The incoming impact of AI Voice Generation on the podcast world.
Vol. 62 - Amanda Cupido talks Generative AI for podcasters. And, the MANY great Canadian podcasts launched in 2025 so far.
Hihi!! Happy Pod the North Tuesday!
In this issue:
A welcome to new subscribers!
Amanda Cupido says AI is going to remove barriers to podcasting for both creators and listeners.
Canadian Indie Feature: Chillers and Thrillers
True North Podcast Feature: The Muskrat Podcast
The MANY great new podcasts launched in 2025 so far.
BTW:
As of November 7th 2024, there are currently 31 long-term drinking water advisories in effect in 29 First Nations communities across Canada.
Welcome new subscribers!
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Thoughts from the ecosystem:
The incoming impact of AI Voice Generation on podcasts and the world.
Among the many things that Amanda Cupido is up to in Canadian Podcasting—she’s the founder, CEO and executive producer at Lead Podcasting, a best-selling author, and an organizer behind The Soundwave Summit—one of her fascinating gigs is teaching a course at Seneca Polytechnic called “Generative AI for Communicators”.
With a fairly fresh AI Certification from the University of Oxford, Amanda has been deeply interested in understanding what AI is going to do, and CAN do, for podcasts. Now that she’s teaching the next generation of communicators and podcasters, I had to get her insights.
I talked to Amanda Cupido about the nuances of Generative AI and the cultural impact of AI Voice Generation in the global podcast and media industries.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Paid subscribers can listen to the whole thing as a podcast!
Kattie Laur: So explain to me broadly, what is “Generative AI for Communicators”?
Amanda Cupido: This was like class one, hour one. So as we start to describe what tools we're using, we need to be using the correct language so that we're all on the same page.
AI is very broad. The words “Artificial Intelligence” were coined in 1956. Anything that can work, think, act, perform in human-like ways is considered “Artificial Intelligence”. Within that bubble, there's a secondary bubble called “Machine Learning”, sometimes referred to as “ML”. Within ML is “Deep Learning”, and within Deep Learning is “Generative AI”.
When we get down to that inner circle of Generative AI–what we're playing with in my course–that's really what's become very popular right now, or Gen AI for short. It's using Deep Learning to fuel creative outputs.
Deep Learning means that an AI Agent is receiving inputs and data, but then it is going back and forth with its own ‘brain’ to come to conclusions, and then Generative AI is actually spitting out something new for you. What scares people with Deep Learning and Generative AI as a whole is you can't necessarily track how that brain worked. There's no equation of ‘A + B = C’. That's what's progressed in this recent boom. Generative AI has gotten increasingly better because the Deep Learning has improved.
KL: So where does the ‘Communicators’ part come into all of this?
AC: We're talking about how we leverage this technology that is continuing to evolve in the communication space. The students that are in my class, some of them want to be digital content creators, some of them want to be podcasters, some of them want to go into more traditional forms of media, some of them don't know what they want to do but they just know that communications is important and that'll be transferable.
Everybody can afford to be a good communicator, and so now we're looking at how we can use [AI] in ways that are honoring the humanness of what people want to receive, so that we can be creating better and better outputs.
As these students graduate, they're going to be the ones who, their entire work lives, will be [working] with Generative AI as an assistant or part of their workflow.
KL: Where does podcasting fall into all of this?
AC: Podcasting is becoming integrated in many communication strategies and plans from a corporate perspective, and in life. It's a very accessible medium.
One of the discussions [in class] is about how podcast production companies are using Generative AI, and [how] we're defining best practices as we go. One of the discussion questions is around Canadaland’s use, which Jesse Brown has been pretty open with. They've leveraged AI, specifically with Pretendians, to help with some of those creative elements. We're going to pick that apart and then get the students to decide whether or not they thought Generative AI was used effectively there.
KL: Last year, you actually sold a branded podcast that uses Generative AI voicing. So talk to me about this!
AC: I think I might be the first Canadian podcast agency to have done this! It is an internal podcast, so you can't go listen to it, unfortunately. The client is World Vision International, they're an international nonprofit, they're working in a hundred locations around the world. They have more than 30,000 employees.
This podcast is meant to be used as an employee engagement tool, knowledge mobilization tool, and as part of their internal communications plan. But of course, with a global workforce, you will have to make your podcast available in multiple languages. This is where the Generative AI comes into play.
