Author: jen

Top Climate Podcast Relaunches Ahead of Critical Year

~ jen

Leading climate podcast Outrage + Optimism, hosted by former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres with political strategist Tom Rivett-Carnac and business consultant Paul Dickinson, is relaunching ahead of a critical year for climate action.

Ahead of its 11th season, the podcast has hired the award-winning UK-based production company, Persephonica, behind hit shows such as Political Currency and Miss Me? To help grow the success of the show.

From Trump’s inauguration in the US and shifting dynamics in global climate policies, to exclusive conversations behind the scenes and on stage at all the crucial climate events of 2025, Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast will offer listeners unrivaled access and insight.

Christiana Figueres, co-host of Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast and former UN Executive Secretary on climate said: “This is the climate podcast for anyone simply not willing to give up on being able to create a better world. 2025 is the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, it’s also halfway through ‘the most decisive decade.’

‘In keeping with Outrage + Optimism, I acknowledge that were are far behind where we ought to be in order to reach our targets in 2030. At the same time, I see evidence that we are increasing speed and scale of so many of the available solutions, so that if we understand what the concept of exponential is, we could still hit the 2030 targets.”

Episodes will kick off with a forward-looking analysis of 2025, including the Copernicus report on world carbon emissions and reflections on 10 years’ since the Paris climate agreement, which was delivered by Cristiana in her role as Executive Secretary of the talks. The relaunch is accompanied by refreshed art, music and a strategic focus on video, as the host team prepares for a pivotal year of climate events and stories.

A key priority will be welcoming a wider audience to the climate conversation with exclusive interview with some of the world’s top thinkers and decision makers, as well as a new series exploring what happens when multilateralism is challenged and progressive conversations around alternative levels of change.

Dino Sofos, CEO of Persephonica, said: “We are extremely proud to be producing the world’s leading climate podcast, Persephonica prides itself on taking listeners to the heart of the biggest news stories — and stories don’t come much bigger than climate change.

“With the help of the most knowledgable and influential hosts, – Christina, Tom and Paul – we will take listeners behind the scenes on the politics of the climate crisis. This podcast is essential listening for anyone who wants to understand what’s really going on and how decisions that affect us all are made.

Slate’s ICYMI Podcast Adds Kate Lindsey As New Co-Host

~ jen

ICYMI listeners rejoice! We’re thrilled to announce Kate Lindsey is joining Slate’s internet culture podcast as its new co-host, Kate joins ICYMI’s current co-host Candice Lim and their first episode is out.

Kate Lindsey is a technology and culture writer and author of the internet culture newsletter Embedded. Previously, she was a newsletter editor at the Atlantic and a staff writer at Refinery 29, and her work has appeared on a number of podcasts, including ICYMI where she discussed the ethics of therapist influencers, and she is responsible for coining viral phenomena like “the millennial pause” and “rawdogging flights.”

“We’re so excited to have Kate Lindsey in the ICYMI co-host chair,” said Daisy Rosario, supervising producer. “Kate is known for providing in-depth coverage and sharp analysis on the internet culture stories and trends that most affect people’s lives and connecting them to our larger cultural conversations, and we can’t wait for her to bring that expertise to the show.”

You can listen to Kate and Candices first episode together about Kate’s internet history and most deeply held, but least provable, internet conspiracy theory, out now.

ICYMI airs every Wednesday and Saturday.

L.A. Times Studios Launches Podcast Slate With “Boiling Point”

~ jen

L.A. Times Studios is kicking off its 2025 podcast lineup with the launch of Boiling Point, a new audio series hosted by award-winning Los Angeles Times Climate Columnist Sammy Roth. The weekly podcast will dive into the biggest climate stories shaping the Western U.S. and the world. 

Each Tuesday, Roth will unpack key issues on climate change, energy and conservation; interview leading environmental voices; and feature exclusive Times reporting, while also exploring the most promising solutions to combat climate change. The podcast will serve as an audio companion to Roth’s acclaimed climate newsletter that was named “Newsletter of the Year” by Covering Climate Now in 2023. The first episode is available now on all podcast platforms.

L.A. Times Studios will also debut a new true-crime podcast hosted by Times Staff Writer Christopher Goffard, Crimes of the Times, launching on Jan. 28.

The first episode of “Boiling Point” features a conversation with Kelly Sanders, USC professor of civil and environmental engineering and former energy policy adviser to the Biden White House. Roth and Sanders talk about what he fires mean for the future of Los Angeles and how the city might adapt as the planet heats up and climate crisis worsens.

