I reconnect with Buzz Knight to explore the evolution of Buzz’s podcasting journey and his growing audio network. Buzz traces the roots of his “Takin a Walk” podcast from its original in-person, outdoor concept—where he literally walked and talked with guests—through the practical challenges of weather and audio quality, to its current virtual format with a strong focus on music-centered storytelling.

Leveraging his radio experience both on air and in programming, Buzz explains how classic broadcast skills—crafting narrative, building anticipation, and smart promotion—translate directly into podcasting. He describes his partnership with iHeart, crediting executive Julie Talbot for championing the show and helping amplify it across the company’s powerful marketing and sales infrastructure.

Buzz also details the expansion of his network under Buzz Knight Media Productions, including “Music Saved Me” with Lynn Hoffman and its spin-off “Comedy Saved Me.” He talks about “Taking a Walk Nashville” with Sarah Harrelson as an embedded local host, citing Nashville’s unique creative energy and her drive, coachability, and self-starter mentality.

Throughout, Buzz emphasizes the joy of music discovery—spotlighting independent artists and unexpected career pivots—and reflects on the significant but rewarding workload of running multiple shows. Looking ahead, he teases a new concept at the intersection of music and true crime, while stressing the need to grow thoughtfully rather than endlessly add more podcasts.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kristi Lee is the host of Canadian True Crime, a show that has eclipsed 75 million downloads over 200 episodes. I spoke with Kristi about her path that ultimately led her into podcasting. Kristi told me about how a family move and her husband’s love of hockey brought them to Toronto, where she eventually turned her obsession with true crime shows like Casefile and They Walk Among Us into her own podcast in 2016.

She tells me about those early days, working late at night after her kids went to bed, teaching herself Audacity and spending a full week crafting her first episode on the Paul Bernardo case. We covered how storytelling has evolved through cases like Cody Legebokoff and Victoria Stafford, and the powerful moment she heard from a victim’s father who appreciated her work.

We also got real about monetizing a podcast in Canada, why she chose ACast and dynamic ad insertion to fill a small bucket, and how she’s built a small but trusted team while staying very hands-on. Kristi closes by sharing her plans to tackle complex topics like human trafficking, emphasizing trauma-informed, ethical storytelling and a strong sense of responsibility to victims and communities.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Julian Nieh is Julian on the Radio,and traces his radio career that’s from Washington, DC to major markets like Chicago, Seattle, Las Vegas, and the future. He recalls falling into radio through an internship, doing everything from promotions and street stunts to last‑minute board‑opping that led to his first on‑air shifts. Matt and Julian geek out on the magic of 90s radio and MTV, the emotional pull of that era’s music, and the power of creating anticipation and memorable moments for listeners.

Julian reflects on influences like Elliot in the Morning, Donnie Simpson, and his time at B96 Chicago, where supportive local leadership let him take creative risks and win industry awards. The conversation digs into culture vs. corporate realities, the loneliness of modern radio, and why curiosity, empathy, and connection still matter more than polish. Matt & Julien also talked about the shifting impact of social media, podcasting, and sales acumen, and Julian’s search for a role that truly aligns. Check out his demo here.

Also I mentioned that I would suggest a few conferences radio people could check out if they wanted to expand their horizons. I was going to just mention a couple but I forgot about a few of the obvious ones:

Podcast Movement at SXSW: (FREE) Now has a presence there thanks to Bryan Barletta and Tom Webster's direction.

VidCon: Video Creators galore.

Twitchcon: You're gonna love Rotterdam

Social Media Marketing World: You'll learn how to make prettier posts.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brittany Grunig, whose journey through Canadian country radio perfectly illustrates why one should bel bullish on radio’s future. Brittany shares how growing up in small-town Nova Scotia, studying marketing at Holland College, and stumbling into a radio internship led to gigs at Ocean 100, K-Rock, and CFCY, before a chance interview booking helped her leap to New Country 94 in Ottawa.

