Kia ora! I’m Maxene London: Podcast Producer, Audio Nerd and Founder of Maxene London Creative. Let’s explore what it takes to start and maintain a successful podcast. I’ll chat with industry experts, podcast hosts and fellow audio nerds on everything about the wonderful world of podcasting. We’ll talk techniques, trends, and top tips to get you started on your podcast journey. Whether you’re a podcast newbie, or you’ve been here a while, welcome. Wanna podcast?
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Inside the NZ Podcast Awards Judging Panel: The Mistakes, The Standouts & How to Prepare for 2026
In this episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to be a judge on the New Zealand Podcast Awards panel.
With submissions now closed and winners about to be announced, this is the perfect time to start thinking ahead to next year’s awards, and what you can be doing right now to give yourself the best possible shot.
While the official judging criteria is confidential, I’m sharing the general trends I noticed: what made certain entries stand out, where others slipped up, and the small details that make a surprisingly big difference. From editing and flow, to audience clarity, to crafting a strong showreel, this episode is packed with practical advice you can start applying today.
Whether you want to win a podcast award next year, or you simply want to improve the quality and impact of your show, you’ll take away clear, implementable tips to elevate your storytelling, production, and overall listener experience.
In this episode:
The most common mistakes podcasters make when submitting to awards
Simple things judges look for that instantly improve your score
Why editing matters just as much as the content itself
How to choose and present clips in your showreel
Why clarity of audience and purpose is one of the strongest predictors of high scores
The problem with overusing music in a short submission
How to track your best episodes throughout the year, so submission time is easier
What makes a podcast feel polished, intentional, and impactful
More Resources:
Book a Podcast Power Hour Strategy Session: https://www.maxenelondoncreative.co.nz/book-podcast-power-hou (https://www.maxenelondoncreative.co.nz/book-podcast-power-hou)r
Wanna go deeper?
🎙️ For resources: https://www.maxenelondoncreative.co.nz/blog (https://www.maxenelondoncreative.co.nz/blog)
🙋♀️ To work with me: https://www.maxenelondoncreative.co.nz/podcasting-services (https://www.maxenelondoncreative.co.nz/podcasting-services)
📱 To get connected: @wannapodcast (https://www.instagram.com/wannapodcast/) & @maxenelondoncreative (https://www.instagram.com/maxenelondoncreative/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
11 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
Why You Hate the Sound of Your Voice (and How to Fall in Love With It Again) | Sally Prosser
Ever cringed at the sound of your own voice? You’re not alone. And this episode will help you change that.
In this "best of" episode, I chat with Sally Prosser, voice and public speaking coach, podcaster, and author of Voiceprint, about why so many of us dislike how we sound, and how to start rebuilding a healthy relationship with our voice.
💡 In this episode:
Why hearing your recorded voice feels so confronting (and how to get used to it)
The psychology behind “voice confrontation” and tall poppy syndrome
How childhood experiences and social conditioning shape the way we speak
The difference between confidence and arrogance, and how to walk that fine line
Practical exercises to start embracing your voice and speaking with purpose
Why learning to love your voice is deeply tied to self-acceptance
Whether you’re a podcaster, coach, or simply someone who struggles to speak up, this episode will help you reconnect with your authentic sound and rediscover the confidence that’s already within you.
This clip is from the full episode, Sally Prosser on unlocking your voice potential and overcoming insecurities: https://youtu.be/ICJg9GX8Jfo
Watch it on YT or listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
To purchase Sally's upcoming book, 'Voiceprint', which aims to inspire individuals to embrace their unique vocal identity. Pre-order your copy here: https://www.sallyprosser.com.au/book (https://www.sallyprosser.com.au/book)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
4 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
Let’s Talk About Ethical Podcasting: Misinformation, Free Speech, and the Podcaster’s Responsibility
In this episode, I delve into one of the biggest conversations shaping the podcast industry right now: ethics.
From misinformation and defamation to the role of the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) and Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in New Zealand, this episode explores what it really means to be a responsible podcaster in 2025.
Using real-world examples like Belle Gibson’s health hoax and recent debates around Winston Peters’ comments about the BSA, I explore how podcasters can balance freedom of speech with public responsibility.
In this episode:
How the media we consume shapes our beliefs and behaviour
What defamation is and how to avoid it in your podcast
What the BSA and ASA are, and how their standards apply to podcasters
Why regulation doesn’t have to mean restriction, and how ethical podcasting builds trust
Practical steps for building an ethical show: fact-checking, transparency, and content warnings
More Resources:
BSA: https://www.bsa.govt.nz/ (https://www.bsa.govt.nz/)
ASA: https://asa.co.nz/ (https://asa.co.nz/)
RNZ's article "Winston Peters accuses Broadcasting Standards Authority of 'Soviet era stasi' censorship": https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/576015/winston-peters-accuses-broadcasting-standards-authority-of-soviet-era-stasi-censorship (https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/576015/winston-peters-accuses-broadcasting-standards-authority-of-soviet-era-stasi-censorship)
Wanna go deeper?
🎙️ For resources: https://www.maxenelondoncreative.co.nz/blog (https://www.maxenelondoncreative.co.nz/blog)
🙋♀️ To work with me: https://www.maxenelondoncreative.co.nz/podcasting-services (https://www.maxenelondoncreative.co.nz/podcasting-services)
📱 To get connected: @wannapodcast (https://www.instagram.com/wannapodcast/) & @maxenelondoncreative (https://www.instagram.com/maxenelondoncreative/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Inside a recent episode
Why You Hate the Sound of Your Voice (and How to Fall in Love With It Again) | Sally Prosser
Published 11 Nov 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] This is my job It's a thing called voice confrontation and the reason we sound different is because when we speak It's like it's inbuilt shower voice. You know your voice always sounds good in the shower because we're hearing it through bone conduction Like we're hearing it through our skull Whereas when we hear our voice on a recording it's coming through the air So we're hearing it through air conduction and it never sounds as good Right so we always think we sound better But you're right a lot of it is that familiarity and learning to love your voice You're a podcaster. I'm a podcaster if we didn't like the sound of our voice it would make the editing job quite horrific absolutely So a part of it is listening to the voice and listening to your voice like it's not your own You know so record something to your phone and play it back and be like this is not my voice. […]
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