My podcast got me a seat.

I spent three days at Fanatics Fest in NYC as credentialed press — and I got that credential because of a podcast I started talking about a 2017 panel.

On How I Got There

Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation has been building for six years — a Top 20 Women’s Empowerment Podcast, Top 5% of over 4 million podcasts worldwide. That track record is what opened the door to Fanatics Fest as press. Not a pitch deck. Not a cold email. The body of work did the talking.

“Press credentials get you only so far. Sometimes you need press credentials for the press credentials.”

On What I Chose

LeBron James is what drew me there — Mind The Game, his conversation with Tyrese Haliburton on the mental side of the sport.

But once inside, I made my own calls about where my time went. A Seat At The Table: The Future of Women’s Sports Ownership — Taylor Rooks, Tom Brady, Lindsey Vonn, Candace Parker, Serena Williams, James Harden — overlapped with The Shop.

I chose the room built around women with a stake in sports ownership, without hesitation.

On the Table Within the Table

Even with press credentials in hand, spaces like the 40/40 Club and the CNBC Sport x Boardroom activations required additional access on top of what I already had. Layered exclusivity, inside an event that otherwise skewed toward kids and families.

Here’s what I kept coming back to: 40/40 is Jay-Z’s club. Jay is 50+. So is the CEO of Roc Nation. The most exclusive table in the building was built and run by people my age.

On Why This Matters for Podcasters

If you’re building a podcast and wondering whether the numbers matter — they do. Not because a big audience is the goal in itself, but because consistency and credibility compound.

My podcast is the credential. It’s the thing that gets me past the first door. What I do once I’m through it — which rooms I choose, which conversations I prioritize — that’s still on me.

It’s also why I stream my own panel-style conversations every Thursday on WOC Live — the same energy I felt watching Fanatics Fest panels unfold live, I try to bring to my own audience weekly, on YouTube.

“We’re not asking for a seat. We’re already qualified for the room.”

Build the thing. Let it open doors you can’t yet see. Then choose wisely once you’re through them.

🚨 Have a Story? Press Release? Share Your Content With Us!

You can submit your content, press releases, industry/breaking news, links, and podcast relevant information to our engaged audience. » Submit Here! «

About the Author

Deneen L. Garrett is a Cultural Alchemist; Speaker, Writer, Podcaster. WOC Live is the live extension of Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation — a Top 20 Women’s Empowerment Podcast · Top 5% of 4M+ podcasts worldwide · YouTube U.S. Top 1% · Global Top 8.5% · 160K+ combined monthly reach. Watch WOC Live streams every Thursday at 1PM ET on YouTube → youtube.com/@DeneenLGarrett.

Follow Deneen: deneenlgarrett.com

Our Creators Are Pitching Sessions for Podcast Movement NYC 2026 — Let's Get Them On Stage

Podcast Movement NYC 2026 is splitting its program two ways. Half the lineup gets picked by an independent review committee. The other half gets picked by public vote — anyone can help decide who takes the stage.

Voting closes July 21, 2026. You can vote for as many sessions as you want, one vote per session.

This list is a recommendation of people who are members of The Podcast Academy, AIR Media and/or the Black Podcasters Association.

We put it together because we believe they bring real value to this conference and to the people who attend it. They are consummate professionals, experts, and industry leaders.

We’re asking our full community — all 6,000 subscriber of the newsletter, and all 17,000-plus of you following our Substack — to take a few minutes and vote.

This is an opportunity to exercise why this platform was built!

Please cast your vote.

Here’s who’s asking for your vote, and what they’re pitching.

The Sessions

Keisha “T K” Dutes — You Can’t Interview Yourself: Making Deeply Personal Podcasts Without Turning Your Life Into Content - Vote here

— Let Your Podcast Be Your Resume - Vote here

Blake Pfeil — The Podcast Multiverse: Reimagining Audio as a Multi-Platform Ecosystem - Vote here

— From 0 to 1 Million Downloads: Building Trust with Families, Sponsors, and the Podcasting Community - Vote her

— Pop Culture Is a Mirror: Talking About Social Impact Through TV and Film - Vote here

Julia Portela — Your Mic is a Megaphone: Podcasting as Activism - Vote here

Amanda McLoughlin — How to Work with Your Friends (and Stay Friends) - Vote here

Imran Azad ( ), Amanda McLoughlin & Blake Pfeil — Small Show, Big Win: Building Acclaimed, Sustainable Podcasts as an Indie - Vote here

& — Podcast Growth Therapy with Arielle and Lauren - Vote here

Elosi Ikharo — Kill the Audiogram: Ushering in a New Era of Promotional Assets - Vote here

Elosi and her team at Jade Media also submitted two more panels worth your vote:

• You’re More Than Just a Show: Reframing Your Podcast as a Media Brand

• Don’t Hate, Create: What You Can Learn from Influencers About Podcast Promotion - Vote for all three Jade Media panels here

— The Mixtape Method: Building Podcasts People Trust, Feel, and Follow - Vote here

Fanshen Cox & Samantha K Henderson — The Living Archive: Turning Your Back Catalog into Your Most Valuable Asset - Vote here

Fanshen Cox & Samantha K Henderson — Beyond Downloads: Positioning Your Small Show for Fellowships, Grants, and Real Opportunities - Vote here

— Stop Chasing AI Tools: Build the Podcast Workflow That Actually Grows Your Show - Vote here

Cast Your Vote

Vote now. Then share this with someone else in your podcast circle and ask them to vote too. That’s how we get our people represented at Podcast Movement NYC this year.

This is an independent op-ed. The perspective, opinions, and expertise shared here belong to the contributor and don’t represent an official stance from BlkPodNews.

By Deneen L. Garrett | Creator & Host, Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation

I went Live with my longtime podcast coach and mentor, Danielle Desir Corbett — Founder & CEO, 6x grant-funded and award-winning travel creator, host of The Thought Card, and podcast marketing coach — for a conversation that recalibrated how I think about growth. Six-plus years ago, Danielle was the single voice I locked into when I launched Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation. This time, the conversation was about something every independent creator in our community needs to hear: the difference between being present and being findable.

Being a best-kept secret isn’t a strategy. It’s a ceiling.

The Trap of Passive Presence — On Waiting

So many of us pour everything into the content. The episode. The blog post. The graphic. Then we hit publish, post the link, and wait for the algorithm to do the work.

That’s passive presence. And it’s a trap.

Social media is a phenomenal tool for community and engagement. It is not a reliable engine for long-term audience growth. Algorithms shift daily. Your post has a shelf life measured in hours before it’s buried. When you build only on rented platforms, you’re renting your audience — not owning the relationship.

“Luck” and “virality” are not strategies.

Discovery-Based Marketing — On Definition

Discovery-based marketing is the practice of making your content easy to find by the people already searching for what you offer, exactly when they’re looking for it.

