T.D. Jakes Launches “NXT Chapter” Podcast with iHeartMedia | Oprah, Denzel & More Join Powerful New Series
Bishop T.D. Jakes, one of the world’s most respected spiritual leaders, social commentators, and cultural influencers, is stepping boldly into a new medium — and a new mission. With a global following spanning five decades, Jakes has announced a groundbreaking partnership with iHeartMedia to launch a weekly podcast aimed at inspiring meaningful conversations, healing cultural divides, and equipping listeners for personal transformation.
The new series, titled “NXT Chapter with T.D. Jakes,” promises to explore the defining moments, challenges, and pivots that shape some of the most powerful and influential figures in business, entertainment, activism, wellness, and faith. The podcast premieres with none other than Oprah Winfrey, setting the tone for a series built on depth, perspective, and purpose.
A Podcast Designed for the World We’re Living In — and the Future We Must Build
“This isn’t just a podcast, it’s a platform for perspective.” — T.D. Jakes
With these words, T.D. Jakes describes his vision for NXT Chapter — a digital gathering space where stories become lessons, where struggle becomes wisdom, and where authenticity opens the door to collective growth.
Jakes has spent half a century teaching, writing, and empowering millions around the world. Yet he says this new project is unlike anything he’s done before.
He explains:
“I’ve spent my life speaking to people’s souls. Now, I want to sit with their stories.”
In a world overwhelmed by noise, division, and relentless change, NXT Chapter seeks to offer clarity, compassion, and community. Each episode delves into the human experiences that shape legacies — the failures, breakthroughs, and revelations that push individuals into their next season of life.
Inside “NXT Chapter”: What Listeners Can Expect
A Weekly Masterclass in Transformation
Each episode features a deep, intentional conversation between Jakes and a prominent guest. Rather than focusing on celebrity or achievement alone, the series centers around:
Life-defining turning points
Overcoming adversity and setbacks
Reinvention and rediscovery
Purpose, identity, and meaning
Leadership, culture, and personal growth
Navigating transitions — individually and nationally
Jakes says the goal is not entertainment, but evolution.
A Guide for the Nation — and Every Individual Listener
In contrast to traditional interview shows, NXT Chapter aims to:
Encourage reflection
Inspire courage
Foster unity rather than division
Equip listeners to turn the page in their own lives
Offer insights from leaders who have shaped industries and movements
According to Jakes:
“America’s story is still being written, but too often we speak past one another instead of with one another. NXT Chapter invites us to pause, listen, and begin drafting a future rooted in clarity, compassion, and shared purpose.”
Powerhouse Lineup: Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, Jeezy & More
The inaugural episode launches today with Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential media figures in history and a longtime friend of Jakes. Their conversation is expected to tackle themes of resilience, spiritual grounding, and navigating life’s reinventions.
Following episodes will feature:
Denzel Washington — Award-winning actor, director, and humanitarian
Jeezy — Rapper, entrepreneur, and author offering a raw perspective on survival and evolution
Mellody Hobson — Co-CEO of Ariel Investments and one of the most powerful voices in global finance
Dr. Charles Amos — Physician, author, and advocate for holistic wellness
Sarah Jakes Roberts — Pastor, best-selling author, and influential millennial voice
Jason Wilson — Youth mentor and author known for emotional and mental fitness advocacy
This lineup reflects Jakes’s goal to bring together leaders from diverse backgrounds who can speak to the complexities of the modern world.
Why T.D. Jakes Chose Podcasting — and Why Now
For nearly 50 years, Jakes has been known as:
“The Bishop”
Founder of The Potter’s House Church in Dallas
A thought leader shaping conversations in faith, culture, and leadership
A filmmaker, businessman, and philanthropist
But after decades of global influence, he is entering a new era — his own “next chapter.”
Podcasting allows Jakes to:
Reach younger digital audiences
Explore topics beyond the pulpit
Engage voices across industries
Create space for vulnerability, curiosity, and deep dialogue
Reinvent how he serves, teaches, and leads
He sees this moment in history as a turning point where people are seeking more authentic guidance — not just information, but revelation.
