iHeartMedia and Audio Up Announce New True Crime Podcast "The Unborn"

The series will follow a woman whose life unraveled when she was gripped by a rare psychosomatic disorder called pseudocyesis

Listen to episode one here

Los Angeles, CA - November 12, 2024 - Today, iHeartMedia and Audio Up is thrilled announced "The Unborn," a groundbreaking true crime podcast hosted by actress Trisha LaFache (Amazon Prime's Jury Duty). Set in a small town in Western Pennsylvania, this series delves into the bizarre and chilling story of Jared and Christy Akron, a couple whose lives were upended by a mysterious and rare condition that turned love and hope into deception and darkness. "The Unborn" will be available on the iHeartRadio app and all major podcast platforms beginning today, Tuesday, November 12.

At the heart of "The Unborn" is Kristy Akron, a woman whose life unraveled when she was gripped by a rare psychosomatic disorder called pseudocyesis (false pregnancy syndrome) -a condition so unusual that it's only been recorded 44 times in history. Pseudocyesis causes those afflicted to believe they are pregnant, and in some cases, even physically manifest pregnancy symptoms such as a swollen belly, weight gain, and even lactation. For Kristy, this disorder went beyond belief, spiraling into a fantasy of twin babies that blurred the lines between reality and delusion.

"Pseudocyecis is the new Munchausens By Proxy" says Audio Up's chief creative officer Jimmy Jellinek. "The idea that something like this can even exist much less drive someone to do incredibly evil things is why podcasts exist in the first place. 'The Unborn' will have you saying WTF from beginning to end."

When doctors informed Christy that she was not pregnant, she concocted an elaborate charade to sustain the illusion, crafting false ultrasound images, positive pregnancy tests, and even orchestrating a staged gender reveal party. Her husband, Jared, a kind-hearted and unsuspecting man from rural Pennsylvania, became entangled in the deception. Unaware of the depth of her illness, he went along with her narrative, genuinely believing he was about to become a father. But when the truth began to crack through Christy's facade, her obsession took a darker turn.

New episodes of "The Unborn" will be available every Monday on the iHeartRadio app and wherever podcasts are heard.

"The Unborn" is distributed by iHeartPodcasts.

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About iHeartMedia, Inc.

iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) is the number one audio company in the United States, reaching nine out of 10 Americans every month. It consists of three business groups.

With its quarter of a billion monthly listeners, the iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group has a greater reach than any other media company in the U.S. Its leadership position in audio extends across multiple platforms, including more than 860 live broadcast stations in over 160 markets nationwide; its National Sales organization; and the company's live and virtual events business. It also includes Premiere Networks, the industry's largest Networks business, with its Total Traffic and Weather Network (TTWN); and BIN: Black Information Network, the first and only 24/7 national and local all news audio service for the Black community. iHeartMedia also leads the audio industry in analytics, targeting and attribution for its marketing partners with its SmartAudio suite of data targeting and attribution products using data from its massive consumer base.

The iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group includes the company's fast-growing podcasting business -- iHeartMedia is the number one podcast publisher in downloads, unique listeners, revenue and earnings -- as well as its industry-leading iHeartRadio digital service, available across more than 500 platforms and 2,000 devices; the company's digital sites, newsletters, digital services and programs; its digital advertising technology companies; and its audio industry-leading social media footprint.

The company's Audio & Media Services reportable segment includes Katz Media Group, the nation's largest media representation company, and RCS, the world's leading provider of broadcast and webcast software.

Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.