We had already done a season for them in multiple languages where we were hiring voice actors to essentially dub the English version of the show. They didn't have the budget to completely recreate the show in different languages, but they wanted to make it available in Spanish and French. The cost was quite hefty hiring voice actors and trying to match voice actors to the guests’ age and energy and sound.
They were re-evaluating their budget and actually initially cancelled the translated versions. But then accessibility concerns came up for their global staff—fair enough—and they were talking about what other ways could we do this. I had just finished an AI Certificate from the University of Oxford, and I was feeling inspired in this space [and] experimenting on the side anyway. I had come across ElevenLabs and been really impressed with some of the samples I had played around with.
I pitched instead of trying to go talent source and cast a whole crew of people, [to] use Generative AI to fully translate the voices—obviously making it clear to the audience that the guest didn't speak the language, but we've used, with their permission, a generative AI translated version.
To be honest, there is still a lot of human manipulation that needs to happen to the translation and even the voice generation, but we only signed on for three episodes so I felt like it was a small enough to be able to give it a go. We've done two episodes, and now a different department within World Vision has signed on for three seasons of a podcast.
KL: How do you see AI changing podcasts in 2025 and possibly beyond?
AC: I feel like this year we're gonna see micro iterations on stuff that's out. We have OpusClip and things like this that can segment out a hot clip from a long conversation–that's only just gonna get better.
There's also, in podcasting, AI that's being used for transcription. Right now, a lot of the transcription tools will phonetically listen to my name, ‘Amanda Cupido’, and spell it ‘C A P I T O’. But as it gets smarter, it's gonna know to draw from the internet, and figure out how I've introduced myself, and then realize my last name is ‘C U P I D O’. These kinds of iterations are going to happen this year.
I think in five years, it's gonna be a whole new landscape. I don't think the simple edits of cleaning up episodes is gonna be a job anymore. That's gonna be done by AI. To me, that's okay. Anyone who's only doing that, I'm encouraging to expand their skill set into more nuanced stuff like sound design. But even beyond sound design, [podcasters are] going to be like, ‘make this sound like This American Life meets Serial, and it's going to be able to pull other examples of royalty free music and start doing those kinds of edits. You'll always need humans to oversee it, but I think that editing piece and [audio] restoration is already very good, but it's going to continue to get better.
So what does this mean for podcasting as a whole long term? There's gonna be more podcasts that are created. There's gonna be people who do not have deep tech know-how [who are] able to create great sounding podcasts. It removes a barrier.
And lastly, I think the language learning models are going to be better and better. I've always been very interested in the global podcast landscape. We have so many English language podcasts that are not being translated and do not get shared with other countries in the world and vice versa. Amazing stuff coming out in Spanish that we don't get to enjoy if you don't speak that language. The barrier of language will very soon be removed.
KL: I also keep seeing podcasters starting to look at AI voice generation to do mid-roll ads for them. To me, that is so interesting because a huge reason why mid-rolls are so successful is because they are a host endorsement. I'm curious to see where listeners' ears end up in five years when it comes to detecting AI and media literacy, because I think ads won't be as effective if they're AI generated, right?
AC: Let me counter this, just as a thought experiment! We have a bit of a resistance to listening to AI Agents. But in Korea and Japan, they are already listening and choosing to follow influencers and showing up to concerts of AI agents. AI agents have fans! They're packing stadiums with AI generated songs, with an AI generated image of a person dancing around on the stage.
Socially, in North America, we’re just not there yet, but we will be. [At that point], we'll just know that [a podcasters] has endorsed it and that's going to be enough. Start thinking on what ways you can be in this space comfortably. What are [your] moral standards and boundaries, and how can [you] continue to re-evaluate those so [you don’t] get caught in a zone that then puts you back professionally.
What Amanda is loving listening to:
Check out this Canadian Indie: Chillers and Thrillers
No comedy, skepticism or gore - only 100% true spooky tales.
A semi-monthly podcast featuring true stories of encounters with the strange and unexplained.
True North Podcast Feature: The Muskrat Podcast
A brand new podcast sharing stories and voices on Indigenous Fathers in North America.
What’s going on in Canada’s podcast ecosystem:
New Releases [15]:
Jan 8, 2025 — The Eh List Admission is the new film & TV review podcast that joins married couple, Ricardo and Cheyenne, who have a lot a love for movies and each other! Catch deep dives into classic films, the latest blockbusters, or and underrated gems. Personnally, I’m SO ready for The Cinemile meets Canada!
