Jazz Thornton returns with new season of Hope Is Real podcast

AUCKLAND, Today: After two successful seasons, mental health advocate Jazz Thornton is back with the third season of her Hope Is Real podcast, launching today on New Zealand Media and Entertainment’s ZM Podcast Network.

This season aims to continue inspiring listeners in their mental health journeys, featuring guest appearances like Shortland Street actress Angela Bloomfield, TikTok creator Anna Muller, and therapist Dr. Courtney Tracey, a.k.a The Truth Doctor.

Released during Mental Health Awareness Week, the first episode dives into a personal topic for Thornton, as she shares the challenges she’s faced over the past 18 months.

Thornton highlighted how the previous seasons proved that people want more open conversations about mental health. “Hope Is Real understands the ever-present level of isolation and despondency that many people in society experience, and through the podcast we are aspiring to bring audiences together and cover some of those really difficult conversations.”

“’Hope is Real’ provides a space to make sure listeners feel a little less alone, and a lot more hopeful.” – Jazz Thornton

“It’s especially important during Mental Health Awareness Week that we showcase stories that show that mental health recovery isn’t linear. Hope is Real provides a space to make sure listeners feel a little less alone, and a lot more hopeful,” she adds.

Ross Flahive, ZM Content Director, said: “We are pleased to be working with Jazz again for the third season of Hope Is Real and we’re proud we can use our ZM and iHeartRadio platforms to help share these important conversations around mental health.

“We know Jazz is loved and respected by our listeners, she’s a phenomenal talent and connects so deeply with our audience, and I know they will appreciate the latest season.”

Sam Collins, iHeartRadio Content Director, commented: “After reaching close to 250,000 downloads across the first two seasons, we’re excited to deliver a third.

“Hope Is Real bolsters NZME’s strong catalogue of podcasts, against a backdrop of high demand for digital audio content. We’re proud to provide consumers with quality material that is meaningful to them.”

For the first time, the initial five episodes are available exclusively on iHeartRadio. The first episode has also dropped on other podcast platforms, with subsequent episodes released weekly.