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This is the first issue of The Podcast Catalyst, a monthly newsletter for/ by/ featuring/ introducing inspiring African podcast creators. Hopefully this is the start of something really valuable to you. Hi, my name is Sean and I am based in Cape Town. 👋🏼 I have close on two decades worth of broadcasting experience and I lean heavily on this when creating podcast content. Before getting into media, I coached swimming and, to this day, find myself helping others who are trying to figure things out.

You can say I am a catalyst for getting things going!

As a podcast creator, I was feeling isolated, without a community of like-minded people to geek out with. And that why I started this newsletter!

I aim to showcase, share and connect with fellow audiophiles from across the continent. My inbox is always open to inspiring and aspiring African podcast creators.

I will also be hosting events and webinars in the future. Let me know if you are interested in attending. If you have specific podcast-related questions or goals, or suggestions for future newsletter content, please email me directly: [email protected]. 

Creator recommendations and introductions are most welcome! This is just the beginning! 🚀

In this issue:

• 🚀 Afrodaddy's advice for getting started

• 🤗 Meet Anne

• 🎉 Subs on the move

• 🎙 Gear and stuff

• 📰 News

• 🧨 Firecracker events

Alright, let's meet fellow creators.

🚀 Afrodaddy's advice for getting started

Terence Mentor, also known as AfroDaddy, is a South African social media influencer, blogger, and YouTuber. He hosts a fatherhood podcast called Have You Asked Your Dad? We love him for his humorous and informative take on parenting, family life, and social issues. Here's some of his favourite tips for getting your podcast started:

1) Just get started. It is very easy to get stuck in an ideation cycle, where you are constantly looking for tools, software, ideas, research and branding before you feel "ready" to launch your podcast. You could honestly do "prep work" until the sun explodes, so give yourself a launch day to work towards, and no matter what you managed to pull together, make sure you launch on that day!

2) Get a partner. This could be a co-host or co-producer or just someone you can throw ideas at. There are so many aspects to producing, presenting and distributing a podcast that it can be a lot for one person to handle. Preferably this should be someone who is as invested in podcasting and your topic as you are.

3) High quality is important for a high quality podcast, but you can still make a workable show just with a podcast. Don't let a lack of expensive audio equipment get in your way - use whatever you have!

4) Have realistic expectations. Discovery of podcasts is still MUCH harder than other forms of online content, and you are playing against huge corporations with big teams and budgets. It is unlikely that your first episode is going to go viral. For me, my goal right now is to just keep producing content consistently (trust me...that is hard enough as it is).

5) Spend some time thinking about your ideal audience. Who are they? Why are they interested in the topic of your podcast? Where do they spend their time online? This will help you focus the style and distribution of your podcast to fit your niche (bonus tip: You HAVE to have a niche - you can't be all things to all people!)

🤗Everybody, meet Anne!

In each issue of The Podcast Catalyst, I will introduce you to a fellow creator. Feel free to connect with them and tell them you saw them in this newsy.

Anne Chisa is the driving force behind The Root of the Science Podcast. She is originally from Malawi but is now based in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Anne got her start in podcasting in 2020 and has recently been recognised for her work. Way to go, Anne! 🎉

TPC: Describe The Root Of Science in 10 words or less. AC: Premiere platform to amplify Africans in STEM

TPC: What impact do you hope the show has on people?AC: I hope my show will educate people on the amazing work done by Africans in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) globally, showcase the diversity of the STEM field and inspire people by amplifying visible role models for the next generation.

TPC: What do you do when you aren't creating The Root of Science? AC: Pursuing my PhD research in crop science or cooking and spending time with my family.

TPC: Complete the sentence: You will like The Root of Science if you like ___________________AC: Oprah (bold I know haha)

TPC: The Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists recently announced your podcast as one of their Inaugural Podcast Production Program winners. What does this mean for the future of your podcast? AC: Anyone who is an independent podcaster knows that this is a tough job with so many parts that you do not realise until you doing so. Production is one of these parts. Speaking personally, post-production is NOT my favorite thing. My thing is talking and facilitating engaging conversations for the listener. So this opportunity by APVA means I can focus on what I am brilliant at and I have the support to have an audio engineer who is brilliant at his work to work on the production. Then we create a wonderful listening experience and I believe that's what a podcast is meant to be. I believe this opportunity it will definitely level up my podcast.

TPC: What’s one podcast you love that not enough people know about?AC: FortheFuture ZA podcast

You can connect with Anne on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or via the Website.

🎉Subs on the move

Barret Edelstein of Celeb Savant recently hit the 50 episode milestone! 🎉🥂

🎙 Gear and stuff

The RØDE NT-USB+ is a top-performing USB condenser microphone that delivers exceptional vocal performance straight out of the box.

I recently used this beast for a remote recording. The setup was a breeze: I plugged the supplied USB-C type cable directly into my laptop and voila! The high-gain Revolution Preamp technology provided crisp, clear audio without me needing to make adjustments. Tip: You may want to adjust your device's onboard sound levels to between 50% and 60% to avoid clipping or distortion. There is no gain control on the microphone, so do this especially if you tend to get very excited in your recordings! This will give you some headroom post-production.

You can change all sorts of professional grade settings using the free Rode apps. And what's more, by connecting the microphone to your mobile device, you can also record using the Rode Reporter app.

I love the sleek, user-friendly design of the NT-USB+. It has two knobs on the side: one for headphone volume and one for mic level monitoring. The all-metal build gives it a professional studio look and feel.

It comes with a detachable pop filter, ring mount (for microphone stand or boom arm mounting), and a travel-size desk stand for versatile recording options. Did I mention that the USB-C cable is really long? You can easily attach it to a boom arm and not have to worry about the cable pulling tight. I have made two short videos and posted them here and here.

This microphone is by no means a starter option, but it does pack a lot of punch. If USB is your preferred connection, then the RØDE NT-USB+ might just be one of those purchases that you only need to make once.

*A big thank you to the Rode distributors for supplying this review unit. For more information and pricing click here

📰 And now for some more news 

• Spotify is going TikTok on us! The streaming firm has unveiled a redesign described by The Verge as "part TikTok, part Instagram, and part YouTube."

• In more global news, “Don’t hold back” is a first-of-its-kind podcast series created in collaboration with Jacaranda FM, German broadcaster Deutsche Welle and East Coast Radio. It focuses on self-discovery for South African youth, and it recently won a bronze award at the 2023 Anthem Awards in New York City! The Anthem Awards honour individuals and organisations that work towards social impact. Congratulations to Diane MacPherson, Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba and the team.

• The ‘I Will Not Grow Old Here’ team is currently in Las Vegas! The podcast picked up a nomination at The Ambies Awards in the "Best Documentary" category. Produced by Radio Workshop, this is the very FIRST African podcast to be nominated at the "Academy Awards" of podcasting, making us all incredibly proud! Read the full list of winners + nominees here.

🧨Firecracker Events

A massive 'thank you' to everyone that lit up the room and sparked conversations around their podcast experiences, both on and off the microphone last month. Podcast Inspiration Day Cape Town was loads of fun and we will do something like this again soon!

If you have access to a venue, or a suggestion for a webinar topic, drop me an email. Thank you to our supporters who helped make the event possible: Ultimate Media, Rode and our venue, The Electric. If you weren't in the room, listen to what went down on the day here.

That's all for our first issue! Here is to getting started 🥂 Please share this newsletter with fellow podcasters - let's grow the podcast industry together. If you'd like to contribute to next month's issue, you have my email 😉