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´óÏó´«Ã½ Sounds Audio Lab is a podcast development programme at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ – designed to amplify the next generation of podcasters and audio creators.

We are offering 4 individuals the chance to further develop their skills and transform their original ideas into podcasts for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sounds, to help support career ambitions and progression.

We are now open for applications from talented creatives who want to make the next podcasts everyone needs to hear! .

Get inspired as we ask stars from across ´óÏó´«Ã½ radio & podcasts about their audio-making top tips: what they wish they’d known before setting out, the best piece of advice they’ve been given and what they’d like to hear more of!

What would you like to hear more of in podcasting?

"A lot of people want to aim for their podcasts to hit the charts, follow the latest trend, win awards or be popular on social media. By doing that, sometimes it eats away at the core of the podcast itself. So I'd love to hear more authenticity in podcasts. Who am I listening to? What is it about them that I can relate to? Are you talking to me with your unique perspective? Is there an on-going theme I can be excited to listen to each time? Can I listen to this podcast and feel connected to the presenter?"

What’s one thing you wish you’d known before you made your first big podcast?

“The one thing I wish I had known before I made my first big podcast is, ‘Poppy you are going to be in for one hell of a ride!’ Maybe the not knowing was what made it both nerve wracking and exhilarating in the first place but I had zero idea that I’d be on Series 4 of Brown Girls Do It Too, we’d be doing a live version of the podcast on stage and that we’d be touring in the UK. The listeners have kept me going and I had no idea of the bond that I'd form with them, it will stay with me forever.”

What would you like to hear more of in podcasting?

“One thing I'd love to hear more of in podcasting are things I never knew about. I love deep dives on things that I have no knowledge on and episodes that can teach me brand new things.”

One thing you wish you’d known before you made your first big podcast?

"This is a story that has a place on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ – so back your idea - people will want to hear it! Also, the journey doesn’t end when the podcast is made. Promo is important too so build your network and have a promo plan so your work can travel as far as possible."

What’s the best piece of podcast advice you’ve been given?

"You sound the best when you’re being ‘you’ – completely authentically ‘you’. So do that."

What’s the best piece of podcast advice you’ve been given?

"Best piece of advice, keep being excited, making a series will get tough but keep your enthusiasm for your project going throughout."

What would you like to hear more of in podcasting?

"I really want to hear more podcasts that challenge the status quo, are unafraid to show nuance in storytelling and give perspectives that you just wouldn't usually hear."

What’s the best piece of podcast advice you’ve been given?

"The best piece of podcast advice I’ve been given is to keep things simple, how having a clear and simple storyline is important because the story you tell is clear and easy to follow for listeners."

What would you like to hear more of in podcasting?

"I want to hear more podcasts that experiment with their formats and tools they use to tell a story. We need more entertaining drama, gripping archive and innovative sound design. Experimenting with the conventional methods to podcasts is only going to lead to bigger and bolder creations."

What would you like to hear more of in podcasting?

"There's plenty of what I want to hear more of in podcasting. Primarily it's true innovation. There are too many standard formats like interviews or conventional genres like true crime and ghost stories. I want to hear truly fresh perspectives, which includes not only the identities and experiences of the makers but also the techniques and styles they're employing. There's so much you can do with sound, truly; it baffles me that more producers don't try something different more often."

Audio Lab alumni share their thoughts on building a strong application. Meet Talia Randall, Hamza Salmi, Adam Zmith, Tommy Dixon & Anouska Lewis.