iHeartMedia

Launching October 11, each week Brooke will chat with experts, authors and celebrity guests about the things that knocked them off their feet, and what they did to get back up

NEW YORK  (September 16, 2022) --- iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, last night announced its newest original iHeartPodcast “Now What? With Brooke Shields” -- which is set to launch on Tuesday, October 11. Hosted by the acclaimed actress, model, author and entrepreneur -- “Now What? with Brooke Shields” is a podcast about pivotal moments, and the decisions that people make as a result -- from career changes and personal missteps to moving through grief (or just plain moving on). Each Tuesday, Brooke will chat with experts, authors and celebrity guests about the things that knocked them off their feet, and what they did to get back up. Some are funny, others are gut-wrenching – but they all have one thing in common: every success and every setback is accompanied by a choice, and that choice is the answer to one question – “Now, What?”

Brooke broke the news herself on-stage yesterday at the 10th annual Forbes Power Women’s Summit where she spoke with Randall Lane, Chief Content Officer of Forbes, on the topic of “Harnessing the Power of Now.” “I want listeners to feel inspired and to not let life’s “now what” moments prevent them from moving forward,” Shields says of the show. “My goal for this podcast is to highlight the struggles we all face, shed light on how universal our experiences are, and the importance of not giving up or in.”

Upcoming guests include actress Selma Blair who will discuss moving through life’s darkest moments; actor Kal Penn to talk race and casting in Hollywood and why he waited to come out; New York Times bestselling author Celeste Ng on how her own experiences have influenced her writing; as well as award-winning actress Julianna Margulies on her decision to leave “E.R.” 

“Brooke Shields is such an iconic and powerful figure in entertainment, and we are honored to add her show to our rapidly growing slate of original iHeartPodcasts,” said Will Pearson, COO of iHeart Podcast Network. “We hope this show gives our audience a newfound understanding on how to grow from the unexpected moments life brings you.”

“Now What? With Brooke Shields” will be distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard beginning Tuesday, October 11. 

About Brooke Shields 

Actress, Model, Author and Entrepreneur, Brooke Shields started her career at only eleven months of age, when she was selected as the Ivory Snow Baby. Shields began her extensive film career at age 9, and rapidly gained fame after starring in Louis Malle's "Pretty Baby," the Palme D'or Award winner at the Cannes Film Festival, and the coming-of-age tales "Blue Lagoon" and "Endless Love." As a model, Brooke has graced the covers of hundreds of magazines, most notably Time Magazine as the "Face of the Eighties". In addition to her film achievements, Shields has maintained successful and critically acclaimed television and theatre careers. Her work on The NBC hit "Suddenly Susan" garnered her a Golden Globe nomination, and she received rave reviews for her roles in the musicals "Grease,” "Chicago", "Wonderful Town", and "Cabaret." In 2011, she assumed the iconic role of Morticia Addams in the hit Broadway show, "The Addams Family." Today, Shields continues her prolific appearances in a broad range of worldwide publications. She is the best-selling author of several books, including the critically acclaimed "Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression." Her latest entrepreneurial project Beginning Is Now, is a global digital platform and brand aimed at inspiring women over the age of 40 to live their fullest lives, have their voices heard, and find strength, wisdom, and humor in each other. In addition to her professional career, Brooke continues to be a strong advocate for women’s issues and keeping the arts alive in schools. She is a happily married mother of two beautiful daughters.

Biondo Brings Over 25 Years of Experience and Most Recently Served as Executive Vice President, Strategic Business Operations

New York, N.Y. – Sept. 15, 2022 – iHeartMedia today announced that Michael Biondo has been elevated to President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, effective immediately. He previously served as Executive Vice President, Strategic Business Operations of the iHeartMedia Networks Group and has been with iHeartMedia for almost 12 years.  

As President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, Biondo will oversee the evolution of iHeartMedia’s partnerships and deals with key companies across iHeartMedia’s field of view – from tech startups to established automotive companies, from the entertainment industry to international distribution. He reports to Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeartMedia Digital Group.

“Mike has had a long, varied career at iHeartMedia, and has gained experience and wisdom across a diverse set of priorities, vendors and partners,” said Byrne. “With Mike in this new role, our company will be even better prepared to approach the market in a thoughtful, streamlined, strategic manner every day, and in every conversation.” 

Biondo has 25 years of experience building operational and development teams throughout his career. At iHeartMedia, Biondo has been instrumental in building international partnerships, leading expansions in Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Italy and France. He also brokered iHeartMedia’s early podcast deals, including the first BetCast with the English Premiere League and a partnership with the NBA, to name a few.  

Biondo’s previous stints include ESPN, AT&T and, most notably, Thumbplay, where he served as VP of Customer Operations when the company was acquired by iHeartMedia in 2011. Biondo has gone on to run a number of varied divisions at iHeartRadio and most recently served as EVP, Strategic Business Operations within iHeart’s Venture and Corp Dev team. 

“I am thrilled about this next chapter of my iHeart story and I’m looking forward to bringing new exciting opportunities to life here at iHeart,” said Biondo.

