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IHeartMedia : Celebrates Fifth Anniversary of Cool Zone Media and Announces New Podcast "Natural Causes"
IHeartMedia : Celebrates Fifth Anniversary of Cool Zone Media and Announces New Podcast "Natural
About this update from Iheartmedia, Inc.
iHeartMedia Celebrates Fifth Anniversary of Cool Zone Media and Announces New Podcast "Natural Causes" 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 ofCool 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 flagshi...