Latest news with #Podium
DW
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- DW
Is podcast authenticity overrated—or essential?
The word "authenticity" gets tossed around with fervor as a way to connect with audiences and grow your show – "Be yourself!" or "Find your voice!" But what does authenticity actually mean? And does it really matter? For many podcasters and producers, authenticity is seen as a key ingredient in connecting with listeners. The authoritative, slightly formal, calm and measured style of classic news presenters like Walter Cronkite in the US or [insert name of famous TV or radio news reader of decades past here] are over – no longer to contemporary audiences' taste. When people hear a story that's unfiltered and sincere, the thinking goes, they're more likely to invest their time and stay loyal to the show. According to a 2023 article from Podium titled "Authenticity in Podcasting: Building Genuine Connections with Listeners," audiences are more likely to develop trust in a host who appears flawed, relatable and emotionally available – provided it feels sincere. The article noted that hosts who share not just content but context (why this story matters to them) tend to build stronger listener relationships. "Sharing behind-the-scenes content, discussing the podcasting journey, challenges faced, or personal anecdotes can humanize the podcast," the article read. "It reminds listeners that there's a real person with genuine emotions and experiences behind the microphone, fostering deeper empathy and connection." "Indeed, a sense of authenticity can be the secret sauce in making a podcast feel human," said Amanda McLoughlin, co-founder of Multitude Productions, a Brooklyn-based podcast collective. "But it's also one of the hardest things to fake – listeners can sniff it out a mile away." Listeners these days want to feel connected to hosts, and authenticity helps that happen Image: Zoonar II/IMAGO Faking it What insiders warn against is turning vulnerability to a marketing gimmick, the cringey phenomenon of "fake authenticity." This ranges from overproduced vulnerability, overly casual banter or confessional monologues that feel performative, not personal. And, consider if that kind of vibe is what your podcast even needs? If your show is about stock trends, baring your soul every week might not make sense. Podcast coach and strategist Eric Nuzum, co-founder of Magnificent Noise, former VP for programming at NPR, and author of The Audio Insurgent newsletter, put it this way: 'Authenticity isn't about telling your deepest secrets. It's about being consistent, showing up in your audience's feed with a voice that they recognize and trust." The line between authenticity and artificiality is a fine one. One person who did it well is child actor turned book author turned podcaster Jennette McCurdy. Her podcast Hard Feelings, which produced new episodes until Feb. 2024, intentionally leaned into emotional complexity. In an interview with Teen Vogue, McCurdy described the goal as "creating space where messiness isn't just tolerated but expected. It's about allowing for complexity, not just performance." So does that mean you don't need planning or any kind of script, just a microphone and raw emotion? Australian audio producer Chris Marsh has worked behind the scenes of the radio and podcasts of the comedy duo of Hamish & Andy for more than 15 years. He told the PodCircle that authenticity wasn't about chaos or lack of prep. "We do a lot of work behind the scenes – reading thousands of listener emails, planning meetings, testing ideas," he said. "The trick is creating space for spontaneity," he said. Being authentic doesn't mean improvisation. Marsh likes to plan spontaneity into shows Image: Blend Images/Strauss/Curtis/picture alliance One of the things that has kept Hamish & Andy popular since transitioning from radio to podcasting is their consistent commitment to their audience. Early in their career, they dubbed their show "The People's Show," a philosophy that Marsh says still drives their choices: "We make our listeners the stars of the show. We involve them, we meet them, we read their emails. That kind of connection keeps the show grounded." This echoes what many successful podcasters have discovered: authenticity isn't just about what happens behind the mic—it's about the entire listener relationship. So that means in addition to Nuzum's advice to hosts to "talk to one listener," hosts also need to make sure those listeners feel part of a community they've built. A fine line So how do podcasters find this elusive balance between "real" and "faked" authenticity? For McLoughlin, it depends on what works for the person behind the mic. "Some people need a script, others need an outline, and some need to riff. The question is, what gets you into that zone where you sound most like yourself?" Marsh offers this advice: "Don't try to bend yourself to fit a show. Make the show you actually want to make." Ultimately, authenticity in podcasting is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It's a mix of tone, consistency, vulnerability and trust. It's about putting in the work to sound effortless, about being generous with your listeners, and about allowing your show to evolve while remaining true to its mission. So is authenticity overrated? Not if it's real or if it's earned. And it can make the difference in whether someone decides to listen again.
