The best podcasts in the charity sector

The popularity of podcasting has rocketed in recent years with listeners increasingly attracted by its ease of listening, via their smartphones, and breadth of genres, shows, and voices they can access.

 

As of 2020 there were more than 15 million podcast listeners in the UK, and there are predicted to be around 20 million listeners by 2024.

 

Podcasting is particularly popular among young audiences, with around 40% of UK listeners, who access podcasts on a weekly basis, aged between 26 and 35.

 

This explosion of interest in podcasting is also being met by content creators, with organisations, individuals, and experienced broadcasters alike investing in simple, cost-effective equipment, including microphones and software, to produce their own shows.

 

The charity sector is no exception to this increasing interest in podcasting. Here we look at some of the best charity sector podcasts that are entertaining and informing audiences.

 

 

Charity Chat

 

Not for profit podcast Charity Chat is committed to producing content to contribute to “a more robust, transparent, and effective UK charity sector”.

 

Its seven-strong team of producers feature those with experience of senior and volunteering roles within major charities, including Samaritans, Crisis, British Red Cross, and Cancer Research UK.

 

Charity Chat shows have featured dozens of diverse contributors over more than 150 episodes so far.

 

This includes a look at Charities and Mayors in September 2021, where the Charity Chat team interview Camden Mayor and councillor Sabrina Francis. The episode involved a chat about her experience of working with charities and how the third sector can work with their local mayor to increase awareness and fundraising.

 

Another episode, published in August 2021, featured an interview with Createxplore founder Jeremy Forshew on the value of creative working among charities.

 

 

Do More Good

 

Don’t be fooled by the relaxed tone of Do More Good – there are plenty of serious issues being discussed. The podcast features its two presenters Kenneth Foreman, Head of Charities at London Marathon, and James Wright, Head of Public Fundraising at Sue Ryder, interviewing guests in London pubs.

 

The podcast includes episodes featuring those within the charity sector, as well as celebrities and public figures, all discussing fundraising issues and good causes.

 

Guests in 2021 have included Football Foundation Chief Executive Robert Sullivan and Stavanger Symphony Orchestra conductor Tianyi Lu.

 

Do More Good has clocked up 79 episodes as of August 2021, so there are plenty of shows to catch up on.

 

 

 

Charity Times

 

Charity sector publication Charity Times, which focuses on charity leadership issues, has also branched out into podcasting, featuring in-depth interviews with senior charity figures in conversation with its editor.

 

This includes a series of three digital leadership podcasts this year, featuring chats with representatives of Citzens Advice, Age UK and Peace One Day.

 

 

Third Sector

 

Another charity sector magazine, Third Sector, offers a useful weekly catch up of the latest charity news and views. Each week its journalists chat about the recent events and offer further insight behind the headlines.

 

Episodes have included a catch up on events at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, which has become embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal for much of 2021.

 

Another issue the podcast has looked at in August is how animal charity Nowzad’s staff have been impacted by the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan.

 

 

Tech for Good Live

 

Community-based organistation Tech for Good Live has been operating since 2016 to promote and encourage the benefits of using technology for good. This includes a focus on the ethical use of tech in the charity sector as well as offering key tips.

 

Weekly podcasts are released looking at the latest news and events around tech for good.

 

The podcast also has special series each year, which includes its Making Friends With interviews with tech and charity figures, and a series looking at how technology can empower workers.

 

 

Charity CEO Podcast

 

Charity leader Dhivya O’Conner, who at the time of writing is due to start as the permanent Chief Executive of United World Schools, launched the Charity CEO Podcast in August 2020 to interview charity leaders on a range of topics.

 

Over three seasons she has spoken to Gemma Peters, CEO of Blood Cancer UK, Frank Fletcher, CEP of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. and Kate Lee, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Society, among others.

 

It is invaluable podcast for those in the charity sector to gain an insight into the lives and actions of its most experienced leaders.

 

 

Charity Digital

 

Practical advice and insight into how digital can help charities is the focus of Charity Digital’s regular podcasts.

 

So far in 2021, our podcast has tackled issues such as burnout in the charity sector, finance management, and tackling online hate.

 

Advice on the practicalities of using technology includes an episode this year on how to choose the right CRM. The team have also looked at How not to host a podcast.

 

Also in 2021, the Charity Digital team staged a ‘face off’ between two video conferencing giants Microsoft Teams and Zoom to put their technology to the test.