PAVE Studios

On the heels of So Supernatural becoming the #1 Top Podcast following its launch last week, PAVE Studios is excited to unveil Crime House’s next new original series, Money Crimes, hosted by Nicole Lapin—financial expert, bestselling author, and host of the top business podcast Money Rehab. We’re excited to team up with another leading creator like Nicole, who boasts millions of listens each month for Money Rehab and has over one million followers across social. Her notable expertise and captivating storytelling will bring a unique perspective to this popular genre. #MoneyCrimes dives into the dark side of finance, uncovering the world’s wildest financial crimes– from cutthroat con artists to billion-dollar scams, and even murder. Each episode will take listeners behind the headlines of infamous high-stakes, white-collar crimes such as Elizabeth Holmes, the Bling Ring and the FTX Collapse. Plus, Nicole will also share practical advice on how to avoid becoming the victim of one. New episodes will be available every Thursday on all major podcast platforms. True crime continues to captivate audiences— it was the #2 podcast genre in 2023, accounting for four of the top 10 podcasts, with three of those shows featuring women hosts (Edison Research). Money Crimes seamlessly blends gripping true crime storytelling with valuable financial insights, meeting the growing demand for content that is both entertaining and informative. With 74 percent of listeners tuning in with an educational goal (Podcast Statistics), podcasts are increasingly becoming a go-to resource for learning. Make sure to tune in every Thursday for new episodes starting with a limited two-part episodes series on The Billionaire Boys Club, and follow @crimehouse on social for more Crime House announcements and new content coming soon.

I'm excited to share that Kerri Kolen is joining as our new Vice President of PAVE Publishing House, our independent print and audiobook publishing division of PAVE Studios, dedicated to delivering compelling stories across all formats. Kerri will be instrumental in shaping our publishing strategy and collaborating with both emerging and established creators as we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of traditional publishing. Kerri brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles including as Vice President and Head of Audiobooks at Pushkin Industries, and as a Creative Executive at Audible, where she played a key role in shaping Audible Originals. Before transitioning to the audio space, Kerri held senior editorial roles at Simon & Schuster, Hyperion, and Putnam, where she edited, produced, and oversaw the publication of bestselling and critically acclaimed works across all genres. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with a wide range of notable authors and storytellers including Jamie Lee Curtis, Carrie Fisher, and Malcolm Gladwell, Saroo Brierley, Sophia Amoruso, Whitney Cummings, Joel McHale, and many others. Kerri’s creator-first philosophy will be invaluable as we ensure that every creator’s unique voice and vision are at the forefront. Her deep expertise across both print and digital formats, combined with her understanding of the evolving media landscape and her ability to adapt to changing audiences behaviors, makes her the perfect fit for PAVE Publishing House. We can’t wait to make a meaningful impact in the publishing industry and bring captivating new titles to life under our brands, including Crime House and OpenMind. Make sure to follow PAVE Studios for more exciting announcements soon, including the incredible storytellers that we’ll be collaborating with to publish new titles. You can read more about the news in The Bookseller below.

Astrology has shifted from a niche interest to a major influence in pop culture, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z. Today, zodiac signs shape everything from fashion trends to relationships, with 56% of Millennials checking a potential date's sign before meeting (The Harris Poll). Fortune recently reported that Gen Z, known for their stock market obsession, are now using astrology to guide their investments. It’s no wonder that 95% of Americans know their astrological sign, as terms like "birth chart" and "rising sign" have moved from esoteric jargon to everyday language, permeating our social feeds and conversations. This cultural shift is more than a passing trend—#astrology has become a significant economic force. The global astrology market is projected to reach $22.8 billion by 2031, up from just $12.8 billion in 2021, according to Allied Market Research. So why has a concept that has been around for thousands of years taken over the zeitgeist? Studies show that during periods of trauma, many turn to astrology for a sense of control and understanding, with 69% of Millennials looking to it for comfort during challenging times. This reflects how deeply astrology resonates with those navigating today’s complexities. #OpenMind is tapping into this cultural zeitgeist with the launch of our new original podcast #HoroscopeWeekly hosted by celebrity astrologer and bestselling author #AlizaKelly. The series invites listeners on a personalized cosmic journey offering detailed #horoscopes with tailored insights on love, career, health, and more. Plus, Aliza will decode the latest astrological events such as meteor showers, mercury retrograde and lunar eclipses, providing a comprehensive cosmic forecast for the week ahead. For brands and media companies, this resurgence of interest in astrology is impossible to ignore. As consumers seek out content that resonates with their personal journeys, communities like OpenMind are perfectly positioned to meet this demand. We’re not just riding the wave of astrology’s popularity, but helping to shape the conversation, providing listeners with the insights they crave to navigate their lives through a cosmic lens.

The Wall Street Journal recently published a story this past weekend about the evolving podcast landscape and how podcasts are creating new opportunities for creators to connect with audiences in innovative ways and monetize their content like never before. Thank you to Anne Steele for including me in her story alongside other industry leaders like Jen Sargent (Wondery’s Chief Executive). I always enjoy talking about this exciting new shift so I wanted to share some additional insights below... Today’s business landscape is undoubtedly more complex, but this complexity paves the way for unprecedented opportunities. We're now in an era where building a true 360-degree business is essential, and diversification is crucial for future success. The business model used to be simple: create a new podcast, make a deal, and sell ads. While the industry still relies on ads, there are now other proven revenue streams through subscriptions, live events, and merchandise that creators and businesses must focus on. Just like in traditional media, where the biggest stars will always get paid (think Tom Cruise), top-tier digital creators will continue to get lucrative deals with guarantees attached. Equally important, however, is the mid-tier and emerging creators who have created amazingly engaged communities and fandom. For instance, having one thousand fans who are willing to pay is far more valuable than having one million who are not. This is why PAVE Studios was created. We’re at the forefront of this transformative shift, reimagining business models for a future where formats continue to blend together and distribution strategies change. It’s crucial that there is an independent studio operating at the intersection of longform audio, video, and books, acting on behalf of and as a creative thought partner to creators of all types. In three short months, PAVE is already working with a handful of creators including Khloé Kardashian, Nicole Lapin, Dr. Mark Hyman, and more. And we are just getting started! We can't wait to unveil more of the amazing creators, partnerships and announcements in the coming months.