The Sound Off Podcast

We last had JC Douglas on our show 9 years ago when I got the full run down of his career highlights. JC Douglas announced his retirement on Facebook in May 2026, reflecting on his 40-year tenure at Q104, his morning run at C100, and in-between time at 89.9 The Wave. He discussed the success of Q104 and C100, attributing it to loyal audiences and long-tenured talent. Douglas highlighted his pivotal moments, including interviewing Paul McCartney and covering the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting. What's Next? He plans to archive his extensive media collection and spend more time with his four-year-old son. Douglas emphasized the importance of radio's human connection and the impact of social media on community engagement.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.I mentioned during the show that I once had country superstar Meghan Patrick on a podcast. Did you know she is a leading member of the Buffalo Bills Mafia? 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.

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.Subscribe to Feedbag with Nat Lauzon 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: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.

Kendall Breitman is the Community Manager at Riverside.fm and discusses her transition from political journalism to podcasting, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and storytelling. She highlights Riverside's tools, including the CO-creator (nicknamed Coco) for marketing materials and Magic Audio for audio enhancement. Riverside's new hosting feature integrates recording, editing, and publishing, simplifying workflows. Kendall also mentions the potential for in-person recording and the benefits of live streaming on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. She stresses the importance of community support and ease of use in podcasting, aiming to make content creation more accessible for all.If you would like to try out Riverside.fm - you can do so here and there may be a nice discount in there 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.Podderapp: Where podcasters can get access to their advanced data dashboard here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ivar Hamilton discusses the history and impact of CFNY, a Toronto radio station known for its free-form programming and support of new wave and punk music in the late 70's through to 1988. Ivar explains the station's evolution, its early support of artists like U2 and The Cocteau Twins, and its eventual shift to a more commercial format in 1988. We also covered Ivar's career transition to Polygram and later Universal, his role in promoting acts, and the challenges of adapting to digital platforms. Additionally, Matt mentions the upcoming documentary on CFNY, featuring interviews with key figures and artists. Ivar also mentioned his involvement in various radio shows, including a guest spot on "The Edge Time Machine" and hosting alternative Christmas music shows on stations like NYTheSpirit and The Bridge..The Sound Off Podcast Network has been assisting Ivar and Scot Turner launch their podcast, Music Milestones YYZ, which documents music history in Toronto. The podcast covers significant events, releases, and cultural references, often incorporating personal anecdotes from Ivar's 10 years at CFNY and 35 years at a major record label. Upcoming episodes will feature guests and discussions on notable musicians and events, such as the 45th anniversary of John Lennon's murder and the tours of Canadian classic rock bands in 2026.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.Podderapp: Where podcasters can get access to their advanced data dashboard here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a media move that Matt Cundill describes as... "Yeah that makes sense", The Walrus has acquired Lead Podcasting, bringing together two powerhouses of Canadian journalism and podcast production. Led by Jennifer Hollett, The Walrus—a respected long-form journalism publication turned digital media organization—sees podcasting as a critical avenue for storytelling and audience engagement. Amanda Cupido, founder of Lead Podcasting, brings a team of skilled podcast producers with a strong journalistic background.The acquisition represents more than a business transaction; it's a strategic alignment of values centered on fact-based storytelling and community connection. Both organizations share a commitment to high-quality, trustworthy content and see podcasting as an intimate medium for exploring ideas. The partnership will operate under The Walrus Lab, leveraging Lead Podcasting's production expertise to expand their podcast offerings while maintaining their core mission of sparking meaningful conversations about Canadian stories.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.Podderapp: Where podcasters can get access to their advanced data dashboard here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2025 Canadian Radio Awards were hosted by Connie Thiessan (Broadcast Dialogue) and Matt Cundill (The Sound Off Podcast) on Friday November 28, 2025. You can watch the whole show on the Broadcast Dialogue YouTube and Linked In Pages.A full list of winners can be found here.By station, Stingray Radio’s boom 97.3 (CHBM-FM) Toronto won three awards, including Program Director of the Year for Troy McCallum, On-Air (solo) Host of the Year for morning man Stu Jeffries, and Music Director of the Year for Wayne Webster.boom 97.3 was also the runner-up for Station of the Year (Large Market), with Pattison Media’s 102.3 NOW! Radio (CKNO-FM) Edmonton taking the honour for a second year in a row.Other stations picking up multiple wins included Northern Native Broadcasting’s CFNR Terrace, BC. The not-for-profit station earned the Best Campus or Community Station honour, while Matt Fisher was named Program Director of the Year (Small Market). Independent station Moose FM (CKFU-FM) in Fort St. John, BC also earned two awards – Station of the Year (Small Market) and Best Podcast (Small Market).By radio group, Rogers Sports & Media came away with a leading five awards, followed by Vista Radio (4), Bell Media (3), and Stingray Radio (3).Other groups recognized include Evanov Communications, Harvard Media, Pattison Media, Whiteoaks Communications Group, Golden West Broadcasting, Novacast Media, and Newfoundland Broadcasting, in addition to not-for-profit creative collective, the Pro Bono Group. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.