Angel Nicole: The ALIVE Podcast Network

From one founder to another, host Sarah Burke interviews Angel Nicole, the founder of the ALIVE Podcast Network.

Angel Nicole transitioned from radio to podcasting after 25 years in the industry, creating the ALIVE Podcast Network to amplify Black voices in media. Angel's background in journalism informs her approach to content creation, although the idea was born out of some misfortune during her maternity leave.

Angel tells Sarah about her podcast network and the vision to provide monetization opportunities regardless of audience size. She emphasizes how community and collaboration are central to the network's success. The network has nearly 75 podcasters and continues to grow, supporting underrepresented creators.

Angel and Sarah also discuss the upcoming American election, and her recent experience covering the DNC on Media Row. Angel hosts the podcast ALIVE Now and you can hear some of the coverage there. She reflects on the significance of the DNC and historic moments in American politics, particularly the nomination of Vice President Harris. They also explore some challenges women are up against in the media industry.

More About Angel Nicole:

Angel N. Livas is a 2024 Inc Magazine Female Founder Honoree, TEDX Speaker, and award-winning producer who has amassed over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry. Her expertise has been instrumental in the success of numerous shows, including those of which she created for renowned personalities Larry King and Jane Pauley.

Motivated by her firsthand experiences, Angel recognized a pressing need to monetize and protect the intellectual content of Black creatives. It was this vision that led her to found the ALIVE Podcast Network, a groundbreaking media tech company that amplifies Black voices and provides creatives a space to control their narratives. The platform has received critical acclaim, culminating in a prestigious NAACP Image Award nomination for the hit show “Under Construction with Tamar Braxton” in 2022. After a mere 5-months, the first black woman-owned podcast network with proprietary technology, became a Techstars Portfolio Company Powered by JP Morgan, further solidifying Angel's status as a tech innovator. She also has an unwavering commitment to community service, which is reflected in her receipt of the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (Biden Administration) and her leadership as a charter member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - Alpha Beta Alpha Omega Chapter.

Angel N. Livas is a devoted mother to two sons, a Howard University graduate (Magna Cum Laude), and a 2024 Black Ambition semi-finalist and Goldman Sachs Million Black Women in Business participant.

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Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Angel Nicole and the ALIVE Podcast Network

(02:30) Angel's Journey from Radio to Podcasting

(06:00) The Birth of the Alive Podcast Network

(10:55) Building a Community for Black Voices

(15:29) The Unique Structure of the Alive Podcast Network

(20:11) Engaging with American Politics through Podcasting

(21:54) Star-Studded Events and Political Engagement

(24:10) Understanding the American Election Process

(26:21) Historic Moments at the DNC