iHeartMedia

New Documentary Podcast Series Unravels the Shadowy Past Behind the Creator of Willy Wonka, Matilda and The BFG

Series Premieres Monday, January 19, 2026

Listen to the Trailer Now HERE

NEW YORK – January 16, 2026 – iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, and Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment, today announced the launch of “The Secret World of Roald Dahl,” a gripping new documentary podcast that peels back the secret spy life and shadowed past of one of the most famous children’s authors of all time to reveal a life far stranger than fiction. This is the sixth title to be released from Imagine Entertainment and iHeartMedia’s slate of original iHeartPodcasts. Listen to the trailer of “The Secret World of Roald Dahl” now HERE. 

Premiering Monday, January 19, 2026, the series explores the extraordinary hidden life of Roald Dahl, examining how a former fighter pilot, British intelligence operative, struggling Hollywood screenwriter and unlikely medical innovator became one of the most successful children’s authors in history — and how his covert past shaped the stories generations of readers grew up loving.

Best known as the creator of Willy Wonka, Matilda and The BFG, “The Secret World of Roald Dahl” uncovers the hidden chapters rarely discussed: his time as a spy for MI6, his personal relationships, creative failures and experiences that complicate his legacy. It’s a dark, twisty and deeply fascinating true story that asks how much of an artist’s inner life finds its way into their work.

Created and hosted by Aaron Tracy, the series blends investigative storytelling with rich narrative detail to paint a complex portrait of a cultural icon whose life was as unsettling as it was remarkable.

"Roald Dahl played a huge role in our childhoods, but most people have no idea he lived one of the noisiest lives of his century,” said Tracy. “He was a fighter pilot, a British spy for MI6, a struggling screenwriter, the husband of an Oscar-winner, a writer for The New Yorker, and an amateur neuroscientist who saved thousands of lives before he finally found his voice as a children's author at 45. iHeart and Imagine have been dream collaborators to help reveal these hidden chapters of Dahl's life and explore the complicated, controversial person behind the stories."

"We all grew up on Roald Dahl's books over here, and the opportunity to work with Aaron Tracy in the podcast space to dig into Dahl's life was just too good to be true,” said Nathan Kloke, Executive Producer for Imagine Audio. “Aaron connects with Dahl across his work, his humanity and his flaws. It is a wonderful piece of work from a very talented documentarian.”

“Many people know Roald Dahl as the creator of Willy Wonka, Matilda and the BFG, but most do not know he was also a spy,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. "’The Secret World of Roald Dahl’ is a compelling example of the kind of premium storytelling we’re focused on—revealing a wild journey through the hidden chapters of a fascinating life.”

“The Secret World of Roald Dahl” is part of a growing slate of documentary podcasts from iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment, including “Hello Isaac,” “Unf**cking the Future,” “Big Sugar,” “The Tao of Muhammad Ali” and “Obscurum,” which explore iconic figures and untold stories through deep reporting and cinematic storytelling.  Another new series from the collaboration will be announced soon.

Kara Welker and Nathan Kloke are Executive Producers for Imagine Audio.

“The Secret World of Roald Dahl” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available weekly on Mondays on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

Editor’s Note

Download the show cover art HERE.

Include “The Secret World of Roald Dahl” audio player directly into your article using the embed code below:

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About Aaron Tracy

Aaron Tracy is a bestselling writer and producer from Washington D.C., and the founder of award-winning audio company, Parallax. Tracy’s first audio drama, The Coldest Case, a detective thriller starring Aaron Paul, became the most successful Audible Original ever. Tracy’s iHeart series, Supreme: The Battle for Roe, starring Maya Hawke, about the 26-year-old lead attorney on Roe V. Wade, won the Webby Award for Best Fiction series. 

Some of Tracy’s other audio series include: 10 Days, an underdog NBA story starring Glen Powell; Murder in Bermuda, a courtroom drama starring Mary-Louise Parker; Summer Breeze, a revenge comedy starring Kelly Ripa; and The Commuter, a domestic thriller starring Lizzy Caplan.  

Tracy’s TV writing credits include Law & Order: SVU (NBC), The Tap (USA), and Sequestered (Sony’s Crackle), a thriller about a rogue juror, which he created and ran for two seasons. Over his career, Tracy has developed original series at CBS, USA, Freeform, Lifetime, NBCUniversal, Lionsgate TV, and others. 

Tracy’s first novel, The Honeymoon Period, will be published by Macmillan in Fall ‘26. Tracy is on faculty at Yale University where he teaches creative writing. For more, visit listentoparallax.com.

About Imagine Entertainment

Founded by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, Imagine Entertainment is an award-winning global entertainment company telling stories that inspire and empower, and creating unforgettable entertainment experiences of all genres across Imagine Features, Imagine Television Studios, Imagine Documentaries, Imagine Kids+Family, Imagine Brands, and Imagine Audio, as well as the award-winning Jax Media and Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions. Imagine’s productions have been honored with more than 60 prestigious awards including 47 Academy Award nominations and 228 Emmy® award nominations. Past productions include the Academy Award Best Picture winner "A Beautiful Mind", as well as Grammy Award Best Film winner "The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years." Recent productions include the critically acclaimed film "Thirteen Lives" directed by Ron Howard, the hit film "tick, tick...Boom!" directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the critically acclaimed documentaries “Judy Blume Forever”, Sacha Jenkin’s “Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues”, Rory Kennedy’s “Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari”, "Lucy & Desi" directed by Amy Poehler (Two-time Emmy winner) and "We Feed People.”

