iHeartPodcasts

In the new weekly podcast, host and baseball superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. will sit down with friends, family and superstars to tell their stories of greatness

WHAT: My Cultura, iHeartMedia’s podcast network dedicated to elevating Latino voices and stories, and Rimas Sports, a premier sports management and brand partnerships agency, today announced the launch of “La Bestia with Ronald Acuña Jr.,” a new Spanish-language podcast offering fans an unprecedented look into the life, career, and mindset of one of baseball’s biggest stars.

Hosted by MLB superstar and 2025 Comeback Player of the Year, Ronald Acuña Jr. will sit down with friends, family and real life heroes to dive into the heart of Latino identity: familia, hustle, music, pressure, pride and the mindset it takes to become “La Bestia” in your own life. From childhood dreams and family dynamics to early failures and make-or-break moments, each episode will dive deep into the origin story of greatness. 

“La Bestia with Ronald Acuña Jr.” is the first show from a new partnership with Rimas Sports in which the Puerto Rican sports agency will co-produce original podcasts and content with iHeartMedia’s My Cultura network. Rimas Sports and iHeartMedia are both committed to building and celebrating the next generation of Latino voices. 

In the first episode, Acuña is joined by his dad. Throughout the series listeners can also expect to hear from rapper and singer Guaynaa; professional baseball players Luisangel Acuña, Gleyber Torres, Maikel Garcia and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.; internet personality Marko Terzo; mentalist Michel Gallero; and more as the Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year and celebrated hype man for Team Venezuela kicks off his show. 

WHEN: The first episode is available today, September 16, 2026 with new episodes releasing weekly on Wednesdays. Fans can listen to the first episode now here.

WHERE: “La Bestia with Ronald Acuña Jr.'' is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. Full video episodes will also be available on iHeart and YouTube.

About Rimas Sports

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

About My Cultura Podcast Network

iHeartMedia’s My Cultura Podcast Network launched May 2021 in collaboration with Enrique Santos, iHeartMedia’s top-rated on-air personality and President and Chief Creative Officer of iHeartLatino, and has since welcomed actor, producer, entrepreneur and activist Wilmer Valderrama along with Eva Longoria and her studio Hyphenate Media Group as stakeholders. Since launch, the network has seen steady listener growth and has become home to more than 60 podcasts including hit series “Suite 305 with Lele Pons,” “Bleep! with Ana Navarro,” “Latino USA,” “Against All Odds with Yris Palmer,” “Agushto Papá,” “How Hard Can It Be? with Diana Maria Riva,” “No Safe Words with October and Tony Gonzalez,” “Soul Searching with Chiquis,” Wilmer Valderrama’s “Dos Amigos,” “Hungry for History with Eva Longoria and Maite Gomez-Rejón,” "Magical Rewind,” “Tengo Testimonio with Jorge Lozano,” “Radio Ambulante," “Enrique Santos Podcast,” and many more. All My Cultura shows are distributed by iHeartPodcasts. Listeners can find the full catalog of My Cultura podcasts here.

The weekly series, premiering September 11, breaks down the biggest moments across soccer and football through the lens of two active pros

NEW YORK – September 8, 2026 – iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher according to Podtrac, today announced “Big Kick Energy with Cameron Dicker and Timothy Tillman,” a new weekly sports podcast hosted by Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker, who holds the highest career field-goal percentage in NFL history, and Los Angeles Football Club midfielder Timothy Tillman. The series will premiere Friday, September 11, with new episodes available every Friday on the iHeartRadio app and wherever podcasts are heard.

Built for fans who love all forms of football, the podcast brings together two professional athletes from opposite sides of the sports world for candid conversations and expert analysis spanning soccer, football and the culture surrounding both. From the pressure of a game-winning field goal to the tension of a penalty kick, Dicker and Tillman will break down the technique, mentality and moments that can decide a match in seconds.

“I am so excited about the launch of ‘Big Kick Energy’. Soccer was the first sport I fell in love with growing up, and ultimately it’s what led me to kicking and my career in the NFL,” said Dicker. “This podcast gives me the opportunity to come full circle and share my true passion for the game of soccer, while hopefully giving something back to the sport that has given me so much. I’m excited to blend my love for soccer and football in one place, share some fun stories, and have conversations with great guests from across the game. What better way to grow your fandom than to learn not only how the game works, but more importantly, about the people who make it what it is.”

With access and perspective shaped by their careers at the highest levels of their respective sports, Dicker and Tillman will take listeners beyond the highlights each week. The duo will react to the biggest storylines across the global game, unpack what fans may miss from the stands and bring listeners inside the experiences of professional athletes, all through the perspective of two lifelong fans who simply love talking ball.