“We’re thrilled to unveil a new lineup of podcast that showcase the exceptional talent of the Los Angeles Times newsroom. These podcasts underscore our commitment to award-winning journalism and solidify our leadership in investigative reporting and climate coverage,” said Anna Magzanyan, president of L.A. Times Studios.

“Crimes of the Times” is a new video podcast from Times Staff Writer Christopher Goffard, the writer and host behind the hit podcasts “Dirty John,” “Detective Trapp”, and “The trials of Frank Carson.” The weekly podcast is based on Goffard’s narrative series about L.A.’s most notorious crime sagas, featuring new reporting, exclusive interviews and content from The Times archives.

The first episode investigates the tragic Hollywood murder of actress Rebecca Shaeffer, who was killed by an obsessed fan. Goffard digs into the Times archives to chronicle how her case helped shape the nation’s first anti-stalking laws, and speaks with lead prosecutor Marcia Clark in a never-before-heard interview. Podcast subscribers can also unlock additional bonus content for the series.

“Boiling Point,” “Crimes of the Times,” and “The Envelope,” which is currently in production ahead of the Oscars, round out the L.A.Times Studio collection of podcasts available to download now. Additional podcast series are in development with the launch dates to be announced.

“With this new slate, we’re expanding the L.A. Times Studios podcast portfolio into new categories and mediums. This is a meaningful and effective way for us to build on our audience in the podcast space, while providing affinity and custom marketing products for our existing and new clients,” said Darius Derakshan, associate director of podcast strategy, advertising and revenue.

Amaze Media Labs Releases Audiencelift 2.0

~ jen

Amaze Media Labs has released Audiencelift 2.0 with enhanced capabilities and a full redesign of its popular audience growth platform.

“Since the launch of our initial beta product over one year ago, we’ve continued to work with creators and publishers to refine and improve our industry-leading growth platform,” said Brett Sklar, Co-Founder at Amaze Media Labs. “With the release of Audiencelift 2.0, we’ve taken what was the most potent podcast growth engine in the word and made it even better.

We ran over 600+ podcast growth campaigns last year where the average download cost came out to between 3 cents and 12 cents per new listen. We now added new features that will not only offer cost effective pricing on real human downloads but add in the ability to track listens and significantly enhance campaigns.”

Audiencelift grows your podcast audience by advertising your podcast trailer on a carefully curated roster of premium digital publishers such as CNN, Yahoo, WSJ, finding real humans interested in exactly what your show is about. New listeners then download full episodes of your podcast, growing your audience and earning additional revenue.

With Audiencelift 2.0, users can now set custom campaign start dates, duplicate successful promotions to extend the life of their marketing campaign, and track how many “Listens” their campaign added to their podcast’s performance. In addition, integration features with Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and other platforms are in active development. Amaze expects to have these features implemented by Q2 2025.

“The number one request we received from our clients is the ability to track how many additional listens or downloads their audiencelift campaigns have generated,” said Amaze Co-Founder Robert Tuchman. “With Audiencelift 2.0, podcasters can clearly see the effectiveness of each campaign and track their podcast’s growth within the Audiencelift dashboard.”

About Amaze Media Labs

Founded in 2020 by Robert Tuchman and Brett Sklar, Amaze Media Labs was built to help brands succeed on the next frontier of community engagement with podcasts. The Amaze Media Labs platform consists of branded podcasts and audience development solutions under the audiencelift brand For more information, visit amazemedialabs.com and audiencelift.com.

Audiencelift

Audiencelift is a podcast growth platform that helps expand your audience by targeting real, verified humans interested in your show’s content. It promotes your podcast trailer on trusted digital publishers like CNN, WSJ, and ESPN, ensuring your ads reach new listeners, including those unfamiliar with podcasts. 

Using Cloudflare, Audiencelift prevents bot impressions, guaranteeing effective ad spending. It offers location and interest targeting to reach ideal listeners, with an estimated 70% of trailer listeners being new to podcast — high-value prospects for advertisers. Audiencelift ensures IAB-certified downloads, integrates with your hosting analytics, and drives serious listener engagement, growing your audience and revenue.

