Your all-access pass to European podcasting events this fall 🛂

Eurowaves #20

Hey podcasters,

This fall, Europe will be filled with audio and podcasting events. Looking at my Eurowaves organizer spreadsheet, the "events" section will feature at least five opportunities in every issue: from Spain to Slovenia to Ireland. Brace yourself and get your planner ready! If you want to invest in building an in-person community, you'll have plenty of options to choose from.

That being said, I’m working on a very exciting Eurowaves project, to be launched in mid-to-late September, to help you keep track of it all.

Before we get into it, the wonderful Denise Fernholz interviewed me for BEIFAHRERSITZ ! Check out the article for some hot takes on European podcasting. If you’re a German podcaster or interested in Germany’s podcasting scene, BEIFAHRERSITZ is the go-to newsletter to subscribe to. It also includes job postings, advice on independent podcasting and new show announcements:

Podcaster*innen, vereinigt euch! 🇪🇺

🇪🇺 Podcasting & Community News 🇪🇺

• 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇦🇺: Cheerful Earful is a global festival of funny podcasts. Now in its 4th year, it spans London, Melbourne, and NYC, showcasing everything from hidden gems to household-name shows. With nearly 5,000 attendees, we’ve built a lively, grassroots community where creators and fans come together to laugh, connect, and celebrate the power of comedy podcasts.

• 🇬🇧: Norwich Podcast Festival is a celebration of audio and podcasts - for those behind the mic and those who love to listen. Hosted by SOUNDYARD, an award-winning non-profit studio based on Magdalen Street in Norwich.

• 🇮🇪: New in Ireland: The All-Ireland Podcast Awards celebrates the vibrant Irish podcasting scene, across the island of Ireland, and spotlights the nation’s most talented creators across genres.

• 🌎: Somerset House in London and Turner Prize winner Tai Shani have launched a 24/7 temporary radio broadcast called The Dream, featuring contributions from Maxine Peake, Brian Eno, Yanis Varoufakis, and the Palestinian Sound Archive. Audiences can tune in online or listen on-site in the Seamen’s Hall and will be invited to submit their dreams for interpretation and broadcast on the radio.

• A Reddit thread of podcast recommendations from all over the world. Thank you Shreya Sharma for sharing!

---

Eurowaves Update ☘️

Since the last issue, we have…

…+32 new subscribers.

Reply to this email for classified ads and sponsorship opportunities.

Share this issue with your podcaster friends to keep the community growing! This newsletter will always be free but if you’d like to support my work, you can sign up for a paid subscription.

---

How can European podcasters build community? with AIR's Keisha A. Salmon

Keisha A. Salmon is the Executive Director of AIR (Association of Independents in Radio), a professional network supporting thousands of audio creators across the United States and internationally. She leads AIR’s work to strengthen independent careers through training, mentorship, and advocacy, with a focus on fair pay, sustainable pathways, and building community for freelancers in the audio industry.

You can connect with Keisha on LinkedIn here.

What lessons could Europe borrow from AIR when it comes to building supportive communities for creators?

At AIR, we’ve seen how much stronger creators become when they don’t feel alone. Having a community means being able to turn to peers for support, learn from mentors, and count on advocates who understand the realities of independent work. In Europe, there are already significant efforts, including local podcasting associations, journalism unions, and EU-funded training programs, that provide creators with valuable support. What is often missing, though, is a cross-border professional home that brings these elements together under one roof: a place that combines peer support, mentorship, fair rate and contract resources, and advocacy. Because the European ecosystem is more fragmented, it can be harder for independents to find consistency and solidarity. The lesson Europe can borrow from AIR is that when creators rally around a shared hub, they gain both the leverage to build sustainable careers and the collective strength to influence the industry together.

You’ve championed fair pay for independent audio makers. Can you share some success stories or case studies that could serve as models for podcasters and producers in Europe?

