iHeartPodcast Network

The podcast premieres on January 24 with new episodes releasing Mondays

Listen to the official trailer HERE

NEW YORK -- January 13, 2022 -- iHeartRadio, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced the launch of “Welcome to Our Show”, a ‘New Girl’ rewatch podcast, hosted by the show’s stars Zooey Deschanel, Hannah Simone and Lamorne Morris. Every Monday, listeners will hear from the funny friends, who called the ‘New Girl’ set home for seven incredible seasons. Together, the trio will rewatch the Emmy-nominated series to reveal never-before-told stories, their favorite memories from creating the show and divulge moments and scenes left on the cutting room floor. The first episode of “Welcome to Our Show” will be available on iHeartRadio and all major podcast platforms beginning Monday, January 24th. Listen to the official trailer now, HERE.

“‘Welcome to Our Show’ will bring listeners the same hilarious and warm-hearted energy that ‘New Girl’ originally brought to its audience just over 10 years ago,” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer, iHeartPodcast Network. “It was simply one of the funniest and most relatable shows in recent decades and we’re excited to have Zooey, Hannah and Lamorne join the iHeartRadio family to relive the show’s best moments and leave us nostalgic for another laugh in the loft.”

In each episode, Zooey, Hannah and Lamorne will also play a unique version of the show’s popular game, True American, with made up rules, lots of confusion and loads of laughter. The crew will invite fan favorite cast members, guest stars, producers, writers and more to dissect and dish on a selected episode.

“I am overjoyed to work again with two of my favorite people, Lamorne and Hannah, and to get to relive some of our favorite moments from the seven years we worked on ‘New Girl,’” said Zooey.

“The fans have been flooding my inbox and timelines with requests for behind the scenes intel. Well, here we go!” said Lamorne. “We’re so pumped that iHeart is giving us this platform to connect with our fans. So dope. All of their questions will be answered….and we also tell weird stories.”

“New Girl fans have a lot of questions about everything from the actual rules of True American to ping pong etiquette with Prince,” said Hannah. “Zooey, Lamorne and I have missed each other so much, and I’m so excited that we’ve created a show where we can finally answer those questions and share so many untold crazy ‘New Girl' stories that happened while we made the show!”

“Welcome to Our Show” is distributed by The iHeartPodcast Network and available everywhere podcasts are heard. Follow the show HERE to be alerted when new episodes post.

Editor’s Note:

Podcast cover art is available for download HERE. Use the below embed code to include the podcast audio player in your article.

EMBED CODE:

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About the Hosts:

Zooey Deschanel (Bio HERE / Headshot HERE)

Hannah Simone (Bio HERE / Headshot HERE)

Lamorne Morris (Bio HERE / Headshot HERE)

The New Series Puts a Light Touch on a Heavy Subject with Firsthand Accounts of Survivorship, Hosted by Survivors Themselves

Listen to the podcast HERE

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 14, 2021 – Tyler Measom, award-winning documentarian and director of Netflix’s hit series, Murder Among The Mormons, and Liz Iacuzzi, writer and comedian, announced today that their new weekly docu-style iHeartRadio original podcast series “Was I In A Cult?” has reached over one million downloads in the first two months. The binge-worthy show explores real-life stories of survivorship told firsthand by individuals who unwittingly found themselves in a cult, and ultimately successfully escaped.

Each episode features a different guest who shares their journey with Measom and Iacuzzi - both cult survivors themselves. A takeoff from the traditionally dark cult narrative, “Was I In A Cult?” weaves Measom’s documentary storytelling background with Iacuzzi’s introspective comedy chops resulting in a show that brings levity to a sobering subject in order to humanize the cultic experience. The podcast chronicles each guests personal journey from cult victim to thriving survivor with dramatic, sometimes comedic, inspirationally empowering stories that celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.

“The retelling of a cult experience can often be so darkly serious, because of course cults are incredibly dark and serious, but it almost becomes somewhat of an illusive anecdote - like it’s something that could never happen to you,” says Iacuzzi. “We want to bring this topic back down to earth with insightful interviews and a good dose of humor to create a more approachable conversation surrounding cults.”

