The Baby Tribe podcast is dedicated to providing parents and caregivers with the latest information and expert advice

The Baby Tribe delves into topics that intersect the world of pediatrics , medical research, and healthcare advancements.
Our podcast is mainly dedicated to parents. We designed it to be an informative and engaging platform where we discuss the latest research, share insights from our professional experiences, and interview experts from various fields related to neonatal care and pediatrics. Our goal is to bridge the gap between complex medical concepts and the concerns and curiosities of parents, making these topics accessible and reassuring.
Our listeners primarily consist of parents who are keen on understanding more about neonatal and pediatric care. We also attract medical professionals, researchers, and students, but our main focus is on providing parents with reliable, easy-to-understand information that can help them feel more confident and informed in their parenting journey.
We strive to create a podcast that not only educates but also supports and inspires our audience to feel empowered and stay curious about the health and well-being of their children.

I started the podcast, "The Baby Tribe," with my co-host Katie Mugan, who is a pediatric nurse and lactation consultant. Our journey into podcasting began from a shared passion for providing reliable, accessible health information to parents. As a neonatologist, I’ve seen firsthand the myriad of questions and concerns parents have about their baby's health and well-being. We recognized a significant gap in accessible, evidence-based information tailored specifically for parents, which motivated us to start this podcast.
We chose the podcast format because it allows us to reach a broad audience in an engaging and personal way. Podcasts are a fantastic medium for storytelling and detailed discussions, which are perfect for the complex topics we cover. Personally, I am an avid listener of podcasts, especially those related to health, science, and parenting, which continually inspire and inform our own podcast.
Our initial goal was to create a resource that parents could trust and turn to for up-to-date information on baby health and nutrition. We wanted to demystify medical topics and provide practical advice in a friendly, conversational manner. Additionally, we aimed to build a community where parents feel supported and less isolated in their parenting journey.
"The Baby Tribe" podcast officially launched in February 2023. Since then, we’ve released 47 episodes, covering a wide range of topics from prenatal care to introducing solid foods and managing common health concerns in infants and toddlers.
It took several months of planning, research, and recording before we released our first episode. We spent this time carefully curating content, selecting topics we knew were of high interest to parents, and ensuring we had the right technical setup to produce a high-quality podcast. This preparatory phase was crucial to ensure we delivered valuable and reliable information right from the start.

Balancing my role as a neonatologist with podcasting is made possible thanks to the 30% academic time I have in my job. This dedicated time allows me to focus on producing and editing the podcast. Additionally, we release episodes weekly, which means we need to stay organized and efficient with our time management. Each episode typically takes around 10-15 hours to produce, covering everything from research and recording to editing and promotion.
We are fortunate to be part of the "Head Stuff" podcast network, which won the Best Irish Podcast Network last year at the Irish Podcast Awards. Being with a network provides us with invaluable support, including technical assistance, marketing help, and a platform to reach a wider audience. This network affiliation has significantly lightened our workload and allowed us to focus more on content creation.
From the outset, we have been fortunate in securing sponsorship for all our episodes. This financial support covers many of our production costs and allows us to maintain high-quality content without a heavy personal financial burden. Sponsorships help fund our hosting fees, equipment upgrades, editing software, and marketing efforts.
While sponsorship covers a significant portion of our costs, there are still expenses we manage ourselves. On average, we spend around €100-€200 per month on podcast-related expenses.

Securing sponsorship has been a significant milestone for us, allowing us to cover our production costs and invest in better equipment and marketing. Our first sponsorship came prior to commencing our podcast resulting in consistent releases and building a loyal listener base.
Today, we have significantly grown our audience. This growth has made it easier to find sponsors, and we actively seek out brands that align with our values and the interests of our listeners. We typically reach out to companies in the parenting and healthcare space, as well as those who approach us after seeing our podcast’s success.
Podcasting has allowed me to build a supportive community of parents, healthcare professionals, and enthusiasts. The interactions with our listeners and guests have led to meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging within a network of like-minded individuals. The most significant reward is the impact our podcast has on our listeners. Providing valuable, evidence-based information and knowing that it helps parents feel more confident and informed is immensely fulfilling. The positive feedback and personal stories shared by our audience reinforce the value of our work. Co-hosting the podcast with Katie Mugan has been a collaborative and enjoyable experience. It has strengthened our professional relationship and fostered a friendship based on mutual respect and shared goals.

We use high-quality microphones, such as the Pod Mic, to ensure clear audio. Additionally, we have pop filters, boom arms, and soundproofing materials to enhance audio quality. For recording, we use a combination of Audacity and Adobe Audition. Audacity is excellent for straightforward recording and basic edits, while Adobe Audition provides advanced editing capabilities. For episodes that involve video or more complex audio-visual elements, we use Premiere Pro. While we prefer in-person interviews to capture the best audio quality and personal interaction, it's not always possible. For remote interviews, we use Riverside.fm, which offers high-quality video and audio recording. It’s a reliable platform that ensures both sides of the conversation are recorded in high definition.
We identify potential guests through a variety of channels: Professional Networks: Leveraging our connections in the medical and healthcare community. Social Media: Engaging with experts and influencers in neonatal and pediatric care. Listener Recommendations: We also receive suggestions from our listeners, which helps us address topics of high interest.
Preparing Each Episode:
1. Research: We conduct extensive research on the episode’s topic.
2. Guest Coordination: Coordinate schedules and provide guests with an outline.
3. Script and Questions: Prepare a script and tailored questions.
4. Recording: Ensure a quiet environment and use high-quality recording tools.
5. Editing: Use Adobe Audition to edit and ensure the conversation flows smoothly.
6. Review and Publish: Review the episode, upload it to our hosting platform, and promote it on social media.

Most of our listeners find "The Baby Tribe" through Spotify, which accounts for 42% of our audience, and Apple Podcasts, which accounts for 37%. These platforms are our primary sources of listener acquisition.
We use several marketing channels to effectively promote the podcast. Instagram is key, with both my account and Katie Mugan's used to share new episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and engage with our followers. Additionally, being part of the Head Stuff network provides significant promotional support and visibility.
To further boost our reach, we hire a publicist who issues weekly press releases. This strategy has led to regular features in newspapers, radio, and TV shows in Ireland, significantly enhancing our visibility and attracting new listeners. Occasionally, we also use targeted social media ads to reach a broader audience.
Overall, the combination of Spotify and Apple Podcasts as primary platforms, along with active promotion on Instagram, support from the Head Stuff network, and media coverage through press releases, has been the most effective in growing our audience and maintaining engagement.

Marketing "The Baby Tribe" involves a multifaceted approach. Our listeners primarily find the podcast through platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, with social media also playing a crucial role. The Head Stuff network, to which we belong, helps by promoting our episodes to their established audience. We actively use Instagram, both my account and Katie Mugan's, to share new episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and engage with our followers. Additionally, we hire a publicist who issues weekly press releases, leading to regular features in newspapers, radio, and TV shows in Ireland. This media exposure significantly boosts our visibility and attracts new listeners. Occasionally, we also invest in targeted social media ads to reach a broader audience. The combination of Instagram, support from the Head Stuff network, and media coverage through press releases has been the most effective in growing our audience and maintaining engagement. This strategy ensures we continuously attract new listeners while keeping our existing audience engaged.

https://headstuffpodcasts.com/
Instagram @afif.elkhuffash
Instagram @nursingmama.ie
Instagram @thisheadstuff