Nicole S. Palmer Advances to Top Host Quarterfinals, One Round Closer to iHeartRadio Podcast

Nicole S. Palmer, bestselling author, podcast host and founder and CEO of Delnic Media™, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Top Host competition, bringing her one step closer to an opportunity to host a six-episode podcast produced by iHeartRadio. According to her official Top Host profile, Palmer is among the top 1% of all hosts in the competition. The winner will also receive a $25,000 prize and a guest appearance on On Air with Ryan Seacrest.

The advancement marks an important milestone in Palmer’s continuing journey as a media professional, author and entrepreneur. Her career began as a deejay at a Washington area radio station, where she developed an early appreciation for the energy of broadcasting and the connection that can form between a host and an audience. Over the years, that experience grew into a broader creative and business vision centered on storytelling, meaningful conversations and opportunities for other voices to be heard.

In 2009, Palmer established My Anointed Quill™, a faith-centered creative and publishing platform with earlier roots in Anointed Quill. The initiative helped establish the foundation for her expanding work in publishing and media. That foundation eventually developed into Delnic Media™, a multimedia company with a portfolio spanning books, journalism, podcasts, digital media and original fiction.

Palmer brings a conversational and personable approach to her work. Her official Top Host profile captures that personality with a description that reflects both her professional background and sense of humor: “Bestselling author. Radio deejay turned podcast host. CEO of media empire loading. Engaging. Charming. Hilarious. I’m your Huckleberry.”

For Palmer, hosting is about more than asking questions or guiding an interview. It is about creating an environment where guests feel comfortable sharing their experiences, perspectives and stories. When asked what she enjoys most about hosting, she explained, “Giving guests the spotlight and room to be themselves. And if I can get a guest to laugh ’til they cry or say they feel seen, my job is done.”

Her background has also shaped the range of experiences and perspectives she brings to conversations. Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Palmer spent nine years in the Dominican Republic before moving to the United States in 1990. She eventually built her life and career in Washington, D.C., drawing from the different cultural experiences that have influenced her outlook and creative interests.

As an author, Palmer wrote Playing the Game While Black Womaning in Corporate America®, a work that explores professional experiences and workplace challenges. She also hosts the Black Womaning in Corporate America® podcast, where conversations focus on work, leadership, career development and belonging. Through the platform, she creates space for guests to discuss their professional journeys, share lessons from their experiences and offer perspectives that can resonate with listeners navigating their own careers.

Her media work extends beyond podcasting. Through Delnic Media News Network™, Palmer covers individuals and communities whose stories may not always receive broad attention. Her creative portfolio also includes the Sienna Bailey mystery series, demonstrating her interest in developing original stories across different formats.

The opportunity presented by Top Host aligns with Palmer’s broader vision for a podcast that can accommodate a wide range of subjects while maintaining an engaging and welcoming atmosphere. She envisions conversations that can move naturally from work and entrepreneurship to faith, relationships and creativity. Humor would remain an important part of the experience, allowing guests and listeners to connect through both meaningful discussions and lighter moments.

When asked what she would bring to an iHeartRadio podcast, Palmer offered a response that reflects her personality and interviewing style: “I got stories for days. I’m curious, I’ve got follow-up questions, and we’ll probably be laughing before you finish answering the first one.”

That combination of curiosity, humor and interest in other people's experiences is central to the kind of show she hopes to create. Rather than limiting conversations to a single subject, Palmer wants to explore the experiences that shape people, their work and their personal development. Her approach places emphasis on giving guests room to express themselves while keeping listeners engaged.

If she wins the competition, Palmer plans to invest the prize in production and promotion while pursuing broader syndication opportunities for her podcasts. SiriusXM is among the platforms on her wish list. Beyond the immediate opportunity, she sees the competition as a way to expand the reach of her media projects and introduce her work to a larger audience.

Her long term goal is to use Delnic Media™ to bring more untold stories forward while helping other entrepreneurs build businesses that compensate them for the value they create. Through publishing, journalism, podcasting and original fiction, she continues to develop a media portfolio that reflects her interest in creative expression and meaningful communication.

Advancing to the quarterfinals represents another step in that ongoing effort. With the next voting round approaching, Palmer is encouraging supporters to participate and help her move closer to the opportunity to bring her podcast vision to a wider audience.

Vote for Nicole S. Palmer

Quarterfinal voting opens Monday, Nov. 16, and runs through Wednesday, Nov. 25. Vote totals reset for the new round, giving supporters a fresh opportunity to help Palmer advance. Supporters can cast one free vote every 24 hours through her official Top Host voting page. Optional donation-based votes support the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

About Nicole S. Palmer

Nicole S. Palmer is a bestselling author, editor, publisher, podcast host and founder and CEO of Delnic Media™, a multimedia company spanning publishing, journalism, podcasting, digital media and original fiction. Its portfolio includes My Anointed Quill™, Black Womaning in Corporate America®, Delnic Media News Network™ and the Sienna Bailey mystery series.