New Series Recounts How a Group of Morehouse College Students in 1969, Including a Young Samuel L. Jackson, Organized a Protest That Took Multiple Hostages, Among Them Martin Luther King Sr. 

Series Premieres Friday, February 6, 2026

Listen to the First Episode Now HERE

NEW YORK – February 6, 2026 – iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, and Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment today announced the launch of “The A Building,” a powerful new documentary podcast that revisits one of the most extraordinary and rarely told moments in American civil rights and higher-education history—an event that changed the future of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and helped define the modern era of student protest. This is the seventh title to be released from Imagine Entertainment and iHeartMedia’s slate of original iHeartPodcasts. Listen to the first episode of “The A Building” now HERE.  

Premiering Friday, February 6, 2026, the series tells the story of the 1969 student uprising at Morehouse College, where a group of students barricaded themselves inside the administration building—known on Historically Black Colleges and Universities campuses as “The A Building.” Set against the backdrop of late-1960s America, “The A Building” explores a volatile period when student activism surged nationwide amid movements for civil rights, women’s rights, labor justice, and opposition to the Vietnam War. At Morehouse, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. intensified tensions between the administration and a student body demanding an education that reflected Black history, identity and lived experience—and ultimately led students to hold members of the Board of Trustees hostage for two days demanding reforms to curriculum and improvements to student life.

One of the hostages was Martin Luther King Sr., president of the Board of Trustees. One of the student organizers was Samuel L. Jackson—years before he would become one of the most celebrated figures in Hollywood.  Samuel L. Jackson and his friends devised a plan to hijack a Board of Trustees meeting to create change.  A heist with a purpose.

Blending immersive reenactments with firsthand testimony, archival research and expert analysis, the series unfolds with the tension of a true-crime heist—one driven by moral urgency. “The A Building” examines the risks students took, the consequences they faced, and the lasting impact of their actions on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and student activism nationwide.

Co-created and produced by Menelek Lumumba and Hans Charles, the podcast traces the aftermath of the protest, including the expulsion of the students involved, the escalation of political pressure, and the pivotal moment that ultimately led Samuel L. Jackson back to Morehouse—where a change in academic focus quietly set him on the path toward acting.

“This project has been years in the making, but it feels more relevant than ever,” said Menelek Lumumba, co-creator and producer.  “I’m grateful we have the opportunity to tell this story about young people who took action, and how their one act of protest continues to reverberate through all those involved over 50 years later.”

“It's an incredible, unbelievable story when you first hear it,” said Hans Charles, co-creator and producer. “That it happened on a campus like Morehouse College, in a city like Atlanta, at such a volatile time, speaks to the importance of telling and exploring what is quintessential American History.”

"What makes the story of ‘The A Building’ so compelling is how clearly it reveals the purpose and power of protest,” said Nathan Kloke, Executive Producer for Imagine Entertainment. “When Hans and Menelek first brought us this pivotal chapter of American history, it unfolded like a heist film—fast-paced, surprising, and utterly gripping. We’re excited to bring audiences along for the ride."

“This is premium documentary storytelling that connects history to the present,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “‘The A Building’ revisits a moment that feels both historic and urgently relevant, revealing how student voices helped shape lasting institutional change.” 

“The A Building” is part of a growing slate of documentary podcasts from iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment, including“Hello Isaac,” “Unf**cking the Future,” “Big Sugar,” “The Tao of Muhammad Ali,” “Obscurum, and “The Secret World of Roald Dahl,” which explore iconic figures, cultural flashpoints, and untold stories through deep reporting and cinematic storytelling. 

Nathan Kloke and Kara Welker are Executive Producers for Imagine Entertainment in partnership with oddarts media.  Katrina Norvell is the Executive Producer for iHeartPodcasts. 

“The A Building” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available weekly on Fridays on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

Editor’s Note

• Download the show cover art HERE.
• Include “The A Building” audio player directly into your article using the embed code below:

<iframe allow="autoplay" width="100%" height="300" src="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-imagine-audio-the-a-build-117233473/?embed=true" frameborder="0"></iframe>

About Menelek Lumumba 

Menelek Lumumba is a writer and director who wrote and directed his debut feature film, 1 ANGRY BLACK MAN. The film premiered at the Blackstar Film Festival and screened at dozens of festivals across the country and abroad, winning Best Feature Film at two festivals. It was released by Freestyle Digital Media in June 2020. With his creative partner Hans, Menelek co-created THE A BUILDING, a podcast about the hostage situation at Morehouse College in 1969, produced with Imagine Entertainment and iHeartPodcasts. Menelek is currently in development on his next feature film.

About Hans Charles 

Hans Charles is an Emmy award-nominated cinematographer and writer/producer, best known for Netflix's 13TH, and Showtime's WU-TANG CLAN: OF MICS AND MEN. Hans has shot award-winning films that have screened at Tribeca, Sundance, NYFF, and Outfest, among many others. His projects include Netflix’s GRASS IS GREENER, CONTACT HIGH, a short film that gives a visual history of hip hop, 1 ANGRY BLACK MAN, a collegiate drama feature Hans both lensed and produced, Lifetime's DEATH SAVED MY LIFE, and Showtime's hit docu series WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT COSBY, which premiered at Sundance 2022 and was nominated for four Emmy Awards. Hans was the cinematographer on The CW’s hit series ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING and worked on a documentary film with Vespucci Group and Showtime called THE HONEY TRAP, directed by Chris Moukarbel which released in December 2024. He's currently shooting two documentary projects and is developing his next feature film with his creative partner, Menelek Lumumba. Hans is a partner at Align Pictures.