NEW YORK – Sept. 15, 2022 — BIN: Black Information Network, the 24/7 comprehensive national audio news network dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news with a Black voice and perspective, announced today that Andrea Coleman has been elevated to Vice President of News Operations, while Mike Stevens becomes BIN’s first-ever Managing Editor.

As Vice President of News Operations, Coleman will lead the charge in keeping BIN: Black Information Network front and center while guiding newsroom operations to optimize the network’s reach, scale and influence. Coleman previously served as News Director of BIN. In the new Managing Editor position, Stevens will work closely with Coleman to guide newsroom operations, as well as assign and coordinate national and local news coverage. The shift in leadership structure comes after the passing of Tanita Myers, a seasoned network and local news manager, producer, broadcaster and anchor who joined BIN in June 2020 and was most recently serving as Vice President of News Operations.

“A major part of Tanita Myers’ legacy at the Black Information Network will forever be the incredible depth of talent she hired. Following her passing, Andrea and Mike not only helped us to continue her work but have built upon this foundation,” said Tony Coles, President of BIN: Black Information Network. “It only felt natural to elevate both to these leadership positions and trust them to continue bringing BIN to new heights. I am excited to see two of our best journalists advance into these new roles, and I am confident we will continue to grow under their leadership.”

Andrea Coleman joined iHeartMedia as an anchor/reporter for the Black Information Network in the summer of 2020 with 30 years of experience in the communications industry. Coleman is an Emmy award-winning journalist who formerly served as an anchor for CNN as well as CBS Atlanta. Other career highlights include the founding and publishing of “Cultured Living Atlanta Magazine,” a local publication that was dedicated to celebrating the history and excellence of the Black community in the metro Atlanta area. A longtime resident of Atlanta, Coleman is familiar with the issues of the Black community and is committed to helping give voice and expression to its success. Coleman has a Bachelor of Communications Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Masters of Professional Studies in Publishing from George Washington University.

Mike Stevens has anchored and reported breaking news from coast to coast. His assignments have included news operations in New York City, Atlanta, Sacramento, Tampa, Flint, Columbus, Ohio and his native Philadelphia. During his 25-year career, Stevens has interviewed many newsmakers, athletes and entertainers including Coretta Scott King, Hank Aaron and Bill Cosby. Stevens reported from the scene of bombings in Atlanta and Birmingham and was among the first to announce the deaths of Michael Jackson, Prince and Whitney Houston.

About BIN: Black Information Network

BIN: Black Information Network is the first and only 24/7 national and local all-news audio service dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news coverage with a Black voice and perspective. BIN is enabled by the resources, assets and financial support of iHeartMedia and the support of its Founding Partners: Bank of America, CVS Health, GEICO, Lowe’s, McDonald’s USA, Sony, 23andMe and Verizon. BIN is focused on service to the Black community to help foster communication, accountability and deeper understanding.

Hosted by Alex Fumero and Produced by Nigel Duara and Fumero for Trojan Horse Media, The Series Will Probe the Real-Life Drama Surrounding Edward James Olmos’ Controversial Film on the 30th Anniversary of Its Release

Listen to the official trailer now HERE

LOS ANGELES, CA – September 14, 2022 – Candle Media’s Exile Content Studio in collaboration with Trojan Horse Media’s podcast series and iHeartMedia’s My Cultura, a podcast network dedicated to elevating Latinx voices and stories, today announced a new podcast series “More Than a Movie: American Me,” will launch its first two episodes this Thursday, Sept. 15. Hosted by Emmy®-nominated producer and writer Alex Fumero (HBO Max’s “Menudo: Forever Young”) and produced by CalMatters journalist Nigel Duara, the series delves into the true story of Edward James Olmos’ 1992 cult film classic, “American Me,” and the legacy the controversial film left behind. The series will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

When Edward James Olmos set out on his directorial debut of “American Me,” he wanted to accomplish two things: to represent Chicano culture on the big screen and to save part of his community from gang violence. But when people were allegedly murdered because of their participation in the film, and Olmos himself was reportedly extorted by the real Mexican Mafia, it brought to light the unintended risks of trying to expose corruption.

Daniel Batista, Exile's Chief Digital Officer said, “‘American Me’ and its director, Edward James Olmos, both hold prominent places in Latino film history for the film’s powerful portrayal of Latinos facing the realities of gang life in the late 20th century. But perhaps more historically significant than the film itself is the bigger story surrounding the film, which this podcast series explores in detail with people close to the story.”

The podcast’s host, Fumero, is a celebrated producer and creator whose most recent project, “Menudo: Forever Young” for HBO Max, premiered earlier this year at the Tribeca Film Festival. His other projects include “Mucho Mucho Amor” (Netflix) – an Official Selection of the 2020 Sundance Film Festival – and the critically acclaimed sketch show, “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” (Netflix/Irony Point). Fumero also produces the podcast through his Trojan Horse Media banner, along with Executive Producer, Kareem Tabsch.

