Guests

Steve Kowch recounts one of radio's best April Fool's Day pranks ever. (Even if the joke hit a little too close to home for most listeners)

Bob Willette, a radio veteran who recently joined Indie 88 in Toronto after being let go from his program director role in Kingston. Matt and Bob discuss the challenges facing the radio industry, including corporate consolidation, content repurposing, and Canadian content regulations. Bob shares his journey from being a program director to becoming a full-time announcer, emphasizing the importance of creativity and live radio. They explore the changing media landscape, the role of the CRTC, and the need for radio stations to adapt to new technologies and audience preferences. He also highlights the value of local content, community engagement, and the potential of social media in radio, and discusses his podcast "Bob's Basement" and his experiences with improv and voiceover work, offering insights into the evolving world of broadcasting and entertainment.

Heather Osgood is the owner of True Native Media, and returns to talk about the same thing we talked about last time - podcast monetization strategies. A lot has changed since Heather's last visit on the show, but one thing that has not changed is suggesting podcasters consider their niche audience when seeking advertisers. And podcast monetization methods extend beyond traditional ads; consider Patreon support, affiliate partnerships, and direct brand relationships. Heather emphasizes the importance of understanding different ad types as well: baked-in, dynamic insertion, and host-read ads; each with unique pricing and engagement strategies.

Mike Farwell is a testament to passion and perseverance in broadcasting. He started as a teacherand quickly realized radio was his true calling. His career began in the small market of Salmon Arm, British Columbia, where he learned the multifaceted nature of radio, handling everything from answering phones to writing commercials and reporting news. Farwell's career trajectory took him through various markets, including Thunder Bay and eventually Toronto, where he worked at MOJO Radio, CFBR an...

Ashley Greco discusses her career journey from high school to becoming a morning host at Pure Country in Ottawa. She recounts her early experiences, including moving schools, finding purpose in theater, and starting a high school radio station. Ashley details her career progression, from internships at Kiss 92 and Skyward Traffic to co-hosting at Z103 and CHUM. She shares her transition to Ottawa, the challenges of co-hosting with Gord Saint Denis, and her foray into voiceover work. Ashley also reflects on the evolving role of traffic reports and the impact of social media on her show prep.

Graham Richardson, a veteran Canadian journalist, discussed his career, including his time at CBC, ITV (Edmonton) CTV, and his coverage of the 2022 Ottawa trucker convoy protest. He highlighted the challenges of maintaining media trust amidst the proliferation of content and the impact of government subsidies on media organizations. Graham talked about the importance of local news in providing essential services and the need for media to adapt to changing viewer habits. What I really like about Graham, was how he covered the Trucker Convoy from a local and national level. He managed to convey the viewpoints of both the residents who were ticked off with the commotion and the truckers who travelled to deliver their message to Ottawa. It was truly a strange time and Graham's reflection is compelling.

Elsie Escobar is, without question, one of the pioneers of podcasting.

Marc Scott knows voiceover, and how to market voiceover. He wrapped up his radio career in 2011 but shared his early fascination with radio and how he got his start in the industry through a high school co-op, and details his early career working at various radio stations across Ontario.

Larry MacInnis has had an incredible career in radio, working largely for the legendary CHUM Radio in Toronto. He shares his incredible journey - from growing up listening to CJCB in Cape Breton, to getting his start in radio at CKEC in New Glasgow, to landing his dream job at CHUM in the most unpredictable of ways.

James Cridland is Editor of Podnews, the daily podcast newsletter. He is also radio futurologist - a writer, consultant and public speaker on radio’s future.

Sarah Spain was a three-sport athlete in high school and heptathlete at Cornell before going on to her epic broadcasting career, highlighting her experiences in sports and media. She explains the challenges and myths surrounding women's sports, citing Title IX and the different forms of perceived equality and opportunities that come with it.