Season One has a 20-episode slate and welcomes cult survivors from both well-known and lesser-known cults, including: Mormonism, NXIVM, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Children of God, The Mel Lyman Family, Apostolic Brethren, The Black Israelites, Enthusiastic Sobriety, family cults, MLM cults, and more. Hosts Tyler Measom and Liz Iacuzzi also share their personal cult experiences - 24 years in the Mormon church for Measom, and a dangerously dogmatic acting class in Los Angeles for Iacuzzi.

“No one ever signs up for a cult, but almost everyone is vulnerable enough to be manipulated into joining one because it generally starts with love and acceptance - something we all strive for,” says Measom. “While our show digs into a wide variety of cults, we always see this common thread woven into the tapestry of abuse. It may even leave some or our audience members asking themselves, ‘wait...was I in a cult?’”

“Was I In A Cult?” is available now on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday.

Use the below html code to embed the audio player directly into your story or website:

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Click here to download approved host headshots, biographies and cover art for the podcast. 

About "Was I In A Cult?"

Hosted by filmmaker Tyler Measom and comedian/writer Liz Iacuzzi, Was I In A Cult? is a documentary-style podcast showcasing individuals who have been in, and most importantly, successfully left a cult. Told first-hand by the experiencer themself, these are raw, riveting and inspirational tales of what it means to be a survivor. Using levity and info-tainment, the show humanizes the cultic experience and may leave listeners asking themselves...“Wait... Was I In A Cult?”

About iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, reaching over 250 million people each month. It is number one in broadcast and streaming radio as well as podcasting and audio ad tech, and includes three segments: The iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group; the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group; and the Audio and Media Services Group. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.

ATLANTA - December 6, 2021 – Bamfer Productions and iHeartMedia, the No.1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced the upcoming launch of “Magmell,” a new iHeartRadio Original Podcast created by Jeff Heimbuch and Lyndsie Scoggin, the team behind the smash-hit thriller, “Light House” – a chart-topping fictional podcast for two years running. The first episode of “Magmell” will debut December 13, with subsequent episodes airing every Monday for the duration of its ten episodes. “Magmell” is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network and can be heard on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are available. Listeners can hear the official trailer now – here.

The podcast follows Captain Cydney Owens and Captain Jana Prescott, as they embark on an important scientific mission aboard the USS Magmell. Along with Proteus, the on-board AI, their mission is to visit the Helix Nebula and study it up close to widen our knowledge of outer space. However, their mission takes a turn when an anomaly throws the ship off-course, stranding them trillions of miles from Earth with no way home. Will they be able to return to their loved ones? Why do they both seem to remember things that never happened? And just what else is lurking in the cold, dark reaches of outer space, waiting for them?

Throughout its ten episodes, “Magmell” will answer these questions, and take you on the sci-fi horror thrill ride you’ve been waiting for. Each episode is approximately 30 minutes long, making it the perfect, bite-sized, weekly escape from everyday life.

“I’ve been obsessed with space travel since I was a kid, especially with how little we know about what’s out there,” said writer / director Jeff Heimbuch. “Something about the vast isolation of it terrifies me, especially with what could be lurking out there.”

“I have been a fan of sci-fi since I was a kid, so getting a front-row seat to watch this podcast develop and unfold has been a delight,” said Holly Frey, Managing Executive Producer for The iHeartPodcast Network. “Jeff and his team have outdone themselves in bringing an original, tense and deeply compelling story to life, one that’s anchored in a premise of space travel, but is really about human connection.”

Follow “Magmell” today on iHeartRadio, the iHeartRadio app and anywhere else podcasts are available.

About Bamfer Productions

Bamfer Productions has been producing entertainment from coast to coast in various forms for over 15 years. From films to live entertainment to podcasting, they have done it all. They also produce the long-running fiction podcast, Return Home, which just reached six million downloads, and recently worked with iHeartMedia to produce the hit thriller fiction podcast, Light House.

Los Angeles, December 6, 2021 – Imagine Entertainment Chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard announced the launch of their new podcast division, Imagine Audio, fueled by an exclusive slate deal with iHeartMedia, the number one podcast publisher globally. The deal will include a slate of co-produced, unscripted podcasts, further expanding Imagine’s IP verticals beyond the traditional screens. The partnership will collaborate to launch six new series over the next two years distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network. The division will be overseen by Imagine’s Chief Strategy Officer, Justin Wilkes and led by producer, Kara Welker.

