Month: May 2025

Libsyn Hires Andy Wright As VP Of Technology

~ jen

Effective immediately, Libsyn announced the appointment of Andy Wright as Vice President of Technology, underscoring its commitment to advancing podcasting through cutting-edge solutions and empowering the next generation of generation of creators.

In this role, Andy will lead Libsyn’s technology strategy and innovation roadmap, guiding the evolution of its integrated platform for creators and advertisers. He will oversee the design and development of tools that enhance podcast hosting, distribution, and monetization — strengthening Libsyn’s position as a leader in creator-first solutions.

With nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of strategic vision and hands-on execution, Andy has a proven track record of building scalable architectures, mentoring high-performing teams, and delivering impactful solutions for brands including Nik, BNY Mellon, USC, and Carnegie Robotics.

His appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Libsyn scales its advertising capabilities, expands creator-focused offerings, and accelerates investment in the future-ready technologies that simplify complexity, elevate user experience, and drive long-term value.

Before joining Libsyn, Andy spend nearly nine years at Robots & Pencils as Principal Full-Stack Developer and Advisor, where he led mission-critical projects, including Slack’s Microsoft OneDrive and Teams Calls integrations, which became the key assets during Slack’s IPO. 

Previously, he served as Chief Software Architect at The Learning House, where he led the technical transition and integrated new architectural standards. Andy also serves as an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University, designing and teaching a master’s-level course on AI and emerging technologies.

Sarah Dabra Joins Leading Podcast Production Company Deadset Studios As Head Of Development

~ jen

Podcast production house Deadset Studios has appointed Sarah Dabro as Head of Development and Executive Producer. Dabro brings more than two decades of experience in television, audio, and digital content to the company’s growing slate of original and commissioned storytelling.

Deadset Studios is led by Kellie Riordan, the creative force behind countless hit shows and previously the founder of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) dedicated podcast team.

Creative Director Kellie Riordan said “With demand for our podcast expertise growing rapidly, the time is right for Deadset Studios to ramp up series development. Sarah brings a depth of experience across documentary, reality, and entertainment formats and shares our vision for bold storytelling.

Dabro has held senior creative roles at Foxtel, ABC, BSKYB, Mamamia, Enamel Shine Australia, and ITV Studios. Her work spans some of Australia’s most ambitious factual and entertainment formats and has been awarded by Kidscreen, Promax, ARIA, and AACTA.

Sarah said: “Joining Deadset Studios is an exciting next step because podcasting is here some of the most innovative storytelling is happening right now. There’s so much potential to tell powerful stories that connect with audiences,” she said.

Deadset Studios has created podcasts for Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) ARN/iHeartRadio, as well as clients ranging from UNSW, Dementia Australia, The University of Sydney, Queensland Human Rights Commission, BBC, VicHealth, and The Pharmacy Guild. The award-winning production house specializes in podcast production, consulting, audio strategy, and branded storytelling.

Wondery Announces First Podcast Distribution And Monetization Deals In Germany

~ jen

Wondery announces it has closed its first podcast distribution and ad-sales representation deals in Germany for two popular podcast across genres, 50+2 – The Football Podcast with Nico & Niklas and Zum Scheitern Verurteilt.

Weekly sports podcast 50+2 —The Football Podcast with Nico & Nicolas was the first to join the Wondery network in Germany. The show sees hosts Niklas Levinsohn and Nico Heyer masterfully combine humorous pop culture references with deep dives into the world of football, from the Bundesliga to the Champions League. 

Audiences can expect weekly episodes filled with detailed analysis, emotional insights and entertaining glimpses in the hosts’ everyday lives. Always in tune with the lates football news, the show tackles topics that matter most to fans. With their unique blend of expertise and casual charm, Niklas and Nico have created a community of engaged listeners who never miss an episode.

April also sees Zum Schitern Verurteilt join the Wondery Network. Every week, comedian, presenter and content creator Laura Larsson and presenter and entertainer Simon Dömer dive deep into their friendship and their lives. They share experiences, hopes, and dreams in an entertaining and real weekly show. 

Zum Scheitern Verurteilt is not a podcast for self-optimization. But the hosts do reflect on their discarded dreams and think about how life could have turned out, if everything they worked out the way they imagined. The podcast has built up a huge and loyal audience, with strong engagement from avid fans.

James Cantor, Head of International, Wondery, commented “Both Zum Scheitern Verurteilt and 50+2 – the Football Podcast with Nico & Niclas are deeply embedded in German culture, with extensive loyal fanbases in Germany and beyond. We’re hugely excited to work with the talented hosts and teams behind both shows to help expand their audience, extend their commercial footprint and connect the shows with the perfect advertising partners.”

50+2 – The Football Podcast with Nico and Nicklas and Mum Scheitern Veruteilt join an expanding slate of Wondery shows in Germany, including successful podcasts Kurt Krömer – Feelings, Was bisher geschah, and Skandal, Skandal.

