Pineapple Street Studios
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryPodcasts
Founded2016 (2016)
Founders
HeadquartersBrooklyn, New York City, New York
Key people
  • Jenna Weiss-Berman (Co-founder)
  • Max Linsky (Co-founder)
ParentAudacy, Inc. (2019-present)
Websitepineapple.fm

Pineapple Street Studios (formerly Pineapple Street Media) is a podcast studio based in Brooklyn, New York. In August 2019, it was acquired by Entercom (now Audacy, Inc.).[1] Pineapple's work includes multi-episode narratives, investigative journalism, branded podcasts, and talk shows. They have created series for companies like Nike, Hulu, Netflix, HBO, and The New York Times.[2] In 2020, they led all podcast companies with two Peabody Award nominations, for The Catch and Kill Podcast with Ronan Farrow and Running From Cops.[3] Twelve of their shows have reached #1 on Apple Podcasts.

History

Pineapple Street Media was founded in 2016 by former BuzzFeed head of audio Jenna Weiss-Berman and Longform co-founder Max Linsky.[4]

In August 2016, Pineapple released With Her, a commissioned podcast following Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign (the first to be hosted by a candidate for US President). Max Linsky co-hosted.[5][6]

In September 2016, in collaboration with The New York Times, Pineapple launched Still Processing, a culture podcast hosted by Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris.[7]

Pineapple teamed with filmmaker Dan Taberski on a series of investigative podcasts: Missing Richard Simmons, Surviving Y2K and Running from Cops. Missing Richard Simmons spent almost three weeks as the #1 series on Apple Podcasts.[8] Vulture called it "brilliant" and "the strongest narrative podcast out there."[9]

In 2017, they helped in the production of the podcast for Wormwood on Netflix. Errol Morris, the director, converses with multiple guests about the circumstances of Frank Olson's death and CIA involvement. Guests include: Jon Ronson (author of The Men Who Stare at Goats), Peter Sarsgaard (lead actor), Eric Olsen (son of Frank Olson).

In October 2019, it was announced that HBO Max greenlit a television adaptation of Pineapple and Stitcher's podcast, Heaven's Gate.[10] Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults, a four-part documentary series, premiered on HBO Max on December 3, 2020.[11]

In association with Gimlet Media, Pineapple produced The Clearing, a docu-series about April Balascio and her father, serial killer Edward Wayne Edwards. It reached #1 on Apple Podcasts.[12] The Guardian described the series as an "immense achievement."[13] On December 18, 2019, Deadline announced that a television adaptation was in the works with Chernin Entertainment and Weimaraner Republic Pictures.[14]

In partnership with investigative reporter Ronan Farrow, Pineapple debuted The Catch and Kill Podcast with Ronan Farrow, an audio companion to Farrow's bestselling book, Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators. It won the 2020 Edward R Murrow Award for Best Podcast.[15] Farrow also won a 2020 Webby People's Voice Award for Best Host.[16]

With Crooked Media and Spotify, Pineapple produced Wind of Change. The series, hosted by writer and journalist Patrick Radden Keefe, was selected as one of the best podcasts of 2020 by The Guardian (#1 overall),[17] The Atlantic,[18] The New York Times,[19] Rolling Stone[20] and The New Yorker.[21] Hulu is adapting the podcast for television with Alex Karpovsky signed on to write and executive produce.[22] The podcast explored the theory that the 1990 Scorpion's song Wind of Change was Cold War propaganda, written by the CIA.[23]

In August 2020, Pineapple launched Back Issue, a look at formative moments in pop culture, hosted by writer Tracy Clayton and Pineapple producer Josh Gwynn. On the series, The New York Times wrote, "Tracy Clayton and Josh Gwynn use their encyclopedic memory of pop culture moments as a balm in trying times."[24] It was featured on Time and The Atlantic's lists of the best podcasts of 2020.[25][18]

In early January 2024, it was announced that their parent company Audacy would be preparing to file for bankruptcy within the upcoming weeks. On January 7, 2024, Audacy filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As part of the bankruptcy reorganization, Audacy has made a deal with its creditors to transfer control to them while cutting approximately $1.6 billion of its debt.[26]

