The Podcast Academy, the preeminent professional podcast organization, has unveiled the nominees for its inaugural Awards for Excellence in Audio (The Ambies). The Ambies celebrate excellence in podcasting and elevate awareness and status of podcasts as a unique and personal medium for entertainment, information, storytelling and expression. The hour-long ceremony will be streamed LIVE on YouTube, Twitch and other platforms on Sunday, May 16, 2021 from Los Angeles, CA at 5PM PT/8PM ET, with a pre-show starting at 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET.
The Ambies will highlight 164 nominees across 23 categories, selected by every voting member of The Podcast Academy, in addition to a Governor’s Award. Eligible new members will be able to vote to determine this year’s winners if registered by March 26.
“The Podcast Academy was founded a year ago with the mission to foster inclusivity, elevate awareness and build excitement for podcasts through initiatives, programming and our annual awards,” said Chairman of the Podcast Academy, Donald Albright, President & Co-Founder of Tenderfoot TV. “Today, we celebrate the community with the announcement of our first-ever Ambies nominees. They are just as diverse as the creators, both in front of and behind the mic, and are reflective of the far reaching medium. On behalf of the membership, we congratulate all of the nominees.”
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Get it free Dirty Diana, The Left Right Game and Wind of Change earned four nominations each, the most for any program.
A variety of podcasts from independent and nonprofit media entities also earned nominations including Adult ISH (YR Media), Borne the Battle (US Department of Veterans Affairs), DEM TIMES (Our Day), DETOURS (WGBH/PRX), On Being with Krista Tippett (On Being Studios), among others.
This year’s slate of inaugural nominees feature activists, award-winners, bestselling authors, luminaries and renowned journalists including: Hillary Rodham Clinton; Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey; NAACP Image Awards-winner Tessa Thompson; Order of Canada recipient Malcolm Gladwell; Back Issue’s multidisciplinary artist Josh Gwynn and Netflix’s Strong Black Legends Tracy Clayton; New York Times bestselling author Patrick Radden Keefe; Forgotten: Women of Juarez’s Peabody Award-winning journalist Oz Woloshyn and public radio journalist Mónica Ortiz Uribe; The Heist’s Pulitzer-winning reporter Mei Fong and award-winning radio journalist Sally Herships; as well as Pulitzer finalist Ear Hustle, co-hosted by Earlonne Woods, a former inmate at San Quentin, and Rahsaan “New York” Thomas, a current inmate.
The full list of nominees
Editor’s note: Podnews has added publisher detail from individual show listings. Just show titles were given by the Ambies; we’ve matched these up to listings ourselves: however, some titles are used by multiple podcasts.
Podcast of The Year
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Bunga Bunga Society & Culture
From: Audible
Hosted by: ART19
4.2 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Chasing Cosby True Crime
From: Los Angeles Times
Hosted by: Simplecast
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
DETOURS History
From: GBH
Hosted by: PRX
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Dying for Sex Society & Culture
From: Audible
Hosted by: ART19
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
For Life: The Podcast Society & Culture
From: Sony Pictures Television & ABC
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.9 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Say Their Name Society & Culture
From: DCP Entertainment
Hosted by: Megaphone
3.6 ★
Best Business Podcast
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An Arm and a Leg Society & Culture
From: An Arm and a Leg
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Brought to you by… Business
From: Business Insider
Hosted by: ART19
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Go For Broke Business
From: Vox Media
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Teamistry Business
From: Atlassian
Hosted by: Simplecast
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
The Heist Culture
From: Center for Public Integrity
Hosted by: Podbean
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Women at Work Business
From: Harvard Business Review
4.8 ★
Best Comedy Podcast
Culture Kings Comedy
From: Jacquis Neal & Edgar Momplaisir, Earwolf
Hosted by: Simplecast
4.7 ★
Don’t Ask Tig Comedy
From: American Public Media
Hosted by: American Public Media
4.8 ★
How Did This Get Made? Comedy
From: Earwolf and Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Hosted by: Simplecast
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
The Breakfast Club Comedy
From: The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.4 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Threedom Comedy
From: Scott Aukerman, Lauren Lapkus, Paul F Tompkins
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.8 ★
Best Documentary Podcast
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For Life: The Podcast Society & Culture
From: Sony Pictures Television & ABC
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.9 ★ Trailer Play trailer
I’m Not A Monster Society & Culture
From: BBC Radio 5 Live
Hosted by: BBC
4.9 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Louder Than a Riot Society & Culture
From: NPR
Hosted by: Simplecast
4.4 ★ Trailer Play trailer
The Edge: Houston Astros Sports
From: Audacy Studios | Ben Reiter | Prologue Projects
Hosted by: WideOrbit
4.7 ★
Best Entertainment Podcast
Dissect
From: Hosted by: (unknown)
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Even the Rich Society & Culture
From: Audible
Hosted by: ART19
4.4 ★ Trailer Play trailer
For Life: The Podcast Society & Culture
From: Sony Pictures Television & ABC
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.9 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Office Ladies Comedy
From: Audacy & Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
Hosted by: WideOrbit
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Prime Video Presents TV & Film and Arts
From: Amazon Studios / AT WILL MEDIA / Tim Kash
Hosted by: Simplecast
