International Podcast Day 2021
Expanding the definition of a connected African podcaster
Happy International Podcast Day!
This newsletter comes to you at the end of an exciting month full of newness, connection and reflections. This International Podcast Day, we are redefining what connectedness means for the African podcaster with a very special video announcement on International Podcast Day for African podcasters globally.
Creative production in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising global climate crisis and much more has only made me want to keep trying more intentionally to take one step at a time. I have no shortage of inspiration. From the inaugural win of Namulanta Kombo’s To My Daughter podcast at the first BBC podcast competition - born of a decision to write letters to her young daughter. To the weekly mental health series that Phil and Danny of the Two Broke Twimbos podcast have brought to help us heal as Africans. I’ve done a happy dance that Lynda Nyangweso, whose early Soundcloud pod was one of the first ones I listened to nonstop, has just launched a new podcast. Like many of you, I am inspired by the Emmy Award acceptance speech by Michaela Coel, which said in part, "Write the tale that scares you, that makes you feel uncertain, that is uncomfortable. I dare you.” Podmakers, will you accept the dare?
For me this International Podcast Day is extra special. I took my headphones and mic off the wall and I have new episodes for podcast enjoyment from my This, I Can Do podcast. After many months of learning, teaching (and procrastinating!), I have rediscovered the satisfaction of kusema na kutenda (Kiswahili for walking the talk) From the pain of testing out new editing techniques and courses (thanks Hindenburg!) to enjoying many free tools and one or two paid ones this has been soulfully engaging. The first episode combo Heavy Duty Imagination Business features Africa Podfest co-director, Melissa Mbugua in a bumper 2 part International Podcast Day gift of a conversation about creativity and impact.
Wherever you are, I dare you to keep putting one foot infront of the other - boldly.
Best to you all,
Josephine Karianjahi, Co-Director - Africa Podfest
International Podcast Day 2021 Event Run-Down
September 29: Africa Podfest’s Discovery Tour dubbed the Road To Africa Podcast Day 2022 makes its first official stop #1 in Zambia from 1:45pm - 5.00pm CAT.
Starting a journey like the The Discovery Tour on International Podcast Day is a key part of our road to Africa Podcast Day 2022 on 12th February. Africa Podfest wishes to travel to African countries where podcasting is growing and tell the world about them. In this new space, all connections are virtual and this allows us to celebrate International Podcast Day with African podcasters everywhere on earth. It would be fun and cool to do another kind of international podcast day - curate a fun conversation and celebrate with a gathering on the continent - even though we cannot actually travel right now.
The four-stop Discovery Tour which will take us to African podcasting hubs and allow us to shatter the single story of Africa through epic encounters with African podcast storytellers across the continent. With four stops culminating on Africa Podcast Day 2022, we are continuing our tradition of putting African podcasters first through celebration and connection.
Zambia
For this stop we are privileged to partner with Hindenburg, Kerning Cultures Network (Network of Middle East and North African Podcasters), BongoHive, Yellow Ray Digital and some awesome independent Zambian podcasters who are our hosts in Lusaka, Zambia. The program is in three exciting parts:
How To Edit Your Podcast - Podcast Learning presented by Hindenburg (Hindenburg is offering 40% off Hindenburg products for #IPD2021)
How To Find A Good Story - Experiences from Kerning Cultures Network
How To Position Yourself Strategically As A Global Podcaster: Zambian Podcaster Edition
The other events in this in this series will be held on October 27th 2021, November 24th 2021, January 12th 2021. By signing up for this event series, you will know when each event goes live, and all the details wherever you are in the world.
September 30: Special International Podcast Day Announcement by Africa Podfest - A New Home for African and African Diaspora Podcasters
September 30: Podcast Hive Uganda will host a Ugandan Podcasters International Podcast Day Meetup in Kampala at (Alliance Francaise) 4-6pm EAT
We wish we could join live! Africa Podfest Co-Directors Melissa Mbugua and Josephine Karianjahi will participate virtually as speakers in this exciting event. Follow Podcast Hive - Uganda
September 30: Naija Podhub - The Future of Content is Audio - 5pm WAT
Naija Podhub will host an exciting series of conversations via webinar on podcasting.
September 30 : African Diaspora podcasters will host an African Podcasters Mixer on Clubhouse. 6pm PDT /8pm CDT
Take note who will be there and set your calendar to attend.
Follow the global celebrations at International Podcast Day
Resources and Opportunities
Podcaster Learning:
Africa No Filter’s ANFacademy has partnered with Facebook and Innovation Growth Hub to present Boost with Facebook. The series of free workshops is tailored to help content creators, journalists, storytellers, arts, culture and media platforms reach new audiences. [Register here]
Tell Your Business Story Using Instagram & Learn How to Create Facebook Ads -Thursday, 30 September at 12 pm WAT | 1 pm CAT | 2 pm EAT.
Find New Customers Using Instagram & Discover Tools to Drive Your Business - Friday, 8 October at 12 pm WAT | 1 pm CAT | 2 pm EAT.
How to Build an Effective Advertising Strategy & Scale Your Advertising with Ads Manager - Friday, 15 October at 12 pm WAT | 1 pm CAT | 2 pm EAT.
CreativeShop: Getting Creative with Your Mobile Phone & Make Better Ads with Facebook Reporting - Friday, 22 October at 12 pm WAT | 1 pm CAT | 2 pm EAT.
Partner With Us
Africa Podfest inspires and elevates African podcasters to build a sustainable and inclusive podcasting industry across Africa. Our intention is to achieve this by simplifying podcast learning, placing a spotlight on African podcasters, and centring voices that have been in the margins. We welcome support from individuals and institutions. Email us to inquire about institutional partnership hello@africapodcastfestival.com