This wasn’t just another shoot. This was about capturing the spirit of a community — unfiltered, unapologetic, and full of heart.
Popcast had the honour of producing a remote podcast for the City of Toronto’s Urban Youth Arts Program, UrbanArtsTO — a vibrant, not-for-profit arts organization committed to creating opportunities for cultural expression and creative empowerment in the central west end of Toronto.
The goal?
To amplify voices that too often go unheard — youth, artists, healers, community leaders — and document stories that shape the present and influence the future.
🎥 The Setup
We brought our mobile Popcast studio right into the heart of the Weston community, transforming an open public space into a professional production zone.
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3 Sony FX3 cinema cameras
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Studio-quality Shure MV7 microphones
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Lighting + live audience audio capture
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Zero compromises on quality — even in a remote setting
In less than an hour, the space was mic’d, lit, and ready to go — capturing the realness of raw conversation, not just polished sound bites.
🎤 The Panel
What followed was electric.
A roundtable of community-rooted creatives — from DJs and drummers to healing practitioners and poets — gathered to speak truth on growing up in the Weston and Jane & Finch communities, the power of art, and how spaces like UrbanArts have been lifelines in their development.
Their stories were vulnerable, real, and resonant:
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Losing family to violence and turning pain into purpose
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Using sound, dance, and crystals as tools for healing
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The fight to reclaim public spaces as safe, expressive environments
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The commitment to come back and give back
🌍 Why It Mattered
UrbanArtsTO isn’t just about art. It’s about impact.
And this podcast gave us a front-row seat to how creativity fuels transformation — how one safe space can shift an entire narrative.
As producers, we didn’t just record content — we captured legacy.
💡 Why We Do This
At Popcast, we believe in more than just cameras and mics.
We believe in creating platforms where communities can speak for themselves — and be heard in their own voice, with clarity, pride, and power.
This shoot reminded us why mobile podcasting is such a game-changer:
📍 We bring the studio to you.
🎤 We build the trust.
🎬 You focus on the message.
🙌 Huge thanks to:
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The City of Toronto
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The incredible team at UrbanArtsTO
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The panelists who shared their truth with courage and creativity
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Everyone who showed up, snapped fingers, and made this one unforgettable
🎧 Full episode is out now.
Follow @Popcast.ca for clips, behind the scenes, and more stories from Toronto’s creative heart.
Want help telling your brand’s story through podcasting?
📩 Book a discovery call and let’s build your voice into a platform that moves people — and business.