Speaking at The Podcast Show 2026

MIC founder Vic Elizabeth Turnbull was back at The Podcast Show 2026 this May, this time speaking on the exhibition floor about one of podcasting’s trickier questions: how are kids’ podcasts actually funded? 

MIC founder Vic Elizabeth Turnbull headed down to London for The Podcast Show 2026, the biggest international festival for the business of podcasting.

Now in its fifth year, the biggest international festival for the business of podcasting, brings together podcast creators, producers, platforms, commissioners and audio professionals from across the world, making it one of the biggest dates in the podcasting calendar.

This year marked Vic’s fifth time attending and second year speaking at the show.

Speaking on Kids’ Podcast Funding

Vic joined the panel Who Pays for Kids’ Podcasts? Inside the Funding That Powers Family Audio, speaking in her role as Marketing Consultant for the award-winning Armchair Adventures podcast by Made By Mortals.

The session took place on the exhibition floor at the Studio Stage, putting the conversation right at the heart of the event.

The panel was expertly chaired by Nigel Clarke (CBBC’s / Avengers) and also featured Jenna Clarke (Sleepiest / Koala Kids) and Matt Deegan (Fun Kids / Podcast Discovery).

Together, the panel explored how kids’ podcasts ared actually funded.

While podcasting conversations often centre around advertising and sponsorship, children’s podcast content frequently relies on very different models.

Through her nearly six years working on Armchair Adventures, Vic her experience to the discussion.

Created by Made By Mortals CIC, Armchair Adventures is an award-winning interactive podcast for children aged 6–8, blending storytelling, music and movement with ideas and voices from older people.

It’s also a brilliant example of how kids’ audio can thrive through creativity, collaboration and alternative funding routes.

Vic said:

“Kids’ podcasts are some of the most creative shows in the industry, but often some of the hardest to fund and sustain. It was brilliant to be part of a conversation helping demystify what it takes to make this kind of audio possible.”

More Than Just a Panel

The Podcast Show is about more than the sessions.

For MIC, it’s a chance to be part of the wider podcasting conversation and catch up with podcast folk from across the industry.

There’s nowhere else quite like it.

It’s a rare chance to bump into people you’ve only ever known online, catch up with collaborators and buddies, and finally meet people whose work you’ve admired from afar.

This year had plenty of those moments.

Alongside speaking on the panel, Vic took on the annual one-day London challenge:

Early train from Manchester. Panel on the exhibition floor. Lots of conversations. Plenty of steps. Slightly questionable packed lunch decisions. Late train home. Collapse into bed.

Absolutely knackered, but absolutely worth it.

Vic said:

“The event absolutely flies by. One of the best bits is bumping into people you usually only know online and finally meeting folk whose work you’ve admired from afar. And yep, trying to do two days’ worth of Podcast Show energy in one day is still a ridiculous idea.”

Why It Matters to MIC

At MIC, we believe podcasting for good doesn’t happen in isolation.

Being part of events like The Podcast Show matters because podcasting is an ecosystem, shaped by the people, ideas and conversations pushing it forward.

And while podcasting can sometimes be driven by commercial priorities and celebrity-led content, we think there’s an equally important place for podcasts created with purpose.

That’s why it matters for organisations, communities and podcasts for good to have a seat at the table too.

We’re proud to see Vic contributing to industry conversations and bringing social impact perspectives into spaces where the future of podcasting is being discussed.

Because powerful audio shouldn’t just belong to the biggest budgets or loudest voices.

Podcasting for good belongs there too.

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