Greg Wasserman from RSS.com is on the show to talk podcasting. Having made his way through the media ad buying world, Greg spent some time selling for the CBS radio cluster in LA before hooking in to podcasting. We share some similar views when it comes to the importance of show packaging, including artwork and descriptions, to attract and retain listeners. We also talked about the shift from downloads to audience engagement across multiple platforms like YouTube. Then we talked about the new to...
Sep 03, 2025•34 min•Ep. 466
Pat Moran is the host of Talking Buffalo , He covers all things Buffalo, which includes the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, and Buffalo Wings. In this episode we emphasized the importance of credibility and trust in reporting. Moran highlights mistakes in sports media, such as a false report about Max Hairston's injury and a red helmet story, stressing the need for accuracy over speed. He also discusses the competitive landscape of sports media, the impact of national versus local coverage, and the be...
Aug 26, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 465
Romina Hakim is the owner of Red Lips Media. She is one of those creators who scores a hattrick in audio creation as her work extends from radio, to voiceover and to podcasting. We talked all three with the Argentinian, from successful radio host and podcast coach to her voiceover work as a Spanish voice for big brands. She highlights her move from Argentina to Barcelona, where she faced challenges adapting to the Castilian accent but eventually secured voiceover work with apps like calm.com. Ro...
Aug 19, 2025•28 min•Ep. 464
I had the pleasure of speaking with Dave Sturgeon, a true veteran of the radio industry. With over 40 years of experience, Dave shared his journey from starting on-air in small-town Ontario to managing stations across North America and eventually running his own agency. We discussed his unique path—transitioning from rock radio to talk, then into sales and management, and finally agency ownership. Dave offered candid insights into the challenges and rewards of each role, emphasizing the power of...
Aug 12, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 463
For the last month we have been surveying listeners to the show.. and anyone else who clicked on our links. In all, the feedback was largely positive; as I expect it would be when you are asking high users of the product. Overall, we learned that a lot of our audience does not listen to every episode. We kind of knew that because of how different the audiences are between broadcast and podcast. We also found that you like the consistent releases of the episode and the frequency. Thank you for pa...
Aug 08, 2025•6 min
It was announced at Podcast Movement last year that Paul Riismandel would be taking over as President of Signal Hill Insights and Jeff Vidler would be stepping back from day-to-day duties, and segueing towards retirement. The same way a musician never stops being a musician, and a writer never stops being a writer; researchers may stop doing working for research companies, but their minds never stop asking questions. I've known Jeff for so long that I don't think he will ever stop wondering why ...
Aug 05, 2025•51 min•Ep. 462
Norma Jean Belenky is the host of the Podbiz , and we didn't get a chance to finish our conversation we started at the Podcast Show in London - so we did so on a podcast. We also didn't have time to talk about everything in London, given her experience living in seven countries. Ideally all of her pod-merch should have "Where's the Money?" emblazoned on every t-shirt and mug; it is the question everyone asks. We explored her life before PodBiz, from teaching English in South Korea to creating mu...
Jul 29, 2025•50 min•Ep. 461
Paul Ferguson, VP of Programming and Operations at Starboard Communications in Belleville, Ontario discusses radio in a very unique market. Belleville is free from corporate ownership. Paul and I talk about how they keep radio relevant by focusing on local content, like the “Good News in Quinte” newsletter and a robust news website that keeps listeners informed and engaged. We discuss the challenges of adapting to new radio regulations, misguided internet laws like Bill C-11, the antidote which ...
Jul 22, 2025•42 min•Ep. 460
Gordon Firemark is the podcast lawyer. I first had a chance to meet him at Podcast Movement in the late 10's. In 2022 I might have had a few cocktails when I asked him about hoe to manoeuvre cross-broder conflicts between podcasters. In this episode I ask the rest of the questions I had. We discuss the importance of clear agreements between co-hosts and why you need a guest release forms. We then tackle the complexities of using music in podcasts due to copyright laws. Gordon explains the differ...