"We couldn’t be more excited to have iHeart as our partner as we launch the Imagine brand into the audio space,” said Imagine’s Justin Wilkes. “Audio has proven to be a fantastic incubator and engine for IP development and between our connectivity to talent and storytellers, as well as our ability to create high-quality content, we’re incredibly well positioned to enter the category.”

Imagine Audio will take a 360 approach to content across the Imagine brand by not only creating podcasts, but fully immersive experiences that will extend into TV, film, live events and tours and merchandise, while leveraging all of Imagine’s divisions and vast library of memorable IP. Imagine Audio will differentiate itself in the marketplace by producing premium scripted and non-scripted content that’s sonically rich and benefits from the highest level of production value. The division is currently working with established talent as well as new voices across a slate audio productions in development and production which will be announced in the new year.

Welker, who is also a talent manager and producer, brings years of expertise of spotting talent and stories, and developing her clients and their projects into multi-platform revenue generators. Summer Sagansky has also joined the division as a Creative Executive.

“Imagine stands for the very highest quality content – behind some of the greatest film, TV and digital content the world has seen,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “As the largest podcast network in the world, our goal is simple and consistent: We want to work with the most innovative, passionate storytellers in the world – producers who don’t just work in mediums, but who pioneer them. That’s Imagine.”

iHeartMedia’s iHeartPodcast Network is home to more than 750 iHeartRadio Original Podcasts which see more than 321 million downloads each month globally. These podcasts span every category from business, sports, spirituality and technology to entertainment, family, comedy and true crime – and everything in between – making iHeartMedia the largest publisher of podcast content in the world.

About Imagine Entertainment

Founded in 1986 by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, Imagine Entertainment is an award-wining global entertainment company telling stories that inspire and empower, and create unforgettable entertainment experiences across all genres across Imagine Features, Imagine Television Studios, Imagine Documentaries, Imagine Kids+Family, and Imagine Brands as well as award-winning Jax Media and Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions. Imagine’s productions have been honored with more than 60 prestigious awards including 45 Academy Award nominations and 202 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. Additional films include Get on Up, Rush, J. Edgar, Frost/Nixon, American Gangster, The Da Vinci Code, Apollo 13, 8 Mile, Liar, Liar, Backdraft and Parenthood to name a few. Recent films include tick, tick, …Boom! directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and the critically acclaimed documentaries Rebuilding Paradise, Dads, Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band, D.Wade: Life Unexpected, and Pavarotti. Current film productions include Thirteen Lives directed by Ron Howard; a documentary on chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen; Curious George based on the beloved children’s character; and a re-imaging of the hit Imagine films Friday Night Lights and Fear. Current television projects include Genius: Aretha (NatGeo); Wu-Tang: An American Saga (Hulu); Swagger (Apple); Why Women Kill (CBS All Access); Supervillain: The Rise of Tekashi 6ix9ine (Showtime); the Crime Scene anthology docuseries (Netflix); Jax Media’s Emily in Paris (Netflix) and Jigsaw’s Tiger documentary (HBO). Additional television productions include Fox’s Empire, Shots Fired and the 24 franchise; NatGeo’s Genius anthology series; NBC’s Parenthood and Friday Night Lights; Fox’s and Netflix’s Arrested Development; The Astronauts (Nickelodeon); and HBO's From the Earth to the Moon, for which Howard and Grazer won the Emmy® for Outstanding Mini-Series. Grazer and Howard began their collaboration in the early 80’s with the hit comedies Night Shift and Splash, and continue to run Imagine Entertainment as executive chairmen. www.imagine-entertainment.com

Weekly Series Provides an Insider’s Look at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park as well as Global Conservation Efforts

Listen to the official trailer, here

NEW YORK AND SAN DIEGO (Nov. 16, 2021) – iHeartMedia, the number one podcast publisher globally according to podtrac, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), an international nonprofit conservation organization that oversees the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, today announced the debut of a weekly podcast series, “Amazing Wildlife.” The 52-episode podcast series, hosted by SDZWA staff, highlights unique wildlife stories from around the world, as well as the conservation efforts happening on site at the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park. Listeners can hear the official trailer now on iHeartRadio, and everywhere podcasts are heard. New 15-minute episodes will post each Friday, beginning Nov. 19.