"For me, soccer has always been about more than just what happens on the field,” said Tillman. “It’s brought me so many great experiences, friendships, and memories, and has taught me a lot about teamwork, discipline, resilience, and being part of something bigger. But most importantly, soccer should be fun. That’s what we want to bring to this podcast. Good vibes, real conversations, great guests, and a love for the game, while making soccer more accessible and fun for everyone."

Dicker, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, brings a rare perspective to the show. Raised in Shanghai, China, where he developed a lifelong love of soccer, Dicker went on to become one of the NFL’s premier specialists. Now with the Los Angeles Chargers, his understanding of kicking mechanics and performing under pressure gives him a unique lens on the defining moments of both sports. Away from the field, he remains an avid soccer supporter who has spent years following the game from the stands.

Tillman brings the perspective of a player shaped by soccer on two continents. After developing in Germany’s elite youth system, including time with Bayern Munich, he built his professional career in Germany before joining the Los Angeles Football Club in Major League Soccer. As a midfielder, Tillman brings first-hand insight from inside the locker room, on the training ground and under the stadium lights, pairing technical analysis with the perspective of someone who grew up as a fan before becoming a professional.

"We’re not just making a sports show, we’re blowing the doors off what a sports show can be,” said Leo Gomez, Head of the iHeart Soccer Network. “Two iconic young voices. Two leagues. Two massive fanbases. One stage, coming together to celebrate soccer. That only happens because soccer culture is getting bigger, louder, and more undeniable every day. This show isn’t just part of that growth... it’s the receipt" 

“Big Kick Energy with Cameron Dicker and Timothy Tillman” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard on September 11.

The iHeartPodcast Celebrates Almost 700 Episodes Cementing Bones as One of the Top Personalities in Entertainment, The BobbyCast Recently Joined Netflix’s Global Slate in Partnership with iHeartMedia

NASHVILLE, TN (September 3, 2026) — Ten years and almost 700 episodes, Bobby Bones has turned a microphone and an insatiable curiosity into a global media franchise. This month, iHeartPodcast Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of genuine and surprising conversations with the biggest stars in music, entertainment, sports and culture. 

What started as a place for Bobby to have more intimate and in-depth discussions with those he admired has grown into a podcast juggernaut with a worldwide platform, garnering over 92 million monthly social media impressions and 5.4 million social media followers. 

In January, The BobbyCast became the first Nashville-based podcast to debut on Netflix, as part of the streamer’s inaugural deal with iHeartMedia, bringing Bobby to a global audience. 

“The BobbyCast started as an opportunity to have real, candid conversations with people I was curious to learn more about,” said Bobby Bones. “Ten years later, I’m still curious, and I’m incredibly grateful that people continue to want to confide in me.”

The force behind The Bobby Bones Show, America’s #1 country morning show, and the popular Country Top 30 with Bobby Bones weekend show, which reach more than 10M listeners monthly across more than 200 stations nationwide, Bobby was an early believer in the power of podcasting, launching The BobbyCast long before podcasts became a central part of the celebrity ecosystem. 

A prolific award winner, 2x New York Times best-selling author, stand-up comedian, chart-topping recording artist, philanthropist, Dancing with the Stars’ winner and the youngest-ever inductee into the National Radio Hall of Fame, Bobby has built a reach that spans syndicated radio, podcasting, social platforms and global streaming, making him one of today’s most dynamic and successful personalities in entertainment. 

“For the past 10 years, 'The BobbyCast' has earned a reputation as one of podcasting’s most respected interview shows. Bobby’s curiosity and ability to create genuine conversations make the podcast a favorite among listeners and guests, and we’re proud to celebrate this milestone with him," said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. 

Additionally, Bobby’s podcast network in partnership with iHeartMedia (Nashville Podcast Network) includes series like 25 Whistles with Bobby Bones (A Football Podcast), Battleground Podcast, Feeling Things with Amy & Kat, Get Real with Caroline Hobby, In The Vet's Office with Dr. Josie Horchak, Movie Mike's Movie Podcast, Sore Losers, The Upload with Brooke Taylor and more.

KEEP UP WITH BOBBY BONES

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About Bobby Bones
Bobby Bones “has carved out a place for himself in nearly every corner of the entertainment world” (American Profile). A magnetic, multi-hyphenate, Bones is the force behind America’s #1 Country morning show The Bobby Bones Show and the popular Country Top 30 with Bobby Bones weekend show on iHeartRadio, which reach more than 10 million listeners monthly across 200 stations nationwide. The award-winning show is a four-time CMA Award and four-time ACM Award winner and earned Bones the distinction of becoming the youngest-ever inductee into the prestigious National Radio Hall of Fame. The “media multitasker” (Billboard) has also emerged as an early force in podcasting with his podcast, Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast. In January 2026, The BobbyCast became the first Nashville-based podcast to debut on Netflix, bringing Bones’ candid, revealing long-form conversations with top artists, actors, athletes and industry heavyweights to a global audience. Beyond radio and podcasting, Bones is a two-time #1 New York Times bestselling author and winner of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. For more information, visit BobbyBones.com.