One of the clearest successes has been seeing freelancers bring AIR’s Rate Guide directly into their negotiations. Members have told us that when they were offered a rate that felt too low, they pointed to the guide as evidence of industry standards. In several cases, that simple step resulted in contracts being revised upward, sometimes by hundreds of dollars per project. We have also heard from producers who used the guide to push back on flat project fees that would have undervalued their time. By showing the expected hourly range, they were able to reframe the conversation and secure more realistic compensation. And sometimes, even when the initial offer is far below what it should be, freelancers tell us the guide gives them the confidence to either negotiate higher or walk away knowing the standard is on their side.

These stories show how transparency creates leverage. When independents have a trusted benchmark, they are better equipped to advocate for themselves and often achieve success. For European creators, the lesson is that building and using a shared reference tool can change the outcome of negotiations one contract at a time.

Which AIR resource is most helpful for members, and how might Europeans build something similar?

The most relied upon resource at AIR is the 2025 Rate Guide. It is built from survey data, interviews with freelancers, and industry research, and it outlines clear ranges for dozens of roles, ranging from producers and editors to engineers and sound designers. Freelancers use it to enter negotiations with confidence, and many have secured higher pay or fairer contracts by referencing the guide. Hiring organizations also use it to set realistic budgets and to understand what different roles actually require. That combination makes the guide valuable on both sides of the table, and it has become the single most visited tool AIR offers.

For Europe, a similar resource could be developed by pooling data from across countries, publishing it in multiple languages, and regularly updating it. It could also include context about scope, revisions, and complexity, so the guidance is not only about what to charge but also how to structure a fair contract. A resource like that would not replace the work already being done locally. It would amplify it by giving freelancers a common language and helping organizations meet the same standard across borders.

What have you learned from international collaborations that might guide Europeans as they come together?

AIR’s international work has shown us how valuable it is to step outside of our own market and learn alongside others. Through the New Voices program, we have connected with fellows working around the world who face many of the same challenges that US-based independents do, especially around pay and sustainability. Their perspectives have reminded us that the need for strong networks and fair standards is not just an American issue. By participating in international events, we have been able to bring AIR’s members into global conversations and establish new partnerships. While abroad, we also look for organizations that can introduce AIR to broader communities and open up conversations about equity, leadership, and inclusion. Content is Queen’s Black Audio Leaders Supper Club, which brought together creators from the UK, Africa, and the US. It was one example of how powerful it is to create spaces where underrepresented voices and intersectional experiences are centered. It also underscored the importance of creating spaces that recognize how multiple identities intersect and shape the way people experience the industry. When collaborations make room for those layered experiences, they become stronger and more inclusive.

That same principle applies when thinking about how Europe might come together. The issues are familiar everywhere, but the way they are solved depends on context. A model that works in New York may not work in Mississippi, and the same is true across countries. By aligning first on values like fair pay, equity, and professional growth, and then shaping tools like the rate guide, fellowships, or training programs to reflect local realities, Europe can build a stronger and more connected network of independent professionals. This approach honors local strengths while ensuring that communities with overlapping identities are fully included and supported.

Looking five years ahead, what change would you like to see globally, and how can Europeans be part of that vision?

Five years from now, I want independent audio work to have the same stability and recognition as any other professional path. Creators should be able to count on fair pay, predictable pathways into the industry, and access to shared tools that make negotiations and contracting straightforward. I want to see standards in wide use, stronger pipelines for emerging talent, and more cross-border collaboration so that great ideas and opportunities are not limited by geography.

In Europe, we already see important steps in this direction through fellowships, cross-border reporting projects, training hubs, and networks that bring independents together. The opportunity now is to connect and expand that work. A public, regularly updated rate guide could anchor budgets and RFPs across countries. Paid pathways, such as fellowships, apprenticeships, and mentorships, could be scaled to connect more directly to paid work. Partners could share practical tools such as contract templates, scopes, and credits, so teams spend less time reinventing basics and more time creating. Recurring exchanges where producers, editors, and engineers co-teach workshops and co-produce short projects could help surface models others can replicate. A light coordinating hub could help maintain shared resources while keeping program delivery local and efficient. By building on what already exists, Europe can raise the bar for freelancers, facilitate collaboration across borders, and help establish norms that strengthen the industry globally.

How can European-based American professionals and US-based European professionals get involved with AIR?

