The 2025 Golden Globes added a new trophy for the best podcast, sparking debate after the shortlist excluded several high‑profile political programs.
The Nominees
Six podcasts earned a spot on the inaugural ballot: Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Call Her Daddy, Good Hang with Amy Poehler, The Mel Robbins Podcast, SmartLess, and Up First from NPR. These titles represent a mix of news, advice, and celebrity interviews and were chosen from a shortlist of 25 eligible shows.
Politics‑Free Selection
The Globes chose to avoid podcasts with overt political content. Programs such as The Megyn Kelly Show, The Tucker Carlson Show, The Ben Shapiro Show, Candace Owen’s Candace, and the popular Joe Rogan Experience were omitted, despite their strong chart performance. Left‑leaning Pod Save America and true‑crime titles like Morbid and Rotten Mango were also left out.
Ben Bogardus, professor and chair of journalism at Quinnipiac University, explained that the voting body seemed intent on steering clear of controversy. “They’re trying to bill themselves as an award show that is for the masses and non‑controversial, celebrating the best in entertainment,” he said. “Having this political sideshow, I think they just wanted to avoid that.”
Reaction and Criticism
The decision drew a handful of critical comments on X, where users questioned why shows hosted by figures like Rogan and the “manosphere” podcaster Theo Von were excluded. No host responded directly to the omission.
Shapiro, who ran a Golden Globes publicity campaign for his podcast, had recently spoken with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and secured billboard space in Times Square. His show was one of the snubbed titles.
Award Details
Eligible podcasts must contain original content and have released at least six episodes between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2025, each lasting a minimum of 30 minutes. The award, presented at Nikki Glaser‑hosted ceremony on Jan. 11, honors “the quality, creativity, audience engagement and impact” of a podcast.
Glaser, who also discussed her views on plastic surgery and Ozempic, will present the trophy. The ceremony marks the first time a major awards show has included podcasts.
Industry Perspective
Karl Hughes, CEO of The Podcast Consultant and a 20‑year veteran, said the selection process leaves out nuance. “If that’s how you want to pick your ‘best podcast,’ that’s certainly one starting point and one way to do it,” he noted. “I think it leaves a lot of stuff out. It leaves a lot of nuance out.”
Hughes added that the Globes’ spotlight could broaden podcasting’s appeal, opening doors for individuals and businesses to use the medium for storytelling. “It’ll open up the door for more individuals and businesses that want to use the medium to tell interesting stories because it’s got a little more respect, a little more gravitas, a little more mainstream appeal,” he said.
Key Takeaways
- The Golden Globes introduced a best podcast award, nominating six shows while excluding several political podcasts.
- Eligibility requires six episodes released between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2025, each at least 30 minutes long.
- Industry experts note the selection criteria may overlook nuance, but the move could raise podcasts’ mainstream profile.
The inclusion of podcasts in a major awards ceremony marks a milestone for the medium, even as the choice of nominees sparks debate over what constitutes “best” in the rapidly evolving landscape.
