The BBC Academy Podcast

Everything from mics and cables to acoustics and technique, BBC Academy Trainer, Marc Settle, shares advice on how to get that perfect recording every time. Dur: 18’40” Presented by Marc Settle. Produced by Sam Upton.

Lighting, stability and zooming are the focus for BBC Academy trainer, Marc Settle. There’s more to filming great video than just pointing and shooting. Dur: 14’19” Presented by Marc Settle. Produced by Sam Upton.

From frame rate, file size and aspect ratio to audio and accessories, before you start the camera rolling, make sure you’re properly prepared. BBC Academy trainer, Marc Settle, considers the set-up you need. Dur: 19’33” Presented by Marc Settle. Produced by Sam Upton.

Covering focus, exposure, composition and much more, BBC Academy expert Marc Settle shares his tips and tricks for the perfect picture. Dur: 22’12” Presented by Marc Settle. Produced by Sam Upton.

From battery, storage and connectivity to accessories and apps, be sure to get the most out of your smartphone by setting it up properly. BBC Academy trainer, Marc Settle shows you how. Dur 17’37” Presented by Marc Settle. Produced by Sam Upton.

As large percentages of younger audiences come to podcasts via YouTube, we ask, is video the new audio? The line between video and podcasts has become blurry in recent years. It's getting harder to say that a podcast is an ‘audio only’ thing. People have been uploading video recordings of their podcasts for years. But what is a ‘video podcast’ - and how do you make a great one? And what about the...

In this episode of Podcastology, we’ll discover some of the ground-breaking new formats pushing the boundaries of what podcasts can do. Often, these innovations come from voices and communities who don’t always get heard. We find out who they are, and how they are taking podcasts in exciting new directions. We’re joined by Nicky Birch, who is the Editorial Executive for new formats in BBC Sounds,...

What are the magic ingredients judges are looking for - and do they even exist?? Well, yes, according to awards judges. But how do you quantify them? And what do you need to think about if you are setting out to make an outstanding podcast? We’re joined by people who know the answers to some of these questions: Tomi Dixon, who won ‘best new podcast’ at the Arias, for Colouring In Britain, and Tali...

This sounds like a contradiction - after all, you can listen to podcasts anywhere, and the most successful podcasts have a universal appeal. But, all stories come from somewhere, and as we discover, being rooted in a local patch can bring a real richness to your podcast. There is also a growing trend for podcasts which grow from a local community. We speak to award-winning podcast makers who know...

We’ll look at where the medium is now, and where we think it's headed. We consider the future of podcasting, and what's coming next. What does the growing Gen Z audience want? Can technology make listening a more personal, tailored experience? Will your next podcast be presented by a bot? With some geeky language around ‘personalisation tools’ and the effect of artificial intelligence, we gaze int...

This podcast tackles sensitive and distressing subject matter, including discussion about extremist groups, suicide bombings, chemical attacks and trauma. You don't have to directly visit a traumatic scene to be affected by it. Vicarious trauma affects those viewing or hearing disturbing material or hearing second-hand the testimonies of those directly affected by a traumatic incident. In this pod...

When our mental health is fragile at work it can often be difficult to know who to talk to, where to get help or just find someone to listen without judgement. It can be helpful to talk to someone who understands the pressures of the work environment but isn't necessarily a close friend or team member. At the BBC, this role is fulfilled by members of the Peer Support Network. In this podcast the B...

How comfortable are you talking about the menopause at work? Given that 70% of those going through menopausal changes are employed and one in ten of those under 45 have symptoms, chances are a colleague or a member of your team may be experiencing it right now. In this episode, part of the Academy series on wellbeing and mental health in the workplace, the BBC’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Clare Fern...

Never forget your audience is there. On occasion you can use them to your advantage to challenge the position of an interviewee. In this minipod, BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker explains how the audience can be your invisible fan club. This is the sixth in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing sk...

Forensic listening allows you to respond to your interviewees’ questions and delve deeper into the story, peeling back the layers of an argument as you do so. In this Minipod, BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker, gives the low-down on digging into the detail. This is the fifth in a series of Minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take...

If you’ve done your research the chances are that you’ll already have a rough idea of what your interviewee is going to say. In this minipod, BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker shares his tips on how to prepare for what your interviewee might say. This is the fourth in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your inter...

A confident interviewer needn’t ask long questions. Be curious and wear your knowledge lightly. In this minipod BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker, talks about how to frame your questions and to know when to hold back. This is the third in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next lev...

Pay attention! Listening really carefully to your interviewee can give you the clues you need to unlock whole new areas for discussion. BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker shows how really paying attention can pay off. This is the second in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next lev...

Want to be a more confident interviewer and get the best from your interviewees? BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker shows how focusing on what you want from an interview can make all the difference. This is the first in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level. Dur 9’21”

Good writing connects you to your listeners, grabs their attention and makes them remember your story. BBC Academy trainer, Sam Upton, shares some tips to take your writing to the next level. This is the fourth in a series of minipods on audio storytelling, where Sam shares some insider tricks and tips that'll help enhance your podcast, montage or radio package. Dur 8’40” Produced and presented by...

Let your listener experience what’s happening, as it happens, and give extra magic to your storytelling with a stand-up. Academy trainer, Sam Upton, explains how the stand-up can lend your piece an extra dimension. This is the fourth in a series of minipods on audio storytelling, where Sam shares some insider tricks and tips that'll help enhance your podcast, montage or radio package. Dur 8’37” Pr...

When you’re tell a story on location, do all you can to take your listener with you. In this minipod, BBC Academy trainer, Sam Upton, shares tips for using writing, sound and stand-ups to give that vital sense of place to your podcast or radio package. This is the third in a series of minipods where Sam shares some insider tricks and tips that'll help enhance your audio storytelling. Dur 8’01” Pro...

If you don’t use sound to help tell your audio story you make it easier for your listener to “tune out”. Sound can give detail, create atmosphere, act as punctuation, vary texture and more. But how much sound is enough? Listen to find out as BBC Academy audio trainer, Sam Upton, explores the many ways that sound can supercharge your podcast or radio package. This is the second in a series of minip...

Want to bring stardust to your audio storytelling? In this minipod BBC Academy trainer Sam Upton shares some insider tricks and tips that'll help enhance your radio package, montage or podcast. In this first episode Sam explains how planning your piece can give extra depth to your story. With examples from some of the best in the business she digs deep into the elements which, if used carefully, c...

How audience insights can guide your podcast planning