Podcast Module Week 1
Semester 2 – Podcast Brief and Deliverables
It was great to be back at ARU this week after the Christmas and New Year break – I found I really missed the atmosphere, the hustle and the bustle of the place. I missed the people too. Perhaps university life is giving me a sense of agency I felt I lacked before to try new things and to have a go. For almost as long as I have known about podcasts, I have always wanted to try making one myself but I have never had the confidence to do so. Until now and it makes me so happy – if, at times, a little daunted too.
I had started to read the Podcast project brief before the semester had got underway and I’d made a decision to focus on an annual event that with a walking group – St Neots Walk and Talk for Men – every January (starting on Blue Monday – incidentally and paradoxically the first day of the podcast module too) the ground undertakes a virtual John O’Groats to Lands End Challenge (known also as the ‘JOGLE Challenge’) where between 20 or so walkers, we walk the equivalent distance of the top to the bottom of Great Britain – about 874 miles. It’s a creative way to do a sponsored walk and this year we were raising money for the St Neots Citizen Hub which, in turn, is launching a ‘Wellness Wednesday’ initiative this year to offer help to local people to make life better with low cost counselling, nutritional advice, opportunities to get out into the fresh air and to find a purpose – whether that be work, hobbies or learning new skills.
Using the module brief as an outline, here’s an update on my first week of the podcast exercise:
Brief: Develop a pilot podcast episode with branding, description, audience research and publishing/distribution plan.
Deliverables:
- 3-5 minutes of audio for pilot podcast:
In class time at session one, there was an opportunity to get out to talk to people in a trial run, I went out into East Road outside the campus buildings and spoke to Dwight – a lovely chap who looks after the Voi e-scooters and e-bikes in the city and three ARU students all of whom are studying different subjects to me. Here’s a link to these discussions:
https://riverside.com/shared/exported-clip/c2ad5ef8adda06554a49
And then, after recording a bit of footage for ‘Grounded’ I published a pilot episode via Acast:
https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/69721fe845f2be668854a2bd
This pilot episode is around nine minutes long.
- Podcast name, logo (for where you are publishing it)/branding
I knew that my podcast would be related to the Walk and Talk ‘JOGLE Challenge’ and so I began to think of an outdoors theme with exercise and movement among it’s key pillars. The group was founded with male mental health in mind – recognising that men are often not good at sharing their emotions, building friendships and acknowledging their anxieties – and among the founders are people who have lost members of their own families to suicide. I wanted to be able to share some of that story.
Listening to audio content in general though radio, podcasts, audio books and Spotify is one of my favourite things to do while driving, cycling and moving around and I already listen to lots of podcasts – many are related to my passion for cycling and other outdoor pursuits. Among the first podcasts I began listening to is called ‘‘Ramblings’’ which is a BBC Sounds podcast hosted by Clare Balding. I wanted to create a similar atmosphere in my podcast – informal chats, walking and talking together while finding out a little of the story of the people I was walking with. As a result, almost all of my footage was recorded outside, and every discussion was captured using a Zoom H1 Essential Handy Recorder.
With this idea in mind, I asked Google Gemini/Nano Banana to create a logo for me using the following prompt:
“Create a minimalist, professional logo for a podcast called “Grounded” — a men’s mental health podcast about walking, talking, and brotherhood.
**Key Elements to Include:**
– The word “GROUNDED” as the main text element
– Visual imagery suggesting walking/footsteps/paths/movement
– Subtle nods to mental health, support, and community
– Gentle Masculine but not aggressive aesthetic
– Natural, earthy feel (walking in nature, connection to the ground)
**Style:**
– Clean, modern, and memorable
– Works in both color and black/white
– Suitable for podcast cover art (square format, 3000x3000px)
– Professional enough for mental health context, warm enough to feel approachable
**Color Palette Suggestions:**
– Earthy tones: deep greens, browns, slate blues
– OR strong, grounded neutrals with one accent color
– Avoid overly bright or clinical colors
– Include a subtle, slightly hidden pride reference
**Mood:**
– Stable, trustworthy, forward-moving
– Brotherhood and community
– Strength through simplicity
– Hope and progress
**Visual Concepts to Consider:**
– Footprints or boot prints
– A walking path/trail leading forward
– Silhouettes of men walking side by side
– Horizon line suggesting journey
– Trees/landscape elements
The logo should immediately communicate: men + walking + mental health support + community.”
