Stak's Place in Narrative Podcasting

Last year, Stak made its mark in narrative podcasting with the launch of Legacy - a documentary feed dedicated to extraordinary sporting stories that matter. The slate quickly gained award-winning recognition: Inside The Qatar World Cup won bronze for Best Audio Documentary at the Sports Journalism Awards, followed by The English Disease, which took home Podcast of the Year at the 2024 SJAs.

Now, Stak’s narrative ambitions are only growing. The mission is simple: to uncover powerful sporting stories that resonate globally. From exposing the truth behind one of the world’s most prestigious ballet institutions to infiltrating a radical right-wing football WhatsApp group, Stak dives deep into every facet of these stories, amplifying diverse, independent voices to bring listeners closer to the world they reveal.

At the heart of it all is Nicky Anderson, Head of Narrative. We sat down with Nicky to discuss the craft of narrative podcasting, and to get a sneak peak at Stak’s upcoming documentary slate.

Hey Nicky! So, what made you want to start making podcast documentaries?

For me, podcast documentaries are such an essential part of journalism. Before joining Stak, I worked in a newsroom, and while I loved the fast-paced environment, I often felt like I had more to say. I wanted the chance to slow down, dig deeper into complex stories, and really understand why things happen the way they do in our society. I also love the idea that someone can listen, learn, and be entertained - all while doing simple things like driving, cleaning, or going for a walk. The fact that we live in a world where that’s possible is so exciting to me. There’s something so personal and intimate about the listening experience, and I see it as a real privilege to be part of that connection.

And out of all the projects you’ve made with Stak, what’s a moment you’re particularly proud of?

One that really stands out is when I opened up about my own complicated relationship with ballet in Dancing with Shadows. It was important to me that listeners, and the people I spoke to, understood how personally connected I was to the story. I wanted to show that I could love ballet deeply, but still hope for it to change. Those two feelings can absolutely coexist and are at the core of what a lot of my work is inspired by: the desire for meaningful change.

What do you think narrative podcasting needs right now? What do you want to hear more of?

I think narrative podcasting always needs fresh voices — people with new perspectives who really care about the world around them. I also think we’ve only just begun to understand the medium’s full potential, especially as we move further into a space that blends both video and audio podcasting. Being both a strong journalist and a creative storyteller is no easy feat, so I’m excited to see how people continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Mainly, I want to hear more from people who are passionate about accurate, fair reporting and great storytelling.

I know you’ve got a project in the works. Without giving too much away, what can you tell us about it?

Legacy is back with another incredible sporting story - the kind that makes you think, how has no one told this before? It’s full of heart, with amazing characters at its core, a real sense of purpose, and a community that’s just impossible not to root for.

To be the first to discover Stak’s latest documentary series, follow Legacy wherever you get your podcasts

👉 lnk.to/legacypod

Or head to YouTube for exclusive visual content

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@LegacyDoc