Your podcast Sliding Doors is about to reach a big milestone – 100 episodes! Congratulations! For those unfamiliar, could you tell us a little about yourself and the podcast?

Thank you so much! I am Jennie Becker and three and a half years ago I founded the podcast Sliding Doors. Ever since I was 11 years old and used to go to the video shop on Saturday nights and rent the film Sliding Doors, I’ve been fascinated with the moment when Gwyneth Paltrow did and didn’t catch the train, and how we can have those what if moments in our lives. So when I decided to start a podcast, it was only fitting that I called it Sliding Doors and decided to delve into the Sliding Doors moments in people’s lives.

Have you ever had a sliding door moment – a decision or opportunity that could have gone either way that leads to two very different futures? Everybody has a sliding door moment in their lives – they don’t have to be big or flashy – but they can send you down a unique path you never expected…I’m fascinated by ‘what if’ moments – what they look like, what we can learn from them – and how we can begin to embrace them.

Since I started the podcast I’ve been on an incredible journey helping guests join the dots on the small decisions or moments that made a big difference and built the path of their lives.

From Olympians to presenters, actors to entrepreneurs (and even the cast of the movie!), each episode I get to meet amazing people and ask them what could have been, if they’d chosen differently…

Jennie Becker

In the Sliding Doors universe, you’re living the version of events where you started the podcast but on the flip side, in the timeline where you didn’t start the podcast, what do you think you would be doing now? Would you have started a different podcast instead?

That is such an amazing question! I can’t even begin to think of a world without having Sliding Doors in it! The podcast has not only changed my life but it’s changed me as a person so much over the past three and a half years. It has made me more confident; it has taught me so much, it has given my life inspiration and it has made me feel like I have a purpose in life. To be honest I feel like if I had started a podcast on anything else but Sliding Doors I don’t know how committed I would’ve been to it, but also I don’t know if I would’ve thrived off the interviews and enjoyed it as much as I have and really pushed through to consistently keep going for three and a half years. When it comes down to it, the reason why I keep going as an independent podcaster is because of my love of the conversations that I have and the sliding doors moments I get to delve into and dissect. To answer your question, I just think I’d be unhappy in my job in my life and still searching for something that gave me joy and filled my cup.

100 episodes is a great accomplishment! Can you tell us the most important things you’ve learnt from creating the podcast?

I think for me the most important thing is perseverance and consistency. The podcast world is so big and there are so many shows, but if you really believe in your ability and your premise you’ve just got to keep going at it. I know that the reason why I do this is because of the great conversations that I have. So for me, I think I’ve really learnt that. It’s really important to have something that feels like it’s my own. I think I’ve also learnt so much from my guests over the years and how certain things can happen in life and you have to believe in the decisions that you make and the path that you take. It’s going to lead you to where you’re meant to be and I’ve taken so much inspiration when I’ve had hard times in my life from listening to my guest stories and being able to look into the ‘what ifs’ of their lives.

What have been some of the highlights for you, over the course of your podcasting journey?

My biggest highlight was writing and producing the Sliding Doors 25 podcast documentary with all the cast and crew from the film. I created a four-part documentary series where I told the story of how the film was made. I got to interview a lot of the cast and crew and had some really great celebrities to tell their best Sliding Doors moments! The highlight for me was bringing everybody together at the electric cinema in Notting Hill watching the film, interviewing the writer and director and being able to celebrate the film that changed my life.

Sliding Doors 25

Do you have a favourite episode of the podcast, or one you are proudest of?

I get asked this question all the time and it’s so hard for me to answer because I genuinely come off most interviews so full of life and enjoyment after our chats! But I think for me the one that I am most proud of is my hundredth episode with Tony Blackburn, because it was such an amazing milestone and it was so great to meet him in person, as someone that not only I have loved listening to, but my family have for such a long time. If you had told me three and a half years ago, I would’ve been really proud.

Who would be your dream guest for the podcast?

I think Gwyneth Paltrow has to be one of them, but I also love Fearne Cotton and she’s one of the main reasons why I got into podcasting as I love her as an interviewer.