Stamos reveals the Full House memorabilia he kept, talks about his true crime obsession and shares the dark role he wants to play next

Listeners can hear the 300th episode now HERE

WHAT: Exactly Right Media (ERM) and iHeartPodcasts celebrate the milestone 300th episode of “That’s Messed Up: An SVU Podcast,” which has surpassed more than 22 million lifetime downloads. In the episode, hosts Liza Treyger and Kara Klenk revisit “Bang” (Season 12, Episode 22) with the episode’s guest star, John Stamos. 

In the wide-ranging conversation, Treyger and Klenk get Stamos talking about everything from his memorable role on SVU to his decades-long history performing with the Beach Boys. Stamos also reveals the Full House memorabilia he’s held onto—including the iconic Tanner family couch.

Treyger and Klenk also dig into Stamos’ real-life fascination with true crime and his interest in taking on darker characters—sharing the role he’d like to tackle next: “I want to play a cult leader.” Stamos also tells the hosts that he has acquired the rights to a Dateline story for a project currently in development.

WHO: Hosted by comedians Liza Treyger and Kara Klenk, “That’s Messed Up: An SVU Podcast” breaks down episodes of NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU” each week, taking listeners inside the true crimes that inspired the series and featuring candid conversations about pop culture, entertainment, television and more. Past guests have included SVU cast members Kelli Giddish, Danny Pino, Dann Florek and BD Wong, helping make the podcast a destination for SVU and true crime fans.

“That’s Messed Up: An SVU Podcast” is part of the Exactly Right Media Podcast Network, with iHeartMedia serving as the exclusive sales, marketing and distribution partner for ERM’s full slate of premium podcasts.

WHEN: The 300th episode will be released September 1, 2026, with new episodes releasing weekly on Tuesdays.

WHERE: “That’s Messed Up: An SVU Podcast” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is available on the iHeartRadio App and everywhere podcasts are heard. Listen now HERE.

About Exactly Right Media

The Exactly Right podcast network provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. Created by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, hosts of the hit podcast My Favorite Murder, the Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics and voices, serving the highly engaged listenership.

In the new weekly podcast premiering September 1, October and Tony Gonzalez take listeners behind closed doors as they bring on other couples in the public eye for honest conversations on navigating real-life relationship struggles, laughing through the chaos, and making love last

NEW YORK — August 25, 2026 — My Cultura, iHeartMedia’s podcast network dedicated to elevating Latino voices and stories, and SMAC Productions today announced “No Safe Words with October and Tony Gonzalez,” a new weekly podcast premiering September 1 that will peel back the realities of long-term relationships through honest, unfiltered conversations with high-profile and celebrity couples. Fans can hear the official audio trailer now here.

Married for more than 20 years, television host, and TV personality October Gonzalez and her husband, Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, know firsthand that a great relationship isn't born – it's built. From managing a dynamic blended family to balancing life in the media, they bring decades of real-world experience to "No Safe Words." Together with their guests, Tony and October deliver an unfiltered look at modern marriage, giving listeners a real look into the messy and beautiful work of staying connected.

“Relationships aren’t something you just get lucky with; they’re actively built through constant hard work every single day with your partner, across all areas,” said Tony and October Gonzalez. “In our time together, we’ve seen it all—big life transitions, having kids and combining families, weathering media attention, and more. A lot of couples don’t talk about these things because they’re afraid, but we’ve learned that being completely honest with each other actually makes things so much easier. We don’t have all the answers, though, and we’re still learning new things about communication every day. We’re looking forward to learning right alongside our listeners about different ways we can communicate deeper and grow together no matter what stage we’re at.”

Part memoir, part comedy and part relationship revolution, "No Safe Words" will create space for authentic conversations about love, conflict, communication, parenting and evolving together through life's different seasons. 

