Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Sound Off Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Matt Cundill
The Sound Off Podcast is a weekly podcast about podcasting, radio, broadcasting, voiceover, and the people shaping the modern audio industry. Hosted by veteran broadcaster and voice artist Matt Cundill, The Sound Off Podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of audio with in-depth conversations featuring podcast creators, radio professionals, producers, programmers, voiceover talent, media executives, and industry innovators. Drawing on decades of experience in radio and podcasting, Matt brings context, credibility, and curiosity to every episode. Each episode explores the craft, business, and culture of audio, covering topics such as podcast growth, audience development, monetization, advertising, sponsorship, dynamic ad insertion, analytics, distribution platforms, audio branding, and emerging trends in on-demand audio. From legacy radio to independent podcasts and branded content, the show examines how audio continues to evolve — creatively, technologically, and commercially. The Sound Off Podcast is known for thoughtful, candid interviews that go beyond surface-level talking points. Guests include radio legends, podcast pioneers, seasoned producers, voiceover artists, and leaders working across podcast networks, media companies, and technology platforms. Conversations focus on real-world experience: what works, what doesn’t, and what creators and companies need to understand to succeed in today’s audio landscape. Whether you work in podcasting, radio, voiceover, broadcasting, or digital media — or you’re simply fascinated by how audio storytelling works — The Sound Off Podcast delivers insider perspectives, practical insights, and honest discussions about the future of sound. With a balance of industry expertise and accessible conversation, The Sound Off Podcast is designed for professionals, creators, and listeners who want a deeper understanding of how audio connects audiences, builds brands, and drives culture.
Latest Episodes
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- Today43 min
Mary Chan: Organized Sound For Your Show
I met Mary Chan at Podsummit a few years ago. Mary is the owner of Organized Sound, about how to make your podcast sound more natural, clear, and engaging. With years of radio production experience, Mary shares practical advice on microphone technique, choosing gear that suits your voice and recording space, and why wired headphones matter during remote interviews.We also get into the human side of being behind the mic: how to get comfortable with your own voice, use personal emotion to make script reads feel authentic, and warm up before recording. Mary explains why podcasters should define their “why” before launching—and why listening back to your work like an audience member can be one of the best ways to improve it.Whether you’re planning your first show or looking to sharpen an existing one, this conversation offers useful ideas for sounding more like yourself and creating a better listening experience.Here once again, are my microphone recommendations: Shure MV7 – A great option for beginners and experienced podcasters. It connects directly to your computer via USB or to an audio interface via XLR.RØDE PodMic – An affordable, durable dynamic microphone that delivers excellent sound for the price. It uses XLR, so you'll need an audio interface or mixer.Shure SM7B – My professional choice and a broadcast industry favourite. It's an XLR microphone that requires an interface with plenty of clean gain.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 1 weeks ago54 min
Lauren Passell: The Slow Art of Podcast Growth
How much time are we spending chasing the next big thing in podcasting—and what are we giving up on too soon?Lauren Passell is the founder of Tink Media, who wants to call her business “the slow company.” She helps podcasts grow through thoughtful recommendations, strong relationships, and the kind of consistent work that rarely delivers overnight results. Our conversation had me questioning where I put my own time and how quickly I expect it to pay off.We start with what it took to put on the International Women’s Podcast Awards in Toronto, including the struggle to secure even small sponsorships and the people who showed up to support women in audio. Lauren is candid about the disappointment, the joy, and what she learned about community when enthusiasm didn’t always translate into support.That same question—what does meaningful support actually look like?—runs through our discussion of podcast discovery and growth. We get into why promo swaps deserve more patience, why the right audience matters more than the biggest audience, and why I care more about time spent listening than downloads.Lauren also shares the inspiration behind her upcoming podcast, Welcome to the Bathroom, and reminds me how much possibility there is in simply being curious about people.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 1 weeks ago15 min
Video Strategies for Your Podcast—Including No Video
I push back on the idea that every podcast needs video. A video strategy isn’t about following trends—it’s about choosing what fits your audience, goals, time, and budget. I walk through seven approaches, from going audio-only to using short clips, audiograms, simple YouTube recordings, separate audio and video productions, video-first shows with an audio version, and horizontal and vertical formats. I also share why audio still accounts for 88.1% of Sound Off Podcast consumption and why creators should measure attention, not just views. Whatever approach you choose, make sure it’s sustainable, then give it a fair test—around three months—and let the results guide your next move.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 2 weeks ago1h 10m