But I’d also love to interview Paul McCartney as I’m such a big fan of the Beatles and have so many questions I’d love to ask him.

Tony Blackburn on episode 100!

Is there an episode that you think is a great starting point for new listeners?

This is another great question…I would say out of the 100 episodes that I’ve done the best place to start (although you can really listen to any of them in any order), is Rachel Stevens, Bradley Walsh, or Andrea Mclean…some of my favourite moments!

Can you tell us anything about the 100th episode? Are you doing anything exciting to celebrate?

I am so excited to launch my 100th episode! As I mentioned it’s with the legendary broadcaster Tony Blackburn and we recorded in person which was just amazing and it’s a brilliant way to celebrate this milestone for me. I am launching new podcast artwork which has been really exciting to put together. And I’m also going to be doing a little celebration with some of my podcast guests, and people who helped me and worked with me, and my friends of the podcast, as I think it’s so important to celebrate milestones. I really feel like this is just the start of a new journey for me and I’m really excited to get it out there and also for everyone to see my other guests for this monumental series.

What are your future plans for Sliding Doors?

I just want to keep bringing out brilliant stories and interviews with some amazing guests and I would love to do more live shows to connect more with my audience and really start to build a community with the people that love listening to Sliding Doors but are also fascinated with the Sliding Doors theory…watch this space!

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you and the podcast?

You can find out more about me on Instagram @jenbecks28 and @slidingdoorspod and you can keep up-to-date with all the things that are going on for Sliding Doors and look out for some community news coming very, very soon!

Listen to Sliding Doors on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

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What was the original inspiration to start the Sliding Doors podcast?

When I was 11-years-old, Saturday nights consisted of going to the video shop down the road and renting a film… this is when Sliding Doors came into my life. I was instantly captured by THE Sliding Doors moment when Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) is running down the stairs to catch a tube and just misses it. However, the film then rewinds, and she then catches the tube, and this is where her life splits into two moments and the premise begins. Since then, I have always been fascinated with the term ‘everything happens for a reason’ and looking into the ‘what ifs’ of my life, but also the world and people around me… fate, timing, coincidence, whatever you might call it, believing that things in our life happen for a reason.

Podcasts were always something I had looked away from as I felt like I wasn’t well known enough and that there were so many out there! However, one day when sat with my sister I started to think about what I could call my show (if I had one) ….And then the film came to me, ‘sliding doors’ a concept I had loved for so many years. I quickly got the Instagram handle @slidingdoorspod, drew my logo and I said to myself that I would ask five people I knew to come on as a guest- if they said yes then I was doing it… and they all did, and Sliding Doors was born!

Why podcasts? What is it about the medium that you love?

Podcasts are an intimate way to bring listeners into your conversation and discussion and ultimately to inspire them. A lot of my guests end the show by saying it was like having therapy, which I love, as hearing Sliding Doors moments of people’s lives is a fresh and unique way to hear their stories and learn more about them. I also love a good format – I have always been a fan of podcasts that have a structure so the conversation is always curated.

What have been the big challenges as a independent podcaster?

There are so many podcasts out there and the medium is growing everyday, which is great however it’s a lot harder to stand out. I find not having big marketing machine behind me hard, as my growth is very organic and I hustle hard to get my podcast out there. However this is also more rewarding when it does get picked up/grows as I know it’s from genuine interest in the premise and content of the show. Always make sure you celebrate successes too – we have so many jobs when we are independent but take time to acknowledge what you have done – and not focus on what you haven’t!

And what have been your best podcast moments?

My biggest achievement so far must be SD25 which was released in celebration of the films 25th Anniversary. In a sliding doors moment itself, I managed to get in contact with writer and director Peter Howitt and expressed my interest in wanting to celebrate the film somehow through my podcast. Over an 8-month period I managed to gather together the cast and crew of the film and write a mini podcast-docu series (15,000 script!), telling the amazing story of how the film was made from the people who made it. No other film has coined a global term used so much in our everyday lives and culture – so this needed to be celebrated. Over 4 episodes I tell the story of the film, investigate the theory of sliding doors, and hear anecdotes from some famous faces such as Steven Bartlett and Laura Whitmore. I also held a special anniversary screening of the film in Notting Hill with Peter and John Hannah and a room filled with people who made the film possible- the best night ever! And who would have thought 11-year-old me would be doing this one day!

