iHeartMedia

LOS ANGELES, CA — January 22, 2026 — iHeartPodcasts today announced it is partnering with actor, filmmaker and podcaster Rider Strong (Boy Meets World, Cabin Fever) to launch his new audio series, “The Red Weather.” This innovative 8-episode autofiction podcast, inspired by Strong's initial work on a documentary about communes in and around his hometown of Sebastopol, California, masterfully blends a fictional true-crime mystery with a profoundly personal real-life narrative. The series will premiere with its first two episodes on January 28, with episodes launching twice weekly thereafter. Listen to the official audio trailer now, HERE.           

“‘The Red Weather’ started with me grabbing a microphone and asking old friends about kids we knew who grew up in so-called ‘cults,’” said Rider Strong. “As the memories piled up, I wanted to find the best way to draw listeners into that unique time and place. I’m excited to team up with iHeart to bring this deeply personal project to audiences everywhere.”

The fictional investigative podcast will interrogate true-crime conventions, unreliable narration and the ethics of storytelling — all driven by a 1995 cold case. Strong, playing himself, will delve into the disappearance of his best friend's sister, Anna Trainor, from a commune in 1995. The central crime is fictitious, yet the recorded interviews with real family and friends, along with the exploration of Rider’s own past, make for a deeply authentic audio experience and personal journey. Featuring documentary-style recordings with actors on location, “The Red Weather” will create a unique blend of reality and scripted drama, exploring themes of ‘90s nostalgia, the pitfalls of alternative parenting and misogyny.

“The concept behind ‘The Red Weather’ is truly unique, blurring the lines between what is real and what is masterful storytelling in a way that draws the listener in, providing them a glimpse into what life was like during Rider’s formative years,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “Part fiction, part true crime and part autobiographical, this podcast will captivate audiences.”

The cast of “The Red Weather” includes Strong’s parents, his son, his brother Shiloh, as well as actor and director Jon Huertas (This is Us), Rachel Marsh (The Morning Show) and Heidi Sulzman (Hell or High Water). Additionally, Kyle Morton, lead singer and                     creative visionary behind indie-rock band Typhoon composed all original music for the series.

“The Red Weather” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

The new weekly series launches January 28 – Fans can hear the official trailer now, HERE

NEW YORK – January 21, 2026 – iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher according to Podtrac, today announced the new original podcast “Game Recognize Game with Stewie and Myles,” co-hosted by active professional basketball players WNBA superstar Breanna “Stewie” Stewart and NBA defensive powerhouse Myles Turner. The weekly show will debut on January 28, 2026 with new episodes dropping on Wednesdays. Fans can listen to the official trailer now, HERE.

The only show co-hosted by active players from both the WNBA and NBA,

“Game Recognize Game with Stewie and Myles” will bring Stewart and Turner together for honest conversations about basketball, culture and everything in between, on and off the court—where the WNBA and NBA worlds meet, and the game is discussed by two of professional basketball’s most thoughtful voices.

"This has never been done before,” said Turner. “An NBA player and a WNBA player, both active players at that, who can give our perspectives. People can lean on us for anything they want to know about the sport, the lifestyle, the game, the culture – this is the place to come."

"There's a few topics that Myles and I are definitely going to butt heads about, said Stewart. “The cats versus dog situation, UConn versus Texas. I know he's like into yoga and all of that, and I'm just working on my flexibility, but I can't wait to really dissect it all. See if he can change my mind about some things, but not about UConn and not about the cats!"

In the debut episode of “Game Recognize Game,” the co-hosts will dive into the meaning behind the phrase that defines the show, the story of how they first met and early hoops memories - including the WNBA game where Stewie admits she truly got “cooked.”

The two will also discuss leadership and respect, with Myles naming the best leader he’s ever played with and Stewie spotlighting the most underrated player in the WNBA, as well as parenting advice and even LEGO culture.  

“Game Recognize Game with Stewie and Myles” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

Editor’s Note:

Download the show cover art HERE.

Include the podcast audio player into your article or website using the below embed code:

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About the Hosts:

Breanna Mackenzie Stewart, nicknamed "Stewie", is a professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the WNBA and for the Mist of Unrivaled. She is one of the most accomplished basketball players in history. Stewart is a 3-time WNBA Champion, 2-time WNBA MVP, 4-time NCAA Champion and 3-time Gold Medalist.

