Head of Industry Relations
Paulo Dias is a prominent podcast thought leader in South Africa whose opinion is sought out across the continent.
A prolific writer and social media commentator on the subject, Paulo has written on the topic for MarkLives aswell as The Redzone in The Financial Times – he hosts various workshops and presentations with the country’s top media agencies as well as radio stations advising on best use of podcasts in a business environment.
He is also the course contributor to Podcast 101 at The Media Academy and co-ordinator of the popular Podcast Inspiration Days across Johannesburg and South Africa which gathers the leading minds in local podcasting.
This has given rise to the founding of the Podcaster Guild of South Africa, a charge he has led to formalise podcasting in the country to make it more responsible and accountable as an advertising medium for brands.He is a prolific podcaster himself and
hosts two award winning shows, That 80s Show, a Best Music Show Winner and Working Title FC, winner in the Best Sports Podcast category.
Podcasting transforms passionate pop culture fans into powerful storytellers. In this talk, we explore how anyone can turn their love for comics, gaming, or cosplay into a meaningful platform for connection and change. From finding your niche to hitting record, podcasting offers fans a chance to build communities and share diverse voices. Using examples from Marvel's audio comics, fan theory shows, and mental health podcasts, we'll unpack how storytelling through sound creates impact beyond the screen. Whether it's interviewing creators or geeking out over lore, podcasts give fans a creative space to be heard. After speaking at Comic Con Cape Town, I realised the power of interactivity—and this time, I'm bringing it with me. Introducing the Live Audio Comic – Assembled! Where I'll choose 2–3 volunteers to read a short, scripted scene from an audio comic book. Using sound effects or vocal sound FX from the crowd this instant playback shows how powerful podcast theatre can be. This session doesn't just talk about podcasting—it lets fans experience it. By the end, attendees won't just be inspired to start a podcast—they'll know they already have.