What kind of advice would you give someone trying to break into the industry?

Chose a premise that you are passionate about and that is authentic to you- authenticity goes a long way and will ultimately be what makes you unique and stand out. Keep going, as success doesn’t happen over night, believe in your show and be consistent…your moment will come!

Listen to Sliding Doors on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

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Want to join the UK’s BIGGEST podcast network, alongside Jennie, Jessie Ware and Adam Buxton? Start podcasting with Acast today by heading to acast.com/start-podcasting. 

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The Pod Bible team has given me a monthly column to discuss everything behind the scenes in the podcast industry. Calling it an “industry” still feels weird to me, as compared to TV, Radio and Film, Podcasting is practically a baby. But it’s thanks to people like the hardworking team behind Pod Bible; Podcasting is a dynamic, fast-paced and everchanging medium that basically has us all obsessed.

My name is Ross Adams, and I’m the CEO of Acast – the world’s largest independent podcast platform and home to the most valuable podcast marketplace. We help podcast creators earn value for their podcasts through ads, sponsorship and branded content.

This month I want to address something that’s been on the lips of the whole industry for a while now; AI. Yes, that two-letter acronym that can either strike fear or excite you.

Well, I’m here to tell you, for the time being anyway, that AI technology is nothing to be afraid of, and the work being done with AI in podcasting is genuinely groundbreaking. Yes, you might read headlines around ‘podcasts completely written and recorded by AI’, but at Acast, we still believe stories created by humans, for humans, make the creator economy so powerful and podcasts and podcast advertising so effective.

AI is nothing new to Acast; we have been using tools and developing products that incorporate AI for a while. So how is the wider podcast industry using AI? When it comes to creating a podcast, AI is particularly powerful when it can remove time spent on administrative efforts for creators and afford them more time to focus on what they do best: create incredible podcasts for you to listen to. There are also some brilliant examples of AI helping creators expand their audience, for example, across language barriers with AI translations. Some companies are even using AI to make podcaster’s jobs much easier. For instance, Headliner creates video clips from episodes. Uses AI to generate captions, select relevant images, and add visual effects to create videos for social media platforms.

If you’re not using Podchaser yet to discover your next great podcast (whilst reading Pod Bible, of course), then you’re missing out on another way that AI can help you, the podcast listeners. Podchaser uses natural language processing (a form of AI) to analyse episodes, show descriptions, and listener reviews to generate detailed metadata that enables audiences to discover podcasts based on specific topics, genres, or even specific guests. Basically, Podchaser will find the next big podcast for you to dive into.

Behind the scenes in the podcast advertising world, we use AI to assist in creating meaningful insights from things like listener data to improve the podcast advertising experience. Acast’s product development team uses AI to become more efficient and deliver more value to its customers, which are the brands and advertisers supporting all the podcast creators. I’m proud to say we were early adopters of the potential of AI in our product capabilities. For example, combining transcription with machine learning allows us to provide contextual-based advertising through keywords and content categorisation. We call this conversational targeting.

If that all sounds complicated, fear not, it’s what most content platforms – social media or video streaming – use to tailor their algorithms to specific users. We believe there is a place for AI within podcasting when used to enhance that human storytelling experience rather than replace it.

I promise you this column has not been written by the AI Bot 4000, but I would say that wouldn’t I?

Main image Ross Adams courtesy of Acast.

This article was created in partnership with Acast – the world’s largest independent podcast platform and home to the most valuable podcast marketplace. Acast helps podcast creators earn value for their podcasts through ads, sponsorship and branded content. Find out more at acast.com.

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Before we worry about any of that however, it’s time to look back and celebrate our favourite podcasts from 2023. As is our tradition, we ended the year with the Pod Bible Listener Polls, a month long open vote where we ask listeners to vote for their favourite podcasts of the year. All of the nominees featured in the Pod Bible Magazine, on the Pod Bible Podcast, on the website or newsletter over the last twelve months – except the final Independent Podcast category, which was open to all.

