Spotify Sound Up Alum Launches Podcast Accelerator for First-Time Creators

Atlanta-based production company Could Be Pretty Cool today releases the first wave of podcast trailers from the Pretty Cool Creator Collective, a new accelerator designed to help subject matter experts launch their first podcasts.

The inaugural cohort consists of professional women bringing expertise in mental health, immigrant experiences, and higher education to the podcasting space. Participants completed a three-month program featuring virtual workshops, weekly assignments, and hands-on production support.

Could Be Pretty Cool was founded by Kacie (Willis) Luaders, a 2019 graduate of Spotify’s Sound Up podcast accelerator. Following Sound Up, Luaders produced the Spotify Original podcast You Heard Me Write (2020-2022). The Pretty Cool Creator Collective extends that pipeline to creators who have valuable perspectives but lack the time, resources, or confidence to start podcasting on their own.

“Sound Up showed me what structured support and community could do for first-time podcasters,” said Luaders. “I built the Pretty Cool Creator Collective to offer that same opportunity to experts who have something important to say.”

The five inaugural shows span mental health, immigrant experiences, and higher education. All trailers are now available on the Pretty Cool Creator Collective channel.

The inaugural cohort operated on a pay-what-you-can model to accommodate creators navigating the economic challenges of 2025. Additional shows from the collective will launch throughout 2026, with applications for the next cohort opening this spring.