Jan 15, 2025 — Black on the Ballot is a new podcast chronicling the experience of Black Canadians in politics. The four-part series follows host Nana aba Duncan digging into groundbreaking new research and very real conversations, asking questions like: What role should race play in politics? And is Canadian politics actually all that open to diversity?
Jan 15, 2025 — Brace For Impact is the new video podcast from Lakeridge Health Foundation. The show is hosted by ultra charismatic content creator, Kolter Bouchard, and serves as a crash course in how to advance local health care.
Jan 21, 2025 — The new podcast, Big In Canada, is giving long overdue appreciation to the songs and artists that are big in Canada, but nowhere else. Join Mac and Laura as they discuss b4-4's massive, dirty and super fun smash hit "Get Down", Fefe Dobson’s "Bye Bye Boyfriend", Prozzäk and more.
Jan 21, 2025 — Legendary Canadian broadcaster, Lisa Laflamme has a new podcast, Carry The Fire, all about cancer, radical innovation, and hope. Each episode features stories that explore what can happen when world-leading doctors, researchers, nurses and their patients come together to ignite breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
Jan 21, 2025 — PSYCHEDUP is the new podcast from psychiatrist, author, educator, Dr. Diane McIntosh, and JAR Audio. Each episode focuses on one mental illness: depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar and panic disorder, hearing directly from people living with these illnesses, gaining an honest glimpse into their realities.
Jan 22, 2025 — The Copernic Affair is the new show on the Canadaland Investigates feed, the new home for longform journalism stories consolidating shows, including Thunder Bay, Ratfucker, and Pretendians. The Copernic Affair follows a sociology professor’s quiet life in Canada as it gets turned upside down when he is accused of carrying out a 1980 bomb attack on a synagogue in Paris.
Jan 27, 2025 — Sea of Lies, the new season of CBC’s True Crime series, Uncover, is out now! Hosted by award-winning podcaster, Sam Mullins, it follows the story of a con man who just couldn't stop lying. A tale of murder, stolen identities, fine art, a diaper stuffed with gold bars, and a crime solved by a Rolex watch. So who is he? And how did this ruthless villain finally get unmasked?
Jan 27, 2025 — The Produce Stand has started its coverage of Shoresy, Season 4! Here you’ll find ‘the most prolific Shoresy and Letterkenny podcast in the YEWniverse”, with episode recaps and reviews, cast interviews, and so much more.
Jan 29, 2025 — Did you fall in love with Traitors Canada’s, Tranna Wintour like I did? You’ll love her new podcast, Intellectual Intercourse. The show joins Tranna and cohost, Adam, in “deep, penetrating, provocative conversations that vacillate between the profound and the ridiculous.”
Jan 31, 2025 — Antica has launched a new podcast, The Whisper Network, which joins actresses Katie Boland and Schitt’s Creek’s Emily Hampshire discussing the things women feel like they can only whisper about. Episodes explore mental health, physical health, sexual health, and societal health, and feature guests like Jameela Jamil, data scientist Emily Oster and writer Jowita Bydlowska..
Jan 31, 2025 — Search My Heart is a new podcast navigating what it mean to be a Christian in the surrent social and economic climate. The feed is still in it’s early stages, and the first episode introduces cohost, Prince Okechukwu.
Feb 1, 2025 — Quiet Company is the new, ultra-chill weekend podcast from Hard Copy Media. This “cozy hug of a self-care and lifestyle podcast” will help you make the most of your calm moments. Enough with the doom scrolling.
Feb 2, 2025 — Words and Culture has returned with its second season, “The Haida Episodes”. The series weaves conversations with Indigenous language and knowledge keepers together with music by Indigenous artists. The team creating this original content is made up exclusively of Indigenous producers, hosts and guests.
Feb 4, 2025 — City Space, the podcast about making cities more livable, has returned with its fifth season. This season, The Globe and Mail podcast digs into the battle over bike lanes, what we can learn from Berlin’s historic referendum on housing, Canada’s largest Indigenous-led development and more.
You oughta know…
The Harbinger Media Network has announced its 21st wave expansion, welcoming the podcast Activists Make History, The Orchardcast, and Progressive Publics. More on those shows:
— Activists Make History explores key historical figures in Canadian activism.
