The State of Play for Black Canadian Podcasters
Vol. 39 - A deep dive into Black Canadian podcasting, plus podcast fashion and plenty of new launches.
Hihi!! Happy Pod the North Tuesday! I hope you enjoyed your Family Day long weekend! I spent mine in Toronto with my sweetie sipping on cocktails and checking out a Star Wars burlesque show. Wholesome, I know.
In this issue:
SCOOP: The State of Play for Black Canadian Podcasters
Fashion Week: Canadian Podcast Merch Edition
Canadian Indie: Land A Job You Love
True North Podcast Feature: Nerdy North
So many podcast launches and news!
There are currently 28 long-term drinking water advisories in effect in 26 First Nations communities across Canada.
Fashion Week: Canadian Podcast Merch Edition
This month, Fall/Winter Fashion Week is being celebrated around the world — from New York and London, to Paris and Milan — and coincidentally, I’ve also been in the midst of updating my wardrobe from “Home-Body Loungewear Eleganza” to “Existing in Public Chic”.
Right now, if you’re looking to juj up your closet, inspiration can be found everywhere, but you know what is likely missing from your wardrobe?
Podcast merch.
I recently put out a call for Canadian podcast merch on Twitter, looking for some fresh threads that represent one of my favourite communities.
But I know what you’re thinking; Merch? Looking cute? Is it even possible?
I’m here to tell you that it is! Here, walk with me…
The Classic Band Tee.
I’m a big fan of a band tee. Personally, I love pairing them with trousers or a cute mini skirt to dress them up — maybe pop a blazer over top. Or maybe you’d prefer to follow in the footsteps of fellow Canuck, Justin Bieber, with something more casual yet fashion-foward, and pair it with a clever hat and Vans.
A band tee is a great way to show people how much taste you have, but also your loyalty. Maybe you’re rocking the band of a band no ones heard of, or perhaps you’re showing solidarity to your fellow Swifties.
A crisp band tee with a slick design can take any outfit to the next level, but now it’s time to show the world that you’re not only a music snob, but an intellectual — that’s why your wardrobe needs a solid Podcast Band Tee.
I’ve curated three of my favourites below from podcasts The Produce Stand, The Creative Imbalance, and Evil Men.
The Baggy Graphic Tee.
Like the Band Tee, the Graphic Tee can take make a formal outfit a little more playful… but just with less words. It’s a subtler nod to the things you nerd out about, but maybe more of a conversation starter. Get one that’s oversized, and you can layer up or rock a French Tuck — so many possibilities!
A great graphic tee can come in a variety of styles — something mysterious yet chic and minimalist, or eclectic with a creative design, or maybe it’s a poster in t-shirt form. As long as you think it’s cool, you’re on the right track.
Here are some of my favourites from No Quest for the Wicked, Canadian True Crime, and Canadaland.
Something that sends a message.
I love an outfit that not only says “damn, I look good”, but also “I stand for something”, and fashion week is no stranger to rocking a blatant messages with impact on the runway. Why not turn heads for the good of humanity?
There are countless podcasts out there spreading love and important messages — from acknowledging the climate crisis, to fighting for equity and civil rights. Why not support the great work being done by those podcasters by representing your shared values as humans of the world?
Show your solidarity for mental health with a sweatshirt from Braaains, or make a statement about the importance of sexual health and consent with a tank top from The Bed Post Podcast.
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Thoughts from the ecosystem:
ICYMI: The State of Play for Black Canadian Podcasters
Yesterday I posted my latest scoop, and if you missed it no worries, the link is below!
I believe that the true success of Canadian podcasts, on a global scale, lies in the health of our ecosystem and the strength of the representation within it…
Check out this Canadian Indie: Land A Job You Love
A podcast featuring industry leaders who followed their interests and tuned into their instincts to land work they love and offer practical advice on how we can do the same.
True North Podcast Feature: Nerdy North
Two girls from Northern Canada discuss all of their nerdy interests.
From comic books, novels, horror movies, science fictions, video games and everything and anything in between.
What’s going on in Canada’s podcast ecosystem:
New Releases:
Feb 6, 2024 - The Globe and Mail launched the fourth season of City Space, and it’s completely revamped. The show about making cities more livable and affordable, has launched with a new host and new, more ambitious format!
