Privacy,
in plain English.

This Privacy Policy explains how The Hey, Heather! Podcast ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information when you visit this website, apply to be on the show, contact us, join a mailing list, or use a membership feature.

What we collect

Information you give us. This may include your name, email address, message, guest-application answers, photographs, social links, biographical details, interview materials, newsletter preferences, account details, and membership information.

If paid memberships are enabled, payment information is handled directly by Stripe, our payment processor. We do not store your complete card number on our own systems.

Information collected automatically. Our site and service providers may receive technical information such as your IP address, browser and device type, pages viewed, referring page, approximate location, and cookie or similar technology data.

How we use information

We use information to operate and improve the website and podcast; review guest applications; communicate with you; publish episodes and approved guest profiles; provide memberships; process transactions; send requested updates; understand site use; prevent fraud and abuse; protect our rights; and meet legal obligations.

Who helps us operate the site

We work with the following outside services, each of which handles information under their own terms and privacy policies:

Stripe processes membership payments. MemberPress manages membership accounts and access on our WordPress site. Buzzsprout hosts and delivers our podcast audio. Tally collects guest applications submitted through our "Be on the Show" form. MailerLite manages our email newsletter and notification lists.

We may also disclose information when required by law, to protect people or rights, in connection with a business transfer, or with your direction or consent. We do not currently sell personal information. If our advertising practices materially change, we will update this policy and provide any choices required by law.

Cookies, analytics & embedded content

Cookies and similar technologies may help the site remember preferences, measure traffic, keep accounts secure, and support embedded audio, video, or forms. Embedded services may collect data as if you visited their websites directly. You can adjust browser settings to limit cookies, although parts of the site may not work as intended.

Retention & security

We retain information for as long as reasonably needed for the purposes described here, including recordkeeping, dispute resolution, and legal compliance. We use reasonable safeguards, but no internet transmission or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure.

Interviews & the Heather Directory

Heathers whose interviews are recorded and published may be included automatically in the Heather Directory. An application alone does not create a public listing. Publication rights, permissions, and releases for interviews and related materials may also be covered by a separate guest release. Interviewed guests may contact us to request a factual correction or discuss removal of personal profile details, subject to our legal and editorial obligations.

Your choices & privacy rights

You may unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in the message. Depending on where you live, you may have rights to request access to, correction of, or deletion of certain personal information, or to object to certain uses. We may need to verify your identity before completing a request, and some exceptions may apply.

Children's privacy

This site is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided information to us, please contact us.

International visitors

If you visit from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the United States or other countries where our providers operate. Those locations may have different data-protection laws than your home country.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the site, our services, or legal requirements change. We will post the revised version here and update the effective date.