Audacy Inc. announced an exclusive partnership August 20, 2026, with creator and New York Times bestselling author Alisa “Bunnie Xo” DeFord to handle sales and distribution for her podcast “Dumb Blonde,” expanding the audio network’s entertainment and women’s lifestyle content offerings.
The “Dumb Blonde” podcast, which releases new episodes Mondays and regular “Ask, Tell, Confess” episodes, ranks number one on Apple’s comedy charts and number two on Spotify’s comedy charts, with more than one million downloads per month. The show features conversations between Bunnie Xo and celebrity guests including Dolly Parton, Jon Bon Jovi, Denise Richards, Sharon Osbourne, Bam Margera, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Joel Madden, Wiz Khalifa, and Machine Gun kellly. The podcast is available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
“What started as a little girl’s love for radio has grown beyond anything I could’ve imagined,” DeFord said. “I’m so proud to announce a partnership with Audacy, one of America’s largest multiplatform audio networks. As our newest season begins, I’m endlessly grateful for every soul who has trusted me with their story. Here’s to proving people wrong, breaking ceilings, and reminding women everywhere that anything is possible when you set your soul on fire and refuse to let go.”
Leah Reis-Dennis, Head of Podcasts at Audacy, said the company sees significant value in the show’s audience and reach. “Bunnie Xo is unapologetically herself, and she’s built something truly special with ‘Dumb Blonde,'” Reis-Dennis said. “Her raw, hilarious, and deeply authentic conversations have established the show as one of the most fun and of-the-moment destinations for comedy and women’s lifestyle fans. We’re excited to bring the show into Audacy’s portfolio and look forward to accelerating the show’s reach across all platforms and creating dynamic new opportunities for our advertising partners who are eager to reach Bunnie’s obsessive and growing fan base.”
The partnership underscores a broader industry trend of established audio networks acquiring and distributing independently produced podcasts with strong listener bases. For podcast creators and producers, such agreements provide access to established sales infrastructure, advertising networks, and distribution channels that can expand monetization opportunities. Audio professionals and engineers working in podcast production benefit from increased demand for high-quality content as platforms like Audacy invest in growing their podcast portfolios.
The deal positions Audacy to compete in the crowded podcast market by securing content with proven audience loyalty. Audacy operates more than 220 radio stations and reaches over 200 million listeners monthly across multiple platforms. The network has expanded its podcast strategy in recent months, including a partnership announced August 19, 2026, with the MeidasTouch Network, signaling a strategic commitment to podcast growth alongside its traditional radio business.
DeFord is a New York Times bestselling author whose memoir “Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic” debuted at number one on the bestseller list in 2025 and remained on the non-fiction and audiobook lists for four consecutive months. The book has been acquired by 101 Studios, the production company behind “Landman” and “Yellowstone,” and is being adapted into a motion picture. Beyond podcasting, DeFord owns Dumb Blonde Productions and operates a rescue animal sanctuary at her Nashville home.
This partnership reflects the podcast industry’s continued consolidation, with major audio platforms acquiring proven creators and their audiences to drive advertising revenue and listener engagement. For advertisers seeking access to women’s lifestyle and comedy audiences, the move expands options within Audacy’s network while providing DeFord’s audience with continued access to the content they already follow. The agreement demonstrates how independent podcast success increasingly attracts institutional distribution partners looking to monetize engaged listener bases at scale.
Source: Audacyinc — Read the original article →
