Amy Poehler‘s podcast, Good Hang With Amy Poehler, received a nomination for podcast of the year at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards, just three days after winning the inaugural best podcast award at the 2026 Golden Globes. Nominated alongside it are The Mel Robbins Podcast, Call Her Daddy, and several other notable shows, highlighting the competitive landscape of this year’s podcasting scene.
Overview of Podcast of the Year Nominees
Good Hang With Amy Poehler is facing strong competition for the top honor, with finalists including 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, and Giggly Squad. These selections represent a wide range of genres and formats, reflecting the diverse interests of podcast audiences today.
Hosts and Categories Recognized at the Awards
In addition to the podcast of the year category, Amy Poehler herself is nominated for Best Host, competing against Pablo Torre, Alex Cooper, Emma Chamberlain, and Caleb Hearon. Several other categories highlight different types of podcasts, including Best Ensemble, Best Pop Culture, Best Music, and Best Comedy, demonstrating the rich variety in the podcasting world.
Details on Awards Ceremony and Voting Process
The 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards will take place on Monday, March 16, at ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, coinciding with South by Southwest. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Central Time and will be available to listen live through select iHeartMedia Radio Stations and the iHeartRadio app. A limited number of SXSW badge holders will have access to the ceremony in person.
Actress and comedian Ego Nwodim, known for her seven seasons with Saturday Night Live and now host of the Thanks Dad podcast, will emcee the awards this year, adding her engaging presence to the event. While winners in most categories will be decided by a panel of industry experts and creatives, the fan vote will determine the podcast of the year. Listeners can cast their votes online from January 14 through February 22.
Special Icon Awards Acknowledging Podcasting Innovators
The ceremony will also present three Icon Awards honoring extraordinary contributions to podcasting. Jay Shetty, who hosts the podcast On Purpose, will receive the 2026 Social Impact Award for using his platform to encourage important conversations about mental health. Terry Gross, the veteran host of NPR’s Fresh Air, will be recognized with the Audible Audio Pioneer Award for her influential career in redefining the art of interviewing. Innovator Award honors will go to Hrishikesh Hirway, creator of Song Exploder, applauded for his inventive storytelling techniques in the medium.
Executive Leadership and Sponsorship for the Event
The executive producers of this year’s iHeartPodcast Awards include John Sykes, Tom Poleman, Conal Byrne, and Bart Peters from iHeartMedia. Audible continues to support the event as a key sponsor, reinforcing the connection between the industry’s major players and this important recognition platform.
Complete List of 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards Nominees by Category
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 w/ 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)
Significance of the Nominations and Anticipated Outcomes
The presence of Amy Poehler’s podcast and her own nomination for Best Host underscores her growing influence in the podcasting arena, especially after the high-profile win at the Golden Globes. This dual recognition signals that her show resonates strongly with both industry professionals and fans alike. The overlap of nominees between the Golden Globes and iHeartPodcast Awards illustrates a convergence of critical acclaim and popular appeal.
The awards ceremony’s location at Austin’s Moody Theater during South by Southwest offers an ideal opportunity to connect the creative energies of the festival with podcasting’s evolving landscape. The mix of fan voting and expert panels ensures a balanced acknowledgment of both popularity and artistic merit. Furthermore, the Icon Awards celebrate trailblazers who have pushed podcasting into new realms, highlighting mental health, storytelling innovation, and the interview craft.
Looking ahead, the winning podcasts and individuals will likely see increased visibility and opportunities to expand their reach, further shaping the future of audio content. The event also continues to reinforce the importance of podcasts as powerful mediums for storytelling, education, and entertainment across a variety of categories and audiences.
“This is exactly how I pictured it” – Snoop Dogg, Presenter at 2026 Golden Globes
“Listening audiences get a say in podcast of the year, voting runs from January 14 to February 22 at the awards website.” – iHeartPodcast Awards official announcement
“Ego Nwodim, former SNL cast member and host of Thanks Dad, to emcee the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards.” – iHeartMedia press release
