Podcast Gold: An Evening of British Podcast Award Winners
The future for podcasting seems bright. Audiences are growing, and advertisers and platforms are responding to this. Video is becoming ever-more integrated with audio, and popular shows are getting big audiences for live events. Figures from all areas of public life – from celebrities to journalists, politicians to comedians and artists – know that if you want to get your message out there, you need to do it through a podcast.
So what direction is podcasting heading in from here? And who will be leading the pack? Tomorrow night, City’s Centre of Podcasting Excellence is holding a panel event to celebrate some of the winners of this year’s British Podcast Awards. Producers, hosts and industry professionals will share their stories about making award-winning shows across different genres, and discuss their thoughts on the future of podcasting in the UK.
Here’s our guide to the speakers and their podcasts.
Victoria Derbyshire (host) and Mark Sandell (producer)
And Then Came Breast Cancer – Gold, Best Wellbeing Podcast
In 2015, journalist and broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire was diagnosed with breast cancer. She shared her life during chemotherapy and radiotherapy with her audience through video diaries, and this lived experience has informed her podcast And Then Came Breast Cancer. Victoria is honest about the real aspects of diagnosis and treatment, but the podcast’s tone is supportive and reflective: along with individual stories, there’s practical advice and interviews with medical experts.
Here’s an excerpt from the first episode, in which Victoria speaks to breast cancer survivor Amanda, who describes how she was first diagnosed:
Bella Neale (producer)
The Hidden 20% – Gold, Best Interview Podcast
The 20% of the title refers to the estimation that up to 1 in 5 people globally are neurodivergent. This term encompasses a wide range of conditions, from those with sensory issues, dyslexia or Tourette’s, to those with autism and ADHD. The podcast’s host, Ben Branson, was diagnosed with autism and ADHD as an adult. Ben explores different aspects of neurodivergency and mental health, through interviews with experts in the field as well as neurodivergent people from all walks of life, all with the aim to destigmatize neurodiversity and provide practical wellbeing tips. Recent episodes include discussions with comedian Marcus Brigstocke, who has dyslexia, and neurodiversity advocate Abigail Agyei-Jones.
Here’s a fascinating bit from an episode about Dr Rayyan Zafar’s research into psychedelic drugs and their potential for treating ADHD symptoms:
Jane Gerber and Jack Howson (producers)
Get Birding – Gold, Best Climate Podcast
Get Birding is an interview-based show about birdwatching and nature, with an emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. It’s aimed at those who are new to birdwatching. Host Kwesia (City Girl in Nature) is a beguiling and down-to-earth host, establishing a rapport with her interviewees who include musicians, writers such as Jonathan Franzen, naturalists like Chris Packham, campaigners from charities such as the RSPB, and ordinary people whose lives are enhanced by time out with nature. Each episode focuses on a different theme, such as music and birdsong, biodiversity, or female birdwatchers’ safety. The tone is conversational and meditative, with short stretches of music and wild sound from the field. And at the end of each episode, there’s a five minute mindfulness walk-through from DJ and psychotherapist Nemone Metaxas.
Listen below to an inspiring excerpt from Phoebe Weston, Guardian journalist, answering Kwesia’s question about the biodiversity crisis with real passion:
Taqwa Sadiq (host)
Sacred Money – Silver, Best Specialist Podcast
Taqwa Sadiq explores the background and meaning of Zakat, the Islamic tradition of charitable giving, and asks whether it could be a real force for change in the UK, as British households continue to face a high cost of living. In this personal and thoughtful investigation, Taqwa explains her own experience of Zakat, which requires all Muslim adults with a certain amount of wealth to donate 2.5% of their cash to those who most need it. She also talks to a range of people, including an Islamic scholar, a former government official, and ordinary Muslims, to find out if a modern problem can be solved by an ancient principle – something that could be a truly radical and transformative idea.
Listen to find out more about Zakat and its history and purpose in this clip:
Jordan Dunbar (host)
Blood on the Dance Floor – Gold, Best Documentary Podcast
Jordan Dunbar, a comedian and drag performer, investigates the hidden history of Northern Ireland’s gay scene in the 90s, and uncovers the story of the brutal murder of a young police officer in the country’s only gay bar. Through interviews with those who lived through the Troubles, atmospheric sound and nostalgic club music, Jordan describes a world of intense repression, where simply being seen with the wrong person could place you under dangerous suspicion. Jordan’s inquisitive, attentive narration leads us into dark and difficult territory with assurance.
Listen below for an excerpt which introduces Belfast’s Parliament Bar, the eventual scene of the murder, in all its 90s dance music glory.
We’ll also be joined by Sandy Wilheim, Head of UK Podcasts at YouTube, who can give us some insights into the role the massive video-based platform has played in widening audio’s reach. We know that younger audiences expect video and multimedia storytelling, and even combining a static image alongside the podcast’s audio can help build an audience on this platform. What’s more, video is the perfect medium for behind-the-scenes and extra content, which can pick up new listeners who might not be using audio-only platforms. Edison research in the US found that almost a third of weekly podcast listeners say YouTube is their most-used service. Clearly, podcasters need to be where their audience is. And it explains Spotify’s recent move to support video on its platform – it’s all to play for.
Word on the Square and City’s social platforms will be sharing much more from this event on the night and beyond – so subscribe to find out what the speakers have to say!
With thanks to Thuy Dong, Yaman Mohammed, Manav Pallan and Elly Young for their additional research.