Let's Talk Podcasting: Workshops, Recording and Resources at the Library

I knew podcasts had hit the mainstream when I called my mom one day and asked "how are things going" and she responded "I'm listening to a podcast." If you're interested in knowing a bit more about podcasts and also podcasting (tap into that inner creativity!) then Toronto Public Library has you covered.

Let's Talk Podcasting: The Essential Guide to Doing it Right: "Seasoned podcast producer Amanda Cupido gives you the inside scoop on this burgeoning industry's biggest players and--more importantly--how you can join them. Leading with a solid foundation of podcasting's history and significance in our increasingly content-hungry world, she provides an invaluable insider's perspective on what makes top-rated podcasts so successful, where the medium is headed in the future, and everything you need to start your own podcast today."

Amanda Cupido, Innovator in Residence for Fall 2018

And, as if having the book is not enough, Toronto Public Library is fortunate to have Amanda Cupido as one of three Innovators in Residence for Fall 2018. Amanda Cupido is an award-winning podcast producer and the author of Let's Talk Podcasting: The Essential Guide to Doing it Right. She teaches audio storytelling at Seneca College's School of Media and is in the midst of developing a course curriculum that incorporates the latest in journalistic podcasting. Amanda also spent time building out a podcast vertical for the digital content agency MediaFace, and proceeded to lead a team that created branded podcasts for clients.

You'll have a chance to meet Amanda at the Toronto Reference Library at any of these programs. Some require online registration:

Buddies in Bad Times: The Youth and Elders Podcast

If you're interested in participating or listening to a podcast you may be interested in the Buddies in Bad Times podcast program happening at the Oakwood Village Library and Arts Centre:

The Youth and Elders Podcast September 7 to December 21, 2018: After the runaway success of the 2016 production of The Youth/Elders Project, we have been experimenting with new ways to foster intergenerational connections inside our queer communities. This year, we will bring Buddies' queer magic out into the community for the latest installment of this work - The Youth/Elders Podcast.



Recorded live at the Oakwood Village Library and Arts Centre, this weekly podcast will feature the personal stories, lived histories, and candid conversations from queer elders and youth. All are welcome to participate as either audience or storytellers as we explore ideas of queer history, aging, identities, and the evolving and intersectional way different generations relate to their queerness.



In addition to the podcast recordings, there will be weekly drop-in workshops at the library that explore creative writing, storytelling, performance, and community engagement. Working with Buddies artists, queer folks of all ages can learn new skills and be part of creating original content for the podcast.



The Youth/Elders Podcast is made possible by support from the Toronto Arts Council's Artists in Libraries Program and the host and Project Facilitator, Vanessa Dunn. The full schedule for this program is below.

Weekly Workshops, Saturdays 11:00 am - 1:00 pm:

September 8: Creative Writing Laboratory: Sharing Our Stories

September 15: Creative Writing Laboratory

September 22: Speed History, Part I: Youth and Elders

September 29: Zine Writing (About) Home

October 6: Film Screening and Discussion, Before Stonewall

October 13: Indigenous / Two-Spirit Storytelling

October 20: Film Screening and Discussion, Paris is Burning

October 27: The Long Table: Performance of a Conversation with guest facilitator Evalyn Parry

November 3: Audio Recording Session + Queer Artifacts

November 10: Audio Recording Session

November 17: Audio Recording Session

November 24: Youth and Elder Meet Up

December 1: Film Screening and Discussion, The Celluloid Closet

December 8: Audio Recording Session

December 15: Audio Session with Youth and Elder

Weekly Podcast Recordings, Saturdays 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm:

September 8: Golden (Closet) Years: Queer Life as a Senior

September 15: Gay Alphabet (LGBTQ2STTIA*): The Power of Identity & Words

September 22: Speed History, Part I: youth and Elders

September 29: We Are Family: Exploration of Family of Origin and Chosen Family

October 6: We're Here, We're Queer: The History of LBGTQ Social Movements + What Now?