Added Fumero, “ When I first heard the rumors about ‘American Me’ it all sounded so wild, I had to try to separate fact from fiction. But beyond that, Edward James Olmos is an artist and activist I deeply respect, so I wanted to understand how this could’ve happened, if it did. I really believe that even those who have never seen the cult classic ‘American Me’ film, or aren’t familiar with Olmos, will find this podcast both fascinating and addicting.”

There are a total of 12 episodes in the series, with Episode 1: An Overture, Behind the Blowback, Myths, and Danger of “American Me” and Episode 2: Edward James Olmos (Santana) set to premiere on Sept. 15. New episodes of “More Than a Movie: American Me” will be posted every Thursday.

“This podcast gives a behind-the-scenes look at a film that paved the way for Latino cinema, while also diving into the controversial topics of prison and gang life. It’s important to highlight our stories, our movies and give Latino creators a platform to speak on it,” said Gisselle Bances, SVP, Head of Production and Development for iHeartMedia’s My Cultura.

“More Than a Movie: American Me” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts. To stay up to date with Exile’s upcoming projects, follow along at @ExileContent. For updates from Trojan Horse, follow @TrojanHorseMedia on Instagram.

About Exile Content Studio

Exile Content Studio creates content in Spanish and English for a global audience across multiple platforms — TV, Film, Audio and Digital. Exile’s team has led content production for the largest Spanish-language media companies in the world with responsibility for film studios, OTT service, broadcast and cable networks, music, news and digital. The company’s current slate includes award-winning talent across genres and formats. To stay up to date on Exile’s projects, follow @ExileContent on Twitter and Instagram.

About Candle Media

Candle is an independent, creator-friendly home for cutting-edge, high-quality, category-defining brands and franchises built for the digital age. By bringing together elite talent operating at the intersection of content, community, and commerce, it helps position leading entertainment businesses for accelerated, sustainable growth in the current market and beyond. Candle was founded by its Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs, leading entertainment executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, and backed by investment capital from funds managed by Blackstone’s flagship private equity business.

About Trojan Horse Media

Trojan Horse is a partnership between director Kareem Tabsch and producer Alex Fumero to tell larger-than-life, stranger-than-fiction stories, which carry a deeper meaning below the surface. Tabsch & Fumero first collaborated on Netflix’s Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado. Subsequently through their Trojan Horse banner, the duo have produced HBOMax’s Menudo: Forever Young, the iHeartMedia podcasts Crumbs and Paradise Lost: Crime in Miami, and are producing the upcoming Onyx Collective’s Gigante, about the iconic Latino TV program, ‘Sabado Gigante’ and the birth of Latino identity in America.

Jake from State Farm® Doles Out the Perks and Keeps Users Engaged Inside iHeartLand’s New State Farm Neighborhood 

Intel® Powers Up iHeartLand Experience with its House of Wonder, Full of Fantastical Possibilities 

New York – Sept. 14, 2022 – iHeartMedia today opened the gates to iHeartLand on Roblox, cementing itself as a go-to destination and pioneer in the rapidly-expanding metaverse. iHeartLand is a one-of-a-kind place where gaming, live events, never-ending entertainment, music and the most popular talent converge to offer fans a premiere interactive experience. Users on Roblox will become music tycoons by collecting sound energy throughout iHeartLand to power their own customized music studio as well as unlock upgrades, fan experiences and rewards. Users can also visit different branded spaces like the State Farm Neighborhood featuring Jake from State Farm and Intel House of Wonder to engage with other avatars, play games and more.

“We’re always looking for more ways to connect with our audience and provide the kind of unique experiences only iHeartMedia can offer, and we’re thrilled to expand our footprint in the metaverse by opening iHeartLand on Roblox,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “Our scale and reach across all forms of entertainment give iHeart an elite position to bring the hottest artists, freshest music and biggest podcasts to Roblox. iHeartLand on Roblox is set to blow all expectations away.”

To celebrate its launch on Roblox, iHeartLand’s State Farm Park will host a video performance from multi-platinum singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Lauv on September 16 at 7 p.m. ET. Lauv will perform songs from his new album “All 4 Nothing,” and fans can walk the red carpet and take selfies with his NPC (non-player character). The kickoff concert will be followed by an album release party with Charlie Puth on October 7, where new music will be performed for the first time in celebration of his upcoming album CHARLIE. State Farm Park, the epicenter of iHeartLand, will host a total of 20 can’t-miss events in the next year. In addition to Lauv and Charlie Puth, “The Trap Nerds” will also join the lineup for a special podcast event later this year.

“I’m so excited to be the first artist to perform at iHeartLand’s State Farm Park on Roblox and can’t wait to share this unique experience with my fans,” said Lauv. “It’s my first concert in the metaverse so hope you all enjoy it as much as I did performing.”

In addition to the large-scale venue events throughout the year, iHeartLand will be an always-on destination for users to become music tycoons.

Upon arriving to iHeartLand, each user will be given a simple music studio to personalize. From there, users will build their way towards a music empire by harnessing the power of audio and must search the streets of iHeartLand to collect sound energy to deposit back at their studio. The sound energy powers the studio while generating listeners and iHeartBucks, which are used in-experience to upgrade their studio with cool equipment, playlist programming, studio pets and more. Users will be encouraged to explore other player studios to check out their customizations and music while collecting more sound energy, keeping them entertained and engaged. 