The simplest way is to join as members. Membership opens the door to our training platform, mentorship programs, rate guide, advocacy work, and a network of thousands of creators who are navigating the same freelance challenges. Many of our resources are designed to be virtual, which makes them easy to access no matter where you are based. European creators have already taught for SoundPath, taken SoundPath classes, used the Rate Guide in their own negotiations, and connected with peers through fellowships like New Voices. Beyond individual membership, there are also opportunities to collaborate through AIR’s fiscal sponsorship program, or to participate in international workshops and exchanges where our members co-teach and co-produce across borders. Whether someone is in Europe or the United States, AIR can serve as a professional home and a bridge to a larger international community of independents.

🎙️🌍What I’ve been listening to🌍🎙️

Echoes of Memory

The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture recently launched Echoes of Memory. The first two episodes are out and in episode 1, they go over topics like the deep significance of the Roma Memorial, its design, and the decades-long struggle for the recognition of the Roma victims of the Holocaust. The second episode discusses the many communities targeted by the N*zis: queer people, people with disabilities, political dissidents, Black Germans, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others. This podcast opens up crucial conversations about European anti-racism, especially concerning the Roma community. I love how it brings forth personal stories, systemic issues, and historical angles in an accessible and approachable format.

The Girlfriends: Jailhouse Lawyer - Season 3

This is such an amazing podcast. Season 3 just wrapped and is now fully bingeable! I haven’t listened to the previous seasons, but I've seen everyone in the podcasting world raving about them. In this series, true crime is handled with a very human, journalistically ethical approach that doesn’t sensationalize people's real stories. Kelly, the woman at the forefront of this season, blew my mind every Monday. For more than a month, I started my weeks excited to see a new episode in my PocketCasts app and listen to her journey. Kelly goes from being wrongfully convicted of a crime her abusive ex-boyfriend committed to building resilience and saving herself and others.

Rigour & Flow with Aiwan and Tamanda

Aiwan and Tamanda are two Black women with 20 years each in entertainment, research, and social justice (check out AiAi studios, an award-winning, UK-based storytelling and production studio working for clients globally). They’re also a married couple on their journey of figuring out how to build a life and business together. You’ll get to hear episodes on UK Black Pride, abuse in queer relationships, beauty standards, or faith and culture. Aiwan and Tamanda’s energies complement each other so beautifully. It’s one of those podcasts where you feel like you’re listening in to a group of friends’ good conversation and you catch yourself answering, before remembering you’re not in the same room. Oops! On top of all that, the quality is top notch. This is a great example of quality for a video-first podcast.

What podcasts have you been listening to lately?

🇭🇺 Podcasts from Hungary 🇭🇺

I’m a Hungarian journalist and podcaster currently living in London. I have worked with The Guardian, New Lines Magazine, RFE/RL, Al Jazeera and more, writing about reproductive rights, women's issues and politics. I have travelled to Romania to talk to survivors of illegal abortions, spoke to women becoming surrogates during wartime in Ukraine and interviewed couples who had to travel thousands of kilometres for their babies. I'm the host and co-author of the six-episode The Right Kind of Family, available on all platforms.

• Hihetetlen Történelem: Ez a podcast érdekes személyeken, vicces anekdotákon és jól alátámasztott adatokon keresztül mutatja be a világtörténelmet, Mata Haritól a magyar munkatáborokig. Tündi és Andris, a két host rengeteg anyagon rágja át magát, hogy szórakoztatóan, mégis tényszerűen mutassák be az elmúlt évszázadok komplikált konfliktusait, érdekes személyiségeit és vicces tényeit. Szerintem minden töri-mániásnak és kíváncsi embernek meg kell hallgatnia.
  
  From Mata Hari to the forced labor camps in Hungary, this podcast explores history with human stories, reliable sources and fun anecdotes. The hosts, Tündi and Andris, comb through incredible amounts of information to convey complex conflicts, introduce fascinating people and forgotten facts in very fun, but reliable episodes. A must listen for history-nerds and curious people alike.

