The BBC Academy Podcast

By BBC Radio

What's The BBC Academy Podcast about?

Essential listening for the broadcast production, journalism and technology communities. Your guide to everything from editorial and craft skills to taking your next step in the industry. Practical advice on all aspects of TV, radio, journalism.

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The BBC Academy Podcast episodes:

01.30.2024
Podcastology episode fifteen: Is video the new audio?
As large percentages of younger audiences come to podcasts via YouTube, we ask, is video the new audio? The line between video and podcasts has become blurry in recent years. It's getting harder to say that a podcast...
01.30.2024
Podcastology episode sixteen: New formats, new voices
In this episode of Podcastology, we’ll discover some of the ground-breaking new formats pushing the boundaries of what podcasts can do. Often, these innovations come from voices and communities who don’t always get heard. We find out who they are,...
01.30.2024
Podcastology episode fourteen: How to win an award
What are the magic ingredients judges are looking for - and do they even exist?? Well, yes, according to awards judges. But how do you quantify them? And what do you need to think about if you are setting out...
01.30.2024
Podcastology episode thirteen: Going local
This sounds like a contradiction - after all, you can listen to podcasts anywhere, and the most successful podcasts have a universal appeal. But, all stories come from somewhere, and as we discover, being rooted in a local patch can...
01.30.2024
Podcastology episode twelve: Future directions
We’ll look at where the medium is now, and where we think it's headed. We consider the future of podcasting, and what's coming next. What does the growing Gen Z audience want? Can technology make listening a more personal, tailored...
10.05.2023
Vicarious trauma in journalism and the media
This podcast tackles sensitive and distressing subject matter, including discussion about extremist groups, suicide bombings, chemical attacks and trauma. You don't have to directly visit a traumatic scene to be affected by it. Vicarious trauma affects those viewing or hearing...
10.04.2023
Peer support: Opening up about mental health
When our mental health is fragile at work it can often be difficult to know who to talk to, where to get help or just find someone to listen without judgement. It can be helpful to talk to someone...
10.03.2023
The menopause: How you can support colleagues
How comfortable are you talking about the menopause at work? Given that 70% of those going through menopausal changes are employed and one in ten of those under 45 have symptoms, chances are a colleague or a member of...
09.01.2023
Minipods – Interviewing episode six: Audience
Never forget your audience is there. On occasion you can use them to your advantage to challenge the position of an interviewee. In this minipod, BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker explains how the audience...
09.01.2023
Minipods – Interviewing episode five: Layers
Forensic listening allows you to respond to your interviewees’ questions and delve deeper into the story, peeling back the layers of an argument as you do so. In this Minipod, BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian...
09.01.2023
Minipods – Interviewing episode four: Answers
If you’ve done your research the chances are that you’ll already have a rough idea of what your interviewee is going to say. In this minipod, BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker shares his tips...
09.01.2023
Minipods – Interviewing episode three: Questions
A confident interviewer needn’t ask long questions. Be curious and wear your knowledge lightly. In this minipod BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker, talks about how to frame your questions and to know when to...
09.01.2023
Minipods – Interviewing episode two: Listening
Pay attention! Listening really carefully to your interviewee can give you the clues you need to unlock whole new areas for discussion. BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker shows how really paying attention can pay...
09.01.2023
Minipods – Interviewing episode one: Focus
Want to be a more confident interviewer and get the best from your interviewees? BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker shows how focusing on what you want from an interview can make all the difference....
08.08.2023
Minipods - Audio storytelling episode five: Writing
Good writing connects you to your listeners, grabs their attention and makes them remember your story. BBC Academy trainer, Sam Upton, shares some tips to take your writing to the next level. This is the fourth in a series...
08.08.2023
Minipods - Audio storytelling episode four: The Stand Up
Let your listener experience what’s happening, as it happens, and give extra magic to your storytelling with a stand-up. Academy trainer, Sam Upton, explains how the stand-up can lend your piece an extra dimension. This is the fourth in...
08.08.2023
Minipods - Audio storytelling episode three: Sense of place
When you’re tell a story on location, do all you can to take your listener with you. In this minipod, BBC Academy trainer, Sam Upton, shares tips for using writing, sound and stand-ups to give that vital sense of place...
08.08.2023
Minipods - Audio storytelling episode two: Using sound
If you don’t use sound to help tell your audio story you make it easier for your listener to “tune out”. Sound can give detail, create atmosphere, act as punctuation, vary texture and more. But how much sound is...
08.08.2023
Minipods - Audio storytelling episode one: Planning
Want to bring stardust to your audio storytelling? In this minipod BBC Academy trainer Sam Upton shares some insider tricks and tips that'll help enhance your radio package, montage or podcast. In this first episode Sam explains how planning...
03.09.2020
Podcastology episode eleven: Thinking strategy
How audience insights can guide your podcast planning
03.09.2020
Podcastology episode ten: From mic to ear
The backstage technical wizardry that brings your podcast to your ear
03.09.2020
Podcastology episode nine: Political pods
How to talk about politics – and entertain as well
11.15.2019
Podcastology episode six: Future directions
Eli Sessions talks to Louise Kattenhorn, commissioning executive for the BBC pop hub network, Lloyd Shepherd, Head of Product at BBC Sounds, and Emmanuella Kwenorty, who develops podcasts for BBC Sounds. Where do they think the world of podcasts is...
11.15.2019
Podcastology episode seven: Unfiltered conversations
In this episode Eli Sessions finds out how to keep conversations natural, with Hannah Hufford, producer of No Country for Young Women, and Sally Heaven, who produces Evil Genius.
11.15.2019
Podcastology episode eight: Box sets
In this episode Eli Sessions looks at those beautifully crafted podcasts that tell dramatic stories in depth. He speaks to Rami Tzaber, the editor behind 13 Minutes to the Moon – which told the story of the moon landing in...
10.04.2018
Podcastology episode one: What makes a podcast a hit?