4.7 ★ The First One (Amazon Music)
Best Fiction Podcast
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Asking For It Arts
From: CBC and Mermaid Palace
Hosted by: Triton Digital
4.5 ★ Trailer Play trailer
DEM TIMES Fiction
From: Our Day
Hosted by: Captivate
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Two Princes Fiction
From: Spotify Studios
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.8 ★
Best History Podcast
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DETOURS History
From: GBH
Hosted by: PRX
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Slow Burn History
From: Slate Podcasts
Hosted by: Acast
Best Interview Podcast
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Asian Enough Society & Culture
From: Los Angeles Times
Hosted by: Simplecast
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Back from Broken Culture
From: Colorado Public Radio
Hosted by: PRX
4.9 ★
Best Knowledge, Science or Tech Podcast
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Brave New Planet Science
From: Pushkin Industries
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.5 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Short Wave Science and News
From: NPR
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Tai Asks Why Kids & Family
From: CBC
Hosted by: Triton Digital
4.3 ★
Best News Podcast
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Do No Harm True Crime
From: Audible | NBC News
Hosted by: ART19
4.7 ★
Post Reports News
From: The Washington Post
Hosted by: Triton Digital
4.2 ★ Trailer Play trailer
The Journal News
From: The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.2 ★
What Next News
From: Slate Podcasts
Hosted by: Acast
4.1 ★
Best Original Score and Music Supervision
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Bunga Bunga - Scott Velasquez, Jeff Schmidt
Society & Culture
From: Audible
Hosted by: ART19
4.2 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Dead and Gone - Makeup And Vanity Set
True Crime
From: Tenderfoot TV, Double Elvis & Audacy
Hosted by: WideOrbit
4.5 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Jacked : Rise of New Jack Sound - Marcelino Villalpando
Music
From: Audible | UMG
Hosted by: ART19
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Revisionist History - Luis Guerra
Society & Culture
From: Pushkin Industries
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Throughline - Ramtin Arablouei, Drop Electric, Hania Rani
History
From: NPR
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Two Princes - Score: Greg Laswell; Theme and additional scoring by Bobby Lord; Music Supervision: Jonathon Roberts
Fiction
From: Spotify Studios
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.8 ★
Best Performer in Audio Fiction
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DUST , Season 3: CHRYSALIS - Corey Hawkins
Fiction
From: Gunpowder & Sky
Hosted by: Acast
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Hank the Cowdog - Matthew McConaughey
Kids & Family
From: QCODE, HTC Productions
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Light House - Aly Trasher
Arts
From: iHeartPodcasts
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.4 ★ Trailer Play trailer
The Left Right Game - Tessa Thompson
Fiction
From: QCODE
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Two Princes - Noah Galvin, Ari’el Stachel, Samira Wiley, Gideon Glick, Wesley Taylor, Alfredo Narciso, Mandi Masden, CJ Wilson, Michelle Gomez
Fiction
From: Spotify Studios
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.8 ★
We Are Not Alone - Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg
Comedy
From: We Are Not Alone
Hosted by: Blubrry
4.8 ★
Best Personal Growth / Spirituality Podcast
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Dear Therapists Society & Culture
From: iHeartPodcasts
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Hey Spirit! Religion & Spirituality
From: Theresa Caputo
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.9 ★
Best Podcast Host
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Back Issue - Josh Gwynn, Tracy Clayton
Society & Culture
From: Pineapple Street Studios and Audacy
Hosted by: WideOrbit
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Bunga Bunga - Whitney Cummings
Society & Culture
From: Audible
Hosted by: ART19
4.2 ★ Trailer Play trailer
MOBITUARIES : Anna May Wong (Death of a Trailblazer) - Mo Rocca
History
From: iHeartPodcasts and CBS News
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Revisionist History - Malcolm Gladwell
Society & Culture
From: Pushkin Industries
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Science Vs - Wendy Zukerman
Science
From: Spotify Studios
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.4 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Wind of Change - Patrick Radden Keefe
Society & Culture
From: Pineapple Street Studios / Crooked Media / Spotify
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.7 ★
Best Politics or Opinion Podcast
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Burn the Boats News
From: Evergreen Podcasts
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.9 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Winning Wisconsin History
From: Acast Creative Studios
Hosted by: Acast
4.3 ★
Best Production and Sound Design
Dirty Diana - Millie Iatrou, Ryan Walsh, Katie Halliday, Justin Davey, Matt Yocum & Ben Michev, Neely Oeftering
Fiction
From: QCODE
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.5 ★ Trailer Play trailer
The Left Right Game - Ryan Walsh, Matt Yocum, Will Files, Ryan Sullivan
Fiction
From: QCODE
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Wind of Change - Henry Molofsky
Society & Culture
From: Pineapple Street Studios / Crooked Media / Spotify
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.7 ★
Best Reporting
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Fiasco : Iran-Contra - Leon Neyfakh
Government
From: Pushkin Industries
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
I’m Not A Monster - Josh Baker
Society & Culture
From: BBC Radio 5 Live
Hosted by: BBC
4.9 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Planet Money - Sarah Gonzalez, Kenny Malone, Jacob Goldstein, Robert Smith, Amanda Aroncyzk, Karen Duffin, Mary Childs
