The Sound Off Podcast

Paul Jacobs has the same advice he had in 2019 when he came on this show and said, "Stop Selling Radio." In 2025, it's stop selling radio and start selling solutions. With revenue trending flat to down, the radio must innovate or risk falling further behind digital platforms that promise instant results and granular analytics.

Paul and I explored how radio’s real strength lies in local content, strong communities, and brand reach. We talked about public radio navigating loss of traditional funding, and the need for new digital strategies. Paul urged programmers and managers to see mobile apps and newsletters as opportunities for deeper connection—not just boxes to tick. Despite industry challenges, both Paul and I are optimistic. If broadcasters double down on what makes radio great—engaging personalities, community focus, and the free, local experience—there’s a bright future ahead.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

Podderapp: Where podcasters can get access to their advanced data dashboard here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Professor Michael Geist is someone I think about often. It could be from the writings on his blog or his words from his podcast, Law Bytes. With the CRTC spending its valuable time these days discussing with Canadian Radio, what qualifies and should qualify as Canadian Content, I thought now would be a good time to have him on the show to discuss some of the inner workings of their policy making.

We explored the evolving landscape of Canadian media regulation and the challenges facing policymakers in the digital age. He highlighted how, for over two decades, both Conservative and more often Liberal governments have struggled to keep pace with the rapid changes brought by the internet, often lagging behind technology and failing to anticipate the real-world impact of new laws.

We discussed the influence of lobby groups on legislation like Bill C-11 and C-18, which have shaped the way news and streaming content are regulated in Canada. Professor Geist pointed out that these laws often overlook the needs of end users and the realities of modern content distribution, leading to unintended consequences—such as the inability to share news on social platforms.

The conversation also touched on the CRTC’s lack of direct radio experience and its tendency to prioritize traditional stakeholders over public interest. As AI becomes more prevalent in media, Geist suggested greater transparency would be an excellent start.

Looking ahead, Geist emphasized the importance of keeping public interest at the heart of policy decisions, especially as new privacy and AI regulations are debated in Canada.

You can see the full video of Michael Geist's appearance at the CRTC Hearing in 2023 here. 

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

Podderapp: Where podcasters can get access to their advanced data dashboard here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Damian Rickards is a second generation broadcaster who has spent over 25 years navigating his way across the country through broadcasting. From his early days at Mix 99 to pioneering urban radio at Flow 93.5 in Toronto and Vibe 98.5 in Calgary, Rickards shares insider stories of radio's evolution. He discusses his journey through multiple markets, including Toronto, Calgary, and Ottawa, while highlighting the challenges of syndication and maintaining local relevance. Mr. D Radio also brings us into his current role at 91.5 The Beat, his innovative Tik/Tok and Instagram nostalgia quizzes, and his creative work on the podcast "New Sketches for Radio." With candid insights into radio programming, music trends, and the changing media landscape, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of a passionate broadcaster who has consistently been at the forefront of Canadian radio innovation.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

Podderapp: Where podcasters can get access to their advanced data dashboard here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Todd Cochrane passed away September 8, 2025. Here is his obituary as it appeared in Podnews. Yesterday I spent the day listening to our discussions about podcasting from past episodes of this show. Here are the parts I highlighted and re-shared from Todd, in his own words.

He also took the time to appear on other programs that I enjoy including the Stuph File with Peter Anthony Holder, and Audio Branding with Jodi Krangle.

There are many other tributes and posts that will provide a bigger picture of who Todd Cochrane was as a person, professional and podcaster. I have links and posts to a number of them on the episode page here.

His voice will be missed by all.

A final episode of the New Media Show Featuring Rob Walch, Adam Curry, Mike Dell and co-Host Rob Greenlee aired, commemorating Todd.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Greg Wasserman from RSS.com is on the show to talk podcasting. Having made his way through the media ad buying world, Greg spent some time selling for the CBS radio cluster in LA before hooking in to podcasting. We share some similar views when it comes to the importance of show packaging, including artwork and descriptions, to attract and retain listeners. We also talked about the shift from downloads to audience engagement across multiple platforms like YouTube. Then we talked about the new toys in the toy box at RSS.com. Like their new programmatic ad feature, which allows podcasters to monetize with as few as 10 downloads per month. Additionally, he mentions the potential of video podcasting through HLS and the significance of local and location tags for building hyper-local communities. Now before you bail on the show and think things like HLS is geeky and silly, ask yourself. Do you want to let YouTube house all your video or do you want some degree of control over it?

Greg also shares his LinkedIn initiatives, Podcast Monday and Give Back Tuesday, aimed at discovering and supporting podcasts and job seekers.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

Podderapp: Where podcasters can get access to their advanced data dashboard here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pat Moran is the host of Talking Buffalo, He covers all things Buffalo, which includes the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, and Buffalo Wings. In this episode we emphasized the importance of credibility and trust in reporting. Moran highlights mistakes in sports media, such as a false report about Max Hairston's injury and a red helmet story, stressing the need for accuracy over speed. He also discusses the competitive landscape of sports media, the impact of national versus local coverage, and the benefits of networking and partnerships, including his experience with Blue Wire Network. Moran concludes with his optimistic outlook for the Buffalo Bills' 2025 season.

Subscribe to Pat's Substack Talkin' Buffalo.

Subscribe to Pat's YouTube Channel. 

You can connect with Pat's tiers for Wings in Western New York here. It is a stellar list.

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Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

Podderapp: Where podcasters can get access to their advanced data dashboard here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Romina Hakim is the owner of Red Lips Media. She is one of those creators who scores a hattrick in audio creation as her work extends from radio, to voiceover and to podcasting. We talked all three with the Argentinian, from successful radio host and podcast coach to her voiceover work as a Spanish voice for big brands. She highlights her move from Argentina to Barcelona, where she faced challenges adapting to the Castilian accent but eventually secured voiceover work with apps like calm.com. Romina talked about the importance of creativity, audience engagement, and authenticity in podcasting. And (my favourite part) the need for podcasters to understand their audience, experiment with formats, and leverage social media platforms like Reddit and Pinterest to grow their audience.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

Podderapp: Where podcasters can get access to their advanced data dashboard here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Dave Sturgeon, a true veteran of the radio industry. With over 40 years of experience, Dave shared his journey from starting on-air in small-town Ontario to managing stations across North America and eventually running his own agency. We discussed his unique path—transitioning from rock radio to talk, then into sales and management, and finally agency ownership. Dave offered candid insights into the challenges and rewards of each role, emphasizing the power of connection that radio brings. He explained why, despite the rise of digital, radio remains a foundational medium for advertisers, driving real results that digital alone can’t match. We also explored the myths surrounding radio’s relevance and measurement, and Dave’s new book, "The Truth About Radio: A Myth Busting Guide For Today's Media Buyers and Sellers" which aims to bust those myths. This conversation is a reminder of radio’s enduring impact and the passion that keeps it alive.

Dave is a very good LinkedIn Follow.

Buy Dave's Book. - Canada

Buy Dave's Book - USA

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

Podderapp: Where podcasters can get access to their advanced data dashboard here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the last month we have been surveying listeners to the show.. and anyone else who clicked on our links. In all, the feedback was largely positive; as I expect it would be when you are asking high users of the product. Overall, we learned that a lot of our audience does not listen to every episode. We kind of knew that because of how different the audiences are between broadcast and podcast. We also found that you like the consistent releases of the episode and the frequency. Thank you for participating in the survey.

You still have time to participate.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.