About Imagine Entertainment

Founded in 1986 by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, Imagine Entertainment is a multi-award-winning film and television production company with a remarkable track record of creating critically acclaimed and commercially successful content across genres. Imagines’ productions have been honored with 90 prestigious awards, including 47 ACADEMY AWARD™ nominations and 242 Emmy® award nominations. Award-winning productions include the ACADEMY AWARD™ Best Picture winner "A Beautiful Mind", as well as Grammy Award Best Film winner "The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years" and the critically acclaimed documentary Jim Henson Idea Man, a definitive portrait of Jim Henson’s life, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Best Documentary EMMY Award following its global premiere on Disney+.

With numerous hit film, television and documentary projects including the Peabody Award-winning “Judy Blume Forever,” (Prime Video), “Frida” (Amazon/MGM), “Genius: MLK/X” (Disney+); “The Dynasty: New England Patriots” (Apple TV+), “Friday Night Lights” (NBC), “Parenthood” (NBC), and films including “Apollo 13” “Rush”, “The Da Vinci Code”, “”Frost/Nixon”, and “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”, along with the highly anticipated reimagining of "The 'Burbs" (Peacock), Imagine Entertainment has consistently redefined the boundaries of storytelling in the entertainment industry.

Recent projects include “After the Hunt,” a thriller for Amazon MGM directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny, “The Gringo Hunters,” a Spanish-language drama for Netflix and feature-length documentary for ABC/Hulu “Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything."

About oddarts media:

Oddarts media brings creative order to the chaos — building stories, franchises, and brands that thrive across every platform. Founded in 2025 by veteran producers Kara Welker and Nathan Kloke, oddarts is a production and creative services company focused on premium digital video and audio for distributors and brands. Oddarts has produced content in partnership with Imagine Entertainment and maintains business with Audible, iHeartMedia, The National Parks Foundation, and Fremantle.

In the special live taping presented by “Your Attention, Please” the duo discussed the importance of prioritizing healthcare, Super Bowl 2026 and more

Listen Now HERE

WHAT: iHeartPodcasts’ "Calm Down” with Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson hosted a live podcast recording at NFL Culture Club bringing two of sports media’s most influential female voices together for a candid conversation around prioritizing yourself, your health and your well‑being. The event was presented by Novartis’ “Your Attention, Please” campaign and empowered women to take a proactive approach to their breast health by scheduling screenings and better understanding their risk. The gathering also featured an interactive glambot experience in addition to inspiring conversation and thoughtful connection. The live show was recorded ahead of Super Bowl LX on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at the NFL Culture Club, an exclusive, immersive destination where the worlds of sport, art, music, fashion and community converge during Super Bowl week. Inspired by the spirit of a modern-day members’ club, the space brings together athletes, creators, artists and industry leaders for curated conversations, live performances and immersive experiences. As a first-time Super Bowl initiative, NFL Culture Club fosters creative connection and exchange among today’s cultural leaders.

Event Photos: (Credit Kimberly White for iHeartPodcasts)

https://iheartradio.photoshelter.com/galleries/C00002S4l8ShFJjM/G0000nulu2k98Yk0/Culture-Club

Password: iHeartNFL26! 

Highlights & Memorable Moments: 

• 6:15: CHARISSA REFLECTS ON WORKING WITH ERIN EARLY IN HER CAREER: 
  • CHARISSA: “Erin and I have done this job for a long time and she had the job I wanted…fast forward I ended up getting hired by ESPN where Erin was and she came running out of the door and gave me a big hug and said ‘if you need anything I'm here for you.’ That was 17 years ago.”

• 33:38: CHARISSA TALKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAMMOGRAMS AND EARLY DETECTION 
  • CHARISSA: “1 in 8 women will face breast cancer in their lifetime yet only 1 in 2 women receive their mammogram…It's really important to highlight not just the stats of the game but the stats of life that have a major impact on everything because early detection is key.” 

• 35:22: ERIN OPENS UP ABOUT HER CANCER DIAGNOSIS: 
  • ERIN: “What is our gameplan? It's putting ourselves first. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer at a regular screening..I had zero symptoms and week three of a season back in 2017 I found I had cancer and changed my life. I caught it early so I didnt have to have a hysterectomy.. so that is why I stress to everybody, early detection is key – you have to make the appointment and go.”

WHO: Erin Andrews is a sports broadcaster as part FOX Sports’ A Team. She can be seen weekly on “FOX NFL Sunday, “doing sideline coverage and features, a show that records a staggering 56.4 million unique viewers, as well as reporting for “NFL Thursday Night Football.” She joined ESPN in May 2004 as a reporter for the network’s National Hockey League coverage and quickly became a fan favorite, transitioning into college football and basketball.