“October and Tony are legends in their own worlds, and the relationship they’ve built resonates because it’s rooted in honesty, growth and authenticity,” said Leo Gomez, Head of iHeartMedia’s My Cultura Podcast Network. “Bringing them together to share personal stories and candid conversations about love, marriage and family creates something truly rare—and potentially as iconic as the two of them. With ‘No Safe Words,’ listeners will get access to a side of their lives that is seldom shared publicly. We’re proud to welcome them to My Cultura and continue expanding our slate with voices that reflect the depth, influence and diversity of our community.”

iHeartMedia’s My Cultura Podcast Network launched May 2021 in collaboration with Enrique Santos, iHeartMedia’s top-rated on-air personality and President and Chief Creative Officer of iHeartLatino, and has since welcomed actor, producer, entrepreneur and activist Wilmer Valderrama along with Eva Longoria and her studio Hyphenate Media Group as stakeholders. Since launch, the network has seen steady listener growth and has become home to more than 60 podcasts including hit series “Chiquis and Chill,” “The Moment with Jorge Ramos and Paola Ramos,” “Bleep! with Ana Navarro,” “Against All Odds with Yris Palmer,” “More Better with Stephanie & Melissa,” “Princess of South Beach,'' “Sacred Scandal,” “Radio Ambulante,” “Magical Rewind,” “Agushto Papá,” “Enrique Santos Podcast,” “Suite 305 with Lele Pons,” “Dos Amigos with Wilmer Valderrama,” “Latino USA,” and many more. All My Cultura shows are distributed by iHeartPodcasts. Listeners can find the full catalog of My Cultura podcasts here.

The first episode of “No Safe Words” will premiere September 1, with new episodes released weekly on Tuesdays. Listen on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. 

About SMAC Productions

SMAC Productions is the premium content division of SMAC Entertainment, founded by Constance Schwartz-Morini and Michael Strahan, producing scripted and non-scripted television, film, audio and branded content for a wide range of networks and distributors, including HBO, Prime Video, Showtime, BET, ABC, ESPN, E!, NBCUniversal, DIRECTV, NFL Network, Nickelodeon, Roku, Audible, VICE and Turner. Recent credits include two Sports Emmy-nominated docuseries for Prime Video, Evolution of the Black Quarterback and the third season of Deion Sanders’ Coach Prime, the critically acclaimed documentary BS High (HBO Max), The Coach Vick Experience (BET), The Future Is Flag (Prime Video), It’s In the Game: Madden NFL (Prime Video), Black Comedy in America (VICE), and the feature film The Underdoggs (MGM). Other credits include $100,000 Pyramid (ABC), More Than an Athlete (ESPN), The Cost of Winning (HBO), Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood (E!), Play it Forward (Showtime), The Cupcake Guys (Roku), and Snoop Dogg Presents The Joker’s Wild (TNT). Upcoming projects include a three-part docuseries on Deion Sanders (Netflix); a new podcast network, The Intersection, in partnership with AMP Media; the highly anticipated movie Madden (Prime Video/MGM), starring Nicolas Cage, Christian Bale, and Shane Gillis; and a content slate with Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s Boardroom. For more information, visit www.smac-ent.com. 

The 13-episode investigative series created in partnership with Crowd Network and High Road Entertainment delves into the killing of 24 Iraqi civilians by U.S. Marines

NEW YORK – AUGUST 24, 2026 – iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher according to Podtrac, and the Oscar-nominated filmmaker Michael Epstein today announced the launch of “Fault Line: Haditha,” a 13-episode investigative podcast and companion documentary series that re-examines one of the most controversial incidents of the Iraq War and the two-decade fight over what happened, who should be held accountable and whether the full truth was ever allowed to emerge. 

On November 19, 2005, 24 Iraqi civilians were killed by U.S. Marines in the city of Haditha. The killings would become the subject of the longest and most expensive criminal investigation in U.S. military history, drawing international scrutiny and raising questions about accountability within the military. 

At the center of “Fault Line: Haditha” is former NCIS Special Agent Michael Maloney, who was assigned to investigate the killings. As Maloney pursued the case, he encountered political pressure, disputed testimony and what he came to believe were efforts by senior officials to undermine the investigation. His pursuit of the case would ultimately come at a significant cost to his career.

Twenty years later, Epstein returns to Haditha to examine what happened and what followed. Produced in collaboration with Crowd Network and High Road Entertainment, the series draws on years of reporting, documentary footage and extensive interviews to reconstruct the killings, the NCIS investigation, the subsequent legal proceedings and the lasting impact on the Marines involved and the Iraqi families whose lives were changed that day.

Each podcast episode will be accompanied by an original film on YouTube featuring extended scenes, archival material and interviews that expand upon the audio investigation. The footage includes interviews with Marines involved in the incident, NCIS investigators who worked the case and the sole surviving Iraqi eyewitness, who lost members of her family in the killings. 

“This is a new kind of storytelling, a serialized investigation you hear on a podcast and then watch on YouTube. This isn't just a video version of the audio. These are two distinct experiences that complement each other,” said Epstein. “As a filmmaker and a journalist, the most exciting thing for me is that there is no gatekeeper. I am able to take my investigation and all the revelations I’ve uncovered directly to a global audience.”

