Echo Podcast Summit

About Echo Podcast Summit

In a media climate dominated by digital voices and one-sided relationships between creators and audiences, trust in podcasting has become one of the most urgent conversations of our time. On June 19, 2025, Halifax hosted Echo Podcast Summit, the largest podcast event Atlantic Canada has ever seen, bringing together global leaders, creators, and critical thinkers to explore the future of trust in media. Brought to you by Halifax-based podcast strategy company Podstarter and global podcasting powerhouse Acast, the summit will be held at the iconic Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in downtown Halifax. It promises a day of sharp insight, bold questions, and boundary-pushing conversation about how trust is built, challenged, and reshaped in today’s fractured media landscape. Proudly sponsored by Acast, the world’s leading independent podcast company, the event reflects a shared mission to foster integrity and openness across the podcasting space.

Publisher

Podstarter

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Jun 2025

Latest episode

19 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Aug 2026

   How Mike Bubbins Built a Hit Podcast by Being Unmistakably Himself

   What happens when you build a podcast around being completely yourself — even if that means calling 95% of your listeners “freeloading dickheads”? In this Echo Podcast Summit 2026 session, Mike Bubbins (Socially Distant Sports Bar, BBC’s Mammoth) joins host Rhys Waters to break down how authenticity, long-form nonsense, and unapologetic Patreon “bullying” turned a niche sports podcast into a multi-award-winning show with a fiercely loyal paying community. Recorded live at the Echo Podcast Summit at the Halifax Convention Centre on June 18, 2026, this talk dives into: How Socially Distant Sports Bar accidentally became a 2.5–3 hour cult hit Why only ~5% of listeners on Patreon can still pay everyone’s mortgage The “unique” Patreon call-to-action that doubled signups overnight Turning a podcast audience into a real-life community: live tours, arenas, merch, and even sponsoring 25+ sports teams Why being openly woke, kind, and willing to change matters (even for “three straight white blokes”) How personal stories (like “Tops Off Vic”) create deep emotional bonds with listeners Practical advice for podcasters on building community by being unmistakably yourself If you’re a podcaster, creator, or just love hearing how weird, human, and heartfelt podcast communities can be, this one’s for you. 00:00 – Welcome to Echo Podcast Summit 2026 Rhys sets the stage, theme of “community,” and introduces the Echo Podcast Summit context. 00:40 – Introducing Mike Bubbins & Socially Distant Sports Bar Mike’s background, relationship with Rhys, and his podcast/sitcom work. 02:45 – How the Podcast Started (and Survived Lockdown) Origins with Ellis and Steff, shift to old clips and documentaries, episodes growing to 2.5–3 hours. 04:40 – From Free Listeners to Paying Community Introducing Patreon, early skepticism, structuring free vs paid episodes. 06:20 – The “Abusive” Patreon Pitch That Tripled Signups Mike’s unique marketing tactic, berating freeloaders, and how it unexpectedly worked. 07:45 – Calling Listeners ‘Freeloading Bastards’ (Clip & Reaction) Clip played; Mike reflects on insulting listeners and why the audience loves it. 09:40 – Community, Live Shows & 6,000-Seat Arena First live show, audience turning up in pod “colours”, flags, and drinking the bar dry. 11:40 – Sponsoring 25+ Grassroots Sports Teams How the pod and its Patreon community fund women’s, disability, and kids’ sports. 13:00 – Lockdown Escapism & Talking About Mental Health Avoiding lockdown discourse, focusing on joy, and helping listeners (and themselves) through hard times. 14:50 – Are They High-Maintenance? How the Community Behaves Listener gifts, baked goods, begging for more merch, and “please let us give you more money.” 16:15 – Meeting the Fans: Pubs, Selfies, and Real Human Connection Post-show pub rituals, differences in personalities across the trio, and why this feels like a privilege. 17:20 – Fun vs True Crime: Why Show Tone Shapes the Audience Why a light, comedy-focused show attracts fun, kind people and how they actively call out toxic masculinity. 18:30 – Being ‘Unashamedly Woke’ & Talking Women’s Health Periods, white shorts in women’s sport, Christine from Chicago, and learning to change. 20:00 – “You’ve Changed, Mate” – And Why That’s Good Growing up in the 70s/80s, being challenged by his daughter, and embracing change. 20:40 – Core Advice: Build a Hit by Being Unmistakably Yourself Why authenticity is the only real “strategy” and why even “The Quiet Girls” book podcast could find its 1,000 superfans. 22:30 – Behind the Scenes: No Contracts, Just Trust How the three hosts still don’t have a formal contract, splitting Patreon money on trust. 23:00 – Radical Openness & Oversharing (Featuring Mike’s Wife) Tuesday morning phone calls, “You’re a dick,” and the risks and rewards of oversharing. 23:50 – The Legend of Tops Off Vic From neighbor to arena celebrity, puppets and T-shirts, and listeners attending his funeral. 25:15 – Why Podcasting Builds a Different Kind of Bond Deeper than TV or radio; intimacy, trust, and long-term connection. 25:40 – Final Anecdote: The Security Guard Who ‘Knew’ Mike The London Welsh Rugby Club story and how listeners feel like old friends. 27:10 – Sitcom ‘Mammoth’ & A Love Letter to Canada Mike talks about filming, BBC, and his affection for Canada, Toronto, Montreal, and hopes to return. 27:50 – Echo Podcast Summit Wrap-Up & 2026 Teaser Rhys thanks Mike, thanks attendees & sponsors, and invites people to learn more at EchoPodcastSummit.com. Recorded live at the Echo Podcast Summit (June 18, 2026) at the Halifax Convention Centre. Subscribe for more talks, panels, and behind-the-scenes conversations from Echo and the Podstarter team. echopodcastsummit.com (https://www.echopodcastsummit.com/)