Charissa Thompson is the host of FOX NFL KICKOFF, the Sunday morning NFL pregame show leading into FOX NFL SUNDAY. After discovering an interest in TV production and moving into a production assistant role with FOX Sports in Denver, Thompson was given her first on-air opportunity as a fill-in host for the channel’s Saturday evening Colorado Rockies all-access show. Thompson moved on from FOX Sports in 2010 and pulled double duty as a host for both Versus and Yahoo Sports. She anchored Versus’ NHL studio coverage and recorded web videos for the highly trafficked Yahoo platform, leading the site’s presence at high-profile events, including the 2010 Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl XLV and the BCS National Championship. Success in both arenas led to her joining ESPN in August 2011, where she was named one of the hosts for the network’s newly conceived afternoon show, “Numbers Never Lie.” In July 2012, she transitioned to the popular “SportsNation,” enjoying a successful run that lasted until she left the network to return to Los Angeles for the launch of FS1 in May 2013. She has been one of the faces of FSI since the network’s launch.

WHERE + WHEN: The “Calm Down with Erin & Charissa” live episode from NFL Culture Club presented by Novartis’ “Your Attention Please" is now available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. 

PODCAST PLAYER EMBED CODE: 

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SHOW PAGE: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/calm-down-with-erin-and-charissa-77416573/ 

Professional baseball outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to host first show coming early 2026

New York – February 5, 2026 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher according to Podtrac, and Rimas Sports, Bad Bunny’s premiere sports management and brand alliance agency, today announced a new partnership to produce original podcasts and content for My Cultura, iHeart’s podcast network dedicated to elevating Latino voices and stories. The first show from the collaboration will debut early 2026 featuring MLB’s 2025 Comeback Player of the Year and Rimas talent Ronald Acuña Jr.

Rimas Sports – co-founded by the Latin superstar Bad Bunny and Rimas Entertainment executives Noah Assad and Jonathan Miranda – creates media content around sports, music and more, covering every base of Latin sports and entertainment worldwide. Launched in 2023, the Puerto Rican sports agency is dedicated to building the next generation of great Latin American athletes. Their roster of talent spans over 45 elite athletes across a variety of sports including MLB superstar Fernando Tatis Jr.; world No. 1 ranked padel player Agustín Tapia; Colombian motorsports legend Juan Pablo Montoya alongside rising star Sebastian Montoya; and 2025 WBO light middleweight world champion Xander Zayas. In February 2026, the agency will officially expand into the NFL, welcoming its first class of NFL athletes and marking a major milestone in its evolution across global sports.

“I’m super pumped about this! You know I love baseball, but I also love everything about being Latino, our vibe, the music that moves us, our family stories, and all the struggles we face every day,” said Acuña. “This podcast is my chance to open up, talk straight about the good stuff, the tough stuff, and what inspires us. Plus, it’s a chance to kick it with people I really respect and who have a lot to share. I want everyone listening to feel like they’re just hanging out with me, ‘cause that’s how I see my community. I’m ready to get started and show something real, something that really represents who we are.”

“We’re excited to join iHeartMedia’s My Cultura for a podcast that goes beyond sports—covering culture, family and the stories that connect us as Latinos,” said Alejandro Padrón, Director at Rimas Sports. “Having Ronald Acuña lead the first show marks the start of authentic conversations that inspire and bring fans closer to the talent and vision of our athletes.”

“Sports aren’t just something the Latino community watches, it's something we live,” said Leo Gomez, head of iHeartMedia’s My Cultura Podcast Network. “Sports are part of the culture, heritage and legacy that is woven into who we are. Partnering with Rimas Sports on amazing audio content curated by Bad Bunny and his team will allow us to bring sports and pop-culture icons like Ronald to listeners everywhere and share richer stories about how Latinos experience, elevate and redefine sports every day."

The My Cultura Podcast Network launched in May 2021 in collaboration with Enrique Santos, iHeartMedia’s top-rated on-air personality and President and Chief Creative Officer of iHeartLatino, and has since welcomed actor, producer, entrepreneur and activist Wilmer Valderrama along with Eva Longoria and her studio Hyphenate Media Group as stakeholders. Since launch, the network has experienced steady growth and is now home to more than 60 podcasts including hit series “Chiquis and Chill,” “Starring: Desi Arnaz & Wilmer Valderrama,” “Latino USA,” “Radio Ambulante,” “The Moment with Jorge Ramos and Paola Ramos,” “Wrestling with Freddie,” “More Better with Stephanie Beatriz & Melissa Fumero,” “Agushto Papá Podcast,” “Enrique Santos Podcast,” “You vs You with Lex Borrero,” “Hungry for History with Eva Longoria and Maite Gomez-Rejón” and many more. Listeners can find the full catalog of My Cultura podcasts here.

All My Cultura shows are distributed by iHeartPodcasts which is also home to the NFL Podcast Network, iHeart Women’s Sports, Stephen Curry and Erick Peyton’s Unanimous Media podcast slate, NHL series and more podcasts across the sports landscape. Listen on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

About Rimas Sports

Co-founded by global superstar Bad Bunny and Rimas Entertainment executives, Rimas Sports is a next-generation agency redefining the intersection of sports, music, and Latino culture. Based in Puerto Rico and launched in 2023, the agency represents over 60 elite athletes, including MLB stars Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ronald Acuña Jr., padel world No. 1 Agustín Tapia, and 2025 WBO champion Xander Zayas. Rimas Sports blends talent management, brand strategy, and creative content to drive both professional success and global cultural impact.

