. Her journey is a testament to resilience – having weathered multiple periods of unemployment, including a challenging two-and-a-half-year stretch between 2016 and 2019. What struck me most was her approach to staying relevant. Corey's not just creating content; she's building a brand focused on helping people over 40 navigate social media's complex landscape. Her YouTube channel, "Social Media Smart," is designed to demystify platform algorithms and provide practical advice for content creators. We dove deep into the creator economy, discussing everything from platform strategies to the importance of consistent, positive messaging. Corey's philosophy is simple: focus on one platform, create value-driven content, and stay enthusiastic. Her advice resonates in a world where attention is currency and negativity is a career killer. Of note - Corey has started a five part series called "Off Mic" that is running on Barrett Media detailing life off mic. Here is a sample of some of the great tips Corey is giving about social media on her social media. Follow her and learn: As a fellow Gen X content creator, I found her insights refreshing. She's proof that with the right mindset, equipment, and determination, anyone can adapt to the digital age's rapid changes. Stay tuned to Corey's journey – she's just getting started.