The Sound Off Podcast

Matt Cundill
  • 4.9 (46)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

The Sound Off Podcast is a weekly podcast about podcasting, radio, broadcasting, voiceover, and the people shaping the modern audio industry. Hosted by veteran broadcaster and voice artist Matt Cundill, The Sound Off Podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of audio with in-depth conversations featuring podcast creators, radio professionals, producers, programmers, voiceover talent, media executives, and industry innovators. Drawing on decades of experience in radio and podcasting, Matt brings context, credibility, and curiosity to every episode. Each episode explores the craft, business, and culture of audio, covering topics such as podcast growth, audience development, monetization, advertising, sponsorship, dynamic ad insertion, analytics, distribution platforms, audio branding, and emerging trends in on-demand audio. From legacy radio to independent podcasts and branded content, the show examines how audio continues to evolve — creatively, technologically, and commercially. The Sound Off Podcast is known for thoughtful, candid interviews that go beyond surface-level talking points. Guests include radio legends, podcast pioneers, seasoned producers, voiceover artists, and leaders working across podcast networks, media companies, and technology platforms. Conversations focus on real-world experience: what works, what doesn’t, and what creators and companies need to understand to succeed in today’s audio landscape. Whether you work in podcasting, radio, voiceover, broadcasting, or digital media — or you’re simply fascinated by how audio storytelling works — The Sound Off Podcast delivers insider perspectives, practical insights, and honest discussions about the future of sound. With a balance of industry expertise and accessible conversation, The Sound Off Podcast is designed for professionals, creators, and listeners who want a deeper understanding of how audio connects audiences, builds brands, and drives culture. New episodes are released weekly.

  1. 6 hrs ago ·  Video

    Derrick Gray: Radio's New Way to Count

    Nearly six years after I released an episode called Death of the Diary, It's the dawn of a new era for Canadian radio with the release of Radio Local + by Numeris. Derrick Gray, Chief Research and Operations Officer at Numeris, joins me to explain Radio Local+—the hybrid ratings system replacing the online radio diary in 22 Canadian markets. The system combines streaming information with online and telephone surveys to estimate total listening, including traditional over-the-air radio. Derrick explains how Numeris turns device-level streaming activity into demographic audience estimates, filters bots and abnormally long sessions, and determines whether a listener belongs to the local market. We also discuss why testing revealed significantly more audience reach than expected—and what Numeris had to fix before launch. Radio Local + will deliver four ratings releases annually using a 13-week rolling average, replacing the diary’s two annual releases and 48-week average. That should give programmers and advertisers a more current view of changing listener behaviour. The Three Best Things We Talked About: How Radio Local+ combines streaming data with audience surveys to measure total radio listeningWhy the new system found more listeners than the diary—and what Numeris learned during testingHow quarterly ratings and future impression-based metrics could change radio programming and advertising Radio Local + is not the finished destination. It is the first stage of a larger Numeris audio strategy that could eventually include additional markets, national radio reach and audience metrics that are easier to compare with podcasts and other digital media. NEW! The podcast is now available in on video on Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and Amazon Music in the USA. (And naturally YouTube) Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show. Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. Thank you Megatrax for continuously supporting the show See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Derrick Gray: Radio's New Way to Count

  2. 6d ago ·  Video

    Kolter Bouchard: Building a Career You Actually Own

    OMG it's been 7 years since Kolter Bouchard was on this show. When he last joined me in September of 2019, he was doing afternoons at 102.1 The Edge in Toronto. Since then, his life has taken some dramatic turns: a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis, a stem cell transplant, leaving radio, launching a creative agency with his wife, and building a powerful presence as a content creator and author. Kolter shares what it’s like to hit the five-year remission milestone and how cancer permanently reshaped his outlook, his work, and his sense of identity. We dig into why vulnerability, honesty, and genuine connection matter more than ever—on-air and online—and how one on-air cancer announcement actually helped save a listener’s life. We also get candid about burnout in radio, panic attacks, and the difficult decision to walk away from a major-market show. From there, we explore how radio talent can future‑proof their careers by building multi-platform brands, treating podcasts as marketing engines, and not building their entire media empire on rented digital ground. Reach out to Kolter on LinkedIn Here is his creative agency Stuff I Said I would put in the Show Notes: Kolter and Dominique's Playing House Podcast The forthcoming book that you can pre-order... The infamous Mike Sea Podcast Episode about inter-racial relationships. NEW! The podcast is now available in on video on Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and Amazon Music in the USA. (And naturally YouTube) Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show. Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. Thank you Megatrax for continuously supporting the show See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Kolter Bouchard: Building a Career You Actually Own

  3. Aug 11 ·  Video

    What Now, Radio? The Attention Economy is Here!