Hosted by B Daht, each episode delivers education with entertainment—context without condescension and receipts without lectures throughout the month of February 

Listen Now HERE

WHAT: iHeartMedia and Charlamagne tha God’s Black Effect Podcast Network today announced Season 5 of “I Didn’t Know, Maybe You Didn’t Either,” the original series focused on highlighting the events in Black history that still influence society today. Hosted by Brian “B-Daht” McLaughlin, comedian, radio host and creator of "The Freestyle Funny Comedy Show," “I Didn’t Know, Maybe You Didn’t Either” is a historical docuseries rooted in black excellence and legacy.

100 years ago, Carter G. Woodson launched Negro History Week as a strategic counterattack against erasure. Season 5 of “I Didn’t Know, Maybe You Didn’t Either” will honor that centennial by correcting the record to prove Black folks didn't just survive history, they designed it. Throughout Black History Month, B-Daht will showcase unknown and under-known Black history, including stories of hidden figures like Shirley Ann Jackson, the woman whose research powers today’s modern communication and FAMU’s Marching 100, the band that built an infrastructure of Black Excellence that others around the world would replicate. The new season will also spotlight global Black history moments including the Haitian Revolution, which led to the first free Black republic and the story of Yasuke, the African warrior who rose to samurai status in feudal Japan. This progressive podcast series is focused on cultivating connectivity and progression through truth within communities. Season 5 of “I Didn’t Know, Maybe You Didn’t Either” will have something for everyone, from history buffs to those who are tuning in for a good laugh. 

WEEKLY THEMES
Week 1 (Feb 1-7): "Foundational Episodes" — How Black folks didn't just survive history, they designed it 

Week 2 (Feb 8-14): "Hidden in Plain Sight" — The Black systems, inventions, and culture the world uses daily... without knowing who built them 

Week 3 (Feb 15-21): "Global Black History" — Beyond American borders—Black excellence that shaped the world 

Week 4 (Feb 22-28): "Correcting the Record" — Confronting the lies, omissions, and miseducation that persist today

WHEN + WHERE: Season 5 is available now with daily episodes through the entirety of Black History Month. “I Didn’t Know, Maybe You Didn’t Either” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

EMBED: Use the below embed code to include the “I Didn’t Know Maybe You Didn’t Either” audio player into any website:

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 Download the cover art HERE.

About B-Daht
Brian McLaughlin, also known as (B-Daht) is an American comedian and radio host. B Daht has had the privilege of performing for audiences all around the country, coupled with having a decade of experience as the funny man for the Wild Out morning Show" on 102 JAMZ in NC. B Daht lead his own morning show on 102 JAMZ, "3 Live Crew" with his co-hosts: Roxie & Drankins. B-Daht later became a cast member on Wild 'N Out on MTV. B-Daht is the co-founder/host of The Freestyle Funny Comedy Show, a 90-minute stand-up/improv show.

About Black Effect Podcast Network
The Black Effect Podcast Network is a transformative network founded by renowned cultural architect, executive producer, bestselling author, and media mogul Charlamagne Tha God in a historic joint venture with the world’s number-one commercial podcast publisher, iHeartMedia. Charlamagne and iHeartMedia created the groundbreaking first-ever Black Effect Podcast Network, celebrating the essential Black culture-shapers on the planet—in education, entertainment, politics, pop culture, and sports. The Black Effect Podcast Network gives rise to emerging and established content creators and storytellers whose perspectives and creative visions have been marginalized and overlooked while serving an audience that has been underserved. The Black Effect Podcast Network helps its partners define their place in podcast culture through influence, ideas, and experiences that engage, inspire, inform, and empower.

The new series will create space for guests to share lived experiences and reflect on the moments that have shaped who they are

Special guests will include Chris Lane, Danae Hayes and more

Listen Now HERE

NEW YORK — February 3, 2026 — Today, iHeartPodcasts, the no. 1 podcast publisher, and Ben Higgins, host of “The Ben & Ashley I. Almost Famous Podcast” and “Famously Available” announced “If You Can Hear Me,” a new podcast and video series where faith and pop culture will meet. Fans can listen to the new podcast now, here.

Produced by New Bridge Studios, “If You Can Hear Me” is built around thoughtful, open-hearted conversations that explore the questions many people carry quietly. Each episode centers on themes such as identity, loss, purpose, peace, faith, doubt, joy, and the universal search for meaning. Rather than following a traditional celebrity interview format, the show creates space for guests to share lived experiences and reflect on the moments that have shaped who they are.

The series brings together voices from across entertainment, culture, and public life, offering conversations designed to go deeper than headlines and titles. With iHeart reaching nine out of ten Americans each month, “If You Can Hear Me” will launch with wide national distribution across its multi-platform network. In the first episode, Higgins talks with Chris Lane, multi‑platform country artist known for recent singles like “Find Another Bar” and “If I Die Before You,” about marriage, family, the trajectory of his music career, his songwriting process and more. In a later episode, Higgins will interview content creator and comedian Danae Hayes.  

“If You Can Hear Me” marks the next chapter in Higgins’ evolution as a host and storyteller, building on his work in faith-driven dialogue, authorship, and impact-focused initiatives. The show will officially launch soon, with additional guest announcements and episode releases to follow.

