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Ian March's 25-year career in radio is a testament to his passion, adaptability, and commitment to the industry. From his early inspirations listening to iconic voices like Robert W. Knight and Ken "The General" Grant in Ottawa, through various markets and roles, Ian's story highlights the evolving nature of radio programming. His transition from being a part-time operator to an on-air personality at Sports Radio Team 1200 in Ottawa showcased his willingness to learn and take on new challenges. His move to Kingston to launch K-Rock 105.7 further demonstrated his versatility, as he initially lacked the web skills required but quickly adapted to the role. As his career progressed, he navigated the complexities of programming multiple stations in Ottawa, including Magic 100 and 93.9 Bob FM. His ability to refresh formats and work with talented morning talent, such as Stuntman Stu and Angie Poirier, exemplified his programming expertise. The launch of 94 Country in Ottawa, despite initial skepticism, was a particular highlight, as they successfully executed a format change and navigated the unique challenges of the archaic hit/non-hit rule. March's transition to Rogers in Kingston and his subsequent move to Indie 88 in Toronto further solidified his reputation as a forward-thinking programmer. At Indie 88, he recognized the importance of digital integration and the station's ability to be more than just an FM signal, leveraging its strong online presence and event-driven brand. The current ownership change at Indie 88 has presented him with a new set of challenges. His excitement about the station's positive ratings trends and the energy of the morning show team exemplify his passion for the industry. Throughout his career, Ian March has demonstrated the ability to navigate the evolving radio landscape, adapt to changing listener preferences, and lead teams to success. His story serves as an inspiration for aspiring radio professionals, showcasing the rewards of dedication, innovation, and a willingness to embrace the ever-changing nature of the industry.

Podcast Pioneer Rob Greenlee is a podcast Hall of Famer (Class 2017), host of the New Media Show (along with Todd Cochrane), Podcast Tips, Trust Factor, Spoken Life Show and Behind the EV Wheel. That's a lot of shows. Over the course of his career Rob has worked on the Zune Marketplace, where he helped develop and grow podcasting on the Zune platform. The first time I met him, he was at Spreaker and Voxnest where served as VP of Content and Partnerships, contributing to the development of tools and services for podcasters. (Spreaker was all about going Live back in the day) He also had a stint at PodcastOne as a VP, focusing on podcast content and monetization. Rob continues to be an advocate for podcasters, frequently speaking at industry events, hosting panels, and educating others on podcasting trends, best practices, and technology. As mentioned above, he co-hosts this popular podcast with Todd Cochrane. He was kind enough to ask me to guest-host the program while Todd was on assignment. Here is the proof: Rob Greenlee’s long-standing presence and contributions have made him a respected voice in the podcasting community, particularly for his focus on innovation and advocacy.

Todd Cochrane passed away September 8, 2025. Here is his obituary as it appeared in Podnews. Yesterday I spent the day listening to our discussions about podcasting from past episodes of this show. Here are the parts I highlighted and re-shared from Todd, in his own words. He also took the time to appear on other programs that I enjoy including the Stuph File with Peter Anthony Holder , and Audio Branding with Jodi Krangle . There are many other tributes and posts below that will provide a bigger picture of who Todd Cochrane was as a person and podcaster. I have links and posts to a number of them on the episode page here. His voice will be missed by all.

Kristi Lee has quietly become one of the most trusted voices in true crime – and in this episode of the Sound Off Podcast, we dig into how and why. As the host of Canadian True Crime, Kristi has eclipsed **75 million downloads** over more than **200 episodes**, including milestone instalment **“Robert Picton – The Final Chapter”** for episode 200. Born in New Zealand, raised and educated in Australia, and now based in Toronto, Kristi’s path to podcasting wasn’t linear. A family move driven by her husband’s love of hockey brought them to Canada, where she eventually turned her obsession with shows like *Casefile* and *They Walk Among Us* into her own podcast in 2016. She talks about those early days working late at night after her kids went to bed, secretly teaching herself Audacity and spending an entire week crafting her first 18‑minute episode on the Paul Bernardo case. From there, her storytelling evolved through cases such as Cody Legebokoff and Victoria Stafford, culminating in a powerful moment when she heard from a victim’s father who appreciated how she told his daughter’s story. That feedback cemented her commitment to ethical, trauma‑informed storytelling. We also get real about the business side of podcasting in Canada: the limitations of baked‑in ads, why she waited to partner until ACast could offer dynamic ad insertion and geo‑targeted sales, and how she’s chosen to be a “bigger fish in a smaller pond” by focusing on Canadian listeners. Kristi pulls back the curtain on her small but trusted team, her very hands‑on production style, and why she refuses to sacrifice care for scale. Kristi closes by sharing her plans to tackle complex topics like human trafficking, emphasizing empathy, nuance, and a deep sense of responsibility to victims and communities. This episode is a masterclass in how to do true crime responsibly—and sustainably.

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.