The polls were open for the whole of December and closed at midnight on the 31st of December. Thank you so much to everyone who voted, we received a record number of submissions, up 30% on our previous best which is huge! Our team have now counted and verified all submissions and we’re very happy to see a good mix of classic podcasts, indy shows and new productions as well as a bunch of brand new winners and an unprecedented tie for third place in one of the categories…

Pod disciples, we present to you your Pod Bible Listener Poll Winners for 2023!

COMEDY

WINNER: WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAKE

2nd – FRENCH AND SAUNDERS: TITTING ABOUT

3rd – OFF MENU

Congratulations to Kathy Burke and the amazing team at Sony Music and Somethin’ Else for creating a runaway hit last year. Where There’s A Will There’s A Wake has taken the most morbid of subjects and turned it into a deeply entertaining and thought provoking listen, with an incredible line up of guests. Everyone knew Kathy would make the perfect podcast host when the time was right and boy has she delivered.

Kathy’s long term British comedy peers French & Saunders come second with perennial winners Off Menu dropping down to third place in what’s been yet another huge year for the dream restaurant based show.

INTERVIEW & CONVERSATION

WINNER: THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST

2nd – OFF AIR… WITH JANE & FI

3rd – CHANGES WITH ANNIE MACMANUS

What else can be said about The Adam Buxton Podcast and it’s place within the UK podcasting scene since it’s inception in 2015? The quintessential interview podcast for us and the listener votes have yet again backed us up. The fact that Adam can go on lengthy hiatus’s then reappear with no warning with another run of wonderous conversations makes it feel all the more special.

Legendary broadcasters (and fellow former Pod Bible cover stars) Jane Garvey and Fi Glover take second place with DJ Annie Macmanus making the podium in third.

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

WINNER: TALK ART

2nd – CLOSET CONFESSIONS

3rd – WHERE ARE YOU GOING? / POP OFF

We’re delighted to see Talk Art take the gold in this year’s Lifestyle & Culture category! Robert and Russell have been long term supporters of Pod Bible and it’s been a joy to witness their show going from strength to strength over recent years.

Pod Bible cover stars Closet Confessions take second and for the first time ever we have a tie for third place (quite the feat considering we had thousands of votes in this category!). Where Are You Going? and Pop Off share third place, two very different shows that are equally worth your time.

FILM & TV

WINNER: SHRINK THE BOX

2nd – THE DREAM FACTORY

3rd – STICKY BUN BOYS

Three brand new entries onto the Film & TV podium this year, which is no mean feat in a category with both Kermode & Mayo and Films To Be Buried With! Congratulations to Shrink The Box, the show where Ben Baily Smith and Sasha Bates take their favourite fictional characters and analyse why their behaviour causes them so much drama.

It’s wonderful to see that both second and third places are taken by two independent shows this year. User generated movie creation podcast The Dream Factory takes second with Great British Bake Off re-watch podcast Sticky Bun Boys in third.

MUSIC

WINNER: THAT’S NOT METAL

2nd – BEFORE THEY KNEW BETTER

3rd – ROCKONTEURS

Huge congratulations to That’s Not Metal, a truly independent and fan made podcast that has taken first place in this year’s music category! TNM brings you news, opinions and honest reviews from the world of Metal music every week and finished 2023 with their very own awards show.

DIY Magazine’s Before They Knew Better takes second with last year’s bronze medal winners Rockonteurs returning to third place again!

SPORT & LEISURE

WINNER: REMINDING YOU WHY YOU LOVE FOOTBALL

2nd – THE TENNIS PODCAST

3rd – FOOTBALL RAMBLE

Need a reminder as to why you love football? Look no further than this years winner in Sport & Leisure, Reminding You Why You Love Football! The perfect show for those who are not necesarily looking for up to the minute analysis on the latest round of fixtures. You can check out our chat with Seb and Owen from the show here!

The Tennis Podcast takes second place with stalwarts the Football Ramble in third.