“If You Can Hear Me” will join iHeart’s existing roster of highly popular shows focused on the topic including “DJ Hesta Prynn’s Music is Therapy,” “Sleep Psalms with T.D. Jakes,” “Deeply Well with Devi Brown,” “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” and others as listeners increasingly seek resources for self-improvement and mental wellbeing through audio. These shows are distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

Editor’s Note:

Download the show’s cover art HERE.

Embed the show audio directly into your article or website using the HTML code below:

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About Ben Higgins

Ben Higgins is best known from season 20 of ABC’s hit series, “The Bachelor,” where he opened himself up to millions of viewers, giving them the chance to truly get to know him. The opportunity ultimately led to an enhanced platform that he now uses to share what he is most passionate about with others – his faith, his hope for humanity and his love of sports. Born and raised in Winona Lake, IN, Ben currently resides in Denver, CO, where he moved after graduating from Indiana University in 2012. Since “The Bachelor,” Ben has been keeping up with a number of projects with the help of some of his closest friends. Most recently, Ben co-founded Generous International, a for purpose company dedicated to contributing profits to social issues around the world, starting with a cup of coffee. With a vision to change the way society thinks of consumer products, all Generous merchandise is designed specifically to create and multiply good in the world. Whether creating jobs, feeding children or improving education, it begins with giving back in order to build a world that we all want to live in.

Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster.com

WHAT: iHeartMedia announced today that Luke Bryan is joining the lineup for the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One making its return to Austin, TX at Moody Center on Saturday, May 2.

WHO: Hosted by iHeartMedia's nationally syndicated top on-air Country personality, Bobby Bones, the annual festival will feature performances by Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Shaboozey, Dylan Scott, Russell Dickerson, Gretchen Wilson, Chase Matthew and Lauren Alaina.

WHEN: Saturday, May 2, 2026

WHERE: 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712

MORE: Tickets are available now at TicketMaster.com.

The iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One is a part of iHeartMedia’s roster of nationally recognized events including the iHeartRadio Music Festival Presented by Capital One, iHeartRadio Music Awards, the nationwide iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One, iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina, iHeartRadio ALTer EGO Presented by Capital One and iHeartPodcast Awards.

iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One is an iHeartMedia Production. Proud partners of this year’s event include presenting partner Capital One, Bobcat, Electric for All, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®, with more to be announced.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® is the benefiting charity partner of the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival. Music unites, heals, and changes lives and that’s why the country music community is proud to support St. Jude in the fight against childhood cancer and invites fans to help too. Fans can visit musicgives.org today and become a Partner in Hope. Donations ensure that no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food.

For more information visit iHeartRadio.com/countryfestival.

Artists and/or event are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

iHeart brings leading talent including Questlove, Steven Bartlett, Arabic sensation Islam Fawzy and more to the Centre Stage

iHeartArabi to unveil first shows of its Arabic podcast slate and will feature an on-site iHeartPodcasts Studio for top podcast talent to record episodes live from the floor in English and Arabic

DOHA, Qatar & NEW YORK--January 29, 2026--iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally, and the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar (GCO) announced that iHeartPodcasts will be the official podcast partner for the 2026 Web Summit Qatar.

The third edition of Web Summit Qatar is set to gather more than 30,000 technology and business leaders, founders, world-leading investors, media and more than 1,600 startups at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) from February 1-4, 2026.

Top iHeartPodcasts talent, show producers and executives will be in attendance to participate in a range of events including educational sessions, live podcast recordings and Centre Stage content like fireside chats, panel discussions and Q&A sessions.

This year’s Centre Stage sessions will welcome Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group along with other leading podcast talent including Questlove, host of “The Questlove Show”; Steven Bartlett, host of the world’s second-largest host-led podcast “The Diary of a CEO”; Arabic sensation Islam Fawzy and more. The event will also serve as the official launch of iHeartArabi, iHeartPodcasts Arabic show slate.

“Welcoming iHeartMedia and its globally recognized podcast talent to Web Summit Qatar 2026 reflects our broader ambition to strengthen our creative economy and to support the growth of creative and digital industries as engines of sustainable development,” said Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the GCO. “This partnership creates opportunities for knowledge exchange and new forms of digital expression that empower local talent and creators to strengthen Qatar’s position as a hub for global media, content creation and innovation.”

“At iHeart we believe in fostering conversations that lead to creative and innovative ideas and solutions, and our partnership with the GCO continues to expand the boundaries of podcasting,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. “Our goal is to work together to generate the kind of discussions and interactions that enhance and grow the future of this medium for audiences everywhere.”

This year’s Web Summit Qatar will also feature an on-site iHeartPodcasts Recording Studio and attendee lounge for top podcast talent to record episodes live from the floor in English and Arabic. For the full lineup and schedule including session dates and times, please visit https://qatar.websummit.com/schedule/.

About Web Summit
Web Summit runs the world’s largest and most impactful technology events, bringing together the people and ideas that change the world. It aims to meaningfully connect the next decade’s most influential people across every area of technology - and throughout the inter-related worlds of politics, finance, media, entertainment, culture, sport and society. Its parallel mission is to create software that enables meaningful connections between these people and their communities.

Described by The Atlantic as “where the future goes to be born,” Web Summit was founded in Dublin in 2009 by Paddy Cosgrave. Since then it has welcomed more than a million attendees across its global gatherings - which this year will include Web Summit Qatar, Web Summit Rio, Web Summit Vancouver and Web Summit Lisbon. This year’s Web Summit Qatar will be the biggest yet, with record numbers of startups, partners and media due to attend. Web Summit remains privately owned and self-funded and this year announced it had achieved the key startup milestone of $100m in revenue.

