In Our Time’s Melvyn Bragg to step down

• Melvyn Bragg has announced he is to step down from presenting the In Our Time podcast. The 85 year-old first joined the BBC in 1961; the podcast and radio programme has aired since October 1998, and is one of the most popular podcasts from the BBC.

  • In Our Time was the first podcast from the BBC, put into an RSS feed in Nov 2004 by Matt Webb of BBC Radio & Music Interactive.
  • One of the latest episodes in the podcast feed, broadcast in July, was entitled “Civility: talking with those who disagree with you”. While Bragg says the show has a “wholly misleading title”, what could be more “In Our Time”?

• YouTube appears to be having trouble importing RSS feeds once more, and the service is sending emails to many podcasters claiming it has failed to retrieve their latest episodes. A number of podcast hosts have had similar reports: it’s up to YouTube to fix.

• Patreon has launched updated creator pages. “The new creator page is available to all creators, but it won’t go live until you publish it for your fans.”

• Looking for a place to record a podcast? Do you live near Bristol VA, in the US? Then the Bristol Public Library has a new “audio booth”. It’s free if you’re a library member.

• The Wall Street Journal covers The Podcast Gold Rush: Media Companies Race to License Star Creators. Marked as an exclusive, it suggests that The Shawn Ryan Show is close to a buyer (it’s currently with Cumulus) in a deal that could be worth $10mn.

People News

• You’ll be hearing Ryland Barton’s voice a lot more if you live in the US - he’s been named as a new newscast reader for NPR. He’ll be on the NPR News Now podcast, one of the most popular in the country; as well, of course, as on NPR stations across the US.

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Podcast News

The First Degree has joined the fwd network from AdLarge. The true-crime show is in its eighth year, and claims tens of millions of downloads. It was with SiriusXM.

From the BBC, The Global Story with Asma Khalid and Tristan Redman was relaunched this week. The first episode spoke to Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s international editor, about two competing visions for the future of Gaza and what is possible on the ground.

Snark meets joy on Front Porch AF - a show featuring neighbors Kelli and Sue -- from The Bend in Madison TN. The show incolves drinks, laughs, and chats about politics, dogs, local goings on, why Indian motorcycles are a girl’s best friend -- and how we can all make a positive difference in our world.

What are you really thirsty for? The Big Drink Rethink is a podcast for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol - whether you want to quit, drink less, take a break, or simply explore the role alcohol plays in your life. It’s hosted by the coach and author Anna Donaghey, and features expert guests, real stories, and practical strategies, this podcast offers a refreshingly smart, non-judgemental space to reflect, grow, and explore the life you want.

Okayest Hunter - once a podcast but now a full network - has signed a new lease at 206C W. Jefferson St. in Oconomowoc WI, USA, marking a major milestone in the brand’s continued growth. What began as a humble podcast recorded in a basement has evolved into a full-fledged network of shows rooted in hunting, conservation, and outdoor culture. The new space will serve as a creative hub for both in-person podcast production and collaborative content creation with brand partners.