Podcasting Profiles: Katie Stokes From Floating Space

In this edition of Podcaster Profiles, we talked to Katie Stokes, creator/host of Floating Space. We asked Katie to describe herself in three words, and she responded, "Curious, ambitious, and creative."

Katie is indicative of young, creative, hungry talent in podcasting who just needs a chance. Independent podcasting is like ice skating with high heels on. It's nearly impossible; only the strongest survive, and the large podcast networks are rooting for them to fall.

What you'll discover in this profile is that Katie Stokes is more than "Curious, ambitious, and creative." She is also courageous, fearless, and experimental.  

Space is such an individual concept. It's often based on our unique life experiences. Some people are born in the same town where they live their entire life and then die there. Others move from place to place. I once interviewed an inmate who was part of a prison podcast, and he told me that being in prison is all about "space. How every day is longing for more space."

Katie Stokes, creator/host of Floating Space, told us: "I moved to the U.K. about eight years ago, but I was born and raised in Hong Kong. There is really nowhere else in the world quite like Hong Kong, and I feel so lucky to have grown up there – a city with such rich culture, a deep appreciation for nature, and a place that builds an incredible work ethic."

We asked Katie about moving to the U.K. and her choice of college curriculum. "I was torn between studying journalism and Psychology, but ended up pursuing the latter to better understand people and the worlds we live in our minds. I suppose, in a way, both are a study of
people and humanity. And the U.K. was new enough that I’d never lived here, but familiar enough that I had family to lean on if I needed."

We asked her how she coped with being in school on the other side of the world?

Katie notes: "I have a really great support network. I made lifelong friends that opened their homes and doors to me when I couldn’t travel home for the holidays, and that has persisted to this day. I get very
homesick from time to time, but nothing a good FaceTime and local family meet up can’t fix!"

Katie relates the origin story of her award-winning podcast. 

"A year ago, I pitched this podcast from a place of loneliness, and last night I got to spotlight the wonderful people that opened their doors to Floating Space and celebrate with the brilliant audio community. Big love to fellow nominee Marnie Duke and judge Verity de Cala for all the support last night – if you’re itching for more Transmission Roundhouse, their work is just brilliant!"

For those not familiar yet with the podcast, let me refresh your memory. 

In her own words, freelance audio producer, podcaster, podcast host, writer, and educator Katie Stokes explains the origin of her new podcast, Floating Space. 

Katie shares: "The theme really came from my own loneliness, moving to London as a remote worker and feeling quite overwhelmed by building community as a working adult."

Katie's work explores mental health, social relationships, and identity, and her exploration has taken the form of Floating Space, powered by Transmission Roundhouse.

Like many indie podcasters, Katie began with an audio project she was passionate about.

Katie explains: "I decided I wanted to give it a go and developed my first podcast Re:Mind The Podcast, looking at how small things impact our mental health in a big way, as a passion project. From there, I took short courses on podcasting at UCL and Roundhouse, spent a lot of time self-teaching audio production, and developed Floating Space with Transmission Roundhouse."

 

 Floating Space debuted on May 1. She begins the podcast by asking, "Do you know what a third place is?" Katie then posits that we are meant to have three places in our lives.

"Home, work, and a third place where you belong," Katie explains in the podcast. "That third place is where you exist."

 

In the show, Katie asks, "What happens when the place you live becomes the place where you work?"

 Floating Space has been enthusiastically received by listeners and critics. The show was just nominated for an Ear Worthy award, which recognizes excellence in independent podcasting.

Then in June Floating Space just won an International Women’s Podcast Award.

Katie reacts: "I’m still in disbelief, especially to have won alongside Kill List by Caroline Thornham and Amalie Sortland. THANK YOU to all the judges that listened to my work, and immense gratitude to Naomi Mellor and Jennie Becker for creating such an exciting, supportive, and inclusive space for podcasters to share their work."

We asked Katie why she got into podcasting. She responded: "The possibilities are endless. I’ve met incredible, creative, and innovative people in the audio industry. Everyone has a deep understanding of story, and I love that a lot of the work I love most is about connection. Podcasting is a very free and open medium for that."

 Katie then explained how she connected Transmission Roundhouse, the company that produced her podcast. 

Katie says: "I actually found them through the Entry Level Audio Network mixer. I met a few people there who had either done the TR course before or had applied, so why not throw my hat in the ring? I applied to the Transmission Roundhouse Podcast Academy with a 200-word pitch for Floating Space, which was very different from what the show ended up being."

 

When we asked Katie about marketing the podcast, her smile turned upside down. 

"Marketing is a beast I hadn’t faced before, but it’s been a great learning experience. With hindsight, I can see the value in legacy media marketing as well as social media marketing in their own
ways. Word of mouth is the most powerful tool, without a doubt, and I’ve been fortunate that people are generous enough to recommend my podcast widely."

Listeners should join host Katie Stokes as she searches for the third places we belong. The entire sonic experience feels somewhat ethereal, with Stokes amplifying that sensory notion through her deliberate, breathless delivery. 

Stokes is an ideal sonic tour guide to that elusive third place, and I urge you to follow her on her quest by listening to Floating Space.

 

Finally, we asked Katie what she enjoys when she isn't podcasting. 

Her answer: "She enjoys seeing friends, always eating, and sea swimming!"  

 

Katie Stokes joins a cadre of young female podcasters who are shaking up the independent podcast space and the entire industry.