About the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar
The Government Communications Office (GCO) was established by Amiri Decree No. (27) of 2015 to serve as the strategic communications arm of the State of Qatar. It coordinates communications activities across government and public-sector institutions, showcasing the country’s vision, initiatives and achievements. The GCO is dedicated to promoting good governance and sustainability practices, improving government communication mechanisms and facilitating the development of credible government channels, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

For more information, please visit: www.gco.gov.qa/en

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Longtime friends Cari Champion and Jemele Hill debate the buzziest topics of the day in women’s sports, culture and beyond

Listen to the trailer now HERE

WHAT: iHeartMedia’s iHeart Women’s Sports, the first-ever audio platform dedicated exclusively to women's sports, today announced “Flagrant and Funny,” a new original sports podcast hosted by Cari Champion and Jemele Hill. Champion and Hill, broadcasting powerhouses and best friends, will explore the buzziest topics in women’s sports, culture, and more. No topic is off-limits, from the latest coaching controversies—which outgoing coach speaks like he has a mouth full of marbles—to engaging debates and laugh-out-loud moments—like Hill’s Top 5 lists that will keep you coming back. Listen every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for a mix of sharp insights, lively discussions, and plenty of laughs. Whether listeners love sports or just enjoy great conversations, “Flagrant and Funny” is the podcast for them. Who’s flagrant and who’s funny? Tune in to find out!

WHO: Cari Champion is a distinguished broadcast journalist and television personality who has significantly impacted and advanced the sports media industry for women today. As the host of her eponymous show, “The Cari Champion Show,” which aired on Amazon, she has engaged audiences with an unfiltered portrayal of sports. Champion recently hosted CNN's New Year's celebration and is frequently seen as a regular contributor to the network. Champion is dedicated to mentoring and advocating for women of color in sports television and broadcasting. Through her foundation, Brown Girls Dream, she empowers the next generation of media professionals.

Jemele Hill is an Emmy Award–winning journalist, Webby Award-winning podcast host, author and co‑founder of Lodge Freeway Media. Hill began her career at the Raleigh News & Observer and later held prominent roles at ESPN, including national columnist, SportsCenter anchor, and co‑host of “His & Hers.” Her 2022 memoir, “UPHILL: A Memoir,” chronicles her life and career, and she was named Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists in 2018. A Detroit native, Hill graduated from Michigan State University in 1997 with a degree in journalism and married Ian Wallace in 2019.

WHEN + WHERE: The series will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard beginning Wednesday, January 28, with new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

SHOW PAGE: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-flagrant-and-funny-with-c-318328019

PODCAST PLAYER EMBED CODE: Include the podcast audio player into any article or website using the below embed code. 

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HI-RES COVER ART: HERE

About iHeart Women’s Sports
Founded in 2024 by iHeartMedia and Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment, iHeart Women’s Sports has already made a significant impact in the women’s sports media landscape. In just one year, iHeart has raised women's sports coverage from less than one percent in 2024 to more than 34 percent in 2025, reaching 89 million monthly listeners across nearly 500 broadcast radio stations. As women’s sports viewership continues to rise, iHeartMedia has remained dedicated to ensuring fair representation in media, with 50 percent of all newly produced sports podcasts focusing on women's sports coverage. Since launch, iHeart Women’s Sports has achieved 99 percent positive sentiment across social media, released more than 4,100 weekly women’s sports radio reports and launched more than 15 podcasts. To find all of iHeart Women’s Sports coverage, visit iHeart Women's Sports Podcasts. All shows on the network are distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

Launching in June, “Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX” will uncover the untold origin story of the hip-hop icon, told by those who knew him best

NEW YORK — January 23, 2026 — iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally, has partnered with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s G-Unit Audio and award-winning podcast studio and storytelling company Narratively to produce Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX, a groundbreaking new narrative podcast series exploring the early life and rise of the late, legendary artist DMX. The new series will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard later this year.

Hosted by Yonkers native and hip-hop icon Jadakiss, the series takes listeners back to a time before the world knew DMX — when Earl Simmons was a young, fiercely talented artist hustling, battling, and surviving his way through Yonkers, New York. Through intimate, firsthand accounts from family members, childhood friends, collaborators, rivals, and cultural icons, the multi-episode series offers unprecedented access to the formative years that shaped one of the most influential and complicated figures in music history.

Executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Noah Rosenberg, Bruce Miller, Justin Baez and Paul Anderson, “Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX” is a deeply personal and immersive exploration of legacy, struggle, faith, addiction, raw talent, and survival — told by the people who lived it alongside X.

“DMX’s story is bigger than the music — it’s about survival, faith, pain, and purpose,” said Jackson. “’Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX’ gives people a chance to understand where X came from, before the fame, through the voices of the people who were really there. This is the story that shaped the legend.”

Miller and Baez, both Yonkers natives with deep personal ties to DMX and his family, bring unmatched authenticity to the project. Their lived connection to the city — and to X’s enduring impact on it — grounds the series in the community that shaped him long before fame.

“DMX’s story is inseparable from Yonkers,” said Miller. “And his legacy is the lifeblood of hip hop.”

