News Summary
Austin, Texas hosted the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards on March 10, recognizing outstanding contributions in the podcasting industry. The event showcased various categories, with notable winners including ‘My Favorite Murder’ and ‘Las Culturistas.’ Many industry leaders were present, and the night highlighted the growing influence of podcasts. It serves as motivation for aspiring podcasters while reinforcing the medium’s cultural relevance.
Austin, Texas hosted the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards on March 10, showcasing the creativity and talent within the podcasting industry. Touted as the “biggest podcast award show in the world,” the event took place at ACL Live at the Moody Theater, attracting a large audience that made for a lively atmosphere. With attendees filling the venue, many stood due to the high turnout, contributing to an energetic ambiance marked by wolf-whistles and applause throughout the ceremony.
What Happened
The award ceremony spanned approximately one hour, during which various podcast categories were recognized. The hosts for the evening were Jack O’Brien and Miles Gray from the popular podcast “The Daily Zeitgeist.” The event celebrated a range of podcasts, with awards presented in categories such as Best Ensemble Podcast, Best Crime Podcast, Best Science Podcast, and Best Business and Finance Podcast. The night featured both live presenters and video acceptance speeches from various award recipients.
Awards Recognized
The evening commenced with the presentation of the Best Ensemble Podcast award, which was awarded to “My Favorite Murder,” accepted by hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Other notable winners included “Betrayal” for Best Crime Podcast, “Ologies with Alie Ward” for Best Science Podcast, and “Planet Money” for Best Business and Finance Podcast. Notably, Ed Helms presented the Social Impact Award to Sarah Spain for her podcast “Good Game,” which focuses on sports’ influence in driving social change. Additionally, Mel Robbins received the Best Overall Host award, accepted via video with humor.
Who Is Affected
The 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards brought recognition not only to the award winners but also to the wider podcasting community. This includes creators and fans from diverse genres like comedy, crime, news, pop culture, sports, food, and business. The event emphasizes the growth and popularity of the podcast medium, as listeners increasingly engage with a variety of formats and topics. The audience engagement during the ceremony indicates a strong community support for podcast creators.
Official Response
Leading industry figures presented awards across the evening, including Jamie Lynn Sigler, Dennis Quaid, and Sophia Bush. Chelsea Handler concluded the event, sharing humorous anecdotes before announcing the prestigious Podcast of the Year award, which went to “Las Culturistas” with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. The event underscored the commitment of industry leaders to recognize and celebrate excellence in podcasting, promoting a sense of camaraderie among creators and fans alike.
Impact
The awards highlight the ever-growing impact of podcasts in shaping conversations in society. By honoring influencer figures and innovative content, the iHeartPodcast Awards create visibility for lesser-known voices while celebrating established talent. The awards draw attention to social issues discussed within many podcasts, as seen with the Social Impact Award received by Sarah Spain. Furthermore, the recognition of podcasting’s diversity strengthens its position in popular culture and media.
What’s Next
The successful completion of the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards sets a positive precedent for future events, indicating continued recognition of the podcasting medium’s relevance. As creators transition into the next podcasting year, the awards serve as motivation for aspiring podcasters. The event offered valuable insights, particularly from established figures like Payne Lindsey, known for his work on “Up and Vanished.” The expectation is that the podcasting community will continue to evolve, embracing new ideas and narratives, while existing awards serve as benchmarks of success. The full list of nominees and winners is accessible on iHeartMedia’s website for those seeking more information about awarded content and their creators.
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Additional Resources
- iHeartMedia
- Wikipedia: Podcast Awards
- Culture Map Austin
- Google Search: iHeartPodcast Awards 2025
- Spectrum Local News
- Google Scholar: iHeartPodcast Awards
- Billboard
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Podcast Awards
- SXSW News
- Google News: iHeartPodcast Awards 2025