It requires a mindset shift: stop creating purely for expression, start creating for utility. Ask yourself — what is my audience actually typing into Google or a podcast app? Align your content with that intent, and you move from shouting into the void to meeting people exactly where they are.

PSO — On Podcast Search Optimization

Danielle walked me through PSO — Podcast Search Optimization — and it reframed how I think about show notes entirely.

A great audio file doesn’t find itself. Podcast directories require the same optimization discipline as any search engine:

• Descriptive titles built around what your audience is actually searching for — not clever titles that only make sense to you

• Show notes with real context, transcription, and links that help algorithms understand the episode

• Consistency, so platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube index you correctly

Master PSO, and your podcast becomes a search asset that keeps working long after release day.

SEO — On Long-Term Reach

If PSO handles the audio, SEO drives everything else. This isn’t a big-company tool — it may be the single most powerful lever an independent creator has.

Blog posts and web content that answer real questions become evergreen assets. Done right, they can rank on page one of Google for years — a 24/7 recruitment machine working while you sleep. The goal: become the go-to resource in your niche, built on keyword research and real search intent.

From Content to Undeniable Authority

When discovery-based marketing becomes consistent, something shifts. You’re no longer “just another creator” — you’re a subject matter expert. People trust creators who are easy to find and who consistently deliver.

That trust opens doors: speaking slots, partnerships, sponsorships, grants.

“You aren’t just putting content out there. You are building a brand that speaks to the needs and aspirations of your audience.”

Four Steps to Shift from Promotion to Discovery

Danielle’s framework, distilled:

1. Audit your content. Are your titles searchable? Would a stranger understand the value just by reading the headline?

2. Do basic keyword research. Ubersuggest, Google Trends, or even search-bar autosuggest will show you what your audience is actually asking.

3. Optimize your existing library. Go back. Richer show notes, better keywords, clearer calls to action.

4. Build an ecosystem. Podcast episodes, blog posts, and newsletters should point to each other — a network that search engines can’t ignore.

The Money Behind Discoverability — On Grants

Growing takes resources, and professionalizing your work is a real financial hurdle for most of us. That’s part of why Danielle founded Grants for Creators — because discovery-based marketing isn’t only about SEO. It’s about being discoverable to funders, not just followers.

Show up with a deliberate, data-driven plan, and you become a far more attractive candidate for grants and sponsorship dollars.

Start Growing Instead of Waiting

The move from passive creator to discovery-focused marketer is one of the biggest leaps you can make. It takes patience and technical effort — but a loyal, growing, owned audience is worth the work.

For the full conversation, listen to Discoverability vs. Visibility: Podcast Search Optimization (PSO) & Grants for Creators with Danielle Desir Corbett.

Don’t wait for your audience to find you by accident. Become searchable. Become the authority. Start growing.

🚨 Have a Story? Press Release? Share Your Content With Us!

You can submit your content, press releases, industry/breaking news, links, and podcast relevant information to our engaged audience. » Submit Here! «

About the Author

Deneen L. Garrett is a Cultural Alchemist; Speaker, Writer, Podcaster. WOC Live is the live extension of Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation — a Top 20 Women’s Empowerment Podcast · YouTube U.S. Top 1% · Global Top 8.5% · Top 5% of podcasts worldwide · 160K+ monthly reach.

Follow Deneen: deneenlgarrett.com

This Post Is Sponsored By the Black Podcasters Association

Be Seen. Be Heard. Find Your Community with the Black Podcasters Association.

The Black Podcasters Association is a community dedicated to supporting and amplifying Black voices in podcasting. Join today to access resources, networking, and exclusive events designed to help you grow as a creator.

» Learn More Here! «

Welcome to the BlackPodNews.com where you can find local, national, and global events, lives, workshops, and trainings for Black podcasters — all in one place.

Got an event? Let us know about it.

If you’re hosting something for podcasters — a meetup, a workshop, a live show, whatever — submit it and we’ll get it listed on BlkPodNews. Takes a couple minutes.

» Submit your event here! «

BPN Live: The Pivot - “Making Space For More with Dr. Cassandre Dunbar”

Date: July 15th, 2026

Time: 4:30 PM PST/ 6:30 PM CST / 7:30PM EST

Location: Virtual - Substack Live!

Link: Watch Live on BlkPodNews.com

The Pivot - Conversations For Anyone Who Ever Asked "What's Next?" is our new show, hosted by the award-winning audio professional, and streaming live on BlkPodNews.com.

Each episode features podcast and content creator industry professionals discussing the pivots they've made in their careers and the new paths those pivots opened up.

This week Krystal talks with Dr. , medical doctor, educator, and host of the award-winning podcast, Be Well Sis.

🚨Got an event? Let us know about it.

If you’re hosting something for podcasters — a meetup, a workshop, a live show, whatever — submit it and we’ll get it listed on BlkPodNews. Takes a couple minutes.

» Submit your event here! «

BPN Local Events - Minneapolis: BookMother Book Swap

Date: July 17th, 2026

Time: 5 PM CDT/ / 9PM CDT

Location: Bryant Park in Bloomington, Minneapolis

Link: 👉🏽 👉🏽 Get Your Tickets Here!

Let’s get together and do some good!

Let’s have a BOOKMOTHER BOOK SWAP!

Join Book Mother founder, , and the Book Mother community, THIS FRIDAY, July 17th from 5pm-9pm

BookMother is raising money to help our good friends at Good Graces Paper Co.

» Get your tickets here! «

🚨Got an event? Let us know about it.

If you’re hosting something for podcasters — a meetup, a workshop, a live show, whatever — submit it and we’ll get it listed on BlkPodNews. Takes a couple minutes.

» Submit your event here! «

BPN Local Events - NYC: the Creative Field Trip Club #001 - We’re taking over the Poster House Museum to Act Black.

Date: July 22th, 2026

Time: 5:45 PM EST

Location: The Poster House Museum - NYC

Link: 👉🏽 👉🏽 Get Your Tickets Here!

Hi, Im , founder of the Black Podcasters Association and BlkPodNews.com

If you are in the NYC area, I want to personally invite you to my exclusive first in-person event for The Sound of Us:

​Creative Field Trip Club #001 - Act Black at Poster House

​A curated cultural experience for podcasters, artists, storytellers, designers, and curious creatives.

​Join us for an exclusive private tour of Poster House’s acclaimed exhibition, Act Black: Posters from Black American Stage & Screen.

​YOUR TICKET INCLUDES:

• ​A private one-hour guided tour

• ​Exclusive access to the Act Black Exhibition

• ​Creative Field Trip Club field kit swag bag

• ​Post-tour community gathering

​Because this visit takes place on a day when the museum is closed to the public, attendees will experience the exhibition in an intimate setting with a dedicated museum educator.

​Following the tour, we’ll continue the conversation over an informal gathering nearby.

​Each attendee will receive a Creative Field Trip Club Field Kit featuring collectible event materials designed exclusively for this experience.

​Hosted by The Sound of Us - × Art

🚨 SPACE IS LIMITED - ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!

