We’re gearing up for a very busy programme at The Podcast Show when the global podcasting community descends on the Business Design Centre in London from 20 to 21 May.
AudioUK is at the heart of the programme, co-hosting the Indie Business Stage again and curating a packed line-up of sessions across both days covering practical, hands-on guidance for creators and growing companies to bigger picture conversations around IP, AI, revenue and the future of the industry.
And we’ll be hosting a special networking moment on 20th May at 1.00pm. It’ll be a great opportunity to meet the network as well as Chris Baughen, our new CEO. If you’d like to come please let katie.banham@audiouk.org.uk know!
Here’s a full lineup of what’s going on and where you can find us across the show::
WEDNESDAY 20TH MAY
11.00 The Podcast Industry at a Turning Point: Different Markets, Same Challenges
International Stage
Featuring:
- Katia Sanerot, President, PIA Psyndicat des Producteurs Audio Indépendants
- Chris Baughen, CEO, AudioUK
- Guttorm Andreasen, Journalist (Norway)
- Caroline Prévinaire, Founder, lvdt Studio
- Chaired by Bernard Achampong, Founder, Unedited and Chair of AudioUK
The podcast industry is growing worldwide, but not evenly.
Each market has developed through its own cultural, economic and regulatory realities: public broadcaster-led commissioning in the UK; independent production and limited public funding in France; emerging market structuring in Spain; fragile funding models and constrained advertising revenues in Belgium; and strong audio consumption habits across the Nordics.
Despite these differences, podcast leaders everywhere are facing similar questions: how to build sustainable business models, reduce dependency on platforms, improve discoverability, and adapt to shifting audience behaviours.
In this session, members of the International Podcast Alliance (IPA) will come together to compare realities across markets, share lessons from their respective ecosystems, and explore what stronger international collaboration could unlock for the future of podcasting.
11.00 From Creator to Company: Building a Podcast Business That Actually Scales
Indie Business Stage
Featuring:
- Stuart Morgan, Founder and Managing Director, Audio Always
- Ruth Barnes, Founder, Sonoloom
- Chaired by Juliette Nicholls, AudioUK
Building a podcast company is one thing. Scaling it is another.
In this session, Stuart Morgan (Help I Sexted My Boss) and Ruth Barnes (Charlene: Somebody Knows Something) share what it really takes to move from creative success to a structured, scalable business.
From landing those first key commissions to building a team, shaping a commercial model, and managing the pressures that come with growth, this session will take a candid look at the realities behind expansion.
We’ll get into the decisions that matter most: when to scale, how to create repeatable revenue, where creators often get stuck, and what they would do differently if starting again.
Expect practical, experience-led insight on building something that can grow without breaking.
Whether you’re freelancing, running a small production company, or already growing a slate, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of what it takes to build a business, not just a show.
12:30 Pod Idol: Pitch Your Podcast
Creator Stage
Featuring:
- Stuart Morgan, Founder and Managing Director, Audio Always
- Charlotte Mason, Head of Production, Insanity Studios
- Selina Mehta, Director of Development, Novel Audio
- Chaired by Chris Baughen, CEO, AudioUK
Got a podcast idea? This is where you can put it to the test.
In this fast-paced live session, emerging creators have just 60 seconds to pitch their ideas to a panel of leading development execs.
What follows is honest, constructive feedback in real time, offering a rare window into how ideas are assessed, shaped, and either elevated or picked apart.
You’ll hear what cuts through, what holds an idea back, and what it really takes to stand out in a crowded market.
Whether you’re pitching or watching from the room, you’ll come away with a sharper understanding of how to develop and position a podcast that gets commissioned.
One mic. One Idea. One minute. Expert feedback.
13.00 AudioUK Members and Partners Networking Moment
Indie Business Stage
AudioUK is coming together for a networking session at The Podcast Show on Wednesday 20th May at 1:00pm.
This informal gathering is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow members, creators, producers and industry professionals all in one place. You’ll also get the chance to meet AudioUK’s newly appointed CEO, Chris Baughen, alongside members of the AudioUK board as well as industry experts from legal specialists Mint & Co.
Sweet treats, tea and coffee will be available – we look forward to seeing you there!
14.00 IP: What It Is & How to Make Money From It
Indie Business Stage
Featuring:
- William Doherty, Attorney, Albright IP
- Callum Dougherty, Commercial Director, Rusty Quill
- Chaired by Juliette Nicholls, AudioUK
Your IP isn’t just legal jargon. It’s your ideas, your formats, your shows and, if handled properly, your most valuable asset.