Epstein is an Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker and podcast producer whose work has earned two George Foster Peabody Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Writers Guild of America Award. His films have screened at the Sundance Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and New York Film Festival. His credits include “The Battle Over Citizen Kane,” “LENNONYC” and “John & Yoko: Above Us Only Sky.” His 2020 investigative podcast “Murder in House Two” reached No. 1 on Apple Podcasts’ True Crime chart in the UK. 

“‘Fault Line: Haditha’ represents the kind of ambitious investigative storytelling that podcasts are uniquely suited to deliver,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “Michael has spent years examining this story, bringing together firsthand accounts, extensive reporting and remarkable access to revisit questions that have remained unresolved for two decades. We’re proud to partner with Michael, Crowd Network and High Road Entertainment to bring this important investigation to audiences across both audio and video.” 

“Over the last two decades, there have been hundreds of reported stories that sought to tell the truth of what happened in Haditha,” said Michael Carr, CEO, Crowd Network. “But Michael approached this tragedy differently. He never stopped questioning. He never stopped searching for the truth. His relentless passion and gift for storytelling reveal themselves not only in this podcast, but in the companion films that let audiences see this story, not just hear it.”

“Michael and I have worked together on this story of Haditha for many years now, driven by a shared vision of getting it heard as far and wide as possible,” said Richard Tulk-Hart, co-CEO, High Road Entertainment. “The more recent developments of this highly emotional and complex case have allowed for the podcast to come together in this unique format combining audio and documentary footage, and iHeart's support has been instrumental. Conversations are now underway to bring the remarkable story to our screens, continuing to allow these voices to be heard.”

“Fault Line: Haditha” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. Video episodes will be available on YouTube.

About Michael Epstein

Michael Epstein is an Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker and podcast producer whose work has been awarded two George Foster Peabody Awards, two Primetime Emmys, a Writers Guild of America Award, a Clio, and numerous other honors. His films have been screened at dozens of international festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival, the Berlinalé, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the New York Film Festival. His first documentary film, The Battle Over Citizen Kane, was awarded a Peabody and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Epstein’s other work includes Combat Diary (Primetime Emmy nomination), LENNONYC (Peabody and Primetime Emmy Awards), and John & Yoko: Above Us Only Sky (International Emmy nomination). Epstein’s original podcast series, “Murder in House Two,” was released in 2020 and became the #1 True Crime podcast (Apple) in the UK.

About Crowd Network

Crowd Network is a multi-platform content company creating and commercialising talent-led brands across sport, entertainment, and culture. Founded in 2020 and based in Manchester, England, Crowd works with some of the world’s leading athletes, broadcasters, and creators to build content brands that live across YouTube, social, audio, and live experiences. Its portfolio includes the For the Love network of sports content brands, alongside partnerships with major global brands and organisations.

About High Road Entertainment

High Road Entertainment is a scripted production and advisory company founded by Richard Tulk-Hart, former co-CEO of Buccaneer, and James Durie, former head of scripted television at Cineflix Rights. The company has its own slate of film and Television in development and recently helped set up BBC/Masterpiece series, “Portrait of a Lady” as well as “Mavis” for ITV. It is involved in multiple co-productions across the UK, US and International markets and represents a variety of high-end production companies. High Road also advises scripted producers on financing and distribution.

A new scripted audio series written and created by Stephen Kronish and starring actors Michael Imperioli, Steve Schirripa and Ray Abruzzo premieres Tuesday, September 1

NEW YORK — August 24, 2026 — iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, Thoroughbred Studios and Goldhawk Productions today announced the launch of “UnderGround Zero: 9/11 & The Mob | Starring Michael Imperioli & Steve Schirripa,” a powerful new scripted drama podcast that tells the untold story of how the New York Mafia made millions in the aftermath of the fall of the Twin Towers on 9/11.

Written and created by Stephen Kronish (The Kennedys, 24), it stars four of the cast of “The Sopranos.” Led and executive produced by Michael Imperioli and featuring Steve Schirripa, Ray Abruzzo and Arthur Nascarella. “UnderGround Zero” is the third title to be released from the Thoroughbred Studios and iHeartPodcasts slate of historical shows, focused on significant events and figures that have shaped the past century. Listen to the trailer for “UnderGround Zero” now.

Premiering on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 with all episodes available, the series will take listeners back exactly 25 years to September 11, 2001. While 3,000 families mourned their loved ones and the world grieved with them, five crime families saw a twisted opportunity to profit – “UnderGround Zero” tells this story.

Less than two hours after the Twin Towers collapsed on 9/11, fire-fighters, police officers and rescue workers battled flames, explosions, choking dust – and a city in chaos – to save the living and remove the dead. Across the East River, in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge, an emergency meeting was underway. The men gathered there were powerful, polished and well connected. Like the rest of America, they were shocked by the destruction, furious at the attack and moved by the suffering of its victims. 

