Siobhan McHugh
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Siobhan McHugh
@siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
250 followers 100 following 48 posts

Passionate about podcasts & audio storytelling as creative, critic, academic, consultant, speaker. Winner, 7 gold NYF. Author, The Power of Podcasting: telling stories through sound (CUP). Consulting Producer, The Greatest Menace https://siobhanmchugh.org/ .. more

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Siobhán McHugh is an Irish-Australian author, podcast producer, radio presenter, oral historian, audio documentary-maker and journalism academic. In 2013 she founded RadioDoc Review, the first journal of critical analysis of crafted audio storytelling podcasts and features, for which she received an academic research award. She is Associate Professor of Journalism (honorary) at the University of Wollongong (UOW). and Associate Professor of Media and Communications (honorary) at the University of Sydney. Her latest book, The Power of Podcasting: telling stories through sound, was published by NewSouth Books in February 2022, with a US edition through Columbia University Press in October 2022. .. more

Communication & Media Studies 48%
History 14%
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Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Jan 16
At last! My new article, "Intimacy, Trust, and Justice on The Greatest Menace, a Podcast Exposing a “Gay Prison”", published in Media and Communication (@cogitatiomac.bsky.social )!

17 awards: the insider story on how we made it.

Download FREE cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcomm... #OpenAccess
Intimacy, Trust, and Justice on The Greatest Menace, a Podcast Exposing a “Gay Prison” | Article | Media and Communication
Siobhán McHugh
cogitatiopress.com

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · 12d
Lots of other fab writers at the True Story Festival in Coledale all weekend, 15-16 Nov - check out the full program southcoastwriters.org/true-story-p...
True Story Program — South Coast Writers Centre
southcoastwriters.org

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · 12d
As Fascism resurges, we need writers with insight. Michael Samaras' Anti-Fascists tells the inspiring story of Jim McNeill, an Australian ironworker who fought in the Spanish Civil War. Dennis Glover's Repeat: A Warning From History traces links between the 1930s and now. Do come to our chat!

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Sep 11
Collecting stories galore here in Ireland - where I’m back to do a Masterclass in Narrative Podcasts - The Invisible Art of Audio Storytelling in Dublin @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social

BOOK NOW for SAT 13th SEPT 10am-1pm This is a one-off - see you there!

irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/narr...

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Sep 7
Back in Dublin, pint in hand and live music session- christened! Looking fwd to meeting all kinds of storytellers at my Narratjve Podcasts masterclass @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social next Saturday 13th - book now!

irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/narr...

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Aug 20
As lists go, this one by podcast industry folk and scholars isn't bad! Joe Rogan scrapes in at #100, while narrative podcasts made with artistry and skill are well represented. Yes it’s heavily US-focused, but global voters (inc me!) offer balance. Dive in!
www.leftofdialmedia.com/essential-li...
Essential Listening Poll - The 100 Greatest Podcasts of All Time — Left of Dial Media
The 100 Greatest Podcasts of All Time
www.leftofdialmedia.com

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Aug 12
So here's a quick summary of my Masterclass on Narrative Podcasts, happening @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social 13 Sept. Book your place now - look forward to hearing and shaping your audio stories! www.instagram.com/reel/DM_A5bd...

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Jul 12
Irish friends:delighted to host a masterclass in how to create a compelling narrative podcast @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social Dublin on 13 Sept! I've shared my insider tips from Hanoi to Malmo: now at last, Dublin

Can't wait to connect and hear your stories👇

irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/narr...

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Jun 9
Our article below (written for the 40th anniversary) traces SBS Radio’s history - written with the late and deeply lamented Jillian Hocking, a gifted and passionate journalist who was Training Manager at SBS Melbourne for over a decade.

theconversation.com/sbs-radio-sh...

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Jun 9
Happy Birthday SBS! 🎂The world’s most multicultural public broadcaster - still vibrant - turns 50 today. 👏 👏 I’m so proud to have taught audio storytelling to SBS broadcasters of over 55 languages for a decade. I learned so much in this mini-United Nations of Oz & have such fond memories 💚

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Jun 6
Lovers of audio: read the thrillingly diverse latest RadioDoc Review @rdreditor.bsky.social

From Chekov's tips on improving your podcast to a penetrating analysis of Desert Island Discs, Dear Rachelle & a confronting Russian podcast on families rent by war... 👇

uowoajournals.org/rdr/issue/15...
RadioDoc Review | Issue: Issue: 1(10) (2025)
uowoajournals.org

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · May 6
Thanks team 💚 - it sure is!

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Apr 18
Absolute honour to have 'The Power of Podcasting: telling stories through sound' in @niemanstoryboard.org books on inspiring storytelling craft. In awesome company, from Aristotle to Stephen King 😊

Nieman Storyboard is part of Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard. @columbiaup.bsky.social

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · May 3
Yay - Australia votes progressive! And Donald Trump no doubt helped the Opposition Leader lose his seat! 🎊🎊

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Apr 30
Stark pix of women & tanks, given to me years ago. A North Vietnamese woman atop the tank that crashed thro the Presidential Palace 50 years ago today, ending the war. An Australian nurse off duty at Vung Tau. A singer's soldier fans. Their stories in my book, Minefields & Miniskirts
#VietnamWar

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Apr 25
Loved Division Street Revisited!
Great concept, to reframe Studs’ original audio gold via contemporary/family voices, while Mary brings a keen observational lens that sounds fresh and warm. Audio-savvy local Bill Healy @chicagoan.bsky.social helps craft storytelling that’s both gentle and punchy 👏👌

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Apr 19
Nooooooooo…!