A New Platform Shaped by Survival: Jakes Reflects on His Near-Fatal Heart Attack
Less than a year ago, Jakes revealed he survived a life-threatening heart attack — a moment that forced him to confront his own mortality and reassess his purpose.
Several episodes of the podcast will touch on:
His medical crisis
The emotional and spiritual aftermath
How recovery reshaped his priorities
His renewed sense of mission and leadership in this next season of life
This rare level of transparency is expected to resonate deeply with audiences seeking resilience in their own challenges.
iHeartMedia’s Vision: A Partnership Built for Impact
“We are excited to help Bishop Jakes connect with iHeart’s listeners everywhere.” — Will Pearson, President, iHeartPodcasts
iHeartMedia, one of the world’s largest audio platforms, believes NXT Chapter will arrive at a perfect cultural moment.
According to Pearson:
“At a time when people are searching for hope and more connection, ‘NXT Chapter with T.D. Jakes’ is the perfect podcast to remind us of what is possible when people from different walks of life come together.”
The partnership strengthens Jakes’s already massive digital presence:
Millions of followers across social networks
Hundreds of millions of monthly video views
Over 2 billion annual impressions across digital channels
iHeart will release:
Full-length audio episodes
Full video versions on YouTube
Exclusive behind-the-scenes content
The goal: expand Jakes’s reach while offering listeners premium, intellectually rich conversations.
A Vision That Goes Beyond Podcasting
NXT Chapter is more than a media project — it’s part of Jakes’s larger mission to influence culture, empower communities, and shape dialogue for future generations.
The themes expected to run throughout the series include:
1. Purpose & Calling
How individuals discover, refine, and expand their mission in life.
2. Leadership & Influence
Lessons for navigating an increasingly complex world.
3. Healing & Wholeness
Emotional, spiritual, and relational restoration.
4. Cultural Unity & Understanding
Listening across differences to build a shared future.
5. Reinvention & Resilience
Overcoming setbacks to step boldly into a new season.
A Format Designed for Today’s Digital Generation
Unlike traditional sermons or interviews, NXT Chapter adopts a hybrid approach:
Raw, unfiltered conversations
High-production storytelling
Soul-stirring reflections
Cultural and social observations
Guidance listeners can apply immediately
Episodes are crafted for:
Commuters
Professionals
Students
Faith communities
Anyone navigating their own “next chapter”
The combination of storytelling, reflection, and strategy makes the show uniquely positioned to reach global listeners seeking direction in uncertain times.
A Cultural Architect with Five Decades of Influence
Although millions know Jakes as a preacher, fewer realize the scope of his behind-the-scenes impact.
Over the years, he has quietly influenced:
Boardrooms — advising Fortune 500 companies
Sound stages — producing films and documentaries
Policy conversations — engaging national leaders
Community initiatives — driving major philanthropic projects
The podcast offers a chance for audiences to access the mind behind the movement — the strategist, not just the speaker.
Why ‘NXT Chapter’ Matters in This Cultural Moment
Society is undergoing seismic shifts:
Technology is reshaping identity
Communities are more divided than ever
People are searching for stability, purpose, and connection
Traditional institutions are being questioned
Personal reinvention is no longer optional — it is essential
This podcast arrives as a bridge — a space where wisdom, insight, and humanity meet.
It invites listeners to ask:
What is my next chapter?
How do I rewrite my story after trauma, change, or disappointment?
How do we rebuild relationships and communities that feel fractured?
How do we face the future with courage, clarity, and hope?
Final Thoughts: A New Voice for a New Season
With “NXT Chapter,” T.D. Jakes is not only launching a podcast — he is opening a global conversation.
This series marks:
His return after a near-death experience
His deepest public reflections to date
His effort to unify a fragmented culture
A new platform that blends wisdom, modernity, and authenticity
As Jakes steps into this next chapter of his own life, he invites listeners to step into theirs.
The podcast is now streaming on iHeartMedia and YouTube.