Jul 15, 2025•33 min•Ep. 459
Rachel Gilbert and I connected over microphones to discuss her perpetual reinvention in the world of audio. We reminisced about her early days at Fanshawe College, her leap into radio, and the magic that made the Dave and Rachel Show such a staple for so many years. Hearing Rachel describe the camaraderie, the hustle, and even the heartbreak of industry layoffs is a tale told all too often. Her honesty about the challenges—like the decline of radio schools and the uncertainty of media jobs—was a...
Jul 09, 2025•44 min•Ep. 458
I reconnect with Alix Michaels, tracing her journey from Winnipeg’s radio scene in the early 90s to her adventures across the US and back home again. We reminisce about the Winnipeg Radio Reunion, the unique energy of the city’s broadcast community, and the memorable personalities who shaped our careers. Alix shares candid stories about breaking into radio, working overnight shifts in the early 90's at 92 CITI-FM, and the unpredictable calls that came with the job—including a surreal encounter w...
Jul 01, 2025•48 min•Ep. 457
Jen Moss and Roger Nairn, co-founders of Jar Audio, a company that rebranded as Jar Podcast Solutions in July 2025. They are a Vancouver-based podcast company specializing in branded content. Jen and Roger discuss their backgrounds in radio and advertising, and how those experiences shaped their approach to podcasting for brands and nonprofits. The conversation explores the challenges of making branded podcasts that are authentic and audience-focused, rather than advertorial. Jen and Roger share...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 456
This week’s episode marks nine years of the Sound Off Podcast , and it’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come—and where we’re going. From upgrading our sound and socials, bringing on sponsors, to adding video in a world that now scrolls for connection, our show has evolved alongside the media landscape. In this episode, I dig into what’s broken in radio: a system that stretches talent like Stretch Armstrong—asking for more with less—and a stubborn over-reliance on music in an era where list...
Jun 17, 2025•12 min•Ep. 455
I've known Neil Veglio from his ongoing posts on LinkedIn, but I thought it would be fun to just say hello in a line up at the Podcast Show in London last month. Neal is the founder of PodKnows, a podcast production and coaching company out of the UK. He agreed to come on the show to share his journey from radio to podcasting, and why it is important to create value-driven content rather than focusing solely on monetization. We discussed the challenges of podcast marketing, including the pitfall...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 454
What is a podcast in 2025? We called in Rob Greenlee to provide insights into the evolving landscape of podcasting, focusing on the rise of video podcasting. He discusses how platforms like YouTube and Spotify are reshaping the industry, challenging traditional RSS-based distribution. We tried to land on the definition of a podcast, emphasizing content over distribution method. We talked metrics, monetization, and content creation for new podcasters. Rob highlighted the importance of personal br...
Jun 03, 2025•55 min•Ep. 453
I get back together with Terry Evans, the morning host at Edmonton's K97, to discuss life family and his new podcast Reluctantly. I warn you, we don't spend a ton of time talking about radio; more about radio life and family. Terry shares insights into his family's remarkable achievements: his son Riley, a drummer who has played at major international venues like Lollapalooza and Coachella, and his daughter Katie, who was recently crowned Canada's top bartender and will represent the country in ...
May 28, 2025•50 min•Ep. 452
Steve Jones is the president of Stingray Radio. If you have been following him on Linked In , (and you should) you have been presented with many wild examples of what qualifies as Canadian content on the radio. We all have our favourites. Mine are the collection of songs circa 1991 like Rod Stewart's Rhythm of my Heart and Bonnie Riatt's Something to Talk About qualifying as Cancon, while the entire album of Bryan Adams' Waking Up The Neighbours is not. Over the years the list has grown, and now...