Myles Christian Turner is a professional basketball player for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. He played one season for the Texas Longhorns before being selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 11th overall pick in the 2015 Draft. Turner spent 10 seasons with the Pacers, reaching the 2025 NBA Finals in his final year with the team. Standing at 6 ft 11 in, Turner plays the center position and has led the NBA in blocks twice in his career.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Alarcón and Green will tackle questions big and small around international football

Listen to the trailer HERE

WHAT:  iHeartPodcasts is teaming up with Daniel Alarcón, host of My Cultura Podcast Network’s “Radio Ambulante” and John Green, New York Times bestselling author, for new original podcast series “The Away End,” exploring the universal love for international football leading up to The 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

Blending their sharp journalistic and reporting skills with their witty friendship banter, Green and Alarcón will examine the love of the game and its unique ability to build connections across borders, cultures and communities. Each episode will feature conversations about memorable matches, childhood memories and special stories that make soccer the world’s most important sport.

“Soccer has always been a part of my life, my identity and my story,” said Alarcón. “‘The Away End’ is a celebration of how the game connects us all – especially as we prepare for the 2026 World Cup where John and I will be, at least spiritually, the same age we were when we saw our first game as kids in 1986.”

“For me, soccer is a lens through which to consider everything about life,” said Green. “Soccer is about hope and community and also corruption and cruelty. It contains multitudes, and I can’t wait to explore those multitudes with one of my oldest friends.”

WHO: Daniel Alarcón, host of My Cultura Podcast Network’s Radio Ambulante, covers Latin America for The New Yorker. He’s the author of four works of fiction, including “The King is Always Above the People,” 2017 finalist for the National Book Award. He teaches at the Columbia University School of Journalism, in New York. In 2022 Daniel was awarded the Maria Moors Cabot prize, and in 2021 with the MacArthur Fellowship. He is writer, lead reporter and host of “The Good Whale”, a project of Serial Productions and the New York Times.

John Green is an author, YouTuber, podcaster, and activist. His bestselling novels including The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska have sold more than 30 million copies and are published in over 50 languages. With his brother Hank, he has cofounded many online video projects, including Crash Course, a series of educational videos that has reached hundreds of millions of learners worldwide. Green's most recent book, Everything Is Tuberculosis, is a #1 bestselling nonfiction history of the world's deadliest infectious disease. Green lives with his wife, the curator Sarah Urist Green, and kids in Indianapolis.

WHEN: “The Away End” will debut ahead of the 2026 World Cup on January 21, 2026 with new episodes released weekly on Tuesdays.

WHERE: “The Away End” will be available on the iHeartRadio app and wherever podcasts are heard.

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COVER ART: HERE

New York, N.Y. – January 18, 2025 – The 2026 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO hosted the biggest names in Alternative Rock including Green Day, Twenty One Pilots, Cage the Elephant, Sublime, Good Charlotte, Gigi Perez, Mt. Joy and Almost Monday all on one stage at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Hosted by Woody of iHeartRadio ALT 98.7’s nationally syndicated “The Woody Show,” the event also featured special appearances by No Doubt, Mark McGrath and more and broadcasted live for fans on iHeartRadio Alternative and Rock stations across the country and on iHeartRadio.com.

The music heard on iHeartRadio’s Alternative and Rock stations shined on stage with an extraordinary lineup that included these special moments:

• Cage the Elephant opened up the show with an electric performance of their hits “Spiderhead,” “Trouble,” “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” “Shake Me Down,” “Cigarette Daydreams,” “Come a Little Closer” and more.
• Almost Monday rocked the stage, performing “Jupiter,” “cough drops,” “Only Wanna Dance,” “Lost,” and “Can’t Slow Down.”
• Mt. Joy serenaded the crowd with fan favorites “Lucy,” they brought out Gigi Perez to perform “In the Middle,” then went on to perform “Astrovan,” and “Silver Lining.”
• Good Charlotte got the energy up with “The Anthem,” “Rejects,” “The River,” “Dance Floor Anthem (I Don’t Wanna Be in Love),” “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous.”
• Gigi Perez stunned the crowd performing “Please Be Rude,” “Chemistry,” “Sugar Water,” “Sailor Song.”
• Sublime had the crowd screaming along to their classics “Wrong Way,” “Doin’ Time,” “What I Got,” “Ensenada,” and “Santeria.”
• Twenty One Pilots kept the audience on their feet with “Heathens,” “Next Semester,” “RAWFEAR,” “Seven Nation Army,” “Stressed Out” and more. 
• Green Day closed out the 2026 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO show with a legendary performance of “American Idiot,” “Holiday,” “ Know Your Enemy,” “Longview,” “One Eyed Bastard,” “Brain Stew,” “Basketcase,” “When I Come Around,” “Good Riddance,” and more.

iHeartRadio ALTer EGO Presented by Capital One is part of iHeartMedia’s roster of incredibly successful, nationally recognized concert 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, iHeartPodcast Awards and the iHeartCountry Festival presented by Capital One.