Built to feel like the ultimate block party, iHeartLand brings together the best of Roblox and fan events to give users a one-of-a-kind experience. More exciting new features in iHeartLand on Roblox, including how to power up the experience, include:

State Farm Neighborhood: With the launch of Jake from State Farm on Roblox, State Farm Neighborhood will amplify the iHeartLand experience with Jake’s daily quest board. Located next to State Farm Park and accessible through a pedestrian bridge, State Farm Neighborhood resembles the look and feel of a street festival with interactive features such as a Ferris wheel, food trucks and access to a special sky-top viewing platform with unobstructed aerial views of the State Farm Park main stage where today’s biggest artists like Lauv and Charlie Puth will perform. Users can complete Jake’s daily quests and play mini games to win iHeartBucks which can be used in State Farm Neighborhood to purchase unique verch (virtual merchandise) and gear for their avatar, including an outfit resembling Jake’s iconic khakis and red polo.

“We are excited to bring Jake to the Roblox metaverse – we have integrated him in virtual worlds as an avatar before with other initiatives and younger generations have interacted positively with him, so we knew this was a natural next step,” said Alyson Griffin, State Farm VP, Marketing. “Our transition to Roblox is aligned with our strategy to generate future demand by showing up in new places. We saw this collaboration with iHeartMedia as a great opportunity to reach younger generations through music and experiential opportunities and continue showing up as your good neighbor in the metaverse.”

Intel® House of Wonder: Intel® will bring a fantastical element to iHeartLand through the House of Wonder installation that encourages users to see the wonder in the world around them. At the House of Wonder, users will enter a surreal waterfront setting that stands out in iHeartLand as a can’t-miss destination where they can power up their experience by using their iHeartBucks. The eye-catching location features dolphins in the courtyard and an Intel “Bong” button that plays the brand’s iconic jingle, too. The House of Wonder will be crucial to the experience since it’s the only way users can exchange their iHeartBucks for in-game Intel® Core™ processors, which will allow them to level up quicker as they explore iHeartLand by collecting and depositing sound energy into their music studios at faster speeds. The installation will also be the go-to destination for players to collect Wonderful emotes that enhance their concert experience with fun features like the ability to shoot rainbows and confetti during unforgettable moments.

“Intel is all for innovation, excitement and changing the world in wonderful and awe-inspiring ways,” said John Coyne, Intel VP, Brand, Creative & Media. “We look to bring this to life in iHeartLand by empowering users in such a unique and thrilling fashion with the incorporation of the House of Wonder. It’s an absolute pleasure to partner with iHeartMedia here to inspire the next generation, and be a catalyst for their innovative and imaginative minds; and to do it in the metaverse of all places? How wonderful is that?” 

iHeartLand was created by The Gang, an industry-leading developer specializing in Roblox. Click here to view a tour of the new iHeartLand on Roblox. 

About State Farm

For 100 years, the mission of State Farm has and continues to be to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its more than 19,400 agents and approximately 53,400 employees serve over 87 million policies and accounts – which includes auto, fire, life, health, commercial policies and financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 42 on the 2022 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit www.statefarm.com.

About Lauv

For as much as he’s known for intriguing and inventive soundscapes, multi-Platinum chart-topping singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Lauv asserts himself as a storyteller, first and foremost. His stories continue to enchant audiences everywhere by converting the magic around him into generational anthems. Starting his artist career in 2015, Lauv introduced himself with viral sensation “The Other,” he landed a global smash in the form of “I Like Me Better.” It tallied over 2 billion streams, while reaching Top 10 chart positioning at Top 40 radio and Top 5 chart positioning at Hot AC radio in the US, went sextuple-Platinum in the US and Platinum in twelve other countries. He served up Gold-selling 2018 playlist I Met You When I Was 18 and Gold-selling 2020 debut album ~how i’m feeling~ along with a procession of hits, including the Platinum hit “I’m So Tired” with Troye Sivan as well as Gold-certified singles “There’s No Way” [feat. Julia Michaels] and “Lonely” [feat. Anne-Marie].” In between selling out headline tours and supporting Ed Sheeran in stadiums, he has performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and more. Lauv’s second full-length album, All 4 Nothing, is out now featuring “26’, “All 4 Nothing (I’m So In Love),” “Kids Are Born Stars,” and “Stranger.”

Actress Debbie Allen, Amber Riley and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Novelist Alice Walker Join Returning Stars Kelsey Grammer, Theo Rossi, Annie Ilonzeh and more

NEW YORK - September 12, 2022 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, and Will Packer Media, a first-of-its-kind production and branded content company led by record-breaking Hollywood producer Will Packer, today launched season two of “The Lower Bottoms,” a scripted and shadowy podcast series told through the voices that make-up a quickly gentrifying neighborhood in West Oakland, California.

