Your Next Chapter: Podcast Pioneers and Innovators

When audio producer Vivien Schütz moved from Germany to New York City, she was searching for her people. After meeting producer Max Wasserman at On Air Fest, they decided to build a space for audio makers that felt nothing like traditional networking — and Audio Spice was born. Three years later, Audio Spice has grown into one of New York City's most beloved audio communities, hosting free, sound-focused gatherings for creatives across the city. Their magic lies in their variety, as no two events are the same. They've played audio trivia, smashed piñatas filled with creative prompts, danced in the dark, hosted community skill shares, and so much more. And they've done it all on a zero-dollar budget. In this episode, JT sits down with Vivien and her co-organizer Laura Rojas Aponte to hear what it takes to build a creative community from scratch. They get into how they secure venues, navigate unpredictable attendance, and figure out what sustainability looks like for a volunteer-run collective. Relevant links: Learn more about Audio Spice here: https://www.instagram.com/audio_spice/⁠ Follow JT on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠

Giles Gear is the founder of Cheerful Earful, an international comedy podcast festival held in London, Melbourne, and New York City each October. In this conversation, Giles shares the remarkable grassroots story of how he built this three-continent festival from zero investment. Together, Giles and JT explore the state of comedy podcasting, why indie shows with dedicated followings can outsell big names, and the creative venue strategies that make large-scale events financially sustainable. Relevant links: Learn more about Cheerful Earful & the Golden Lobes here: ⁠https://cheerfulearful.co.uk⁠ Follow Giles on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ Follow JT on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠

Peter Niegel is the CEO of Radiodays, one of the most influential global conferences for audio professionals. He's also a longtime media analyst at the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, where he's spent more than 25 years studying the industry's evolution. Radiodays began as a European conference and has since expanded into a truly global platform, with events across Europe, Asia, and North America. In this episode of Your Next Chapter, Peter and JT discuss how cooperation among international markets sparks innovation and curiosity in the industry. They also dig into the rise of AI in audio; where it helps, where it could harm, and why trust and credibility remain essential as new technologies flood the space. Relevant links: Follow Peter on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Learn more about Radiodays Europe's upcoming conference in Riga ⁠here⁠ Follow JT on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠

Kate Helen Downey is a podcast producer and live-event creator who's adapted popular podcasts like Revisionist History, Scamfluencers, and Glamorous Trash for the stage. In this episode of Your Next Chapter, Kate and JT dig into what live events can offer podcasters beyond ticket sales. Kate shares how her background in theater shaped her approach to live audio, why there's no single "right" format for live audio, and how risk and experimentation in events can turn fans into a community. Relevant links: Listen to Kate's new podcast, ⁠⁠Cramped⁠⁠ Follow Kate on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ Book a consultation with Kate ⁠here⁠ Follow JT on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Arielle Nissenblatt is one of the most trusted voices in podcast community building. Outside of her official role as Director of Community and Content at Pinwheel, Arielle organizes local community events for New York podcasters on limited budgets. In this episode of Your Next Chapter, Arielle and JT explore the value of hosting and attending community events, whether major conferences or small local networking events. She shares how she defines success for community events, why a bit of “woo woo” opens up doors, and how events are bringing hope back to the industry. Relevant links: Follow Arielle on LinkedIn⁠ Read Arielle’s podcast recommendation newsletter, ⁠Earbuds Podcast Collective⁠ ⁠Attend future events hosted by Arielle in NYC⁠ Follow JT on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram

Dr. Chioke I’Anson is the founder of the Resonate Podcast Festival in Richmond, Virginia. He joined JT fresh off Resonate's fourth year to talk about how the festival has evolved into a hub for narrative audio makers. In this conversation, Chioke explains the inspiration behind the festival and why it has centered creativity in its programming. Chioke also shares the strategy behind Pitch Party—the Shark Tank-style competition that has launched real deals—and how taking pitches public can spark the momentum creators need. Plus, Chioke and JT workshop how to design a first-time event from scratch, why retreats beat conferences, and what’s ahead for Resonate in 2026 and beyond (including a potential international edition). Relevant links: Follow Chioke I'Anson on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Learn more about Resonate Podcast Festival: ⁠https://www.resonatepodfest.com/⁠ Listen to the Pitch Party Podcast: ⁠https://tinkmedia.co/pitch-party Follow JT on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Bryan Barletta is the founder of Sounds Profitable and the new President of Podcast Movement, following a major industry merger. He sat down with JT to discuss the acquisition that brought Sound Profitable's team and ethos into Podcast Movement, and what this means for the future of podcasting's largest event. Together, they explore how Podcast Movement is evolving to become more community-driven, with peer-selected panels, faster content distribution, and more accessible pricing for creators. Bryan also shares practical advice for crafting events that provide real value and connection in this digital industry. Relevant links: Follow Bryan Barletta on LinkedIn⁠ Sounds Profitable: https://soundsprofitable.com⁠ Podcast Movement: https://podcastmovement.com⁠ Follow JT on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠

Andreea Coscai is the creator of Eurowaves, a growing hub for European podcasters, and a marketing and community manager at Tink Media and EarBuds Podcast Collective. She sat down with JT to discuss the state of the European podcasting market and community. Together, they discuss the challenges and opportunities for podcasters to collaborate across languages and borders. Andreea also shares examples of European podcasts to check out — plus her take on emerging podcast events across the continent. Resources and links mentioned: Follow Andreea on Substack, Instagram and LinkedIn Andreea’s article for Podcast Marketing Magic on cross-border promotion Andreea’s Podcast Recommendations: Titania, The Europeans, Lost Cells, WePod

Greg Hess, co-creator of the hit satirical podcast MEGA, joins JT to share what it takes to bring a podcast on the road. From booking the first venue to scaling a national tour, Greg reflects on the strategy, surprises, and lessons behind turning audio into a live experience.