But they were not like the rest of America. They saw a nefarious opportunity and turned catastrophe into an enormous windfall. Their scheme might have succeeded on an even greater scale were it not for one dedicated and courageous cop. Because of him, many of the men involved were ultimately convicted and imprisoned. 

Based on real events, “UnderGround Zero” will reveal a shocking true story born in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 – one that has never been told. Names of the guilty have been changed to protect the innocent and certain events have been dramatized, but the story at the heart of “UnderGround Zero” is true. 

“UnderGround Zero” is the personal story of two men, each doing their jobs, whose lives are irrevocably changed as they confront their past – and each other.

“As a New Yorker who lived through 9/11, this story resonated with me immediately,” said Executive Producer Michael Imperioli. “UnderGround Zero is rooted in crime and investigation, but ultimately, it’s a story about family, loyalty and survival. I’m excited to step into the role of Lt. Frank Sturiano."

“Like Michael, it was a story I thought I knew, but I didn’t,” said Steve Schirripa. “Working again with my former Soprano castmates Ray Abruzzo and Arthur Nascarella is always a pleasure, and being given the opportunity to help bring to light this horrific event was very worthwhile."

“UnderGround Zero” is part of iHeartPodcasts’ ongoing collaboration with Thoroughbred Studios, a joint venture from Jeff Bewkes (former Chairman and CEO of Time Warner), Sir Howard Stringer (former Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation) and television veteran, Jeremy Fox. Building on series including “Buzz” and “Saigon,” the partnership focuses on developing premium drama podcasts that explore defining moments and untold stories from the past century, bringing cinematic storytelling to some of the most consequential events in modern history.

Jeff Bewkes, Chairman of Thoroughbred Studios said: “One of the first things I did when I became Head of HBO was to greenlight ‘The Sopranos.’ It’s a decision I’ve never regretted. Now, 25 years later to tell this important story, it was the perfect opportunity to bring back that amazing cast.”  

“‘Underground Zero’ resonates deeply with me because it brings back powerful memories,” said Sir Howard Stringer, Executive Producer. “This was when I was at CBS and we made ‘Essay on the Mafia’ with Nic Pileggi who went on to write both ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Casino.’”

“Recording ‘UnderGround Zero’ in the city itself was essential to capturing the story’s pulse,” added John Scott Dryden, Director.  “Working with a cast of almost entirely New Yorkers – many of whom experienced that fateful day firsthand – gave the drama an authenticity that could never be manufactured. The city doesn’t simply provide a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right.”

“Great storytelling has the power to transport listeners and bring history to life in a deeply personal way,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “‘UnderGround Zero’ is exactly the kind of premium storytelling we’re proud to bring to our audiences, and to really allow listeners to fully immerse themselves in this story, we will release all the episodes in one day.”

“UnderGround Zero: 9/11 & The Mob | Starring Michael Imperioli & Steve Schirripa” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available September 1 on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. 

Listen to today’s new episode featuring Langston Kerman, HERE

Video episodes now available, HERE

WHAT: “Scam Goddess”, the award-winning comedy podcast dedicated to fraud and all those who practice it, joins iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell's Big Money Players podcast network (BMP) and expands into video, allowing fans to watch the full-length episodes for the first time.

Named one of TIME Magazine's 10 Best Podcasts of 2022, “Scam Goddess” has grown from an acclaimed podcast into a bestselling book, a Hulu television series and a sold-out national live tour. 

In every episode, the Scam Goddess herself, Laci Mosley (A Black Lady Sketch Show, iCarly, Going Dutch), covers the hottest scams on the streets today while also giving in-depth breakdowns of the wildest robberies, rackets and capers throughout history. It's like true crime, but without all the death—aka True Con! Plus, Mosley is always joined by hilarious guests like Conan O'Brien, Miranda Cosgrove, Jameela Jamil, Lamorne Morris, Ayo Edebiri, Gayle King, Nicole Byer, Matt Rogers and more. Join the Scam Goddess "Con-gregation" to experience the funny side of fraud. And as Mosley always says, “stay schemin'!”

The first video episode, “F.R.A.U.D. is Dope the Jonathan Dupiton Con with Langston Kerman,” premieres today and will feature comedian and “My Momma Told Me” host Langston Kerman. He will join the show to break down AI ads, beach ab shots and shoddy merch Jonathan Dupiton released for Dupiton’s podcast "Rich and Unemployed." 

WHO: Comedian Laci Mosley and iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players podcast network. See the full lineup of Big Money Player podcasts HERE. Full host bio below.

WHEN: “Scam Goddess” is available through BMP now, with its first full-length video episode premiering today, August 18, 2026, on YouTube at 12 p.m. PT. New episodes are released weekly on Tuesdays and classic episodes re-released every Friday. 