Narrated by legendary actor Kelsey Grammer (Cheers, Frasier), season two kicks off six months after the Freedom House fire and data leak scandal. Beulah (voiced by Annie Ilonzeh) struggles with her mental health as her loyalty is tested from every direction. Meanwhile, Lenny (voiced by Theo Rossi) flounders as Oakland’s new mayor and Shante’s (voiced by Teresa Celeste) new life with the Russians is haunted by a very real pair of ghosts from the past.

An assembly of well-known Hollywood performers will join the cast of “The Lower Bottoms” this season. New cast members and guests include actress Debbie Allen (Grey’s Anatomy, Fame), who will lead as a female narrator; actress and singer Amber Riley (Glee), who will voice Rebecca; and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Alice Walker who will guest star.

In addition, season two will continue to be narrated by legendary actor Kelsey Grammer (Cheers, Fraiser) as well as a variety of notable returning cast members, including Theo Rossi (Army of the Dead, Sons of Anarchy, Luke Cage), who plays Lenny, a boisterous cafe owner with a chip on his shoulder; Annie Ilonzeh (Peppermint, Person of Interest, Chicago Fire) who will continue to lend her voice to Beulah, a confident but reserved young woman looking to find her way; and more.

The show was created and written by Dominique Mouton, and produced by Will Packer for Will Packer Media, Joelle Monique for iHeartRadio and Jack Levy, who also produced and directed the series.

The first episode of season two is available today, Monday, September 12, with new episodes airing every Monday. Listen to the debut episode HERE.

“The Lower Bottoms” season two is a co-production of iHeartMedia and Will Packer Media and is distributed by iHeartPodcasts.

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About Will Packer Media

Led by Hollywood producer Will Packer, Will Packer Media is a first-of-its-kind production and branded content company focused on the New American Mainstream audience, with an urban millennial core. In partnership with Discovery, Inc. and Universal Pictures, the company produces episodic scripted and unscripted series across television and digital platforms, compelling content for brand clients, and short-form digital content for millennial audiences. Will Packer’s films have earned more than $1 billion, with ten opening at number one at the box office.

iHeartRadio’s YouTube Channel Releases Exclusive Interviews with Several Top Artists

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Sept. 9, 2022 – iHeartMedia celebrated new music recently with World Premiere debuts across iHeartRadio stations from several hit artists including the remix of the Black Eyed Peas’ hit song “Don’t You Worry” with Farruko and Shakira on Sept. 2 across all Spanish Contemporary and Tropical stations. Singer and rapper Bryson Tiller’s “Outside” had a World Premiere debut on Sept. 8 across all iHeartRadio Hip Hop stations. Additionally, iHeartCountry ran two “Flashback Friday” specials back-to-back for Morgan Wallen on Sept. 2 and Luke Combs on Sept. 9. Both specials featured a five-hour takeover from the respective artist on iHeartCountry stations in the afternoon, and Wallen’s also featured a replay of his iHeartRadio Album Release Party from January 2021.

On Friday, Sept. 9, Charlie Puth will celebrate the launch of iHeartLand in Fortnite with a performance at iHeartLand’s State Farm Park. Puth will take the metaverse stage for the first time at 7 p.m. ET, performing some of his greatest hits and songs from his upcoming album CHARLIE. Over the next year, iHeartLand will combine music and gaming by giving fans a one-of-a-kind experience by hosting 20 major events at the all-new State Farm Park. Check out the hottest new stage in the Metaverse at iheartradio.com/fortnite.

Additionally, iHeartRadio’s YouTube Channels released various interviews with hit artists including Spoon, Yung Gravy and DaniLeigh. Rock duo Britt Daniel and Alex Fischel of Spoon stopped by iHeartRadio HQ to talk about their upcoming tour with Interpol and their album “Lucifer on the Sofa.” Rapper Yung Gravy did a hilarious round of “Speed Dating” in which three lucky fans got the opportunity to go on a one-minute date with him. Singer DaniLeigh took part in iHeart’s “Frame by Frame” in which she broke down scenes from her latest music video “Heartbreaker.” Over on the iHeartCountry YouTube Channel, singer Jon Pardi video chatted with iHeartRadio Digital Host Emily Curl about his new album “Mr. Saturday Night” and answered fan questions.

For the latest news, music fans can follow iHeartRadio on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and visit iHeartRadio.com.

Groundbreaking ‘Bone Valley’ Series to Launch September 21

(Listen to the Bone Valley trailer here.)

NEW YORK, September 8, 2022 – Today, Lava for Good Podcasts announced it has teamed up with iHeartMedia, the No. 1 global podcast publisher according to Podtrac. Under the new arrangement, Lava for Good Podcasts’ long-running hit series Wrongful Conviction and Righteous Convictions with Jason Flom and its upcoming slate of new true crime and social justice-focused podcasts will be distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network and will be available on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.

Lava for Good CEO Jason Flom and iHeart COO Will Pearson kicked off the partnership with a visit to Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York in order to cement the two companies’ commitment to shining a light on the stories of social injustice and, as famed criminal justice advocate Bryan Stevenson (Just Mercy) famously advised, showing up to be proximate to the places where injustices prevail.

