BEA2026

In this three part panel discussion, the panelists will inform how to build your podcast studio. From the simplest setup to a complex full audio/video production. The second part will inform how to deepen relationships campus wide by developing content geared toward individual departments. The third part will inform how to turn your podcast studio into a revenue stream.
Moderator: Teddy Burch, Tennessee Tech University
Panelists: Brenda Wilson, Tennessee Tech University
Bradley Keim, University of Central Oklahoma

Based on the book "Finding Your Voice in Radio, Audio, and Podcast Production" — winner of the 2025 BEA Textbook Award — this session presents a fresh and engaging approach to creating compelling audio content. Blending practical techniques with a journey of self-discovery, participants will explore how to develop their authentic voice while crafting powerful storytelling, ultimately transforming their ability to connect with audiences across radio, podcasting, and beyond.
Moderator: Rob Quicke, Marshall University

This panel explores innovative approaches for cultivating genuine podcasting enthusiasm among college students. As audio storytelling continues to reshape media landscapes, universities face the challenge of teaching podcasting as both an academic discipline and a practical skill that students will actually embrace beyond graduation. Presentations focus on student involvement, engagement, and assessments that result in compelling student content that moves beyond the classroom.
Moderator: Brenda K Jaskulske, University of North Texas
Panelists: Lauren Bavis, Syracuse University
Nicholas Smith, SUNY Fredonia
Chad Whittle, Georgia College & State University
Brenda K Jaskulske, University of North Texas

Student News Live debuted with 24-hour streaming coverage on Election Day 2024, featuring young journalists from across the world, including reporting live from the White House. Building on that success, the program is launching a podcast to amplify student voices on campus and community issues nationwide. This session will feature Student News Live board members outlining opportunities for students to get involved.

Moderator: Rob Quicke, Marshall University
Panelists: Nick Hirshon, William Paterson University
Rob Quicke, Marshall University

Team Deakins is the creative partnership of Roger Deakins and James Ellis Deakins. Together, they have collaborated on films, a podcast (Team Deakins), and two books, as well as other sundry projects. For over 30 years, this partnership has continued to evolve into a unique working collaboration. The session will be moderated by 7x Emmy-nominated cinematographer, Adam Bricker.

Roger A Deakins
Roger A. Deakins CBE, ASC, BSC, is one of today’s most honored cinematographers, renowned for his vast and varied body of work. He has been nominated for an Oscar 16 times and has won the award twice for the films Blade Runner 2049 and 1917. He has also received 17 nominations for the top honor awarded by the American Society of Cinematographers and has been nominated 11 times for the BAFTA award, winning five of them. Some of his other Oscar nominations are for: Denis Villeneuve’s Prisoners and Sicaro; The Coen Brothers’ Fargo; Martin Scorsese’s Kundun; The Reader; Sam Mendes’ Skyfall; and Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken, just to name a few. He has also been recognized by his British peers, with 11 British Society of Cinematographers (BSC) nominations and 7 wins. His myriad professional honors also two Independent Spirit Awards, numerous Critic’s awards and the National Board of Review’s Career Achievement Award. He is the sole cinematographer who has been honored with a CBE and a knighthood from his home country of England. Together with James, they have published two books: BYWAYS (a monograph of stills) and REFLECTIONS, a visual memoir.

James Ellis Deakins
James Ellis Deakins is the creative work partner of Roger Deakins. Born on the east coast of the United States, she double majored in college in Latin and Greek, doing a graduate course in Latin as an undergraduate. Once out of school, she began her film work in New York City as a film lab technician at DuArt Film Laboratories and then as a script supervisor in production. After moving to Los Angeles, she met Roger Deakins on a film set and their creative collaboration began. Eventually relinquishing the role of script supervisor to more fully enter into their collaborative partnership, she and Roger developed their unique working style which has continued to evolve as they enter into new enterprises including a podcast (“Team Deakins”), a website, BYWAYS (a book of still photography) and a visual memoir, REFLECTIONS. James’ natural affinity with technology proved essential when productions moved from the use of film capture to digital. Team Deakins create their approach to a film and execute the plan together. James oversees the many details that need to be coordinated which allows Roger to focus on capturing the visual. Working together, James and Roger have strived to create memorable images as well as share their knowledge with others.

Adam Bricker
Adam Bricker, ASC is a seven-time Emmy and five-time ASC nominated cinematographer based in Los Angeles. Originally from Chicago, Adam’s first camera was a MiniDV Handycam, a gift from his parents for his thirteenth birthday, and his first credits included the films he shot starring his three younger sisters. Adam studied digital cinema at DePaul University before graduating from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where he fell in love with cinematography. Adam’s most recent work includes Hacks (HBO), Chef's Table (Netflix) & American Vandal (Netflix).

While Joe Rogan and Marc Maron are often credited as trailblazers in podcasting, the groundwork for long-form, unfiltered audio conversations was laid earlier. In 2006, Howard Stern made the groundbreaking move from terrestrial radio to a new platform, Satellite, embracing a format that allowed for extended interviews and candid discussions on a wide range of topics. This transition not only transformed his own career but also reshaped the audio entertainment landscape—paving the way for the podcast era as we know it today. This panel will explore Stern’s pivotal role in redefining how audiences consume spoken-word content and why every podcaster owes part of their craft to his innovations.
Moderator: Lucas Cuny, San Bernardino Valley College
Panelists: Kevin Lyons, San Bernardino Valley College
Natalie McNair, San Bernardino Valley College

Join us for a fireside chat with Cameron Coats, Online Editor for Radio Ink magazine and radio personality Zach Sang. 

Zach Sang is the most formidable yet likable inquisitor of his generation. Having kick-started his career when he was just 14, launching a radio show from his New Jersey bedroom, Sang went on to host Zach Sang and the Student Body on GOOM Radio, eventually becoming executive producer and music director of Zang Radio, one of the largest online teen radio stations at that time. Post-GOOM he partnered with Westwood One, spending 10 years on terrestrial radio hosting and producing the Zach Sang Show, transmitting to 90 terrestrial stations and millions of listeners (not to mention racking up millions of views online). Sang’s interviewed some of the biggest names in pop culture including Billie Eilish, Sam Smith, Blackpink, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, BTS, Zendaya, and countless other top tier names. His conversations are personally probing and creatively illuminating, but they’re also safe harbor, free from a clickbait gotcha agenda, offering instead, easy rapport and an open ear. 

For his next act Sang is continuing his partnership with Amazon Music across the board — which started in 2021 — while taking his show back to radio. Additionally the 30-year-old’s got his eyes on increasingly ambitious, broader scope projects. His production company Sang a Song is humming, developing a slate of TBA multi-channel formats. 

In a world where Content Is King, this multi-hyphenate is always iterating, but his ethos remains unwavering: Zach Sang leads with curiosity, empathy, and humor. He’s sharing too, but primarily he’s listening so that others can be heard.

Tim McCarthy, president of the Broadcasters Foundation of America, will briefly kick off the session share the work of the foundation. The mission of the Broadcasters Foundation of America is to improve the quality of life of men and women in the radio and television broadcast profession who find themselves in acute financial need due to a critical illness, severe accident, or other serious misfortune.