    Radio's relationship with its audience has fundamentally shifted, and the industry's summer of mass layoffs at Cumulus, iHeart, Rogers, Audacy, and Corus has exposed a deeper crisis than spreadsheets can solve. I basically recap the absurdity of how radio companies built their talent's social media followings only to sever connections abruptly, freeing listeners to explore alternatives. While industry data still shows radio leading in car listening and ad delivery, the reality on the ground tells a different story: the best moments on any station come from people and personalities, not songs or commercials. And going forward, radio is going to have to do live on some rented ground. Discussed: - Why attention, participation, community, and trust have replaced traditional broadcast ratings as the new flywheel - How algorithms are prioritizing local content just as radio stations abandon local programming - The financial viability of AM radio ownership and why long-form content must be repurposed across multiple platforms - What podcasters are getting right about monetization that radio continues to fumble Promised in the show notes: The Bobby Bones prank story from 2004 The Broadcast Dialogue podcast with Connie Thiessen, Matt Caine, and Rob Brown about buying and running an AM station Lamont Hollywood’s Facebook post about being cut from 107.7 The Bone NEW! The podcast is now available in on video on Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and Amazon Music in the USA. (And naturally YouTube) Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show. Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. Thank you Megatrax for continuously supporting the show See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    What Now, Radio? The Attention Economy is Here!

  4. Aug 4 ·  Video

    Gaëtan Harris: Sound Design Tips for Audio-First Podcasts

    It's been a long time since I've spoken with Gaëtan Harris, founder of Syrup Sound, to talk about working in radio at Power 97 with me in Winnipeg to becoming one of Canada's most respected podcast sound designers. Gaëtan shares how an early fascination with This American Life inspired him to move to Vancouver, where he eventually joined Pacific Content alongside Steve Pratt and Dan Misener to help create award-winning branded podcasts. We talked about the technical side of podcast production and the creative philosophy behind great audio. We explore what separates a polished listening experience from a rushed edit, and why the smallest details can make the biggest difference. Things like... Why mouth clicks matter more than most podcasters realizeHow Pacific Content created branded podcasts that felt like compelling stories instead of advertisementsWhere independent producers can find affordable sound effects and music librariesThe strengths—and limitations—of AI audio cleanup tools like Adobe Podcast EnhanceWhy Gaëtan has remained committed to audio-first podcasting, even as the industry races toward video You can reach out to Gaëtan on LinkedIn or check out his offerings on his company's website, Syrup Sound. He also has his own website NEW! The podcast is now available in on video on Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and Amazon Music in the USA. (And naturally YouTube) Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show. Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. Thank you Megatrax for continuously supporting the show See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Gaëtan Harris: Sound Design Tips for Audio-First Podcasts

  5. Jul 29 ·  Video

    Chris Brunt: Radio's Digital Evolution

    Chris Brunt of Jacobs Media joins me to talk about radio’s 30‑year struggle with digital—from those first clunky station websites and primitive email blasts to today’s sophisticated streaming, social, and video ecosystems. Chris explains how programmatic audio has become a major revenue driver, even for public and non‑commercial stations, by fitting into the broader “digital audio” story agencies are eager to buy. We dig into Facebook and social media, stressing the importance of FTC-compliant monetization and using tools like Ads Manager to serve clients without letting algorithms choke off our own messaging. And there's my favourite - the need to “be everywhere”: on apps, smart TVs, YouTube, and short‑form video, especially to reach under‑40 listeners who may not even own a radio. We talk about YouTube shorts, influencer-style content from talent, and why hyper‑local, community-focused video and podcasts can win even with modest follower counts. Chris also makes the case for stations building their own apps, embracing simple video setups, and prioritizing authentic, original digital content over perfection. Did you know that Jacobs Media creates apps for radio stations? This is another excellent resource if you are looking for some ideas for your station(s). Paul Jacobs and Chris Brunt with 10 Things We Learned Helping Radio Stations Generating Digital Revenue Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show. Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. Thank you Megatrax for continuously supporting the show See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Chris Brunt: Radio's Digital Evolution

