In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir speaks with Robin Kinnie, founder of Motor City Woman and Audio Engineers of Detroit, about broadcasting, podcasting, and building sustainable audio communities.
Robin shares how Detroit's broadcasting legacy and the influence of Martha Jean "The Queen" Steinberg shaped her approach to voice, ownership, and community. The conversation explores how Motor City Woman and Audio Engineers of Detroit support underrepresented creators through education, production services, and workforce development in audio and broadcasting.
This episode also covers audio engineering as a trade, the growing relevance of trade schools in Detroit, partnerships with educational institutions, and why local and regional podcast ecosystems matter more than scale alone. It's a grounded conversation for podcasters, audio professionals, educators, and creatives thinking about long-term sustainability and community impact in audio.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:35 Robin Kinnie's Background and Early Inspirations
02:19 Founding Motor City Woman and Its Evolution
02:44 Representation and Why It Matters
04:30 Services Offered by Motor City Woman and Audio Engineers of Detroit
04:53 Adapting During the Pandemic
06:11 Audio Engineers of Detroit: Mission and Curriculum
11:10 Client Engagement and Production Services
13:50 Empowering Underrepresented Voices
15:39 Overcoming Challenges and Building a Platform
20:56 Growing Interest in Trade Schools
21:16 The Importance of Trades in Detroit
22:39 Audio Engineering as a Career Path
24:08 Partnership with Ferris State University
25:49 Afros & Audio and Educating the Next Generation
26:40 The Rise of Podcasting
28:37 Building Community Through Podcasting
32:03 Local and Regional Podcast Ecosystems
34:38 Depth Over Breadth in Podcasting
39:03 Connecting with Audio Engineers of Detroit
🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on your preferred streaming platform.
To learn more about Motor City Woman and Audio Engineers of Detroit visit https://motorcitywoman.com and https://aedetroit.com
Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinkinnie
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