The podcast is hosted by Rick Schwartz, an experienced wildlife care specialist and ambassador for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and Ebone Monet, a senior editor at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Together, they will take listeners around the world as they discuss and explore animals from across the globe—from elephants on the African savanna to polar bears in the Arctic tundra and koalas in Australia.

“I’ve dedicated my life to conservation and professional wildlife care, and my hope with this podcast is to inspire the younger generations to be active in conservation efforts,” said Rick Schwartz, ambassador, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “I’m honored to be hosting the ‘Amazing Wildlife’ podcast alongside Ebone Monet, and to share my passion and what I have learned throughout my years working at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. And we’re fortunate to work with iHeartMedia on this podcast.”

The “Amazing Wildlife” podcast encourages group listening for family members as it explores fascinating animal facts and shares recommendations on how best to help save precious wildlife. The show will bring families together as they learn about conservation efforts, and will inspire future generations to protect our planet. Additionally, the “Amazing Wildlife” series will answer questions from inquisitive young people—and lend advice about how we can live in harmony with wildlife, including animals big and small.

“We are excited to expand iHeart’s educational and entertaining podcast offerings for families and kids of all ages with ‘Amazing Wildlife,’” said Will Pearson, chief operating officer for the iHeartPodcast Network. “We have so much to learn around wildlife and conservation efforts, especially when it comes to how we can all be helpful in ways big and small. We’re excited to work alongside the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to continue to provide these educational resources.”

“San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has been doing amazing conservation work for decades, and this podcast is the latest opportunity for us to share the impact this organization has had on conserving wildlife and wild spaces,” said David Miller, chief marketing officer, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “The family friendly nature of the show is yet another way we’re working to inspire the next generation of conservationists.”

“Amazing Wildlife” is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network. Listeners can visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen on their favorite device, anywhere.

About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. The Alliance empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their work back to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park—giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance extends from San Diego to strategic and regional conservation “hubs” across the globe, where their strengths—via their “Conservation Toolbox,” including the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bank—are able to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts. By leveraging these tools in wildlife care and conservation science, and through collaboration with hundreds of partners, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources and the San Diego Zoo Kids channel, which is in children’s hospitals in 13 countries. Success is made possible by the support of members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, who are Wildlife Allies committed to ensuring All Life Thrives.

From Emmy®-Nominated Executive Producers Robert and Michelle King and Written and Executive Produced by Jennifer Cacicio

The Series Is Inspired by the “Happy Face” Podcast by iHeartMedia and Melissa Jesperson-Moore and Produced by CBS Studios, in Association with King Size Productions and iHeartMedia

Nov. 10, 2021 – Paramount+, the streaming service from ViacomCBS, today announced a new series order for HAPPY FACE, written and executive produced by Jennifer Cacicio (“Your Honor”) and executive produced by Emmy®-nominated Robert and Michelle King. King Size Productions’ Liz Glotzer, Melissa Jesperson-Moore, and iHeartMedia’s Bob Pittman and Conal Byrne will also serve as executive producers.

The series is inspired by the highly rated and critically acclaimed podcast “HAPPY FACE” from iHeartMedia and Melissa Jesperson-Moore, the book Shattered Silence written by Melissa with M. Bridget Cook, and Melissa’s true-life story At age 15, Melissa discovered her father, whom she loved dearly, was the prolific serial killer known as “HAPPY FACE.” As an adult, Melissa changed her name, guarded her secret, and cut off all ties to her father, who is currently serving life in prison.

Jumping off from Melissa’s true-life story, in the series for Paramount+, her father contacts her to take credit for another victim, and Melissa gets pulled into an extraordinary investigation of her father and his crimes. The series follows her as she discovers the impact her father’s crimes had on the families of his victims, which ultimately leads to a reckoning of her own identity.

“We’re obsessed with true-crime podcasts, and ‘HAPPY FACE’ is the best we’ve heard,” said Robert and Michelle King. “Melissa’s story screams out to be dramatized, and Jen is exactly the showrunner to do it.”