Cision Canada
12-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Clio Appoints John Foreman as Chief Product Officer
Industry veteran brings nearly two decades of SaaS leadership to drive Clio's AI-driven multi-product strategy forward John Foreman's appointment signals Clio's continued investment in product innovation and leadership as it scales its multi-product offering to meet the evolving needs of modern law firms. With a proven track record at industry-leading SaaS companies, John brings deep expertise in product development, data science, and customer-centered growth to Clio's executive team. VANCOUVER, BC, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Clio, the world's leading provider of cloud-based legal technology, is pleased to announce the appointment of John Foreman as its new Chief Product Officer. In this role, John will lead Clio's product strategy and delivery across its expanding multi-product platform, guiding the company's long-term innovation roadmap and deepening its commitment to transforming the legal experience for all. Foreman brings over 15 years of leadership experience in high growth SaaS companies, with a proven track record of building customer centric products and leading high performing teams. Most recently, he served as Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Podium, where he was responsible for the company's go-to-market strategy through a pivotal period of growth and scale. Prior to that, he spent nearly a decade at Mailchimp, holding senior leadership roles including Chief Product Officer and Chief Data Scientist. There, he was instrumental in shaping the platform into a global marketing powerhouse and driving revenue growth. As the legal industry continues to evolve, Clio is placing renewed focus on delivering product innovation tailored to the unique needs of legal professionals. Under Foreman's leadership, Clio will continue to expand its product strategy to offer more connected, intelligent solutions that help law firms operate more efficiently and deliver better client experiences. This includes a deeper investment in artificial intelligence and data-powered tools designed to simplify complexity, increase speed, and generate insights that legal professionals leverage to grow their practice. Foreman also brings a unique perspective as the author of Data Smart, a bestselling book on applied data science, and Leadership Wise: Why Business Books Suck, but Wise Leaders Succeed, a candid reflection on the realities of modern leadership. His work reflects a rare ability to distill technical complexity into clear, actionable frameworks - an approach that aligns directly with Clio's mission to make advanced technology more accessible and impactful for legal professionals. "AI is continuing to change the game in legaltech, and we're building an intelligent platform that will define the future of legal work ," said Jack Newton, CEO and Founder of Clio. "John has the experience, deep curiosity, and the ambition to help us redefine how law firms operate. He understands what's at stake for this profession, and he's here to deliver bold solutions that move the industry forward." "What drew me to Clio is the clarity of its mission and the scale of its impact," said John Foreman, Clio's new Chief Product Officer. "Legal professionals face real complexity in their day-to-day work, and there's a huge opportunity to transform that experience through great design, intelligent systems, and the power of AI. I'm excited to build with this team and help shape the next chapter of Clio's product strategy." Foreman's appointment reflects Clio's focus on scaling with purpose. As the company expands its platform, deepens its investment in AI, and broadens its global reach, experienced senior leadership is critical. With Foreman as Chief Product Officer, Clio is well positioned to accelerate product innovation and continue to set the standard for legaltech. To learn more about Clio's leadership team, visit About Clio Since its inception in 2008, Clio has revolutionized the landscape of legal technology, emerging as the undisputed leader of innovation and integration. By offering advanced yet intuitive legal software, Clio has redefined efficiency and client service, setting the standard for legal professionals across the globe. With an unwavering commitment to groundbreaking innovation and customer success, Clio stands as the preeminent authority in legaltech, continuously pushing the boundaries of the sector's evolution. Explore the future of legal technology with Clio at
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City of Spokane approves another $100,000 in legal fees to fight Shea lawsuit
Apr. 14—The city of Spokane has committed another $100,000 to fighting a federal lawsuit brought by pastor and former state lawmaker Matt Shea, bringing total costs with a Seattle-based law firm to $150,000. The Spokane City Council voted 5-1 to approve the added funding during their Monday meeting. Councilman Jonathan Bingle, who was the sole "no" vote, noted he had been censured by the council in 2021 for refusing to wear a mask and argued that colleagues named in the lawsuit should not be indemnified by the city. Shea filed a $24 million tort claim against the city in October, claiming the City Council violated his civil rights when the legislative body formally condemned former Mayor Nadine Woodward for appearing alongside him at a 2023 event. As wildfires fires smoldered in Medical Lake and Elk in August 2023, Woodward joined Shea on stage at the Podium during a stop on the Kingdom to the Capitol tour, a religious and political series organized by self-described Christian nationalist Sean Feucht's organization Let Us Worship. Shortly before introducing Woodward to the stage, Shea compared same-sex marriage and transgender rights to the fires that had devastated the nearby communities. Woodward publicly denounced Shea soon after, calling him a threat to democracy and distancing herself from his political views. She maintained that she had not known that Shea would be present at the event and believed its purpose was to pray for the victims of the Oregon Road and Gray fires. Shea has disputed this version of events. Soon after, the City Council voted to denounce Woodward's appearance alongside "alleged domestic terrorist" Matt Shea, noting his penning of a controversial manifesto titled "Biblical Basis for War," and his involvement in an armed takeover of an Oregon wildlife refuge in 2016 which Shea's own caucus in the Legislature condemned as "an act of domestic terrorism against the United States." He was stripped of leadership roles in the House and leaders in both parties called on him to resign; in 2020, he announced he would not run for re-election. Shea has argued the resolution denouncing Woodward, as well as individual comments by council members, paint Shea as a domestic terrorist despite there never being a criminal trial on those charges. "Pastor Shea has never been charged with, much less convicted of, any crime associated with domestic terrorism, political violence, or taking up arms against the United States," the claim stated. Shea, an attorney, has claimed he was exonerated last October when the Washington State Bar Association dismissed a grievance filed against him, citing "constitutional scrutiny" and the lack of a criminal conviction. "Our country cannot long endure civic debate being replaced with political opponents falsely implying those they disagree with are criminals, terrorists or worse," Shea wrote. In January, after the city refused to settle Shea's claim for damages, he filed a federal lawsuit. The city's legal counsel is attempting to have the case dismissed, which Shea's attorneys are fighting.