This prompt gave me this image:
After thinking about the content I hoped to capture, I decided upon a slogan for the podcast: ‘The Healing Power of Shared Experiences’ and asked AI to improve it for me – the final iteration is copied below:
- Audience/customer profile for your podcast target audience/end user, see template on miro
To be very honest, I didn’t do a lot of audience research. I decided to focus on a subject that was of interest to me and which a collision of the stars (for those who believe in the influence of the universe on events in our lives) which brought an opportunity to record actual events as they happened into digital media and then I guess to retro-fit these into a podcast genre but I think there is an audience for the content and a quick look at Acast shows that the pilot has been listened to 24 times since it went live three days ago – not bad for an anonymous show from a podcaster with zero profile who was competing again the final of series four of The Traitors and big news in Brand Beckham. I’m Grounded in the fact that this podcast is a little acorn with the potential to become a sapling as the episodes unfold.
- Listen to podcasts! Write and reflect on podcasts listened to, listen to 3 different ones and write max 100 words on each commenting on what interested you, the branding, any effects such as jingles, videos etc used and what you can learn from it to incorporate into yours.
I listen to a lot of podcasts and use the Pocket Casts app to do so. I know it is not the biggest app for this purpose but I like it and I have already got ‘Grounded’ on there! In the picture about you’ll see some of the podcasts I like to listen to. In addition to appearing on ‘Grounded’ as the presenter I feel privileged to have appeared on ‘Theirapist’ as a guest in an episode which was recorded shortly after this course began in September 2025. Here’s a link to that episode but I would also encourage you to listen to the other episodes in the series:
- Write a blog post on a podcast you’ve found that’s relevant to the development of your podcast (if you can’t find one relevant choose one that links with your audience or general interest) , include a report on it maximum equivalent to 250-500 words (you could make a video/voice notes etc or written report) that details:
- Topic e.g. how they describe their podcast
In my search for podcasts that could inform my own outdoor content development, I went back to one I have listened to for some years, BBC Radio 4’s ‘Ramblings’, hosted by Clare Balding. Now in its 25th year, this long-running show demonstrates how to blend nature, conversation, and storytelling into compelling audio content. ‘Ramblings’ describes itself as a show featuring “inspiring conversations while walking in the great outdoors” and I would love to be able to emulate this – even to a small degree with ‘Grounded’. The podcast operates on the principle of “solvitur ambulando” (it is solved through walking.) Each episode features Clare walking with guests through various landscapes across Britain and beyond, exploring everything from mental health and physical challenges to history and personal transformation. Recent series have taken listeners along the Camino de Santiago in Spain and through iconic British locations like Hadrian’s Wall and the Cotswolds.
- Audience, e.g. make a customer profile (this could be an infographic)
(Infographic by Google Gemini using Demographics: Age: 35-65+, Gender: Slightly female-skewing but broadly inclusive, Location: UK-based, with interest in British countryside, Income: Middle to upper-middle class. Psychographics: Values nature, outdoor recreation, and walking culture, Interested in thoughtful conversation and human stories, Seeks gentle, contemplative content rather than extreme adventure, Appreciates BBC Radio 4’s intellectual, cultured programming style. May be retired or semi-retired with time for longer walks, Values accessibility and inclusivity in outdoor spaces. NOTE: The audience profile was developed through analytical inference based on the podcast’s content, tone, BBC Radio 4’s typical listener demographics, and episode themes, rather than from explicitly stated audience data.)
- Branding and advertising: The branding leverages Clare Balding’s warm, authoritative presence and BBC Radio 4’s trusted reputation for quality. The show’s identity centres on accessibility, walking is something anyone can do, with recent episodes featuring wheelchair-accessible routes and diverse participants. As a BBC production, it operates without commercial advertising, instead promoting BBC Sounds as its platform. The branding emphasizes authenticity, beautiful British landscapes, and meaningful human connection.
