I recently had the opportunity to deliver a podcast presenter training session for a fantastic team in London, and I am pleased to share that it was a great success. The feedback from Cripps Leadership Advisors was overwhelmingly positive, and the experience has only deepened my passion for helping people communicate with clarity, confidence, and creativity.
The training was designed to be practical, engaging, and rooted in real-world podcasting experience. It was built around four key pillars that I believe are essential for anyone looking to present effectively in a podcast format: understanding your audience, shaping your message, developing your voice, and practicing with purpose.
We began by exploring what it means to find your voice as a presenter. This was not just about how you sound, but about how you show up. We looked at how to build what I call your “broadcast self” – the version of you that feels natural, credible and engaging when speaking to an audience you cannot see. Participants recorded short introductions to imaginary podcast episodes, then reflected on what felt authentic and what felt forced. This exercise helped them begin to tune into their own style and presence.
We also spent time on vocal warm-ups and breathing techniques. These are often overlooked, but they are essential for anyone who wants to sound clear, calm and confident. We practised tongue twisters, breathing drills and pacing exercises, all of which helped participants become more aware of how they use their voice. Reading aloud with marked pauses and emphasis gave them a chance to experiment with tone and rhythm.
Another key part of the training was story structure. We discussed how to shape a podcast episode so that it has a clear focus and a strong sense of purpose. Using templates from the course handout, participants worked in small groups to outline their own podcast episodes. They shared their ideas and gave each other feedback, which created a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
Understanding the audience was another major theme. We listened to contrasting podcast clips and analysed how tone, structure and sound design were used to meet the needs of different listeners. This helped participants think more strategically about how to connect with their own audiences, whether they were aiming for a conversational tone or a more formal, journalistic style.
On the second day, we shifted our focus to interviewing and media skills. Participants learned how to plan and conduct interviews with purpose and clarity. We explored how to build momentum in a conversation, how to ask questions that go beyond the surface, and how to manage the flow of an interview from start to finish. Role-play exercises gave everyone a chance to practise interviewing, being interviewed and observing others, which led to some insightful peer feedback.
We also tackled the challenge of handling difficult topics. Participants practised bridging and redirecting techniques, learning how to stay grounded and respectful while keeping the conversation on track. This was especially useful for those who may need to represent their organisation in public-facing podcasts or media interviews.
As the training drew to a close, we turned our attention to what makes a podcast not only functional but truly successful. This part of the session brought together everything the participants had learned, from audience awareness and message clarity to vocal delivery and structure. The focus was on how to plan with intention, deliver with confidence, and think strategically about long-term growth.
Participants had the opportunity to put their skills into practice by planning and recording short podcast segments. These recordings were then played back for group feedback, creating a supportive space for reflection and constructive critique. It was a powerful moment of consolidation, allowing everyone to hear their progress and recognise how much they had developed in just two days.
To support this practical work, I provided a full podcasting setup, including microphones, and recording software. This gave participants the chance to work with professional equipment and experience the technical side of podcasting in a hands-on way. For many, this helped remove the mystery around the tools and processes involved, making the idea of launching or contributing to a podcast feel much more achievable.
The atmosphere throughout was one of curiosity and experimentation. Participants were encouraged to try different approaches, to listen actively to themselves and to one another, and to refine their delivery based on what felt most natural and effective. One particularly engaging exercise involved blindfolded listening, which heightened their awareness of tone, pacing, and vocal nuance. This helped sharpen their listening skills and deepened their understanding of how sound shapes the listener’s experience.
By the end of the session, the room was buzzing with energy and ideas. It was clear that the group had not only gained practical skills but had also grown in confidence. They left with a clearer sense of their own voice, a toolkit of techniques to draw on, and a renewed enthusiasm for the possibilities of podcasting.
I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such an engaged and curious group. Their willingness to learn and experiment made the session dynamic and rewarding. I am looking forward to subscribing to their first podcast series when it’s released!
Looking Ahead
This experience has reaffirmed my belief in the power of podcasting as a tool for communication, leadership, and storytelling. I am keen to deliver more training sessions like this, whether for teams looking to launch a podcast, organisations wanting to improve internal communication, or individuals who want to build their confidence behind the mic.
If you are interested in podcast presenter training for your team or organisation, I would love to hear from you. Let us work together to help your people find their voice and share their message with the world.