“Melissa’s unique, deeply personal and utterly shocking story has captivated listeners around the world. We couldn’t be more excited to have Jennifer at the helm of this project for Paramount+ alongside the incomparable Robert and Michelle King,” said Nicole Clemens, President, Paramount+ Original Scripted Series. “THE GOOD FIGHT and more recently EVIL are two of the most successful series on our service, and we look forward to bringing our subscribers yet another series for fans to love.”

“Melissa’s experience – and her bravery in sharing it with world – was one of the most remarkable partnerships we’ve been able to support here at iHeart,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia’s Digital Audio Group. “And we know that audiences will be just as moved by the on-screen adaptation of ‘HAPPY FACE’ as they were with the hugely successful podcast. Paramount+ has quickly built a fantastic reputation, with some of today’s most exciting content. It’s the perfect home for this incredible story.”

“It’s been an incredible journey that I couldn’t have ever foreseen – how I’ve transcended being raised by a serial killer and now am helping survivors tell their stories,” said Melissa Jesperson-Moore, Executive Producer and CEO of Redletter Media. “HAPPY FACE gives me the chance to share the intense internal conflict, fear and peril felt by those affected by true crime. It also inspires me to share the strength that has allowed me to step up in front of the camera so that other survivors will not feel alone in their experience.”

HAPPY FACE, produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions and iHeartMedia, is the third series from Robert and Michelle King to land at Paramount+.

HAPPY FACE joins Paramount+’s growing lineup of prestige dramas, which includes Robert and Michelle King’s current hit series THE GOOD FIGHT and EVIL, as well STAR TREK: DISCOVERY and STAR TREK: PICARD, plus the upcoming revival of THE GAME and the highly anticipated Taylor Sheridan series MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN and 1883.

About Paramount+

Paramount+, a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service from ViacomCBS, combines live sports, breaking news, and a mountain of entertainment. The premium streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. The service is also the streaming home to unmatched sports programming, including every CBS Sports event, from golf to football to basketball and more, plus exclusive streaming rights for major sports properties, including some of the world’s biggest and most popular soccer leagues. Paramount+ also enables subscribers to stream local CBS stations live across the U.S. in addition to the ability to stream ViacomCBS Streaming’s other live channels: CBSN for 24/7 news, CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis, and ET Live for entertainment coverage.

For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com and follow @ParamountPlus on social platforms.

About CBS Studios

CBS Studios is one of the world’s leading suppliers of entertainment programming, with more than 70 series currently in production for broadcast and cable networks, streaming services and other emerging platforms. The Studio’s expansive portfolio spans a diverse slate of commercially successful and critically acclaimed scripted programming, which includes genre-defining franchises such as “NCIS,” “CSI” and the ever-growing “Star Trek” universe, award-winning late night and daytime talk shows, as well as an extensive library of iconic intellectual property. The Studio also develops and produces local language and international content originating outside of the U.S. with series in the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Asia.

Journalist and Author Mike Sielski will host the podcast series

featuring interviews from people who knew young Kobe best

Episodes 1 & 2 will premiere on November 16, 2021

Listen to the I AM KOBE Trailer HERE

NEW YORK, NY (November 9, 2021) -- Diversion Podcasts, a division of Diversion Media, and iHeartRadio, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announce the launch of I AM KOBE distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network. This remarkable 12-episode series reveals intimate, never-before-heard tapes of Kobe Bryant as a teenager, exploring his thoughts, his dreams, and his goals. Hosted by Philadelphia journalist and author Mike Sielski, I AM KOBE tells the story of Kobe Bryant’s early years, weaving together these lost audio tapes with interviews from Kobe's high school coaches, friends, family, and the figures who knew him in his youth, to paint an enthralling documentary portrait of the making of an icon.

Before he was a 5-time NBA champion, an 18-time All-Star, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, a children’s book author, a husband, and a father, Kobe Bryant was a kid from Philadelphia. With the goal of writing a book together, teenage Kobe sat with family friend and high school basketball coach Jeremy Treatman between 1995-1996 to record interviews about his life at the time. The tapes would eventually be lost, only to be found in a crawl space nearly 30 years later. Treatman, who is a featured insider on the podcast, connected with Sielski to help bring these tapes to life in I AM KOBE, and through hearing them, listeners will find a rare, first-hand view on how the seeds of greatness were sown.