👉🏽👉🏽 » Get your tickets here! «

BPN Live: Register For The Podcast Pull-Up Ask Me Anything Monthly Session

Date: August 3rd, 2026

Time: 5PM PST/ 7 PM CDT / 8PM EST

Location: Virtual Event

Link: Register For the Next Pull-Up Here!

​The best podcasting advice doesn’t come from a stage, it comes from a community.

​The Podcast Pull Up is a free monthly Ask Me Anything hosted by the Black Podcasters Association, and it’s OPEN TO EVERYONE!

​Every first Monday of the month, we get together live and put you in the room with industry professionals, award-winning podcasters, and independent creators with years of experience.

​Ask questions, share what you know, and enjoy a real conversation with people who are just as invested in this as you are.

​No membership required.

​RSVP today, space is limited.

» Register Here! «

Be Seen. Be Heard. Find Your Community with the Black Podcasters Association.

The Black Podcasters Association is a community dedicated to supporting and amplifying Black voices in podcasting. Join today to access resources, networking, and exclusive events designed to help you grow as a creator.

» Learn More Here! «

This Juneteenth, Cincinnati Public Radio and Urbanist Media present Preserving Cincinnati’s Green Book Legacy, a special one-hour documentary airing on 91.7 WVXU on Friday during Cincinnati Edition at 12:00 & 8:00 pm.

Through archival research and expert interviews, the program explores the city’s surviving Green Book sites in Walnut Hills that once provided safety, hospitality, and community for Black travelers during segregation, and examines their lasting legacy in Cincinnati today.

Link to listen to the hour long special live:

https://www.wvxu.org

The audio documentary expands on the Juneteenth Cincinnati Shorts series, a winner of the 2025 Public Education & Awareness Award from the Ohio History Connection, and is now in it’s forth year.

For the first time, this year’s theme was chosen by the Queen City listeners themselves!

The topic: the Negro Motorist Green Book, the travel guide that helped Black Americans navigate a segregated nation.

While Cincinnati appeared in multiple editions with as many as 151 listings over time, only a handful of those sites remain today. Throughout June, listeners can ALSO hear bite-sized stories about Cincinnati’s Green Book sites every Wednesday on 91.7 WVXU and Friday/Sunday on 90.9 WGUC.

🚨 Have a Story? Press Release? Share Your Content With Us!

You can submit your content, press releases, industry/breaking news, links, and podcast relevant information to our engaged audience. » Submit Here! «

Together, the shorts and the one-hour special bring history to life, connecting the city’s past to the present through the stories of the people, places, and preservation.

Strap on your seatbelts as we explore the history of places like the Edgemont Inn (part of the historic Harriet Beecher Stowe House) and the glamorous Manse Hotel.

Juneteenth Cincinnati Shorts:

91.7 WVXU (https://www.wvxu.org) Wednesdays @ 5:49 a.m, 7:50 a.m. & 3:04 p.m.

90.9 WGUC (https://wguc.org/) on Fridays @ 6:58 pm & Sundays at Noon.

Hour-Long Special:

91.7 WVXU on June 19, 2026 @ 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Listen Online: https://cinradio.org/juneteenth-special-programming-from-urbanist-media/

Be Seen. Be Heard. Find Your Community with the Black Podcasters Association.

The Black Podcasters Association is a community dedicated to supporting and amplifying Black voices in podcasting. Join today to access resources, networking, and exclusive events designed to help you grow as a creator.

» Learn More Here! «

By Deneen L. Garrett | Creator & Host, Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation

I showed up to the BOMESI Summit 2026 as credentialed press. In Detroit. My hometown. And walked away full of knowledge — and ready for more. 🖤

Culture is Capital. Build Infrastructure.

That wasn’t just a theme. It was a mandate. And, exactly what I needed.

For two days, I sat in rooms with 300+ Black media owners, brand leaders, and investors at the Cambria Hotel in downtown Detroit. The conversations were real. The energy was undeniable. And the clarity was the kind you only get when the right people are finally in the right room together.

Here’s what happened.

“Navigation is a Dialogue” — On Power

Rashad Robinson and DeVon Christopher Johnson didn’t come to inspire. They came to activate.

“Navigation is a dialogue.”

Build power. Raise the floor on what’s acceptable. Keep pushing higher. Not someday. Now.

In a room full of Black media owners, this landed differently. Power isn’t given. It’s built — deliberately, consistently, and in community.

The Data Doesn’t Lie — On Podcasting

• 80% of Americans 12+ have listened to or watched a podcast

• 58% consumed one last month

• The creator economy is projected to hit $480B by 2027

Podcasting is no longer a niche behavior. It’s a multi-format media channel — and a trusted path into communities that brands can’t reach any other way.

Robin Kinnie — the same woman whose LinkedIn post made sure I didn’t miss this summit — was on the podcasting panel reminding us why we do this: impact. She launched Engineers of Detroit, a new business, to build a real talent pipeline for the podcasting industry. That’s not just vision. That’s infrastructure.

Her word to every podcaster in the room:

“You don’t make excuses, you make adjustments. Get clear and consistent.”

Write that down.

Winners Create Systems — On Infrastructure

Jamil Crews — Open for Business — anchored the entire summit in three words: “Winners create systems.” A theme that echoed across every panel, every conversation, every room.

A podcast is not a single episode. It’s a content chain.

• Short-form clip → discovery

• Full video → depth

• Audio → habit

• Newsletter → ownership

• Live event → revenue

Creators have content. What most are missing is the back office — production systems, sales infrastructure, distribution strategy, measurement. The opportunity: build what’s missing.

And what are brands actually buying when they invest in podcasts? Not downloads.

Trust. Niche reach. Cultural relevance. Proof.

That’s exactly what Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation delivers — Top 20 Women’s Empowerment Podcast · YouTube U.S. Top 1% · 65K+ monthly reach. The data in that room confirmed what six years of building already showed me.

The money is moving beyond pre-roll ads into branded content, live experiences, membership, licensing, and data. Infrastructure unlocks bundled value — not just inventory.

That’s the whole game. Build your back office.

Get Paid to Be Yourself — On Building

Amber M. Lewis — Detroit’s own — gets paid to be herself. Full stop.

Her framework: build systems, put the right people around you, let them handle what you don’t want to do — and do it well. S Y S T E M S.

“I eat every day.”

Translation: she ain’t pressed. 😂🖤

Marie Denee said it in one line: “I knew there was a problem. Here’s the solution.”

No permission. As we say on WOC Live, you don’t need it. No waiting. Just clarity and the courage to build.

And 18 years in this game? Every single flower, Sis. 🌸🌺🌼🪷💐🌷

🚨 Have a Story? Press Release? Share Your Content With Us!

You can submit your content, press releases, industry/breaking news, links, and podcast relevant information to our engaged audience. » Submit Here! «

From Traffic to Influence — On AI

Albert Thompson of Transient Identity delivered the reset we didn’t know we needed. Value!

