There's no question that podcasting is on the rise—nearly half of all Americans over the age of 12 can now be considered monthly podcast listeners. So what does the new world of audio storytelling sound like? Join us for a conversation with a group of innovative business leaders and podcast creators who are helping to shape the podcast industry.

Jason Hirschhorn (host) is the Chief Executive Officer of the REDEF Group, a digital content curation company that publishes newsletters focused on media, music, technology, fashion, and sports. In his previous position, Hirschhorn served as the Chief Product Officer and Co-President of Myspace, Inc. and as President of Sling Media, Inc. Before Sling Media, Jason was the Chief Digital Officer at MTV Networks, where he was responsible for the company’s digital media business and interactive strategy. Hirschhorn is Chair of Digital Advisory board of Sundance Institute and has previously served as a member of the board of directors of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc., and Pandora. Hirschhorn holds a B.S. in International Business and Marketing from NYU’s Stern School of Business.

Rachel Ghiazza (panelist) joined Audible in 2019 as SVP for Content Acquisition and Development and became EVP, Head of US Content in 2020. Prior to Audible, Rachel was at Spotify where she held a variety of roles including leading the Global Content Experiences team and was a key contributor to Spotify’s global growth and success. Rachel also held leadership roles in the Content teams at Viacom and Yahoo!. She has a background in information systems and broad experience in content strategy, development, and acquisition for music, video, TV and podcasts. She has an MBA from the University of Southern California.

James Kim (panelist) is a Los Angeles-based podcast creator. Previously, he worked on Radiotopia's Strangers, Marketplace, Deadly Manners, The Dinner Party Download, KPCC, and Gimlet Media. Most recently, he made the fiction show MOONFACE, which landed on the "Best of 2019" lists from Vulture, Spotify, Time Magazine, and The A.V. Club.

Conal Byrne (panelist) is the Chief Executive Officer of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group, which includes the company’s fast-growing and high-profile podcasting business and #1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, as well as the industry-leading iHeartRadio digital service; the company’s digital sites, services, newsletters and programs; and its digital advertising technology companies, including Jelli, RadioJar, Unified, Voxnest and the recently-announced Triton Digital acquisition, upon its completion.

Heather Taylor (panelist) is a writer/ director who builds supernatural worlds with real-world consequences. She is the co-founder of the creative studio Cereal Made and is currently staffed on The Hardy Boys (Hulu). Her sci-fi podcast, Anomaly, is an official selection of the 2021 Tribeca Festival. Her second feature film, the thriller Lethal Love, produced by Neshama Entertainment and MarVista Entertainment, will premiere in July 2021 on Netflix. Heather was the host of Simplicity 2.0, a podcast examining the intricate and transitory world of technology, and the audio mini-series How I Ended Up on a Small Island, about her time living in the UK. See more of her work on HeatherATaylor.com.