Forever Dog Productions Announces Three Strategic Hires Across Business, Operations, and Production

~ jen

Forever Dog Productions has made three key hires to accelerate its growth as a vertically-integrated new media studio. Kristen Myers, formerly a Director of Business Development at Stitcher (a SiriusXM company) and Senior Executive in the Audio Department at United Talent Agency, was appointed as Forever Dog’s Head of Business Development. 

Oscar Guido, previously the Head of Business Operations at Treefort Media, joins Strategic Operations Advisor; and Harry Nelson, formerly the Co-Executive Producer at HyperObject Industries, was hired as the Producer on How Was Your Week, the popular comedy podcast created and hosted by Julie Klausner.

Myers, Guido, and Nelson bring leadership experience across digital strategy, business development, financial operations, and creative production — and represent a major step forward as Forever Dog continues building up the infrastructure to scale premium IP across platforms.

“These are the kind of team members we want in the room. People who aren’t afraid of the industry changing, but who are excited to meed the moment and shape what comes next,” said Joseph Cilio, co-founder and CEO of Forever Dog Productions.

Alex Ramsey, co-founder and President of Forever Dog Productions, adds: “These hires represent a leap forward in our studio evolution – from a podcast network to a fully integrated media company capable of building, monetizing, and distributing IP at scale.”

Forever Dog tapped Kristen Myers (the former Head of Business Development at Stitcher, a SiriusXM company, as their new Head of Business Development to spearhead platform strategy, monetization, sales architecture, and partner development across the network. Drawing from her decade of senior experience in podcasting, talent, and digital media, Myers will focus on building out Forever Dog’s revenue ecosystem — from direct sales and brand partnerships to platform licensing and digital monetization strategy.

“I admire what Forever Dog has built,” said Myres. “I’m excited to play a key role in further shaping their position within the creator community and expanding opportunities for the company’s IP across formats.”

To reinforce its financial and operational foundation, Forever Dog has appointed Oscar Guido as Strategic Operations Advisor, where he will lead the development of backend systems and scalable infrastructure. With seasoned experience serving as the Head of Business Operations at Treefort Media, a premium audio studio known for there partnerships with Wondery and Audible, Guido will design the studio’s next-generation financial stack — providing clarity and scalability to show accounting, cost management, and performance tracking.

Along with Myers and Guido, Harry Nelson joins Forever Dog as the Producer of How Was Your Week, the long-standing podcast created and hosted by Julie Klausner. Nelson’s arrival marks the relaunch of the series (previously named one of the “Best Comedy Podcast” by Rolling Stone) and reflects Forever Dog’s commitment to revitalizing legacy podcast IP with fresh energy and smart development.

Recognizing that Nelson previously served as Co-Executive Producer at Hyper Object Industries, his background to reimagine How Was Your Week as a multi-format franchise while supporting a slate of legacy and evergreen titles within the network.

Founded in 2016, Forever Dog Productions has since produced over 100 comedy podcasts, received more than than 250 million downloads worldwide, and earned the respect of the entertainment industry by producing Webby Award-nominated shows with comedy legends, including Tim Heidecker, Bowen Yang, Ayo Edebiri, and Megan Stalter, among others. Forever Dog shows have also appeared on various “Best of” lists, including Time, Esquire, Vulture, and Cosmopolitan.

In 2019, Forever Dog joined world-renowned drag queen Alaska and Willian to start Moguls of Media (MOM), which creates popular queer digital entertainment with a team of drag royalty that includes Delta Work, Meatball, Jinkx Monsoon, and Naomi Smalls. 

Registration Now Open For The 2025 Women Who Podcast Awards

~ jen

Women Who Podcast Media is proud to announce the first ever Women Who Podcasts Awards. Registration is now officially open as of May 1, 2025. Women Who Podcast Awards honors and celebrates independent, women-identified podcasters worldwide. Submissions will be accepted through June 30, 2025.

Founded to spotlight the creative power, influence, and innovation of women in podcasting, the Women Who Podcast Awards champions inclusivity, originality, and excellence in podcasting around the world.

“This event is more than an awards program,” said Kathy Barron, Founder of Women Who Podcast Media and Editor-in-Chief of Women who Podcast magazine. “It’s a celebration of voices that are often underrepresented in the podcast community. We aim to amplify the incredible work being done by women in podcasting and build a supportive space for recognition and growth.”

Who Can Apply:

The awards are open to all independent, women-identified podcasters worldwide. Podcasters can register and submit entries at https://www.womenwhopodcastmag.com/

Key Dates:

Registration Open: May 1, 2025

Submission Deadline: June 30, 2025

About Women Who Podcast Media:

Women Who Podcast Media publishes Women Who Podcast magazine, which was founded in 2021 and has published 17 issues. We celebrate women-identified independent podcasters from all over the world who are committed to their podcasts for the long term. It’s a place where their efforts are seen, their stories are heard, and their hard work is acknowledged.