2. 

   5 Aug 2026

   Your Podcast Is a 50,000-Year-Old Technology: The Kula Ring & the Gift Economy

   Discover why your podcast is part of a 50,000-year-old gift economy – and how understanding that can transform your community, loyalty, and monetization. Digital anthropologist Charles explains the Kula Ring, an ancient system of ceremonial exchange, and shows how it maps perfectly onto modern podcasting. You’ll learn why your voice is a gift, why your listeners’ attention is a form of debt and reciprocation, and how to separate community from commerce so you can monetize without breaking trust. 🎧 What you’ll learn: Why podcasting is really about gifts, not content How parasocial bonds and ritual make audiences feel deeply connected The difference between Kula (community gift exchange) and Gimwali (commercial exchange) How to frame Patreon, merch, and ads so they don’t damage your community Why podcast communities are self-organizing systems you can’t fully control Recorded live at the Echo Podcast Summit (June 18, 2026 – Halifax Convention Centre), hosted by Podstarter and supported by amazing sponsors including Acast, Amazon, Accessible Media Inc, and more. 00:00 – Opening idea: Your voice as a gift 00:12 – Echo Podcast Summit intro & theme: Community 02:45 – What is digital anthropology? Charles’ background 04:10 – The Kula Ring: Ancient ceremonial exchange 07:07 – From shells to podcasts: Introducing “the how” 09:20 – Voice, intimacy, and parasocial bonds in podcasting 11:14 – Attention as currency: The listener’s reciprocation 13:40 – Debt, mutual aid, and why communities feel like family 15:06 – Discords, subreddits & fan behavior as gift exchange 16:40 – Monetization: Kula vs. Gimwali (community vs. commerce) 18:45 – Merch, Patreon, tickets: How not to break the ring 19:34 – Rituals in podcasts: Intros, music, and cadence 21:30 – You don’t own your community: Self-organizing systems 24:07 – Why podcasting is culturally significant right now 25:14 – Q&A: Platform “enshittification” & hope for digital spaces 27:03 – Closing remarks & Echo Podcast Summit 2026 invite Recorded live at the Echo Podcast Summit (June 18, 2026) at the Halifax Convention Centre. Subscribe for more talks, panels, and behind-the-scenes conversations from Echo and the Podstarter team. echopodcastsummit.com (https://www.echopodcastsummit.com/)

3. 

   22 Jul 2026

   From Clips to Communities: How Podcasters Grow Across Platforms with Acast

   How do you turn casual listeners and TikTok scrollers into a real podcast community that shows up, shares, and even buys tickets to live events? Recorded live at the Echo Podcast Summit in Halifax, this panel explores how podcast communities migrate across platforms with experts from Acast Canada: Rhys Waters – Host, Podstarter / Echo Podcast Summit Al Strasberg – Creator Network Development Manager, Acast Canada Heather Gordon – Managing Director, Acast Canada You’ll learn: Why video isn’t mandatory (and why some top shows stay audio-only) The real signals of engagement beyond download numbers How creators like Morgan Book and Adam & Jax moved audiences from TikTok & social into podcast apps Why a massive following on one platform doesn’t automatically translate into podcast listeners Practical ways to package your show for sponsors and think in omnichannel terms (podcast + social + newsletters + live shows) Concrete tactics for building real community: DMs, Facebook groups, naming your fans, and unforgettable live events If you’re trying to grow a podcast, monetize it, or turn your show into a multi-platform brand, this conversation is packed with actionable insight. 00:00 – Why podcast community matters now more than ever 00:09 – Echo Podcast Summit intro & theme of ‘community’ 01:24 – Panel intro: Acast, Al Strasberg & Heather Gordon 03:24 – How podcasts have changed in the last few years 03:55 – The rise of video… and why some creators stay audio-only 05:35 – Younger audiences, video trends, and meeting listeners where they are 06:32 – What real engagement looks like beyond downloads 07:17 – Picking your platforms wisely: discovery vs deep engagement 08:55 – When clips go viral but full episodes don’t—does it matter? 09:41 – Case study: Morgan Book’s journey from BookTok to podcasting 10:49 – Lessons from moving audiences from social to RSS 11:16 – Why big social numbers don’t guarantee podcast listeners 12:27 – Don’t assume your short-form fans will stay for 45 minutes 13:10 – Case study: Adam & Jax building TikTok first, podcast second 14:11 – Launching a podcast as a “big reveal” after social growth 14:31 – Monetization shift: from audio-only to omnichannel selling 15:54 – Why podcasters can be more influential than traditional influencers 18:03 – How Acast packages shows for sponsors & handles monetization 19:49 – Practical tips to start building your community spaces 20:12 – Substack, TikTok, Instagram, and choosing what fits your show 20:30 – Montreal case study: thriving Facebook group to 1500-seat live shows 21:30 – Tony & Ryan: naming their community and replying to everyone 22:42 – Turning live shows into ‘you’re the only one in the room’ moments 23:34 – Listener ownership: “I approve this podcast” intros 24:02 – Closing: sponsors, thanks, and Echo Podcast Summit 2026 Recorded live at the Echo Podcast Summit (June 18, 2026) at the Halifax Convention Centre. Subscribe for more talks, panels, and behind-the-scenes conversations from Echo and the Podstarter team. echopodcastsummit.com (https://www.echopodcastsummit.com/)

