East Midlands Equity Podcast: A Year of Voices and Community

What started as an ambitious summer project has grown into something truly special. In June 2025, the East Midlands branch launched its very first podcast - a pilot episode that marked the beginning of a new way to connect with our members across the region. 

We conclude the year on episode 10.

From Pilot to Production

Our journey began with that first recording session on June 16th, where committee members Mel Parker (voice artist), Ken Ogborn (actor and compere), and Kim Gillespie (theatre director and coach) came together to create something unprecedented for our branch. What emerged was more than just a podcast - it became a platform for equity members in the East Midlands to speak directly to other members in the region.

​The pilot episode established our core mission: showcasing the professional work of our members while addressing the industry issues that matter most to us. We discovered early on that podcasts offer the perfect solution for busy actors who can listen while traveling between jobs or during downtime.

Building Our Voice

Over three recording sessions, we've developed a format that works. Our 15-minute episodes, released every two weeks, feature segments like "Conference Uncovered" - demystifying the annual conference for newcomers, "East Midlands Spotlight" - celebrating regional talent and projects, and "Campaign Catch Up" - keeping members informed about national campaigns affecting our region.

​One of our proudest achievements has been the "Branch Uncovered" segment, which has helped extend the reach of our monthly meetings. As Kim noted, we're addressing the challenge of connecting with members across our broad geographical region, especially those who can't attend physical meetings.

Looking Forward

The podcast has become more than we initially envisioned. It's a space where we remember that committee members aren't just organizers - we're working professionals with show reels, voice demos, and active careers. It's allowed us to share who we are and what our careers mean to us while bringing others up in the industry.
As we head into 2026, we're committed to continuing this regular production, riding the algorithm river to reach more members and creating content that truly serves our East Midlands community.

Find us on Instagram @eastmidsequity and join our Facebook group. Have ideas for future episodes? Get in touch - this podcast is for you, by you.