We’ve moved from generating traffic to generating influence.

LLMs don’t reward authority domains. They reward trusted partnerships and citations. AI engines want micro-niche content. They need 100+ pages — not one post.

His warning — and it should stop every publisher cold:

“Plan as if Google goes to zero. If it doesn’t, everything above zero is upside. If it declines — everything is catastrophic.”

Build your owned audience. Build for the AI era. Now.

Also, the magic is happening in the vendor spaces. Go beyond the panels.

Lesley Pinckney made it plain: “AI allows you to outsource repetition.” Not your voice. Not your vision. The repetition. Again — systems.

A Liberation Theology for Media Owners — On Ownership

Jemele Hill in a fireside with Ashlee B. did what we do in The D — spit truth.

“No longer at the mercy of legacy media.”

“Everything I choose to do — I choose.”

“Put your face on it.” Embrace this aspect from Creators.

Three lines. A liberation theology especially for journalists and creators.

This is what it sounds like when a woman owns her power completely. No hedging. No waiting for permission. Full ownership — of platform, of narrative, of decision.

The Funding Exists — On Independent & Diverse-Owned Journalism

The panel on Independent & Diverse-Owned Journalism didn’t just talk about the problem. They handed us the playbook:

— Map the players who fund in your space

— Tell a compelling story

— If you’re too small, find a fiduciary

— Lean into relationships

— Be persistent

The funding exists. The question is whether you’re positioned to receive it.

Keep Playing — On Closing

Nichole Barnes Marshall ended Day 1 with a CTA and a reminder.

“Keep playing. We come out of valleys. Every single time.”

Speak Sis, speak!

That’s not motivation. That’s testimony. And in a room full of Black media builders who know exactly what the valleys feel like — it landed like a word.

The People — Because Culture is Capital and So Are People

The BOMESI team — thank you for building this convening and bringing it home to Detroit.

Quincy L. Lewis. Folasade Ogunmokun. Nicki B. Robin Kinnie. And everyone in between — the room is everything.

A special 🫶🏽 to Angela and Marie for embracing me. I walked in as press. I left with sisters. I look forward to learning from and with these women.

To Robin Kinnie — thank you for making sure I didn’t miss what was right under my nose. Community is the whole thing.

And to Detroit — for always being the room worth being in. 🖤

One Summit. Three Outcomes.

I didn’t just leave with notes. I left with next steps.

Press Coverage — A full BOMESI content suite published across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. The room deserved to be documented.

Platform Infrastructure — A conversation with Marie Denee sparked a deeper look at what owned infrastructure could mean for the Dream Lifestyle™️ Collective. That conversation is still unfolding.

Streaming Expansion — A connection made at BOMESI opened a door worth walking through for Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation. More on that soon.

One summit. Three outcomes. All infrastructure.

That’s what happens when you show up in the room. 🖤

Show Up in 2027

Now I’m speaking directly to every builder, creator, and media owner reading this:

BOMESI is FUBU — For Us, By Us — in the realest sense.

This is not a room you observe. It’s a room you belong in.

Relationships are made here. Information runs rampant. Opportunities appear.

Get involved at bomesi.org. Follow the work. Support the mission.

And decide today — show up in 2027.

You don’t want to miss what’s being built. And neither do I.

About the Author

Deneen L. Garrett is a Cultural Alchemist; Speaker, Writer, Podcaster. WOC Live is the live extension of Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation — a Top 20 Women’s Empowerment Podcast · YouTube U.S. Top 1% · Global Top 8.5% · Top 5% of podcasts worldwide · 65K+ monthly reach. She covered the BOMESI Summit 2026 as credentialed press in her hometown Detroit.

Follow Deneen: deneenlgarrett.com

June is all about Visibility, and we aren’t just talking about being seen—we’re talking about being heard in the rooms where the big decisions happen.

That’s why we are so hyped that AMPLIFY Season 4 has officially landed! Produced by ADVANCE (Canada’s Black Music Business Collective), this season is a deep dive into the future of our industry.

Subscribe now

We’re talking:

• The New Hosts: Alicia “Ace” West and Tresor Gray are taking the mic.

• The Hot Topics: From how AI is actually changing the game to navigating the “business” side of the beats.

• Virtual Mentorship: 12 episodes of pure gems from Black professionals who are already in the rooms we’re headed toward.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your creative spark into a sustainable music career in Canada, this season was made for you.

Read the full breakdown on the Black Canadian Creators blog here:
👉 https://blackcanadiancreators.ca/amplify-season-4-is-here-exploring-the-future-of-canadas-black-music-business/

Let’s get amplified,

Sherley J.
The BCC Team 🤠✨

Steve shares his journey from starting a podcast in 2007 to becoming a global leadership expert. We explore the true definition of leadership as influence and responsibility rather than just a title. The conversation dives deep into why clarity is more important than popularity and how to manage the weight of being a voice for the community without burning out.

Whether you are just starting your first show or you are an industry veteran, this discussion provides a roadmap for developing the skills needed to lead with integrity. We talk about the stakes of staying silent, the importance of going deep with your content, and why now is the time to answer the call to lead.

🚀 Chapters

0:00 The weight of leadership in our community

4:15 Introducing Steve Worthy and his journey

9:30 Podcasting as a leadership development tool

14:00 The responsibility of holding the microphone

19:15 Moving from creator to community leader

24:45 Defining leadership as influence

29:30 Lessons from the military on responsibility

35:20 The importance of approachability and confidence

40:10 Can leadership skills be learned

46:50 Identifying and avoiding bad leadership traits

52:15 Managing burnout and self care for leaders

58:30 Setting realistic expectations for teams

1:03:45 The power of clarity in your podcast brand

1:09:20 Why the industry needs your voice now

1:15:10 The danger of staying in your comfort zone

1:20:40 A final charge to the diaspora

1:23:56 Outro and how to connect

Join the movement and stay informed by subscribing to our newsletter at blkpodnews.com. If you found value in this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share this video with another creator.

#blackpodcasting #leadership #contentcreation #audionarrative #podcastingtips

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Grab your spot today! » RSVP For the next Podcast Pull Up here! «

HireMe!: Matthew Kirby

Featured Professional: Matthew Kirby

Professional Title

Founder / Consultant / Host

Location

Seattle, WA

About Matthew

Matthew Kirby is a visionary media entrepreneur, HR leader, and creative strategist dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices. After a personal journey through displacement and resilience, Matthew launched 9ToThrive Media to spotlight the stories of Black and Brown professionals often overlooked in mainstream media.

With over a decade of experience across human resources, leadership development, and storytelling, Matthew blends heart and strategy to build platforms where identity, access, and ownership converge.

As the host of the YNG BLK HR podcast, he’s built a loyal community of 20K+ and continues to lead with purpose, innovation, and cultural fluency.

Career Philosophy

“With a focus on representation, professional growth, and economic inclusion, I am redefining who gets seen, heard, and celebrated in today’s media landscape one story at a time. Your Voice. Your Story.”