To access photos and b-roll from the event please visit:

PW: iHeartALT_26!

Photo credits can be found in the captions (ie: Skyler Barberio for iHeartRadio)

• Performances: 
• https://iheartradio.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000xC61xz4.udo/G0000Djx2yVXRYTY/Best-of-2026-iHeartRadio-ALTer-Ego 
• Red Carpet: https://iheartradio.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000NiLv42olxHA/G0000401QeBDQdoA/Red-Carpet 
• B-roll: HERE

Hosted by Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger, and Craig Kielburger, the acclaimed series returns with new conversations on legacy, leadership, and moral courage

NEW YORK — January 19, 2026 – iHeartMedia, the Martin Luther King III Foundation and Legacy+ today announced the return of the award-winning My Legacy podcast with a powerful new season debuting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Hosted by Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger, the iHeartPodcast series continues its mission of exploring what it means to live a life of purpose, responsibility, and impact in an increasingly divided world. Fans can listen to a special episode leading up to the new season now HERE.

The new season opens with a special MLK Day episode, featuring conversations on Dr. King with notable figures including John Legend, Larry Wilmore, Laura Coates, Jemele Hill and Martin Sheen, reflecting on stewardship, moral courage, and the evolving meaning of legacy today. Each guest will be joined by a loved one or trusted confidante who knows them best—family members, friends and mentors—offering new perspectives on the trials, triumphs and truths behind their incredible journeys.

At a time of deep social tension and cultural reckoning, My Legacy invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and consider how the values we inherit are carried forward through everyday choices and actions. New episodes will be available on Tuesdays.

“Legacy is not static,” said Martin Luther King III. “It demands participation. It requires us to show up with courage, humility, and a willingness to serve something larger than ourselves.”

Arndrea Waters King added, “Legacy is not something we preserve. It’s something we practice. This season is about the everyday choices that shape who we become and how we show up for one another—especially when the work is uncomfortable or unseen.”

As co-hosts, Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger see My Legacy as a space for both reflection and action.

“In a world that rewards speed and outrage, My Legacy makes room for something rarer: reflection, asking better questions about who we are becoming and the responsibility that comes with influence, leadership, and love,” said Marc Kielburger.

Craig Kielburger added, “Legacy is built through the quiet, daily choices no one is watching.”

In the past season, My Legacy has featured intimate conversations with an extraordinary range of cultural, civic, and spiritual leaders, including Gloria Steinem, Tiffany Hadish, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Brittney Griner, Sophia Bush, Rev. Michael Beckwith,  Simon Sinkek, Deepak Chopra,  Mel Robbins, Dave Asprey, Billy Porter, Jay Shetty, and more. These conversations go beyond public personas to explore resilience, faith, justice, leadership, and the personal cost of living with integrity.

The upcoming season builds on that foundation with new episodes designed to create space for depth rather than soundbites. Rather than chasing headlines, the series prioritizes thoughtful dialogue about the inner and outer work required to lead meaningful lives.

Upcoming episodes will feature conversations with Bryan Stevenson, , Natalie Portman, Jurnee Smollett, Dr. Gabor Maté, and Zarna Garg and others, with additional guests to be announced throughout the season.

The co-produced “My Legacy” podcast joins the ‘Realize the Dream' initiative to foster unity and empower communities across America – a movement inspired by the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision to create a society rooted in peace, justice, equality and love for all.  As part of the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy, iHeart awarded a $5 million Spotlight Media Grant in 2025 to ‘Realize the Dream’ to help inspire communities across the U.S. to perform 100 million hours of service before the 100th anniversary of Dr. King’s birth on January 15, 2029. iHeart will continue to support Realize the Dream in 2026, with expanded messaging designed to engage even more listeners nationwide and inspire community participation.

My Legacy is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is available on the iHeartRadio app and all major podcast platforms.

COVER ART: Download Official Artwork HERE.

