AIR Announces Mentors for New Voices AMPLIFY 2026

The Association of Independents in Radio (AIR) today announced the mentors who will guide participants in the 2026 cohort of New Voices AMPLIFY, AIR’s marketing and audience development program for independent podcasters, supported by Apple Podcasts.

This year’s mentors include Danielle Desir Corbett, Paulette Erato, Amanda McLoughlin, and Arielle Nissenblatt. They bring extensive experience across podcast strategy, audience growth, marketing, and creator-led business models. Throughout the program, they will work directly with participants to refine marketing strategies, strengthen audience engagement, and explore sustainable paths to grow their shows.

“Independent podcasters are doing incredible work, but reaching the audiences who need those stories can be one of the biggest challenges,” said Keisha “TK” Dutes, AMPLIFY Captain and AIR Board Member. “AMPLIFY gives creators the tools and mentorship to think strategically about how their shows grow and how that growth becomes part of the creative process. The mentors we’ve brought together this year each bring a different perspective, and I’m excited for the cohort to learn from them.”

Now in its third year, New Voices AMPLIFY supports independent podcasters who already have an active show and are ready to expand their reach and deepen connections with listeners. Through mentorship, cohort-based learning, and practical training, participants develop clear strategies for growing and sustaining their podcasts.

Program Manager Lynn Casper oversees New Voices AMPLIFY. Keisha “TK” Dutes, host of The Secret Life of TK Dutes, returns as AMPLIFY Captain for the third year, helping guide the cohort experience and facilitate mentor sessions.

The sixteen creators selected for the 2026 cohort will be announced in April 2026. Participants receive mentorship from industry leaders along with a stipend to support their participation in the program.

New Voices AMPLIFY 2026 Mentors

Danielle Desir Corbett (she/her), Podcast Host and Podcast Marketing Coach, is a 6x grant-funded and award-winning travel creator. She is the host of The Thought Card, a travel finance podcast, and co-host of Road Trip Ready. Danielle helps independent creators grow their audiences through discovery-based marketing strategies like SEO (search engine optimization) and PSO (podcast search optimization). Through her coaching and resources, she empowers podcasters to build stronger personal brands, improve discoverability, and sustainably grow their shows. Danielle also curates funding opportunities, including grants, paid fellowships, and residencies, on Grants For Creators, one of the fastest-growing grant discovery platforms supporting U.S. and Canadian creators and small business owners.

Paulette Erato (she/her), Founder, Latinas In Podcasting, is a speaker, podcaster, and community leader based in Long Beach, CA. After 20+ years as an event planner and award-winning community builder, she pivoted to podcasting and founded Latinas In Podcasting (LIP), a thriving global community built on the core ethos of “connect & collaborate.” She is also the host of La Vida Más Chévere de Childfree Latinas, a podcast that helps Latinas reject society’s toxic cultural norms while remaining rooted in our culture. As a 2025 alumna of AIR Media’s New Voices AMPLIFY program, Paulette now returns as a mentor, bringing her signature blend of cultural authenticity and expertise to the next cohort of emerging podcasters.

Amanda McLoughlin (she/her), CEO, Multitude, a podcast collective, production company, and ad sales provider. A digital creator since 2004 whose career started in finance and business services, she created Multitude in 2018 to support fellow creators in making a living on their own terms. She was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 Media honoree in 2021, co-hosts the podcast Spirits: Mythology & Folklore, and executive-produces several shows. She also teaches podcasting at Stony Brook University.

Arielle Nissenblatt (she/her), Founder of EarBuds Podcast Collective, Head of Community & Content at Pinwheel, is a podcast strategist, community builder, and founder of EarBuds Podcast Collective, a weekly human-curated podcast recommendation newsletter. She hosts several podcasts, including Trailer Park: The Podcast Trailer Podcast and Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You, and regularly writes about podcast discovery and marketing. Arielle is also a licensed NYC tour guide and the founder of Nisstory Tours.