October 13: Two-Spirit Community: An Exploration of Indigeneity and Queerness

October 20: Speed History Part II: Youth and Elders

October 27: Explorations of Gender Fluid, Gender Non-Confirming & Trans Communities

November 3: QBIPOC, QTBIPOC, POC: A Discussion of Race & the Queer Community

November 10: DYKE! And Other Discussions Around the Reclamation of Language

November 17: Home is Where the Homo Is: Explorations of "Home" ?

November 24: Speed History, Part III: Youth and Elders

December 1: Mollywood: Film, The Arts and Being Gay

December 8: Home for the HoliGays: Stories of Surviving the Holidays

December 15: Long Table Youth and Elders

Artists in the Library:

The Fairview Library is also presenting a couple of interesting series on podcasting:

Artists in the Library: Podcasting

In this 4-week course, you will learn the basics of podcasting including writing for radio, audio recording and publishing a podcast. This program is presented by the Community Story Collective in partnership with Toronto Arts Council. Registration is required for this program. Each session builds on skills learned and content created from previous classes. Attendance for all 4 classes is recommended. For more information, contact the Fairview Branch at 416-395-5750.

Fridays 1:30 - 3:30 pm on September 21, 28, October 12 and 19.

Make Your Own Radio Show:

Explore media arts with our Artists in the Library! Get your voice heard by creating your own radio show or podcast. For ages 9 to 12. Registration begins Saturday, September 22. To register, please call the branch at 416-395-5750 or visit the second floor information desk. This program is presented by the Community Story Collective in partnership with Toronto Arts Council.

Fridays 4:00 - 5:00 pm on October 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Free Recording Spaces and Equipment in the Digital Innovation Hubs

In addition to programs about podcasting we also have equipment and spaces for you to use for podcasting and for audio (and visual) editing.

The Digital Innovation Hubs located at Agincourt, Albion, Fort York, North York Central Library, Richview, and Toronto Reference Library include small recording studios. These spaces are free to book for up to 2 hours per day with a valid library card. The Digital Innovation Hubs also have microphones, recording hardware, and iMacs for use in these studios.

Choose between GarageBand, Adobe Audition, Logic Pro X, and Audacity software suites to record and edit your podcast to perfection.

Books on Podcasting

Profitable Podcasting: Grow your Business, Expand your Platform, and Build a Nation of True Fans : " The secret to making money in podcasting. The word is out: content marketing is king. But when nearly every business has a blog, it's tough to stand out. The real secret is that there's a much better tool for spreading influence and generating revenue-one with far less competition. Podcasting offers rich opportunities, especially if you get in early and do it right. Based on the author's experience building a $2 million venture from scratch, Profitable Podcasting lays out the precise formula for creating, launching, marketing and monetizing podcasts in any industry." Podcasting for Dummies: "More people than ever are turning to podcasts for on-demand, mobile entertainment and information. Podcasting For Dummies offers a fast and easy way to get the know-how you need to produce and distribute one of your very own. Written by a pair of podcasting pioneers, this book shares insight on the technology behind recording, editing, and sharing podcasts, along with tips and tricks on how to produce a pro-level podcast"

Entrepreneurial You: Monetize your Expertise, Create Multiple Income Streams and Thrive: "provides a blueprint for professional independence, with insights and advice on building your brand, monetizing your expertise, and extending your reach and impact online. In short, engaging chapters, she outlines the necessary elements and concrete tactics for entrepreneurial success."

Other Workshops and Programs for Audio Production

Lastly, there is another Innovator in Residence program with Michael Chambers focusing on Audio Production at Richview Library's Digital Innovation Hub who will be providing more audio-related workshops.

Check out books and other resources on audio production.

There are also many free programs on various programs like REAPER, Ableton, Record and Mix your own Song etc are all available at Richview. And in keeping with our podcasting theme Richview also is offering some podcasting workshops:

Producing Your Own Podcast: Part 1 on Tuesday October 23, 2018 from 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm at Richview

Learn how to distribute and promote your own audio podcast. Part 2 October 25th from 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm at Richview (Prerequisite: Producing Your Own Podcast (Part 1)

Registration is required for this class. You can order free tickets after October 9th at 9 am. Please note: registration is for part 1 and part 2.

This 2-part class will be offered again on December 4th/December 6th.

And if you're looking for some interesting podcasts you may want to browse these links: