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Ah, June. The month that all corporations say: hi, gay (if you missed Max Collins’ newsletter from two weeks ago, you should read it). The month that always makes me feel a little chaotic, because the weather is finally nice, actually, and all of a sudden everyone wants to hang out and there are things to do and places to go and all of the flowers are blooming and the city comes ALIVE after a winter that’s inevitably lasted until mid-May.

My podcast listening habits change, too — I’m less likely to listen on walks, because the city starts to sound different. We’ve got birds. We’ve got bugs. Sometimes, we’ve got cicadas (maybe not quite this early but there’s definitely buzzing). I know it’s a cliche to say that the din of a city can sound like jazz music, but you know what? If you listen for music, you’ll start to hear it.

There’s actually a name for that kind of nature appreciation — it’s called a soundwalk. This summer, Hot Girl Walks are out — Sound Girl Walks (?) are in. The name is a work in progress.

So if you, like me, are feeling a bit unhinged with summer lurking around the corner, lace up your shoes, leave your headphones at home, and let the world be your podcast.

Here’s what else is catching our eyes and ears this week:

More movement in the pay-to-listen camp of podcasting as the Economist considers audio paywall as podcasts reach 3 million people a month.

I love reading about new hotels because yes I am an Eloise Lives at the Plaza Adult, and apparently the soon-to-open W hotel in Toronto has… a sound suite? Honestly, it sounds kind of bonkers, but I am dying to see what it’s like.

Yahoo Finance is hiring a senior writer.
Bell Media is hiring a producer for The Social. Apply by June 15.
Antica Productions is hiring a producer for a three to four month contract beginning on July 5. Apply by EOD June 10.
Narcity Media is hiring an on-air host and producer, and the salary range is $55,000 to $72,000.
CBC Radio is hiring a permanent, full-time senior producer for As It Happens. Apply by EOD June 7.
CBC is hiring a permanent, full-time producer for Power and Politics. Apply by EOD June 8.
Are you the next host of CBC Calgary’s number one radio morning show? They’re hiring a full-time, contract host for Calgary Eyeopener. Apply by June 22.
CBC Radio is hiring a permanent, full time host for The Broadcast, CBC’s longest running radio program in Newfoundland and Labrador. Apply by EOD June 7.

Are you reading this from the UK? Senior producer Jay Cockburn says that the BBC’s “Where it Begins” internships are the real deal — but you do have to already be eligible to work in the UK. Apply by June 6 if you’re so lucky.

Paul Wells wrote about his tips of the trade for his newsletter, and I especially appreciated his advice on interview techniques. Whether you’re new to journalism or you’ve been working for years, I find it so interesting to read about how other people conduct interviews.

The other day I went for a Sound Girl Walk before a day of Unhinged Producing, which was especially Unhinged because of the heat wave. I don’t have central air conditioning in my apartment, and while I do have a portable AC unit in my edit suite*, it’s so loud that I can’t really have it on and edit a podcast at the same time.

Armed with my cold brew and banana tahini muffin (if you know you know), I pressed play on Also Cool Sounds Like, a Montreal-based music podcast hosted by Aviva Lessard and Gwen Roley. They also have a magazine, called Also Cool. Each episode, they bring on a different band or artist to talk about their music and the music scene in Montreal. I listened to their interviews with Love Language and Alpen Glow, and I’m excited to go listen to their back catalogues.

Maybe it was the heat. Maybe it was the cold brew. But listening to these interviews reminded me that I actually like discovering new music, and interviews with the artists is certainly a great way to do that. Arts coverage in Canada has shrunk significantly, and I think that leaves room for more independent coverage. Also Cool Sounds Like brings the listener into the heart of the Montreal music scene, and with episodes that clock in under 30 minutes, they pair well with a sweaty morning walk.

Have you read about Bill C-18? It’s Canada’s Online News Act, and it was introduced to “sustain local journalism, support innovation in news, and ensure diversity in the news industry.” Independent media is largely left out of the legislation. Vocal Fry Studios has signed an open letter with more than 100 Canadian news outlets calling for four amendments to Bill C-18, including a transparent, fair funding formula, support for journalists, inclusion, and no loopholes. You can read the open letter on our blog, and it was also published in the Globe and Mail earlier this week.

Also, our very own Katie Jensen is back recording in the studio, which means…

We want to hear from you! What are you looking for in your podcast news? Let us know on Twitter, Instagram, or by email at info@vocalfrystudios.com.

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Thanks to Emily Latimer for editing this newsletter, and to Katie Jensen for designing it.

We’ll see you again on June 10. Until then, here’s an update from the squirrel who came to say hello to Katie.

Unhinged producer summer is here