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Apr 18
Thrilled to be part of this inspiring selection 👇

Reposted by Siobhàn McHugh

markarms.bsky.social
Mark Armstrong @markarms.bsky.social · Apr 17
At @niemanstoryboard.org, we asked our community of journalists, authors, filmmakers, and podcasters to tell us their favorite books on storytelling. And they came through with *40* recommendations.

Here they are. By @mallarytenore.bsky.social:

niemanstoryboard.org/2025/04/17/n...

#booksky
The Nieman Storyboard guide to books on storytelling - Nieman Storyboard
Journalists, authors, producers, filmmakers, and Nieman Storyboard readers share 40 books that inspire their work.
niemanstoryboard.org

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Mar 26
Great to be part of this highly topical journal issue 👇
cogitatiomac.bsky.social Media and Communication @cogitatiomac.bsky.social · Mar 25
Do podcasts create real trust or just fake intimacy?

Our new open access issue explores how podcasts balance personal connection and journalistic standards, looking at opportunities and risks across different countries.
Balancing Intimacy and Trust: Opportunities and Risks in Audio Journalism
Thematic Issue, Vol 13 (2025)
shortt.link

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Mar 25
Excellent set of #openaccess articles on this vitally topical issue - pleased to be part of it. 👇👇
cogitatiomac.bsky.social Media and Communication @cogitatiomac.bsky.social · Mar 25
Do podcasts create real trust or just fake intimacy?

Our new open access issue explores how podcasts balance personal connection and journalistic standards, looking at opportunities and risks across different countries.
Balancing Intimacy and Trust: Opportunities and Risks in Audio Journalism
Thematic Issue, Vol 13 (2025)
shortt.link

Reposted by Scott A. Eldridge, Siobhàn McHugh

cogitatiomac.bsky.social
Media and Communication @cogitatiomac.bsky.social · Mar 25
Do podcasts create real trust or just fake intimacy?

Our new open access issue explores how podcasts balance personal connection and journalistic standards, looking at opportunities and risks across different countries.
Balancing Intimacy and Trust: Opportunities and Risks in Audio Journalism
Thematic Issue, Vol 13 (2025)
shortt.link

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Mar 19
More on the rocketing impact of Meidas Touch: www.thealtmedia.com/p/meidastouc...
MeidasTouch BURIES Joe Rogan And Other Right-Wing Podcasts – Again
The MeidasTouch Podcast reigns supreme as podcast leader in total downloads and views with a staggering 141% audience surge.
www.thealtmedia.com

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Mar 19
Pity @meidastouch.com podcast didn't take off BEFORE the election! This lefty/anti-Trump show is now getting almost DOUBLE Joe Rogan's hits, by some metrics.

podnews.net/update/youtu...

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Mar 8
@australianlabor.bsky.social to get young women on board, send a YOUNG WOMAN e.g. Tu Le Or ANY woman who can play loose and real e.g. @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social Go where the demographic is e.g. Shameless 2million pod DL & average listener 30y.o
Hint: don't send @albomp.bsky.social

#IWD2025

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Mar 8
Australia is misfiring on how to harness #podcasts for election benefit, a topic belatedly noted in US in 2024. But @sydmorningherald.bsky.social misses a salient point: in the US, just mobilising folk to vote was an issue. Voting is compulsory here, so getting people ON SIDE is what matters. 1/2

Reposted by Siobhàn McHugh

rob-rosenthal.bsky.social
Rob Rosenthal @rob-rosenthal.bsky.social · Mar 5
Audio recipe:
• Laughter
• Scene tape (stereo encouraged)
• Choose one of 4 photo ingredients: Road closed, Amelia Earhart luggage, Office workers, or Smalls nightclub
• Edit & mix until 3 minutes long
• Submit to www.audioflux.org/circuit-05 by 4/1 @audioflux.bsky.social @jatomic.bsky.social
Circuit 05 — AUDIO FLUX
www.audioflux.org

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Mar 5
Honoured to be Guest Speaker at the Saint Patrick's Day Dinner of the Aisling Society at University of Sydney on 21 March ☘️ 🇨🇮 Aisling has celebrated Irish culture in Australia for 70 years – and this marks 40 years since I landed here as an excited and naive immigrant!

#StPatricksDay2025

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Feb 28
Loving Sea of Lies!

Reposted by Siobhàn McHugh

jatomic.bsky.social
Julie Shapiro @jatomic.bsky.social · Feb 25
Funding for narrative audio is hard to come by [understatement] so it's practically *thrilling* to see this opportunity from the Doc Society's Climate Story Fund. Stories of all climate stripes will be considered for grants up to 125K(!) Deadline for applying is March 10: climatestoryunit.org/apply/

siobhanmchugh.bsky.social
Siobhan McHugh @siobhanmchugh.bsky.social · Feb 24
Brilliant #PhD scholarship opportunities in Dublin!!
One, on 'Identities and Cultural Production in the Digital Age' allows for practice-based project: #podcast, anyone??
@dublincityuni.bsky.social offers 25K (tax-free) p.a. + conference travel – and you'll live in my native Dublin 💚

Good luck!
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