Zibby Owens Launches Zcast, a Podcast Network Powered by Acast

Zcast is a new podcast production company and network launched by podcaster, author, and publisher Zibby Owens. Featuring original, intimate shows designed to enrich, inspire, and improve listeners’ lives—intelligently and with a sense of humor— Zcast productions will entertain and educate, making them worth listeners’ limited time.

Zcast productions include Zibby’s original hit literary podcast, Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books. Featured on the Apple Arts charts since it launched in 2018, Moms Don’t Have Time To Read Books has been downloaded millions of times and has won dozens of industry awards, including the Webby Award and Lovie Award.

Her other award-winning show, SexTok with Zibby and Tracey, launched in 2021, is also on the Apple charts and has even spurred a viral TikTok craze. SexTok is co-hosted by international sex expert, author of 17 books, and British denizen Tracey Cox.

The latest two shows to join the fold are hosted by authors of upcoming Zibby Books memoirs.

A CEO and mother of twins, Alisha Fernandez Miranda decided at age 40 to embark on a series of internships so she could finally stop wondering about the careers that might have been. Her show, Quit Your Day Job, will include conversations with notables who have shifted gears in their work-life—midlife.

School librarian Julie Chavez is the author of the upcoming memoir The Anxiety Library about how she overcame depression and anxiety once she finally stopped putting everyone else before herself. Her podcast, Ask a Librarian, will feature librarians, library-loving authors, and other library- adjacent icons in conversation with Julie.

“I couldn’t be more excited about these shows. They represent exactly what I’m trying to bring to the podcast listener with the Zcast network: innovative, smart shows that make people think, inspire them to improve their lives, and truly connect to others. Alisha and Julie both have dynamic, engaging, warm personalities that will absolutely shine in this medium,” says Owens.

Zcast will provide guidance, logo design, branding, sound editing, and production services to several new shows each year with a shared revenue split from ad sales. Chelsea Grogan will be the podcast producer.

Acast will distribute Zcast podcasts widely across the open podcast ecosystem, allowing audiences to listen to the series on all platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and everywhere else podcasts can be found. Acast will also manage the monetization of the podcasts, giving brands access to Zcast’s audience through ads, sponsorships, and sophisticated brand integrations.

“The fact that Zibby’s programming has resonated with so many people shows just how important the podcast medium is for literary discussion and storytelling. Through Zcast, Zibby has found a way to bring a loudspeaker to the neighborhood book club,” says Sara Sopher, Associate Partner Manager at Acast. “We love having Zibby as a partner and can’t wait to bring the network to podcast audiences everywhere.”

Zcast will mainly commission its own podcasts but will also accept limited idea submissions at info@zcastnetwork.com.

To kick things off, Zibby will be launching a reality show called Who Wants to Be a Podcaster? produced by Morning Moon, an independent production company helmed by Kyle Owens, Ethan Lazar, and Austen Rydell. Not that she has time. Details to follow.