Relay FM is a podcast network covering a diverse range of subjects including consumer technology, productivity, entrepreneurship, creativity, and art. It was founded in 2014 by Myke Hurley and Stephen Hackett.[2] Starting in 2019, the network has raised money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital each year during the month of September.

Relay FM
Company typePrivate
IndustryPodcast
Founded2014 (2014)
Founder
Headquarters
Number of employees
4[1]
Websiterelay.fm

History

edit

The network launched on August 18, 2014[3] with five podcasts: Analog(ue), Connected, Inquisitive, The Pen Addict, and Virtual.[2] Eventually the company expanded to 31 active podcasts on the network (including the extra B-Sides podcast consisting of before and after podcast snippets and Departures, an audio feed of live events), nine paid members only podcasts, and 17 inactive podcasts.[2][4]

In October 2015, Relay FM launched its mobile application on iOS,[5][6] allowing users to discover new podcasts, listen to the latest podcasts, and be notified when a podcast is broadcasting live. Users of the app can also subscribe to a podcast in their app of choice from the Relay FM app.

In September 2019, Relay FM became the first St. Jude Children's Research Hospital podcast partner.[7] On the 20th, Hurley and Hackett hosted a 6 hour "podcastathon" to help raise money for the hospital. By the end of the month, the network had raised over $300,000.[8] In September 2020 the network again held a fundraiser for St. Jude, bringing in $456,000.[9]

Podcasts

edit

Active

edit
Podcast Hosts Launch date on Relay FM Description
Analog(ue)
18 August 2014 Hosts discuss how electronics affect their lives.
Connected
18 August 2014 Hosts discuss Apple and the impact of technology.
The Pen Addict
18 August 2014 Discussion of pens, pencils, paper, and ink. Originally launched 9 February 2012 on 70 Decibels.
B-Sides
  • Relay FM Hosts
25 August 2014 Behind-the-scenes content and audio from before or after episodes.
Clockwise
17 September 2014 A technology discussion show. Each episode is thirty minutes with four hosts each bringing their own topic to the table. Originally launched 7 June 2013 on IDG.
Upgrade 17 September 2014 Discussion of companies' influence on technology and how creative work is done with technology.
BONANZA
4 November 2014 A comedy podcast. The podcast was temporarily called BONANZA: The Wedding Year for the year before host Myke Hurley's wedding.
Mac Power Users
  • David Sparks
  • Stephen Hackett[10]
  • formerly hosted by
  • Katie Floyd
27 April 2015 Discussions of workflows and productivity with Apple devices. Originally launched 5 May 2009.
Reconcilable Differences
3 June 2015 Experienced podcasters discuss their similarities and differences.
Cortex 3 June 2015 Hosts discuss the methods they use to be creatively productive.
Material
  • Andy Ihnatko
  • Florence Ion
  • formerly hosted by
  • Russell Ivanovic
  • Yasmine Evjen
2 July 2015 Discussion of Google and Android news.
Top Four
30 August 2015 Hosts list their four favorite items from a category.
Thoroughly Considered
21 September 2015 Discussion of entrepreneurship and product design.
Under the Radar
4 November 2015 Discussion of independent app development.
Remaster
8 January 2016 Discussion of making and playing games.
Ungeniused
8 July 2016 Discussion of strange and humorous Wikipedia articles. Originally on the 70 Decibels network; moved to the 5by5 network and was cancelled; has returned.
Focused
26 July 2016 Discussion of how to be more focused and productive. Formerly called Free Agents.
Originality
  • Aleen Simms
  • K Tempest Bradford
15 May 2017 Discussion of creativity. Hosts interview guests.
Roboism
  • Alex Cox
  • Kathy Campbell
  • formerly hosted by
  • Savannah Million
15 May 2017 Discussion of robots, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Automators
  • David Sparks
  • Rosemary Orchard
2 July 2018 Discussion of automation topics.
Parallel
  • Shelly Brisbin
3 August 2018 Discussion of technology with a focus on accessibility. Each episode features two guests – one from the technology world and one from the accessibility world.
Make Do
  • Julia Skott
  • Tiffany Arment
17 October 2018 Hosts discuss art and creative work.
Departures
  • Relay FM Hosts
23 August 2019 Feed containing the audio of live events.
Conduit
  • Kathy Campbell
  • Jay Miller
9 July 2021 Hosts discuss the connection between what they (and others) hope to get done and what actually happens.
Downstream
6 October 2021 A podcast about the entertainment industry, primarily focused on streaming platforms.
The Backmarkers
20 March 2022 Discussion of Formula One races.
Paper Places Kerry Provenzano 6 May 2024 Discussion of writing professionally.
edit

In addition to the below "members only" podcasts, each podcast produces an annual special for members, eleven[a] have paid versions that are ad-free and contain bonus content, and occasionally members will receive trial episodes for possible new podcasts.[11]

Podcast Hosts Launch date Description
Fusion
  • Stephen Hackett
3 November 2016 Co-founder Stephen Hackett interviews hosts from other shows about current tech news.
Backstage
27 April 2020 Hosts discuss running the network and give insight on podcast creation.