In conjunction with the podcast release, Sielski also drew from the tapes for the basis of his upcoming book, The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality, which traces Kobe’s career and life at Lower Merion to the run-up to the 1996 NBA draft, where Kobe’s dream of playing pro basketball culminated in his acquisition by the Los Angeles Lakers. The book goes on sale January 11, 2022 from St. Martin's Press.

"I am grateful to have the opportunity to present this rare inside look into Kobe Bryant's formative years and tell his story through these never-before-heard tapes," Sielski says. "I AM KOBE gives fans the chance to hear Kobe's voice in a way they never have before, as we explore the making of an icon."

“I AM KOBE is a truly compelling portrait of one of our most dynamic and fascinating sports icons,” says Diversion CEO Scott Waxman. “Diversion is incredibly excited to be collaborating with iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast network, to bring this show to the world."

"We are thrilled to team up with Diversion again to bring listeners this untold story of Kobe Bryant's formative years,” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer, iHeartPodcast Network. “To have access to this rare audio from Kobe himself makes this podcast unlike anything else out there, and we are excited to share ‘I AM KOBE’ with millions of fans across the iHeartPodcast Network."

Episodes 1 and 2 of I AM KOBE from Diversion Podcasts and iHeartMedia will be available on iHeartRadio and all major podcasts platforms on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.

ASSETS: High-resolution artwork is available HERE  

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About Mike Sielski | Headshot:                                                   

Mike Sielski is a journalist at the Philadelphia Inquirer and was named the top sports columnist in America by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He is the author of The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality (Jan 2022, St. Martin’s Press) and the co-author of How to Be Like Jackie Robinson: Life Lessons from Baseball's Greatest Hero. Mike holds degrees from La Salle University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

About Diversion Podcasts                                                                   

Diversion Podcasts creates immersive non-fiction audio stories that engage and amaze listeners. Through rare primary source interviews, elegant sound design, and author perspectives unavailable anywhere else, Diversion’s informative and entertaining productions take you deep into worlds and introduce you to characters you’ll never forget. From sports to spies, from true crime to true adventure, across history, music, and even war, Diversion brings real stories to life. For more information visit DiversionPodcasts.com

“iHeartRadio’s Black and Inspired HBCU Celebration” to feature conversations from Rick Ross, Daymond John, Angel Rich, Gizelle Bryant, Will Lucas, Nick Cannon and more

Listen to the first episode HERE

NEW YORK – November 3, 2021 -- iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, announced today the launch of “iHeartRadio’s Black and Inspired HBCU Celebration,” presented by Hyundai. The special four-episode podcast series will celebrate Black culture and the passionate alumni community of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The first episode of the podcast series launches today with new episodes dropping every other Wednesday on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard. Listeners can hear the first episode HERE.

“iHeartRadio’s Black and Inspired HBCU Celebration” will feature conversations that educate, inspire and celebrate the HBCU experience through intimate conversations with iHeartRadio’s most popular and prolific Black personalities, experts and celebrity guests covering topics important to the Black community as well as distinguished HBCU alumni. The debut episode, titled Black & Tech, will discuss the need for more Black representation in the tech industry, how to bring overall awareness of tech implications to HBCUs and the Black community as well as advice to HBCU students that aspire to work in tech one day. The episode will feature insightful discussions from business experts and entrepreneurs Will Lucas, Brand Manager for AfroTech and host of “Black Tech Green Money,” and Morgan Debuan, Founder & CEO of Blavity Inc. This fireside chat will be moderated by social influencer, digital media veteran and iHeartRadio’s very own marketing project manager, Jasmine Sweet.

“As an HBCU graduate, I know first-hand Historically Black Colleges and Universities have an unparalleled impact on our community and play a vital role in Black students’ success across the country,” said Thea Mitchem, Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia. “These intimate conversations will help to educate, uplift and amplify the Black community and its aspiring young leaders, and we’re thrilled that these important voices will be able to reach millions of listeners through iHeart’s massive digital and broadcast reach.”

