Podcasting Mentorship Program (12 Week Course)
Podcasting Mentorship Program (12 Week Course)
System Speak Mentorship Program: Podcasting with Purpose
Course Title:
Finding Voice: A 12-Week Mentorship Journey in Podcasting, Personal Empowerment, and Professional Growth
Course Overview:
This 12-week mentorship course, one on one with Emma herself, is designed to support emerging podcasters, particularly those with lived experience of trauma and dissociation, who want to build, brand, and broadcast their unique voice with integrity and skill. Participants will receive structured guidance on developing a podcast, articulating their message, and cultivating confidence and sustainability in public-facing work. Each week combines technical podcast training with reflective exercises on authenticity, boundaries, and self-trust.
What Mentorship Is (and Is Not):
This program offers mentorship, not therapy or coaching. It is a peer-guided, collaborative space for learning and skill-building, not for clinical mental health treatment or diagnostic support. While we acknowledge that trauma and identity shape the creative process, we approach this mentorship through a lens of shared experience and personal development—not clinical intervention or life coaching.
Weekly Outline
Week 1 – Orientation & Intentions
Introductions and course overview
Setting goals, boundaries, and values
Understanding your “why” behind podcasting
Introduction to podcasting tools and platforms
Week 2 – Naming and Framing Your Podcast
Brainstorming titles and taglines
Clarifying your message and audience
Developing a podcast description that reflects your voice
Week 3 – Authenticity in Public Spaces
Discussing vulnerability, safety, and identity online
Navigating disclosure: what to share and what to protect
Exercises on voice, tone, and self-trust
Week 4 – Branding and Design
Visual identity: logos, artwork, and cover art
Introduction to basic graphic tools
Choosing music and style for your theme
Week 5 – Intro/Outro Creation
Scripting your opening and closing segments
Voice recording exercises
Tips on pacing, emotion, and connecting with listeners
Week 6 – Basic Editing Skills
Hands-on training with editing software
Cutting, trimming, and leveling sound
Removing ums, pauses, and background noise
Week 7 – Advanced Editing and Accessibility
Adding music, transitions, and multi-track content
Creating transcripts and closed captions
Accessibility considerations for neurodivergent and disabled listeners
Week 8 – Publishing and Distribution
Choosing a podcast host
Uploading episodes and writing show notes
Understanding RSS feeds and directories
Week 9 – Boundaries, Feedback, and Hate Mail
Navigating listener feedback, trolls, and emotional safety
Strategies for boundary setting and emotional regulation
Creating a crisis plan for unexpected distress
Week 10 – Professional Development
Ethics, integrity, and consent in podcasting
Creating media kits, bios, and collaboration requests
Opportunities for monetization, funding, or speaking
Week 11 – Growth and Sustainability
Building consistency and avoiding burnout
Scheduling content, batching, and realistic timelines
Listener engagement and community building
Week 12 – Celebration and Next Steps
Final project: share a first episode or sample draft
Reflecting on growth and feedback
Graduation ceremony and planning what comes next