Radiotopia from PRX Introduces “Hang Up,” A New Reality Dating Podcast
“Hang Up” is created by Caitlin Pierce and hosted by Zakiya Gibbons, award-winning audio producers
Radiotopia from PRX — an acclaimed podcast network for independent creators — today introduced “Hang Up,” a new reality dating podcast. A freshly entertaining, sex-positive, and inclusive show exploring the fun and surprise of dating, “Hang Up” will bring the reality dating genre into the reality of dating today.
“Hang Up” was recently named one of the most anticipated podcasts of the summer by “Vulture” and New York Magazine. The audio trailer is available today ahead of the show’s debut on July 25. Twelve new episodes will be released weekly on Tuesdays free on-demand across all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, and Overcast.
On “Hang Up,” one person (the “Star”) is matched with six prospective love interests (the “Callers”), who are all competing to be chosen. The Star goes on dates with the competing Callers exclusively through phone conversations — they don’t see each other — –and eliminates one Caller at the end of each round of dates. But on Decision Day, the tables are turned. The final Caller chooses whether they’ll either take an all-expenses-paid vacation with the Star sight unseen or walk away with a cash prize, leaving the Star behind. Along the way, Callers have to overcome a series of challenges that mimic real life dating: first impressions, mystery boxes, meeting the family, and more.
The Star of “Hang Up” season one is Maxine (a pseudonym), a 26-year-old bartender from Richmond, Virginia seeking a match with snarky humor and an aversion to both chewing gum and Harry Potter. The first season will feature six contestants from Richmond. A live reunion — taped in front of a live audience — will be released in the podcast feed following the season.
The host of “Hang Up” is Zakiya Gibbons, an award-winning podcast story editor, host, and writer based in Brooklyn, New York. Zakiya is also a co-founder of POC In Audio, a resource created to address racial diversity in the audio industry and praised by Bitch Media among the top 50 most impactful pop culture creators. The production team behind the podcast also includes the show’s creator and award-winning producer Caitlin Pierce, whose work has appeared on NPR, WNYC, KCRW, Audible, the BBC, and on podcasts ranging from “Death, Sex & Money” to “Bodies.” The “Hang Up” story editor, mixer, and sound designer is Ben Montoya, who recently helped produce the “America’s Dead” podcast from Sonos.
“Even though reality dating shows are so popular, many of them repeat and reinforce the same harmful narratives about love, romance, and partnership,” said Caitlin Pierce, creator of “Hang Up.” “So we asked ourselves if there was a way to make a show that kept all the elements we love — the cliches, silliness, awkwardness, and drama — but tell a different story. That’s how ‘Hang Up’ was born.”
“We’re excited to bring listeners this new dating show that is also sex-positive, inclusive, and thoughtful. The whole production team is highly creative, and full of the DIY spirit that fits perfectly within the Radiotopia network,” said Audrey Mardavich, Executive Producer of Radiotopia from PRX. “Creator Caitlin Pierce is passionate about making a dating show that not just entertains listeners, but that flips a popular genre on its head. Listeners will also fall in love with host Zakiya Gibbons.”
About Radiotopia from PRX
Created in 2014, Radiotopia from PRX is the first network of its kind. As a network of independent podcasts, Radiotopia empowers audio creators with the artistic freedom to thrive on their own terms and to bring audiences inspired, high-quality, and well-crafted soundscapes. Programming from across Radiotopia has received recognition from the Peabody Awards, the duPont-Columbia Awards, the Tribeca Festival, and the Pulitzer Prizes. Radiotopia has also been named one of the most innovative companies in media by “Fast Company” and was named network of the year in the inaugural “Adweek” Podcast of The Year Awards.
Immerse yourself in stories and conversations of all kinds — intellectual and emotional, real and imagined, entertaining and thought-provoking. Be part of a community that values bold authenticity and boundless creativity. Discover award-winning audio with vision at Radiotopia.fm.