Shows

Original podcasts

Title Host(s) Description
Back Issue Tracy Clayton & Josh Gwynn Back Issue tells the stories behind formative moments in pop culture.
The C-Word Lena Dunham & Alissa Bennett Lena Dunham and Alissa Bennett take listeners on a historical deep-dive into the life of a woman society dismissed by calling her mad, sad, or just plain bad.
The Catch and Kill Podcast Ronan Farrow An inside look at Ronan Farrow's investigation of Harvey Weinstein.
The Clearing Josh Dean When April Balascio was 40 years old, something she'd feared for decades was finally proven true—her father, Edward Wayne Edwards, was a murderer.
Doctor's Log Esther Choo Dr. Esther Choo, an emergency room physician in Portland, Oregon, delivers reports from the front lines of the coronavirus crisis.
Heaven's Gate Glynn Washington In 1997, thirty-nine people took their own lives in an apparent mass suicide. 20 years later, those who lost loved ones and those who still believe – tell their story.
Headlong: Missing Richard Simmons Dan Taberski On February 15, 2014, fitness guru Richard Simmons disappeared. What happened? Filmmaker Dan Taberski leads listeners down a winding road to find the star.
Headlong: Running From COPS Dan Taberski Dan Taberski investigates COPS — the longest running reality show in TV history — and its cultural impact on policing in America.
Headlong: Surviving Y2K Dan Taberski Dan Taberski takes listeners back to the turn of the millennium to meet the people for whom it was anything but a joke.
The Kids Are All...Home Max Linsky A podcast for kids stuck at home, by kids stuck at home.
Making Gay History Eric Marcus Intimate, personal portraits of both known and long-forgotten champions, heroes, and witnesses to history.
Never Before with Janet Mock Janet Mock Janet Mock and special guests talk about work, love and life—like you've never heard before.
Stay Tuned with Preet Preet Bharara Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara breaks down legal topics in the news and engages thought leaders in a podcast about power, policy, and justice.
Suspicious Activity: Inside the FinCEN Files Azeen Ghorayshi, Jason Leopold and Anthony Cormier A five-part series investigating how the most powerful banks in the world can facilitate the worst of humanity – terrorism, human trafficking, the drug trade – all in plain sight of the government.
Underdog Eric Benson A behind-the-scenes of the most expensive, most talked-about political race of 2018: the U.S. Senate contest between Beto O'Rourke and Ted Cruz.
UNDISTRACTED Brittany Packnett Cunningham Brittany Packnett Cunningham examines the most pressing issues of our time through the lens of intersectional feminism.
Unhappy Hour with Matt Bellassai Matt Bellassai Matt Bellassai and special guests vent about all things political, personal and cultural.
Welcome to Your Fantasy Dr. Natalia Mehlman Petrzela Historian Natalia Petrzela exposes one of the great, sordid, unexamined stories in American culture.
Wind of Change Patrick Radden Keefe A power ballad helped bring down the Soviet Union. Was it written by the CIA? Journalist Patrick Radden Keefe investigates.
With Her Max Linsky Coverage of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.
Women of the Hour Lena Dunham A miniseries about friendship, love, work, bodies and more.

Podcasts for brands and editorial partners

Title Host(s) Description
30 For 30 (ESPN) Captivating stories from the world of sports and beyond.
Behind the Scenes (Netflix) Brandon 'Jinx' Jenkins Brandon Jenkins talks to showrunners, writers, voice actors and other creators.
The Chernobyl Podcast (HBO) Peter Sagal & Craig Mazin The official podcast of the miniseries Chernobyl, from HBO and Sky.
Dream it Real (Coach) Heben Nigatu A podcast for those who dream, produced by Coach.
The Gateway (Gizmodo) Jennings Brown A six-part series about Teal Swan, a spiritual guru, who draws in followers with hypnotic self-help YouTube videos.
Going Through It (Mailchimp) Tracy Clayton Black women discuss a pivotal moment when they decided it was time to make a change.
Hard Knocks (HBO) Peter Schrager Peter Schrager and guests break down episodes of Hard Knocks.
I'm Obsessed With This (Netflix) Bobby Finger Bobby Finger invites guests — fans, critics, friends — to gab about the most-discussed titles of the moment.
Julie: The Unwinding of the Miracle (Random House) Julie Yip-Williams The series chronicles Julie Yip-Williams' process of preparing for her death and revisiting the events of her extraordinary life.
Lovecraft Country Radio (HBO) Ashley C. Ford & Shannon Houston The official podcast for HBO's Lovecraft Country.
No Man's Land (The Wing) Alexis Coe A podcast about women who were too bad for textbooks.
Noisemakers (Spotify/Time's Up) Ashley Nicole Black and Chelsea Devantez A 6-part series which examines the impact of harassment, gender inequality, and pay inequity on women in the workplace.
The Official Watchmen Podcast (HBO) Craig Mazin Host Craig Mazin discusses Watchmen with its Executive Producer and Writer, Damon Lindelof.
Okay, Now Listen (Netflix) Scottie Beam & Sylvia Obell Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell share what's on their minds, what they're binging and what's blowing up their timelines.
The Plot Against America Podcast (HBO) Peter Sagal Host Peter Sagal discusses the adaptation and production of The Plot Against America with creator and executive producer David Simon.
Still Processing (New York Times) Wesley Morris & Jenna Wortham Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham talk television, film, books, music — but also the culture of work, dating, the internet and how those all fit together.
Strong Black Lead (Netflix) Tracy Clayton Tracy Clayton sits down with the legends that paved the way for black representation both on and off screen.
TRAINED (Nike) Ryan Flaherty Mindset. Movement. Nutrition. Recovery. Sleep.
WorkLife with Adam Grant (TED) Adam Grant Organizational psychologist Adam Grant takes you inside the minds of some of the world's most unusual professionals.
You Can't Make This Up (Netflix) Rebecca Lavoie Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) digs into the real stories behind Netflix Original true crime series and films.
Your Attention Please (Hulu) Kimberly Drew Kimberly Drew gets to know Black visionaries who are defining the future and inspiring the world.

