Are you a budding podcaster looking to learn more about the industry and connect with like-minded individuals? Look no further than The Chatterbox Club, a monthly meetup event hosted by Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Led by the studio's Creative Director, Ashleigh King, and Technical Director, Joel Lowson, The Chatterbox Club is designed to teach people the basics of podcasting and bring local podcasters together to share their ideas and experiences.

Our vision for The Chatterbox Club is to create a safe, welcoming space where you can get 1-2-1 tips from the Flamingo Heights team and make friends who are also starting or running podcasts. Sometimes we speak to aspiring podcasters without much budget, we’ve kept the price low to ensure we can include these people in our meetup group.

Our first event: ‘The Top Hopes and Fears of Starting a Podcast’

At the first event, attendees were treated to a lively discussion on "The hopes and fears of starting a podcast." Attendees enjoyed the relaxed and friendly event format, with many cups of tea drank over the two hours.

The podcast meetup was well attended!

The event was well-attended by a diverse group of people, including local businesses with existing podcasts, individuals looking to start a podcast, and even local tech whizzes creating software to market podcasts with social media clips. Through sharing their experiences and ideas, attendees were able to learn from each other and gain valuable insights into the world of podcasting.

The topic of "The Hopes and Fears of Starting a Podcast" was particularly fitting for the first event. Starting a podcast can be a daunting task, and it's common for people to have fears and doubts about their ability to succeed. Many people struggle to know where to start or worry whether they’ll be good enough to present a podcast. However, the discussion at The Chatterbox Club, led by Ashleigh, highlighted the many benefits of podcasting and the importance of facing your fears and pursuing your passions.

Learning how to make a podcast

During the podcasting meetup event, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and receive advice from Ashleigh King, who has years of experience in the podcast industry and is the expert in residence for podcasting at the Business and IP Center North East (BIPC). Ashleigh shared her tips and potential pitfalls – many learned from personal experience – with those looking to improve their podcasts or start a new one.

Overall, The Chatterbox Club was a great success, and we feel like it’s an exciting new addition to Newcastle Upon Tyne's emerging podcasting scene. It provides a supportive and collaborative environment for podcasters of all levels to come together, learn from each other, and share their experiences. And the most important thing, people said they loved it!

If you're interested in starting a podcast or looking to improve your podcasting skills, be sure to check out the next Chatterbox Club event at Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio.

You won't be disappointed!