In the first of a five-part series on podcasting, Miranda explains: - what makes podcasts distinct from radio programmes - how the role of the presenter is different from that on radio - the typical situation of the listener – on a...
10.04.2018
Podcastology episode two: What the BBC is looking for in a podcast
In part two of our podcasting series, hear from Jason Phipps, commissioning editor for podcasts at the BBC, and Louise Kattenhorn, commissioning editor for BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
10.04.2018
Podcastology episode three: How to produce a podcast
Georgia Catt is a producer in BBC radio documentaries, who has made an award-winning podcast, Missing, for the Untold series. She also produced Fortunately with Fi Glover and Jane Garvey. Emma Conneely is a producer in the BBC’s podcast team,...
10.04.2018
Podcastology episode four: Finding an audience for your podcast
Promoting a podcast can mean anything from creating an audiogram – a clip from the podcast to promote on social media - to making other digital assets such as quizzes or articles to place online and draw attention to the...
10.04.2018
Podcastology episode five: Behind the scenes on two top BBC podcasts
This episode of the Podcastology series includes a discussion about You, Me and the Big C. We recorded it before the death of Rachael Bland. Although the first podcast featured in this episode is about sports – but ranges...
10.04.2018
Essential kit for the field producer
What production kit should you take when producing radio content in the field? Join BBC Academy trainer Sam Upton and newsgathering field producer Tom Quinn as they talk about what sort of equipment you need for radio production in the...
04.25.2018
What you need to know about working with children at the BBC
This podcast discusses the main issues around working with children. In it, two BBC experts offer their experience from a wide range of productions and projects. Margaret Burgin, a former BBC news journalist, is the training manager at the BBC Academy...
02.22.2018
Man Like Mobeen
BBC Three's new comedy Man Like Mobeen has made a big impact through social media. BBC Birmingham director Joe Godwin spoke to executive producer Ben Cavey, as well as star and co-writer Guz Khan, to find out about the making...
11.20.2017
From memoir to movie: the story behind the Boy with the Topknot
The BBC Two drama The Boy with the Topknot was based on a true story. That made the jobs of its writer, producer and director all the more complicated as they worked with actors, commissioners and those who are represented...
10.24.2017
How do they make the Archers?
It's been running continuously since 1951, comes in 12 and a half minute episodes and was originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk". It's sandwiched between bursts of the unforgettable Barwick Green theme (dum de dum de dum...
07.27.2017
Inside daytime television: Ideas, reveals and hard work
Daytime television was once thought of as the nursery slopes of a TV career. Today its complex formats and production requirements are seen by many as more challenging than peak-time programming. “You will learn more making a daytime show...
07.20.2017
Data Journalism: More important than ever?
In an era where fake news is fashionable, data can help distinguish the facts from the fiction. But how do you interrogate a spreadsheet and hold the data to account? And how can journalists use data to find stories? The...
07.12.2017
Cyber-security: How to protect yourself online
With more and more cyber-attacks in the headlines, including this year's NHS attack, BBC Information security specialist Andrea Walker and BBC News technology broadcast journalist Chris Foxx cut through the jargon to show you how to defend yourself against online...
07.06.2017
How to get a job: Women in technology
The BBC wants more women to apply for engineering jobs but the advice given at a recent BBC Design & Engineering event could be useful to everyone. In this podcast you’ll hear: - what it’s like to work at...
06.29.2017
VR and 360 video: The path to popularity
Virtual reality (VR) and 360 video are the new cool kids on the media block but how will this impact media organisations? Over the past couple of years, projects have been produced on a wide range of subjects, such as...
06.22.2017
Making Radio 1's breakfast show with Nick Grimshaw
The Radio 1 breakfast show with Nick Grimshaw achieves more than five million listeners a week, thriving on a diet of the latest music releases, news and guests. The BBC Academy's Roxy Ebrahim-Khan spoke to producer Will Foster, assistant producer...
06.15.2017
Following your audience on 'dark social'
Billions of people are using chat apps. Can brand owners and broadcasters make themselves part of these private conversations? And should they? The BBC World Service, the Weather Company USA and youth-led creative network Livity have been exploring ways to...
06.08.2017
How to edit a documentary
Editing an hour-long factual film can take a couple of months. The editor and director work closely to make the most of what’s been shot and to tell the story as clearly and engagingly as possible. This week’s podcast goes...
06.01.2017
How has BBC Three adapted to online?
BBC Three won this year's Royal Television Society Channel of the Year award despite no longer being on television. But how have its commissioning and production processes changed? The BBC Academy's Jas Rao spoke to controller Damian Kavanagh and...
05.25.2017
Working with sound
You can use sound to tell stories in different ways - whether that's a soundtrack, a character's voice or sound effects for a radio drama. A recent Producers’ Forum session at the BBC studio used by The Archers and Home...
05.18.2017
Coding: The next step for journalists?
In this era of data journalism and interactive online content, what else can people trained in writing and broadcasting do to tell their stories and reach wider audiences? Coding is one answer. BBC data journalist Daniel Wainwright spoke to BBC...
05.11.2017
Radio 1's The Surgery: Tackling mental health live
Live radio requires a lot of effort at the best of times - more so when you're dealing with sensitive issues, vulnerable contributors and medical advice. We find out how the team behind BBC Radio 1's The Surgery put the...
04.13.2017
Pitching programme ideas: TV commissioner's tips
To get a programme on television, you first have to master the commissioning process and pitch to someone who’s in a position to give you the go-ahead. “When it works it is absolutely the best feeling in the world,” says...
04.06.2017
How to take the first steps in your career
There are so many options when choosing a career, the competition is tough, and most school leavers have little practical experience. The BBC Academy's Kris Bramwell spoke to BBC new talent schemes coordinator Affie Jeerh and National Careers Service...
03.30.2017
Career change: How to make the leap
Changing your career, whether through choice or redundancy, can be daunting. You can feel inspired and confused at the same time. But where do you start? And what do you need to consider? "The average millennial, by the time they...