Fun Fact

My newest hobby is arial photography/videography with a DJI Air 3s. I am currently working towards FAA certification.

Areas of Focus

• Content Development: concept creation, show format planning, creator training, etc.

• Business & Monetization: sponsorships, revenue strategy, advertising, etc.

• Operations & Logistics: scheduling, project management, etc.

Opportunities & Achievements

Work Interests

• Roles: Associate/Line Producer, Booking Coordinator, Community Manager, Guest, Host, Mentor, Network Executive Producer

• Projects: Video Centered Platforms, ShortForm Audio/Video, Branded & Corporate Content, Live & Based, Written Content/ Newsletters, Social Media Storytelling

• Genres: Business & Entrepreneurship, Education/Instruction, Lifestyle, Health, & Wellness

Career Highlights

• Built a community of 20K+ listeners

• Produced YNG BLK HR podcast that received over 100K+ downloads

• Award winning Media Network by National Alliance to End Homelessness

👉 Currently open to Freelance & Remote opportunities.

Availability & Preferences

• Open to Work: Yes

• Employment Type: Open to All

• Location: Seattle, WA

• Worksite: Open to All

• Travel: 50+ miles/ 80+ km

• Relocation: Yes

• Experience: 10

• Languages: English / Spanish

Sample Work

• Portfolio — Click here to view portfolio.

Resume

Matthew Kirby Resume

293KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

Contact & Links

• Website: www.9tothrivemedia.com

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chimnwendumaopara/

• Socials Handles:

  • @yngblkhr

  • @9tothrivemedia (IG, YT, Tiktok, LI)

• Preferred Contact: Send Matthew an Email

👉 If you’re looking for consulting to help grow your podcast, Matthew is open to new opportunities.

HireMe! — powered by Walter Gainer II, founder of Boss Locks Media

Walter Gainer II is a creative director, podcast producer, and founder of Boss Locks Media, a storytelling company built to spark conversations and capture attention.

He has partnered with brands like Urban One, where he helped launch the Urban One Podcast Network, and has produced branded podcasts and video series for major corporations.

Walter’s proven experience in storytelling and media makes him the perfect partner to power HireMe! and connect podcast professionals with opportunity.

Learn more about Walter & Boss Locks Media by clicking here!

This Post Is Sponsored By the Black Podcasters Association

Have a podcasting question you've been struggling with?

The Black Podcasters Association presents the Podcast Pull Up — a free monthly Ask Me Anything where you get real answers from industry professionals and independent creators who’ve been doing this for years.

Every first Monday of the month, no membership required, open to everyone.

Grab your spot today! » RSVP For the next Podcast Pull Up here! «

HireMe!: Anita Chinwendu Opara

Featured Professional: Anita Chinwendu Opara

Professional Title

Podcast Project Manager / Podcast Service Provider

Location

Lagos, Nigeria

About Anita

Anita Chinwendu Opara is a passionate podcast service provider and founder of Nkem Creatives, a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations transform their stories and expertise into impactful podcasts.

With a blend of creativity, strategy, and technical know-how, Anita ensures her clients focus on their message while she handles everything behind the scenes.

Through Nkem Creatives, Anita has worked with 22 authors across Nigeria, Kenya, and Cameroon, supporting them in amplifying their voices and reaching wider audiences.

She has successfully connected podcast hosts to over 30 guests relevant to their niche, ensuring conversations are rich, engaging, and meaningful. On the production side, Anita and her team have edited and managed more than 30 episodes, delivering polished, professional-quality content that resonates with listeners.

Her expertise spans scriptwriting, guest acquisition, podcast scheduling, audio editing, content strategy, publishing, and audience engagement. Anita has helped creators build trust with their audiences, establish consistency, and gain visibility across major platforms like Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

Passionate about spotlighting African voices, Anita is committed to making podcasting a powerful tool for connection, visibility, and impact. She continues to create seamless podcast experiences that inspire, inform, and leave lasting impressions.

Career Philosophy

“I believe in helping busy professionals and podcasters start and stay consistent in podcast.”

Fun Fact

I am quick. I don't believe in doing something tomorrow that can be done today.

Areas of Focus

• Production & Creative: recording, editing, sound design

• Content Development: concept creation, show format planning, creator training

• Distribution: publishing workflows, syndication strategy, platform optimization

Opportunities & Achievements

Work Interests

• Roles: Guest Out Reach, Podcast Manger, Podcast Scriptwriter, Podcast Editor

• Projects: Interviews, Conversational, Written, Newsletters

• Genres: Fiction, Storytelling

Career Highlights

• Interviewed 22 authors for The African Authors Podcast from Nigeria, Kenya, and Cameroon.

• Liaised with PodGround.io to create videos for International Podcast Day

• Connected Podcast Hosts with over 30 guests relevant to their niche.

👉 Currently open to Freelance & Remote opportunities.

Availability & Preferences

• Open to Work: Yes

• Employment Type: Contract/Freelance

• Location: Lagos, Nigeria

• Worksite: Remote

• Travel: N/A

• Relocation: No

• Experience: 2

• Languages: English

Sample Work

• Portfolio — Click here to view portfolio.

• The African Authors Podcast

• BlackCrestLP Podcast

Resume

Contact directly.

Contact & Links

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chimnwendumaopara/

• Preferred Contact: DM on LinkedIn

👉 If you’re looking for Podcast Project Support to help grow your podcast, Anita is open to new opportunities.

HireMe! — powered by Walter Gainer II, founder of Boss Locks Media

Walter Gainer II is a creative director, podcast producer, and founder of Boss Locks Media, a storytelling company built to spark conversations and capture attention.

He has partnered with brands like Urban One, where he helped launch the Urban One Podcast Network, and has produced branded podcasts and video series for major corporations.

Walter’s proven experience in storytelling and media makes him the perfect partner to power HireMe! and connect podcast professionals with opportunity.

Learn more about Walter & Boss Locks Media by clicking here!

Ever wondered what it takes to leave a corporate tech career and build a media empire from scratch? Join Corey Gumbs in the debut episode of The Sound of Us as he sits down with the legendary Anna DeShawn to discuss the evolution of storytelling within the diaspora and the transition from corporate life to audio entrepreneurship.

In this deep dive, Anna shares her raw and honest journey of building E3 Radio and the innovative platform known as .

After 15 years in the industry, she provides invaluable insights into the challenges of tech startups, the necessity of pivoting when the original vision fails, and the importance of grounding oneself through mental health and community support.

We explore the critical need for marginalized voices to own their narratives and why Anna is now on a mission to build the largest database for black and brown podcasts to solve the industry’s discoverability problem.

Whether you are an aspiring podcaster or a seasoned creator, this conversation covers everything from funding and distribution deals to the philosophy of falling in love with the problem rather than the solution.