EMBED CODE: Include the podcast audio player directly into your article or website with the below embed code:

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About The Hosts:
Martin Luther King III is a global human rights advocate and the eldest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. A champion for nonviolence and social justice, he has inspired millions, advised heads of state, and led civil rights initiatives on nearly every continent. Martin served two terms on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners before leading the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which was founded by his father. He continues his father’s legacy through his work with the Drum Major Institute, focusing on poverty, racism and militarism.

Arndrea Waters King is president of the Drum Major Institute and a passionate advocate for social justice and equality. She organized the first National Conference on Hate Crimes and Hate Violence, partnering with over one hundred national organizations. Arndrea’s work with the Center for Democratic Renewal (formerly known as the National Anti-Klan Network) and civil rights icon Dr. C.T. Vivian, a lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has been instrumental in advancing civil rights. She coauthored When Hate Comes to Town: Faith-Based Edition and has written numerous articles and publications. She has spoken before mass crowds as a champion of democracy, justice and human dignity.

Marc Kielburger is a New York Times bestselling author, Harvard graduate, Rhodes Scholar and Oxford-trained lawyer. With thirty years as a movement builder and social entrepreneur, he’s collaborated with leaders like Oprah Winfrey and brands like Virgin Group, headlining over 130 live events to inspire millions. A member of the Order of Canada and recipient of ten honorary doctorates, Marc has been named Canada’s Most Admired CEO in the public sector.

Craig Kielburger is a New York Times bestselling author, humanitarian and social entrepreneur. An expert at driving movements for scalable social change and building mission-driven brands, he co-founded Legacy+ with his brother. Craig has received the Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award, the World Children’s Prize and is a member of the Order of Canada. He holds fifteen honorary doctorates and remains a leading voice in global social change.

About Realize the Dream
Realize the Dream is a bold movement to rally communities to perform one hundred million hours of service by the one hun­dredth anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth. It’s a call for us all to reach out to people and causes in need—and make a dif­ference through acts of love, compassion and goodwill. Get started at RealizeTheDream.org.

About The Martin Luther King III Foundation
The Martin Luther King III Foundation is an organization dedicated to building up to a new culture of compassion, trust, dignity, acceptance and love through ideas, words and insights. Leading the way in representing the three values: justice, equity and peace.

About Legacy+
Legacy+ is a foundry of strategists, designers, creators, storytellers and innovators that brings purpose to life for companies, founda­tions and individuals. It builds real movements and legacy-driven projects with life-changing impacts for people and communities around the world. They have partnered with globally renowned thought leaders, activists, CEOs, entertainers, athletes, celebrities and more to inspire millions. Learn more at LegacyPlus.org.

Listen to the first two recap episodes now available here

Download cover art here // credit: iHeartPodcasts

WHO: “Traiting Places,” a new recap series and special spinoff from iHeartPodcasts’ hit “Pod Meets Twirl’d,” has officially expanded into a stand-alone weekly series with new episodes dropping regularly. Hosts Will Friedle and Rider Strong first introduced “Pod Meets Twirl’d” to support their best friend and “Pod Meets World” co-host Danielle Fishel during her run on Dancing with the Stars. Now the two are leveling up their reality TV obsession with “Traiting Places,” dedicated to recapping the insanely popular reality competition series The Traitors.

WHAT: With “Pod Meets Twirl'd,” hosts Will and Rider began sharing their newfound obsession with unscripted television, and now, they’re continuing their journey through the genre. As self-proclaimed experts and newly minted cultural thought leaders, they’re ready to start recapping, reviewing, and rehashing all of the hottest reality shows, starting with The Traitors, the show Rider had never heard of, and Will thinks he can win. 

TUNE-IN: New episodes of “Traiting Places” release weekly on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. Tune in to the premiere episodes now available here. 

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Will Friedle and Rider Strong will continue to host “Pod Meets World” with Danielle Fishel. Follow @rider_strong and @podmeetsworldshow on Instagram for podcast clips and updates.

“Pod Meets Twirl’d” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts as part of its Popworthy slate, where trending culture and nostalgia intersect. Follow all Popworthy shows @popworthypodcasts.