What's The BBC Academy Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The BBC Academy Podcast episodes:

Podcastology episode fifteen: Is video the new audio?

Podcastology episode sixteen: New formats, new voices

Podcastology episode fourteen: How to win an award

Podcastology episode thirteen: Going local

Podcastology episode twelve: Future directions

Vicarious trauma in journalism and the media

Peer support: Opening up about mental health

The menopause: How you can support colleagues

Minipods – Interviewing episode six: Audience

Minipods – Interviewing episode five: Layers

Minipods – Interviewing episode four: Answers

Minipods – Interviewing episode three: Questions

Minipods – Interviewing episode two: Listening

Minipods – Interviewing episode one: Focus

Minipods - Audio storytelling episode five: Writing

Minipods - Audio storytelling episode four: The Stand Up

Minipods - Audio storytelling episode three: Sense of place

Minipods - Audio storytelling episode two: Using sound

Minipods - Audio storytelling episode one: Planning

Podcastology episode eleven: Thinking strategy

Podcastology episode ten: From mic to ear

Podcastology episode nine: Political pods

Podcastology episode six: Future directions

Podcastology episode seven: Unfiltered conversations

Podcastology episode eight: Box sets

Podcastology episode one: What makes a podcast a hit?

Podcastology episode two: What the BBC is looking for in a podcast

Podcastology episode three: How to produce a podcast

Podcastology episode four: Finding an audience for your podcast

Podcastology episode five: Behind the scenes on two top BBC podcasts

Essential kit for the field producer

What you need to know about working with children at the BBC

Man Like Mobeen

From memoir to movie: the story behind the Boy with the Topknot

How do they make the Archers?

Inside daytime television: Ideas, reveals and hard work

Data Journalism: More important than ever?

Cyber-security: How to protect yourself online

How to get a job: Women in technology

VR and 360 video: The path to popularity

Making Radio 1's breakfast show with Nick Grimshaw

Following your audience on 'dark social'

How to edit a documentary

How has BBC Three adapted to online?

Working with sound

Coding: The next step for journalists?

Radio 1's The Surgery: Tackling mental health live

Pitching programme ideas: TV commissioner's tips

How to take the first steps in your career

Career change: How to make the leap