46,688 Newsletter Subscribers
Behind the Scenes - Our Judging & Shortlisting Process
Hey,
You've submitted your work, but how is it evaluated? Today, we're giving you a transparent look behind the scenes at our rigorous and fair judging process.
Your podcast will be reviewed by a panel of industry experts, including veteran podcast producers, audio engineers, and content strategists. We’ll judge based on:
Content Quality & Originality
Production Value & Sound Design
Host Presentation & Engagement
Overall Listener Experience
The shortlisting period in January is when this deep review happens. The podcasts that score the highest in their respective categories will be announced as our official finalists on January 26th.
We believe in a transparent process that rewards merit, creativity, and dedication. Your work is in good hands, our Podcast Tonight Award winners will be announced on February 28th.
Tomorrow, we’ll finish the week with the ultimate prize: what the winners receive!
Podcast Nomination Of The Day
"All British Comedy Explained" is a podcast where American comedian Abigoliah Schamaun learns about foundational UK comedy shows from British writer and producer Tom Salinsky.
The podcast's first season, themed "Landmarks," features Salinsky guiding Schamaun through a curated list of essential British comedy series. For each show, Salinsky first explains its background and historical context. Then, they both watch two specific episodes and discuss them. At the end of each episode, Schamaun decides whether the show earns a place on her "Shelf of Fame" or ends up in the "bargain bin". The selected shows for the season include Monty Python's Flying Circus, The Young Ones, The Office, and The Goon Show, among others.
The podcast released a preview episode on October 2, 2025, with the first full episode on Monty Python's Flying Circus following on October 9. New episodes are released fortnightly.
BBC Sounds Sees More Listeners and Plays
BBC Radio remains the most popular radio brand in the UK, with 31 million people tuning in each week and a 42% share of the market. BBC Radio 2 is still the biggest single radio station, growing its listeners to 12.8 million, and its breakfast show is the UK’s most listened-to morning program. BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 1 also saw increases in listeners, with Radio 1 being especially popular among younger audiences. BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra had strong growth, helped by major sports events and breaking news. BBC Sounds reported an 8.5% yearly increase in plays, reaching a new record with 675 million plays last quarter.
More News…
Eighth Annual Canadian Podcast Awards Opens for Submissions
The Canadian Podcast Awards are now open for nominations, celebrating their eighth year with over 30 categories that honor excellence in Canadian podcasting. Eligible podcasts must have released at least five episodes in 2024, and nominations are open until November 1. After nominations, verified Canadian podcasters will vote to select the winners, who will be announced later in the fall.
Creative Summit Coming to Adare This November
A new creative summit called Sound.Waves. will be held in Adare, Co. Limerick on November 12-13, bringing together leaders from music, podcasting, and content creation industries. The event will feature keynotes, panels, and meetings on topics like AI, intellectual property, and global marketing, and will include top companies like Spotify, BBC, and Universal Music. The summit will end with the first-ever All Ireland Podcast Awards, celebrating podcast talent across various categories.
Emily Austin Debuts Show Featuring Sports and Political Stars
Emily Austin, a 24-year-old sports reporter, has launched "The Emily Austin Show" podcast, where she combines sports and political discussions with guests like Andrew Cuomo and Jalen Brunson. She says she became more outspoken politically after being barred from her university due to her vaccination status, realizing the importance of using her platform to speak out. Austin hopes to create a safe space for open dialogue between athletes and politicians, regardless of their political beliefs.
Charlie Kirk Show Sees Huge Audience Surge After Host's Death
After Charlie Kirk’s assassination on September 10, 2025, his podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, saw a massive surge in audience size, jumping from 793,000 to 1,838,000 weekly listeners—a 132% increase—making it the 17th largest in the U.S. by Q3 2025. Most of this growth happened in the last 20 days of the quarter and was driven mainly by his existing base, especially self-identified Republicans. Despite the increase in listeners, the audience’s age and retirement status remained the same, with most listeners being 55 or older and more likely to be retired than average podcast consumers.
Podcast Tool
The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is a professional-grade, closed-back headphone built for demanding environments, combining robust construction with exceptional acoustic performance. Its defining feature is its aggressive noise isolation, effectively blocking ambient sound to ensure critical audio monitoring remains undisturbed. Engineered for accurate and linear sound reproduction, it delivers a faithful, uncolored listening experience essential for mixing, editing, and broadcast applications. Designed for maximum practicality, it features a unique collapsible design with swiveling earcups for compact transport and comfortable, padded earpads for extended wear, making it a versatile and reliable tool for audio professionals on the move.
Podcast Of The Day
Monday Morning Podcast
Monday Morning Podcast is a long-running, twice-weekly comedy show hosted by acclaimed comedian Bill Burr, who has been delivering his signature unfiltered rants and observations since 2007. Released every Monday and Thursday, the podcast features Burr speaking off-the-cuff about everything from his personal experiences and current events to sports and life on tour, often with spontaneous input from his wife, Nia, or fellow comedian guests. Known for its raw, unscripted style and sharp humor, the show also incorporates listener-submitted questions, blending advice with Burr’s trademark irreverence. Now part of the All Things Comedy network he co-founded, the podcast remains a staple for fans seeking authentic comedy and no-holds-barred commentary.
Podcaster Essentials
Our Sponsors
Your All-in-One Creator Store
Monetize your podcast with your own landing page & products or services.
Secure Your Online Activity
You never know who is watching your online activity, trying to steal your identity or sensitive information, take action and make sure you’re protected with the best VPN on the planet.
Monetize Your Podcast
Effortless publishing for driven brands, you create, they distribute & you grow.
Visionary Voices Of Podcasting
A Voice for the Wrongfully Convicted
Gilbert King is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and investigative journalist who has dedicated his career to examining injustice within the American legal system. His work extends into the audio realm as the host and producer of the acclaimed narrative podcast Bone Valley, a nine-part series that meticulously reinvestigates the wrongful murder conviction of Leo Schofield. The podcast, which won two Ambie Awards in 2023, represents a four-year deep dive into a Florida case, further cementing King's reputation for rigorous, impactful storytelling that bridges the gap between long-form journalism and true crime. Let's delve more about the making of his podcast.
Upcoming Podcast Events
Discover the latest trends and strategies in podcasting by attending these must-experience upcoming events—perfect for creators, brands, and industry professionals looking to elevate their audio game.
Oct 30, 2025
111 North Capitol Street Northeast Washington, DC 20002 United States
Podcast Tip Of The Day
Releasing on a holiday can work to your advantage if you align the episode with the day's theme or your audience's mindset. A special holiday episode, a reflective solo show, or a lighter, "best-of" compilation can capture listeners when they have more downtime. However, avoid dropping a standard interview or complex topic that may get buried in holiday activity. If you choose to pause, notify your audience in advance and consider a short, festive greeting to maintain connection. The key is intentionality—either lean into the holiday spirit or wait until your listeners are ready to fully engage.
A Final Note
“Don't let the pressure to be perfect stop you from hitting publish—your audience would rather hear from you consistently than not at all.”