We talk about her rapid evolution from on-air host to Music Director and eventually Regional Program Director at Bell, navigating competitive markets, the infamous hit/non-hit regulations in Ottawa, and how she used creativity, artist relationships, and a passion for Canadian country to build compelling stations and shows.

Brittany then explains why she moved on from corporate radio, how motherhood reshaped her priorities, and why she’s now energized by working with My Broadcast Corporation in Kingston. Her optimism about fiercely local, community-first radio will make you rethink what’s possible for the next 10 years of audio.

I mentioned during the show that I once had country superstar Meghan Patrick on a podcast. Did you know she is a leading member of the Buffalo Bills Mafia?

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brion O'Brion is the radio in Lansing, Michigan on Power 96.5. A true veteran in urban and hip hop radio, Brion shared his radio story—from growing up in Virginia and spending time overseas, to discovering his love for radio with the legendary “Rap Attack” show on WRAP. We talked about the mentors who shaped his path, the competitive radio scenes in Orlando and St. Louis, and how setbacks taught him resilience and the importance of adaptability.

Brion opened up about the changing landscape of radio, the impact of social media, and why connecting with audiences—both on air and online—is the key to radio's future as an influencer medium. (Yes I wrote that).He also gave candid advice to aspiring radio personalities while reflecting on his own family’s legacy of perseverance. Brion’s passion and honesty remind me why I love doing this show, and how much I miss radio events like the Conclave.

Oh wait... did you know there is one more Conclave?

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I am joined by my longtime friend and media personality Nat Lauzon. Nat does weekends on 92.5 The Beat and shares her experience launching her new podcast called Feedbag. In an honest and lighthearted conversation, (Lighthearted because we talk about farts) Nat opens up about facing big life changes, including navigating midlife, finding creative freedom, and her recent health challenges with stage zero breast cancer.

Nat is successful because she prepares for, and embraces change, balancing personal and professional passions, and turning challenges into opportunities for growth. You will enjoy stories about building a podcast from the ground up, the importance of technical support, and the joy of sharing the mic with loved ones. With moments of humor, vulnerability, and practical advice, this 30 plus minutes with Nat is a solid must-listen for anyone interested in creativity, storytelling, and charting your own path, instead of having other people decide it for you.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Traci DeForge is the founder of Produce Your Podcast and co‑founder of the Podcast Professionals Association—and unpacks her journey from radio prodigy to podcast entrepreneur. Traci shares how rapid consolidation in radio, a burnout moment in 2004, and a leap into business strategy led her to launch a broadcast‑quality podcast in 2016 that grew into a full‑service production agency. She said so before the recording started but she is audio first. Audio remains powerful (theater of the mind), video is useful for discovery but shouldn’t replace audio, and podcast SEO—especially detailed show descriptions—drives discoverability. Traci also stresses monetization through host‑led promotions, the value of guest appearances for visibility, and the legitimacy of archiving a show when its purpose has run its course. For podcasters seeking practical wins: update your show description, prioritize audio quality, and consider guest booking to amplify reach. Listen to the episode to the end and get all the excellent tips.

Twice in this episode we mentioned the late Todd Cochrane. I put together a highlight of some of the great things he said on this show - in an episode I titled One Last Listen.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

Podderapp: Where podcasters can get access to their advanced data dashboard here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kendall Breitman is the Community Manager at Riverside.fm and discusses her transition from political journalism to podcasting, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and storytelling. She highlights Riverside's tools, including the CO-creator (nicknamed Coco) for marketing materials and Magic Audio for audio enhancement. Riverside's new hosting feature integrates recording, editing, and publishing, simplifying workflows. Kendall also mentions the potential for in-person recording and the benefits of live streaming on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. She stresses the importance of community support and ease of use in podcasting, aiming to make content creation more accessible for all.

If you would like to try out Riverside.fm - you can do so here and there may be a nice discount in there for you.

Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.

Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:

Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data Solutions

Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.

Podderapp: Where podcasters can get access to their advanced data dashboard here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.