Who we are

Colin Anderson joined the BBC’s Programme Making Trainee Scheme in 2002, where he built a foundation in TV, radio and online production before specializing in audio.

He worked as a staff producer (later exec) in BBC Radio Comedy for 12 years, over which time he produced stand-up, sketch, sitcom, topical comedy, drama and documentary programming for broadcast across the BBC’s national networks.

As a producer, Colin won Radio Academy Awards for Mark Thomas: My Life in Serious Organised Crime and The Now Show, with a further nomination for Radio 1’s innovative late-night music and comedy show The Milk Run.

In 2014 Colin moved to Los Angeles to work as senior producer at MaximumFun.org. There he developed podcasts including Pop Rocket, Adam Ruins Everything and Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness. He also oversaw production on the network’s 30+ shows, including NPR's Bullseye with Jesse Thorn. 

In 2016 Colin was hired as Executive Producer of Earwolf, working with the team to develop and launch Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, Scam Goddess with Laci Mosley, and Office Ladies (amongst many others).

In 2020 Earwolf and Stitcher were acquired by SiriusXM and in 2022 Colin was named VP Content, Podcasts, running the in-house podcast production team, adding shows like The Sporkful and 99% Invisible to his slate and overseeing the launches of shows including #1 Apple Podcasts smash hit The Mel Robbins Podcast.

Colin left SiriusXM in early 2025 to go independent, founding Play and Record as a way to work with his favorite on and off mic talent on our own terms.

Creators first and foremost, it turns out to have that creative vision succeed you need the management skills to put teams together, to learn how to get the extra effort out of a network of external partners, and the business acumen to make talent the highest possible return for their labor and brilliance.

As the podcasting industry has consolidated there’s become a clear need for the high touch support that used to come as standard as part of a network deal: producers, engineers, show growth, and impartial strategy.

Having worked internationally, in public media, as an independent podcaster, and running in-house podcasting at one of the biggest networks in the industry, Colin (and the Play and Record team) can help with all this, at whatever scale makes most sense for you.

We can help build your strategy and staff your show. We can bring in marketing and PR experts, help weigh the pros and cons of a network deal, and figure out which sales teams are going to make you their top priority.

The podcast industry has gotten tough, but the best experts out there are eager to share their knowledge and innovate to help you succeed.