Hosted by Emmy-winning journalist Alice Hines and writer Zoë Lescaze, the series explores the untold story of the world’s most influential therapy you’ve never heard of

New episodes air on Tuesdays starting January 20, 2026

Listen to Trailer HERE; 

Download show art HERE (Photo Credit: Kaleidoscope & iHeartPodcasts); Download host's photo HERE (Photo Credit: Will Cotton)

NEW YORK, NY – January 15, 2026 – Kaleidoscope, the New York-based media company redefining science and technology storytelling, and iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher according to Podtrac, today announced the launch of Mind Games, a new investigative podcast series that unpacks the surprising origins, cultural reach, and troubling abuses of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, or NLP, a radical form of hypnotherapy that has quietly shaped industries, institutions, and belief systems around the world. Listen to the official trailer now, here.

Created and hosted by journalists and best friends Alice Hines and Zoë Lescaze, Mind Games traces NLP from its beginnings at a New Age commune in 1970s California to its spread through Fortune 500 boardrooms, U.S. Army training programs, professional sports, wellness culture, and notorious organizations like the sex cult NXIVM. Though largely unknown to the public, NLP’s techniques have been used by therapists, life coaches, pickup artists, cult leaders, and self-help gurus such as Tony Robbins, The Wolf of Wall Street’s Jordan Belfort, pickup artist Ross Jeffries, and NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman. The widespread, unregulated applications of these methods raise urgent questions about persuasion, power, and manipulation.

Part science experiment, part investigation, and part true crime thriller, Mind Games follows Hines and Lescaze as they put NLP to the test themselves, approaching its bold promises with curiosity, skepticism, and an open mind. As they experiment, the series reveals effects that are difficult to dismiss. The deeper they go, the more intriguing the possibility becomes that NLP may actually work. 

“Kaleidoscope thrives on telling unique stories from the most interesting niches of science and technology, and Mind Games is the perfect new addition to our slate, allowing listeners to unlock the truth behind one of psychology’s most underground and controversial topics,” said Kate Osborn, the show’s executive producer and chief strategy officer of Kaleidoscope. “Mind Games explores the renegade psychological phenomenon of NLP through a story that’s experimental and open-minded. We’re thankful for our continued partnership with iHeart, which allows us to bring thoughtful, meaningful science and technology storytelling like Mind Games to a wide range of audiences.”

Creator and co-host Alice Hines is an Emmy-winning news correspondent, investigative journalist, and documentary producer whose reporting is known for exposing hidden subcultures and abuses of power. She executive-produced Prime Video’s Desperately Seeking Soulmate Escaping Twin Flames Universe, a docuseries based on her Vanity Fair reporting about an accused internet cult. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and New York Magazine, among other publications.

“Neuro Linguistic Programming is one of those forces that hides in plain sight,” said Alice Hines, creator and co-host of "Mind Games." “It promises agency, confidence, and control over your own mind, yet it has been used by cults and other nefarious actors to manipulate people and deliver the exact opposite of those promises. What drew us to this series was that tension. NLP can genuinely change lives, but it can also quietly take them over.”

Creator and co-host Zoë Lescaze is a writer and editor known for stories that reveal unlikely intersections between art, science, and technology. A regular contributor to The New York Times, The New York Times Book Review, and T Magazine, she is also the author of Paleoart: Visions of the Prehistoric Past, the most comprehensive book to date on how artists and scientists have depicted the primordial world. She lectures widely and has curated history of science exhibitions at museums and universities across the United States and Europe.

“As a journalist, I was naturally skeptical of the wild claims surrounding NLP,” said Zoë Lescaze, creator and co-host of "Mind Games." “People swear these techniques can cure everything from stage fright to cancer, that they can make you happier, more persuasive, or irresistibly seductive. One of the most exciting parts of reporting the series for me was myth-busting some of these claims, and experimenting with NLP for ourselves. We separate the snake oil from legitimately helpful methods I’ll continue to use.”  

Mind Games is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is the latest addition to Kaleidoscope’s growing slate of premium audio storytelling, which brings rigorous reporting and cinematic production to the biggest questions shaping modern life. New episodes will be released weekly every Tuesday on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

For more information on Kaleidoscope, please visit www.k-scope.com. 

About Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope is the leading science and technology podcast network, telling thrilling stories of consequence that unpack the new scientific renaissance. Founded by Oz Woloshyn and Mangesh Hattikudur in 2022, Kaleidoscope's network reaches millions of listeners and is home to hit shows including On Musk: with Walter Isaacson and The Last Soviet: with Lance Bass. Visit www.k-scope.com for more information

Hosted by comedian Ego Nwodim, the event will honor the most influential podcasters of 2025 across 28 distinct categories including the coveted, fan-voted Podcast of the Year award

Nominees for Podcast of the Year include “Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” “The Breakfast Club,” “The Mel Robbins Podcast,” “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” “The Daily,” “The Rest Is History,” “This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von,” “Call Her Daddy,” “Heavyweight” and “Giggly Squad”

Jay Shetty, Terry Gross and Hrishikesh Hirway to be honored with Icon Awards

The event will be held at ACL Live at the Moody Theater and broadcast on select iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and digitally through the iHeartRadio app

NEW YORK & AUSTIN, Texas – January 14, 2026 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced the host and nominees for The 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards in partnership with South by Southwest® (SXSW®). For the second consecutive year, awards will be presented at ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas in celebration of the best in podcasting and most influential creators in the industry. In addition to the in-person show on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 7 p.m. CDT, the ceremony will also be live-broadcasted on select iHeartMedia Radio Stations and on the iHeartRadio app. Additionally, the event will once again be open to select SXSW badge holders.

Actress, comedian and host of the “Thanks Dad” podcast, Ego Nwodim, will emcee this year’s iHeartPodcast Awards. The event will span all genres of podcasts including Comedy, Crime, Sports, News, Business, Pop Culture, Food and more, with winners in each category determined by a panel of industry leaders, creatives and visionaries. The night’s top honor, Podcast of the Year, will remain in the hands of the fans. From January 14 through February 22 listeners can cast their votes for their favorite shows at iHeartPodcastAwards.com. The nominees for the 2026 Podcast of the Year include: “Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” “The Breakfast Club,” “The Mel Robbins Podcast,” “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” “The Daily,” “The Rest Is History,” “This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von,” “Call Her Daddy,” “Heavyweight” and “Giggly Squad.”

“Podcasting continues to be one of the most vibrant and fast-growing mediums in media today,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “We are thrilled to return to Austin and ACL Live at the Moody Theater to celebrate the storytellers who are pushing the boundaries of audio. We can't wait to see which show the fans crown as their Podcast of the Year for 2026.”

In addition to the fan-voted and category awards, iHeartMedia will present three Icon Awards – Social Impact Award, Audible Audio Pioneer Award and Innovator Award – honoring individuals who have made groundbreaking contributions to the podcasting medium. Jay Shetty, renowned author and host of the acclaimed podcast “On Purpose,” will be honored with the 2026 Social Impact Award for leveraging his platform to spark meaningful conversations around mental health. Through empathy, insight and intention, he has helped millions turn self-reflection into meaningful change. Terry Gross, the legendary host of NPR’s “Fresh Air with Terry Gross & Tonya Mosley,” will receive the 2026 Audible Audio Pioneer Award for a career that has redefined the art of the interview through curiosity, rigor and deep empathy. For five decades, her groundbreaking work has elevated audio journalism and influenced generations of hosts, producers and listeners. Hrishikesh Hirway, creator of “Song Exploder,” will be presented with the 2026 Innovator Award for his visionary approach to storytelling, inviting artists to break down their creative processes and redefining how audiences experience music in podcast form.

“The Podcast Awards have become a defining moment for the audio community at SXSW, and we’re proud to continue building that momentum with iHeartMedia in 2026,” said Peter Lewis, Chief Commercial Officer, SXSW. “Bringing this event back to ACL Live at the Moody Theater reflects how deeply podcasting is embedded in the cultural conversation at SXSW, and our commitment to creating meaningful stages for the creators shaping where audio goes next.”

Previous iHeartPodcast Awards shows have featured an array of celebrity presenters and guests including Will Ferrell, Martha Stewart, Charlamagne Tha God, Ed Helms, Kyle MacLachlan, Sophia Bush, Dennis Quaid, Wilmer Valderrama, Sarah Spain and many more. Some of the biggest names in the industry were honored last year, with Podcast of the Year Award going to “Las Culturistas,” “New Heights” receiving the Best Sports Award and “Huberman Lab” receiving Best Wellness and Fitness. See the full list of 2025 winners here.