WHERE: Scam Goddess is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. Listen now, HERE. Video episodes are now available on YouTube. 

About Laci Mosley

Comedian, actress, producer, writer, bestselling author, and self-proclaimed "Queen of Scam," Laci Mosley has been at the forefront of the true crime and scam storytelling phenomenon since launching Scam Goddess in 2019. Over the last seven years, she has transformed her original concept into the Scam Goddess empire; a multiplatform franchise spanning podcasting, publishing, television, and live entertainment. Named one of TIME Magazine's 10 Best Podcasts of 2022, Scam Goddess has grown from an acclaimed podcast into a bestselling book, a Hulu television series, and a sold-out national Live Nation tour, with Laci performing her one woman show at iconic venues including House of Blues Chicago and Gramercy Theatre in New York City, as well as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and Dallas.

About Big Money Players

Founded by Will Ferrell and iHeartMedia, the Big Money Players Network is the premiere destination for comedy podcasts and home to top comedic talent across a variety of formats and styles – both scripted and unscripted. In addition to audio’s No. 1 comedy “The Ron Burgundy Podcast,” BMP features long-running hits like “Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang,” “Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim,” “Hollywood Handbook,”  “StraightioLab” and more. All BMP podcasts are executive produced by Will Ferrell and iHeartMedia and are distributed by iHeartPodcasts. See the full catalog here.

Since launching in 2021, the network has surpassed 750 million downloads, launched 27 podcasts, including a new series hosted by journalist Dr. James Stout 

NEW YORK — August 17, 2026 — iHeartMedia today celebrates the fifth anniversary of Cool Zone Media, a progressive podcast network powered by journalist Robert Evans and managing executive producer Sophie Lichterman that chronicles the divisive truths of the past and present in order to help build a better, more informed future. Since launching in August 2021, the network has grown from an ambitious slate of original podcasts into one of iHeartPodcasts' leading destinations for investigative journalism and storytelling, producing 27 podcasts spanning more than 4,450 episodes and over 750 million downloads.

Five years later, Cool Zone Media continues to elevate emerging and established journalists, historians and creators tackling some of today’s most pressing political, historical and cultural issues, earning multiple Webby Awards and Webby People’s Voice Awards recognizing its excellence in podcast journalism and storytelling. The network’s journalists have reported on the ground from major protests, conflicts and crises around the world, including the Stop Cop City protests in Atlanta, the U.S.-Mexico border, the Darién Gap, Myanmar and Syria, while providing in-depth coverage of stories and movements often overlooked or underexplored by mainstream media.  “Better Offline,” hosted by Ed Zitron, has also emerged as a leading critical voice on artificial intelligence and the technology industry. As traditional news outlets continue to face mounting challenges, Cool Zone Media remains a home for original reporting and perspectives from journalists and thinkers including Dr. Dana El-Kurd, Steven Monacelli, Bridget Todd, Kevin Foster, Kim Kelly, Jamie Loftus, Andrew Sage, Jake Hanrahan and Carlos Berríos Polanco.

“In five years we’ve built a network that reaches millions of people every month with stories that help them understand the world we’ve all been thrust into,” said Evans, Head of Content for Cool Zone Media.

“I am deeply proud of our exceptional Cool Zone Media team and our unwavering commitment to reporting thoughtful, meaningful stories from around the world,” said Lichterman.

Anchored by flagship series "Behind the Bastards," "It Could Happen Here" and "Hood Politics," Cool Zone Media has become home to some of iHeartPodcasts' most influential and acclaimed programming. The network has continued to expand its slate with original series including "Weird Little Guys," "Better Offline," "Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff," and "Cool Zone Media Book Club."

“I’m not sure I’ve seen a podcast network with the level of loyalty that Cool Zone has built over the past five years,” said Will Pearson, President of the iHeartPodcasts Network. “With each new launch in the slate, the Cool Zone fans are ready to jump in and spread the word. It’s a testament to the incredible time and dedication Robert, Sophie and the whole Cool Zone team have put into every show in their roster.” 

Continuing that momentum, Cool Zone Media today debuts its newest original podcast, "Natural Causes," furthering the network’s mission to chronicle the defining issues shaping today's world. Hosted by journalist Dr. James Stout, the weekly podcast explores the outdoors, public lands, agriculture, colonialism and Land Back – which advocates for the return of Indigenous lands and stewardship to Native communities – through a progressive lens. Blending serious journalism with firsthand experience, the series will examine the growing threats facing public lands, from climate change and government policy to extractive industries, while inviting listeners into the fight to protect these places for generations to come. The first episode of "Natural Causes" premieres today, August 17, and is available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. 