ARN’s iHeart Kicks Off As Australia’s #1 Podcast Network

~ jen

ARN’s iHeart has started 2025 with a bang, securing its place as Australia’s outright #1 Podcast Network. According to the December Podcast Ranker results released today, iHeart has been crowned both the #1 Podcast Publisher and #1 Sales Representation Podcast Network.

This remarkable achievement marks iHeart’s 56th consecutive ranker as Australia’s leading Podcast Publisher. Adding to its success, iHeart also leads as the #1 Sales Representation Podcast Network with 6.4 million monthly listeners and 21.7 million downloads, offering advertisers unparalleled access to Australia’s most engaged audiences.

iHeart’s success has been bolstered by the network’s recent partnership with BBC Studios, one of the world’s largest audio producers. The collaboration has further enhanced iHeart’s offering, providing advertisers access to 900,000 Australians who engage with BBC’s premium podcast lineup.

Appearing in the Podcast Ranker for the first time in December are BBC’s renowned titles with seven podcasts in the Top 200 showcasing the breadth of the BBC offering across news, knowledge, comedy, sport and investigative titles. They are led by BBC Global News Podcast at #33 with 170,686 listeners. Other standout shows debuting in the top 200 include The Infinite Monkey Cage at #86, You’re Dead to Me at #131, World of Secrets at #136, Football Daily at #143, the Documentary Podcast at #169 and Desert Island Discs at #196.

Louise la Grange, SVP, BBC Audio, Digital News and Streaming BBC Studios, said: “I’m delighted to see a range of BBC podcasts debut on Triton’s podcast ranker, demonstrating that Australian audiences are embracing our rich mix of audio offerings and incorporating them into their regular listening habits, from the informative BBC Global News Podcast to fascinating and insightful titles like The Infinite Monkey Cage and World of Secrets.”

Overall, iHeart recorded 45 titles in the top 200, with highlights including Casefile True Crime at #2 (#1 True Crime Podcast), Life Uncut at #9 (#1 Relationship Podcast), Stuff You Should Know at #22 (#1 Knowledge) and The Kyle & Jackie O Show at #39 overall during their show break (#1 radio show).

Corey Layton, ARN’s Head of Digital Audio said: “Kicking off 2025 as Australia’s #1 Podcast Network reflects the strength of iHeart’s offering and the trust listeners and advertisers place in us. Our partnership with BBC Studios, combined with our diverse podcast slate and innovative  approach, ensure we remain the go-to destination for premium audio content.

With BBC podcasts now included in the Podcast Ranker, it’s fantastic to see their world-class titles formerly recognized for their strong connection with Australian audiences. We’re thrilled to continue delivering exceptional results and connecting audiences and advertisers with the podcasts they love.”

Applications Now Open for Sponsors & Media Partners For the 2025 Women’s Podcasters Awards

~ jen

The Women Podcast Awards is gearing up for its highly anticipated second year, and applications are now open for sponsors and media partners to be part of this prestigious international event.

Following a hugely successful inaugural year with 400 nominees and 15,000 votes, the awards continue to grow with overflowing support from the podcasting industry. You can see testimonials about the awards from participants here.

“We are so grateful for the incredible response from podcasters, listeners, and industry leaders,” says Jennifer Henczel, founder of the Women Podcast Awards.

The Women Podcasters Awards is a people’s choice style of awards event designed to celebrate and elevate women’s voices globally and within the podcasting industry. With the continued expansion of women-led media, this is an opportunity for sponsors and media partners to align with a fast-growing, engaged, and influential community.

Sponsorship Benefits Include:

  • Introduce yourself and present an award at the Women Podcasters Awards Ceremony in June.
  • We will feature sponsors on our website, in emails, and in social posts throughout the awards process
  • During the awards you will be featured on your own Sponsor profile page 
  • After the awards, your sponsorship will continue to be features via your image or logo on the 2025 Sponsors Page indefinitely.
  • We will provide a copy & images to help with sharing about the Women Podcasters Awards.
  • Sponsorships are not category specific.

Want to join us in celebrating and amplifying women’s voices in the podcasting world? Companies, organizations, and media outlets interested in partnering with the Women Podcasters Awards can apply now at: https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards-sponsor

Thank you to all those who have already come aboard to support and lift up women’s voices.

The Women Podcasters Awards is formerly the Women in Podcasting Awards.

