Podcast Accelerator: Spotify Alum Helps New Creators Launch

Atlanta-based Could Be Pretty Cool is releasing the first podcast trailers from the Pretty Cool Creator Collective, a new program designed to help experts launch their own podcasts, begining today.

Empowering Voices: New Accelerator Launches Podcasts by Women Experts

The initiative supports women bringing unique perspectives in mental health, immigration, and higher education to the podcasting world.

• The Pretty Cool Creator Collective is a three-month accelerator offering virtual workshops and production support.
• The inaugural cohort features professional women with expertise in diverse fields.
• the program operated on a pay-what-you-can model to address economic challenges.
• Applications for the next cohort will open this spring.
• Trailers for the five new shows are now available.

The five women selected for the first cohort bring valuable expertise to the podcasting space, focusing on topics like mental health, the experiences of immigrants, and navigating higher education. The program completed a three-month curriculum featuring virtual workshops, weekly assignments, and hands-on production assistance, providing a supportive habitat for these first-time podcasters. What kind of support do new podcasters need to succeed? Structured guidance and a strong community can be crucial for individuals launching their first podcast, according to program founder Kacie Luaders.

Did you know? – Podcasts are experiencing continued growth in listenership. Edison Research reported in 2023 that 67% of Americans age 12+ have listened to a podcast.

could be Pretty cool was founded by Kacie (Willis) Luaders, a 2019 graduate of Spotify’s Sound Up podcast accelerator. luaders then produced the Spotify Original podcast You Heard Me Write from 2020 to 2022. The Pretty Cool Creator Collective builds on that experience, aiming to provide a similar pipeline of support to creators who possess valuable insights but may lack the necessary time, resources, or confidence to begin podcasting independently.

Pro tip – Before launching, define your target audience. Knowing who you’re speaking to will help shape your content and marketing strategy for maximum impact.

All trailers from the inaugural shows are now available on the Pretty Cool Creator collective channel. The initial group of creators participated in the program on a pay-what-you-can basis, acknowledging the economic realities of 2025. Additional shows from the collective are planned for launch throughout 2026, and applications for the next cohort will open this spring.

Why was the Pretty Cool Creator Collective founded? Kacie Luaders founded the program after experiencing the benefits of structured support and community through Spotify’s Sound Up accelerator. She aims to replicate that experience for other women experts. Who is involved? The inaugural cohort consists of five women with expertise in mental health, immigration, and higher education. What does the program offer? The three-month accelerator provides virtual workshops, weekly assignments, and hands-on production assistance. How did it end? The first cohort completed the program in 2025, with trailers for their podcasts now available. The collective plans to launch additional shows throughout 2026, and applications for the next cohort will open this spring.