The BBC Academy Podcast

Live radio requires a lot of effort at the best of times - more so when you're dealing with sensitive issues, vulnerable contributors and medical advice. We find out how the team behind BBC Radio 1's The Surgery put the show together and deal with a wide range of medical issues from callers, especially mental health problems.In this podcast you'll learn about:- specialist production and presenting skills - the processes in place to protect callers - the issues around offering advice - the duty of care towards listeners"It is really hard, I'm not going to lie. I don't think it would be fair to say it's easy to present a show of such a sensitive nature."– Gemma CairneyThe BBC Academy's Jas Rao spoke to the team: presenter Gemma Cairney (above, left), resident GP and co-host Dr Radha (above, right) - formerly of Channel 4's The Sex Education Show and BBC Three's Make My Body Younger - and producer Becky Griesdale-Sherry, a former producer of the Vanessa Feltz phone-in show on BBC Radio London.Find out more about BBC Academy: Website – www.bbc.co.uk/academy Facebook – www.facebook.com/bbcacademy Twitter – www.twitter.com/bbcacademy

To get a programme on television, you first have to master the commissioning process and pitch to someone who’s in a position to give you the go-ahead.“When it works it is absolutely the best feeling in the world,” says Lisa Hazlehurst, head of Lion Television, Scotland. “When it doesn’t work you really do have to pick yourself up.”"The key to success is serendipity and something that punches your show above the noise – and that’s often the talent.”– Alan TylerIn this podcast presenter Sally Magnusson speaks to TV commissioners about:- what they’re looking for - the best way to approach them - what goes into a taster tapeProducers who win a commission should enjoy the moment, warns executive editor at BBC entertainment commissioner Alan Tyler. As one producer explained to him, it’s “30 seconds of ecstasy when you get the commission, followed by the horrible realisation that you now have to make the bloody thing".The guests on this panel include Alan, Lisa, the BBC commissioning editor for daytime and early peak Jo Street, BBC commissioning editor for science and factual Craig Hunter and BBC Scotland commissioning editor Ewan Angus.

There are so many options when choosing a career, the competition is tough, and most school leavers have little practical experience. The BBC Academy's Kris Bramwell spoke to BBC new talent schemes coordinator Affie Jeerh and National Careers Service adviser Rachel Locke to hear their advice. "What I firstly advise people to do is have a real, hard think about what it is that makes them the person they are."– Affie JeerhIn this podcast you'll learn more about: - getting your CV right - how to write brilliant covering letters - what are the options for people starting their career today - transferable skills - how to stand out for the right reasons

Changing your career, whether through choice or redundancy, can be daunting. You can feel inspired and confused at the same time.But where do you start? And what do you need to consider?"The average millennial, by the time they retire, will have probably changed their job at least 14 times."– Mel BarclayIn this podcast you'll learn more about:- the risks involved - why more people are making the leap - techniques to help you plan - the help available for BBC staffThe BBC Academy's Jas Rao spoke to Mel Barclay, head of career transition at LHH Penna - an organisation that’s worked with the BBC over a number of years to help redeploy staff. He also chatted to Natasha Stanley, head of content for Career Shifters - a website that provides support for people changing careers - and hears from Nina Ridge, a former BBC weather presenter who became a school teacher.

The stories aren't about sound - they are created using sound. Hugh Sykes uses sound to tell evocative stories and paint pictures in the audiences’ minds. The renowned foreign correspondent plays clips of his work - from the whistling winds of Pakistan to reporting the aftermath of the Tunisia terror attack in 2016. "One of my golden rules is that a radio reporter has to wear headphones like a camera operator has to look through a viewfinder." – Hugh SykesIn this podcast, you will learn how to:- effectively tell stories on the radio - get the best sound for each story - approach difficult situations for newsgathering - tackle sensitive topics

If you work in the media you're most likely to be involved in regular creative ideas sessions (like the one above). But what form can they take - what techniques can you use to improve them?The BBC Academy's Charles Miller spoke to former BBC journalist and development producer Steve Rawling, the founder of creativity training company Now Go Create, Claire Bridges, and Facebook product designer Tanner Christensen. “It's about understanding how to create what I call a 'whole brain team'... Understanding what everyone brings to the table in relation to creativity.” – Claire BridgesIn this podcast you will learn: - techniques to spark ideas - methods leaders can employ to help their whole team think more creatively - whether creativity is a skill you can develop or a gift you're born with - the benefits of creative sessions to teams across the media

BBC Academy director Joe Godwin spoke to comedian Janice Connolly and BBC Comedy executive Rebecca Papworth about taking unconventional Birmingham housewife Barbara Nice from a stand-up act to a rounded radio sitcom character.Janice developed her Barbara Nice character in the late 1990's and it led to her being spotted by Peter Kay.“As an artist it's important you have a relationship where you think you're being talked to properly - the person you're working with gets you artistically but is also very honest with you.” – Janice ConnollyIn this podcast, you will learn how to: - go from stand-up to sitcom - become comfortable with radio technology - develop a character - build the relationship between performer and producer Janice has a string of credits as a musician, actress, comedian and artistic director.

Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs has earned its 75 years on the air by consistently producing revealing interviews with well-known guests like US actor Tom Hanks above.We asked series producer Cathy Drysdale to explain how the show is made:- how to book big-name guests - how their lives are researched - what happens during the studio recording - how the programme is edited - what personal qualities you need to work on the seriesCathy reveals the way her team works flexibly to fit in with guests' busy schedules. She also talks about how the producer and presenter Kirsty Young must trust each other explicitly in the studio."When I’m looking through the glass and I see Tom Hanks there I am pinching myself. I allow myself five seconds of pinching and that’s it. Then you have to be completely professional.” – Cathy DrysdaleDesert Island Discs airs on Sunday at 11.15. More than 2000 episodes are available on the programme website.

The way UK television script-writing teams work is changing fast. While today's fragmented digital industry offers less in-house stability, there are more opportunities with international and online broadcasters. We spoke to TV writer Sophie Petzal, BBC Writersroom development producer Abigail Gonda and Doctors script editor Nasreen Ahmed.“We're less hamstrung by the needs of channels now... I feel like now, more than ever, is the time to get into television.” –Sophie PetzalIn this podcast, you will learn about:- BBC initiatives to nurture budding script-writers - The demands of working as a TV drama script-writer or script editor - Why the relationship between the script editor and writer is so important - The new challenges teams are likely to face in the coming years - The value of script-writers and script editors in the production process

Advanced tech, behind-the-scenes experiences, full games on social media - how do the latest digital innovations affect the traditional broadcast industry?And what do they mean for you if you're trying to get a job as a sports journalist or producer?"There are completely new players delivering big audiences through online only platforms... it does feel like it's a bit of a Wild West at the moment." – Professor Andy Miah.In this podcast you'll learn more about:- the new digital innovations being used across a range of sport - the future of sports consumption habits - the impact of these changes on existing broadcasters - the importance of storytellingThe BBC Academy's Jas Rao speaks to Professor Andy Miah, author of ‘Sport 2.0: Transforming Sports for a Digital World’, and Stuart Rowson, younger audiences editor at BBC Sport, as well as hearing from Manchester City FC's social media manager Chris Parkes-Nield, Table Tennis England's head of commercial Mark Taffler and Hashtag UTD striker Seb Carmichael-Brown.