CARDIA Wins Radiolab & IUA’s Worldwide Quasi-Moon Naming Contest

~ jen

After eight months, almost 3,000 submissions, seven finalists, and more than 10,000 votes, a winner has been unveiled in the worldwide Quasi-Moon naming contest from Radiolab and the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

“Cardea” haș been declared the official name of “(164207) 2004 GU9,” one of Earth’s quasi-moons. In accordance with IAU naming conventions, the name is rooted in one of the world culture’s mythologies: “Cardea” is the Roman goddess of door hinges, thresholds and transitional spaces.

“Cardea” was submitted by Clay Chilcutt, a student at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. In his submission, Chilcutt wrote, “Cardea presides over transitions and liminal spaces. A quasi-moon occupies a unique orbital path, existing in a transitional state between a true moon and an independent asteroid. She symbolizes change, guardianship, and the passage between realms. This name reflects the quasi-moon’s unique orbit path, embodying a celestial gateway between Earth and space.”

Close to 3,000 contest entries were submitted by people from more than 90 countries. A 42-member panel of teachers, students, astronomers, astrophysicists, journalists and artists (including Radiolab fan Penn Badgley,) Bill Nye “The Science Guy,” astrophysicist and podcast host Dr. Moiya McTier and astronomer and educator Salman Hameed) narrowed down to seven finalists. Throughout December 2024, more than 10,000 people voted, with Cardea as the clear winner. The runners up were Bakunawa and Enkidu.

The official naming and citation appeared in WGSBN Bulletin 5, #1, which is available on the IAU’s Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature website.

“We did it! A new year and a new (quasi) moon name! Who better to help usher us through this liminal time than an ancient doorkeeper? This whole naming contest has been a true celebration of what Radiolab is all about — curiosity and enthusiasm for the mysterious universe around us,” shared Latif Nasser, Co-Host of Radiolab. “We hope that this quasi-moon name continues to inspire people to learn more about space and science in general, to look up together to remember the universal things we all share.”

“Global projects such as this are the cornerstone of our work at the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach: bringing together global communities, cultures, and perspectives,” said Kelly Blumenthal, Director of the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach. “It was so inspiring to read all of the entries, and tap into the creativity of people from around the world. We are excited to bring more voices to the skies!”

Background on the Quasi-Moon Contest

Early in 2024, Nasser noticed a mysterious object on a poster of the Solar System in his son’s room while reading him a bedtime story. His investigation into “Zoozve” — a space object called a quasi moon that isn’t a moon, but can appear to be one — led him all the way to the IAU and, eventually, a successful petition to officially rename the quasi-moon. 

The journey was documented on a Radiolab episode and a thread on X (formerly Twitter) from Nasser that went viral, opening he door for listeners to learn more about this fascinating class of objects. In May 2024, Radiolab and the IAU decided to join forces to launch a contest that would enable everyone to name one of Earth’s quasi-moons.

Quasi-moons are asteroids that can appear to be orbiting a planet but, in actuality, are orbiting the Sun in a trajectory similar to that of the planet. Unlike an actual moon, quasi-moons are only a temporary companion whose orbit will eventually take them away from a planet’s path.

The MLC Launches New Podcast To Educate And Empower Music Creators

~ jen

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) announces the launch of its podcast, “Taking Care of Your Music Business”, a new resource designed to educate and empower music creators. The podcast features interviews with songwriters and music executives, offering valuable insights into navigating the business side of the music industry.

“Taking Care of Your Music Business” explores the many ways creators can earn and access royalties, equipping listeners with the tools and resources necessary to ensure they’re collecting all the royalties they should be — including digital audio mechanical royalties managed by the MLC. By featuring real-world advice and actionable strategies, the podcast aims to help music creators take control of their careers and maximize their earnings.

Season one of “Tanking Care of Your Music Business” features interviews with top songwriters, including Jenn Schott, Anthony Smith, Kent Blazy, and Philip White, and insights from industry executives including Serona Elton, The MLC’s Head of Educational Partnerships, Tony Alexander of Made in Memphis Entertainment (MIME), and Jamie Dominguez, the MLC’s National Director of Industry Relations.

Episodes are now live on all major podcast platforms, and full episodes are available on the MLC’s YouTube channel.

For more information, about the MLC, visit www.themlc.com.

About the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) was designated by the U.S. Register of Copyrights in July 2019 pursuant to the Music Modernization Act of 2018. The MLC is responsible for administering the blanket compulsory license for the use of the musical works by digital music services. Since January 2021, the MLC has achieved total royalties distributed of nearly $2.7 billion, at no cost to songwriters or music publishers.