The biweekly limited series will also include:

Show Me The Money – (November 17) Moderated by Rashad Bilal, a skilled financial advisor and co-host of the hit podcast “Earn Your Leisure,” this episode will cover the basic principles of personal and business finance and will feature in-depth discussions with Founder, CEO of CreditRich and Hampton University alumni Angel Rich; respected educator and co-host of “Earn Your Leisure,” Troy Millings; and founder of FUBU and reoccurring Shark Tank investor Daymond John. The fireside chat will also explore ways that HBCUs can inspire and empower students with greater knowledge about digital currency, cryptocurrency, NFTs, the stock market, and more. In addition, they will share which college disciplines provide the best long term investment on post-graduation salary.

We Do This For The Culture – (December 1) This episode will recognize established and new Black culture creators that are dedicated to amplifying creative voices in the culture as well as building and growing platforms to connect and shape the overall view of Black culture. The discussion will include an array of topics, such as why it is vital to ensure that inclusivity and representation are displayed in all forms of media and the importance of having a strong Black lead. Listeners will hear insightful discussions on the topic from cultural game-changers including actor, comedian, television personality and Howard University alumni Nick Cannon (The Masked Singer, The Nick Cannon Show, Wild N’ Out); and rapper, songwriter, record executive and Albany State University alumni Rick Ross.

Black Girl Magic – (December 15) Moderated by on-air personality Angela Yee of the nationally syndicated morning show, “The Breakfast Club,” this special episode will be recorded as a virtual panel celebrating the beauty, power and resilience of Black women and honoring their many achievements. Fans can learn the pathway for young aspiring women of color to attend HBCUs and why Black women must lead the charge in politics, culture and society. Fans will also be able to video stream the virtual panel on iHeartRadio’s YouTube page beginning December 1. The panel will include Gizelle Bryant from The Real Housewives of Potomac, with more guests to be announced at a later date.

“iHeartRadio’s Black and Inspired HBCU Celebration” is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network.

New weekly podcast “Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps” to kick off the new slate

Listen to the trailer HERE

NEW YORK -- October 6, 2021 -- iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced a new slate of true-crime shows in collaboration with acclaimed investigative journalist and New York Times Bestselling Author M. William Phelps. This announcement follows Phelps’ and iHeartMedia’s chart topping podcast “Paper Ghosts,” their first venture together in the true-crime podcasting space. The new slate kicks off today with the debut of the weekly podcast “Crossing the line with M. William Phelps.” Listen to the official trailer now here.

“We are thrilled to team up with M. William Phelps again to produce a new slate of true crime podcasts,” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer for the iHeartPodcast Network. “We’ve seen incredible success with ‘Paper Ghosts’ and it’s proven that M. William Phelps isn't afraid to ask the hard questions. The new shows on this slate will no doubt continue in that success – investigating unsolved crimes and sharing untold stories that will keep listeners tuning into each episode curious for more answers.”

“Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps” is a weekly podcast that will tackle important yet sometimes polarizing topics in the true crime space, as well as investigate rather unknown cold cases with the hopes of uncovering more information that could lead to closure. Joined by lifelong true crime aficionado and executive producer Cristina Everett (Paper Ghosts), the duo will interview experts, victims’ family members and detectives who worked the cases in an effort to unravel not only the intricacies of the crimes but the societal structures that make them possible – and often go unseen. “Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps” premieres October 12 and will run in 12-week installments, with new episodes available Tuesdays on iHeartRadio and all major platforms.

“‘Crossing the Line’ pulls together 20 years of work in true crime television and books- a confluence of access and being on the frontline of investigative journalism,” said Phelps. "You're going to hear the inside story of murder and missing cases from insiders -- including the killers themselves -- with the main focus on victims and their family's stories, including my own.”

The slate will also include season three of the largely successful podcast “Paper Ghosts,” launching late 2022, and will introduce a new narrative crime podcast centered around an infamous bank heist early next year. All of the podcasts from M. William Phelps and iHeartMedia will be distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network, which is home to more than 750 original podcasts with over 250 million downloads each month.

