The Charlotte Podcast Festival will include presentations from Chad Lawson, Ohavia Phillips, Joni Deutsch, Erin Steele and Alicia Tetteh, and Rashmili Vemula.
Courtesy of WFAE
If you’ve ever daydreamed about having your own podcast but weren’t sure where to start, tune in to the free Charlotte Podcast Festival starting Oct. 5. Over the course of 25 days, attendees will have access to 60 presenters across 40 sessions, covering topics from hosting and editing to marketing and monetizing.
Originally planned as a two-and-a-half day in-person event, the festival shifted to a virtual format due to COVID-19 and in doing so opened the doors to aspiring podcasters regardless of their physical location. Registration is encouraged as space is limited — did we mention it’s free?
“This festival is a first for Charlotte and for the Carolinas, and we are so excited that it has come together — even if it is in a different form than we originally intended due to the pandemic,” said Joni Deutsch, manager of on-demand content and audience engagement at WFAE.
“It has been important to WFAE to continually re-invest in our community’s stories and voices — we know we don’t have the only storytellers in Charlotte. Which is why we purposely recruited a very diverse group of presenters from different backgrounds, with varying skill sets and unique voices so that attendees can find someone that they relate to and can learn podcasting from.”
Inform, enrich and inspire podcasters
The lineup for the festival features an impressive array of award-winning and chart-topping podcasters —all with a tie to the Carolinas.
Andy Goh of The Goh Show will teach podcast history and trends in an Oct. 6 presentation from 6-7 p.m. Courtesy of WFAE
Week one
Week one starts off with all things content and storytelling. From podcasting 101 to how to book a guest, the presenters cover the basics.
“We need this. Our city needs this,” said Ohavia Phillips, host of The Oh Show. “Podcasts bring communities together. Our duty is to use the content we create to engage with communities and talk about the issues that concern our world. Whether creatively, tactfully, abstractly or just straight up real talk — all are welcomed to the table of truth and freedom of speech. This festival will be the spark we’ve wanted for so long.”
Week two
In week two, attendees will learn all about recording, editing and sound. It includes a presentation on how music makes the podcast mood by Chad Lawson. Lawson is a chart-topping pianist and podcast composer (if you’ve ever watched “Lore,” “The Walking Dead,” “Vampire Diaries” or “Viceland,” you’ve heard his work.)
“The role of the composer is to tell the story the camera or narration doesn’t capture. That being said, I have always believed if the listener notices the music then the composer has not done his or her job in creating the proper atmosphere,” Lawson said. “The purpose of the score is to draw the listener in without their noticing the music at all.”
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Week three and week four
For the back half of the festival in weeks three and four, attendees will learn about marketing, community, monetizing podcasting and legal considerations.
Rashmili Vemula of the Carolina Desi podcast is a presenter in the diversity and inclusion in audience podcast, which will talk about how traditionally underrepresented communities are utilizing podcasting to bring their voices to the mainstream.
“The beauty of podcasting is that anyone with a story to tell, can tell their story — unbiased and unfettered. It’s a platform that lets any person, especially the underrepresented, be heard,” Vemula said. “Making room for BIPOC voices gives the listener access to untold stories, fresh perspectives and hard truths.”
Laura Brache of WFAE and La Noticia will be among the speakers Oct. 22 from noon to 1 p.m. presenting on diversity in podcasting and how traditionally underrepresented communities are sharing their stories. Courtesy of WFAE
There is even a podcasting session led by Erin M. Steele and Alicia Tetteh of 2 Elephants in the Room on the importance of mental health during these stressful times.
“It’s essential to be aware of yourself while you’re creating,” Steele said. “Podcasting to stay up-to-date and current or talk about things that interest you is great when it’s enjoyable, but you have to know when to take a break if it gets to be overwhelming. If the experience is harmful to you, it won’t be helpful to anyone else.”
Chris Cureton of the On Life and Meaning podcast is among the presenters for Oct. 23’s noon to 1 p.m. session on ways to promote your podcast using social media. Courtesy of WFAE
Q&A and chat room features will allow the sessions to be interactive for live listeners, but each one hour podcast is recorded so it can be accessed at any time by registered attendees. At the end of each week, the festival will host a virtual happy hour to bring together presenters and attendees for additional time to connect.
Lindsay Foster Thomas of WUNC will participate in an interactive “Podcast Shark Tank” on Oct. 26 from 6-7 p.m. to provide real-time pitch feedback to podcasters to assist with sponsorships, content and network considerations. Courtesy of WFAE
Laurie Larsh is a freelance writer and travel junkie with an affinity for sunglasses, coffee and all things Tarheels. Relentless curiosity about people and places keep her wondering and wandering near and far and writing stories about it. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram @goexplauring or her website www.goexplauring.com.
