The future of independent podcasting: Awards Special

Podcasters gather in London to recognise grass-roots creators

The first-ever Independent Podcast Awards were held in London this week dedicated to the tireless efforts of independent podcasters across the UK.

Hundreds gathered at King’s Place for the event organised by Whynow Media and the Verbal Diorama podcast team. It was a night that promised to shine a light on creators like us, who pour their passion and dedication into every episode - and it didn’t disappoint.

Of course an awards night where you actually win an award is always going to be extra special, and I was thrilled to be in that position. The Future of You podcast was named best technology podcast and I was there to represent the team and collect the award. The Future of You is published fortnightly, hosted and created by futurist Tracey Follows, edited and produced by me and Emily Crosby. We are a small but mighty team!

Tracey created the podcast just over two years ago with the hope of waking more people up to digital technology’s impact on their sense of self. This year we introduced a new format to the show, a shorter episode called The Briefing that takes a view of digital identity landscape. It’s a great contrast to the deep philosophical interview episodes known as, The Discussion, which the show has always been held in high regard for.

The judges said:

"Refreshingly in a landscape where a lot of podcasts involve confident young men talking loudly at each other, The Future of You is a calm, thoughtful and intelligent exploration of media and technology.

"Tracey's style of delivery and interviewing guests is fantastic, conveying a sense of assured confidence, backed up by well-researched questions and points. The guests that Tracey has been able to secure for the show are impressive, and the range of topics covered genuinely thought-provoking."

The Independent Podcast Awards were not just a recognition of our work but a celebration of every creator who dares to dream and create, against all odds.

Here's to the future of independent podcasting!

This week it’s all about the Independent Podcast Award winners. Pick one and find a new favourite.

Best Arts & Culture Podcast:

Folk on Foot

Best Podcast Artwork:

Clown Sex

Best Podcast Jingle:

BRKIN Bread

Best Books Podcast:

The Bestseller Experiment

Best Business Podcast:

Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Best Children & Young Adults Podcast:

Bust or Trust: A Kids’ Mystery Podcast

Best Comedy Podcast:

Jackie the Ripper

Best Educational Podcast:

Media Storm

Best Fiction Podcast:

Eliza: A Robot Story

Best Film & TV Podcast:

Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did

Best Gaming Podcast:

The Apocalypse Players

Best Health & Wellness Podcast:

The Wellbeing Rebellion

Best History Podcast:

Beneath the Skin

Best Horror & Supernatural Podcast:

The Apocalypse Players

Best Music Podcast:

Sodajerker On Songwriting

Best News & Politics Podcast:

Wood for the Trees

Best Self Improvement Podcast:

Teenagers Untangled

Best Sexuality & Relationships Podcast:

Queer Roots and Routes

Best Sport Podcast:

Spindrift Podcast

Best Technology Podcast:

The Future of You

Best True Crime Podcast:

Drunk Women Solving Crime

Independent Podcast of the Year:

Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did

🗣 #SocialAudio

This week on the social audio podcast All Things Audio I spoke with Jennifer Navarrete about this year’s #NaPodPoMo(National Podcast Post Month) challenge. Me and Madalyn also discussed video and audio calls coming to X, short-stay voice notes in beta on What’sApp and how Stationhead is pushing forward where Spotify Live gave up.

I’ll be back with the regular format next week.

Remember to get in touch and let me know about your projects, launches and successes so I can shout about them here, and share them with the ever-growing Stop. Rewind. Play. community.

Keep listening!

Suze.

*Discounts available if you mention Stop. Rewind. Play.