BLOCK A - 1:30 - 2:45 PM
Meetups last the full 75 minutes, but you can indicate interest in more than one. Read the full descriptions for each Meetup below!

AUDIO EDUCATORS MEETUP: KICKASS PRACTICES FOR AUDIO EDUCATION
Today, so many of us are audio educators, which we became either by choice, obligation, or pure accident (which you know if you’ve ever experienced a friendly-conversation-turned-into-a-30-minute consultation). The fact is, WE are shaping what is possible on our public radio airwaves and on our favorite podcasts, especially in the realm of audio teaching, training & education. Join facilitators Veralyn Williams (Radio Rookies) and Merk Nguyen (YR Media) to share best practices for becoming kickass audio educators, the pros and cons of monetizing what we know, and strategies for letting the students become the teachers.

QUEER MEETUP: YOU'RE HERE, YOU'RE QUEER, YOU'RE MAKING PODCASTS
This meetup is a chance to meet and get to know other queer audio makers. Join Sayre Quevedo (The Daily) to talk about the rewards and challenges of making audio while queer, and the kinds of work and queer representation we hope to see in the audio world in 2020. Mostly, expect to make life-long—or at the very least all-2019-Third-Coast-Conference-long—friends.

NO COAST MEETUP: IN THE VAST REGION IN-BETWEEN!
Do you live and work in that vast region between coasts? Are you telling local stories with national and global implications? Feeling a bit isolated sometimes? Meet up with others who share the challenges and joys of life and audio in the “No Coast,” the Heartland, Deep South, Great Plains, Southwest, and other often under-reported, seemingly far-flung places. Yellow Springs, Ohio-based independent producer Jocelyn Robinson leads a conversation and exploration of survival strategies, tools for building community, and celebrating flyover country, its stories, and storytellers.

INTERNATIONAL MEETUP: WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH SOUND DESIGN IN AUDIO STORYTELLING AROUND THE GLOBE?
From Latin America to Eastern Europe, to Australia, to South Africa, to the Middle East, producers from around the world are coming together at Third Coast. And regardless of how long or short the flight was, you bring a unique perspective. But you also may share some of the same challenges and questions faced by producers from across the world. Chilean sound engineer Martín Cruz Farga (Las Raras, Adonde Media) will kick things off by live mixing a sound-rich story with a Latin American perspective, then ask the question: "what are we learning from each other? Are each of our unique approaches to sound design and narrative audio getting the attention that they deserve?!"

BLOCK B - 3:30 - 4:45 PM
Meetups last the full 75 minutes, but you can indicate interest in more than one. Read the full descriptions for each Meetup below!

POC MEETUP: PROTECT YOUR MAGIC
Join facilitators Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong (KUOW) and Morgan Givens (Flyest Fables, 1A) for a conversation about how, as producers of color in the audio industry, we often wear multiple hats. So how do we continue working on diversifying on-air voices, while keeping folks from marginalized communities safe in spaces that historically have not seen the full range of their humanity — or made the space to do so? How do we tell stories of identity in ways that aren't performative? How can we shield ourselves from the burnout of constantly being called upon to address systemic issues we did not create? And crucially: how do we protect our own magic?

MENTORSHIP MEETUP: BY & FOR ALL
What is the value of a mentor? How do you do it, exactly? And when is it time to pick up the torch and go from mentee to mentor? Facilitators Anjuli Sastry (NPR) and Martina Castro (Adonde Media) have an intimate relationship with mentorship and the important role it plays in their professional lives. In this meetup, we will answer these questions by going through the nuts and bolts of how to build and maintain these career-changing relationships. Then we’ll actually split up into groups and… actually do it!

NEW TO AUDIO MEETUP: A BEGINNER'S WELCOME
Welcoming first-time audio makers, emerging and early career makers, career changers, and anyone else who feels like they’re still learning how to navigate the audio world (including educators or those who support emerging audio makers!) Together with facilitators Ariana Martinez (independent) and Andrea Gutierrez (KPCC), explore what's exciting, challenging, confusing, and joyful about being new to this work and to professional audio spaces like Third Coast. Take stock of your new-to-audio “toolkit”—the things you bring from our previous life and work experiences, the many values that 'newbies' bring to audio. Then ask: what knowledge, resources (technical, editorial, financial, etc), work experience and opportunities do we want to access? How can we get there? How can educators, mentors, and coworkers better support newcomers? We’ll talk about ways to manage imposter syndrome, build strong relationships across workplaces and roles, and seek out (or become) mentors as we take the next steps in our journeys. This meetup is a time to look at the existing audio career playbook and imagine how to subvert it through experimentation and peer collaboration.

BYOP (BUILD YOUR OWN PRODUCTION) MEETUP: SO YOU HAVE A GREAT PITCH, NOW WHAT?
Say you’re freelancing, or you’re starting at a brand-new audio department, or you’re part of a small independent team. You have a great pitch for a new show or series. A network, organization, or station is interested. Now what? Join Facilitators Aliya Pabani (independent) & Gretta Cohn (Transmitter Media) to share strategies to plan for a successful — and less stressful — production process. Together we’ll walk through concrete examples & sample projects, and talk about things like: What resources will you need? How much time will it take? How can you make sure you get paid and credited properly? How do you set boundaries with clients? What are some red flags you should look out for? Plus, we’ll talk about budgeting for all the things you didn’t know you needed - especially if you are working independently, alone, or on a small team. Come with your scenarios and we’ll exchange ideas.

We'll only share this info with the facilitators of the meetup(s) you indicate interest in.