525 - Richard Stroobant: Teaching the Future
Richard Stroobant has spent more than 40 years in broadcasting, although for a good chunk of that time, most people in radio knew him simply as "Big Dick." And yes, there's a story behind that nickname.Richard and I first worked together in Edmonton in 1994, before he returned to Calgary and became part of the legendary team at CJAY 92. Those were some wild days in radio, when a 19 share was possible for a rock station, margaritas appeared on Friday mornings, and management occasionally had to apologize for what happened on the air.In 2006, Richard made the move from radio production to teaching at SAIT, where he's spent the last 20 years helping launch broadcasting careers. His former students include Ron Tarrant, who went on to become head sound designer for The Howard Stern Show, Winnipeg radio personality and social media star Tyler Carr, Jenn Dalen from Stingray and Angela Valiant at 107.3 The Edge.We talk about what made radio so much fun back then, the importance of finding a good mentor, and how broadcasting schools have had to adapt to an industry that's changed dramatically. Richard also shares how he was ready to teach online years before COVID forced everyone else to figure it out, and why today's graduates need skills that extend well beyond radio.There's plenty of radio nostalgia in this episode, but it's also a conversation about where the next generation of broadcasters and content creators might be headed.My Recommended Microphones for PodcastersIf you're starting a podcast, I recommend using a dynamic microphone, especially if you're recording at home in a room that hasn't been acoustically treated. You don't need to spend a fortune to get good sound, but you do need the right microphone and proper technique.Shure MV7 – A great option for beginners and experienced podcasters. It connects directly to your computer via USB or to an audio interface via XLR.RØDE PodMic – An affordable, durable dynamic microphone that delivers excellent sound for the price. It uses XLR, so you'll need an audio interface or mixer.Shure SM7B – My professional choice and a broadcast industry favourite. It's an XLR microphone that requires an interface with plenty of clean gain.Remember, buying a good microphone is only half the battle. As Richard explains in this episode, proper microphone placement makes an enormous difference. Keep the mic slightly off-axis, about 45 degrees from your mouth, to avoid popping your Ps and Bs. And don't forget a windscreen.For more advice on improving your podcast, this 2022 episode, The Top 10 Reasons Why Your Podcast Isn't Working is more relevant than ever.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 4 weeks ago47 min
Jay Nachlis: How Podcasts Create Connection and Combat Listener Loneliness
Can a podcast make you feel less alone? I’m joined by Jay Nachlis from Coleman Insights to explore what research can tell us about community, companionship, and the relationships listeners build with podcast hosts.Picking up on our conversation at Podcast Movement in New York, we discuss Coleman’s research with the Locked On Podcast Network and why listeners often describe their favourite hosts as friends. We also explore how those connections can extend beyond listening and bring people together.Jay and I get into the rise of video podcasts, the role of YouTube and smart TVs, and why audio remains such an important part of the experience. We compare the challenges of podcast discovery with the increasingly frustrating hunt for something to watch across streaming services, and share lessons podcasters can borrow from radio.We wrap up with practical ways to give your show a clearer focus: testing titles, artwork, and descriptions with Pod Predictor, and creating a trailer that tells people why they should listen. I also explain why a good trailer can keep working for your show long after launch.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Oct 6, 202650 min
Sam Bird: Content That Connects
There are a million people online trying to crack the algorithm. Sam Bird might be better off because he never really tried.Sam is a comedian, content creator, podcaster and host of CBC’s Street Cents. He grew up around broadcasting, experimented with stand-up and acting, made a hockey comedy podcast, created branded content and worked behind a bar and at Starbucks while figuring out exactly where he fit in the media business.Then this summer, something clicked.A series of simple videos built around a Québécois character Sam had been doing for years suddenly found a massive audience. But the interesting part of Sam’s story isn’t that something went viral. It’s what he did with the attention once it arrived — and everything he had already learned before it did.Sam and I talk about building an audience in a media world where your competition isn’t necessarily another creator or podcast. It’s everything else fighting for someone’s attention. We get into why Sam deliberately keeps much of his content lo-fi, why an iPhone and ten minutes of editing can sometimes outperform expensive production, and why creators need to recognize when something is connecting and move quickly without overthinking it.Sam is also a second generation broadcaster - his father is Ted Bird who worked in Toronto and Montreal on legendary stations like CFTR, CHOM, CJFM and CJAD, K103, and others, is the host alongside Terry Dimonte of Standing By: The Terry and Ted Podcast. We also talk about growing up in a broadcasting family, learning comedy, his work hosting CBC’s Street Cents, building Birdcore, negotiating brand partnerships, and the surprisingly useful lessons bartending taught him about managing a career with a dozen things happening at once.Most importantly, Sam understands that building an audience doesn’t mean allowing the audience — or an algorithm — to decide who you become.If you create podcasts, videos or anything else that requires people to give you their increasingly scarce attention, there’s a lot in this conversation worth stealing.Follow Sam:Instagram: @sambirduelTikTok: @sambirduelYouTube: @birdcoreshowListen to BirdcoreSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Sep 29, 202623 min
