Amy Poehler‘s podcast, Good Hang With Amy Poehler, is a frontrunner for the podcast of the year at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards, following its recent win for best podcast at the 2026 Golden Globes. The awards ceremony will take place on March 16 at ACL Live in Austin, Texas, coinciding with the South by Southwest festival, highlighting the growing prominence of the Amy Poehler Podcast Awards.
Good Hang With Amy Poehler Among Top Contenders
Good Hang With Amy Poehler received a nomination for podcast of the year at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards, joining a competitive lineup that includes The Mel Robbins Podcast and Call Her Daddy, both of which also earned Golden Globes nods. Additional contenders in the category feature The Breakfast Club, Pablo Torre Finds Out, The Daily, The Rest Is History, This Past Weekend with Theo Von, Heavyweight, and Giggly Squad. This array of nominees reflects a strong emphasis on cultural and topical podcasting in the current media landscape.
In addition, popular programs Call Her Daddy and Giggly Squad compete in the best pop culture category alongside Las Culturistas, Therapuss With Jake Shane, and The Viall Files. The awards also recognize excellence across various genres, such as music, with nominees like The Bobby Bones Show, Song Exploder, Switched On Pop, All Songs Considered, and One Song.
Event Details and Hosting
The 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards will be held live at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, as part of the South by Southwest festivities. The ceremony, scheduled for 7 p.m. Central Time on Monday, March 16, will be broadcast on select iHeartMedia radio stations and available on the iHeartRadio app. Select SXSW badge holders will have physical access to the event, maintaining the tradition of engaging directly with the podcasting community.
Actress and comedian Ego Nwodim, well-known for her seven-season tenure on Saturday Night Live and current host of the Thanks Dad podcast, will serve as the event’s emcee. This marks Nwodim’s continued rise in entertainment beyond sketch comedy, now contributing her voice to the podcast awards stage.
Voting Process and Honors
While industry experts and creatives comprise the judging panel for most categories, the most prestigious award, podcast of the year, is determined by fan voting. Listeners can cast their votes from January 14 through February 22 via the iHeartPodcast Awards website, emphasizing the role of audience engagement in recognizing outstanding podcast content.
Alongside competitive categories, iHeartMedia will present three Icon Awards celebrating pioneers with major contributions to podcasting. Jay Shetty, known for On Purpose, receives the 2026 Social Impact Award for his efforts in raising mental health awareness through his platform. NPR’s renowned interview host Terry Gross is honored with the Audible Audio Pioneer Award for her influential career with Fresh Air. Story Exploder creator Hrishikesh Hirway will be awarded the Innovator Award, recognizing his unique narrative approach.
Leadership Behind the Ceremony
The executive production team behind the awards consists of John Sykes, Tom Poleman, Conal Byrne, and Bart Peters from iHeartMedia. Audible serves as a key sponsor, maintaining its close association with podcasting excellence and innovation.
Comprehensive Nominee List Across All Categories
The 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards showcase nominees in a wide variety of categories, illustrating the diversity of podcasting genres and styles. Below is the full roster of nominees:
Podcast of the Year
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 with Theo Von
Call Her Daddy
Heavyweight
Giggly Squad
Best Host
Amy Poehler
Pablo Torre
Alex Cooper
Emma Chamberlain
Caleb Hearon
Best Ensemble
We Can Do Hard Things
SmartLess
The Basement Yard
This Is Important
Get Played
Best Pop Culture
Las Culturistas
Call Her Daddy
Therapuss With Jake Shane
Giggly Squad
The Viall Files
Best Music
The Bobby Bones Show
Song Exploder
Switched On Pop
All Songs Considered
One Song
Best TV & Film
The Big Picture
The Rewatchables
How Did This Get Made?
Watch What Crappens
Girls Rewatch
Best Comedy
Good Hang With Amy Poehler
The Toast
Distractible
Handsome
The Basement Yard
Best Business & Finance
Earn Your Leisure
How I Built This
Acquired
Young and Profiting With Hala Taha
The Diary of a CEO
Best Crime
Crime Junkie
Rotten Mango
Anatomy of Murder
My Favorite Murder
Wisecrack
Best Food
Eating While Broke
The Sporkful
Home Cooking
The Splendid Table
Dinner’s On Me
Best Wellness & Fitness
On Purpose With Jay Shetty
Huberman Lab
The Mel Robbins Podcast
10% Happier
Maintenance Phase
Best History
The Rest Is History
You’re Wrong About
Throughline
American History Tellers
SNAFU
Best Kids & Family
Story Pirates
Wow in the World
Circle Round
The Big Fib
Brains On!
Best News
The Daily
The Megyn Kelly Show
Pivot
The MeidasTouch Podcast
Up First From NPR
Best Fiction
The NoSleep Podcast
Havoc Town
Old Gods of Appalachia
Table Read
Murder at the Patel Motel
Best Sports
New Heights
Pardon My Take
The Zach Lowe Show
Club 520
The Ringer Fantasy Football Show
Best Science
Radiolab
Ologies
Hidden Brain
StarTalk Radio
Shell Game
Best Technology
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 Political
Pod Save America
The Bulwark Podcast
Breaking Points
Hacks on Tap
The Ben Shapiro Show
Best Spanish Language
Gracias, Come Again.
Radio Ambulante
Leyenda Legendarias
Chente Ydrach
Relatos de la Noche
Best Advice/Inspirational
IMO With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
On Purpose With Jay Shetty
Thanks for Asking With Nora McInerny
Just Heal With Dr. Jay
Self-Conscious With Chrissy Teigen
Best Beauty & Fashion
Nymphet Alumni
Fashion Neurosis With Bella Freud
Articles of Interest
Lipstick on the Rim
Naked Beauty
Best Travel
Women Who Travel
Travel With Rick Steves
Zero to Travel
Points Talk
The Travel Diaries
Best Religious & Spirituality
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’Oreal)
Crucible Moments (Sequoia Capital)
The Unshakeables (Chase for Business)
ZOE Science & Nutrition (ZOE)
Smart Talks (IBM)
Best Emerging
Khloé in Wonder Land
Smart Girl Dumb Questions
Try Hard
Thanks Dad With Ego Nwodim
Upstairs Neighbors
Best International
ShxtsNGigs (United Kingdom)
Las Alucines (Mexico)
The Rest Is History (United Kingdom)
Shameless (Australia)
Crime Beat (Canada)
The Influence and Future of the Awards
The 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards not only honor individual and team achievements but also aim to highlight the expanding impact of podcasts on culture and society. With nominees spanning comedy, pop culture, music, wellness, and international shows, the awards continue to foster innovation and excellence across all podcast genres. This year’s event, hosted by a prominent comedian and held within the vibrant atmosphere of South by Southwest, underscores podcasting’s critical role in modern entertainment and conversation.
With fan voting driving the ultimate selection for podcast of the year and Icon Awards celebrating trailblazers like Jay Shetty, Terry Gross, and Hrishikesh Hirway, the ceremony sets the tone for future trends in the medium. The recognition will likely inspire creators to push boundaries and connect even more deeply with audiences worldwide.