“The work Lava for Good has done to tell the stories of those wrongfully convicted or denied justice is so important,” said Pearson. “We are honored and humbled to be partnering with such a talented team to bring these stories to a wider audience in hopes that as the episodes from this incredible slate of podcasts are heard, it will become that much clearer that there is still real work to be done. The Lava for Good team is so skilled in helping its listeners see that each of us can play a role in making the change our world needs.”

The first new podcast under the partnership is Bone Valley, a groundbreaking series that brings listeners along on an investigative journey through the swamps and courtrooms of central Florida in a search for truth and justice in the wrongful conviction of Leo Schofield, who has been serving a life sentence in Florida for the 1987 murder of his wife, Michelle. Launching on September 21, Bone Valley is hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Gilbert King, who uncovers compelling evidence of Leo’s innocence including a chilling confession to the murder from a convicted serial killer. 

Other upcoming releases from Lava for Good include a special series of Wrongful Conviction episodes beginning September 12, guest-hosted by true crime luminaries including Lauren Bright Pacheco (Murder in Illinois), David Rudolph (The Staircase), and Laura Nirider (Making a Murderer) and formerly incarcerated persons including Amanda Knox, Earlonne Woods (Ear Hustle), and Patrick Pursley. On November 15, Lava releases The War on Drugs, a stunning new series which takes a hard look at America’s disastrous drug policy, and in January welcomes the second season of the hit series Wrongful Conviction with Maggie Freleng, following Freleng’s Pulitzer Prize for her work hosting the Suave podcast. 

Founded and led by celebrated music executive, podcast host, author, and justice advocate Flom alongside Lava Media COO Jeff Kempler and produced in association with Signal Co. No1, Lava for Good is a recognized leader in compelling and impactful social justice content and campaigns. Earlier this year, Lava for Good was honored at The Anthem Awards, winning a Silver Award for Human & Civil Rights - Best Strategy. In 2021, the Wrongful Conviction series was recognized by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences for the Webby Awards, with Wrongful Conviction: False Confessions taking home the Webby People's Voice honor in the Crime & Justice category. 

Downloaded over 35 million times, Lava for Good’s #1-charting lineup of true crime and social justice podcasts has been credited with influencing exonerations, clemencies, pardons, and legislative reforms nationwide. Its hosts have been featured as leading champions of justice by NPR, Dr. Phil, The Joe Rogan Experience, The Jordan Harbinger Show, The Breakfast Club, and Sway In The Morning. The show also helped to bring global attention to the cases of Rodney Reed, Julius Jones, and Melissa Lucio, all of whom had their executions halted after a global outcry. 

"We’re thrilled to partner with iHeartMedia to further our mission of creating real and lasting change through telling human stories,” said Flom. “I am particularly excited to build on our 7-year history with the upcoming new shows in the coming months — shows that will focus on jaw-dropping wrongful conviction cases as well as peeling back the layers of the everyday injustice that has permeated our criminal legal system for far too long. We are also excited to expand our slate with phenomenal hosts like Pulitzer Prize winners Maggie Freleng and Gilbert King, with more announcements coming soon.”

To learn more about Lava for Good Podcasts, visit www.lavaforgood.com. 

About Lava for Good

Lava for Good creates standout original content, podcasts, and experiences, amplifying the voices of contemporary social justice champions and inspiring action towards a more informed, empathic, and just society. 

Founded and led by renowned music executive, children's book author, and philanthropist Jason Flom along with Lava Media COO Jeff Kempler in association with Signal Co. No1, Lava for Good’s #1-charting lineup of podcasts have been downloaded over 35 million times and are credited with influencing exonerations, clemencies, pardons, legislation and reforms nationwide. The lineup, which features leading experts, attorneys, activists, and journalists on the frontlines of human rights and justice movements, currently includes Wrongful Conviction, Wrongful Conviction with Maggie Freleng, Righteous Convictions with Jason Flom, False Confessions, Junk Science, and more, and is available on all major podcast platforms.

Companies will co-produce a slate of weekly and limited-run podcasts, distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network

NEW YORK – September 8, 2022 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally as per Podtrac, and global music and entertainment company Warner Music Group, through its new podcast network, Interval Presents, today announced a multi-year deal. Through the partnership, the two companies will co-produce a slate of shows that range from ongoing weekly podcasts to limited-run series beginning this fall. As part of the collaboration, Interval Presents will distribute its podcasts through the iHeartPodcast Network widely to all podcast consumption platforms.

Warner Music Group launched Interval Presents in April 2022 to create multi-format, culture-forward audio content at the intersection of music, pop culture, and social impact. Interval Presents’ first slate of podcasts including Rap Radar and Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams launched last month. For other upcoming shows, listeners can expect content from award-winning artists such as Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o, and later this year, a new show entitled The Last Resort, hosted by Xiuhtezcatl, an indigenous artist and activist.

“Joining forces with an iconic music company like Warner Music Group, known for their dedication to advancing the voices and careers of artists, is a seamless fit for iHeartMedia”, said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “Our team is thrilled to be co-producing a slate of shows to elevate inspiring, diverse voices and important conversations in this vein – and can’t wait to get started.”

