Sounds Debatable has been rebranded and expanded with even more podcasting resources, from standout show examples and essential software to equipment recommendations and practical guides. It’s a one-stop destination for discovering the best tools, resources, and inspiration across podcasting.
Explore the new Sounds Debatable
On The New Media Show: Why Podcast Awards Matter
I was on The New Media Show with Rob Greenlee to talk about podcast awards, creator credibility, and the growing recognition economy. We covered how awards fit into a wider strategy for creators and media companies, including visibility, trust, audience growth, and professional recognition.
We also talked about how to evaluate awards before investing time or money, including the judging process, transparency, entry fees, audience fit, and whether the award actually carries weight with the people I want to reach. And my work at Recognized, where I track audio and podcast awards to help creators make smarter decisions about which ones are worth pursuing.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or other platforms. Read more on the website.
For podcast and award consultations, you can book a call here. For content collaborations or booking me as a guest, schedule a time here.
Recent Articles on the Recognition Economy
Here are a few articles you may have missed. Each one takes a closer look at the recognition economy from a different angle, from why awards matter and how to evaluate the podcast awards landscape, to what makes recognition genuinely valuable and how the industry around awards continues to evolve.
What Is the Recognition Economy?: An introduction to the growing ecosystem behind awards, recognition, and the businesses that support them.
The Beauty and Brilliance of Award Shows: A look at why award shows still matter and what gives them lasting cultural value.
Types of Podcast Awards: A practical guide to the podcast awards landscape and how to think about it strategically.
The Reference Guide to Australian Awards: A paid deep dive into the Australian awards landscape and what it reveals about the broader recognition economy.
The Ambies in Transition: A reflection on a changing awards program and what the shift means for the industry.
Podcast Hall of Fame Behind-the-Scenes: A behind-the-scenes look at how recognition programs are built and presented.
Awards Industry Glossary: A glossary of key terms for navigating the awards and recognition space.
Audio Academy Launches Search for ARIAS 2027 Production Partner
The Audio Academy has opened the search for an event production partner to deliver the 2027 Audio and Radio Industry Awards (ARIAS), widely known across the UK industry as the “Oscars of audio.” The charity is inviting full-service production companies to register their interest by August 31, with final proposals due by September 14 ahead of the awards ceremony in May 2027.
The announcement marks the start of planning for the next edition of the ARIAS, one of the UK’s leading celebrations of excellence in audio and radio. The search follows the Audio Academy’s recent rebrand and comes as the organization prepares the next chapter of its flagship awards.
Sounds Debatable Adds Curated Podcast Domains for Creators and Brands
The curated collection features brandable podcast domains for creators, companies, and media brands. podcastcrimes.com and podcrimes.com are ideal for true-crime shows, reviews, and newsletters, podpackages.com for production services, podtask.co for podcast software, and setups.fm for studio and gear content.
Explore the new Sounds Debatable
Publisher Podcast Awards Announce 2026 Winners
The Publisher Podcast Awards, now in their seventh year, announced their 2026 winners on July 8 in London, following The Publisher Summit. The awards are run by MediaVoices. Haymarket Media Group’s “When Charity Goes Wrong” was named Publisher Podcast of the Year. The Telegraph was named Podcast Publisher of the Year. POLITICO’s “Westminster Insider” won Best Deep Dive Podcast. Winners were selected across more than 20 categories, from over 130 shortlisted shows chosen out of hundreds of entries.
Changes made: the headline now names the correct organization and drops the false “first-ever” claim. The category count is stated as “more than 20” rather than the unsupported figure of 19, based on the 20 named category winners in the InPublishing report, separate from the Hero of the Year award and the two overall awards.
British Podcast Awards Reveal 2026 Longlist
The British Podcast Awards have unveiled their 2026 longlist, recognizing 409 entrants across 27 categories, judged by a panel of more than 200 judges. Nearly half of the selected podcasts come from independent creators and production companies, reflecting the continued strength of the UK’s independent podcast sector. Notably absent were Goalhanger, the UK’s largest independent podcast company, along with broadcaster Global, neither of which appears to have entered shows this year.
The shortlist will be announced on July 23, ahead of the awards ceremony on October 1 at indigo at The O2 in London.
Events
Asia Podcast Awards: Entries close.
Date: July 17, 2026.Digiday Awards 2026: Last chance deadline.
Date: August 7, 2026.Podcast Day Asia 2026: Conference.
Date: September 3, 2026.IBC Innovation Awards 2026: Awards ceremony.
Date: September 13, 2026.Audio Production Awards (APAs): Entries close.
Date: September 16, 2026.Podcast Movement.
Date: September 17–18, 2026.Italian Podcast Awards 2026: Awards ceremony.
Date: September 23, 2026.Premios Ondas 2026: Call for entries.
Date: Through September 30, 2026.British Podcast Awards: Winners announced.
Date: October 1, 2026.British Audio Awards (The Speakies).
Date: November 23, 2026.
Press Releases
Publisher Podcast Awards Reveal 2026 Shortlist
The Publisher Podcast Awards have announced their 2026 shortlist, featuring more than 130 shows selected from hundreds of entries across categories including deep dives, investigations, and limited series. Winners will be announced on July 8 during an in-person ceremony at HUCKSTER in London, following The Publisher Summit.
AudioUK Opens Entries for the 2026 Audio Production Awards
AudioUK has officially opened entries for the 2026 Audio Production Awards (APAs), introducing the most significant category refresh in the awards’ 16-year history. The updated program includes six new or revised categories, with Audible returning as headline sponsor ahead of the November awards ceremony.
Scottish Podcast Awards Crown Winners at Inaugural Ceremony in Glasgow
The inaugural Scottish Podcast Awards have taken place in Glasgow Old Fruitmarket, drawing more than 400 entries in their first year. The Ford & Shelby Show took home Podcast of the Year and Best Comedy Show, while Open Goal picked up the Spotify Listeners’ Choice Award and won the Football category.
Sources includes : RadioToday, Podnews, Publisher Podcasts