Not a Groupie
Not a Groupie was born from Cactus Cities’ mission to amplify under-represented voices in the music and sound industry. The focus was on using sound and storytelling to highlight the stories of those changing the music industry, creating a show that connected emotionally and sparked important conversations. Each episode was crafted to entertain, educate, and inspire; reflecting Cactus Citys’ inclusive values while giving a platform to those who are working to change the game.
Summary
Role
Producer
Audio Editor, Mixer, and Mastering Engineer
Sound Designer
Podcast Co-host
Project Manager
Team
Sophie Smith, Content and Partnerships and Presenter of Not a Groupie
Yasmin Spencer, Brand Creative and Content Strategist
Timeline
May 2021 - March 2023
Raise awareness.
Educating others.
Validate experiences.
Building a community.
Having fun.
Making guests feel heard.
The project at hand
Through honest conversation, shared laughter, and the emotional weight of lived experience, we needed to create a space where guests felt heard, and where sound played a quiet but vital role in supporting their stories.
For Not a Groupie, the focus was on creating an authentic, powerful platform for under-represented voices in music.
With the aim of creating accessible, empowering content, the decision was made to adapt this vision into a podcast format.
How do we create a platform where under-represented voices not only speak, but are heard and valued?
Mic Check.
Getting ready to speak up.
Creating a safe space.
Where voices are protected.
Goals
I needed to bring Not a Groupie to life in a way that reflected Cactus City’s mission of inclusivity, empowerment, and representation. That meant shaping each episode to elevate the voices of our guests, capturing their stories with honesty, care, and sonic clarity - using sound not to stand out, but to quietly support the environment and emotion of each conversation.
01
Sound with a purpose
Create high-quality, accessible audio content that reflects Cactus City’s mission.
02
Stories that stick
Launch a podcast that educates and inspires.
03
A workflow that works
Establish efficient audio production workflows in a small, growing team.
04
Setting the vibe
Help shape the tone and style of the company’s content across platforms.
With our community in mind, we set out to create a podcast that felt personal, purposeful, and truly reflective of the voices we aimed to amplify. Every element was built with care, research, and intention.
By balancing technical precision with sensitivity in storytelling, I helped build a podcast that wasn’t just a conversation - it was an approachable platform.
It was about more than producing a podcast - it was about using sound to support truth, spark connection, and elevate under-represented voices in the industry.
The research
I wanted to create a warm, intimate sound space that made guests feel comfortable and heard, while making sure each episode felt polished, professional, and emotionally grounded.
To help us achieve this, researching leading podcasts was key.
To shape the show, we researched podcasts like The F-List and Girls Twiddling Knobs - shows that champion under-represented voices. Listening closely to how they structured interviews, handled sound design, and centred their guests gave us real insight into how to balance storytelling with representation. That research helped guide our approach, ensuring each episode celebrated our guests’ struggles and successes with honesty, heart, and intention.
Accessibility
To ensure Not a Groupie was as inclusive as its mission, I researched best practices in accessible podcast production - drawing from accessibility guidelines, industry resources, and audience feedback.
The planning
Bringing Not a Groupie to life meant building everything from scratch - and at first, everything was an option.
This was both exciting and daunting.
With no previous episodes to guide us, I knew I couldn’t leave anything up to chance. I shaped the show’s tone, structure, and sound from the ground up - leading on scripting, music, editing, and mixing.
I built detailed workflows, created prep guides, managed remote recording kits, and even included handwritten thank-you notes to make the experience personal.
By planning each step and stripping away barriers, I helped shape a show that felt professional and empowering, while still leaving room for it to be human, honest, and spontaneous.
Supporting the team
Good audio shouldn’t call attention to itself - it should quietly support the story. I wanted the sound to feel effortless, creating space for our guests without ever getting in the way.
We wanted to be transparent from our first hello all the way to the episode release
There are no tricks , no secrets and no hidden audio team who lurk in the shadows...
Building the HYPE
One key idea we had was to build anticipation and keep our audience eagerly awaiting each new episode.
We introduced a fun "Guess Who" game, inviting followers to guess our next guest and sparking excitement for what was to come!
The theme song
Our new podcast needed its sonic signature - something unforgettable
With my ever-reliable assistant by my side, I crafted a theme song that’s catchy, authentic, and uniquely us! Featuring vocal contributions from the whole team and the distinctive sound of the Cactus City Felted Piano, a custom instrument I recorded, designed, and developed into a downloadable virtual instrument. It gives our podcast a sonic identity that stands out and sets the tone from the very first note.
The key challenges
Managing multiple roles
Production, editing, engineering, and scripting within tight timelines.
Ensuring guests felt comfortable and heard
During interviews and recordings, while capturing the content we needed for an engaging episode
Launching a podcast with limited resources
That resonated with both professionals and communities, while establishing workflows for ongoing content creation.
Sustainability and environmental impact
As a team we wanted to make a difference in every aspect of our podcast. We were committed to ensuring its environmental impact was kept to a minimum.
All our postage supplies were biodegradable or recyclable, using Royal mail, a industry leader in sustainability, as our postage supplier.
My favourite moments
These moments highlight where the podcast’s mission truly came alive.
When the stories empowered, inspired, and resonated with listeners. Each one captures the essence of bringing underrepresented voices to the forefront of the music industry.
Final outcomes
In leading the audio production, I shaped each episode to elevate people’s voices and create a space where honest, impactful storytelling could thrive through sound.
On Not a Groupie, I proved that audio isn’t just for entertainment - it’s a powerful tool for connection, empowerment, and representation.
The Panel
Not a Groupie was invited to organise and host a Not a Groupie panel as part of the BIMM Institute International womens day events.
Now streaming everywhere
Amazon Music
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Featured in Music Week
Top 10%
of globally shared podcasts on Spotify
592 minutes
of new content created and shared
5 ★ Rated in the UK on Apple podcasts
Impact
Audio became the framework that supported everything: the emotion, the message, and the moment.
Launched with a bold, authentic voice, Not a Groupie quickly carved out its place as a podcast that both empowered and connected. With a distinct tone shaped from the ground up, I crafted a sound that felt clear, warm, and emotionally grounded - producing each episode to reflect the honesty and heart of the stories being told.
Sound wasn’t just a backdrop, it was a tool. It created space for truth, gave agency back to the guests, and held their stories up with care and clarity.
Despite limited resources, I built scalable workflows that ensured smooth, consistent production and long-term usability for the team. Not a Groupie became more than a podcast - it became a platform for representation, reflection, and connection.
I’m proud to have been part of a show that didn’t just speak — it made noise, sparked change, and demanded to be heard.
My story