iHeartMedia has revealed the nominees for its 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards, an event set to be led by comedian and podcaster Ego Nwodim. This ceremony, held in conjunction with South by Southwest (SXSW), aims to recognize significant contributions to the podcasting landscape. The awards will feature various categories, culminating in the highly anticipated Podcast of the Year, chosen by audience votes.
The annual iHeartPodcast Awards will return to ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, marking its second consecutive year at the SXSW festival. The event is scheduled for Monday, March 16, at 7 p.m. CT, and will also be accessible through live streams on select iHeartMedia radio stations and via the iHeartRadio application. This arrangement ensures widespread access for enthusiasts of the audio medium.
The awards honor top podcasters across 28 distinct categories. A highlight of the evening is the fan-selected Podcast of the Year award. Nominees for this prestigious title include "Good Hang With Amy Poehler," which recently secured the inaugural Golden Globe for best podcast, alongside "The Breakfast Club," "The Mel Robbins Podcast," "Pablo Torre Finds Out," the New York Times' "The Daily," "The Rest Is History," "This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von," "Call Her Daddy," "Heavyweight," and "Giggly Squad." Public voting for Podcast of the Year commenced on January 14 and concludes on February 22 at iheartpodcastawards.com. Winners in other categories will be determined by an expert panel of industry leaders, creatives, and visionaries, as stated by iHeartMedia.
Ego Nwodim, an alumna of "Saturday Night Live," will preside over this year's iHeartPodcast Awards. Nwodim also hosts the podcast "Thanks Dad," which is a nominee in the emerging podcast category. Her podcast is a collaborative effort with iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players Network, underscoring the expanding reach of podcast content.
In addition to the competitive categories, iHeartMedia will bestow three Icon Awards to individuals who have profoundly influenced the podcasting world. Jay Shetty, renowned author and host of the popular podcast "On Purpose," will be honored with the 2026 Social Impact Award. Terry Gross, the distinguished host of NPR’s "Fresh Air," will receive the 2026 Audible Audio Pioneer Award for her career dedicated to redefining interviewing through her inquisitive and empathetic approach. Hrishikesh Hirway, the visionary behind "Song Exploder," will be presented with the 2026 Innovator Award, acknowledging his unique storytelling method that allows artists to deconstruct their creative processes, thereby transforming how audiences engage with music in podcast form.
Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts, emphasized the dynamic and rapid growth of podcasting within contemporary media. He expressed enthusiasm for returning to Austin and the Moody Theater to celebrate storytellers who are continually pushing the boundaries of audio. Peter Lewis, Chief Commercial Officer of SXSW, added that the Podcast Awards have become a pivotal moment for the audio community at SXSW, highlighting the deep integration of podcasting into cultural discourse and their commitment to fostering platforms for emerging audio creators.
The event is sponsored by Amazon’s Audible, with executive production handled by John Sykes, Tom Poleman, Conal Byrne, and Bart Peters from iHeartMedia. Further announcements regarding guest presenters and celebrity appearances are anticipated in the coming months.
The iHeartPodcast Awards serve as a crucial platform for recognizing innovation and excellence in the burgeoning podcast industry, bringing together creators and audiences to celebrate the art of audio storytelling.