iHeartMedia Announces Summer Podcasts To Spotlight LatinX Voices

“Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama” and “Exactly Amara” headline the new content offerings for the new Latinx-focused podcast network

 

Successful musical groups have one key attribute in common. They harmonize together, but with their distinct voices. So it is with podcasting. The voices in our ears from the podcast world should be ethnically diverse, but still in harmony.

 

That's what iHeartMedia has accomplished with My Cultura -- iHeartMedia’s new podcast network dedicated to elevating Latinx voices and creators, while also sharing the Latinx experience with millions of listeners. 

 

iHeart has just announced four new shows to debut this summer.  

 

 

 The network’s initial lineup will include “Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama,” “Exactly Amara,” “Transportista” (published in both English and Spanish) and “Life As a Gringo.” With a strong commitment to the creation of a platform that helps amplify the Latinx community, Coca-Cola, State Farm and Walgreens will be My Cultura’s inaugural sponsors, building connectivity amongst this growing audience. All the new podcast series will be available on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.

 

This lineup officially kicks off the My Cultura podcast network which is set to release 30 total shows in its first year. My Cultura was announced last month with “In the Heights: El Sueñito,” a special limited podcast series with Lin-Manuel Miranda and hosted by Eva Longoria. Additionally, My Cultura’s future podcast series will span a variety of genres including pop culture, music, comedy, mental health, finance, news and more. 

 

“The wait is over. We’re thrilled to announce that these new shows are joining iHeartMedia’s My Cultura and to showcase the incredible storytelling talents and diverse perspectives of Latinx creators,” said Gisselle Bances, Lead Executive Producer for iHeartMedia’s My Cultura. “From Amara La Negra’s authentic perspective on being Afro-Latina in ‘Exactly Amara’ to investigating the world of cartels in ‘Transportista’ to amplifying the voices of the world’s essential workers in ‘Essential Voices,’ and much more, this new slate of My Cultura shows promises to entertain, educate and inspire.”

 

My Cultura podcasts being released this month include: 

 

July 8

“Exactly Amara” -- A weekly talk-show style podcast hosted by reality star, model and singer Amara La Negra alongside co-host Stevey Newnez. The pair will get personal on just about everything and will discuss dating, sex, relationships, social media, plastic surgery, body positivity and everything in between. In each episode, Amara will add her Spanglish sazón, getting raw and real with topics that hit close to home. Listen to the official trailer now here. 

 

July 14

“Transportista” -- This weekly limited-series podcast opens the door into a hidden world of drug trafficking and its ties to political power. Told from a North Carolina Federal Prison via a smuggled cell phone, the show explores the story of a now-incarcerated head of transportation for some of the world’s most dangerous drug lords in Latin America. Brought to life in both English and Spanish, the podcast will shine a light on the life of a man who had access to the top cartels’ women, wealth and supply chain, until it all came to a screeching halt. Buckle up, the plane is taking off and El Transportista is talking about it all. Listeners can hear the official trailer in English or Spanish.

 

July 20

“Life as a Gringo”-- Hosted by The Breakfast Club and Z100’s Dramos, this podcast shares the perspective and voices of American-born Latinos who live their lives existing in a gray area: those who are looked at as a gringo by their family in their native land while being constantly reminded that their house smelled different or their parents’ music was “weird” by people they grew up with in the states. This is life as heard from the voice of a “gringo”. New episodes will post every Tuesday and Thursday.

 

July 27

“Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama” - Hosted by actor, producer and activist Wilmer Valderrama (NCIS, That ‘70s Show), this weekly podcast will share intimate conversations with people on the frontlines of food service, transportation, child-care and other systems where workers’ voices are often overlooked. While COVID-19 introduced many people to the phrase “essential workers,” this group of people existed far before the pandemic and will continue to play a vital role in society long after it’s over. The show seeks to illustrate the invisible connections between all of us and point us toward strategies for meaningful change. 

 

In addition to the shows announced today, iHeart has communicated to listeners to expect a steady stream of new podcasts launching each month this year with My Cultura, which will be distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network.