– Acclaimed storyteller MrBallen kicks off the Evolutions stage programming on Friday
– New “Discovery Track” 10-minute talks spotlight the voices shaping podcasting now
– Morning keynote presentation from YouTube to spotlight the future of the medium
Boston, MA — January 29, 2026 — Podcast Movement and Sounds Profitable today announced the first wave of featured talent for Podcast Movement Evolutions, which will take place during SXSW on March 13–15, 2026 at Sky Box on 6th Street in downtown Austin. The lineup includes MrBallen (aka John Allen), host of the popular “The MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories,” and also introduces a curated series of short-form talks designed to spotlight standout ideas, creators, and industry leaders.
“This year’s Podcast Movement Evolutions programming is one of the most exciting lineups we’ve ever put together,” said Bryan Barletta, President of Podcast Movement and Partner at Sounds Profitable. “From standout creators to short-form talks and live performances, the content is designed to spark ideas, start conversations, and give attendees a real sense of where podcasting is headed. And this first wave is just the beginning.”
Live programming during the weekend will include a reading of “The G.Y.M”, a script by AFF and Webby Award winning writer and Director Dani Hanks for the Table Read podcast. The reading will feature performances by Allison Dunbar, Emmy-nominated Kensington Tallman, and Shaan Sharma, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
Also included in live performances is the Scalable podcast from business and creator economy experts Kaya Yurieff and Jasmine Enberg. The weekend will also feature a morning keynote presentation by YouTube.
For the first time, Podcast Movement Evolutions will debut a Discovery Track made up of 10-minute spotlight talks. Each talk will precede the 50-minute sponsored panel sessions from Sounds Profitable partners. The Discovery Track is built to help attendees quickly discover new perspectives across the medium with topics spanning business, creativity, and culture and each day following a distinct arc from the power of audio today to the future of attention.
Discovery Track lineup:
DAY 1: THE POWER OF THE MEDIUM — March 13
Ami Thakkar, The Podcast Academy
Bridget Todd, Unbossed Creative
Greg Glenday, Acast
Kate Navin, Audible
DAY 2: THE CREATIVE ENGINE — March 14
Cassie Jozefov, Violet Hour Media
Blythe Terrell, Science VS (Spotify)
Leital Molad, WaitWhat
Jasmine Fluker, The Pivotal Paradigm Project
DAY 3: THE FUTURE OF ATTENTION — March 15
Rae Votta, Creative Content Expert
Krystle Waters, Pilot Podcasts
Ernest Owens, Ernest Media Empire
Mary Williams, Sasquatch Media Grounds
Over the coming weeks, Podcast Movement and Sounds Profitable will continue to share additional updates to programming and speakers.
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact Kristy Scott at kristy@podcastmovement.com.
For event details and podcast recording booth inquiries, contact Molly DeMellier at molly@soundsprofitable.com.
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.
