iHeartPodcast Awards 2026: Full Nominee List, Podcast of the Year Voting & SXSW Event Details

The 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards are officially heading back to South by Southwest (SXSW), reaffirming podcasting’s growing dominance in global media and pop culture. For the second consecutive year, iHeartMedia will spotlight the best voices in audio storytelling on one of the most influential creative stages in the world—Austin, Texas.

Scheduled for March 16, 2026, the awards ceremony will take place at the iconic ACL Live at the Moody Theater, bringing together creators, industry leaders, celebrities, and fans to celebrate excellence across every major podcast genre.

From comedy and crime to business, wellness, and pop culture, the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards promise a comprehensive look at how podcasts are shaping conversations, communities, and culture worldwide.

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Why the iHeartPodcast Awards Matter More Than Ever in 2026

Podcasting is no longer a niche medium—it is now one of the fastest-growing and most influential forms of entertainment and journalism. According to iHeartMedia, podcasts continue to push creative boundaries, offering long-form storytelling, intimate interviews, and real-time cultural commentary unmatched by traditional media.

Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts, emphasized the importance of the event, stating that the awards honor storytellers who are “pushing the boundaries of audio and redefining how audiences connect with content.”

The 2026 edition reflects this evolution by highlighting creators who are not only popular but also innovative, impactful, and culturally relevant.

Podcast of the Year 2026: Fans Decide the Ultimate Winner

One of the most anticipated categories of the night, Podcast of the Year, remains fan-voted, giving listeners a direct voice in crowning the industry’s top show.

🗳️ Fan Voting Details

Voting Opens: January 14, 2026
Voting Closes: February 22, 2026
How to Vote: Online via official iHeart platforms

🎧 Podcast of the Year Nominees

Good Hang with Amy Poehler
The Breakfast Club
The Mel Robbins Podcast
Pablo Torre Finds Out
The Daily
The Rest Is History
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Call Her Daddy
Heavyweight
Giggly Squad

Each nominee represents a distinct voice and format, ranging from investigative journalism and comedy to motivational storytelling and cultural analysis.

Icon Awards 2026: Honoring Legends and Innovators in Audio

Beyond competitive categories, iHeartMedia will present three prestigious Icon Awards, recognizing individuals who have made transformative contributions to podcasting and audio storytelling.

🌍 Social Impact Award: Jay Shetty

Host of On Purpose
Recognized for elevating global conversations on mental health, mindfulness, and self-growth
Millions of listeners worldwide credit his work for inspiring meaningful personal change

🎙️ Audible Audio Pioneer Award: Terry Gross

Legendary host of Fresh Air with Terry Gross & Tonya Mosley
Honored for redefining the art of the interview through empathy, depth, and journalistic integrity
A career spanning decades that has shaped modern audio journalism

🚀 Innovator Award: Hrishikesh Hirway

Creator of Song Exploder
Celebrated for revolutionizing music storytelling by breaking down creative processes
Bridged music, podcasting, and education in a way few creators have achieved

Full List of iHeartPodcast Awards 2026 Nominees by Category

Below is the complete and updated nominee list, organized for easy reading and SEO clarity.

🏆 Best Business & Finance Podcasts

Earn Your Leisure
How I Built This
Acquired
Young and Profiting with Hala Taha
The Diary of a CEO

😂 Best Comedy Podcasts

Good Hang with Amy Poehler
The Toast
Distractible
Handsome
The Basement Yard

🔍 Best Crime Podcasts

Crime Junkie
Rotten Mango
Anatomy of Murder
My Favorite Murder
Wisecrack

🎬 Best Pop Culture Podcasts

Las Culturistas
Call Her Daddy
Therapuss with Jake Shane
Giggly Squad
The Viall Files

🍽️ Best Food Podcasts

Eating While Broke
The Sporkful
Home Cooking
The Splendid Table
Dinner’s On Me

🧘 Best Wellness & Fitness Podcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Huberman Lab
The Mel Robbins Podcast
10% Happier
Maintenance Phase

📜 Best History Podcasts

The Rest Is History
You’re Wrong About
Throughline
American History Tellers
SNAFU

👨‍👩‍👧 Best Kids & Family Podcasts

Story Pirates
Wow in the World
Circle Round
The Big Fib
Brains On!

