Emma is involved with the Independent Podcast Awards — this interview has been lightly edited for style and readability
Sam Sethi: The Independent Podcast Awards. What are they and why do we need an Independent Podcast Awards?
Emma Turner: They are, as the name says, awards for independent podcasters. They’re in their third year now and we launched them back in 2023. It was kind of off the back of a conversation that we had with Simon Bray from Film Stories about how there’s quite a lot of podcast awards out there, but often the smaller shows get overlooked. And so one thing led to another, and then we launched the awards to try and do something about that. So here we are three years later.
SS: James and I went to the last awards. They were really well done. Congratulations to everyone involved - there’s some amazing winners out of that. Now, you’ve also just announced the Independent Podcast Forum. What’s that?
ET: It’s going to be a small one day event for indie creators to come together and learn from experts, from the industry, but also to learn from each other as well. This came off the back of feedback from attendees of the awards: they loved being in a room with people like them. Many solo podcasters know that it can be a really lonely sport at times, so being with people that go through the same things is good.
It’s one thing talking to your partner, but if they’re not a podcaster themselves, they don’t really understand what it’s like. So, this is a chance for people to come together, talk about what they do, find out how they could potentially do things better. And, hear from some excellent speakers too.
SS: So what is the date for this independent forum?
ET: It’s taking place on Monday June 16, in Soho in central London. There is more information at independentpodcastawards.com - information about both the forum and entering the awards.
SS: So, entering the awards. What’s the entry date and what’s the actual date of the awards?
ET: The deadline for entries is Monday June 2. That gives you one last weekend to get everything together. And the awards themselves are going to take place on the 15th of October, back at King’s Place in London.
SS: Who’s judging it this year? How do judges get involved?
ET: It’s an open call for judges. If people would like to get involved, then please do get in touch with me. My email address is all over the website. And yeah, we’ve had a mix of people that have been podcasting for years, people that just started doing it, a nice array of judges - but we want lots of people from different backgrounds, different voices looking for different things as well. So please do get in touch and get involved.
SS: Is it as expensive as entering the British Podcast Awards? Do I have to pay a gazillion quid, find sponsors and and give you a gold bar of bullion?
ET: We try to keep our costs as minimal as possible. Honestly, life is expensive right now and lots of these people are doing it themselves - they don’t have a company to pay for them. So, the cost to enter is £35 for the first entry and if you want to enter a couple of other categories, it’s £5 each after that. We’ve got a few free-to-enter categories as well. And there’s a new one this year - Best Use of Video: lots of people are starting to dip their toe in the water in terms of video podcasting, so we just want to see what people are up to and reward those that are doing it.
SS: I’ll be there! Good to speak to you.
ET: Thank you.