Ben Haywood wins the Find and Tell podcast competition

ARN’s iHeart and BlakCast are thrilled to announce Ben Haywood as the winner of the Find and Tell podcast series. Ben emerged victorious in a competition that saw hundreds of entries whittled down to a final four, showcasing diverse and compelling storytelling from Australians of various cultural backgrounds.

Ben went head to head with runner up Mark Mariano; they shared the theme “Lost In Translation”. Ben’s story focuses on the question of indigenous languages heading towards extinction, and whether it should be taught in Australian schools.

As the winner, Ben Haywood will receive over $10,000 in support, including top-tier podcasting gear from RØDE and short courses alongside mentoring from the prestigious Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS). This package is designed to further enhance Ben’s storytelling abilities and support his future endeavours to find and tell stories.

Winner Ben Haywood said: “It was such a privilege to be a part of this new emerging platform for diverse storytellers. iHeart and Blakcast have created an amazing initiative to encourage everyday Australians like me that we have what it takes to be successful in the fast-growing world of podcasting no matter your experience or background. I’m extremely proud of my Aboriginal heritage and so grateful I’ve had the opportunity to showcase this throughout the series. I’m still coming to terms with winning the competition which blows my mind, I never would have thought I’d be here but that is the beauty of what this production has created, encouraging people to take the leap, express their creativity and tell some beautiful and diverse stories unique to each individual. I can’t wait to see what opportunities this opens for myself, and I will be eagerly waiting for the next season of Find and Tell."

ARN’s Head of Digital Audio Corey Layton said “Ambitious projects like these don’t happen nearly enough and I’m incredibly proud of our storytellers and crew who’ve crafted an incredible breadth of stories. We can’t wait to see where Ben and the rest of our storyteller’s leap from here as they continue representing the rich, diverse cultures from across Australia.”

Blakcast’s Mundanara Bayles said: “The Find and Tell Podcast Competition has truly highlighted the richness and diversity of stories within our communities. It’s inspiring to see storytellers like Ben Haywood bring forward narratives that question and celebrate our cultural heritage. BlakCast is proud to partner with iHeart to support these voices, empowering First Nations People and people of colour to reclaim their narratives and foster a more inclusive Australia.”

The Find and Tell Podcast Competition, a collaboration between ARN’s iHeart and the Indigenous Podcast Network, BlakCast, is a pioneering podcast series that embarked on a captivating journey to discover the most promising storytellers from diverse backgrounds and was hosted by journalist and author Jamila Rizvi.

Find and Tell brought together talented individuals from all walks of life, with or without prior podcasting experience, to compete and create impactful stories. The final four contestants, representing Filipino, Iranian, Korean, and Indigenous heritage, were flown to ARN’s iHeart studios in Sydney for a storytelling bootcamp. They were provided with professional-grade recording equipment and paired with their own iHeart producer to guide them throughout the process

The BlakCast Podcast Network, in partnership with iHeart, is dedicated to empowering First Nationals People and people of colour. BlakCast is supporting BOIPOC creatives to reclaim their narratives, strengthen cultural identity, and foster a more inclusive Australia. Building on the success of iHeart’s partnership with Mundanara Bayles’ podcast Black Magic Woman, the network continues to showcase and celebrate exciting emerging talent from Australian communities.