5 minute read - The heating's staying off. Get another jumper on.

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Right, I need to tell you about some of the ridiculous things I've been doing in my living room of late.

This year I've been speaking at quite a few events, which means I've also been doing a fair bit of practice. And that has involved rearranging my furniture and making use of the cat's belongings.

A Kitchen Stool and a Microphone

Earlier this year, I was on a panel at The Podcast Show. I'd seen previous panels there and noticed everyone was sitting on stools, holding microphones.

Now, you'd think someone who runs a podcast production company called MIC media would be pretty good at holding a microphone. You'd think. 😂

Turns out, I find holding a mic, looking at my notes and trying to talk like a normal human being proper awkward. So I got myself a stool from my kitchen, dragged it into the living room, sat on it, held my clipboard with notes in one hand and a microphone in the other, and practiced.

Sat there in my living room, pretending I was on a panel. Living the dream.

Then last week I was speaking at the Community Media Association Festival. This time I was expecting a podium and a handheld mic, so I practiced that setup too.

And when you haven't got a podium knocking about the house? Well, that's what the cat tree is for, innit.

Very professional operation we've got going on here.

It's Not Just About What You're Saying

When I was doing all this practice, as well as remembering what I was trying to say, I was also trying to get used to the mechanics of it all, like:

Where would I put my notes? How was I going to hold the microphone? Could I look up and speak without losing my place?

And it's exactly the same when you're recording a podcast. You might have a belting guest lined up and some ace questions ready to go, but if you're spending half the conversation faffing about with your notes or trying to work out where to look, you're not giving that conversation your full attention.

Where's Your Microphone, Though?

One of the things I see loads when people are recording podcasts is microphones in the wrong place. And y'know, this bit is kinda important!

You can spend a fair bit of money on a lovely microphone, but if it's too far away from your mouth, or you're always turning away from it to look at your guest, you're not going to get the best sound out of it.

It's particularly easy to do when you're recording remotely. You've got your guest on screen, your questions somewhere else and your microphone perched wherever you could find room for it. But it might not be picking up your voice properly!

And if you're moving into video podcasting, you've got even more mechanics to get used to. Where's your camera? What's in shot? Can you look at your guest and your notes without spending the entire recording staring off to one side?

I'm defo not suggesting you need to do a full dress rehearsal every time you record an episode. But if you're trying something new, changing your setup or finding yourself constantly faffing about during recordings, it's worth having a little practice beforehand.

Not to rehearse the conversation or memorise your questions, but to get comfortable with how you're actually going to record. Because the less you're thinking about your microphone, your notes and everything else, the more attention you can give to the person you're talking to or what you’re recording.

And that's rather important when you're making a podcast, isn't it?

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Cool Things for You

82 Podcast Talks. For Nowt

​Podcast Movement is one of the world's biggest podcasting conferences, bringing together podcasters and audio folk to share ideas, tips and what's happening in the industry.

Their 2026 event took place in New York last month, and they've now popped 82 talks from the conference onto YouTube for free!

There are sessions on everything from how niche podcasts can build stronger communities to growing your podcast through social media, finding guests and the art of interviewing.

So if there's an area of your podcast you'd like to improve, have a nosey and see what takes your fancy.

​Have a look at the Podcast Movement 2026 talks​

I LOVE they’ve made all this available online!

Cool Things We’ve Been Up To

🎙️ From cassette tapes to Bauer Media HQ

The other week I was down in London speaking at the Community Media Association’s Festival, held at Bauer Media's HQ, home to stations including Absolute Radio, Magic and Greatest Hits Radio.

There were some cracking people on the bill, including producers and presenters from LBC and Podnews' James Cridland. I spoke about my experience of working on community-led podcasts and how community radio stations and other community media organisations can use podcasting to tell more local stories, reach new audiences and give communities more opportunities to have their voices heard.

It was a bit of a full-circle moment for me because my audio career actually started in community radio. It's where I cut my teeth, and where so many people working in radio and the wider media industry got their start too.

And that's me holding my dad's old 1970s cassette player, which I used to mess about with when I was little, recording my own radio shows. (Not in the 70s, I hasten to add. 😂)

It was a really lovely day, surrounded by people doing brilliant things in community media. Thanks so much to the Community Media Association for having me!

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That's it for this week's newsletter

So, a little reminder that practice isn't always about getting your words right. Sometimes it's about getting used to all the other stuff you've got to do while you're saying them.

Next week is a bit of a special one because Grab The MIC is TWO YEARS OLD! 🥳

So expect a bit of a birthday edition, some reflection and a chance for us all to see how far we've come.

I'll see you then.

Vx