Five years ago, an investigative journalism program about the murder of teenage girl in Baltimore, Maryland became a pivotal moment in digital media's rapid evolution. The first season of NPR's Serial podcast has 12 episodes, each which have been downloaded millions and millions of times.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Now, more people around the world than ever are tuned in to downloadable, streamable auditory episodes of programs of every kind.
The word podcast is attributed to the blend of the two words "iPod" and "broadcast". It became a household name. People were listening and people were making them.
The Hunter Valley is teeming with podcast producers, some of whom are experts. No topic is ever too unique; some are silly: Muswellbrook-based aboriginal artist Travis De Vries hosts a satirical advice podcast called Broriginals with his brother, Texas. There is Newcastle broadcaster Jill Emberson's award-winning podcast Still Jill, on living with ovarian cancer.
Melanie Sargeant just opened Newcastle Podcast Station. With over a decade in commercial radio, she believes the future is podcasting (as long as you have an audience).
"It's a niche that gives you exactly what you want rather than broad strokes like old radio," she says of podcasts. "You don't have to do [radio] anymore. If you're totally into expressionist art and motorbiking, I'm sure there's a podcast for you."
Three months ago she opened her sound-proof and acoustic friendly studio for hire.
Sargeant also has her own podcast to manage. With Bec Tansey from Newcastle Hunter Mummas, she co-hosts and produces NHM I Got It From My Mumma.
"Now we are number one in Australia for the mumcast," she says. "We're the most listened to in Australia, [we have] 30,000 mum followers."
Since Newcastle Podcast Station opened, mums and comms professionals Alana Dagwell and Laura Jackel have created the first season (eight 30-minute episodes) of Oversubscribed.
"We created this podcast for women like us and decided to call it Oversubscribed because we have enough on our plate and feel pretty strung out at times but here we are adding something else to it," Jackel says. "It's the concept of having too many tabs open on your internet browser and then opening another one."
According to Sargeant, big brands don't need to own individuals podcasts anymore, and everyone's on level ground in the podcast field. "You can be just as successful on your own, if you get the right advice," she says.
She said visibility is important so your podcast to get more streams and downloads. Speaking of, here is a selection of locally-made podcasts being created.
Best of the Wrest (bestofthewrest.com), 10 episodes, About 5-60mins per episode. Best of the Wrest commentate for three different wrestling promotions around NSW, giving recaps, previews, exclusive interviews and adventures from the road. It's produced at The House of Free Fighting in Gateshead. "It's never been a more exciting time to be a part of Australian Pro Wrestling than right now," according to producers Lawrence Hamilton and Cameron Smith.
The Breast Cancer Trials Podcast (Breastcancertrials.org.au Spotify/Apple), Over 30 episodes, About 5-15mins. The Breast Cancer Trials podcast shares the latest in breast cancer research, stories and experiences of those who have had breast cancer. It's produced in their Newcastle office, but creators Anna Fitzgerald and Annbelle Regan also visit patients and researchers. The two hope the podcast will cut through the confusion and explain treatments, research and what it's like to participate in a clinical trial.
The Bold Platform (theboldplatform.com.au Spotify/Apple), 23 episodes (so far), about 15-60 mins. The Bold Platform uncovers stories of amazing Aussie women and girls making their communities better through a hobby, project or business. Producer Adrienne Donnelly describes them as "bold women who deserve to have a platform". Donnelly travels to the guests' hometowns to interview them or produces it via video from her Newcastle West apartment. Donnelly also creates a podcast in Newcastle with Michelle Crawford. Called Humans At Work, the podcast discusses human issues in the workplace. beingmorehuman.com.au
D&M with Dylan & Milly (dylanandmilly.com), six recorded, two live (so far), about 60 mins. Single Events Newcastle founder Milly Morison created a podcast with her mate Dylan. The two are sex-positive, progressive thinking, anti-shame, inclusive weirdos who love talking about the awkward stuff that goes along with dating and relationships. Their podcast normalises and educates about sex, body, and gender issues.
Good Bits (Spotify/Spreaker), 35 episodes, 30mins each. Good Bits is about everyday hilarious life stories. Topics include "Business Ventures" or "Uni Sh*t", as co-hosts Bronte, Claud, and Beth vent their crude ideas or adventures they've experienced. It's produced from Bronte's house in Newcastle. Think the Gal version of Aunty Donna or YouTuber's Game Grumps
The Happy Co. Podcast (thehappyco.com.au), 7 episodes, 6-15mins. The Happy Co. podcast is a way for Karen Harrison to share practical tips for aligning your energy, managing stress and finding more balance in the day-to-day. Holistic tools that are simple, practical and relatable. She's an ex-teacher, recording in Newcastle. "I hope that each episode inspires you to tune in and find YOUR happy," she says.
The Hey Soul Sista podcast, 5 episodes (coming soon), 30mins each. Hey Soul Sista is a series of conversations and raw stories with various public figures, thought leaders and women with powerful stories and life lessons to share. Created by Melissa Histon, founder of Got Your Back Sista charity.
The Human Experience (newcastle.edu.au/human-experience), 4 episodes (so far), 20 mins each. This series produced by the University of Newcastle's School of Humanities and Social Science explores important questions about humanity, society and current events, featuring conversations with scholars and university leaders. Created by Professor Catharine Coleborne, episodes have examined true crime, the history of slavery, creative writing in Newcastle and the future of higher education.
Inspire for 5 podcast, SingularityU website and Apple, 12 episodes, about 5-20 mins Sponsored by SingularityU Australia Summit and led by locals Jamie Sy and Christina Gerakiteys, the podcast invites guests to discuss five challenges they've faced, five people who inspired them or five life-lessons they've learnt. Alternatively they have five minutes of free talk.
The Joust NRL podcast, Apple, 90 episodes, about 20-60mins each. It's a weekly Newcastle Knights-focused NRL video podcast discussing all the latest NRL news, often with special guests including Knights players. The team behind the show are Liam McNeil, Elliot Beavis, Naggy, Sam Cupitt and Josh Ballico. They record it from the Commonwealth Hotel. They're passionate Novacastrians trying to make each other laugh while supporting the team they love.
The Lissome Podcast (lissome.net.au/podcast), Apple/Spotify, 70 episodes, 10-50mins Created by Nerida Bint, the founder of Women's Gym Lissome, it's a podcast helping women get fit, strong and learn more skills. The Lissome podcast showcases a range of ordinary women sharing their individual stories, knowledge or experiences. They also interview thought leaders and business owners.
Live Immediately with Mike Campbell (liveimmediately.com Apple/Spotify/Google Podcasts/Stitcher, 92 episodes, 40-60mins Live Immediately is about living more with less and getting the most out of our lives. From his Newcastle home, host and producer Mike Campbell interviews people living life on their own terms. "I hope my interviews inspire people to do the big scary things they keep pushing off to another day," Campbell says.
RSPCA Australia Humane Food, rspca.org.au, also on Spotify/ Apple, 7 episodes, 25mins It's created by the Humane Food Team at RSPCA Australia, produced in The Proverbials' studio in Newcastle and hosted by Brian Daly. Anyone who wants to know more about where their food comes from and how to make informed, ethical choices about what they eat should tune in.
Welcome to Day One (welcometodayone.com), Spotify/Apple, 14, 15-30 mins
The Welcome to Day One podcast shares the stories of regional startups, their founders and more. From hospitality entrepreneur Jessica Koncz to the PhD student Dr Yolanda Surjan from RadVet, business owners who are doing incredible work had to start somewhere. Host Adam Spencer produces the podcast with a team of freelancers in Newcastle.
----------------------------------------
And there's more! Some podcasts are in early stages like The Eugenie Michael Show or The Workshop Whisperer. The Roost Creative's president Andy Jones is working to secure funding for a podcast about creative industries in Newcastle.
Last year Chloe Warren and Natalie Holland recorded six episodes of Make Australia Nice Again from their kitchens in Newcastle.
Newy Tech People highlight local technology talent each fortnight.
Local Comedy podcast Big Dog Pod has six episodes of local laughs, starting two years ago.
And local radio shows are making their episodes available in podcast form.
The Hunter Valley is providing variety of listening options for listeners worldwide. If you don't see something you like, just wait. Or, consider investing in a microphone.