iHeartPodcasts has launched a new original podcast, “DJ Hesta Prynn’s Music is Therapy,” aimed at exploring the relationship between music and mental health. The show is hosted by Julie Slavin, known professionally as DJ Hesta Prynn, who is both a New York City-based DJ and a licensed therapist.
The podcast intends to provide listeners with strategies for improving their lives by using music as a tool. Each episode will feature conversations with notable guests from entertainment, music, and wellness fields. Among those scheduled to appear are Questlove, Devi Brown, and Dan Savage.
Julie Slavin explained the motivation behind the series: “Research shows it takes 400 repetitions of a new thought or behavior to form a new neural pathway – anyone who’s ever tried to make a significant change in their life knows how hard that is. However, studies also show that when pairing play with a new thought or behavior, the number of required repetitions drops significantly. For adults, play is music and movement. I’m excited to launch this show in partnership with iHeartPodcasts and look forward to leveraging their massive scale and reach to improve the lives of music lovers everywhere.”
The series consists of 52 episodes. Each episode pairs discussions with tailored playlists intended to help listeners reinforce positive changes in their lives. The podcast uses Slavin’s personal “12 Areas of Life” wellness framework and offers actionable advice through interviews with experts.
The initial theme for January focuses on money. After an introductory solo episode where Slavin discusses her approach and shares how Jay-Z influenced her financial outlook, subsequent episodes will include input from financial experts such as Jean Chatzky, Kate Northrup, and New York Times journalist David Gelles.
Hesta Prynn (Julie Potash Slavin) has performed alongside figures like Amy Schumer and Deepak Chopra, was taught to mix vinyl by Questlove, appears regularly as an expert on CNN, and created Music Connection Therapy—a method designed to use favorite songs for emotional growth.
New episodes are released weekly on Fridays. The show is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available via the iHeartRadio app as well as other major podcast platforms.
