Richmond Podcaster Ranks Third in National Competition

Local creator Brittney Tennyson is advancing in a national contest to raise money for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Philanthropy

A professional broadcast microphone on a boom arm in a dark, acoustically treated studio.
Brittney Tennyson of Richmond currently holds third place in the national Top Host competition, a fundraising event supporting pediatric programs for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Highland Springs High School graduate Brittney Tennyson currently holds third place in a national Top Host podcast competition. The contest raises awareness and funds for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation through a public voting system.

Why it matters

The competition serves as a vital fundraising vehicle for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which supports pediatric patients through media-focused programs. Participants compete to secure votes and financial contributions to advance through the elimination rounds.

The competition offers $25,000 in prize money to the eventual winner. Tennyson produces her podcast, She's A Ten: One on One with Brittney Tennyson, which currently features six episodes.

The players

Brittney Tennyson

She is a Highland Springs High School graduate and host of the podcast She's A Ten: One on One with Brittney Tennyson.

Ryan Seacrest Foundation

This nonprofit organization builds broadcast media centers in pediatric hospitals to help patients explore creative outlets.

Action Initiative Team

This group acts as the administrative body responsible for managing grants and operations for the competition.

The details

Participants in the Top Host competition rely on the public to cast votes daily, with options for supporters to donate funds for additional votes. The Action Initiative Team manages the grant distribution process for the event.

Timeline

  1. Brittney Tennyson reached third place in her group on October 27, 2026.

  2. The competition's Top 10 round concludes on October 29, 2026.

Market Landscape

This competition mirrors the broader industry trend of using digital creator engagement to bolster charitable outreach. It reflects a shift where independent podcasters leverage their niche audiences to compete for national philanthropic capital.

Richmond residents can support Tennyson by casting one free vote every 24 hours. Alternatively, supporters may choose to donate money to the foundation to gain additional voting power for the candidate.

The takeaway

Engaging with charity-linked competitions can provide meaningful support for national foundations while increasing the visibility of local creators. Readers interested in participating should monitor the daily voting deadlines to ensure their support is counted before the round concludes.

What happens next

The Top 10 round of the competition is scheduled to conclude on October 29, 2026, at which point the field of contestants will be narrowed.

Further reading

Learn more about local efforts by visiting the Philanthropy section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Henrico Citizen.

Live Poll

Would you support a local resident by voting in a national contest to help them win?