Scott Newman, Founder of On Air Presents, joins JT to explore how podcasting is evolving beyond the feed and into immersive live events. From On Air's recent rebrand to dreaming up a new podcast experience in Ibiza, this episode marks the launch of our new series, spotlighting the intersection of sound, story, and spectacle.

Zoe Goldman, podcast producer at The Getty, joins JT to explore how one of the world’s most iconic museums is using audio to foster intimacy, accessibility, and creative freedom. Recorded live at the American Alliance of Museums conference in Los Angeles, this episode wraps our series spotlighting museums that are redefining storytelling through sound.Whether you work in cultural institutions or the audio space, Zoe’s thoughtful approach offers inspiration for anyone looking to connect more deeply with their audience.

How can museums move beyond static exhibits to foster honest dialogue and emotional resonance? In this episode of Your Next Chapter, host Jeremiah Tittle speaks with Interim President and CEO of Levine Museum of the New South, John Russick, about the transformative role podcasting can play in cultural institutions. From building trust with audiences to amplifying overlooked narratives, Russick shares how audio opens up space for meaning-making and human connection in ways traditional museum formats can’t. This is an episode for our special series exploring why every museum needs a podcast.

In this episode of Your Next Chapter, host Jeremiah Tittle speaks with Matt Shindell, curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and co-host of the AirSpace podcast. They discuss how the show launched on a limited budget, what it took to build trust with museum leadership, and the viral moment that brought Jack Black on board. This episode is a continuation of our special series on why every museum needs a podcast, highlighting how audio can expand access, spark curiosity, and tell stories that stick.

In this episode of Your Next Chapter, Jeremiah Tittle sits down with award-winning journalist, former ESPN panelist, and professor Kevin Blackistone to explore how podcasting can bring history and culture to life in powerful new ways. Recorded live at the American Alliance of Museums conference in Los Angeles, the conversation dives into Kevin’s work on Our New South, a podcast produced in collaboration with the Levine Museum of the New South. They discuss the emotional resonance of museum storytelling, the challenges of teaching history in the current media landscape, and how audio can help institutions build trust and connect with broader audiences. This is part of our special series on why every museum needs a podcast, highlighting how cultural institutions are using audio to engage, educate, and inspire.

Franky Abbott, Chief Content Strategist at Levine Museum of the New South, joins Your Next Chapter to explore how museums can harness podcasting to reach audiences far beyond their walls. Recorded live at the American Alliance of Museums conference, this conversation dives into Levine’s “digital first” strategy, the creative process behind the award-winning Our New South podcast, and how trust, storytelling, and teamwork drive their national impact. Whether you’re in the cultural sector or the world of audio or not, this episode offers a compelling look at what’s possible when museums embrace the power of podcasting. Listen to Levine Museum Of The New South's podcast, Our New South, here: https://www.museumofthenewsouth.org/digital/our-new-south-podcast/

This is the first episode in a special series that explores how museums are utilizing podcasts to expand their reach, build trust, and engage new audiences. Recorded live at the American Alliance of Museums conference in Los Angeles, this roundtable conversation brings together museum professionals who are at the forefront of audio storytelling. From education to community engagement, the panel discusses how podcasting is helping institutions connect with people beyond their walls—and why every museum needs a podcast. Whether you work in museums or audio, this episode offers fresh insight into how these two worlds are coming together.

What does it mean to build a podcast from pure curiosity? JT, CEO of Next Chapter Podcasts, sits down with DJ and writer Bernard Sire, host of Inspirations, a personal podcast rooted in honesty, music, and conversation. Recorded live at the AAM conference in LA, Bernard shares how his eclectic background shaped his unscripted, story-first approach to audio. Whether you’re in podcasting or museums, his insights offer a compelling case for listening deeply and creating freely.

What if “immigrant” wasn’t a label, but a vibe? Saadia Khan, founder of Immigrantly Media, joins Jeremiah Tittle to discuss reclaiming identity, building a purpose-driven podcast network, and why everyday stories matter more than ever. From dating disasters to pickleball, Saadia is turning immigrant experiences into culture-defining content.

This week, we’re revisiting a standout conversation with James Cridland, Editor-in-Chief of Podnews and one of the most insightful voices in the podcasting world. Originally aired in September, this episode explores the evolution of podcast tech, the tension between platforms and open RSS, and why great storytelling will always lead the way. Our host, Jeremiah, was traveling last week at the Podcast Show London, and we’ll be back with a fresh episode two weeks from today.

Lindsay Graham, CEO of Airship and the voice behind American History Tellers and History Daily, joins JT to share his unconventional journey from marketing to podcasting. He opens up about building a hit history podcast brand, partnering with Wondery, and why execution matters more than ideas. Plus, Lindsay reveals what’s next for his shows—including a live adaptation and expanding the Wondery history universe.