When Greg Soros launched Podcraft Media Lab in Austin, the podcaster had a client list that could have kept his team busy with corporate work alone. He chose a different path. Soros carved out a substantial portion of his company’s resources to mentor emerging creators through the Podcast Academy’s diversity fellowship program, embedding that commitment into the core of how Podcraft operates.

The decision was not purely altruistic. Greg Soros described the industry’s current state plainly: “The podcasting industry has an accessibility problem. We have the technical expertise and industry connections to level the playing field, but more importantly, we have a responsibility to amplify voices that haven’t traditionally had access to premium production resources.” That candid framing shaped how the program was built, not as a charitable add-on but as a defined part of the company’s work.

The results have backed up the philosophy. Three shows produced by mentees reached six-figure download numbers within their first year, and several others secured major distribution deals. Maria Rodriguez, a former mentee whose investigative podcast “Border Stories” recently won a podcasting award, credited Soros’s unusual approach for her trajectory. “He doesn’t just teach production techniques; he shares the business acumen that transforms passion projects into sustainable media ventures,” she said.

Building Careers Through Industry Access

Soros draws on his background from Berklee College of Music alongside years working at major podcasting studios. The curriculum he delivers covers narrative structure, sound design, monetization, and audience development. Crucially, it also opens doors: mentees gain access to his network of sponsors, distributors, and potential collaborators, connections that independent creators rarely find on their own.

“We also teach the business fundamentals how to pitch to advertisers, negotiate distribution agreements, and build sustainable revenue models,” Soros said. “That’s what transforms a hobby into a career.” The approach has drawn enough attention that competing podcast networks are now building similar programs, a development Soros views as confirmation that the model works across the broader industry. Refer to this page, for related information.

Learn more about Greg Soros on https://about.me/greg-soros-podcast