PRX and Google Announce A New Year of Training, Funding, and Community for Podcasters via the Google Podcasts creator program

Applications will open to creators in the U.S. and around the world here on July 1.

Google and public media organization PRX today announced a new year of the Google Podcasts creator program, a podcast accelerator and training program for producers everywhere.

Launched in October 2018, the Google Podcasts creator program is guided by a mission of providing a global audio community with open resources, empowering underrepresented voices, and showcasing new work. Last year, the program welcomed early-stage producers from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Spain, and the United States.

This year, the program will serve producers with an existing podcast who want to advance their skills and take their productions to the next level. BIPOC podcasters and creators from traditionally marginalized groups are encouraged to apply. Free to participants, the training will be entirely virtual and conducted by PRX alongside international industry experts and Google Podcasts creator program alumni.

Creators in the program will receive:

• Regular feedback on all aspects of their production, including editorial and technical input;
• Training on topics such as storytelling, sound design, and reaching audiences through marketing and engagement;
• Equipment and software to help meet independent production needs amid the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic; and,
• Up to $12,000 in funding for use as they see fit for their productions.

Applications for creators around the world will open here on Wednesday, July 1 with a deadline of Sunday, August 2 at 11:59pm ET.

Creative teams or individuals with proficiency in English and who have released at least five episodes since January 2019 are eligible. Twenty projects will be selected and participants will be distributed among three cohorts: September to December 2020, January to April 2021, and May to July 2021, for a total of 12 weeks each. Availability will be taken into account to form the cohorts.

To further support podcasters through skills-building and community during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Google Podcasts creator program will convene interactive webinars and live virtual events open to the public later this summer and into the fall. Sign up here to receive notifications on announcements to come.

“We’re committed to helping expand podcast creation and listenership to be more inclusive,” said Zack Reneau-Wedeen, Product Manager of Google Podcasts. “We believe there are millions more storytellers and listeners around the world who will benefit from the medium, and we are proud to join with PRX to open new doors.”

Google Podcasts creator program alumni include creators of the following podcasts:

• 37 Graus (São Paulo, Brazil);
• City of Women (Bangalore, India);
• Cocktails & Cancer with MJ and Dani (New Jersey and New York);
• De Eso No Se Habla (Madrid, Spain);
• Her Stage / مسرحهية (Beirut, Lebanon);
• Un periódico de ayer (Bogotá, Colombia);
• AfroQueer (Nairobi, Kenya);
• Las Raras (Santiago, Chile);
• Long Distance (Los Angeles, California);
• The Colored Girl Beautiful (Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.);
• Timestorm (Bloomfield, New Jersey); and,
• Who Taught You How to Drive?! (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

PRX and Google have also released Podcasting 101, a free instructional series available in 15 languages, including Arabic, French, Hindi, Portuguese, and Spanish.

“The first year of the Google Podcasts creator program was a tremendous experience,” said Kerry Donahue, Director of Training at PRX. “We’ve learned a lot about developing podcast ecosystems and how we can support each other to expand the industry. While podcasting’s commercial success grows, we are proud to partner with Google to support underrepresented voices and perspectives, offering support to find their audience and thrive.”

Additional information about the Google Podcasts creator program application, including an FAQ, will be distributed when applications open on July 1.

About PRX

PRX is a public media organization shaping the future of audio by producing and distributing content, building technology, and training talented, independent producers. With an award-winning portfolio ranging from iconic public radio programs such as The World, This American Life, The Moth Radio Hour, TED Talks Daily, The Takeaway, and Reveal, as well as a growing body of podcast-first productions, including the Radiotopia podcast network, PRX reaches more than 28.5 million listeners and generates close to 80 million podcast downloads per month. More at PRX.org.

About Google Podcasts

Google Podcasts is Google’s dedicated podcast effort that helps people discover new podcasts they’ll love, play the latest episodes from their favorite shows, and listen across multiple devices. Google Podcasts is available on Android, iOS, and web.