Speakers and Panelists
We’re pleased to confirm an incredibly talented group of speakers and panellists for Asia Pacific Podcast Conference in Auckland, New Zealand. Prior to the event expect to see some further updates to our line-up.
Cliff Ravenscraft
World's #1 Podcast Coach
In December 2005, Cliff Ravenscraft and his wife founded the Generally Speaking Production Network. Since then, he has produced over 3,200 of his own podcast episodes. In December 2006, Cliff launched the ‘Podcast Answer Man’ podcast which has helped him earn the reputation as the world’s #1 podcast coach. He has helped thousands of individuals and organizations launch successful podcasts through one-on-one consulting/coaching, through his renowned Podcasting A to Z online training course and conference speaking.
It’s been said that in at least one category on iTunes, if you look at the top 100 podcasts, some 50% of these shows were created by clients who have worked with Cliff Ravenscraft. At the Asia Pacific Podcast Conference it will be your chance to meet and hear from Cliff directly.
Kaitlyn Sawrey
Editor of Hack Digital (ABC - Sydney, Australia)
Kaitlyn Sawrey is the Editor of Hack Digital – a newly created online team to support triple j radio’s current affairs program Hack. Previously she was Hack’s Executive Producer, and helped birth ABC Radio’s experimental podcast unit First Run, including the highly successful Science Vs podcast with Wendy Zukerman.
As a journalist with ten years of daily radio experience, Kaitlyn’s work has been featured on triple j, ABC Local Radio, Radio Australia, Radio National, Newsradio, triple j magazine and ABC24. She is a member of the TEDxSydney curatorial team, producing speakers for the main stage at the Sydney Opera House.
Megan Whelan
Producer 'First Person with John Campbell', RNZ - Community Engagement Editor
Megan Whelan is RNZ’s (formerly Radio New Zealand) community engagement editor. She’s changing the face of public broadcasting, one crazy hair colour at a time. Megan has worked as a journalist for more than a decade. She’s passionate about storytelling – from 140 characters to hour-long documentaries.
Megan has been heavily involved in much of RNZ’s digital transformation including launching and hosting her own podcast via ‘The Wireless’ web property and producing the #1 podcast ‘First Person with John Campbell’.
Michelle Dickinson (Nanogirl)
Superhero, TV personality, Science Communicator, Podcaster
Michelle Dickinson (or Nanogirl as she’s know to her fans) holds the Member of New Zealand Order of Merit and was awarded the Sir Peter Blake Leadership in 2015 and winner of the Prime Ministers Science Media Communication Prize and the New Zealand Association of Scientists Science Communicators Award in 2014. Michelle is also Co-Founder of the charity OMGTech!. and is in the middle of recording an upcoming podcast series that sits alongside her other media and speaking work around the world.
Paul Spain
#1 iTunes Podcaster, Media Commentator, Technologist
With a deep interest in technology, Paul Spain has been involved in many aspects of digital media over the last 25-years. His first taste of having his voice recorded was on a reel-to-reel audio tape aged 5, he’s also run a pre-Facebook global social network (WorldDJ.com) which reached over 300,000 members, and has appeared dozens of times on TV along with radio and both local and international podcasts. Paul is founder and CEO at Gorilla Technology, coordinator of the Asia Pacific Podcast Conference and is building a podcast network focussed on the Asia Pacific region. NZ Tech Podcast which Paul co-founded reached #1 overall on iTunes in New Zealand by its 3rd episode – and his NZ Business Podcast saw similar success.
Natalie Cutler-Welsh
Author, Blogger, Podcast, Impact Entrepreneur
Natalie Cutler-Welsh aka ‘the Go to Girl’ is an Author, Blogger, Podcast, Impact Entrepreneur and a mother of three. She helps women in business to raise their profile and have a bigger impact through Social Media, Networking & Mastermind groups. Born in Canada (of Kiwi heritage) Natalie is a natural ‘connector’ who loves interviewing people and introducing people by allowing them to share their story and make a difference. Her podcast is ‘Go to Girl Social Media & Networking’ and her co-hosted blab show is ‘Inspire Higher’. Website
Will Fleming
iTunes Top 10 Podcaster
Will Fleming is full time Studio Director by day and a passionate podcaster by night. He lives each day to the fullest, using every hour of the day to balancing family, work, fun and personal growth.
