Whether it be to tell a story or to start a dialogue, podcasting has become an increasingly popular and accessible medium over the years.
According to a report from NPR and Edison Research in 2022, an estimated 131 million people in the U.S. aged 13 and above are daily spoken word audio listeners, up from 105 million daily listeners in 2014.
Recognizing the significance of this art form, David and Steve Lee created International Podcast Day in 2014, and it is now celebrated every year on September 30.
"What started in 2014 as a small group of podcasters getting together to celebrate ten years of podcasting has grown into an international event celebrating the power of people, the power of voice, and the power of connection,” said David Lee, founder of International Podcast Day, in an interview with Kensington Voice. “Podcasting exposes us to people, ideas, and parts of the world we'd never thought we'd meet. We are truly an international community."
Steve Lee, David Lee’s son and the co-founder of International Podcast Day, called podcasting “truly international.”
“You could be podcasting literally from your closet and influencing a worldwide audience," Steve Lee said.
This year, Kensington Voice hosted “Beyond the Mic,” an International Podcast Day panel discussion and mixer. The event highlighted the podcast resources in the city and brought together a diverse array of local voices and perspectives.
The event featured Panelists Kevin Esposito with Riot Radio, Brad Linder from PhillyCam, and Emily Rizzo, Kensington Voice’s accountability reporter. Local recording studios that came to the event included PIFF Films TV and RideFreeOrg.
“Beyond the Mic” was not just an opportunity to learn about the podcasting landscape; it was also a chance to engage directly with fellow podcasters, enthusiasts, and local industry leaders.
The panel discussion largely addressed the creative and technical aspects of podcasting, which included panelists sharing their experiences in the field, their expertise, and the challenges they faced in their journey.
“I think the hardest part was just figuring out the story structure that would keep people engaged for 40 minutes because that's actually a long time to keep people engaged the whole time and figuring out what to leave out and which people to cut, it’s heartbreaking,” said Rizzo when asked about the challenges of working on projects.
“The biggest challenge is finding time to do it,” said Esposito. “It’s a passion project; it’s a labor of love.”
In addition to the panel, the networking mixer provided a chance for attendees to connect, exchange ideas, and build relationships within the podcasting community.
This celebration marks the beginning of harnessing the connections within the community to tell stories with diverse voices. Kensington Voice offers assistance with podcast planning, scriptwriting, audio editing, and connecting with local recording studios.
Stay tuned for more information about the Podcast Meetups Kensington Voice will be hosting on the first Thursday of every month starting November 7. For more information on podcast scriptwriting, editing, planning and other resources available for free at Kensington Voice, contact maddy@kensingtonvoice.com.
If you want to learn more about International Podcast Day, visit the International Podcast Day website.
Here is a list of a few locally based resources for podcasting and audio storytelling:
Resources and organizations for radio & podcasting
Ride Free
Ride Free is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals of all ages in obtaining their legal identification documentation, providing job search assistance, and organizing community support events. Additionally, Ride Free offers a complimentary recording space for public use.
Address: 1952 E Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134
Contact: ridefreeorg2015@gmail.com
Philly Cam
Philly Cam is a community media center that teaches, creates, and showcases locally produced media on cable TV, radio, and online. They have a paid membership which includes equipment rentals and use of their studio, but they also feature many free programs and resources for the public throughout the year.
Address: 699 Ranstead Street #1, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Contact: info@phillcam.org, (267) 639-5481
Drowning Fish Studio
Drowning Fish is a local recording studio based in Kensington that provides paid professional audio recording services, offers access to state-of-the-art recording equipment, and offers personalized recording sessions for a variety of projects.
Address: 3650 Salmon Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134
Contact: Jason@DrowningFishStudio.com, (215) 280-8611
Spit Philly
Spit Philly is a professional recording studio located in Kensington, providing hourly paid services for recording sessions. While primarily focused on music, the studio also offers editing and expert recording assistance to enhance a variety of projects.
Address: 3650 Salmon Street Unit B10 Philadelphia, PA 19134
Contact: (445) 206-3354, https://www.instagram.com/spitphilly/
AIR Media
AIR is a multi-functional platform for auditory creators and/or editors. They offer a paid subscription while featuring job and events boards, workshops, mentorships, talent directory, and training.
Contact: membership@airmedia.org
Have any questions, comments, or concerns about this story? Send an email to editors@kensingtonvoice.com.
