Georgia’s Premiere 5-Hour

Student Podcasting Marathon

Dalton Convention Center | May 14th, 2026

Dalton Convention Center | May 14th, 2026

What is PodJam ‘26?

Get ready to jam with PodJam! On May 14, 2026, teams of five—one teacher and four students from grades 4–8 and 9–12—will take over the Dalton Convention Center for an action-packed five-hour podcast marathon. Judges will draw five surprise topics from a hat and teams will race the clock to create the most compelling five-minute podcast by 2 p.m., when five expert judges will be ready to listen, score, and celebrate their work. The excitement continues that evening with an awards ceremony, where creativity and collaboration take center stage—and the overall winning team walks away with a RØDECaster Pro Podcast Studio! PodJam is fast-paced, fun, and full of learning—where voices rise, stories shine, and innovation takes the mic.

Why Attend?

Teachers should bring a team to PodJam because it’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity to turn learning into action. In just five hours, students and teachers work side-by-side to research, write, record, and produce a podcast—strengthening literacy, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity in a truly hands-on way. It’s project-based learning at its best: fast-paced, exciting, and deeply meaningful. PodJam gives teachers a fresh, engaging way to connect curriculum to real-world skills like communication, problem-solving, and digital storytelling. Plus, it’s fun! Teachers leave inspired, students leave empowered, and teams walk away with memories (and skills) that last far beyond the event.

  • Chief Creative Officer

    Since 1998, Rick Williams has worked behind the camera as a wedding videographer, capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments and turning them into lasting visual stories. In 2020, he transitioned into education and launched the FAME (Film, Arts, Media & Entertainment) pathway at the Floyd County College & Career Academy—a dynamic program where students explore filmmaking, podcasting, and social media production.

    With over two decades of industry experience, Rick brings a real-world, hands-on approach to teaching that blends creativity, technical skill, and entrepreneurship. He empowers students to not only master production tools, but also to build personal brands, grow audiences, and tell stories that matter.

    In just five years, FAME has grown into more than a class—it’s become a launchpad for the next generation of storytellers. From producing short films and fast-paced Instagram news shows to launching original podcasts and digital content, Rick’s students are learning to use media as a powerful tool for communication, connection, and change.

Board Of Directors:

  • Chief Programming Officer

    Dr. Greg Walkup is a passionate A/V Broadcast & Film educator who has transformed classrooms into studios and students into storytellers. With a rich background spanning K–12 education and a doctorate in Teacher Leadership, Greg now leads one of Georgia’s most innovative middle school student media programs. Through student-led broadcasting, podcasting, and film production, he empowers the next generation to find their voice, lead with purpose, and create with confidence. His mission: amplify student voice through real-world media—and help young creators tell the stories that matter most.

    You can follow Dr. Walkup more at https://ga01000373.schoolwires.net/Page/56312

  • Director of Audio Production

    Shannon Chatmon is a middle school educator. She is also founder of Black Panache, LLC, a podcast production company under which she has produced, edited, and sometimes hosted several professional independent podcasts. Her Blacktivities podcast is in the top 5% of podcasts and has been featured on Apple Podcasts’ New and Noteworthy List.

Contact Us:

PodJamHQ@gmail.com

Amandtriplett@nationalpodcastproject.com

Dalton GA