- Genre and theme, similar to topic, but what category it might best fit: Genre: Documentary / Lifestyle / Nature & Outdoors. Themes: Nature and environment, Mental and physical wellbeing, British heritage and history, Personal stories and transformation, Accessibility and inclusion, Philosophy and mindfulness. The show fits within the broader “slow media” movement, offering a contemplative alternative to fast-paced content.
- Platform, e.g. where would you host it e.g. Spotify, amazon etc: ‘Ramblings’ is primarily hosted on BBC Sounds, the BBC’s dedicated audio streaming platform. Episodes are also available through: BBC Radio 4 FM broadcasts, Podcast aggregators (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts etc.), BBC website. The BBC Sounds integration provides seamless access to the extensive archive of past episodes, allowing new listeners to explore 25 years of walks.
Key Takeaways for Podcast Developers
‘Ramblings’ demonstrates that longevity comes from consistency, quality, and a clear identity. The combination of movement, nature, and conversation creates a unique listening experience that stands out in an crowded podcast landscape.
Sources
- BBC Radio 4’s Ramblings on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2XVOSoJbhViWEdKJjs6NxC
- Clare Balding Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Balding
- BBC Radio 4 Podcasts – Ramblings – http://www.listenersguide.org.uk/bbc/podcast/?p=b006xrr2
- Ramblings on Podcast Addict – https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/ramblings/1970849
- Apple Podcasts – Ramblings – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ramblings/id269018823
- MyShrewsbury.co.uk – “Rambling on the Shropshire Way with Clare Balding” – https://www.myshrewsbury.co.uk/blog/rambling-on-the-shropshire-way-with-clare-balding/
- A short 150-word reflection and evaluation on how successful you believe your podcast to be:
Currently, it is impossible to assess the success of ‘Grounded’ as I have only published a pilot episode but the feedback is encouraging and positive. I circulated the pilot to members of the St Neots Walk and Talk for Men Group via the group WhatsApp and also to a few friends and family members. Here is some of what has been said about the episode. Much of the feedback came from people for whom I have a great deal of respect as well as those from a range of professional backgrounds. Based on this feedback I am pleased with the quality of the pilot episode but I recognise that there is more to do before it reached the ‘Ramblings’ level of quality.
As a result of the pilot episode, the group have asked me to produce a series of episodes so I have continued recording through out the week and plan to begin the editing process once this blog post goes live.
Happy listening!
Burns Night – 25th January
The final day of the JOGLE Challenge fell on Sunday 25th January 2026 which happens also to be Burns Night – and important day for we Scots and I am looking forward to tucking into my Haggis neeps and tatties later. It is traditional to address the Haggis with ‘To A Haggis’ but on this auspicious occasion, I thought I’d rather cheekily rewrite the words of The Bard (not some old bloke from Stratford-on-Avon obviously) in honour of the energy and shoe leather that has gone into a challenge which has covered the distance of John O’Groats to Land’s End and back to St Neots with an ode to a walking boot. It’s called ‘To A Walking Boot’:
To A Walking Boot (with apologies for Robert Burns)
Fair fa’ your honest, weathered face,
Great chieftain o’ the walking race!
Above them a’ ye tak your place,
Worn sole, scuffed leather—
Weel are ye worthy o’ a grace
In a’ weathers.
Your battered tongue and fraying lace,
The mud-caked tread that’s run its race
From Land’s End tae that northern place,
John o’ Groats awaits!
St Neots lads keep up the pace,
Through England’s gates.
Nine hundred miles beneath your tread,
While lesser footwear long since fled,
You’ve stomped through rain and mornings dread,
Each blister earned—
The final miles lie straight ahead,
That northern bend!
These walking men, they talk and stride,
No burden heavy, cast aside,
Their troubles shared, walking side by side,
Through glen and street—
Mental health their faithful guide,
And aching feet!
So here’s tae ye, brave boot so true,
And here’s tae a’ the stalwart crew,
The St Neots men who’ve pushed on through—
Near journey’s end!
May talking, walking see them through,
Round every bend!
A few photos and memes from across the week:
Leave a Reply