Jay Stone, station manager and program director of 102.3 NOW! Radio and 99.3 Up in Edmonton, shared his journey from the Air Force to radio. He highlighted the station's success, including winning Major Market Station of the Year and Best Community Service Initiative for the Alberta Day of Caring for Jasper, which raised over $3 million. Jay himself also took home the award for Major Market Program Director of the Year.

Dani Stover is back on the show for a 3rd time and she discussed her experience with AM 640's "Let's Talk with Dani Stover," a non-live, pre-recorded radio show that curated content from across The Corus Radio Network. The show, which involved creating six to seven new segments daily, was well-received but faced challenges, including a shift in station direction and a negative climate during the pandemic. Sadly, Corus decided to end the show and part ways with Dani last month. Merry Christmas I guess.

Our fearless leader, Matt Cundill discusses the challenges and outlook for radio and podcasting in 2025. He criticizes the current state of radio, noting its lack of innovation and the disinterest of station owners.

Way back in my 1990's radio days, I got to work alongside Terry Evans. He is the same Terry Evans that wakes Edmontonians up on K97. Terry had a 5 year stint where in worked at the Bear together, we later worked against one another on competing radio stations. He loves music and has been a champion of the Edmonton music scene since he arrived there from British Columbia in the 1980's. One of the things I like about Terry is that he is unwavering. One of the things I dislike about Terry is that he is unwavering. He was unwavering about starting a podcast - until his position shifted "Reluctantly".

Matt Cundill and Terry Dimonte get together for their annual Christmas podcast tradition, which began in 2016.

Rob Greenlee makes his third appearance on the show.

Annalise Nielsen is the head of podcast strategy and development at Lower Street.

Connie Thiessan and Matt Cundill hosted the 2024 Canadian Radio Awards in a live stream on December 6th.

We love having Fred Jacobs from Jacobs Media on the show to discuss things like Tech Survey and the AQ Study. What do listeners come to radio for? Well since 2018 it has been for personalities first, then music. I'm not sure what you are being told from your program director, but depending on the market or format, they could be working off some old thinking. We also spoke about the lack of women in various radio roles including on air and the need for more female program directors. We also discussed the disconnect between AI and innovation, and some of the perceptions that "podcasting is taking over" when in fact, most radio P1 listeners are not that interested in the medium. One of the more successful formats is Christian Radio when has all the things commercial radio strives for... an emotional connection with listeners. We also discussed the financial struggles of public radio.

Ian March, Program Director of Indy 88 in Toronto, discussed his 25-year radio career. He started at Sports Radio 1200 in Ottawa, then moved to Kingston for K Rock 1057. Ian became APD for Magic 100 and Bob FM in Ottawa, and later PD for New Country 94. He highlighted the impact of Gord Downie's death on K Rock, leading to a week of Tragically Hip music. Ian joined Indy 88, focusing on digital integration and targeting a broader audience. He noted the recent ownership change to Local Radio Lab and the challenges posed by CRTC approval delays. Ian emphasized the importance of consistency in ratings and the evolving nature of radio programming.

Lisa Brandt's career in radio and voiceover is a testament to the power of versatility, resilience, and a willingness to embrace change. From her early days in small-town radio to her time at some of Toronto's most iconic stations, Brandt's story is one of navigating the evolving landscape of the industry with determination.

Legendary radio broadcaster John Leslie, shared his journey from building a three-watt transmitter in his bedroom to becoming a program director at W E I R in Weirton, West Virginia. He discussed his service in the Marine Corps, his early radio roles, and his transition to television. Leslie highlighted his significant achievements, including a 38 share in Binghamton, a 27 share in Des Moines, and a 22 share in Albany. He recounted his historic trip to the Soviet Union to broadcast uncensored, marking a pivotal moment in media history. Leslie also detailed his transition to podcasting and the success of his hypnotherapy seminars with John Morgan.

We dive deep into the importance of audio promos for podcasts. Steve Goldstein, returns to make a compelling case for why every podcast needs a well-crafted audio promo.