NEWS & INVESTIGATION

WINNER: POD SAVE THE UK

2nd – THE NEWS AGENTS

3rd – A VERY BRITISH CULT

A wonderful debut year for Pod Save The UK is capped off by topping the polls for News & Investigation. Nish Kumar and Coco Khan’s weekly politics show is funny, informative and most importantly, accessible.

Similar in subject matter, The News Agents comes in at second with BBC Radio 4 investigative series A Very British Cult taking third place.

AUDIO DRAMA

WINNER: SHERLOCK & CO.

2nd – THE WITCH FARM

3rd – SPRINGLEAF

Sherlock & Co flew onto the scene in October last year and immediately topped the Audio Fiction charts with it’s superbly written scripts and hilarious performances. Our chat with Sherlock & Watson resulted in one of our favourite interviews of the year so we are delighted to see them pick up first place.

Second place goes to the BBC’s The Witch Farm with James Acaster’s Springleaf, only released in November, taking third.

OH. MY. POD.

INDEPENDENT PODCAST

WINNER: PICTURE THE SCENE

2nd – ECONOMICS IN TEN

3rd – 101 PART TIME JOBS

After finishing second last year, true crime podcast Picture The Scene have come back strong to take first place and let us tell you, they got a LOT of votes.

Ever present Economics in Ten take second place with new entrant 101 Part Time Jobs taking the bronze!

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Congratulations to all our winners, runners up and nominees and thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for their favourite shows. We’re sure 2024 will be another incredible year for podcasting and look forward to celebrating it with another set of Pod Bible Listener Polls at the end of the year!

The post POD BIBLE LISTENER POLLS 2023 – WINNERS ANNOUNCED! appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Memories From The Dancefloor is a docu-series hosted by Journalist Damian Kerlin. Released during LGBTQ+ History Month, it celebrates LGBTQ+ venues and unravels the forgotten history behind queer nightlife across the UK. Damian speaks to founders, artists, promoters and patrons to unpack the expressions of queer identity after dark, colourfully told by the community that lived it.

We asked him more about his show, and how he found it podcasting for the first time…

What was your introduction to podcasting as a listener?

For me it was both I’m Grand Mam and Emma Gannon’s Ctrl, Alt, Delete.

I’m Grand Mam is the perfect example of how to get humour right in audio. Nothing feels forced. It is a conversation between two best friends and instead of it being about them, it is their reaction to the world around them. Ego in podcasting is rife and it turns me right off. I’m Grand Mam has hit the balance perfectly and their nuanced approach is why it is laugh-out-loud good. They are also Irish, but I’m not biased.

Ctrl, Alt, Delete was this phenomenon that was your typical interview podcast blueprint, but instead of relying on celebrities or big talent Emma spoke to people who genuinely inspired and interest her. It makes the whole experience really authentic and like most of us when talking to people we admire you can hear that 2OH MY GOD I CAN’T BLIEVE I’M SPEAKING TO YOU” in Emma’s voice, which makes it relatable. Emma has introduced me to some incredible people who I follow on socials and have reached out to too.

How have you found the process of podcasting compared to writing?

There are a lot of similarities, such as the research and setting up of interviews. For me what was different was the scripting and layering. When you write you take the reader on a journey, as wanky as that sounds, but you do. It is the same when scripting but suddenly it’s not just your voice or your style running through 1,800 words, it is quite literally others. You need to find balance in opinions, who compliments who and if not, why? Then there is the added layer of actual audio. People talking for 30+ minutes isn’t interesting. You need to create atmosphere and ambience. When should you introduce music, what should pop and when. I learned so much and I can’t wait to do more.

Did the show develop or change from your original application?

The premise very much remained the same, but I was flexible in our structure and approach. I wanted their story, but I didn’t know what these people were going to say. For instance, we delve into racism on the podcast, and once I started doing some digging, I knew I had to speak to Marc Thompson the founder of Black and Gay Back in the Day. Marc’s story was essential in ensuring balance in the narrative and that voices and perspectives were heard. This podcast is about being open and sharing experiences in a safe space. I refused to limit that as I wanted to hear them out, and the result has been incredible!

