Highlights Magazine Announces New Podcast

Highlights For Children, Inc. is teaming up with kids' podcast leader, Tinkercast, to unveil a new podcast for kids titled, Highlights Hangout, on June 4. Highlights Hangout is the latest addition to the screen-alternative kids-podcast movement that comes just in time for summer road trip season. An exciting 20-25 minute Highlights Hangout episode will release on the first Monday of each month.

Highlights Hangout is a new monthly podcast that brings Highlights Magazine, an American icon, to life in a whole new way. This magazine-style show offers a unique audio spin on the stories, characters, puzzles, and jokes that millions of kids dive into each month in the pages of Highlights. The new podcast will continue the impressive work of Highlights and its "fun with a purpose" approach, which for the past 72 years has helped children become their best selves by creating content and experiences that engage, delight, and foster joyful learning. The podcast is produced in partnership with Tinkercast, creators of the award-winning, NPR-distributed podcast, Wow in the World, which is currently the most popular podcast for kids.

"The Highlights brand has been able thrive and grow by finding new ways to reach families without losing the core values that have made us a success since the start. The Highlights Hangout podcast is a perfect example of bringing our brand to an exciting new medium, and there is no better partner in the space than Tinkercast, who shares our belief in offering "fun with a purpose" through top quality execution." says Kent Johnson, CEO of Highlights.

Hosted by Tim Kubart (Sunny Side Up, Tim and the Space Cadets) and Juanita Andersen (Barrel of Monkeys, Theater for Young People), the show features Highlights favorites "Goofus and Gallant", "Ask Arizona", "The Hidden Sound Game" ("Hidden Pictures" with sounds!), and listener-submitted "HangMail" featuring jokes, tongue twisters, poems and wow-worthy science questions answered by Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz from Wow in the World!

"We know families are hungry for quality experiences that bring them together and offer alternatives to screen time. After the success of our first podcast "Wow in the World" this year, it was essential for Tinkercast's second show to appeal to curious kids and their grown-ups in the same way," says Meredith Halpern-Ranzer, Tinkercast CEO. "We couldn't have found a partner more dedicated to kids than Highlights and we are thrilled to help them deliver meaningful and playful content in a whole new way. We are also excited that "Wow in the World" hosts, Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas, will be become a part of the MySci page in Highlights Magazine through this new partnership."

The premiere episode "Hang Ten" debuts June 4 and sets the new audio format for the familiar content as hosts Tim and Juanita introduce listeners to a new way to "play the Highlights way". They will reveal the Hidden Sound, a new sonic twist on the classic Highlights' Hidden Picture Game, and invite listeners to listen for, identify, and count up the Hidden Sounds throughout the show. Other features will include HangMail, a visit to an imaginary amusement park where they play "I Can't Believe this Imaginary Wave Pool Has a Line This Long Game Show!!" and where they learn some pretty amazing things about the sport of surfing. There will be a song about summer camp from Goofus and Gallant, plus listener submitted jokes, poems, and burning science questions from real kids that are answered with the help of friends Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas from the Wow in the World podcast. The episode wraps up with the answer to the Hidden Sound Game plus a riddle to solve by the next episode!

Highlights Hangout will be available for downloaded wherever podcasts are available including Apple Podcasts, and at highlightshangout.com

About Highlights

Highlights is a beloved, global media brand dedicated to helping children become curious, creative, caring and confident through engaging content and experiences that are focused on nurturing and developing the whole child. Through stories, poems, puzzles, jokes/riddles, science experiments, art activities, and more; kids are encouraged to think, problem-solve, and build their literacy skills, all while having fun. Essential to childhood, Highlights reaches children 0-12 with popular magazines (Highlights Hello, Highlights High Five, Highlights High Five Bilingüe [English/Spanish], and Highlights), digital apps, toys/games, the Highlights Hangout podcast, and books incorporating classic favorites like Hidden Pictures puzzles, Goofus and Gallant, Dear Highlights letters and more. Because Highlights offerings may be print or digital, purchased through subscriptions, online, or at retail; kids can engage with Highlights anytime, anywhere. To learn more and connect with Highlights visit Highlights.com, HighlightsKids.com, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and/or Instagram.

About Tinkercast

Tinkercast is the leading producer of high-quality educational audio programs for curious kids and their grown-ups. Founded in 2017 by three media veterans, parents and storytellers (Meredith Halpern-Ranzer, Guy Raz, and Mindy Thomas), Tinkercast provides a creative alternative to screen time with its unique combination of comedy and conversation that engages the minds of the whole family. The company's premiere podcast, Wow in the World, leads curious kids on a creative, auditory journey into the most amazing stories in science, technology and new discoveries. Distributed by NPR, Wow in the World is NPR's first kids and family program in its 47-year history. Since its launch May 2017, the show is leading the quickly growing list of kids podcasts with about 12 million downloads to date. To learn more, connect with us at Tinkercast.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.

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