The MLC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of songwriters and representatives of music publishers. For more background on The MLC and its Board of Committee members, visit www.themlc.com.

Pod Bible Magazine Looks For Acquisition Offers

~ jen

Pod Bible, the UK’s leading podcast guide and trusted source for podcast enthusiasts, is officially on the market for acquisition. Founders Scroobius Pip and Stu Whiffen, who are at the helm of this successful venture, have had several enquiries over the years and have decided now is the time to start talking to potential buyers and continue its legacy and future growth.

Launched in 2019, Pod Bible has become a pivotal guide for podcast fans, creators, and advertisers alike. With its engaging content, including interviews with podcast creators, in-depth reviews, and industry insights, Pod Bible has established itself as a cornerstone of the growing podcasting community.

“This has been an incredible journey,” said Stu Whiffen. “Pod Bible started as an idea for something we saw missing in the industry, and we’re so proud of what it’s become. Now feels like the right time to see what options there are when it comes to handing the reins over to someone who can take it to the next level.”

Scroobius Pip added, “I’m immensely proud of what Stu, Adam, and I have built with Pod Bible. In just over 5 years we have become a leading and trusted voice in the podcast industry. The potential to see that growth exceed what our small team is realistically capable of is certainly an interesting one.”

Interested parties are encouraged to get in touch for asquission inquiries. This represents a unique opportunity to acquire a well-regarded brand at the heart of the booming podcast industry.

For further information and to express interest, please contact info@podbiblemag.com.

Hollyland Unveils the LARK M2S Lavalier Microphone

~ jen

Hollyland, a global household name in premium wireless products, reveals the next successor within it’s Lark Series: the Lark M2S Microphone. This compact, ring-sized wireless microphone is designed for easy wear and seamless concealment, achieving powerful studio-quality recording that sets a new standard for every type of audio capture.

The Lark M2S excels at commercial shooting — whether on the road, in the great outdoors, at live events and film sets or studio livestreams, the LARK M2S is your faithful audio recording companion.

Discreet Elegance, Uncompromised Quality

Weighing in at only 7g and featuring a clip-on design, the LARK M2S microphone maintains a discrete yet elegant presence with any outfit. Its industry-leading titanium clip-on structure guarantees stability and durability for any professional on the move. The Lark M2S is an inconspicuous audio recording companion, overcoming previously incumbent technical challenges to offer an extremely compact, logo-free design that prioritizes the true concealment and audio quality.

Studio-Quality Sound and Unparalleled Audio Detail 

The LARK M2S delivers studio-quality sound with 24-bit depth for true-to-life vocals and crystal-clear capture. Boasing a 70dB signal-to-noise (SNR) and a maximum sound pressure level (SPL) of 116dB, its custom-built driver minimizes distortion across the audible spectrum, preserving every nuance of your recordings.

Powerful Noise Cancellation for Crystal-Clear Recordings

Equipped with advanced Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) technology, the microphone ensures crystal-clear audio by intelligently eliminating low-frequency noise. Enjoy uninterrupted audio capture with a single press of the transmitter or receiver, maintaining clarity in any environment, whether at outdoor performance sets, e-commerce live streams, video game streaming, content creation, etc.

Superior Anti-Interference with an Extended Range

Operating at up to 300m in open settings, the LARK M2S delivers incredible range and stable audio without interference, even in open environments. Engineered with an RF interference-resistant circuit, sound quality is guaranteed to be cleaner and stable in signal-dense environments like office buildings, event venues, and city streets.

Universal Compatibility and an Extensive Battery Life

The LARK combo version features analog (3.5mm) and digital (USB-C) outputs, ensuring compatibility with a wide array of devices. Whether you’re using cameras, audio equipment, iOS/Android devices, or Windows/Mac computer, the M2S is your all-in-one solution for creativity on the go.

Pricing and Availability

The LARK M2S is priced starting from USD$119 and up, available at local distributors and Hollyland’s official website: https://store.hollyland.com/products/lark-m2s

About Hollyland

Hollyland is a leading provider of wireless products, specializing wireless intercom systems, video transmission systems, monitors, and wireless microphones. Since 2013, Hollyland has been serving millions of users around the world in various sectors, including filmmaking, telecasting, video production, live events, exhibitions, theaters, houses of worship, and individual content creators. It has built a sales network covering approximately 120 countries and regions with support from dozens of localized operation offices worldwide.