“This is a dream project for all of us,” said Rosenberg, Co-Founder and CEO of Narratively. “Narratively’s commitment has always been about celebrating untold human stories, and the opportunity to uncover the origin story of an icon like DMX — alongside partners as iconic as 50, Jadakiss, and iHeart — is one we’re incredibly proud to be a part of.”

The series is produced by Narratively, G-Unit Audio, Blue Light Media, and 1982 Media, in association with Workhouse Media.

Narratively serves as the lead creative and production partner, overseeing development and production. Founded by former New York Times journalists, Narratively is a podcast studio and creator community known for originating distinctive narrative projects and adapting authentic nonfiction IP into premium audio, film, and television, with partners including Amazon, NPR, and Warner Bros., and collaborators such as LeBron James and Emma Roberts.

The project, launching later this year, is showrun by Drew Nelles, a veteran audio producer whose credits include marquee podcasts for iHeartMedia, Sony, and Gimlet Media.

A defining force in modern storytelling, Jackson continues to expand his cultural footprint across film, television, and audio. His recent four-part Netflix docuseries “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” debuted at No. 1 and drew an estimated 22 million views in its opening weekend, and his podcast “Surviving El Chapo: The Twins Who Brought Down a Drug Lord,” produced with iHeartPodcasts, became a breakout hit.

“We’re proud to partner with G-Unit Audio and Narratively on this incredible project exploring the life of a hip-hop icon,” said Will Pearson, President, iHeartPodcasts. “Bringing this new series to the iHeart platform allows us to use our massive scale and reach to share DMX’s story with fans around the world, honoring his cultural impact on the music industry.”

“Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX” will unfold across an expansive first season chronicling Earl Simmons’ early life, artistic emergence, and rise to cultural dominance, with future seasons envisioned to explore the origin stories of other iconic artists.

“We are thrilled to partner with 50 Cent and Narratively in telling the DMX story. Put on your seatbelt,” said Anderson, whose Workhouse Media is a leading audio-first multi-platform talent and content management and production company working across radio, podcasting, television and digital.

The deal was negotiated by Anderson of Workhouse Media on behalf of Jackson and Narratively in partnership with IAG. Jackson is represented by IAG, AKR Public Relations, and attorney Steve Savva.

“Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts.

About Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson / G-Unit Audio

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has built a thriving television and film career as both a producer and star. In 2005, he founded G-Unit Film & Television Inc., which has produced a wide range of content across multiple platforms and sold numerous shows to major networks.

Among its successes is the critically acclaimed No. 1 show on Starz, Power, in which Jackson not only co-starred but also served as executive producer and director. He has since expanded the Power universe with the spinoffs Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Power Book IV: Force and Power: Origins.

G-Unit Film & Television also produced ABC’s For Life, recently aired Season 4 of the hit series Black Mafia Family on Starz, and completed production on Season 2 of
the Black Mafia Family docuseries. The company is also developing scripted series including The Massacre and Queen Nzinga for Starz, as well as Trill League for BET+. Recent releases include TikTok Star Murders and The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets for Peacock, both of which drew strong viewership.

At Hulu, G-Unit Film & Television is developing Hip Hop Cop, a continuation of Ron Stallworth’s story from BlacKkKlansman. At Netflix, the company produced the high- profile Sean Combs: The Reckoning documentary, which debuted at No. 1 in more than 50 countries within its first 24 hours on the platform. G-Unit also released Hip Hop Homicides on WE tv and is in production on Fightland its first internationally produced series for Starz.

Expanding into the podcast space, Jackson launched G-Unit Audio, which partnered with iHeartMedia and Lionsgate Sound on Surviving El Chapo: The Twins Who Brought Down a Drug Lord. G-Unit Film & Television is now developing a docuseries based on The Twins podcast for BET+.

On the acting side, Jackson will portray Balrog in Legendary Entertainment’s upcoming big-screen adaptation of Street Fighter. He also hosted Fox Nation’s true-crime docuseries 50 Ways to Catch a Killer.

In 2024, Jackson announced a partnership with Lionsgate to launch the FAST
channel 50 Cent Action, which was recently named the No. 1 action channel on Roku and LG Channels’ FAST platforms. The free, ad-supported channel features premium content from the studio’s library, including the original Power series, along with hit films such as John Wick, The Expendables, The Hitman’s Bodyguard and Rambo.

About Narratively

Founded by former New York Times journalists, Narratively is an award-winning storytelling company, podcast studio, and creator community dedicated to authentic, character-driven nonfiction. Powered by a global network of over a hundred thousand writers and creators, Narratively develops original projects across podcasts, film, and television, and adapts its expansive library of real-life stories with marquee talent including Robert Zemeckis, LeBron James and Emma Roberts, and studios such as Amazon, Sony, Warner Bros., and Peacock. Its podcast Track Change, distributed by NPR, won “Best Podcast” at the Public Media Awards and was nominated for an Ambie.

About Workhouse Media

Workhouse Media, Inc. is a leading audio-first multi-platform talent + content management and production company with clients and partnerships working across radio, podcasting, television and digital. Across multiple shows, Workhouse has over a billion downloads. Among the shows are award winning “Cold”, “Ransom”, the Dan Patrick Podcast Network, the Shondaland Podcasts, “Solar”, “Scrooge”, Rickey Smiley, and the entire Inside Series hosted by creator Mark Ramsey, just to name a few.