David Marsden (March 2, 1941 – September 25, 2026)
We remember David Marsden, who passed away on September 25 at the age of 85, by revisiting a conversation recorded in December 2016, during the early days of the Sound Off Podcast.David helped shape the Spirit of Radio at CFNY, and his passion for discovery continued through NYthespirit.com. When we spoke, he was looking ahead—exploring how the internet could give broadcasters the freedom to be creative and listeners the chance to discover music they wouldn’t hear elsewhere.We talk about the parallels between FM’s early days and internet radio, what broadcasters misunderstood about younger audiences, and the lessons he learned from pioneering online radio at Iceberg. David also shares the thinking behind NYthespirit.com, from giving DJs creative freedom to making audio quality a priority.Nearly ten years later, his conviction still resonates: “It’s not about the platform; it’s about what you put on the platform.”This episode includes references to events and offerings from the original December 2016 recording. We’re sharing it again in memory of David—and to spend a little more time with his voice, his ideas, and his love of music. Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Sep 22, 202632 min
Maria Palmer: Radio, Rage Bait, Real Community
Maria Palmer got her start in radio because iHeartMedia's James Howard walked into a dive bar in Washington D.C., possibly ordered a whiskey, and witnessed talent in action. She was bartending, working her way through acting school, when James, then Program Director DC 101 noticed something: she was both entertaining and taming simultaneously. He asked if she'd ever considered radio. Two weeks later, she was in.She's now part of the Morning Mosh Pit on Chicago's Rock 95.5, and she's built a significant following online. But the words I loved to hear: She's adamant that radio is her number one. Social media is apart of the gig, not the destination.In an industry asking talent to do more with less—skeletal staffs, endless platforms, daily content demands—Maria's approach is instructive. She spent a year just building the habit of posting. No expectation of perfection. Just repetition. Just showing up. If you somehow decide to skip this episode, you are going to miss some really amazing takeaways. These are the things where I said "Oh wow":Take an acting class or 10: Play the role of a villain. You'll learn empathy.Post consistently: Your audience with thank you for being there and the algorithm will reward you.Strategize for the nasty parts of being public: Your audience projects, they don't know you. The vulnerability of being seen is real, especially for radio talent used to the cloak of the studio. But the harshest comments aren't about you—they're about what people bring to the screen. Resilience comes from recognizing that distance.But seriously - just listen to the episode. And Follow Maria! Instagram - YouTube - Twitter - TikTok - RedditPlease sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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About The Sound Off Podcast
The Sound Off Podcast is a weekly podcast about podcasting, radio, broadcasting, voiceover, and the people shaping the modern audio industry. Hosted by veteran broadcaster and voice artist Matt Cundill, The Sound Off Podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of audio with in-depth conversations featuring podcast creators, radio professionals, producers, programmers, voiceover talent, media executives, and industry innovators. Drawing on decades of experience in radio and podcasting, Matt brings context, credibility, and curiosity to every episode. Each episode explores the craft, business, and culture of audio, covering topics such as podcast growth, audience development, monetization, advertising, sponsorship, dynamic ad insertion, analytics, distribution platforms, audio branding, and emerging trends in on-demand audio. From legacy radio to independent podcasts and branded content, the show examines how audio continues to evolve — creatively, technologically, and commercially. The Sound Off Podcast is known for thoughtful, candid interviews that go beyond surface-level talking points. Guests include radio legends, podcast pioneers, seasoned producers, voiceover artists, and leaders working across podcast networks, media companies, and technology platforms. Conversations focus on real-world experience: what works, what doesn’t, and what creators and companies need to understand to succeed in today’s audio landscape. Whether you work in podcasting, radio, voiceover, broadcasting, or digital media — or you’re simply fascinated by how audio storytelling works — The Sound Off Podcast delivers insider perspectives, practical insights, and honest discussions about the future of sound. With a balance of industry expertise and accessible conversation, The Sound Off Podcast is designed for professionals, creators, and listeners who want a deeper understanding of how audio connects audiences, builds brands, and drives culture.
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