“I’m beyond excited to share stories that are far too often overlooked or engaged with through tropes and stereotypes,” said Dr. James Stout. “Cool Zone Media has a great platform and following, and it means a lot to be able to share that platform with people whose voices ought to be heard. We are kicking off the show with a look into agricultural labor rights and food safety and how we can learn from and embrace Indigenous fire knowledge.” 

In addition to “Natural Causes,” Cool Zone Media will continue to expand its slate with new and upcoming original series. “Executive Disorder: White House Weekly,” featuring Garrison Davis, Robert Evans, Mia Wong, and Dr. James Stout, combines on-the-ground journalism and analysis to examine immigration, environmental collapse, the economy and the expansion of authoritarianism. Other upcoming series include “Knowledge Fight Country,” hosted by Dan Friesen, which will examine the ideas and figures shaping right-wing media through a critical and humorous lens, as well as a new weekly podcast from Robert Evans and Joe Kassabian exploring the sprawling lore and real-world history behind “Warhammer 40,000.” 

About Cool Zone Media

Cool Zone Media is a podcast network helmed by investigative journalist Robert Evans and executive producer Sophie Lichterman, with a mission to build a brighter future through storytelling from vital voices. The network is named for a phrase popularized in 2020, “The Cool Zone,” used to describe periods of history where anything appears possible - for better or worse. With more than 750 million downloads across its podcasts, Cool Zone Media chronicles the divisive truths of the past and present with a message to bring about a better, more informed future. Current slate includes: “Behind the Bastards,” “It Could Happen Here,” “Hood Politics,” “Weird Little Guys,” “Better Offline,” “Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff,” “Cool Zone Media Book Club,” and “Natural Causes.” Cool Zone Media is distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network. 

Premiering August 17, host Elizabeth Smart brings her unique perspective as a survivor and advocate to powerful conversations with survivors of impossible circumstances

NEW YORK – August 10, 2026 – iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced the launch of “The Survivor Files with Elizabeth Smart,” a new weekly true crime anthology podcast hosted by kidnapping survivor and longtime advocate Elizabeth Smart. Co-produced by Marwar Junction Productions, the 48-episode series will premiere August 17, with new episodes released every Monday. Fans can listen to “The Survivor Files” trailer now HERE.

Building on more than two decades of Smart’s advocacy, “The Survivor Files” will bring listeners inside the experiences most people only hear about from the outside. Through a hybrid format that pairs documentary-style storytelling with intimate conversations, the weekly series will follow survivors of abductions, home invasions, assaults and other traumatic events as they share the experiences that changed their lives with host Elizabeth Smart before joining her to explore the lifelong process of healing, justice and reclaiming what violence nearly took away. The series will also include special episodes that invite those at home into the conversation through listener-submitted questions.

“I’m so excited and proud to team up with iHeart and Marwar Junction to launch ‘The Survivor Files with Elizabeth Smart,’” said Smart. “My hope is to honor the extraordinary strength, resilience, hope and courage of survivors. Each of our stories are unique, but so many share a common thread: the strength to keep moving forward in the face of hell. I want this podcast to remind people that we are more than what we experience – and that we are so much stronger than we believed.” 

"Elizabeth's voice has become synonymous with resilience, hope and survivor advocacy,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “Through 'The Survivor Files,' she brings a deeply personal perspective to stories that deserve to be told with compassion. We're excited to partner with Elizabeth and Marwar Junction Productions on a series that expands the true crime genre in such a personal and meaningful way."

"We are honored Elizabeth asked us to help her launch this important podcast," said Joseph Freed of Marwar Junction Productions. "These stories have never been more important, and Elizabeth brings them to life with authenticity and care."

“The Survivor Files with Elizabeth Smart” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard on August 17. 

PRESS NOTES: 

Hi-res cover art is available to download HERE. 

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About Elizabeth Smart

The abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time. Now, Elizabeth Smart is an advocate, author, and founder of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation. After being kidnapped from her Salt Lake City home in 2002 and safely returned to her family nine months later, Smart became one of the country’s most visible voices on child safety, survivor advocacy, trauma recovery, and hope after tragedy. Her recent Netflix documentary was #1 in ten countries, reinforcing the enduring power of her story.

Smart has worked to support child-abduction prevention and recovery efforts, including advocacy around the National AMBER Alert system, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, and other safety initiatives. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir My Story and Where There’s Hope, a deeply personal book about healing, resilience, and reclaiming life after trauma. Through her public speaking, writing, advocacy, and media work, Smart continues to use her experience to help survivors feel seen, support families, and encourage communities to remain vigilant in protecting children. Her voice brings compassion, credibility, and lived experience to conversations about survival, justice, and the possibility of life beyond trauma.