• Egyszer lent: Mindig is szerettem Elizabeth Day világhíres "How to Fail" podcast-ját - ezért örültem annyira az Egyszer lent-nek, ami olyan magyar embereket mutat be, akik valamiben felsültek, traumatikus élményeken estek át, vagy túlélték a legrosszabb rémálmukat - és erősebbek lettek tőle. Néhány epizódban hírességek és élsportolók mesélik el, hogy mi rejlik egy-egy csillogó közösségi média poszt mögött, másokban hétköznapi emberek mesélnek arról, hogy hogyan élték túl életük legnehezebb időszakár. Elgondolkoztató, inspiráló és tanulságos podcast, több tucat epizóddal.

  Not unlike Elizabeth Day's How to Fail, this podcast introduces impressive people who have failed, been through tragedy, or survived trauma - and what they learned from it helped them grow. I love to listen to famous people talk about what's behind the glamorous Instagram posts, and to hear everyday people talk about how they survived extraordinary things. A good mix of heartbreaking and empowering, I save Egyszer lent episodes for when I need inspiration.

• A rendes család: A narratív podcast műfaj még nem olyan elterjedt Magyarországon, mint külföldön - ezért volt különlegesen nagy megtiszteltetés, hogy a 444 rám bízta A rendes család podcast-ot, amiben ezzel kísérleteztünk. A hat epizódos A rendes család / The Right Kind of Family sorozaton a spanyol El Pais Audió-val, az olasz Chora Media-val és a brüsszeli székhelyű Europod-dal együtt dolgoztam együtt, és az európai jobboldal családpolitikáját mutattuk be. Több tucat szakértővel, aktivistával, és persze nővel beszéltünk arról, hogy hogyan befolyásolja a politika a nők döntéseit, a családok életét. Hallgasd meg a magyar, vagy az angol nyelvű verziót is az én hangomon!
  
  While narrative podcasts are not necessarily a thing in Hungary (yet), the independent news outlet 444 trusted me to bring this format to life in this 6-episode podcast series. I worked on The right kind of family / A rendes család with El Pais Audio from Spain, Chora Media from Italy and Europod from Brussels. Focusing on the European right-wing's family policies, we talk about at abortion, family planning, the cost of children, the great replacement theory and much much more. Between London and Budapest, we interviewed dozens of experts, politicians, activists, and most importantly, women. I hosted the English-and Hungarian-language versions - and I really can recommend both!

Thank you for sharing, Lili!

You can connect with her on LinkedIn here.

🚀Events and Opportunities🚀

• real21 Media Award (Switzerland)

"real21 – Understanding the World" recognizes high-quality media contributions on global development issues. Each year, a jury of experts nominates five journalistic contributions published in a Swiss-German media outlet and awards prizes to three of them. Journalistic work of all genres may be submitted, including audio.

When? September 14.

• Flemish Audiovisual Fund Development Support for Podcasts (Brussels, Belgium)

The Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) supports films, series, games, and podcasts, from idea to experience. The VAF is a public funding body that supports audiovisual and games production in, and international co-productions with Flanders. Set up by the Flanders government in 2002, it is headquartered in Brussels. Its aims are threefold: to develop a sustainable audiovisual industry; to encourage and support emerging audiovisual and games talent; and to promote a vibrant audiovisual and games culture in Flanders and beyond.

When? September 16.

• Avdiofestival (Ljubljana, Slovenia)

People have always told stories and we still enjoy listening to the best of them. Who is the most inventive in creating them and how? Will artificial intelligence do a better job? A top audio production can also be a play, a radio play. When does an audio play become a document of the times or an audio production a documentary? More and more people are creating audio content, more and more people are listening to podcasts. What is left for radio? Inspiration? Slovenian podcasts will come alive on the stage of Cukrarna.

When? October 13.

• PodWoman (Madrid, Spain)

The 3rd edition of the Spanish podcasting event dedicated to women. With the most relevant women in Spanish podcasting and international guests. In-person training and networking. And free online training, in case you can't attend. A comprehensive look at the podcasting industry with roundtable discussions and masterclasses.

When? October 18.

That’s it for now, thank you for reading!

Got an opportunity, podcast recommendation, or event to share for the next issue? Reply to this email or drop me a message.

Until next time,
Andreea Coscai