LOS ANGELES, CA — January 22, 2026 — iHeartPodcasts today announced it is partnering with actor, filmmaker and podcaster Rider Strong (Boy Meets World, Cabin Fever) to launch his new audio series, “The Red Weather.” This innovative 8-episode autofiction podcast, inspired by Strong's initial work on a documentary about communes in and around his hometown of Sebastopol, California, masterfully blends a fictional true-crime mystery with a profoundly personal real-life narrative. The series will premiere with its first two episodes on January 28, with episodes launching twice weekly thereafter. Listen to the official audio trailer now, HERE.           

“‘The Red Weather’ started with me grabbing a microphone and asking old friends about kids we knew who grew up in so-called ‘cults,’” said Rider Strong. “As the memories piled up, I wanted to find the best way to draw listeners into that unique time and place. I’m excited to team up with iHeart to bring this deeply personal project to audiences everywhere.”

The fictional investigative podcast will interrogate true-crime conventions, unreliable narration and the ethics of storytelling — all driven by a 1995 cold case. Strong, playing himself, will delve into the disappearance of his best friend's sister, Anna Trainor, from a commune in 1995. The central crime is fictitious, yet the recorded interviews with real family and friends, along with the exploration of Rider’s own past, make for a deeply authentic audio experience and personal journey. Featuring documentary-style recordings with actors on location, “The Red Weather” will create a unique blend of reality and scripted drama, exploring themes of ‘90s nostalgia, the pitfalls of alternative parenting and misogyny.

“The concept behind ‘The Red Weather’ is truly unique, blurring the lines between what is real and what is masterful storytelling in a way that draws the listener in, providing them a glimpse into what life was like during Rider’s formative years,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “Part fiction, part true crime and part autobiographical, this podcast will captivate audiences.”

The cast of “The Red Weather” includes Strong’s parents, his son, his brother Shiloh, as well as actor and director Jon Huertas (This is Us), Rachel Marsh (The Morning Show) and Heidi Sulzman (Hell or High Water). Additionally, Kyle Morton, lead singer and                     creative visionary behind indie-rock band Typhoon composed all original music for the series.

“The Red Weather” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.