Women Who Podcast magazine is not only read by podcasters, it has a strong relationship of listeners and is a fantastic place to discover new podcasts and podcasters. We strive to be a forum for fans and hosts to reach out to one another for support, collaboration and inspiration.

These awards are an exciting expansion of Women Who Podcast’s work and we are looking forward to discovering and showcasing even more excellence in women’s podcasting though opportunity. We hope that together, we can fulfill the vision we have for our shared future, including scholarships, mentorships, annual conferences and an expanded learning community. These are exciting times for women who podcast worldwide!

Blanchard House Expands Team With Acclaimed Producers

~ jen

Independent, female-led documentary production company Blanchard House has announced the addition of two acclaimed producers, Alex Gatenby and Maddie Hickish, to its growing team. The hires mark a significant period of expansion for the company, which is set to release five new shows this year in partnership with major distribution platforms. 

Maddie Hickish brings over a decade of experience in crafting successful, narrative-driven podcasts for Audable, iHeart, the BBC, and others. Known for her sharp research and distinctive storytelling voice, Maddie blends investigative depth with creative innovation. Her Audable series Buying Time was praised as “compellingly well told” (The Sunday Times), while Radioman was described as “dazzling” (The Guardian), and Chasing Boaz Manor as “a captivating story” (The Independent).

Alex Gatenby is a seasoned journalist and producer with a background in hard-hitting television documentaries. Drawn to the intimacy and depth of longform audio storytelling, she quickly made her mark in podcasting. Her most recent podcast series, Sea of Lies, was a global chart-topper — reaching number one in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Alex has produced work for CBC, BBC, Channel 4, The Guardian, and The Telegraph, reporting on topics ranging from Russia’s HIV/AIDS epidemic to cold-case murders and high-stakes cons. Her passion lies in telling untold stories that give voice to the unheard and resonate long after the final episode.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Alex and Maddie to the Blanchard House team.” Said Rosie Pye, Creative Director and Co-Founder. “With such an exciting and demanding year ahead, bringing on two exceptionally talented individuals is a huge boost. We’re looking forward to launching some incredible shows in collaboration with our amazing partners.”

A Note From NYPR’s President & CEO Regarding Federal Funding For CPB, NPR, and PBS

~ jen

Following yesterday’s Executive Order on Funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and today’s announcement of the White House’s budget request, NYPR President & CEO LaFontaine E. Oliver shared the below note with listeners. 

New York Public Radio includes WNYC, Gothamist, WQXR, New Jersey Public Radio, The Greene Space and WNYC Studios.

Late last night, the nation learned that President Trump signed an executive order among to eliminate federal funding for NPR and PBS. Today, the White House released its annual budget request, which proposes defunding public media.

If it holds, the executive order will restrict New York Public Radio from using CPB funding to purchase programing or services from NPR. CPB said in a statement that the White House had no legal authority over the company, and NPR called it “an affront to the First Amendment.”

Public radio and public television have enjoyed bipartisan support since 1967. The system has profound impact on Americans in all 50 states and in every type of community – urban, suburban, rural, and remote. This indispensable service costs that American taxpayer about $1.60 a year, and it is one that the majority of Americans want to maintain. Recent polling from the Pew Research Center shows that only 24 percent of Americans support cutting federal funding.

The budget request and executive order are only part of the administration’s ongoing effort to dismantle the American public broadcasting system as we know it. We expect even more to come.

If successful, the effort will exacerbate existing news deserts and create new ones, as public radio has become the main (or only) remaining source for fact-based local news, educational and cultural programming, and critical emergency broadcast services in many communities across the country. 

It would lead to even more misinformation and disinformation, and a further retreat into hyper-partisan platforms. It has been well proven that the erosion of local news increase corruption and decreases voter turnout, civic engagement, and government efficiency.

This is more than a policy debate about the role of the federal government. It’s an attack on the free press, and the very idea of an American public sphere: where information and ideas flow freely, everyone has access to the arts, and neighbors are connected – to one another and to those in power.

So what now? New York Public Radio is moving forward in lockstep with public media stations nationwide. But we can’t do it without you. As the people who drive our community-powered programming – the ones who put the public in public media – you are our most powerful resource.

We must not stand idle. Here’s what you can do right now:

Visit our Stand Together Page, where you can get the latest updates, connect with resources to contact your legislators, and find social media tools to spread the word.

Donate now or increase your current contribution. Help us build a financial firewall to defend against current attacks and secure our future. The most powerful way to support our work is by becoming a sustaining member with a recurring monthly gift.

This is an unprecedented time and there are many questions we don’t yet have the answers to. We will continue to share details with you as we have them. 

For now, know this: New York Public Radio will never retreat from its role as a beacon for news, culture, and civic connection. We will stand together with all of you and with public media stations nationwide — and we will get loud.

We’re radio people, so we know a thing or two about the power of the human voice. Right now, it’s time to stand up, stand together, and make some noise.

LaFontaine E. Oliver – President and CEO New York Public Radio