— The Orchardcast features exclusive interviews and content from muckraking independent investigative journalist and so-called "Communist Hamburgler", Jeremy Appel, in Edmonton.
— Progressive Publics showcases audio from from the November 2024 Unrigged conference.
Why would anyone choose this? Meg Wilcox joined over on the latest issue of the newsletter. Says Jess: “even though Meg hasn’t been a full-time freelancer for a few years now, she still spends a lot of time thinking about how to make freelancing better. So, I asked her to chat with me about why people choose freelancing…and how we ended up in this sort of dystopian work landscape where it often doesn’t feel like there’s much choice.” It’s well worth a read!
Canadian radio and television host, and eldest son of Brian Mulroney, the 18th Prime Minister of Canada, recently went off on a caller and into a full fledged genocide denial rant on his AM640 show/podcast. During the show, he shouted at the caller, arguing that Canadian’s have no right to protest and compared the accusation of genocide to flat earth theory.
BlackLantic Podcast has announced the bittersweet end of their show. On an February 2nd Instagram reel, cohosts Hillary and Clinton wrote, “Today is our three year anniversary, and we've made the difficult decision to close this chapter. With Hillary in Toronto and Clinton based in Atlantic Canada, the challenges of remote production and the post-covid shift away from virtual content led us to reflect on the future of the show. The BlackLantic Weekly Podcast will remain online as a testament to what we’ve built, and the platform will continue to uplift here in Atlantic Canada. You see, this isn't a farewell. We out here. We still have BL work to wrap up, including Black History Month initiatives, so you haven’t heard the last from the duo yet here either.”
“Now is the perfect time to stand by Canada and change your podcast habits. Listen to more canadian podcasts until this nonsense ends,“ says Rhys Waters (Canada Is Boring, Podstarter) Check out the the live list of shows that Canadians are recommending over on his LinkedIn post.
Events:
Feb 5, 2025 — Entries open for this year’s International Women's Podcast Awards. These incredible awards recognise moments of brilliance in podcasting and the women that produce them.
Feb 20, 2025 — [TORONTO] Dain Miller and Niall Spain (F*ck Buddies, No Quest For the Wicked) have returned with their live podcast “Friends With Benefits” at Black Sheep Irish Cocktail Bar. With a VIP ticket, enjoy a special food and drinks menu at Black Sheep, along with complimentary Rose Bubbles. Tickets here.
Feb 27, 2025 — [TORONTO] Sleepless Studios is a new multi studio space in Toronto! Open 24/7, it’s available for DJing, recording, rehearsals, podcasting, photography and even co-working. Sleepless Studio is also hosting a Community Night, with a workshop from Acast on podcasting, network, PLUS free pizza!
Mar 6, 2025 — [VIRTUAL] The Society for Cinema & Media Studies Radio, Audio Media, Podcasting Group proudly presents... A Podcast Book Talk Double Feature. This virtual Q&A discussion celebrates the release of two new podcasting books: Podcasting by Jeremy Wade Morris (Polity, 2024) and Narrative Podcasting in an Age of Obsession by Neil Verma. RSVP here.
Good Reads:
Cumulus Media | Four New Findings About Podcast Advertising
Pacific Content | Takeaways from the Brand Podcast Summit
Podstarter | Why Does A Podcast Chart?
Just Joe (about to order a flat white with oat milk and head to his favourite record store)…
Thanks for supporting Pod the North, I’ll be back in your inbox in two weeks!
Kattie
BSKY: @podthenorth.bsky.social | IN: @podthenorth
Kattie, always such an amazing force for lifting up other people in the space <3 thanks for the shout out!
I concur with Amanda Cupido: AI has been a boon for podcasting. Every creative industry from making music to making movies etc. is gonna hafta figure out what works/doesn’t work with AI.
And for podcasting AI has been amazing.
AI is just salt and pepper (or in some cases hot sauce) and it’s your meal so you determine how much flavour you want.
She discussed the production and even editing podcasts…transcriptions—though as she rightly pointed out—they can be flawed yet still super beneficial. I pull quotes from them and adjust when needed.
When it comes to promo AI has been the best gift: write 10 tweets promoting this new episode. Boom! Those are all decent first drafts and I can add sarcasm etc. as needed. It’s easier to edit than it is to write.
I’ve been grateful for AI. I know what I am good at and what I suck at. Here SkyNet..do the parts I suck at. I'ma go take a nap, lemme know when you're done.