Why Canada needs a thriving podcast community...
Canadians make really good podcasts too, okay?
Welcome to Pod the North, a newsletter for the Canadian podcasting ecosystem!
I’m Kattie Laur [KAY-TEE LORE], an award-winning Canadian Podcast Producer and Specialist, and Editor of Pod the North. And, I’m desperate to see some change in this industry!
I’m over American podcasts dominating the ears of my fellow Canucks.
I’m tired of indie podcasts being over shadowed.
I’m desperate to see my work get some recognition!
If you’re here, I know you can relate.
Pod the North is my attempt to connect the Canadian podcasting ecosystem.
I’m trying to create the northern revolution that will put Canadian podcasts of all kinds on the map. To make Canadian podcasting sustainable, equitable, and world-renowned.
Maybe I’m being too ambitious but a girl can at least try, right?
Here’s what you can expect…
Every other week, you’ll get an issue of Pod the North that includes:
Podcast ecosystem commentary through a Canadian lens.
Indie podcast features.
Indigenous podcast features.
Opportunities for your podcast.
Anything I think you’ll find helpful or hilarious.
Pod the North has also signed the Equality in Audio Pact.
Some Pod the North’s most-read issues:
Why Kattie?
Well, I haven’t been able to shut up about this stuff for a while now.
I’ve been pretty outspoken on Twitter and my blog about what I believe makes a healthy podcast community. In April 2022 I wrote an open letter to Canadian podcast networks urging them to do more for the ecosystem. Since the 2022 launch of Pod the North, I’ve spoken at several conferences and meet-ups about the Canadian podcasting industry, including Hot Docs Podcast Festival 2023, Canadian Association of Journalists Conference 2024, Podcast PowerUp, Radiodays North America 2024, and many more!
My experience in both professional and independent podcasting has led me down a path of advocacy for Canadian podcasters. My career as an award-winning freelance podcast producer was spent working on projects with Vocal Fry Studios, Canadaland, Shayla Oulette Stonechild, BetaKit, and many more. In April 2024, I made the bittersweet decision to leave freelancing behind to continue to focus on podcast community building (and work-life balance), and joining the team at Bumper, a data-driven podcast growth agency, as a Podcast Growth Specialist.
I host Pod the North's flagship podcast, Canardian: the podcast gossiping about the hometowns of Canadian podcast people — recently named one of Apple Podcasts Favourite Podcasts of 2024.
At the end of the day, I’m no one special. But I can be pretty shameless about my love for this space - and that’s gotta count for something.
How do you get your stuff in Pod the North?
The process is super simple: reply to the newsletter or email Kattie!
Kattie makes all final editorial decisions about what goes into the Pod the North newsletter. That decision process is based on:
How well integrated in Canadian podcasting or Canadian culture your submission is.
If it’s something fresh, new, and interesting.
The values behind your submission and how 'controversial' it might be. If your submission is rooted in ignorance or hate, it won’t make it in Pod the North.
Pod the North goes out every other Tuesday, usually, but not always, in the morning. Longer editorial submissions like interviews and “scoops” are planned about three issues in advance. Please time your submissions accordingly!
If you’d like to advertise in Pod the North, visit the ad booking form.
I hope you’ll support my efforts and help to foster this incredible community, and here’s how you can!
Subscribe to this newsletter!
Tell a Canadian podcaster about this newsletter.
Send me your thoughts - what do you want to read about?
Share your Canadian podcast with me.
Tell me about any opportunities for grants, awards, hot tips and audience growth that you come across.
I’m glad you’re here, let’s Pod the North!
Kattie