In this practical, straight-talking session, we break down what intellectual property actually is, why it matters more than ever, and how it can be developed into meaningful, long-term revenue.
You’ll hear from an IP specialist and Rusty Quill, who have successfully built a business by turning ideas into scalable IP.
Together, they’ll unpack the fundamentals of ownership, protection and control, before getting into the commercial reality: licensing, adaptation, brand building, and how to create value beyond the original podcast.
Expect clear explanations, practical guidance, and honest insight into what works, what doesn’t, and where creators often leave money on the table.
If you’re making audio, this session will give you a sharper understanding of how to protect what you create and make it work harder for you.
THURSDAY 21ST MAY
11.00 Storytelling 101: How to Hook Audiences and Monetise Your Story
Indie Business Stage
Featuring:
- Willard Foxton, Head of Content, Storydriver
- Chaired by Chris Baughen, CEO, AudioUK
In this session, we break down the fundamentals of powerful storytelling and explore how great narratives entertain but also drive connection, influence, and revenue.
We’ll start by unpacking what makes a story compelling, from structure and emotional resonance to authenticity and clarity. Whether you’re crafting content, building a brand, or sharing personal experiences, the ability to shape a narrative that holds attention is a critical skill.
From there, we shift into the strategic side: how storytelling translates into tangible value. We’ll look at how creators, entrepreneurs, and professionals can leverage narrative to build trust, grow audiences, and open up income opportunities across platforms like podcasts, social media, and digital products.
By the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to craft stories that not only engage but also serve a purpose, helping you stand out, connect deeply, and turn your message into something that works for you.
12.00 Would You Get Sued? Podcast Legal and Business Affairs Scenarios Live
Indie Business Stage
Featuring:
- Sarah Leach, Mint & Co
- Jade Edgley Mint & Co
- Chaired by Juliette Nicholls, AudioUK
Think you’ve got the legal and business affairs side of podcasting covered? Put your knowledge to the test.
In this interactive session, you’ll be faced with a series of real-world scenarios, from guest releases and music use to defamation and AI, and asked to make the call: probably fine, potential problem, or lawyer up immediately?
With guidance from expert media legal and business affairs specialists at Mint & Co, each scenario is unpacked in real time, revealing the legal realities behind the decision and where things can quickly go wrong.
You’ll learn how to spot the risks early, avoid common (and costly) mistakes, and understand when you need proper legal and business affairs advice.
Expect practical, scenario-led insight that sharpens your instincts and gives you more confidence navigating the legal and business affairs side of making podcasts.
12.10 The $1 Billion Question: Where Is the Next Growth Coming From?
Studio Stage
Featuring:
- Rhyanna Coleman, Director of Strategy, Platform Media
- Vicky Etchells, Head of Podcasts at Global
- Christiana Brenton, CRO, FlightStory
- Chaired by Chris Baughen, CEO, AudioUK
Podcasting’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric, evolving from a niche format to a serious commercial industry in just over a decade.
The question now isn’t whether it works. It’s where the next phase of growth comes from.
In this session, we explore the forces shaping what happens next, from new tools and technologies to shifting business models, global expansion, brand-funded content, and evolving approaches to monetisation.
But beyond the trends, this is about the real bets being made: where investment is flowing, what’s actually driving revenue, and where the market may be overestimating opportunity.
Expect a clear, strategic view of where momentum is building, where it isn’t, and what it means for creators, producers and platforms alike.
Whether you’re building, investing or creating, you’ll leave with a sharper understanding of where the next opportunities are likely to emerge.
15.00 AI Isn’t Killing Podcasting. Ignoring It Will.
Indie Business Stage
Featuring:
- Jake Warren, CEO and Founder, Message Heard
- Chaired by Chris Baughen, CEO, AudioUK
The smartest podcast companies are already using AI to increase output, expand audience reach, and unlock new revenue opportunities without compromising creativity or quality. One of the businesses leading that shift in the UK is Message Heard.
In this session, founder Jake Warren explains how his company evolved from a traditional audio production business into a multi-platform content studio developing IP built for audio, video and social from the outset. Rather than replacing human creativity, AI has enabled Message Heard to build smarter workflows that help teams move faster, maximise the value and lifespan of content, increase output with existing resources, and develop formats designed to succeed across multiple platforms.
This session explores the rise of human-led, AI-accelerated production, platform-native commissioning strategies, and the “make once, monetise everywhere” mindset reshaping the future of podcast businesses.
You’ll leave this session with practical takeaways, real-world examples, and a clearer understanding of how AI can help creative businesses scale content more effectively, reach audiences in new ways, and unlock greater commercial potential in the next era of podcasting.