Business
From: NPR
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Reveal - Shoshana Walter, Laura Starecheski, Ike Srikandarajah
News
From: The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX
Hosted by: PRX
4.7 ★
The Take - Malika Bilal, Stefanie Dekker, Safwat al-Kahlout
News
From: Al Jazeera
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Unfinished : Short Creek - Sarah Ventre, Ash Sanders
True Crime
From: SiriusXM
Hosted by: Simplecast
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Wind of Change - Patrick Radden Keefe
Society & Culture
From: Pineapple Street Studios / Crooked Media / Spotify
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.7 ★
Best Scriptwriting, Fiction
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Appearances - Sharon Mashihi
Society & Culture
From: Mermaid Palace, Radiotopia
Hosted by: PRX
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
DEM TIMES - Rhys Reed-Johnson, Jacob Roberts-Mensah
Fiction
From: Our Day
Hosted by: Captivate
4.6 ★
Dirty Diana - Shana Feste
Fiction
From: QCODE
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.5 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Looking For LaToya - Amy Aniobi, Chris Sanford, Kindsey Young
TV & Film
From: HBO | Tenderfoot | Raedio
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Make It Up As We Go - David Hudgins, Brooks Hudgins
Music
From: AudioUp & SiriusXM
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The Left Right Game - Jack Anderson
Fiction
From: QCODE
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.6 ★
Best Scriptwriting, Nonfiction
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And Nothing Less - Robin Linn
History
From: PRX
Hosted by: PRX
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Heavyweight - Jonathan Goldstein, Kalila Holt, Stevie Lane
Society & Culture
From: Pushkin Industries
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.9 ★
Masters of Scale - WaitWhat Team, Adam Skuse, Katie Clark Gray
Business
From: WaitWhat
Hosted by: ART19
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Resistance - Saidu Tejan-Thomas Jr.
Society & Culture
From: Gimlet
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Whistleblower - Tim Livingston
Sports
From: Tenderfoot TV
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.3 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Wind of Change - Patrick Radden Keefe
Society & Culture
From: Pineapple Street Studios / Crooked Media / Spotify
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.7 ★
Best Society and Culture Podcast
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Code Switch Society & Culture
From: NPR
Hosted by: Simplecast
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Ear Hustle Society & Culture
From: Ear Hustle & Radiotopia
Hosted by: PRX
4.9 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Heavyweight Society & Culture
From: Pushkin Industries
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.9 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Into America Society & Culture
From: Trymaine Lee, MS NOW
Hosted by: Simplecast
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Latino USA Society & Culture
From: My Cultura, Futuro and iHeartPodcasts
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Resistance Society & Culture
From: Gimlet
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.8 ★
Best Sports Podcast
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Drafted Sports
From: iHeartPodcasts and Treefort Media
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.2 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Sports Uncovered Sports
From: NBC Sports
Hosted by: Simplecast
4.3 ★ Trailer Play trailer
The Edge: Houston Astros Sports
From: Audacy Studios | Ben Reiter | Prologue Projects
Hosted by: WideOrbit
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
The Lead News
From: Wondery
Hosted by: ART19
3.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Whistleblower Sports
From: Tenderfoot TV
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.3 ★
Best True Crime Podcast
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Chasing Cosby True Crime
From: Los Angeles Times
Hosted by: Simplecast
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Dr. Death Season 2: Dr. Fata
True Crime
From: Audible
Hosted by: ART19
4.8 ★ Trailer Play trailer
I’m Not A Monster Society & Culture
From: BBC Radio 5 Live
Hosted by: BBC
4.9 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Somebody True Crime
From: iHeartPodcasts
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.5 ★
Best Wellness or Relationships Podcast
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Adult ISH Society & Culture
From: YR Media and Radiotopia
Hosted by: PRX
4.1 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Dying for Sex Society & Culture
From: Audible
Hosted by: ART19
4.7 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Last Day Season 2
Society & Culture
From: Lemonada Media
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.6 ★ Trailer Play trailer
Therapy for Black Girls Health & Fitness
From: iHeartPodcasts and Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D.
Hosted by: Omny Studio
4.8 ★
We Got You Kids & Family
From: Sonic Union and TRAX from PRX
Hosted by: PRX
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Where Should We Begin? Society & Culture
From: Esther Perel Global Media
Hosted by: Megaphone
4.7 ★
ABOUT THE PODCAST ACADEMY
Founded in February 2020, The Podcast Academy is a non-profit professional membership organization that celebrates excellence in podcasting and elevates awareness of podcasts as an indispensable medium for entertainment, information, and creative expression. It values individual and organizational creators alike, of all backgrounds and means, and defines achievement through the values of quality, creativity, innovation, inclusion, and impact. The Podcast Academy provides community, professional development, and industry connections through inclusive, dynamic programming. For more information about The Podcast Academy, please visit www.thepodcastacademy.com and follow/like/subscribe on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin.
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