4. 

   8 Jul 2026

   The Funniest Politician in Podcasting? The Honourable Mike Savage Welcomes Echo Summit

   Former Halifax mayor and current Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Mike Savage kicks off the Echo Podcast Summit in Halifax with one of the least-stuffy, most entertaining welcome addresses you’ll ever hear. Savage riffs on: Why podcasts beat traditional media for real conversation How storytelling builds community in Atlantic Canada and beyond The role of diverse voices and immigrant stories in shaping Nova Scotia Why Halifax is secretly one of the world’s top party cities Plus some classic crowd work, jokes, and a very unofficial “tell the cops I sent you” line. 00:00 – “Podcasts create space for thoughtful conversation” – cold open 00:10 – Rhys sets the stage: Echo Podcast Summit 2026 & theme of community 02:29 – Mike Savage takes the mic: jokes, intros & who’s in the room 04:30 – Land acknowledgement & treaty relationships in Nova Scotia 06:59 – Why podcasting matters: storytelling, community & diverse voices 09:40 – Atlantic Canadian stories reaching a global audience 11:48 – How podcasts replaced radio in Mike’s daily life 13:07 – Audience interaction: first-timers in Halifax & party-city cred 13:46 – Halifax tips, SailGP, and “tell the cops the Lieutenant Governor sent you” 15:35 – Rhys’ closing: thanks, sponsors, and Echo’s future plans Recorded live at the Echo Podcast Summit (June 18, 2026) at the Halifax Convention Centre. Subscribe for more talks, panels, and behind-the-scenes conversations from Echo and the Podstarter team. echopodcastsummit.com (https://www.echopodcastsummit.com/)

5. 

   15 Jun 2026

   Echo 2026 Is Coming: Nova Scotia Today with Dan Ahlstrand

   Nova Scotia Today, host Dan Ahlstrand chats with Rhys Waters of Podstarter about the rapid growth of podcasting and why Halifax is the perfect home for the Echo Podcast Summit on June 18. Rhys shares the origin of the summit, Halifax’s surprising role in Canadian podcast history, and this year’s theme: community. They discuss how podcasters can stand out in an increasingly crowded space, the power of focusing on a clear niche, and why authentic, long-form audio is a powerful antidote to AI-driven content. Rhys also previews the summit’s lineup, including partners like Acast, YouTube, Amazon Music, CBC, and Canadaland, plus an Amazon Music after-party at the Podstarter studio.

6. 

   25 Jun 2025

   Me, Myself & TMI

   Lindsay Bird and Luke Quinton explore the ethics of personal storytelling in journalism, focusing on the journalist's role as a guide, in this interview episode.

7. 

   25 Jun 2025

   The Anthropology of Trust in Podcasting

   Digital anthropologist Giles Crouch examines podcasting's unique power as modern storytellers, exploring how digital myths shape listeners' perceptions of reality in this presentation.

8. 

   25 Jun 2025

   Branded Truths

   Heather Gordon, Tori Weldon, and Lisa Hrabluk, former journalists, examine the ethical considerations and creative adjustments involved in producing branded content while maintaining journalistic integrity in this panel discussion.

9. 

   25 Jun 2025

   Outsiders vs. Legacy News

   Journalist Pauline Dakin interviews investigative podcaster Jordan Bonaparte about the evolving landscape of news, contrasting independent voices with legacy media to understand trust and power dynamics in modern journalism.

Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

82

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact Echo Podcast Summit

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.