Here’s What You Missed At The International Women’s Podcast Festival

Aug 23rd

The International Women’s Podcast Festival in Partnership with Pinterest took place in June 2022 at London’s Kings Place. It was such a joy to experience an inclusive and intersectional day of content, collaboration, and connection with so many incredible women in the podcast space. 

If you missed it, fear not, here’s a quickfire recap on everything that went down – the big conversations, live shows, workshops, and keynotes. You’ll also find many of the sessions on our International Women’s Podcast Festival YouTube playlist. The formatting is a little wobbly on some of them but you can still get the benefit of the awesome programme of content we put together for you!

The Big Conversations 

Pod Save The World: experience a deep dive into climate podcasting and communication and the impact these conversations can have on policy, awareness and behaviour change.

ft. Charlotte Williams, Maryam Pasha, Kelsey Bennett, and Bianca Foley

Women’s Liberation through podcasting: discover how women are using podcasting to challenge society and the status quo and explore how feminism and women’s rights can progress through podcasts. 

ft. Arielle Nissenblatt, Samyuktha Varma, Radhika Viswanathan & Kaz Lucas

Fight the Power – Audio Activism: find out how you can use audio to build a movement, spread the word and make an impact. 

ft. Saadia Khan, Amara Cofer, Maeve Higgins & Thimali Kodikara

Sisters in the City in conversation with Acast: sisters, influencers and co-hosts join Melissa Matanda to share why they chose to take to the mic. 

ft. Anna and Mandi Vakili

Narrative Podcasts: learn how to grip your audience and tell long-form stories in audio. From where to find stories, how to research, ethics and more, get ready to binge on all the secrets of compelling storytelling.

ft. Laura Sheeter, Moya Lothian-McLean, Anishka Sharma, and Cara McGoogan

This Just In: find out how to create a hard-hitting news podcast in today’s fast-paced world, from finding the story, ethical considerations and using sources to production hacks to turn everything into a digestible show. 

ft. Jude Kelly, Nosheen Iqbal, Gemma Ware and Ellie Clifford

Getting Press: secure insider secrets and get tips galore from the journalists themselves on what makes a podcast stand out and can win you media coverage. 

ft. Angelica Malin, Miranda Sawyer, Francesca Turauskis and Clare Lynch.

Building a commercially successful podcast with United Talent Agency: gain insight into what it takes to create a hit show with the power to generate the big bucks and learn what agents are looking for in podcast talent and shows. 

ft. Sharon McMahon, Rebecca Steinberg, and Arielle Nissenblatt 

Beyond Anglophone Podcasts: learn how to approach non-English and multilingual podcasts and discover the innovations and experiences that come from centering other languages in the primally English-speaking podcasting world. 

ft. Josephine Karianjahi, Laura Ubate, Kim Fox, Bella Ibrahim and Rutendo Nyamuda

Creator Burnout & Managing Expectations: discover how to manage the expectations of yourself and others and avoid burnout as a content creator. 

ft. Dr Laurie Santos, Sarah Jane Dias, and Tiffany Han

Behind the Scenes of Dr Who Redacted: get a glimpse of what it takes to commission and produce an audio drama at the BBC from the creator, director and producer and lead actress on the show. 

ft. Ella Watts and Charlie Craggs 

Live Shows

On the day, we had not one but three live and intimate podcasting recordings as some of podcasting’s most influential voices graced the stage. 

Beyond The Self with Africa Brooke; choosing integrity & humility over outrage on demand featuring special guest Blair Imani. 

The Baggage Reclaim Sessions; Natalie Lue brings The Baggage Reclaim to the stage for the first time. 

Masala Podcast; Sangeeta Pillai welcomes special guests Shazia Mirza, Salma El-Wardany and Seema Anand for a candid conversation with laughs plenty. 

Workshops 

If you’re looking for a deep dive into some of the specialist aspects of podcasting, a host of practical learning workshops awaited. Packed with expert insights and valuable gems, these workshops were curated to help you take your podcast to the next level. 

 

Pinterest 101: for podcasters with Georgia Willows: Pinterest creator manager offers her top tips for audio content creators on how to share stories, create awareness and promote shows on the platform.

Interview Techniques with Jo Youle, Roshan Roberts, Lucia Scazzocchio, and Mai Davies: gain a wealth of insights from traditional broadcasters and those working in new formats on the tried and tested interview techniques that are the key to getting great tape.

Marketing Secrets with Josie Colter: learn how to promote your podcast episode for easy discovery in podcast directories and websites and how you can use social media to grow an audience and more. 

First Drafts with Amazon Music x Wondery with Megan Bradshaw: discover how to create a podcast and develop your first draft with your audience in mind first and foremost.

Is it Legal? with Sandhiya Sophie Argent: hear about the tools and techniques you can use to prevent copyright infringement and protect yourself from liability.

Pod to Book with Alice Lloyd and Rosie Wilby: explore the pod-to-book process and what’s involved if you are considering turning your podcast into a book.

Podcast Deal (or No Deal) with Charlotte Newing: find out how to understand and develop the value of your podcast for acquisitions

Keynotes 

As if all the above wasn’t enough, we also enjoyed passionate and insightful keynotes from incredible women all over the globe as they shared their experiences of podcasting in their region, and how the industry is developing and the opportunities it offers for women.

As well as a very special welcome message from Gammy Norris to open our Global Voices virtual stage, you’ll also get access to the wise words of Leanne Alie, Melissa Mbugua, Mae Thomas, Emily Y. Wu, Odudu Efe, Sabrina Mauas, and Bridgett Todd.

The best bit? The International Women’s Podcast Festival is back on October 3-4 2024 in partnership with Spotify. We’re kicking things off with a very special evening of celebration and conversation with none other than Sarah Koenig to mark the 10 year anniversary of the groundbreaking podcast Serial. This is followed by a day packed of content-rich workshops, panels, conversation and connection to help you create and grown your podcast. We hope to see you there. Head to the festival website for all the info and tell your friends!