Owning and Earning a Platform with Sangeeta Pillai

09/15/22 • 27 min

1 Listener

Introduction:

On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart is talking with Sangeeta Pillai from the award-winning Masala Podcast about what it is like to create a podcast that talks about taboo content. Sangeeta has important messages to share about diversity, feminism, and inclusion. She shares those messages today, as well as her experience winning multiple British Podcast Awards. Sangeeta talks about her journey into podcasting, what it is like to be backed by Spotify, and how podcasting should change.

If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast. And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe.

Today you’ll learn about:

What is the Masala Podcast and who is Sangeeta Pillai?
Creating a podcast to inspire change
Exploring a taboo subject in a constructive, positive way
Bringing women of color into feminist conversations
The organic evolution of the formatting of a podcast
The importance of season breaks
Promotion, marketing, and keeping creative control
The experience of winning a British Podcast Award
Supporting creators of color and from different backgrounds

Resources/Links:

Masala Podcast: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/top-feminist-podcast-masalapodcast-mediakit/

Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/

Castos, private podcast: https://academy.castos.com/privatepodcast/

Castos, website: https://castos.com/

Castos, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/castos

Clubhouse video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8729ZpWpmIw

Introduction:

Today you’ll learn about:

What is the Masala Podcast and who is Sangeeta Pillai?
Creating a podcast to inspire change
Exploring a taboo subject in a constructive, positive way
Bringing women of color into feminist conversations
The organic evolution of the formatting of a podcast
The importance of season breaks
Promotion, marketing, and keeping creative control
The experience of winning a British Podcast Award
Supporting creators of color and from different backgrounds

Resources/Links:

Masala Podcast: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/top-feminist-podcast-masalapodcast-mediakit/

Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/

Castos, private podcast: https://academy.castos.com/privatepodcast/

Castos, website: https://castos.com/

Castos, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/castos

Clubhouse video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8729ZpWpmIw

Previous Episode

Writing for Audio with Megan Bagala

Introduction:

On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Megan Bagala about what it means to write for audio. Megan is a podcast producer, songwriter, musician, writer, actor, and renaissance woman. In addition to doing a bit of everything, she is also an expert in the topic of writing for audio, whether it be a musical, narrative, or chat show. She shares tips and advice from her experiences in order to help new podcasters, as well as veteran podcasters, look at their copy in a different light.

Megan is currently working as the Senior Producer on Melon's House Party at Wondery. She is a proud participant of the 2021 Ready to Learn Podcast Accelerator from PBS KIDS, PRX, and the CPB. Her work can be heard on podcasts from Marvel Entertainment, Gimlet Media, America's Test Kitchen, and more. She's currently developing a middle-grade fiction series about music theory, and a YA fiction series about the ramifications of climate change.

Today you’ll learn about:

Megan’s journey from her MFA in musical theater to podcasting
Transferable skills in writing for audio
What it means to write for the ear and not the eye
You don’t always know the full story until after you’ve recorded it
Tips for setting up your work and trusting your listener
How Megan switches hats so smoothly

Resources/Links:

Megan Bagala: https://www.meganbagala.com/

Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/

Castos, private podcast: https://academy.castos.com/privatepodcast/

Castos, website: https://castos.com/

Castos, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/castos

Clubhouse video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8729ZpWpmIw

Next Episode

Re-Air: Creating an Audio Experience with Eric Nuzum

**Do you use stock media for your creative projects? Are you a creator who makes stock media for others to use? As a listener can you tell the difference between stock media and something that has been commissioned? We want to hear from you! Reach out directly to Stuart: [email protected]

We’re going back to our archives and listening to an episode from March of 2022. It features Eric Nuzum from Magnificent Noise.

Technology is only good if it solves a problem. In the case of podcasting, it definitely does solve problems. It’s basically broken down all major barriers to access when it comes to creating and distributing your audio.

But creating a good podcast is so much more than simply choosing the right microphones, the best software, and distributing an RSS Feed. To make a good podcast, you need to create an audio experience, ideally, an experience that is unique to your show.

Eric Nuzum is an expert in doing that. At NPR he helped bring to life shows like the TED Radio Hour and has worked on bringing shows like ‘Fresh Air’ and ‘Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me!’ into podcasting. He was also vital in the creation of the critically acclaimed podcast, Invisibilia. Eric is the founder of Magnificent Noise, a podcast, audio, and creative consulting company.

Links

Magnificent Noise: maginifcintnoise.com

The Ted Radio Hour: npr.org/podcasts/ted-radio-hour

Invisibilia: npr.org/podcasts/invisibilia

Where Should We Begin with Esther Perel: whereshouldwebegin.eshterperel.com

Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/ericnuzum

Connect Stripe to Your Private Podcast: Castos and Stripe Integration

Castos offers integrative tools to create revenue for your private podcast. View our blog and Matt’s YouTube Video