The Sound Off Podcast

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 ev...

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 challeng...

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...

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 ho...

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...

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 br...

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 St...

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 focu...

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,...

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 hi...

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 enti...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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, i...

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 P...

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 vari...

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,...

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 es...

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...

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...

Larry MacInnis has had an incredible career in radio, working largely for the legendary CHUM Radio in Toronto. He shares his incredible journey - from growing up listening to CJCB in Cape Breton, to getting his start in radio at CKEC in New Glasgow, to landing his dream job at CHUM in the most unpredictable of ways. MacInnis describes the supportive and collaborative environment at CHUM, where cha...