A Six-Week Deep Dive into Podcasting
This past fall, we launched the inaugural Sony Music UK Podcast Academy 2025, a six-week experiential program for emerging creators looking to break into podcasting and bring fresh voices and perspectives to the digital storytelling space. A cohort of 12 mentees were selected to take part in workshops, interactive talks, and masterclasses covering every aspect of the podcasting process and its landscape.
The group attended the course in person 3 days a week at the Sony Music Podcasts office located in London. In addition to the programmed talks, mentees were given access given access to studios, equipment, editing software and in-house technical support for recording, editing, mixing, grading and exporting their podcasts.
Over the six-week program, mentees were exposed to sessions that included:
The mentees were tasked with crafting 10-Minute Pilot Commissions, where they worked to develop fully visualized pilots for original podcast formats inspired by Sony Music’s guiding theme for the project, “Entertainment First.” These pilots were showcased to an industry panel, with representatives from Audio UK, Jampot and Sony Music, as part of the group’s final graduation and celebration in the final week.
The final Podcast Pilots were pitched during a showcase at the end of the course to rapturous applause and positive feedback around the pilots’ originality, humor, professionalism and entertainment.
More about the Sony Music Podcast Academy
Sony Music Podcast Academy Class of 2025:
Damilola Fasinro, Ellie O’Mahony, Fathiya Saleh, Genevieve Brown, Jenny Huang, Ola Alatishe, Ronaldo Da Costa, Saeed Hirad-Warsame, Shania Manderson, Suki Glockling, Teejay Ameen, William Norton
Sony Music Podcast Academy 2025 Mentors:
Alan Weedon, Charlie Murrell, Dan Cocker, Dom Tyerman, Dulcie Whadcock, Grace Laiker, Hannah Talbot, Heather Dempsey, Matt Smith, Nia Deo, Rahnee Prescod, Suhaar Ali, Selina Ream
Final Words from Sony Music Podcast Academy Class of 2025:
“The Sony Music Podcast Academy arrived at exactly the right moment in my creative journey and career. It’s one of the most valuable experiences I’ve ever been part of. I’m leaving with a new level of confidence, industry knowledge, and a network of inspiring people who I’m proud to now have in my orbit.” Willam Norton Mentee
“One of the many lessons that I will take with me is to just go out and make the thing you want, to be fearless and to not listen to imposter syndrome!” Fathiya Saleh – Mentee
“This programme has been amazing. I came into it knowing very little about creating podcasts and now I feel like I know everything there is to know.” Ronaldo Da Costa – Mentee
“Ever wanted to gain a new family, learn skills from the most qualified people in the Podcast industry, and create your own Podcast pilot from scratch? You have come to the right place! The SMPA will forever remain the turning point in my career and life for when I truly found my reason for wanting to pursue a career in the creative radio/podcast industry.” Suki Glockling – Mentee
The Sony Music Podcast Academy is a Sony Music initiative co-designed by Fran Plowright’s Meet a Mentor scheme and supported by a range of industry partners. The 2025 program ran at Sony Music’s Podcast offices in London.
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