iHeartMedia Launches New Outspoken Podcast Network

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Outspoken Podcast Network

iHeartMedia launches Outspoken, a new podcast network distributed by iHeartPodcasts that will amplify, elevate and reflect the diversity and humanity of the voices throughout the LGBTQ+ community. Announced in advance of Podcast Movement Evolutions in Las Vegas, Outspoken will feature programming from talent including Rosie O'Donnell, Lance Bass, Laverne Cox, Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers, Alex Mapa, Bridget Todd and more of iHeartPodcasts' favorite hosts.

Plus a new upcoming show with Raven-Symone and Miranda Pearman-Maday. Additionally, JoJo Siwa will join Outspoken as a proud supporter and collaborator on a full slate of upcoming network programming as well as executive produce and host her own podcast.

The Outspoken Podcast Network will be executive produced by activist and media strategist Raquel Willis alongside iHeartMedia's Creative Development and Marketing Director Jay Brunson. As part of Willis' work with Outspoken, she will be developing two original podcasts for the network -- the first will shine a light on the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth living in Queer legislative battleground states; while the second will feature an extended take on her investigative work as executive editor at "Out" magazine that will expand the narrative on the epidemic of violence against Black trans women.

"With Outspoken, iHeartMedia and a team of brilliant creators are building a space for LGBTQ+ talent and listeners everywhere to celebrate who they are. It's exciting to see podcasting becoming a medium where voices of all kinds go to be heard, and the Outspoken network will elevate the impactful culture of the LGBTQ+ community," said iHeartPodcasts President Will Pearson. "We're also honored to have some of the biggest personalities in podcasting joining us as advocates by using their massive platforms with millions of listeners to amplify these creators and help bring a greater diversity of voices into the podcast space."

Hit Big Money Players creators Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers ("Las Culturistas"); and George Civeris and Sam Taggart ("StraightioLab") as well as Laverne Cox of Shondaland Audio's "The Laverne Cox Show" will also take part as supporters and advocates with their respective shows featured in the Outspoken Podcast Network programming.