Creating a Narrative Podcast Series: The Emerging Hollywood IP - Sponsored by DeKalb Entertainment Commission

This panel brings together leading creators in podcasting for a behind-the-scenes look at crafting a hit narrative series. Panelists will share insights on developing compelling stories, producing premium content, and navigating today’s evolving audio landscape. Attendees will gain valuable perspective on what it takes to create standout, audience-driven series. Moderator: Executive Producer Jeff Keating (Fight Night and the Million Dollar Heist, PeeWee Gaskins Was Not My Friend, Shock Incarceration) Panelists: Executive Producer Jason Hoch (Boomtown / Landman, Atlanta Monster, High Roller Heist), Executive Producer and Host Noel Brown (Stuff They Don't Want You To Know), Writer / Story Editor Jim Roberts, (Fight Night, Pee Wee Gaskins Was Not My Friend, Shock Incarceration), Post-Production Editor Lane Crouse (Shock Incarceration), Writer Chris Ragazzo (Shock Incarceration) Jeff Keating is an Atlanta-based writer/producer/podcast host and the founder of Doghouse Pictures . He is known for developing “hidden gem” stories through deep research—often building projects across formats, from podcasts to film/scripted series. Jeff is the creator and host of iHeart’s acclaimed true-crime podcast Fight Night , which became the foundation for Peacock’s 8-episode limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist , for which he serves as an executive producer with Will Packer. The series stars Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson, Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle, and Terrence Howard. Jason Hoch is behind some of the most popular and beloved audio series ever created in the podcast space. He has produced over 40 series totaling over 300 million downloads, with six number-one hits and six number-one documentary series hits on the Apple Podcast charts. Jason serves as CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Wavland, a podcast and production company focused on thrilling documentary-style audio narratives and video series that span the globe. His work also extends into the television and feature realm, most recently as Executive Producer on the Paramount+ smash hit series Landman , created by Taylor Sheridan, based on the hit podcast Boomtown . Noel Brown is a podcaster, musician, and filmmaker living in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a co-host of Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know and co-host and co-creator of Ridiculous History, for the iHeart Podcast Network. As a lead executive producer at iHeart, Noel has developed and overseen podcasts ranging from true crime hits like Fight Night and Murder in Oregon to music and pop culture shows hosted by the likes of Questlove and Billy Corgan. In 2013, his film, Guidestones won the award for Best Documentary Short at the Atlanta Film Festival. After 20 years as a GA State University film and literature professor, Jim Roberts took a leap to write true-crime podcasts and produce feature films. Fight Night and the Million Dollar Heist was the first. Although he misses teaching, three more podcasts and several films later, he's delighted to have such an exciting second career. Lane Crouse began his sound design career mixing audio on the soap opera Guiding Light in New York . In 2010, he moved to Atlanta and began sound designing for Turner Studios. In the years since, Lane has sound designed for a variety of television, film, and corporate clients around the country. Chris Ragazzo is an LA based screenwriter, director, and photographer whose career spans film, television, and documentary storytelling. As a still photographer his work has been featured on PBS, The Sundance Channel, AMC, IFC, The New York Times, and CNN. Chris recently served as a writer on iHeartRadio’s true-crime podcast Shock Incarceration .