Interval Presents will utilize iHeartMedia’s industry-leading Omny/Triton platform to provide hosting, distribution, programmatic ad sales, as well as audience and data insights to power the Interval Presents Podcast Network.

“Interval Presents provides listeners with fresh, culture-forward content that resonates with communities everywhere,” said Allan Coye, General Manager of Interval Presents and SVP of Digital Strategy & Business Development at Warner Music Group. “iHeartMedia is a leader and premier partner in the audio space, with numerous hit shows and strong sales and distribution capabilities. This collaboration allows us to expand the reach of our existing shows and accelerate our ability to launch new podcasts that feature stories and individuals that need amplification.”

Listeners can visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen to upcoming Interval Presents podcasts on their favorite devices.

For more information on Interval Presents, click here: https://linktr.ee/intervalpresents

About Warner Music Group

With a legacy extending back over 200 years, Warner Music Group (WMG) today brings together artists, songwriters, and entrepreneurs that are moving entertainment culture across the globe. Operating in more than 70 countries through a network of affiliates and licensees, WMG’s Recorded Music division includes renowned labels such as 300 Entertainment, Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, Canvasback, Elektra, Erato, First Night, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Music Nashville. WMG’s music publishing arm, Warner Chappell Music, has a catalog of over one million copyrights spanning every musical genre, from the standards of the Great American Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century. Warner Music Group is also home to ADA, the independent artist and label services company – as well as next gen artist services division WMX, which includes consumer brands such as Songkick, the live music app; EMP, the merchandise e-tailer; UPROXX, the youth culture destination; and HipHopDX, the hip-hop music news site. In addition, WMG counts storytelling powerhouse Warner Music Entertainment and social media content creator IMGN among its many brands. Follow WMG on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Launching on September 13, 2022, The Loudest Girl in The World is a first-hand account of navigating a life-changing diagnosis.

New York, NY – September 7, 2022 – Lauren Ober, former host of APM Studios’ Spectacular Failures and NPR’s The Big Listen, pairs up with Pushkin Industries and iHeartMedia to release The Loudest Girl in The World, a reported podcast about Ober’s own autism diagnosis journey. For years, Ober wasn’t all that jazzed up about herself. She was loud, had weird sensory issues, and her anxiety was off the charts. Then, as a forty-something adult, she found out why – she is autistic. The Loudest Girl in The World is a first-person account of Ober’s two-year-long journey in understanding what it means to be on the autism spectrum and how to live life as a newly diagnosed autistic person. Launching on September 13, The Loudest Girl in the World is a co-production of Pushkin Industries and iHeartMedia and can be heard on iHeartRadio and all other major platforms. Listen to the trailer here.

With help from public radio host Anna Sale, musician Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief, bestselling author Katherine May, and a few other notable friends, Ober dives into this wild new thing she’s learned about herself. From the challenges she faced while seeking an evaluation and figuring out how to tell her friends and family to the way neurodiversity is gendered and treated in the workplace, The Loudest Girl in the World is a full exploration of Ober’s search for answers.

“I wasn't really seeing any autistic representation that felt relatable anywhere,” says Ober. “And maybe that’s because most media portraying autistic people isn't made by autistic people.” The Loudest Girl in The World explores what autism is from an autistic person’s perspective as Ober navigates how to carve out her own neurodiversity roadmap and, along the way, reclaims the popular narratives surrounding autistic people. By mixing humorous storytelling and poignant anecdotes with conversations with other autistic people, like Olympic BMX rider Chelsea Wolfe and Kiwi popstar Ladyhawke, listeners will get a more on-the ground understanding of what accurate autistic representation really is. Because as Ober explains in the show, if you know one autistic person, you know one autistic person.

Lauren Ober is a podcast host and producer, most recently of Fine Gorilla Person from Topic Studios/Audible. Before that, she hosted Spectacular Failures from APMStudios. The show was one of TIME magazine’s top 10 podcasts of 2019 and was named best business podcast at the 2020 New York Festivals Radio Awards. Ober also hosted and produced NPR's The Big Listen, a nationally distributed broadcast about podcasts. In a life before hosting, Ober was an award-winning audio reporter and has been heard on shows like This American Life, 99% Invisible and Criminal, as well as all of NPR’s flagship programs. She is a graduate of the Transom Story Workshop, Syracuse University and American University. A proud Pittsburgh native, Lauren currently lives in the 51st state.

The first season of The Loudest Girl in The World will premiere on September 13, 2022 on iHeartRadio and wherever listeners access podcasts and will feature 9 memoir-style episodes. For more information visit www.Pushkin.fm. Episodes include:

Episode 1 – Talking: A Love Story

Lauren loves to talk. She’ll talk to anyone — baristas, postal carriers, neighborhood dog walkers. But her talking is more than just idle chit chat — it’s a kind of compulsion that’s gotten her in a lot of trouble over her life. Lauren’s never been able to turn it off and has never been able to figure out why… until recently, thanks to a diagnosis that changed everything.

Episode 2 – Goodbye, Routine; Hello, Meltdown!