2026 iHeartPodcast Award Nominees Include:

Podcast of the Year:

• Good Hang with Amy Poehler
• The Breakfast Club
• The Mel Robbins Podcast
• Pablo Torre Finds Out
• The Daily
• The Rest Is History
• This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
• Call Her Daddy
• Heavyweight
• Giggly Squad

Best Business & Finance:

• Earn Your Leisure
• How I Built This
• Acquired
• Young and Profiting with Hala Taha
• The Diary of a CEO

Best Comedy:

• Good Hang with Amy Poehler
• The Toast
• Distractible
• Handsome
• The Basement Yard

Best Crime:

• Crime Junkie
• Rotten Mango
• Anatomy of Murder
• My Favorite Murder
• Wisecrack

Best Pop Culture:

• Las Culturistas
• Call Her Daddy
• Therapuss with Jake Shane
• Giggly Squad
• The Viall Files

Best Food

• Eating While Broke
• The Sporkful
• Home Cooking
• The Splendid Table
• Dinner’s On Me

Best Wellness & Fitness:

• On Purpose with Jay Shetty
• Huberman Lab
• The Mel Robbins Podcast
• 10% Happier
• Maintenance Phase

Best History:

• The Rest Is History
• You’re Wrong About
• Throughline
• American History Tellers
• SNAFU

Best Kids & Family:

• Story Pirates
• Wow in the World
• Circle Round
• The Big Fib
• Brains On!

Best Music:

• The Bobby Bones Show
• Song Exploder
• Switched On Pop
• All Songs Considered
• One Song

Best News:

• The Daily
• The Megyn Kelly Show
• Pivot
• The MeidasTouch Podcast
• Up First from NPR

Best Fiction:

• The NoSleep Podcast
• Havoc Town
• Old Gods of Appalachia
• Table Read
• Murder at the Patel Motel

Best Sports:

• New Heights
• Pardon My Take
• The Zach Lowe Show
• Club 520
• The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Best Science:

• Radiolab
• Ologies
• Hidden Brain
• StarTalk Radio
• Shell Game

Best Technology:

• Hard Fork
• Black Tech Green Money
• Galaxy Brain
• Acquired
• All-In

Best Ad Read:

• Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
• Call Her Daddy
• My Brother, My Brother and Me
• Dudes on Dudes
• Distractible

Best Host:

• Amy Poehler
• Pablo Torre
• Alex Cooper
• Emma Chamberlain
• Caleb Hearon

Best Ensemble:

• We Can Do Hard Things
• SmartLess
• The Basement Yard
• This Is Important
• Get Played

Best Political

• Pod Save America
• The Bulwark Podcast
• Breaking Points
• Hacks On Tap
• The Ben Shapiro Show

Best TV & Film:

• The Big Picture
• The Rewatchables
• How Did This Get Made?
• Watch What Crappens
• Girls Rewatch

Best Spanish Language:

• Gracias, Come Again.
• Radio Ambulante
• Leyenda Legendarias
• Chente Ydrach
• Relatos de la Noche

Best Advice/Inspirational:

• IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
• On Purpose with Jay Shetty
• Thanks For Asking with Nora McInerny
• Just Heal with Dr. Jay
• Self-Conscious with Chrissy Teigen

Best Beauty & Fashion:

• Nymphet Alumni
• Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud
• Articles of Interest
• Lipstick on the Rim
• Naked Beauty

Best Travel:

• Women Who Travel
• Travel with Rick Steves
• Zero To Travel
• Points Talk
• The Travel Diaries

Best Religious & Spirituality:

• Deeply Well with Devi Brown
• Girls Gone Bible
• Joel Osteen Podcast
• WHOA That’s Good Podcast
• Elevation with Steven Furtick

Best Branded Podcast:

• This Is Not a Beauty Podcast (L’Oreal)
• Crucible Moments (Sequoia Capital)
• The Unshakeables (Chase for Business)
• ZOE Science & Nutrition (ZOE)
• Smart Talks (IBM)

Best Emerging:

• Khloé in Wonder Land
• Smart Girl Dumb Questions
• Try Hard
• Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim
• Upstairs Neighbors

Best International:

• ShxtsNGigs (United Kingdom)
• Las Alucines (Mexico)
• The Rest Is History (United Kingdom)
• Shameless (Australia)
• Crime Beat (Canada)

The 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards is part of iHeartMedia’s roster of nationally recognized events including the iHeartRadio Music Awards, the iHeartRadio Music Festival, the nationwide iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Concert Tour, iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina, iHeartCountry Festival and iHeartRadio ALTer Ego.

Executive producers for the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards are John Sykes, Tom Poleman, Conal Byrne and Bart Peters for iHeartMedia. More information including guest presenters, celebrity appearances and more will be announced in the coming months.

Audible is a proud sponsor of the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards. For more information visit here.

