INDIE BUSINESS STAGE

Join a relaxed and inspiring meet-up designed for freelance podcasters at every stage of their journey. Whether you're just starting out or already producing regular episodes, this gathering is a chance to connect with like-minded creators and share experiences. Expect open conversations, collaborative energy, and opportunities to network, find potential collaborators, and spark new ideas. Bring your curiosity, your challenges, and your passion for podcasting.
 

Building a podcast company is one thing. Scaling it is another.  In this session, Stuart Morgan (producers of Help I Sexted My Boss) and Ruth Barnes (producers of 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.

Tired of podcast growth advice that sounds good but delivers zero results? In the crowded podcasting landscape, genuine growth requires a focused, no-nonsense approach. This session will cut through the noise and dive into actionable, proven strategies that will actually move the needle for your podcast. Forget vanity metrics and endless promotion without a plan – we'll explore how to build a loyal audience, increase discoverability, and turn listeners into engaged fans.

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.

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.

This live discussion will explore what actually separates podcasts that stay as shows from those that become scalable media companies, including what investors, operators and platforms are really looking for as the industry evolves far beyond audio

The podcast industry is becoming more and more reliant on its freelance members - the innovative talent that executes making award winning shows. But, without being part of a company with HR or wholly covered by employment law, how do you come to contracted agreements with your employers? When is an agreement effective? What should you look out for when agreeing to work, with or without a long contract? And how do you work with your employer to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that is commercially viable for them, but doesn’t leave you unprotected and disposable?

In this session we will run through an overview of contracting, what to consider, how to go through the process, negotiating for your market value, and what charging options may be available (e.g. IP/revenue share etc)
 

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.

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.

Most advice on scaling a podcast focuses on tactics like posting, guests, SEO, and algorithm, but misses the core driver of sustained listener engagement: real emotional connection.

In this session, Tamika Carlton will share what actually fueled the growth of The Real Connect, making it into the Top 25 in less than 1 year. She displays how discarding surface-level metrics, and prioritizing genuine listener relationships is important and pivotal to growth. Attendees will walk away with a reframe of growth from “numbers” to people first strategies that create long-term loyalty and word-of-mouth amplification.

Join a relaxed and inspiring meet-up designed for freelance podcasters at every stage of their journey. Whether you're just starting out or already producing regular episodes, this gathering is a chance to connect with like-minded creators and share experiences. Expect open conversations, collaborative energy, and opportunities to network, find potential collaborators, and spark new ideas. Bring your curiosity, your challenges, and your passion for podcasting.
 

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.

ming soon.