Day 1 – Wednesday August 13th 2019

MIC has travelled 4,223 miles to learn about the latest podcast industry trends, make podcast buddies and generate some new ideas about the ever evolving craft. We’ve come all this way to ensure that we’re ahead of podcast curve for you. Also, we heard there might some free drinks knocking about too.

Podcast Movement is the biggest gathering of podcasters in the world, with the biggest names in podcasts here, to sponsor and speak at the 4 day event. Here’s what went down with our Vic on Day 1 of #PM19.

“The venue for #PM19 is Rosen Shingle Creek. It’s a hotel come conference centre, just off International Drive, the main strip of organised fun in Orlando. I’ve been here for 2 days previous to the start of PM, so I’ve had a chance to get my bearings. In that time, I’ve nailed the local transport here. In fact, not only am I a bus wanker, I’m now an iTrolley wanker – the little bus that goes up and down International Drive. It took 2 Trolley’s to get here this morning – with 1 change at Seaworld (boo, hiss, free the Orka’s).

I arrive at the venue at 11am, and the place is off it’s tits. Like everything in the States, it’s done big, it’s massive! The carpet is something pretty special too. Must remember not to have too many wines and look down.

Also, nothing to do with podcasts, but I had the best sandwich from a place in the hotel. I feel these things are important to share, in case there’s someone reading this who’s sat in a session with their stomach rumbling or they’ve had a shit breakfast.

I kicked off with a Women in Podcasting Speed Networking event, supported by the good eggs at Rebel Base Media. Met some great women doing so many different podcasts, and more wonderfully mostly about wellbeing or helping folk do better. Pretty chuffed at the number of women in the room. I find it quite hard to find women in the North of England who are independent podcasters, are they out there? If not, what’s the barrier?

Had the absolute pleasure of meeting NASA’s very own audio producer. They have so many podcasts, and this lovely lady was on the look out for some new podcast ideas. I suggested ‘Dogs In Space’. She said that she’d add it to the suggestion list, but I have a feeling she won’t.

After pitching my best ideas to NASA, it was time for session 1 – ‘The State of Indie’ – a great thought provoking hour about the future of independent podcast production. Some fantastic analysis on the difference between networks, collectives and studios, and 1 panel member being subscribed to 1,500 podcasts. Yup. fifteen hundred.

Pleased as punch to meet up with my Brit homies, Ant McGinley and Amy Woods, both speaking this year. Love seeing people you know in a different country. Like when you’re in Tenerife and bump into Karen from work.

Ant has also done a brilliant job in introducing me to people. He’s a PM veteran and the sort of bloke who could start a conversation with a bollard. I appreciate this as I’m a bit of an awkward introvert – yup you wouldn’t actually believe this if you meet me.

But do just that. I’m here to tell you about MIC and our unique social mission, new partnerships and sponsors to help us to amplify under-represented voices in podcasts and the podcast industry.

What I love about running MIC and especially my meetup, is that podcasting brings together a wealth of different people, people who probably would never meet each other before. This is what’s happening in abundance over the next 3 days. That’s so exciting isn’t it?

I can’t wait for Day 2 – come say Hi you lovely lot.”