ZM Podcast Network’s Hope Is Real with Jazz Thornton returns for season three

Off the back of two successful seasons, mental health advocate and influencer, Jazz Thornton, returns for a much-anticipated third season of her Hope Is Real podcast, launching today on New Zealand Media and Entertainment’s ZM Podcast Network.  

The season picks up where the last one left off – aiming to inspire and empower listeners in their mental health journey. Listeners can expect more fan-favourite guest appearances, including Shortland Street actress Angela Bloomfield, Tik Tok Content Creator Anna Muller and Therapist Dr Courtney Tracey a.k.a The Truth Doctor.

Released during Mental Health Awareness Week, episode one tackles a very challenging topic for Thornton as she opens up about the mental health struggles she has experienced over the past 18 months.

She says the success of the previous seasons illustrates the demand for more open conversations around mental health.

“Hope Is Real understands the ever-present level of isolation and despondency that many people in society experience, and through the podcast we are aspiring to bring audiences together and cover some of those really difficult conversations.

“It’s especially important during Mental Health Awareness week that we showcase stories that show that mental health recovery isn’t linear. Hope is Real provides a space to make sure listeners feel a little less alone, and a lot more hopeful,” she says.

Ross Flahive, ZM Content Director says: “We are pleased to be working with Jazz again for the third season of Hope Is Real and we’re proud we can use our ZM and iHeartRadio platforms to help share these important conversations around mental health.  We know Jazz is loved and respected by our listeners, she’s a phenomenal talent and connects so deeply with our audience, and I know they will appreciate the latest season,” he says. ”   

Sam Collins, iHeartRadio Content Director, says: “After reaching close to 250,000 downloads across the first two seasons, we’re excited to deliver a third. Hope Is Real bolsters NZME’s strong catalogue of podcasts, against a backdrop of high demand for digital audio content. We’re proud to provide consumers with quality material that is meaningful to them.”

For the first time ever, the initial five episodes are now available exclusively on iHeartRadio. The first episode has also dropped on other podcast platforms, with subsequent episodes released weekly.

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