THIS Institute
Listen to THIS! Podcast production and consultancy for an 8-part podcast series
Sectors: Healthcare, education
The client
THIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute)’s mission is to enable better healthcare through better evidence about how to improve.
Part of the University of Cambridge and located next to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus – the UK’s hub for life science breakthroughs and home to Addenbrooke’s and Royal Papworth Hospitals – THIS works closely with the NHS, patients, carers and the public to build a rigorous and highly valued evidence base for improving quality and safety in healthcare.
The project
Podcast production and consultancy for Listen to THIS, the podcast which shines a light on the research addressing current and enduring challenges through frank and honest conversations with the people driving meaningful change in the NHS.
The eight-episode audio and video podcast series captured stimulating conversations between THIS Institute research Fellows and hosts in which they shared diverse perspectives and discussed innovative research.
The services
Podcast consultancy and promotion strategy
Podcast production
Show notes, episode transcripts and descriptions, social media posts
Guidance for guests on how to sound great
Administrative support and liaison with the Communications and Engagement Manager
The numbers
8-part series, with 1 video episode
3 hosts, 3 guests per episode
8 prepping calls
24 social media posts across 3 platforms
8 sets of show notes and episode descriptions
The challenge
THIS were launching a new podcast series which would share expert voices and insights for people working in NHS policy or practice, and anyone with an interest in learning about the latest developments in improving quality and safety in healthcare.
They needed help producing and launching the series and wanted to work closely with a team with deep knowledge in this area of media to guide them through the process and help deliver on the investment.
There were 3 guests per episode, 3 different hosts across the series, and a mix of audio and video formats. Not only did the guests come from all around the UK, but as a team we were in different locations too. Good planning and coordination were essential for the success of the project.
Goals and priorities
Highlight the diverse range of perspectives on healthcare improvement and share fresh thinking through engaging discussions
Showcase THIS Institute Fellows who are challenging the boundaries of healthcare improvement research
Be accessible for academics, professionals and the general public
Seamless production coordination, with Fellows and hosts being based around the UK
The approach
Drawing on years of experience in radio and podcast production we know that solid foundations underpin everything. We take a series approach, rather than going episode by episode:
Feedback meetings put in the diary at the start of the project
Prepping calls so guests were confident in the topic. This streamlines the editing process later too
Centralised tools. A Trello-style planning board so we could visually map out each episode, with key contacts and status: planned, recorded, edited, approved
High-quality recording using podcast tool Riverside
Social media posts prepared as a batch and laid out in a spreadsheet ready for publishing
Episode descriptions and show notes prepared in one simple document for easy feedback from key stakeholders
One-pagers giving guests tips on sounding great
Advice on best practice in video podcasts and accessibility in digital content to ensure the podcasts were inclusive
Video recording session at the West Hub in Cambridge
The results
We also acted as supportive partners throughout the project, always ready with helpful advice, for example on which platforms we should use for publishing the podcast or social media posts, or what to look for when booking studio space for the video episode.
Our ethos is always to aim for BBC Radio 4 standard, rather than it being ‘just a podcast’.
“Since launching in February 2025, the podcast has been well received by our audience,” says Communication & Engagement Lead Faye Firth.
“We're consistently receiving great listen and download rates on a weekly basis and will continue to promote the series.
“We've been able to showcase voices and research from our Institute and Fellowship programme in an engaging way for our audience and received positive feedback on episodes being insightful and useful to people's work.”
Our passion for podcasts
Listen to THIS was a collaboration between Sookio and Made By DBM, working with the brilliant in-house team at THIS Institute.
Sue Keogh started her career in radio, producing 600+ hours of music programmes for BBC Radio 2, then going on to join ITV, Magic FM and Cambridge Radio. She hosts our podcast, Communication Untangled.
Sookio podcast production and promotional campaigns:
Sookio’s official podcast production partner.
During Rob’s 15 years as a radio presenter, he edited audio every day. Now that expertise is used to help create and promote perfect podcasts.
With a commitment to high-quality production values, he also comes armed with a stack of reassuring tips to help guests and presenters sound great on the podcast itself.
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One of the highlights was the working relationship we forged. We're proud to have launched a valuable and quality podcast
I was impressed and delighted with the end product achieved through months of hard work in collaboration with Sookio and Made By DBM.
Working together was seamless. From introduction to project debrief, they went the extra mile. No ask was too big.
It was a joy to produce and deliver, and we’re impressed with how the series is performing. If you're looking for someone to collaborate with on a podcast series, seriously consider Sookio.
Communications & Engagement Lead, THIS Institute