Anna explains how the new iteration of The Qube is removing barriers for creators by including both RSS feeds and YouTube URLs, ensuring that our cultural stories are preserved and easily found by the audiences that need them most.

Chapters

0:00 Welcome to the Sound of Us

2:45 Introducing the OG Anna DeShawn

7:15 The 15 year journey of E3 Radio

12:30 Transitioning from corporate tech to audio

18:00 Planning the leap of faith with family support

23:15 The birth and naming of The Qube

28:40 Lessons from the first iteration of the platform

34:10 Navigating funding and the VC landscape

39:50 Pivoting to production and distribution deals

45:20 Building community through the Podcast Salon tour

51:15 Grounding practices and mental health for founders

57:30 Embracing failure as a badge of honor

1:03:00 Falling in love with the problem

1:08:45 Solving discoverability for black and brown creators

1:14:10 Rebuilding the mission and launch strategy

1:19:30 How to add your podcast to the database

1:24:45 Why the Qube includes YouTube URLs

1:29:10 The future of deep search and visibility

1:33:50 Archiving and preserving our voices for the future

1:36:20 Final thoughts and how to support

If you believe in the power of our collective voices, please support the mission by adding your podcast to the database or joining the community on Substack. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to help amplify these stories.

👉🏽 👉🏽 Join and add your podcast to the Qube today - https://theqube.app/

#podcasting #blackcreators #mediaentrepreneur #audioindustry #storytelling

This Post Is Sponsored By the Black Podcasters Association

Have a podcasting question you've been struggling with?

The Black Podcasters Association presents the Podcast Pull Up — a free monthly Ask Me Anything where you get real answers from industry professionals and independent creators who’ve been doing this for years.

Every first Monday of the month, no membership required, open to everyone.

Grab your spot today! » RSVP For the next Podcast Pull Up here! «

HireMe!: Mellisah Moyo

Featured Professional: Mellisah Moyo

Professional Title

Audio Editor

Location

South Africa, Gauteng

About Mellisah

Mellisah Moyo is a podcast producer and virtual assistant for podcasters that helps entrepreneurs and creators launch, manage, and grow their shows. She specializes in end-to-end podcast management, ensuring creators can focus on storytelling while she handles the technical and organizational details behind the scenes.

Her skills include audio and video editing in Descript, Audacity, Riverside, and CapCut, as well as designing branded graphics, reels, carousels, and YouTube thumbnails in Canva Pro.

Mellisah also develops tailored content strategies, manages scheduling, and repurposes episodes into engaging social media content that increases audience reach and consistency.

She has managed and produced multiple shows, including The Impodsters and I Have an App Idea, supporting them from launch through ongoing production and promotion.

Her work has included podcast cover art design, social media campaigns, and streamlined workflows that reduce overwhelm for clients.

Mellisah provides reliable production and support services designed to help podcasters deliver high-quality, consistent content without the stress of managing every detail themselves.

Career Philosophy

“I believe in helping podcasters share their stories with consistency and clarity by taking the stress out of production. My approach is simple: handle the technical and organizational details so creators can focus on meaningful content and audience connection.

I value reliability, creativity, and collaboration, and I aim to make podcasting feel less overwhelming and more enjoyable. My mission is to support podcasters in building shows that not only sound professional but also grow their reach and impact.”

Fun Fact

I fell in love with podcasts the way some people fall in love with books or movies — they became my goldmine of wisdom.

Editing is my favorite part of podcasting because I get to soak in inspiring conversations while polishing them for listeners.

I’ve been an introvert all my life, and my perfect editing fuel is coffee — lots of it! Growing up, I was drawn to stories that made you pause and reflect. That same love of storytelling is what drives my work today.

Areas of Focus

• Content Development: concept creation, show format planning, creator training, etc.

• Distribution: publishing workflows, syndication strategy, platform optimization, etc.

• Marketing & Audience Growth: campaigns, SEO, social strategy, etc

Opportunities & Achievements

Work Interests

• Roles: Podcast Editor (Audio & Video), Social Media Content Creator (Reels, Carousels, Graphics), Podcast Launch Consultant Content, Repurposing Specialist, Virtual Assistant for Podcasters (scheduling, show notes, guest coordination), YouTube Thumbnail Designer / Video Packaging, Podcast Marketing & Promotion Support

Career Highlights

• Launched and managed podcasts, including The Impodsters and I Have an App Idea

• Edited podcast episodes using Descript, Audacity, Riverside, and CapCut

• Created branded graphics, carousels, reels, and YouTube thumbnails for podcasts and social media campaigns

• Managed episode scheduling, content planning, and guest coordination for multiple shows

• Designed professional podcast cover art and visual branding for clients

• Supported podcasters in growing audience engagement and maintaining consistent content delivery

👉 Currently open to Freelance & Remote opportunities.

Availability & Preferences

• Open to Work: Yes

• Employment Type: Freelance

• Location: South Africa, Gauteng

• Worksite: Remote

• Travel: N/A

• Relocation: No

• Experience: 2

• Languages: English

Sample Work

• Portfolio — https://tinyurl.com/4mz3uf2v

https://example.com

• The Impodsters™ — Episode 9

  • Audio

  • Video

Resume

Contact directly.

Contact & Links

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mellisahmoyo

• Preferred Contact: DM on LinkedIn

👉 If you’re looking for an Audio Editor to help grow your podcast, Mellisah is open to new opportunities.

HireMe! — powered by Walter Gainer II, founder of Boss Locks Media

Walter Gainer II is a creative director, podcast producer, and founder of Boss Locks Media, a storytelling company built to spark conversations and capture attention.

He has partnered with brands like Urban One, where he helped launch the Urban One Podcast Network, and has produced branded podcasts and video series for major corporations.

Walter’s proven experience in storytelling and media makes him the perfect partner to power HireMe! and connect podcast professionals with opportunity.

Learn more about Walter & Boss Locks Media by clicking here!

This Post Is Sponsored By the Black Podcasters Association

Be Seen. Be Heard. Find Your Community with the Black Podcasters Association.

The Black Podcasters Association is a community dedicated to supporting and amplifying Black voices in podcasting. Join today to access resources, networking, and exclusive events designed to help you grow as a creator.

» Learn More Here! «

The Sound of Us Live: Building the Largest Database of Black & Brown Podcasts with Anna DeShawn

Finding a podcast hosted by a Black or Brown creator should not require knowing the right people or hoping an algorithm gets it right. That gap is real and it has not been solved.

saw it. And she has spent years inside the problem, developing, failing, pivoting, and learning what it actually takes to build a solution worth building.

is a database and search engine built specifically for Black and Brown hosted podcasts. A dedicated space where creators get discovered and listeners find content that speaks to them.

Anna sits down to talk about all of it. The vision behind The Qube, what the road to get here actually looked like, and why she believes this is the moment it finally gets built the right way.

The Sound of Us, our new podcast, exists to archive the Diaspora's stories and narratives. Black and Brown creators have been producing content that matters for years. The infrastructure to find it has never caught up. Today Anna DeShawn is not just talking about it, she is building it.