With over 8 years experience in the New Zealand Television industry, Will has rubbed shoulders with New Zealand’s finest, working on the 6pm news on TVNZ, TV3’s Campbell Live as well has helping New Zealand’s only shopping channel, Yesshop, launch into NZ and Australia to hundreds of thousands of viewers.
So with the family and career tracking nicely, Will has now turned to the big one… Life – and what its all about? Every week Will hosts a podcast called My Kiwi Life joined by fascinating Kiwis to ponder life, share perspective, human potential and the meaning of it all.
Josh Nielson
Founder/CEO at Zencastr
Josh Nielsen is the founder of Zencastr – a podcasting production tool for quality conscious podcasters. As an entrepreneur, audiophile, and podcast lover, he is currently directing his efforts into maximizing the sound quality of podcasts everywhere.
Josh has an interest in all things business, development, and marketing. He has worked to help many companies build from the ground up including some time at the Techstars startup accelerator in Boulder Colorado. While a native of the US, has been living with his family and building his business in Christchurch, NZ for much of the past year.
Jono Hutchison
Head of Digital News at MediaWorks
Jono Hutchison is Head of Digital News at MediaWorks. He has been at the company for the best part of 11 years, apart from a short hiatus in 2011. He has also covered New Zealand stories for the International Herald Tribune/New York Times.
After finishing a Bachelor of Communication Studies AUT in 2006 he started working in online news, going on to report and produce for a number of TV3 news programmes including Firstline, Nightline and the 6pm bulletin.
Last year he was the Executive Producer of Newsworthy, working to create and establish the new brand on television and online. Jono considers himself a digital native and is probably a little too keen to point out that he is a Millennial, albeit one of the older ones.
Victor Ahipene
International Podcaster
Victor Ahipene is the Founder of The Podcast Institute and host of the Youngpreneurs Podcast. Victor has transitioned from a 9-5 job to creating a podcast that went to #1 in 6 different countries in iTunes ‘New and Noteworthy’ and #1 Business podcast in iTunes ‘What’s Hot’ in New Zealand. Victor will be sharing how he achieved success and growth – in part through connecting with higher profile guests who helped build his audience.
Chris Hanlon
Podcaster, Filmmaker, Writer, Trainer
As well as being one a host on The Chris and Sam Podcast and The NZ Filmmakers Podcast, Chris Hanlon is fascinated by making films. Just don’t ask him about Tropfest New Zealand this year as it is the first time in three years he hasn’t got a film in the finals. When he’s not goofing around with films or podcasts he can be found writing for clients or creating and delivering training.
Chris Hanlon will be leading a number of the panel discussions at the inaugural Asia Pacific Podcast Conference in Auckland, New Zealand.
Hugh Sundae
General Manager, 95bFM - Auckland
Hugh Sundae (real name Ian Hughes) has a long career working in the media – from TV presenting and radio DJ to working in the print and digital world and now heading up the ever popular Auckland based 95bFM – the longest-standing independent radio station in New Zealand. Curiously Hugh’s current role was something of a return to his roots, since, it was at 95bFM where he started in radio at the tender age of 14-years which lead to him later becoming host of bFM’s breakfast show.
Duncan Greive
Editor, Publisher, Podcaster
A journalist and critic based in Auckland, New Zealand, Duncan Greive is editor and publisher of culture site The Spinoff, which includes podcasts amongst its output. He has been writing about music, sport, business and music for over ten years, and won Canon Awards for both sport and arts. In 2013 he shadowed the singer Lorde for a feature, following her rise to fame. Initially published in Metro, it was also used in an extended version to launch FasterLouder.com’s Headliners series, and his work has appeared in The Guardian, Metro and North & South.