Inactive

edit
Podcast Hosts Launch date Description Number of episodes Retired date
CMD Space 1 August 2012 An interview show. Migrated from the 5by5 network; the precursor to Inquisitive. 103 10 July 2014
The Prompt
19 June 2013 Discussion of the technology and culture of Apple. Migrated from the 5by5 network; the precursor to Connected. 57 17 July 2014
Bionic
16 July 2013 A technology podcast turned comedy. Episodes 1-50 are unavailable, as "There was no point in preserving the earlier ones. Yikes."[12] Migrated from the 5by5 network; the precursor to Bonanza. 95 originally, 45 available 8 July 2014
Less Than or Equal
  • Aleen Simms
16 June 2014 Celebration of accomplishments of people from oppressed groups. 100 19 October 2016
Inquisitive 18 August 2014 An interview show. 59 20 December 2015
Virtual
18 August 2014 Video game discussion; the precursor to Remaster. 61 8 January 2016
Rocket
19 January 2015 Discussion of technology, film, comic books, games, and books. 470 28 December 2023
Isometric
  • Brianna Wu
  • Georgia Dow
  • Mikah Sargent
  • Steve Lubitz
  • Maddy Myers (originally)
13 April 2015 Analysis of video game news from the perspectives of developer, player, and journalist. Originally launched 12 May 2014 on 5by5. 102 18 April 2016
Liftoff
15 August 2015 Discussion of space exploration and news. 171 9 December 2022
Canvas
  • Federico Viticci
  • Fraser Spiers
8 January 2016 Hosts discuss workflow and apps on iOS. 77 21 December 2018
Disruption
  • Brianna Wu
  • Georgia Dow
  • Steve Lubitz
  • Mikah Sargent (originally)
18 April 2016 Comedic discussion of technology and culture. 90 8 January 2018
Presentable
  • Jeff Veen
24 May 2016 Discussion of design and building of digital products. 123 31 December 2021
Mixed Feelings
  • Gillian Parker
  • Quinn Rose
3 November 2016 Discussion of current events, news, politics and pop culture. 70 19 April 2018
Almanac 10 November 2016 Discussion of current events, the arts, technology, and society. 1 10 November 2016
Download
27 April 2017 Discussion of current events and technology, with guests each episode. 108 26 June 2019
Query
  • Mikah Sargent
  • Stephen Hackett
  • Serenity Caldwell (originally)
5 July 2017 Hosts answer tech questions from listeners. 46 19 December 2018
Playing for Fun
15 February 2018 Hosts discuss video games they enjoy. 18 30 July 2019
Subnet
22 February 2018 The latest tech news, in a byte-sized update. 228 21 December 2018
Adapt
  • Federico Viticci
  • Ryan Christoffel
15 May 2019 A show all about the iPad. 41 24 December 2020
Pictorial
  • Betty Chen
  • Quinn Rose
19 December 2019 Hosts discuss interesting aspects of art history and culture 85 12 January 2024
Flashback
  • Quinn Nelson
  • Stephen Hackett
11 February 2020 Hosts discuss failed tech products to see what we can learn by studying their demises. 26 6 January 2022
The Test Drivers
11 February 2020 Hosts discuss their experiences testing new consumer electronic products. 51 20 March 2022
20 Macs for 2020 3 August 2020 Jason Snell and others count down Jason's list of the 20 most notable Macs of all time. 27 26 March 2021

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Automators, Clockwise, Conduit, Connected, Cortex, Downstream, Focused, Material, Mac Power Users, Reconcilable Differences, and Upgrade each have paid versions.

References

edit
  1. ^ "About Relay FM". Relay FM. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Dillet, Romain. "How Relay FM Proves That Podcasts Aren't An Overnight Success". TechCrunch. Verizon Communications Inc. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  3. ^ "A year of Relay". Relay FM Blog.
  4. ^ "9 Tech Podcasts So Addictive, Your Friends Should Start Planning The Intervention". Forbes. 2015-08-25. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
  5. ^ Dillet, Romain (2015-10-09). "Relay FM Launches iOS App To Discover New Podcast Shows". TechCrunch. Verizon Communications Inc. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
  6. ^ "Relay FM for iOS is here". Relay FM Blog. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  7. ^ Charlier, Thomas. "Relay FM Plans Podcast Fundraiser for St. Jude". www.stjude.org. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  8. ^ "Events for St. Jude". Events for St. Jude. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  9. ^ "Relay FM for St. Jude 2020". tiltify.com. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  10. ^ "The One Where I Announce I'm Joining Mac Power Users". 512pixels.net. Archived from the original on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Membership". Relay FM. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  12. ^ "Bionic". Relay FM. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
edit