About SXSW

SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music, and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of opportunities to meet and connect with people. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and individuals come together. SXSW 2025 will take place March 7–15 in Austin. Learn more at sxsw.com.

WHO/WHAT: iHeartPodcasts and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, in association with Telepictures, today announced new episodes of the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast will be available with new hosts, former Bachelorettes Charity Lawson and Rachel Recchia, launching on January 15.

LOGLINE: Bachelor Nation, can we steal you for a second?! The one and only OFFICIAL Bachelor Nation podcast is here. Hosted by two of the most popular Bachelorettes, Charity Lawson and Rachel Recchia, “Bachelor Happy Hour” takes you behind the scenes with all things Bachelor Nation. Charity and Rachel talk to current cast members who reveal first-hand details about what really goes on at the iconic Bachelor Mansion, and they’ve got all the inside information about The Bachelor franchise that you simply won’t hear anywhere else. From chatting with fellow franchise alumni to sharing exclusive material, you’ll find it all on “Bachelor Happy Hour.” 

QUOTE FROM CHARITY: It’s 5 o’clock somewhere! I’m so excited to co-host “Bachelor Happy Hour” alongside Rachel Recchia, truly a full-circle moment for us two, whose journeys many of you watched unfold. We’re bringing a fresh, entertaining, and vibrant energy to the scene, and trust me, you’re going to want to be SAT for what’s coming. It’s giving Nene Leakes and Kim Zolciak or maybe a better duo for you, Elphaba and Glinda. Professional yappers and criers at best but forever holding space to those we meet along the way. From the new seasons and BTS, to the stories that shaped us, and everything in between and beyond, these conversations will feel like you’re right there at happy hour with us. Cheers for what’s to come!

QUOTE FROM RACHEL: I’m so excited (and yes, already emotional) to be stepping into “Bachelor Happy Hour” as your co-host alongside Charity Lawson. If you know me, you know there will be feelings, laughter, and definitely tears. This truly feels like a full-circle moment for me, and I’m so grateful to be sharing it alongside Charity. I can’t wait to gossip about the behind-the-scenes moments, things we thought we were over, and the stories that still get me choked up. Nothing is off limits! Together we’re breaking it all down over a glass of wine, or maybe a bottle. Grab a drink, grab a tissue, and come hang with us. And buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

TUNE-IN: New episodes of "Bachelor Happy Hour" stream on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning January 15, on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are available. The “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast is produced by Telepictures, a Warner Bros. Television Group company, and distributed by iHeartPodcasts.

Hosted by Bobby Bones, the iHeartCountry Festival will take place on Saturday, May 2 at Moody Center in Austin, Texas

New York, N.Y. – January 13, 2026 – iHeartMedia announced today the return of the iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The thirteenth annual festival will feature performances by Country music’s hottest artists including Kane Brown, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Shaboozey, Dylan Scott, Russell Dickerson, Gretchen Wilson, Chase Matthew and Lauren Alaina at the award-winning Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The festival is once again hosted by iHeartMedia's nationally syndicated top on-air Country personality, Bobby Bones.

“We can’t wait for fans to experience this year’s incredible lineup, all coming together for one unforgettable night at Moody Center in Austin,” said Rod Phillips, Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartCountry. “It’s always amazing to see the energy and excitement in the crowd when so many great artists share the iHeartCountry stage.”

Eligible Capital One cardholders get exclusive access to presale tickets before the general public beginning Tuesday, January 20 at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT (10 a.m. CT) through Thursday, January 22 at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT (10 a.m. CT) or while presale tickets last. Additionally, Capital One cardholders can add a Capital One Access Pass to their purchase to enjoy a private  cardholder pre-show party featuring a special performance by Parker McCollum, complimentary light fare and beverage, and more. Pre-sale information and tickets can be found at iHeartRadio.com/CapitalOne.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, January 23 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT (12 p.m. CT) via Ticketmaster.com.

The event will broadcast across iHeartCountry stations nationwide and the iHeartRadio app on Saturday, May 2 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT (7 p.m. CT).

“Our cardholders have an undeniable passion for live music, particularly country music. We’re excited to bring them closer to the action at the iHeartCountry Festival,” said Amit Desai, Senior Director of Sponsorships and Experiential Marketing at Capital One. “Between early ticket presales and special performances, we are proud to offer our cardholders exclusive access to the unforgettable musical moments they love.”

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, 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 events subject to change or cancellation without notice.