Kaitlin Prest

Kaitlin Prest is an accomplished audio artist and the director of Mermaid Palace, an innovative audio and art company she co-founded in 2019. Prior to this, she was the creator and host of The Heart, a groundbreaking podcast known for its feminist and queer perspectives, which garnered significant acclaim and numerous awards during its run.

Career Highlights

• The Heart: Prest was integral to The Heart, which began as a project in 2006 and evolved into a prominent podcast that explored themes of gender, sexuality, and identity. It became the first openly queer and feminist radio show in public broadcasting, receiving over 7 million listens and several prestigious awards, including a Prix Italia and a Peabody finalist nomination.12

• Mermaid Palace: Founded in 2019, Mermaid Palace serves as a platform for fostering new queer and feminist storytellers. The company emphasizes innovative narrative audio and aims to provide space and resources for underrepresented voices in the audio industry. Prest's vision for Mermaid Palace includes a commitment to anti-racism and equitable organizational practices.23

• Education and Background: Kaitlin Prest studied at McGill University and has a background in various media, including audio art and performance.4

Today, she continues to lead Mermaid Palace, which is preparing for future initiatives aimed at expanding its artistic reach and impact.2