Join us as we explore Anna's journey to build the largest database of Black and Brown podcasts.

Subscribe today and get notified when we go live on May 13 at 6:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM EST.

Subscribe now

🎉 Don’t want to miss a Black Podcasters Association Event?

Your go-to spot for everything happening at the Black Podcasters Association is right here — events, registration, all of it in one place.

Stay in the loop and grab your spot early, check out our calendar of events here:

luma.com/TheBlackPodcastersAssociation

🚨 Help the Qube App amplify Black and Brown podcasts - Submit your podcast today!

, founded by award-winning podcaster and community organizer Anna DeShawn, is looking to build the largest database of Black and Brown podcasts.

The Qube’s mission to create the world's first community-driven podcast discovery platform built to amplify Black and Brown voices.

Help us support The Qube get to their goal of 500+ podcasts by June 30th.

There are over 5800+ subscribers to BlkPodNews.com so we should be able to help by the end of today!

Don’t have a podcast? You can nominate your favorite Black or Brown podcast to the directory as well.

Register your podcast today… like right now!!! Click the link (https://theqube.app/) or the button below.

Register Your Podcast Here!

🚨 Have a Story? Press Release? Event? Share Your Content With Us!

You can submit your content, press releases, industry/breaking news, links, and podcast relevant information to our engaged audience. » Submit Here! «

This Post Is Sponsored By the Black Podcasters Association

Be Seen. Be Heard. Find Your Community with the Black Podcasters Association.

The Black Podcasters Association is a community dedicated to supporting and amplifying Black voices in podcasting. Join today to access resources, networking, and exclusive events designed to help you grow as a creator.

» Learn More Here! «

❓Join the Podcast Pull Up: Monthly Ask Me Anything Sessions - May 4th at 8 P.M. EST.

The best podcasting advice doesn’t come from a stage, it comes from a community.

The Podcast Pull Up is a free monthly Ask Me Anything hosted by the Black Podcasters Association, and it’s OPEN TO EVERYONE!

Every first Monday of the month, we get together live and put you in the room with industry professionals, award-winning podcasters, and independent creators with years of experience.

Ask questions, help or share what you know, and enjoy a real conversation with people who are just as invested in this as you are.

No membership required.

No question too basic. Just good people helping each other get better at this.

RSVP today, space is limited. https://luma.com/cwqbue97

Register Here!

🎉 Don’t want to miss a Black Podcasters Association Event?

Your go-to spot for everything happening at the Black Podcasters Association is right here — events, registration, all of it in one place.

Stay in the loop and grab your spot early, check out our calendar of events here:

luma.com/TheBlackPodcastersAssociation

🚨 Help the Qube App amplify Black and Brown podcasts - Submit your podcast today!

, founded by award-winning podcaster and community organizer Anna DeShawn, is looking to build the largest database of Black and Brown podcasts.

The Qube’s mission to create the world's first community-driven podcast discovery platform built to amplify Black and Brown voices.

Help us support The Qube get to their goal of 500+ podcasts by June 30th.

There are over 5800+ subscribers to BlkPodNews.com so we should be able to help by the end of today!

Don’t have a podcast? You can nominate your favorite Black or Brown podcast to the directory as well.

Register your podcast today… like right now!!! Click the link (https://theqube.app/) or the button below.

Register Your Podcast Here!

🚨 Have a Story? Press Release? Event? Share Your Content With Us!

You can submit your content, press releases, industry/breaking news, links, and podcast relevant information to our engaged audience. » Submit Here! «

📚 The Audible Creator Development Program Applications Close Soon! - Apply Today!

If you’re working in scripted audio or ready to take that next step…

ABF Creative in partnership with Audible is running a three-day intensive program in Newark for emerging scripted audio storytellers, led by TK Dutes , podcast producer and host of The Secret Life of TK.

The program includes masterclasses, hands-on workshops, studio visits, and a $450 stipend for the 15 creators selected for the cohort.

The program is focused on the Newark and North Jersey region, but NYC-based creators are welcome to apply too.

You can learn more about the program by clicking here! (https://www.audible.com/ep/creator-development-program)

Applications Open: April 20 – May 10

Apply Here!

🔥 MahoganyBooks Podcast Network — Ad Swap Opportunity

The MahoganyBooks Podcast Network is opening a limited number of ad swap opportunities for podcasts in the book, comedy, news, society & culture, and health & wellness genres.

They’re looking to partner with shows that have engaged audiences, and in return you’ll get introduced to a book-loving community that already values storytelling, insight, and cultural perspective.

If your show fits, reach out to Wize Grazette at wize@mahoganybooksmedia.com with your podcast title, a brief description, and your genre.

The Black Podcasters Association is a community dedicated to supporting and amplifying Black voices in podcasting. Join today to access resources, networking, and exclusive events designed to help you grow as a creator.

» Learn More Here! «

There’s something special about being at a gathering full of people with a shared interest. It’s both a feeling of belonging and excitement for more. So when I saw the fourth annual Black Effect Podcast Festival was returning to Atlanta, I decided to come be a part of this unique celebration.

Charlamagne tha God and iHeartMedia brought together the Culture’s most powerful voices in podcasting, but what struck me wasn’t just the star power. It was how accessible everyone felt. I watched Sheryl Underwood having deep conversations with attendees, hosts and personalities took pictures with fans after their sets. You really could feel like you were a part of a community.

To understand what goes into creating this experience, I sat down with Dollie S Bishop, President of Black Effect, on the “The Future of Media” podcast (listen here).

Building The Festival

“It really takes a dream and a vision and a team to create the experience that we do,” Dollie told me. What’s remarkable? They’ve pulled this off four times in a row while the network itself launched in September 2020.

When I asked about hosting in Atlanta every year, her answer revealed the festival’s deeper purpose: “We want to be where the culture is. And everybody knows that’s Atlanta.”

That intentionality shows everywhere. The Pullman Yards venue is indoor/outdoor, specifically so that the unpredictable Atlanta weather can’t derail the experience. Even when it drizzled during the festival, the conversations and the vibes kept flowing.

The Real Path to That Stage.

Walking around, I heard countless creators saying, “I’m gonna be on that stage next year.” Dollie’s advice was both encouraging and realistic: “Consistency, persistence, and really having something that feels intentional and passionate. Not chasing trends - whatever feels right to your soul.”

Some of last year’s dreamers actually made this year’s lineup, which featured live tapings from “The Don’t Call Me White Girl Show,” “Club 520 Podcast,” “Grits and Eggs Podcast,” “Reality With The King,” and “Drink Champs,” plus panels on AI and media’s future.

The Future Of Podcasting

Dollie’s excitement about podcasting’s future was infectious: “You never know what new star will be born from this medium. It’s exciting to see new people make their own way and do it on their own terms.”

After spending a weekend surrounded by everyone from established voices to emerging creators all sharing the same space, I couldn’t agree more.