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

Be prepared and always have a back-up plan. You may have a vision of how you want an interview to go or what you would like to get from it but it’s not that simple. When reflecting or discussing people’s experiences or perspective it can be challenging for them or it can be totally different to what you have researched.

Give them time to go on their journey and bounce off their enthusiasm, and garner from them when is good to push for a point and when is best to back up and take a different route. It’s a conversation, not an interrogation. Also, gassing all day is a hoot but knackering.

What song will always get you on the dancefloor?

Girls Aloud – Sound of the Underground. That guitar intro has had me running out of toilets squealing since 2015.

What would you like to see more of in the podcast space?

I am a sucker for a narrative. It’s the writer in me. I want more podcasts that take me on a journey – there we are with that ‘journey’ again –  which tells a story and challenges my thinking. I want that light bulb moment. I adored Pandora Sykes’ Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV and A Positive Life: HIV from Terrence Higgins to Today. Storytelling at its finest.

Do you have any tips or tricks for budding podcasters looking to apply for something like the Acast Amplifier programme?

Just do it! Sometimes you can ‘oh’ and ‘ah’ about something and then it never materialises because you kept putting it off. The time is now!

Listen to Memories From The Dancefloor on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular apps >>

Find out more about another Acast Amplifier project, Stacked, here >>

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This was the fourth annual Pod Bible Polls, where we ask listeners to vote for their favourite podcasts of the year. All of the nominees featured in the Pod Bible Magazine, on the Pod Bible Podcast, on the website or newsletter over the last twelve months – except the final Independent Podcast category, which was open to all.

2022 also saw a slight change in the categories – we’re celebrating fiction podcasts for the first time in the ‘Audio Drama’ category, and a ‘News & Investigation’ poll highlights some of the big productions that came out of the UK last year.

The polls were open for the whole of December and closed at midnight on the 31st of December. Once again we received a record number of votes, but our team have now counted and verified them. We’re happy to see there’s a good mix of classic podcasts, indy shows and new productions amongst the winners and runners-up.

Pod disciples, these are your Pod Bible Poll Winners for 2022!

COMEDY

WINNER: OFF MENU

2nd – MY THERAPIST GHOSTED ME

3rd – HELP I SEXTED MY BOSS

After being pipped to the post last year, the Off Menu lads are back to prove they are the kings of the comedy podcast genre! Ed Gamble and James Acaster’s chats with celebrities about their dream menus continues to make us laugh and salivate in equal measure. It has been a massive year for Off Menu, with more merch and live shows – including their first trip over the Atlantic. So it’s no surprise their fanbase has grown and once again rallied behind them to make it to the number one spot.

My Therapist Ghosted Me and Help I Sexted My Boss have come in the second and third slots. Clearly listeners are still craving good chat between good friends!

INTERVIEW & CONVERSATION

WINNER: THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST

2nd – THE DIARY OF A CEO

3rd – HAPPY PLACE WITH FEARNE COTTON

Another return for a previous Pod Bible Polls winner, this marks the third win for The Adam Buxton Podcast. The podcast recently celebrated it’s 200th episode with old friend and regular podcast guest, film director Joe Cornish. It’s that familiarity that’s a part of keeping fans returning to Adam’s show. It’s no secret that we are fans of Adam’s and have enjoyed our own conversations with him over the years, and this poll position goes to show that he’s lost none of his flare after all these years.

Given how high it often sits in the charts, we’re not surprised to see The Diary of a CEO has polled for the first time, and previous magazine cover star Fearne Cotton has placed 3rd for the second time, having done the same in our 2020 poll.

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

WINNER: BROWN GIRLS DO IT TOO

2nd – THE GUILTY FEMINIST

3rd – EFFIN HORMONES

Brown Girls Do It Too have done it! They’ve toppled Deborah Frances-White and The Guilty Feminist off the top of the best Lifestyle & Culture category for the first time since our polls began. Poppy Jay and Rubina Pabani’s show explores the messy realities, fantasies, sexpectations and navigating life and relationships as British Asian women. It’s another show that has had an astronomical year, including a tour of their live show. They also appeared at the London Podcast Festival in September and hosted the Audio Production Awards in November.

