better late than never: behind the mic with Kateryna Kalynovska
hi everyone, my name is Kateryna Kalynovska, and this is a slightly unconventional post for the place of sound.
usually, hosts write this kind of “get to know me” piece when they start. i’m writing it now because i’ve just finished my year as host and producer. better late than never.
i took over the show in may 2025. i didn’t step into it because i had everything figured out. i stepped into it because i was drawn to sound and to place. i’m from Ukraine, and coming to Ottawa changed my relationship to both. when you arrive somewhere new, you notice details you used to ignore. you listen with intention. you try to understand what a city is made of. for me, sound became one of the fastest ways to feel connected here, even before i felt settled.
i’m a media production and design student at carleton, and i’ve always been the kind of person who likes shaping the structure behind a story. the place of sound gave me space to do that in public, not just as an assignment, but as a real show with real listeners.
over this year, i recorded in noisy rooms and at community events, and i learned quickly that hosting isn’t just talking. it’s showing up clearly enough that people trust you with their voice. it’s learning how to listen without rushing. and it’s guiding the listener through a story while still making room for someone else’s.
i’m grateful to everyone who said yes this year, to Dr. Vincent Andrisani and CKCU for making this kind of learning possible.
thank you for listening. the place of sound continues, and i’m excited to hear what the next host brings.
as always, happy listening.
— Kateryna
