Recorded Panel: Tuesday, november 18 from 3pm - 4pm ET
The State of Social Impact Podcasting
Hear from audio industry leaders working at the intersection of social impact to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face in their work. While the industry continues to evolve in ways that can leave impactful work behind, this panel will highlight strategies for moving forward.
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About this panel
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Tuesday, November 18, 2025
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12pm PT / 3pm ET
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60 min
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Free
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This webinar is recorded and made available for free after the event.
It’s no secret that the audio industry has undergone significant changes in the past few years. However, questions remain: with the closure of former leading studios, private sector disinvestment, and a pivot to video, where does that leave investigative journalism podcasts? Shows that focus on societal issues? Nonprofit engagement with audio?
There are also unique challenges that social issue podcasts face, including a more volatile nonprofit funding landscape, defunded public media, press freedom issues, and government intervention driving an increasingly partisan atmosphere.
There are also unique challenges that social issue podcasts face, including a more volatile nonprofit funding landscape, defunded public media, press freedom issues, and government intervention driving an increasingly partisan atmosphere.
This webinar will bring together audio leaders who continue to make and support impactful work despite these challenges, and they want you to do the same.
Panelists will acknowledge the challenges but focus on ways forward, such as thinking creatively about financing show development, identifying and prioritizing marketing/distribution opportunities, and exploring ways to discuss impact beyond financial ROI.
Panelists will acknowledge the challenges but focus on ways forward, such as thinking creatively about financing show development, identifying and prioritizing marketing/distribution opportunities, and exploring ways to discuss impact beyond financial ROI.
Key Takeaways
- Impactful podcasting still has a place in our current audio landscape.
- Creative thinking about fundraising is essential.
- Marketing and distribution on a tight budget is possible.
- The ROI won’t always be dollars and cents, so figure out how to tell that story.
- How to stay resilient and find podcast resources.
Who is this panel for?
Investigative reporters, public radio workers, independent podcasters focused on social issues, marketing and communications professionals at nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, and anyone interested in social impact.
Meet the Moderator
Ayo Oti
Ayo Oti is the founder of Unofficial Social Chair (USC), a social issues-focused storytelling consultancy. She advises, produces, writes, and manages operations for mission-driven organizations and creators. Her endeavor draws on her experience as an impact professional who has worked in government, nonprofit and higher education, as well as in media.
Ayo got her start in audio at Spotify, first producing for How to Save a Planet, and after as a podcast audience engagement editor who often collaborated with Spotify’s social impact team. Ayo has also worked for Podcast Allies as a producer and talent booker for the Environmental Defense Fund’s flagship podcast Degrees: Real talk about planet-saving careers.
Under USC, Ayo publishes Sounds Like Impact, a curation newsletter sharing impactful podcasts and calls-to-action for social change.
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Meet the Panel
Joni Deutsch
Joni Deutsch is SVP of Marketing & Audience Development at The Podglomerate, the award-winning podcast services firm recently named "Best Podcast Marketing & Production Agency" by PR Daily. She's overseen podcast audience growth for high-profile shows and brands including Netflix, The Boston Globe, PBS, NPR, Harvard, Stanford, CVS, and more.
Joni is also an award-winning audio professional and NPR veteran with 15 years of outstanding experience as a producer, content manager, and marketer/audience growth specialist. She spent the first decade of her career innovating audio and community engagement at various public radio stations and as a national host with NPR Music.
Her work has been recognized by the Murrow Awards, Gracie Awards, and Webby Awards, in addition to the ONA's Women's Leadership Accelerator, Axios' "30 under 30," and Duke University TiP's Early Achievement Award.
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Meet the panel
Camille Laurente
Camille is the CEO and Co-Founder of Hueman Group Media, a Webby Award-winning podcast production company for social and environmental impact. With her talented team of producers and creatives, Camille has worked with clients that range from Fortune 500 companies to global nonprofit organizations and thought leaders, including MetLife, EY, B Lab, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, New Profit, and the Elders Foundation. She is also the host of HGM’s original video podcast “Impact After Hours”.
Camille obtained her Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University, where she specialized in international media, advocacy, and communications. Camille also has a Juris Doctor degree and has worked on projects with lead UN agencies.
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Meet the panel
Regina Larko
Executive Producer and Host of #impact – A Podcast about Stuff that Matters and Lead With Your Voice, she uses storytelling as a catalyst to spark conversations that matter and move people to action. She also empowers others to create their own impactful podcasts, supporting clients worldwide and teaching podcasting at Johns Hopkins University. A TEDx speaker and recognized as one of the "10 Women Changing the Future of Impact in Asia" during her years in Hong Kong, Regina now lives in Vienna, where she leads Podcasters with Impact, a global community for purpose-driven creators. A proud mom of three, she knows first-hand the juggling act of building meaningful work while raising a family, and she brings that authenticity and energy to every stage and conversation.
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Meet the PRESENTER
Corey Gumbs
Corey Gumbs (He/Him) is a leading podcast development strategist and community builder, dedicated to empowering content creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses through audience-driven ecosystems.
As the Founder of the Black Podcasters Association (BPA), Corey has built a thriving community designed to uplift Black podcast creatives and professionals. The BPA serves as a hub for education, collaboration, and industry advancement, ensuring that Black voices remain at the forefront of the podcasting landscape.
He is also the Founder of BlkPodNews.com, the first podcast industry trade newsletter dedicated to Black podcast creatives and professionals. This platform curates industry insights, trends, and opportunities tailored to the unique needs of Black podcasters.
In addition, Corey also has an extensive background in recording as an independent hip-hop producer, and currently runs Press Record Studios, a full-service podcast production and recording service that offers podcast recording, production, editing in the NYC metropolitan area and beyond.
Corey's contributions to the industry have earned him a seat on the board of the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR), a global nonprofit supporting independent audio producers.
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