Making Radio and Podcasts A Practical Guide to Working in Today's Radio and Audio Industries

1. History and Development of Radio and Audio Steve Ahern and Wayne Mac 2. The Future of Radio Internationally James Cridland 3. Making Podcasts Britta Jorgensen 4. Podcast Case Studies Steve Ahern with K Onh Ha, Richard Fidler, Joel Werner and Emma Lawson 5. The Studio Steve Ahern and Rod Pascoe 6. AI Tools for Radio, Podcasts and Audio production Steve Ahern 7. Radio Announcing Steve Ahern, Dave Cameron, Greg Byrnes, Fyona Smith and Dean Buchanan 8. Presentation Skills Steve Ahern and Dave Cameron 9. Broadcast Laws and Regulations Steve Ahern and Joanna White 10. Interviewing Skills Jen Oldershaw and Lucienne Joy 11. Researching and Producing Steve Ahern and Dan Ahern 12. Talkback Steve Ahern, Greg Byrnes and Kevin Brumpton 13. Copywriting Kevin Best 14. Audio Production Phil McNab and Kevin Best 15. News Russell Powell and Glenn Daniel 16. Research and Promotions David Rogerson 17. Radio Sales David Maxwell, Pat Bryson and Brett Van Heekeren 18. Features and Comedy Steve Ahern and Ian Heydon 19. Programming and Content Directing Barry Keohane, Steve Ahern, Dave Cameron and Greg Byrnes 20. The Transmission Chain Gorden Smith and Richard Palmer 21. Issues for the Future: Smart Speakers, Voice Control, Prominence and Trust Steve Ahern

Biography

Steve Ahern has worked in the radio and audio industries for over four decades and has trained hundreds of people who have helped those industries to evolve.

He is currently the proprietor of various audio industry trade publications  and is chief executive of the training company AMT Pty Ltd.

Steve previously held positions as the Manager of ABC Radio in Sydney, the Director of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union’s Media Academy and the Director of Radio at Australia’s elite media university, the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS).

Steve has consulted to broadcasters on four continents, helping their leadership teams to evolve their businesses and adapt to the changing media landscape. Through his company Ahern Media & Training (AMT) he has trained broadcasters in social media strategies, using AI, mobile journalism, smart technology and podcasting, as well as the traditional skills of presenting and producing for radio and television.

Steve founded the radio and podcast industry trade publications radioinfo.com.au and podcastinfo.com.au and later expanded them to Asia (radioinfo.asia) and Africa (radioinfo.africa). His company also publishes the technology journal audioinfo.world and radiotoday.com.au.

During his career Steve has begun a number of media tech start up companies and has steered the boards of media and communications companies around the world to commercial success. He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday honours list for his contribution to media and training.

Steve began his media career as a presenter, producer and reporter at various commercial and community radio stations in Australia, then joined the Australian Broadcasting Corporation where he managed radio stations in Newcastle (2NC), Canberra (2CN) and Melbourne (3LO).

He was the founding consultant for South Africa’s National Electronic Media Institute (NEMISA), and Afghanistan’s Nai Media Institute (NMI) and has developed training curricula for universities and media companies in Singapore and India.

Steve has also worked in Teaching, International Public Relations and Executive Management.

This book is not just for beginners, it also has depth and detail, making it useful for higher education or for professionals wanting to expand their understanding and knowledge.
There are no other comprehensive text books as this one, with the full-spectrum overview of both practical, principal and strategic of how to work as a programmer in contemporary radio and podcasting. The book is perfect for someone going into the audio business today, working with both radio and podcasting.
Anders Held, Founder of RadioDays and PodcastDays 

This is an excellent primer into all facets of radio and audio. For many people within the industry, they have a good knowledge of one part of it, but not all. This covers each area in a way that helps a more comprehensive view of the industry. This is a comprehensive book, helpful for all those entering the audio world. It’s unique in covering so many areas of the industry.
James Cridland, Editor of PodNews, Radio Futurist

This book is useful for students and beginners, but also media practitioners who may want to transition in audio careers.  I teach with earlier versions of this book and would definitely include the updated version in my curriculum. The updates for this edition relating to AI are particularly useful, as are updates and examples. The updates to content, particularly acknowledging changes in distribution via AI and online tools like Descript are very useful.
Liz Giuffre, University of Technology Sydney