The conversation with Dollie S. Bishop about the future of podcasting continues with deeper insights on The Future of Media podcast. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

HireMe! — powered by Walter Gainer II, founder of Boss Locks Media

Walter Gainer II is a media strategist, digital content producer, and founder of Boss Locks Media, a storytelling company built to spark conversations and capture attention.

He has partnered with brands like Urban One, where he helped launch the Urban One Podcast Network, and has produced branded podcasts and video series for major corporations.

Walter’s proven experience in storytelling and media makes him the perfect partner to power HireMe! a new initiative that connects podcast professionals with opportunity.

Learn more about Walter & Boss Locks Media by clicking here!

The Author, Speaker, Storyteller

Amie isn’t just “in” the industry; she is leading the conversation. As the #1 Globe and Mail and Toronto Star National Best Selling Author of “The Wisdom of Nurses”, she has cemented her place as a primary voice in Canadian literature. Beyond the page, she is a highly sought-after Mental Health and Health Equity Speaker with the National Speakers Bureau.

She is an award-winning thought leader and an emerging digital storyteller who uses her platform to bridge the gap between clinical data and human experience. When she isn’t speaking on national stages, she is crafting narratives that demand attention and force a second look at the systems we often take for granted.

The Inspiration: Breaking the Silence

The birth of The Gritty Nurse Podcast wasn’t a casual creative whim. It was born out of necessity. Amie reflects on her own experiences and frustrations, noting that the podcast was a direct response to a deep need to challenge the culture of silencing within the nursing profession.

She has personally witnessed and experienced bullying, a lack of mental health support, and systemic racism. These experiences left her and her colleagues feeling isolated and afraid to speak up. Amie wanted to create an honest, raw, and unapologetic platform to amplify the voices of healthcare workers. Her mission is clear: advocate for systemic change and address the uncomfortable truths about unsafe working conditions and harassment that are too often ignored by the powers that be.

The Process: Sourcing the “Gritty” Truth

How do you build a show that stays true to its name? For Amie, it’s all about the guests. She actively seeks out people who can offer personal, candid, and expert perspectives on the urgent issues facing healthcare.

Her core mission is to amplify marginalized voices. She looks for individuals with powerful, first-hand stories regarding:

• Systemic racism

• Burnout

• Unsafe working conditions

She doesn’t stop at the front lines, either. Amie reaches out to fellow healthcare leaders, authors, researchers, and advocates who can provide deep, professional insight into social justice and policy reform. Her selection process is driven by finding guests who can deliver the “gritty” and honest accounts needed to push for advocacy and challenge the status quo in nursing. Interestingly, the podcast’s reputation precedes it: she frequently has political leaders, scientists, physicians, artists, and storytellers reaching out to her to join the conversation.

I Wish: Perfection is the Enemy

When asked about the one thing she wishes she knew or felt differently about, Amie’s answer is a masterclass in minimalist wisdom. She wishes that it doesn’t have to be “perfect.” For Amie, the message is the mission. In a world obsessed with high-gloss production and curated aesthetics, she leans into the raw truth. If the message hits home, the “imperfections” are just part of the story.

Tech and Gear

To get that crisp, clear sound that carries the weight of her message, Amie relies on a solid toolkit. She utilizes a Rode Sound Machine paired with Shure Microphones for that professional broadcast quality. For recording high-fidelity remote interviews, she uses Riverside. When it comes to the visual side of the podcast, she uses Filmora to edit video portions, ensuring the digital storytelling aspect is as sharp as the audio.

Memory & Review: Authenticity Wins

The feedback from the community has been overwhelming. Reviewers often point to the authenticity that The Gritty Nurse brings to the table. One of the most common sentiments from listeners is how “refreshing it is to hear what we were thinking.”

On the political side, Amie has a standout memory: The Prime Minister of Canada. She has had the chance to speak with him several times, both on and off the podcast. Her witty takeaway? Off the record, he is actually really funny.

The AI Take: Compassion Cannot Be Coded

In a world increasingly driven by algorithms, Amie stays grounded in human integrity. She believes we can only allow Artificial Intelligence to shape so much.

“There is an assumption that it does more than it actually can do,” she says. “It will NEVER be able to replace human compassion and integrity and I think people need to remember that.” Amie warns creators and listeners alike to check their sources. While AI is a powerful tool, it can also be used in negative ways. Her stance is firm: we must be the shapers and drivers of the technology, not the other way around.

Connect with The Gritty Nurse

Ready to hear the truth? You can find Amie and the podcast across all major platforms:

• Website: www.grittynurse.com

• YouTube: The Gritty Nurse Podcast

• Twitter: @grittynurse

• Instagram: @grittynursepod

• LinkedIn: The Gritty Nurse

Showcase Your Voice

Are you a Black Canadian podcaster ready to showcase your voice to the world? Northern Voices, in collaboration with Black Canadian Creators, Black Podcasters Association, and The Chonilla Network, is here to turn up the volume on Black talent from the Great Black North!

Together, we’re highlighting the diversity and creativity of Black Canadian voices in podcasting.

Submit your content here: Submit to Northern Voices

Best,
Sherley J.
@BlackCanadianCreators
www.blackcanadiancreators.ca

The Ambies presented by The Podcast Academy are tonight did you know some BPA members are nominated?!

There’s Lisa Woolfork of Stitch Please is nominated for Best Indie Podcast. What she’s built is more than a show, it’s culture, scholarship, creativity, and community stitched together with intention. She is SEW awesome!

Dominic Lawson who has won at least 40 awards…from many different organizations (I personally like calling him the champ.). He is nominated for two awards: Best DIY Podcast for Black Is America and Best Wellness & Relationships Podcast for Mental Health Rewritten, two spaces where storytelling meets impact.

And there’s thee Anna DeShawn, host of Queer News, she is nominated for Best Indie Podcast Host continuing to lead with clarity, courage, and consistency. And she does an amazing job!

This hits different. Because these aren’t just nominees, they are part of our community.

And from BPA, I want to say this: we are proud of you. Deeply. Loudly. Fully.

Win or not, you are already doing the work. You are already shifting the industry. And you are already excellence.

Good luck tonight!. We’re standing with you!

The Black Podcasters Association is launching BlkPodReviews! A new initiative through BlkPodNews dedicated to reviewing Black podcasts with the cultural nuance they deserve. For far too long reviews of our shows have been too few and far between. We’re building a team of community rooted writers to change that.

Look, you don’t have to cover every genre. If comedy pods are your jam, review comedy. If you live for narrative shows, you can stay in your lane. We want you to show up as yourself!

Here is what we’re looking for:

strong writers

genuine listeners of Black podcasts

people who can give honest, balanced feedback.

AI writing is not accepted. Yall gonna have to do this assignment on your own. If you have more questions, jump into the community! If you’re ready to apply, fill out the form!

Apply to join the BlkPodReviews team here. Our Sound. Our Stories.