References

  1. ↑ Steele, Anne (August 7, 2019). "Entercom Communications to Acquire Two Podcast Companies". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Our Shows". pineapple.fm. Pineapple Street Studios. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Peabody Awards Short-Lists A Dozen Podcasts For 2020 Awards". Insideradio.com. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  4. ↑ Quah, Nicholas (August 7, 2019). "Podcast Outfits Pineapple Street Media, Cadence13 Have Been Acquired". Vulture. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  5. ↑ Dodson, P. Claire (September 9, 2016). "Jenna Weiss-Berman: 'I'm Proud Of Making Stuff Not Just For White Guys'". Fast Company. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Clinton Campaign Launches Podcast With Pineapple Street Media". Observer.com. August 12, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  7. ↑ Doctor, Ken. "The New York Times gets serious about podcasting". Politi.co. Politico Media. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  8. ↑ "'Missing Richard Simmons' by First Look Media / Pineapple Street Media / Stitcher (American Podcasts iTunes Chart)". iTunesCharts.net. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  9. ↑ Quah, Nicholas. "Missing Richard Simmons Is a Brilliant Podcast – So Far". Vulture. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Stitcher's 'Heaven's Gate' documentary podcast adapted for new HBO Max docuseries". prnewswire.com (Press release). The E. W. Scripps Company. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  11. ↑ "New 'Heaven's Gate' series looks to Christianity to explain the method to the cult's madness". Salon.com. December 3, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  12. ↑ "'The Clearing' by Pineapple Street Media / Gimlet (American Podcasts iTunes Chart)". itunescharts.net. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  13. ↑ "The week in radio and podcasts: The Clearing; Crossing Continents; Art of Now; Hag – review". The Guardian. September 1, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  14. ↑ Petski, Denise (December 18, 2019). "True Crime Podcast 'The Clearing' In The Works For Television By Chernin Entertainment & 'The Shallows' Producer". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  15. ↑ "2020 National Edward R. Murrow Award winners". rtdna.org. Radio Television Digital News Association. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  16. ↑ Evans, Greg (May 19, 2020). "2020 Webby Award Winners Include Jimmy Fallon, Tom Hanks, John Krasinski & Greta Thunberg". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  17. ↑ Aroesti, Rachel; Davies, Hannah J. (December 24, 2020). "The 20 best podcasts of 2020". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  18. 1 2 Standley, Laura Jane; McQuade, Eric (December 26, 2020). "The 50 Best Podcasts of 2020". The Atlantic. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  19. ↑ Ugwu, Reggie; Soloski, Alexis; Morris, Wesley; Wortham, Jenna (December 21, 2020). "The Best New Podcasts of 2020". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  20. ↑ Marks, Andrea; Garber-Paul, Elisabeth; Ehrlich, Brenna (December 18, 2020). "The Best Podcasts of 2020". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  21. ↑ Larson, Sarah. "The Best Podcasts of 2020". The New Yorker. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  22. ↑ White, Peter (December 16, 2020). "Hulu Lands TV Adaptation Of Rock 'N' Roll Spy Podcast 'Wind Of Change'". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  23. ↑ Blistein, Jon (April 27, 2020). "New Podcast Explores Whether the Scorpions Hit 'Wind of Change' Was Written by the CIA". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  24. ↑ Garcia, Sandra E. (September 16, 2020). "The Hosts of 'Back Issue' Want to Throw It Back". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  25. ↑ "The 10 Best Podcasts of 2020". Time. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Radio broadcaster Audacy files for bankruptcy". The Wall Street Journal. January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
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