May 20, 2025•56 min•Ep. 451
It's been 8 and a half years since Fred has been on the show. He's not being ignored. I see him every year on various trips to Toronto. This year, I missed my spring trip so I thought we'd just record our usual call. We talked about Fred shares his transition from mornings at Edge 102 to afternoons at Q107, discussing the challenges of radio, mental health, and other crazy industry transitions. He reflects on mentors like Darrin Harvey and Dean Blundell who shaped his career, and candidly talks ...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 450
Michael Osborne is the co-host of the podcast Famous and Gravy - a podcast that explores the lives of deceased celebrities, going beyond typical obituaries to uncover lesser-known aspects of their stories. Co-created with Ahmed Kapoor during the COVID-19 lockdown, the podcast aims to understand celebrities as symbolic representations of societal dreams and fears. As the bio says on their website, they are "close friends and back patio academics who are not what they once thought they were." Mich...
May 06, 2025•36 min•Ep. 449
Valerie Geller is back with an updated edition of Beyond Powerful Radio , a must-have guide for today’s audio communicators navigating podcasting, social media, storytelling, and AI. Six years in the making, the book will continue to act as a companion for any content creator. Staying true to her core principles—tell the truth, never be boring, and make it matter—Valerie urges content creators to focus on authenticity, listener relevance, and compelling storytelling. We dove into th "prism metho...
Apr 30, 2025•35 min•Ep. 448
Jordan Blair first fell in love with the storytelling in podcasts. Then she started a bedtime story podcast called Dreamful Bedtime Stories ; initially for her children, but unexpectedly evolving to attract a diverse audience of adults seeking relaxing content. Her podcasting journey involved extensive research like listener surveya and using Buzzsprout's resources and community. She experimented with monetization strategies like listener support, affiliate marketing, and sponsorships, always pr...
Apr 23, 2025•36 min•Ep. 447
In the podcast world, a feed drop is when one podcast publishes an episode from another podcast directly into its own feed. I know, sounds serious. It's not really. It's basically a way to share and promote another show by letting your audience hear an actual episode of it. That's what you're getting today. Now, for a few years, you might have heard this on the Sound Off Podcast: "Transcription of the Sound Off Podcast is powered by the You May Also Like Podcast, the show about people, places an...
Apr 15, 2025•22 min
I catch up with Jeremy White, who left his position at 92.5 The Beat in Montreal back in January 2023. He spoke at length about the challenges and limitations he faced while working at 92.5 The Beat in Montreal. After leaving the station, he transitioned to creating his own independent media platform, focusing on his YouTube channel and podcast that features in-depth interviews with music artists. Jeremy spoke of the restrictive nature of traditional radio, where talent is undervalued and creati...
Apr 08, 2025•46 min•Ep. 446
When it comes to careers in radio, it's not about whether or not you'll get fired someday- you will. It's about how you bounce back. And I can't think of a more perfect example of bouncing back than Bob Willette. A radio veteran of 25+ years, Bob recently joined Indie 88 in Toronto after being let go from his program director role in Kingston. We discuss the challenges facing the radio industry, including corporate consolidation, content repurposing, and Canadian content regulations. As a former...
Mar 31, 2025•53 min•Ep. 445
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 impor...
Mar 25, 2025•40 min•Ep. 444
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 and t...
Mar 18, 2025•46 min•Ep. 443
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 ...
Mar 10, 2025•43 min•Ep. 442
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. We talked about 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, and what he has seen wor...
Mar 04, 2025•45 min•Ep. 441
Elsie Escobar is, without question, one of the pioneers of podcasting. All the way back in 2006, she started one of the original yoga podcasts: Elsie's Yoga Class , which garnered 4 million downloads in its lifetime. She stuck with it until 2013, when she joined Libsyn, and she's been co-hosting their official podcast The Feed ever since. She also happens to be the first Latina ever inducted into the Academy of Podcasters' Hall of Fame. That's about as fruitful of a career as any podcaster could...
Feb 25, 2025•45 min•Ep. 440
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. Marc pivoted to voiceover in 2011 after being downsized from his final radio job. He emphasizes the importance of marketing and business skills in building a successful voiceover career, and outlines his four-ye...
Feb 18, 2025•52 min•Ep. 439
