New Talent Additions Build on a Lineup Featuring MrBallen, Kensington Tallman, Allison Dunbar, and Shaan Sharma
Dallas, TX – February 10, 2026 – Podcast Movement and Sounds Profitable today announced new talent performing at Podcast Movement Evolutions during SXSW. The expanded lineup now also includes Maya Hawke, singer-songwriter, musician, and actor, appearing as a special guest for a live recording of the Broken Record podcast.
On Saturday, March 14, Companion Podcasts will take over the stage for a full evening of live performances and reflective storytelling, headlined by an intimate acoustic set from multi-platinum artist Andy Grammer. The showcase transforms Companion’s podcast programming into a live experience that cuts through the SXSW chaos, creating space for curiosity, creativity, and connection. Full lineup to be announced on the Podcast Movement and SXSW websites.
These announcements build on an already robust weekend of live podcast recordings, conversations, and performances, featuring previously announced talent including MrBallen (aka John Allen), host of the popular “The MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories,” Emmy-nominated Kensington Tallman, Allison Dunbar, and Shaan Sharma.
Also new to the programming, Friday evening will feature a Red Seat Ventures sponsored cocktail hour where SVP of Sales Jeremy Price and VP of Business Development Chris Peterson will sit down with Audiochuck CEO Matt Starker for a conversation about building and monetizing creator-led media businesses beyond podcasting.
“We’ve built Podcast Movement Evolutions at SXSW to bring together creators, platforms, and audiences in the same room, at the exact moment audio is colliding with every other form of media,” said President of Podcast Movement and Partner at Sounds Profitable Bryan Barletta. “This lineup is a testament to the way that podcasting is culture, entertainment, and business today.”
Taking place March 13–15, 2026 in the Skybox, Podcast Movement Evolutions at SXSW will transform downtown Austin into a hub for creators, platforms, advertisers, and media executives. Programming spans live shows, keynote conversations, and industry discussions exploring podcasting’s growing influence across business, fandom, and pop culture.
The event is supported by a roster of leading sponsors across media, technology, and advertising, including Acast, Adopter Media, Airwave Media, Amazon Music, ART19, Audacy, Castbox, Colture, Companion Network, Display.io, ESPN, Locked On Podcast Network, Magellan AI, Mynt Agency, Nielsen, Nomono, NPR, Oxford Road, Red Seat Ventures, Right Side Up, Soundstack, and Supporting Cast.
More talent announcements and programming details will be released in the coming weeks.
For media enquiries, contact:
Molly DeMellier, Head of Communications
Email: molly@soundsprofitable.com
Phone: +1-607-316-0639
ABOUT PODCAST MOVEMENT
Podcast Movement began in 2014, when four podcasters and entrepreneurs had an idea. With a Kickstarter campaign and a positive attitude, they set out to create a vibrant event “for podcasters, by podcasters.” In the years since, PM has grown with the community’s support to become the ultimate annual destination for diverse speakers, education, networking, and groovy parties
ABOUT SOUNDS PROFITABLE
Sounds Profitable is a trade organization representing the leading companies in audio and podcasting. Boasting industry-leading research, an influential newsletter with 10,000 subscribers around the world, and a podcast on the latest developments in the key news of the audio world. Sounds Profitable provides the most critical insights into the business of podcasting, with over 200 partners and growing. With the goal of providing perceptive content from its experts – and a diverse collection of the brightest minds in podcasting – Sounds Profitable ensures that everyone in the industry is set on a clear path to more listeners and revenue from their amazing shows. For more information, please visit soundsprofitable.com and follow along on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/sounds-profitable.