The pandemic upended nearly everyone’s lives. It caused people to reevaluate their jobs, their relationships, their lives. For Lauren, the pandemic meant a collapse of her daily routine. When the day-to-day fell apart, so did Lauren. After a while, she needed to understand why. Her creeping suspicion that there was something going on in her brain got louder and louder. So she did something about it.

Episode 3 – Little Robots and Casual Rockers

If you want to get evaluated for autism, you have to take some tests. But the earliest autism evaluations suggested that autistic kids were like little robots who wore the same clothes every day and looked through people like they were ghosts. So when Lauren decided to get evaluated, she was stepping into a problematic history. Still, she needed to do it.

Episode 4 – Hannah Gadsby Is My Bestie

So Lauren finally got her autism diagnosis. But what the hell did that even mean? Where is the neurodiversity roadmap for someone diagnosed in their 40s? Turns out, there isn’t one. So Lauren has to make it up on her own. It’s time to do a deep dive into the world of autism. Which in itself is very autistic. Let’s get our research on!

Episode 5 – Let’s Talk About Hard Things

It’s no fun being autistic all by yourself. If you feel comfortable, you have to tell folks and let them into your truth. So it’s disclosure time for Lauren. It’s time to tell her pals this wild new thing she’s learned about herself. But that’s not as easy as it sounds. Predictably, things get… kinda awkward. So Lauren calls in an expert — her pal Anna Sale, host of the podcast Death, Sex & Money — for advice.

Episode 6 – Autism Pleasantville or: A Ridiculous Journey Into A Neurodivergent Fantasia

This autism stuff is hard. So Lauren needs a break. And she gets it on a trip to Autism Pleasantville — a perfect world made just for her and all her quirks and weirdnesses. Autism Pleasantville is a place full of cute dogs and restaurants that accommodate extreme food sensitivities and autism support humans who help Lauren navigate sticky social situations. Is Autism Pleasantville real? No. But it is nice to pretend.

Episode 7 – Will You Be My Autistic Friend?

It’s really hard to be a newly diagnosed autistic person and not know any autistic people. So it’s time for Lauren to make some autistic friends. But it’s not as easy as you might think. Which is why Lauren has to call up some big guns — Olympic BMX rider Chelsea Wolfe, New Zealand pop star Ladyhawke and best-selling author Katherine May — and force her friendship on them.

Episode 8 – ¯\_(ツ)_/¯¿Lauren comes out to family? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Coming out to family is hard. And Lauren should know — she’s already done it once. But if Lauren wants to fully inhabit her autism, she’s going to have to let all the people into her reality. So it’s time for Lauren to pull up her big girl pants and get to it. And no better time to disclose than during an already stressful family holiday.

Episode 9 – I Love You, Sweetheart

At some point in any journey of self-discovery, you just have to start living. And that’s what Lauren needs to do. But before she can get on with it, she has to make peace — with herself and with others. She needs to allow herself to be a person with jumbo-sized feelings. And she needs the help of a guitar, a paintbrush and the lead singer of the band Big Thief — Adrianne Lenker — to get her there. Viva la feelings!

ABOUT LAUREN OBER

Lauren Ober is a podcast host and producer, most recently of Fine Gorilla Person from Topic Studios and Audible. Before that, she hosted Spectacular Failures from APM Studios. The show was one of TIME magazine’s top 10 podcasts of 2019 and has been downloaded more than 6 million times. Ober also hosted and produced NPR's The Big Listen, a nationally distributed broadcast about podcasts. In a life before hosting, Ober was an award-winning audio reporter and has been heard on shows like This American Life, 99% Invisible and Criminal, as well as all of NPR’s flagship programs. She is a graduate of the Transom Story Workshop, Syracuse University and American University. A proud Pittsburgh native, Lauren currently lives in the 51st state.

ABOUT PUSHKIN INDUSTRIES

Pushkin Industries is the audio production company co-founded by Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg in 2018. Pushkin has produced numerous podcasts that have broken into the top 10 on Apple’s Top Podcasts chart, including Gladwell’s hugely successful Revisionist History, as well as Against the Rules, The Happiness Lab, Broken Record, Cautionary Tales, The Last Archive, Deep Cover, Lost Hills and Apple’s Best Show of 2021, A Slight Change of Plans. Pushkin’s podcast hosts include Michael Lewis, Jill Lepore, Rick Rubin, Maya Shankar, Tim Harford, Laurie Santos, Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Ben Austen, Dana Goodyear, Jake Halpern, Hallie Rubenhold, Sam Fragoso, Glory Edim, Anita Hill, Jacob Goldstein, Brendan Francis Newnam, Eddie Alterman, Lauren Ober, Helen Molesworth and many more. Pushkin’s audiobooks include the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen, Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis, Fauci by Michael Specter, Heartbreak by Florence Williams, and Malcolm Gladwell’s Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon, The Bomber Mafia and Talking to Strangers. Pushkin is dedicated to producing audio in any format that challenges listeners, encourages their curiosity, and inspires joy. Our work is built on principles of trust: respect, fairness, accuracy, accountability, and honesty. Visit pushkin.fm, where you can purchase our audiobooks and then listen on your podcast player of choice. Follow us @PushkinPods.