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Inside the 2025 Sony Music UK Podcast Academy
This autumn, we launched the inaugural Sony Music UK Podcast Academy 2025, a six-week experiential programme designed 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 three days a week at Sony Music’s Podcast offices in London. In addition to the scheduled sessions, mentees were 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 programme, mentees explored sessions including:
- AI and the Future of Podcasting
- Commissioning & community building
- Editing, sound design, production & production management
- Overcoming imposter syndrome, networking + team building
- Ideation, storytelling & narrative craft
- Pitching, working with talent & developing IP
- Marketing, audience building & brand partnerships
- CV and job application support and advice
The mentees were tasked with crafting 10-Minute Pilot Commissions, developing fully visualised 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 featuring representatives from Audio UK, Jampot and Sony Music as part of the group’s final graduation and celebration in the last week.
The final Podcast Pilots were pitched during a showcase at the end of the course to rapturous applause and glowing feedback on their originality, humour, professionalism and entertainment value.
More about the Sony Music Podcast Academy
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
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
Final Words from the 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.” – William 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 programme ran at Sony Music’s Podcast offices in London.