Promenade: A Podcast About The Constellation Of Memories

Andy Gaffney is a podcast creator and producer recognized by The Irish Times as one of the “Top 50 Talents to Watch in 2023” for crafting “evocative audio.”

I’d say that prediction has come true. Andy’s Promenade is one of the most creatively vibrant, audio-intensive, and narratively brilliant shows generated by an independent podcast. Or any podcast, for that matter.

Promenade is a constellation of memories, bringing listeners on a journey around the world to share in the simple, poignant, and remarkable recollections we gather throughout our lives; from a modern-day rooftop in New York to 1930s Budapest, each episode serves as a musing on nostalgia, beauty, and the bittersweetness of the everyday.

The multi-award-winning series comprises approximately 15 episodes per season, with each episode ranging from four to 16 minutes and focusing on a single speaker (and once, a couple). Much like an album, the independent episodes — when listened to consecutively — create an emotional arc, woven together through a cohesive, atmospheric soundscape evocative of a beloved, old record thrumming ‘round the turntable — a hallmark of Promenade’s unique storytelling approach.

From its initial release in November 2022, Promenade has earned widespread praise for both its artistry and production design. The Irish Independent lauded Promenade’s “stories that will burrow their way into your heart,” while The Guardian described it as “beautifully produced, a little shining gem.” The series has also won numerous awards, including three New York Radio Awards and two Irish Podcast Awards.

Last December, Promenade returned for its third season, whisking listeners off across the globe and through time. Commencing with a young girl’s unexpected rescue on an iconic Sri Lankan film set in the 1980s, the latest season marries humor and heartbreak with a mixture of spectacular tales and intimate, personal stories; from a Texan radio host’s reminiscing on her 71-year broadcasting legacy, to acclaimed Irish writer Louise O’Neill’s deeply moving tribute to her grandmother, to a retired barber’s extraordinary recounting of making history in Paul McCartney’s living room. The new season was instantly one of The Guardian’s ‘Best Podcasts of the Week’ while The Irish Independent called it “A dance between producer and storyteller” with the potential to inspire future artists to take chances.

Andy Gaffney explains the latest season: “Aesthetically braiding all of season three together is the subtle yet distinct static of a radio signal, buzzing between voices as it searches for connection. Ultimately, there is no better motif than this to capture the essence of Promenade — an acute exploration of the powerful, enduring connections that shape and change our lives. These are the stories that people hold in their hearts until their dying days and are constant reminders of those deeply personal instances that connect us, no matter how disparate our individual lives appear. We are all capable and deserving of moments of adventure, love, and connection.”

The Shift is the home of Andy Gaffney. As a multimedia artist, he explores time, memory, and shared moments of connection.

As well as Promenade, Andy’s projects include the documentary podcast Mirror Pavilion for Galway International Arts Festival, the audiobook and companion podcast Safe Harbour for the HSE, and the annual podcast series for Baboró International Arts Festival.

Over time, Andy has evolved from podcast producer to audio artist, exploring how sound can carry meaning and emotion beyond speech. His work blends soundscapes, score, and precision editing to create immersive listening experiences. Promenade exemplifies this approach — The Guardian praised it as “beautifully produced, a shining gem,” The Week selected it as a top podcast of 2023, and it earned recognition at the New York Radio Awards and Irish Podcast Awards. Season three was instantly one of The Guardian’s ‘Best Podcasts of the Week’ while The Irish Independent called it “A dance between producer and storyteller” with the potential to inspire future artists to take chances.

What distinguishes Andy’s work is its cinematic quality: using recurring musical motifs, considered production design, and seamless loops to guide listeners through cohesive audio journeys. This interplay of technical craft and narrative innovation, always in service of amplifying others’ voices, is what truly excites him.

My favorite episodes include Johanna, which was the longest episode of the season at 15 minutes. In the show, Johanna recalls being a 10-year-old girl living in Geneva, NY, and being uprooted to move with her family as her father set up a school in Sri Lanka. During their years there, Johanna witnessed a civil war and a movie being filmed. Like so many of these episodes, Andy captures the circadian rhythms of life, reminding us that life is a series of vignettes that, when woven together, make up our life journal

In Michael, a romantic dinner planned in Paris goes awry when he discovers that his date is vegan, as he is ordering oysters. What occurs is the drive for connection with others, and a lovely, if not comedic, climax to the night.

Promenade captures life and people in the interstices of living. Memories, which, after all, collectively define our lives, resonate in our present consciousness and trigger vibrant emotional reactions.

Here is a list of Andy Gaffney’s Awards:

New York Radio Awards — Finalist Award 2025

New York Radio Awards Silver Winner 2024

Irish Podcast Awards Specialist Award Winner 2023

New York Festival Radio Award — Best Personal Lives Podcast

Silver Award — Best New Podcast, Irish Podcast Awards 2022

British Podcast Awards — Best New Podcast Nominee 2022

Top 50 New Talents to Watch in 2023 — Andy Gaffney

British Podcast Awards Nominee — 2023

Irish Podcast Awards Finalist — 2023

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