Feb 7, 2024 - Season 2 of Canadian Time Machine is out from The Walrus Lab, a podcast series where each episode marks a key anniversary in Canadian history.
Feb 8, 2024 - A new, The True Canadians, has launched from David Wylynko and Patricia Russell. The show focuses on the topics covered in Wylynko and Russell’s acclaimed 2023 Métis book The True Canadians: Forgotten Nevermore, and discusses Métis economic development, tourism, veterans and elders, Métis health, housing, and environmental initiatives.
Feb 8, 2024 - Nature Answers: Rural Stories from a Changing Planet is a new podcast from Farm Radio International. The show tells stories from rural sub-Saharan communities, and how they’re adapting to climate change.
Feb 13, 2024 - Rainbow Health Ontario has launched its podcast 2SLGBTQ Health In Focus. The podcast speaks with experts and innovators in 2SLGBTQ health care services to find out what's working, what needs to change, and how to get there.
Feb 13, 2024 - Jeremy Enns and Justin Jackson have launched an all-Canadian podcast about podcasting, Podcast Marketing Trends Explained. A follow up to Enns’ 2023 Podcast Marketing Trends Report, the podcasts aims to make sense of the data the report uncovered in an actionable, relatable way for the average podcaster.
Feb 14, 2024 - Three new shows have joined the Harbinger Media Network: PERSPECTIVES, LOCK & KEY, and THE ANTI-EMPIRE PROJECT. PERSPECTIVES joins host, Clement Nocos, who aims to inform strategists, organizers, academics, and policymakers about theory, ideas, and practice that can be used to build a just and equitable world. Lock & Key shares stories about the housing crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Anti-Empire Project comes from Justin Podur, and explores today’s Empire works and resistance movements with a focus on the global south.
Feb 20, 2024 - Imagine Canada 2080 is a new podcast from The Walrus Lab that starts today. The podcast looks at what Canada will be like in 2080 — asking people to look generations ahead.
You should know…
Transistor has launched “Vendors”, a directory meant to help podcasters connect with independent editors, producers, marketing agencies and more. Check it out.
Humans of the House from The Samara Centre for Democracy and Media Girlfriends has won silver in the Canadian Online Publishing Award ‘Best Podcast’ Consumer category. Congratulations!!
Bumper has launched Podcast X-Ray, a free podcast research tool that delivers hidden podcast data from basic show information to episode breakdown and technical details. Give it a try, or read more about it on the Bumper blog!
Rooked’s Jess Schmidt has been spending the month posting daily videos on TikTok of Canadian podcast “Rookedemendations”. Each review features a Canadian indie podcast that she’s checked out, and you should too!
CoHost’s podcast analytics and audience insights now include episode consumption rate data! The tool aggregates data from both Spotify and Apple.
Quill and Carney have released their 2024 Marketing & Podcast Trends Report. The free report outlines a number of case studies of marketing tools so you can see what’s worth it for your podcast.
Canadian soccer podcast, Footy Prime, has signed with Acast. The podcast is ranked as the number one soccer podcast in the country. Read more about the deal.
Events:
PodCamp Toronto returns this weekend, Feb 23-25, for its 16th Year, this time at George Brown College's School of Media and Performing Arts. On the docket for this year are sessions about building your personal brand, fiction podcasting, inclusive podcasting, and a state-of-the-union session from yours truly! For registration details, your free ticket, and the latest event updates, check out the official website.
For your pod:
Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards — This free award show is recognising the best in global climate storytelling, and there are 14 subject-based categories that execpt every medium. The last day to apply is March 1st at 11:59 pm ET.
Arthur F. Burns Fellowship (for North Americans) — This 9-week exchange fellowship is for young North American journalists to live and work in Germany. Each fellow receives a $4000 stipend to cover living expenses in Germany, as well as $1500 for travel. The deadline to apply is March 1st.
Just Joe (prior to getting an eyeball trim)…
If you have thoughts or Canadian podcasting news, please share them with me! Leave a comment or reply to the newsletter email.
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Thanks for supporting Pod the North, I’ll be back in your inbox in two weeks!
Kattie
@Podkatt (Twitter, Spotify, and Goodpods) | @ PodtheNorth (Bluesky)