About M. William Phelps

Investigative journalist M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling true crime author of 45 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Several of his books have been optioned for feature films. Phelps has written for numerous publications, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series “Dexter” and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television, including his former hit series on Investigation Discovery “Dark Minds,” which he also created and produced. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now lives just north of Hartford, in Tolland County. In July 2017, Phelpspublished his definitive, 7-year project with Happy Face Killer, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer –a two-hour documentary special about the book debuts on Oxygen Network on October 10, 2021.

“The Dougherty Gang” debuts today kicking off iHeartMedia and KT-Studios production and content partnership

NEW YORK – September 20, 2021 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced a new iHeartPodcast slate of true-crime shows in collaboration with KT-Studios, a full-service television production and podcast company. This announcement follows KT-Studios and iHeartMedia’s first venture together in the true-crime podcasting space, “The Piketon Massacre,” which received special notoriety for its second season becoming the No. 1 podcast across all categories with nearly 17 million listeners in the first few weeks of airing.

“iHeartMedia is excited to join forces with KT-Studios to co-produce this brilliant new slate of true-crime podcasts,” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer for the iHeartPodcast Network. “We’ve seen incredible success with KT-Studios and are excited to offer listeners a full slate of new podcasts that delve into everything from unsolved murders to some of the most bizarre crimes in the name of love.”

The new slate will debut today with “The Dougherty Gang.” The explosive 12-episode limited series delves into the infamous story of three siblings in their 20s - two brothers and a sister - who notoriously went on an eight-day, fifteen-state, AK-47-wielding, bank-robbing journey in 2011. Executive produced by television creator, developer and producer Stephanie Lydecker, founder and President of KT Studios and Courtney Armstrong, Chief Creative Officer of KT-Studios. Lydecker and Armstrong, along with Vice President of Development Jeff Shane, produced the hit podcast “The Piketon Massacre,” the podcast recounts the complex circumstances that kicked off this crime spree, how they averted local, state and federal agents along the way, and later, tells of their lives in prison. Listeners can hear the first episode of “The Dougherty Gang” now on iHeartRadio and all major podcast listening platforms. New episodes will become available each Monday.

Additional shows set to join the new slate of podcasts will include:

• “Crazy in Love” - Hosted by a revolving stable of experts, “Crazy In Love” dives into the complex and contentious real-life stories of people who went to murderous lengths in the name of love. Romantic love, motherly, brotherly and sisterly love, bestie bonds and lusty love. Each week explores a new crime, told through a combination of interviews, news footage and narration. The 48-episode podcast features stories from across the country and is set to launch this November.
• “Death Island” - Listeners will become engrossed in the captivating details behind the mysterious deaths that have taken place on a beautiful vacation destination in Thailand. Tourists from all over the world visit for the pristine beaches and crystal clear water, but beneath the surface lies something sinister. Since 2006, at least 19 tourists have died mysteriously on the island. Theories on the causes have run the gamut from mafia rule to a serial killer family. One thing is certain: in this beautiful place, no coast is clear. The 12-episode limited-series podcast will debut first quarter of 2022.

“This true-crime slate is an exciting addition to the thriller podcast world,” said Stephanie Lydecker, CEO and founder of KT-Studios. “The shows dive into mysterious and untold true-crime stories that will leave listeners spooked and seeking more answers. The support from the iHeartMedia team has been nothing less than extraordinary and we’re thrilled to introduce these stories to loyal, true-crime listeners everywhere.”

All shows on the new slate will be distributed by The iHeartPodcast Network and will be available on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.

About KT-Studios

KT Studios is a full-service development and production company specializing in creating, developing and producing innovative content for all platforms - including unscripted television, podcast, documentary film and other digital media. Our current series include: Injustice with Nancy Grace (Oxygen), The Piketon Family Murders (Oxygen), The Piketon Massacre Podcast (iHeartMedia), The Masked Singer Podcast (Fox) and more. Notably, The Piketon Massacre Podcast season 2 became the #1 podcast in the country and was lauded as one of the best podcasts of the year.

We have a variety of upcoming / yet to be announced projects including: multiple two-hour documentaries for streaming platforms, a true crime series for a major cable network, a five podcast deal for a total of 132 episodes and two new series for digital streaming networks. KT Studios is represented by WME.