🎵 Best Music Podcasts

The Bobby Bones Show
Song Exploder
Switched On Pop
All Songs Considered
One Song

📰 Best News Podcasts

The Daily
The Megyn Kelly Show
Pivot
The MeidasTouch Podcast
Up First from NPR

📚 Best Fiction Podcasts

The NoSleep Podcast
Havoc Town
Old Gods of Appalachia
Table Read
Murder at the Patel Motel

🏈 Best Sports Podcasts

New Heights
Pardon My Take
The Zach Lowe Show
Club 520
The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

🔬 Best Science Podcasts

Radiolab
Ologies
Hidden Brain
StarTalk Radio
Shell Game

💻 Best Technology Podcasts

Hard Fork
Black Tech Green Money
Galaxy Brain
Acquired
All-In

📢 Best Ad Read

Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
Call Her Daddy
My Brother, My Brother and Me
Dudes on Dudes
Distractible

🎤 Best Host

Amy Poehler
Pablo Torre
Alex Cooper
Emma Chamberlain
Caleb Hearon

👥 Best Ensemble Podcast

We Can Do Hard Things
SmartLess
The Basement Yard
This Is Important
Get Played

🗳️ Best Political Podcast

Pod Save America
The Bulwark Podcast
Breaking Points
Hacks On Tap
The Ben Shapiro Show

🎬 Best TV & Film Podcast

The Big Picture
The Rewatchables
How Did This Get Made?
Watch What Crappens
Girls Rewatch

🌎 Best Spanish Language Podcast

Gracias, Come Again.
Radio Ambulante
Leyenda Legendarias
Chente Ydrach
Relatos de la Noche

💡 Best Advice & Inspirational Podcast

IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Thanks For Asking
Just Heal with Dr. Jay
Self-Conscious with Chrissy Teigen

👗 Best Beauty & Fashion Podcast

Nymphet Alumni
Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud
Articles of Interest
Lipstick on the Rim
Naked Beauty

✈️ Best Travel Podcast

Women Who Travel
Travel with Rick Steves
Zero To Travel
Points Talk
The Travel Diaries

✝️ Best Religion & Spirituality Podcast

Deeply Well with Devi Brown
Girls Gone Bible
Joel Osteen Podcast
WHOA That’s Good Podcast
Elevation with Steven Furtick

🏢 Best Branded Podcast

This Is Not a Beauty Podcast (L’Oréal)
Crucible Moments (Sequoia Capital)
The Unshakeables (Chase for Business)
ZOE Science & Nutrition (ZOE)
Smart Talks (IBM)

🌱 Best Emerging Podcast

Khloé in Wonder Land
Smart Girl Dumb Questions
Try Hard
Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim
Upstairs Neighbors

🌍 Best International Podcast

ShxtsNGigs (UK)
Las Alucines (Mexico)
The Rest Is History (UK)
Shameless (Australia)
Crime Beat (Canada)

Event Details: Date, Venue, Broadcast & Host

Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Venue: ACL Live at the Moody Theater, Austin
Broadcast:
- Live on select iHeartMedia radio stations
- Streaming on the iHeartRadio app
SXSW Access: Open to select SXSW badge holders
Host: Ego Nwodim (comedian, actress, Thanks Dad podcast host)

Peter Lewis, Chief Commercial Officer of SXSW, highlighted the cultural importance of the event, calling podcasting a “defining force within the SXSW ecosystem and the future of audio storytelling.”

Final Thoughts: Why the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards Signal a New Era

The return of the iHeartPodcast Awards to SXSW is more than a celebration—it’s a statement. Podcasting has cemented itself as a powerful medium that blends entertainment, journalism, education, and social impact.

With fan-driven voting, diverse category representation, and industry recognition, the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards capture where audio is today—and where it’s headed next.