Initial slate includes new podcasts from top political analysts John Heilemann, Jennifer Palmieri, David Plouffe and Steve Schmidt

New York - September 1, 2020 - Today, iHeartMedia, the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally, and The Recount, a groundbreaking new media platform at the intersection of politics and culture, announced a new partnership to co-produce a series of podcasts ahead of the historic 2020 election. The first three weekly shows — “Hell and High Water with John Heilemann,” “Just Something About Her with Jennifer Palmieri,” and “Battleground with David Plouffe and Steve Schmidt” — will debut this month, and continue into 2021, on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.

“The 2020 election is, without question, the most important election of our lifetime, and this exciting trio of podcasts from hosts who've operated at the highest level of politics will help listeners cut through the bullshit and understand the big picture of what's happening ahead of Election Day and beyond," said John Heilemann, co-founder and Executive Editor of The Recount. “Our content is resonating on our platform and across social media and we are excited to bring it to podcasting with iHeartMedia.”

“Getting smart on politics is no longer optional,” stated EVP of Programming and Development for The Recount, Nomi Ernst Leidner. “Partnering with iHeartMedia enables us to venture into podcasts and continue producing high quality content that educates people on politics in a digestible and engaging way.”

“Hell and High Water with John Heliemann” focuses on the turmoil and upheaval roiling America in 2020. Best-selling author and TV host John Heilemann will have a series of conversations with the people shaping our culture in politics, entertainment, business, technology and beyond. Heilemann will explore how the country is grappling with this tumultuous moment and attempting to pull through and rise above it. Trailer available now, here. Episode one debuts September 8. 

“Battleground with David Plouffe and Steve Schmidt” features two of America's storied political strategists — Barack Obama's 2008 campaign manager and John McCain's 2008 chief strategist. Opponents then and co-hosts now — Plouffe and Schmidt will dissect America's most consequential political battles, from the current presidential campaign to the hurdles facing the next administration to the key issues, beyond the election, impacting voters around the country. Listeners can hear the trailer now, here. Podcast will launch September 14.

“Just Something About Her with Jennifer Palmieri” is hosted by the former communications director for the Obama White House and Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. Palmieri explores why — after decades of making steady progress — women find themselves banging up against the same glass ceilings. The show features interviews with powerful women from business, politics, the arts and journalism to learn how they found a way to break through and create their own path to success. The weekly podcast will be available beginning September 24.

“iHeartMedia is the perfect partner for The Recount. Matching our talented programming team with the largest commercial podcast publisher will deliver our high value content to the largest audience possible,” said President and COO for The Recount, Kenny Miller. “On the heels of our programming partnership with Twitter, this ambitious podcast slate is our next step in developing a unique news brand natively on industry leading audience platforms.”

“The Recount is an expert in understanding how to reach audiences on social media in today’s digital world. People are checking the news more frequently and want access to the easiest format possible,” said President of the iHeartPodcast Network, Conal Byrne. “Pairing our network with The Recount’s focus on accessible content creates a powerhouse slate of political podcasts that will help our listeners better understand politics as we approach the 2020 election.” 

The slate will be distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network, which is home to more than 750 original podcasts with over 225 million downloads each month. iHeartRadio Original Podcasts span every category from business, sports, spirituality and technology to entertainment, family, comedy and true crime – and everything in between – making iHeartRadio the largest publisher of podcast content in the world.

About The Recount

The Recount is a leading media platform at the intersection of politics, business and culture solving two central problems: information overload and the time famine. The Recount produces high quality content across a suite of digital, social and experiential products and currently features more than a dozen short-form programs, including The Daily Recount, Recap 2020, and Rewind. Co-founders John Heilemann and John Battelle launched the media venture in 2019. For more information, visit www.therecount.com.