Connecting communities: Sonshine FM launches two new podcasts

Never one to be left out, community radio outfit Sonshine FM is launching two new podcasts that are set to compete with the commercial station offerings.

Sandgropers and What’s Up, Doc? tap into a niche in the podcasting industry.

“Bespoke podcasts by community radio and media companies are long overdue,” says Executive Producer and announcer at Sonshine, Leah Tindale.

“I believe everyone has a story. Sandgropers, in particular, was created to find the gold thread that lives within all of us and share that gold with a broader audience.”

Sandgropers dives deep into the diverse and vibrant community of Western Australia.

Each episode takes us on a journey through the life of an ordinary resident. From artists to entrepreneurs, athletes to activists, Sandgropers uncovers the hidden gems of WA.

What’s Up Doc? is a health-focused podcast featuring expert advice from Dr Stuart Arbuckle, a passionate general practitioner from Scotland.

With expert advice, Dr Stuart provides a whole-family approach to caring for our health.

This is a strategic move from Sonshine as the organisation looks to become a competitive media company, despite retaining its community broadcast licence.

The community-based approach to its work is something that sets the media company apart from the bigger radio stations and Ms Tindale believes podcasts have a unique way of creating new communities and helping people feel more connected.

“We do connection really well,” she says.

“Commercial stations and media companies miss out on that macro real connection and stories that people are craving.”

“The beauty of Sonshine is we can tap into that personal connection and cultivate new podcast communities, this is unique to podcasting and something we have been good at for a long time.”

Sandgropers and What’s Up Doc? Can be found wherever you find your podcasts.