  6. Jul 21 ·  Video

    Lynda Steele: Change My Mind

    I am joined by veteran Canadian broadcaster Lynda Steele to trace her four-decade journey across TV, radio, and now podcasting. Lynda recalls growing up in Hinton, Alberta, having no clear career path, and how government-funded aptitude testing unexpectedly pointed her to broadcast journalism. She shares early newsroom stories from CKVU in Vancouver and ITV/Global Edmonton, including covering major events like the 1987 Edmonton tornado and the day Wayne Gretzky was traded, and reflects on how technology—or the lack of it—shaped coverage. Lynda contrasts the cultures of Edmonton and Vancouver, talks candidly about transitioning to talk radio at CKNW, and the intense pressure of hosting a four-hour daily show while dealing with listener backlash, especially as a woman in a male-skewing talk format. She also unpacks declining trust in media, political polarization, and how Trump-era “fake news” rhetoric bled into Canada. Finally, Lynda discusses her current podcast Change My Mind, co-hosted with Melanie Nagy, where she leans into curiosity, vulnerability, and open-minded conversations that can genuinely shift perspectives. You can find Lynda’s podcast by searching for Change My Mind here.... Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show. Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Lynda Steele: Change My Mind

  7. Jul 14 ·  Video

    Bryan Barletta: Podcast Movement is Coming!

    Bryan Barletta, founder of Sounds Profitable and president of Podcast Movement, shares what to expect at this year's event. Bryan walks me through how Sounds Profitable has grown into a trade association focused on research, education, and connecting buyers and sellers in podcasting. We also dive into how the acquisition by Podcast Movement is transforming this year’s event in New York City—with a clear focus on making it easier for creators and advertisers to actually meet and do business. What I love about Bryan’s approach is how intentional he is about breaking away from the old “hotel lobby bar” conference model. Instead, Podcast Movement is embracing New York as a real backdrop for networking, independent meetups, and meaningful conversations. Sessions from Podcast Movement are also being made free to watch, so attending in person is all about relationships and collaboration. You can learn more, grab Podcast Movement tickets, and take part in session voting here. Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show. Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Bryan Barletta: Podcast Movement is Coming!

  8. Jul 7 ·  Video

    Justin Jackson: Why RSS Feeds Still Matter

    Justin Jackson grew up in Sherwood Park, Alberta, with an active radio in the house largely tuned to CBC or 630 CHED. Today he owns and operates Transistor.fm, a Canadian company that is one of the leading podcast hosting companies. We discussed the evolution of podcast hosting and where the industry is headed, and he shared how he and his partner bootstrapped the company starting in 2018 with $5,000 each, growing it into a profitable business without venture capital. He explains how observing creator behaviour—rather than relying on surveys—guided product decisions like offering multiple shows for one price and building private podcast features. Things Bandied About: Why Transistor allows unlimited shows per subscription and how that model reflects actual podcaster behaviorThe role of RSS feeds in podcasting's future and why younger audiences don't inherently understand their valueHow video podcasts and HLS streaming fit into the RSS ecosystem without abandoning audio-first listenersApple's demographic challenge in attracting Gen Z and Gen Alpha away from YouTube and SpotifyWhy content and format matter more than pristine audio quality, using Peter Mansbridge's "The Bridge" podcast as an example. Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show. Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Justin Jackson: Why RSS Feeds Still Matter
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

The Sound Off Podcast is a weekly podcast about podcasting, radio, broadcasting, voiceover, and the people shaping the modern audio industry. Hosted by veteran broadcaster and voice artist Matt Cundill, The Sound Off Podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of audio with in-depth conversations featuring podcast creators, radio professionals, producers, programmers, voiceover talent, media executives, and industry innovators. Drawing on decades of experience in radio and podcasting, Matt brings context, credibility, and curiosity to every episode. Each episode explores the craft, business, and culture of audio, covering topics such as podcast growth, audience development, monetization, advertising, sponsorship, dynamic ad insertion, analytics, distribution platforms, audio branding, and emerging trends in on-demand audio. From legacy radio to independent podcasts and branded content, the show examines how audio continues to evolve — creatively, technologically, and commercially. The Sound Off Podcast is known for thoughtful, candid interviews that go beyond surface-level talking points. Guests include radio legends, podcast pioneers, seasoned producers, voiceover artists, and leaders working across podcast networks, media companies, and technology platforms. Conversations focus on real-world experience: what works, what doesn’t, and what creators and companies need to understand to succeed in today’s audio landscape. Whether you work in podcasting, radio, voiceover, broadcasting, or digital media — or you’re simply fascinated by how audio storytelling works — The Sound Off Podcast delivers insider perspectives, practical insights, and honest discussions about the future of sound. With a balance of industry expertise and accessible conversation, The Sound Off Podcast is designed for professionals, creators, and listeners who want a deeper understanding of how audio connects audiences, builds brands, and drives culture. New episodes are released weekly.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Cundill
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    531
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2016-2026 The Sound Off Media Company
  • Show Website
    The Sound Off Podcast

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