Tag: storytelling

Spotify, The Black List, and The Jed Foundation Team Up To Champion Mental Health in Fiction

February 12, 2025

Stories have the power to change the way we see the world, and when it comes to mental health, the right story can make all the difference. That’s why Spotify is partnering with The Black List, a platform for writers to showcase their projects for industry professionals, and The Jed Foundation (JED), a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among our nation’s teens and young adults, to launch the Spotify x JED Impact Award—an initiative supporting exceptional depictions of mental health in unpublished fiction.

The Spotify x JED Impact Award will provide five $10,000 grants to recipients with unpublished manuscripts, with the goal of reshaping the conversation around mental health, diversifying mental health narratives in fiction, and promoting positive storytelling around mental health. As part of the initiative, Spotify will cover fee waivers, which will allow up to 140 writers to receive a free month of hosting and a free evaluation on the Black List platform.

“Stories about mental health have immense power to erase stigma and help people get the help that they need,” said Casey Acierno, Social Impact Lead at Spotify. “We’re so excited to partner with The Black List and The Jed Foundation to uplift unpublished manuscripts with meaningful depictions of mental health. Having entered the audiobooks space, Spotify knows the power of storytelling, and we’re thrilled to support writers in looking after themselves and the way they write about mental health.”

Supporting mental health through storytelling

This initiative underscores Spotify’s commitment to both creators and consumers, recognizing the power of storytelling to humanize mental health and foster understanding. In addition to supporting the creation of powerful new literature, we’re also working to amplify existing mental health audiobooks on our platform.

“Narratives in fiction can have a very real impact on our mental health—helping shape how we see ourselves, perceive our place in the world, navigate challenges, and discover possibilities for healing and growth,” said Courtney Knowles, Senior Media Advisor for The Jed Foundation. “JED and I are proud to partner on this initiative, celebrating and inspiring unpublished novels that entertain while creating connection and fostering emotional well-being.”

Beyond the grants, Spotify is offering additional resources for authors, including:

    • A mental health resource hub: Developed in collaboration with JED, the hub provides support both for writing about mental health and for writers’ own mental well-being. Resources include:
    • 1:1 consulting with JED for awardees: Providing personalized support and guidance.
    • Programming and content focused on authors’ mental well-being: Addressing the unique challenges faced by writers and offering support for their mental health journeys.

“The Spotify Social Impact team and The Jed Foundation are important stewards of intentional programming with meaningful impact. I’m thrilled to be partnering with them on this initiative to amplify exceptional depictions of mental health in unpublished fiction,” said Randy Winston, Creative Director of Fiction at The Black List. “Storytelling and mental health go hand in hand. Through powerful conversations, this partnership will raise awareness and empower writers at all levels to prioritize their well-being.”

Submit your story

Submissions are now open on The Black List’s website and will close on July 8, 2025. Authors can submit their English-language manuscripts globally. A judging panel featuring experts from Spotify, The Black List, and JED, along with soon-to-be-announced notable authors, will select the five winning manuscripts.

Award recipients will be announced on October 10, 2025 (World Mental Health Day). For more details on eligibility and the application process, visit the submission page.

Women Bring Their Own Perspectives to Podcasts in Indonesia

November 19, 2021

It’s no surprise that there continues to be a strong demand for podcasts around the world. The intimate medium offers a way for hosts to directly connect with listeners about topics that are most important to them. This format is an especially captivating way for those with underrepresented voices to tell their own stories, on their own terms. In Indonesia, where the podcast community is quickly growing, Spotify is working with female creators to ensure they have a seat at the mic and are supported on the platform.

Podcasts provide a new outlet for women to share their perspectives of the world. As Indonesian creator Nadhifa Allya Tsana (also known as Tsana) explains, “Podcasts break the limits, boundaries, and rules that exist in traditional formats, all of which have played a part in suppressing females’ voices for decades. But podcasts are different. They are limitless—the creators can decide when, what, and even how long they want to discuss a topic that is meaningful to them.”

With 38 million streams, Tsana’s Spotify Exclusive podcast, Rintik Sedu (which in English translates to “sadness”), is the most streamed solo-hosted podcast in the country. Since January 2021, the show has held the number one spot on the Spotify Indonesia Charts, demonstrating the captivating hold the host, and her podcast, has on the Indonesian audience. But Tsana’s success doesn’t stop at one show. She’s expanded her presence with the teen romance-driven Spotify Original podcast Kuas, Kanvas dan Bulan Kesepian (Brushes, Canvas and Lonely Moon). Season two of the show recently launched in October 2021.

“Tsana’s unique view and gentle approach to storytelling has really resonated with her listeners,” shares Carl Zuzarte, Head of Studios for Spotify Southeast Asia. “She is paving the way for other female creators to express themselves through podcasts. Today, we see more female listeners and creators getting inspired and exploring their creativity through podcasting.” 

In response to the growing demand for relatable content that features strong female voices, Spotify is excited to announce five new Indonesian-language, female-led Spotify Original & Exclusive podcasts now available on the platform. 

NKCTHI: Surat dari Awan

This scripted fiction podcast features Indonesian actress Rachel Amanda in the lead and is based on the bestselling book and film Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini (NKCTHI). With two new episodes a week, the Spotify Original podcast explores the wonders and challenges of the lead character’s growth toward womanhood. 

Bisik-Bisik Senada

Talk show Bisik-Bisik Senada is a Spotify Original podcast hosted by three talented singers: Fatin Shidqia, Ghea Indrawari, and Ayuenstar. The women explore their life experiences, passion for singing, and perspectives on navigating life in the modern world.

HYPEBESTIE

Personalities Sarra Tobing, Canti Tachril, and Hadi Sylvester come together to discuss their views on love, life, and relationships as Gen Zers and millennials in this Spotify Original podcast. 

Happy Go Go

Spotify Original podcast Happy Go Go is hosted by up-and-coming comedians Mimin and Kimau, who are joined by actress Siva Aprilia. The show gives listeners a fresh perspective on life and wellness. 

Cape Mikir with Jebung

This show, which is exclusive to Spotify, is hosted by popular Indonesian singer Jebung. Episodes bring listeners into her world, where she discusses a variety of topics that pique her interest.