Reflecting on The Podcast Show LDN - May 20th-21st

I was buoyed by 2 hugely stimulating days The Podcast Show LDN at the end of May.

Over both it was great to be surrounded by so many friendly faces, hear so many thoughtful conversations and chat to inspiring people across the audio & digital content space. I attended some brilliant sessions and really enjoyed the ones I was lucky enough to be part of too.

Kicked things off on Day 1 with a 'Find Your Community and Be Heard!' a quick pep-talk session with the inimitable Kat Wong in what we hoped was an honest and practical conversation about navigating big industry spaces without losing yourself in the process! We talked about finding your authentic voice, imposter syndrome, overwhelm, finding your people, how to approach leaders without the corporate speak and why kindness and consideration still matter.

'Find Your Community and Be Heard!' with Fran (left) and Kat Wong (right).

I also enjoyed a fireside chat with the inspiring Megan Bradshaw from Amazon Music and mentor for this year’s Audio Academy Mentoring Programme - such a privilege to be a part of this for the second year in a row and to be working with such an inspiring group of talented mentees and mentors -. Megan shared her journey into audio and podcasting, her route into leadership and some of the things she’s learned along the way. The conversation was thoughtful and honest and she shared lots of insights on growth, creativity, boundary setting, confidence, how to be a good listener, sustaining a sense of self whilst strategising, leading and supporting teams - Phew! Thank you Megan Bradshaw you’re a class act.

Fireside chat with Megan Bradshaw (left) and Fran Plowright (right).

Day 2 - It was brilliant to have some of the inaugural Sony Music Entertainment inaugural Podcast Academy cohort at the show for the first time too. Worlds colliding in the best possible way.

Ola (left), Fran (middle) and Teejay (right) on Day 2 at The Podcast Show LDN.

I really enjoyed taking part in the Podcast Show Advice Lab this year, lots of exciting talent coming through the industry (and pivoting) with some genuinely excellent ideas and energy. See you for The Podcast Show 2027.

Finally, rounded the two days off up the road in Chalk Farm at the #ARIAS awards, which were a triumph for the Audio Academy team but that’s a whole other post....

Huge thanks and congratulations to Jason Carter, Ferga O'Neill, Steve Ackerman and the whole brilliantly friendly and helpful The Podcast Show LDN team for the best one yet!