About

My name is Halina Rifai and I am a Podcast Producer, Music Writer and Communications Manager.

I have spent 20 years working in various industries including telecommunications, recruitment and music. I have worked with companies, organisations and charities in the fields of Project Management, PR & Marketing, Social Media, Podcasting, Consultancy and more.

I founded the music site and podcast Podcart in 2009 which has led to a number of opportunities in the creative industries. I have worked with festivals, music venues and more, additionally in the roles of PR & marketing and programming.

In my main role as a Podcast Producer, I have worked across numerous projects with organisations including The Big Light, Culture Collective, Mental Health Foundation, BBC Scotland, Barclays, Glasgow Short Film Festival, Fringe of Colour, Scottish Women in Music, Dardishi, Shubbak and more. I am currently working on ongoing and upcoming projects with The Ferret, The Baring Foundation, Stellar Quines, The Skinny and the aforementioned The Big Light. My personal mental health podcast A Sonic Hug (via The Big Light) has received acclaim including recommendations from The Times, The Metro, The Guardian, the Scottish Association for Mental Health, Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival and more.

I regularly contribute to BBC Radio Scotland as a reviewer/talking head, and have guested on STV as a talking head looking at media and topical issues.

I also work in the role of Communications Manager for We Are Here Scotland, a space aimed at supporting and raising the voices of Black People and People of Colour (BPoC) creatives across Scotland. Most recently I have been programming the award-winning AMPLIFI music series with Journalist and Editor Arusa Qureshi in partnership with The Queen’s Hall.