February has been an exciting month for Stak and podcast enthusiasts, as Stak prepares to launch two brand new shows and signs a deal for a Jackie the Ripper adaptation with The Number 44, Goldfinch’s genre label.

Jackie the Ripper is a five-part dark comedy podcast following the investigations of lead Scotland Yard detective, Frederick Abberline, as he hunts down a female serial killer targeting men 150 years after Whitechapel’s infamous ripper. After just its first season, Stak and Goldfinch announced on February 15th that the chart-topping podcast has been optioned for an on-screen adaptation.

Elsewhere, Stak has also announced the launch of brand new speculative science show, Where’s My Jetpack? Hosted by space journalist, presenter and author Sarah Cruddas alongside Stak’s COO and Football Ramble presenter Luke Moore, Where’s My Jetpack? explores different pieces of retrofuturistic technology that never came to be: from jetpacks, to flying cars, to space hotels and colonies on Mars. Across 10 episodes, Sarah and Luke are joined by those at the very forefront of science academia and industry to find out what happened to these space age dreams, including current and former NASA astronauts, world-renowned physicists. The show takes listeners to the very limits of scientific discovery and pushes the envelope on what’s possible. Episode one was released on the 24th February, and subsequent episodes will follow weekly.

“Where’s My Jetpack? is a passion project of mine,” Sarah enthuses. “To not only help showcase why space exploration matters, but to also help inspire as many as possible about all the exciting inventions and innovations that are just around the corner. The reality is this: Science Fiction should be renamed Science Prediction, and the best is yet to come. Who wouldn’t want to take a ride into the space age future we were promised?”

Finally, Planet Weirdo with Holly H is Stak’s first collaboration with Amazon Music. Available exclusively on Amazon Music and hosted by social media star Holly H and Georgina Rivell, Planet Weirdo is a podcast all about celebrating what’s weird and unique in each and every one of us! Boasting an expressive array of celebrity guests such as Olympic diver Tom Daley, music producer Benny Blanco, and High School Musical actress Kaycee Stroh – Planet Weirdo is a delightful and light-hearted weekly romp through the weird and the wonderful. The first episode was released on the 25th of February, exclusively on Amazon Music.

“It’s been incredible working with Amazon Music on the Planet Weirdo podcast,” says Holly. “After so many epic years on social media, it’s been great to finally bring my voice to a whole new format with the help of Stak especially. We’ve had a blast recording the series and hanging out with some very cool friends and familiar faces, so I’m beyond excited for everyone to hear the first episode this Friday!”

You can listen to Where’s My Jetpack? wherever you get your podcasts. Planet Weirdo with Holly H is exclusive to Amazon Music and is available to listen via Apple Music or Audible.

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UTOPIA Talks is Stak’s latest launch in the podcasting world, celebrating the world of dance music and tackling issues faced by this generation of artists and fans alike. At its core, UTOPIA Talks is a reactive podcast and a springboard for further conversation. Hosted by DJ and broadcaster Jaguar and produced by Stak’s Katie Baxter, UTOPIA Talks is creating a more inclusive and equal world in dance music and beyond with every episode.

What was the behind the scenes process to launch UTOPIA Talks?

JAGUAR: I put out the first proto UTOPIA Talks episode in autumn last year about sexual assault in dance music, at a time where it needed  to be addressed and spoken about. It was received well and lots of  people were getting in touch to say they were touched by it and supported it. Katie got in touch and said they’d love to help with future episodes and so we started planning out the first series. I couldn’t believe someone wanted to produce it into a proper podcast!

KATIE: I heard Jaguar’s pilot and it instantly felt like a really special project. I knew I’d have a lot to offer in terms of content and sound design, so I got in touch with Jaguar and asked if she’d be interested in working on it with me at Stak. I was so thrilled when she agreed to make the show with us. It’s been such a cool process and collaborating with Jaguar has been incredible.

J: We’ve got so much in store and I love going in each week to record the show. We’re a proper team and it feels so exciting to have another young woman working with me on this.

The pilot of UTOPIA Talks was all about The First Dance – the first government-sanctioned rave to take place since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. What was that experience like, and what went into creating that episode?

J: Playing at The First Dance felt like a real moment in history and it was an honour to play. I was a bit apprehensive ahead of the set, as it as overwhelming to be amongst thousands of people without masks and social distancing. It was also very emotional – lots of DJs were crying before or even during their sets.

K: Jaguar and I really wanted to give the listener a taste of what’s to come when nightlife returns. And I think those interviews did just that – they were so emotionally charged! I had a lot of fun doing the sound design for them and we’re keen to incorporate more on location audio as the series goes on.

J: I interviewed The Blessed Madonna, Jayda G and Lauren Lo Sung and you can just hear the emotion in their voices. I was paired up with Heidi to play a back to back set which felt amazing! Heidi is one of my favourite DJs and someone I really admire. The set was a blast of energy and started a wonderful friendship between us, so it was great to get her in the studio for episode one.

What can listeners look forward to on the UTOPIA Talks feed?

J: We’ll be diving deep into conversations that are not often had in dance music, with some of the scene’s finest DJs and industry heads from the new generation coming through, as well as those who’ve been in the game since the beginning. From talking about sobriety to issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community, people of colour and women in music, UTOPIA Talks has loads in store. I live for vast, meaty conversations and I truly believe that this podcast will be a catalyst for change, and both inspire and educate its listeners.

Listen to UTOPIA Talks now on the Stak website, ACAST or SPOTIFY.

Stak produces podcasts that entertain and inform, including some of the UK’s biggest and most popular shows – boasting a combined 4 million monthly listens and over 45 years of podcasting experience. Whether recording remotely or in our broadcast-grade London studio, we specialise in every stage of the podcasting process. To find out more or get in touch, visit our website at stak.london. 

@stakpod // @stakpod

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This article was produced by Stak as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com.

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