The Sound Off Podcast

Kristi Lee: Canadian True Crime at 200

Kristi Lee is the host of Canadian True Crime, a show that has eclipsed 75 million downloads over 200 episodes. I spoke with Kristi about her path that ultimately led her into podcasting. Kristi told me about how a family move and her husband’s love of hockey brought them to Toronto, where she eventually turned her obsession with true crime shows like Casefile and They Walk Among Us into her own podcast in 2016.She tells me about those early days, working late at night after her kids went to bed, teaching herself Audacity and spending a full week crafting her first episode on the Paul Bernardo case. We covered how storytelling has evolved through cases like Cody Legebokoff and Victoria Stafford, and the powerful moment she heard from a victim’s father who appreciated her work.We also got real about monetizing a podcast in Canada, why she chose ACast and dynamic ad insertion to fill a small bucket, and how she’s built a small but trusted team while staying very hands-on. Kristi closes by sharing her plans to tackle complex topics like human trafficking, emphasizing trauma-informed, ethical storytelling and a strong sense of responsibility to victims and communities.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Julian on the Radio

Julian Nieh is Julian on the Radio,and traces his radio career that’s from Washington, DC to major markets like Chicago, Seattle, Las Vegas, and the future. He recalls falling into radio through an internship, doing everything from promotions and street stunts to last‑minute board‑opping that led to his first on‑air shifts. Matt and Julian geek out on the magic of 90s radio and MTV, the emotional pull of that era’s music, and the power of creating anticipation and memorable moments for listeners.Julian reflects on influences like Elliot in the Morning, Donnie Simpson, and his time at B96 Chicago, where supportive local leadership let him take creative risks and win industry awards. The conversation digs into culture vs. corporate realities, the loneliness of modern radio, and why curiosity, empathy, and connection still matter more than polish. Matt & Julien also talked about the shifting impact of social media, podcasting, and sales acumen, and Julian’s search for a role that truly aligns. Check out his demo here. Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brittany Grunig: Building Country Radio Listeners Love

Brittany Grunig, whose journey through Canadian country radio perfectly illustrates why one should bel bullish on radio’s future. Brittany shares how growing up in small-town Nova Scotia, studying marketing at Holland College, and stumbling into a radio internship led to gigs at Ocean 100, K-Rock, and CFCY, before a chance interview booking helped her leap to New Country 94 in Ottawa.We talk about her rapid evolution from on-air host to Music Director and eventually Regional Program Director at Bell, navigating competitive markets, the infamous hit/non-hit regulations in Ottawa, and how she used creativity, artist relationships, and a passion for Canadian country to build compelling stations and shows.Brittany then explains why she moved on from corporate radio, how motherhood reshaped her priorities, and why she’s now energized by working with My Broadcast Corporation in Kingston. Her optimism about fiercely local, community-first radio will make you rethink what’s possible for the next 10 years of audio.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brion O'Brion: Radio DJ Bob

Brion O'Brion is the radio in Lansing, Michigan on Power 96.5. A true veteran in urban and hip hop radio, Brion shared his radio story—from growing up in Virginia and spending time overseas, to discovering his love for radio with the legendary “Rap Attack” show on WRAP. We talked about the mentors who shaped his path, the competitive radio scenes in Orlando and St. Louis, and how setbacks taught him resilience and the importance of adaptability.Brion opened up about the changing landscape of radio, the impact of social media, and why connecting with audiences—both on air and online—is the key to radio's future as an influencer medium. (Yes I wrote that).He also gave candid advice to aspiring radio personalities while reflecting on his own family’s legacy of perseverance. Brion’s passion and honesty remind me why I love doing this show, and how much I miss radio events like the Conclave.Oh wait... did you know there is one more Conclave? Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nat Lauzon: Midlife at 50

I am joined by my longtime friend and media personality Nat Lauzon. Nat does weekends on 92.5 The Beat and shares her experience launching her new podcast called Feedbag. In an honest and lighthearted conversation, (Lighthearted because we talk about farts) Nat opens up about facing big life changes, including navigating midlife, finding creative freedom, and her recent health challenges with stage zero breast cancer.Nat is successful because she prepares for, and embraces change, balancing personal and professional passions, and turning challenges into opportunities for growth. You will enjoy stories about building a podcast from the ground up, the importance of technical support, and the joy of sharing the mic with loved ones. With moments of humor, vulnerability, and practical advice, this 30 plus minutes with Nat is a solid must-listen for anyone interested in creativity, storytelling, and charting your own path, instead of having other people decide it for you.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data SolutionsMegatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.