The Guilty Feminist drops to 2nd place, but the Indy podcast Effin’ Hormones builds on its success at the British Podcast Awards this year – and with fans such as Idris Elba cheering them it’s no wonder.

FILM & TV

WINNER: KERMODE & MAYO’S TAKE

2nd – FILMS TO BE BURIED WITH

3rd – CLASH OF THE TITLES

It’s a new WINNER, and a new show, but an old pairing that have been reliably among the most-downloaded podcast hosts of them all in the UK. When Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo left the BBC earlier this year, we didn’t have to wait long for Kermode & Mayo’s Take to fill the gap. The show is reassuringly familiar but the fresh format brought their takes on film and television to new listeners. Those listeners certainly voted in their masses this year! Read more about Kermode and Mayo’s move from radio to podcasting here >>

Brett Goldstein’s Film’s to be Buried With drops to second place, but considering how busy he’s been (staring in Marvel films, gracing the cover of our magazine) it’s understandable. Clash Of The Titles holds steady in third place for the second year in a row, proving there’s still plenty of films ready to do combat.

MUSIC

WINNER: NOTHING IS REAL

2nd – FOLK ON FOOT

3rd – ROCKONTEURS

Our list of the best Beatles Podcasts has been one of our most popular articles on the website this year, so it’s not that surprising to see the Beatles showing up on top here. But Nothing Is Real is a popular podcast on its own merit, even outside of the Beatles fame. Jason Carty and Steven Cockroft have enough Beatles knowledge to win the Beatles Brains of Ireland quiz, but they share stories in an accessible way for listeners.

Folk On Foot comes in second, a show that serves the folk community music with conversations and sounds of nature through plein air interviews. In a year of celebrity podcasts, we have Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp coming in to third place with Rockonteurs, the show he hosts with bass player to the stars Guy Pratt. And after several years of a BBC Sounds show topping this category, it’s somewhat nice to see the independent shows dominate this year.

SPORT & LEISURE

WINNER: BEEF’S GOLF CLUB

2nd – THAT PETER CROUCH PODCAST

3rd – FOOTBALL RAMBLE

Even though it’s new, Beef’s Golf Club has already grown a big community who have helped it top this year’s polls. One of the things that may have led to its success is that this show so universal in who can listen. It is very welcoming to beginners and teaches the basics, rather than serving commentary to people who are already golf fans.

Despite the epic summer of football, football podcasts didn’t quite hit the target this year despite their ongoing popularity. That Peter Crouch Podcast drops to 2nd place after winning last year, and Football Ramble drops to third after its 2021 runner-up position.

NEWS & INVESTIGATION

WINNER: CAN I TELL YOU A SECRET?

2nd – THE REST IS POLITICS

3rd – THINGS FELL APART

In the first new category, the big publishers are using their platform to bring cutting-edge journalism to UK podcasts. The Guardian’s Can I Tell You A Secret? takes a sensitive look at the subject of stalking. Produced by an award-winning team, it features moving sound design from the fantastic Axel Kacoutie (a contender for the hardest-working-person-in-podcasting at the moment). We named this as a possible Podcast of the Year in our last magazine, and the voters seem to agree.

The Rest Is Politics comes in second with its unlikely double act of Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, and Things Fell Apart was a short series from BBC Sounds, hosted by Jon Ronson, that helped us make sense of the culture wars.

AUDIO DRAMA

WINNER: THE MAGNUS ARCHIVES

2nd – ELIZA: A ROBOT STORY

3rd – JACKIE THE RIPPER

This is our first year for highlighting fiction podcasts in their own category, and The Magnus Archives has proved it’s still a classic of the genre. A horror fiction podcast examining what lurks in the archives of the Magnus Institute, the show ran for nearly 6 years before coming to end this year. If you’re new to fiction podcasts, this is a great place to start.

Crowd Network’s Eliza: A Robot Story proves popular even though it came out later in the year, and shows that a sci-fi audio drama can reach a wide audience. And the gory story of Jackie The Ripper from Stak made its way to third place.

OH. MY. POD.

INDEPENDENT PODCAST

WINNER: PROPER MENTAL PODCAST

2nd – PICTURE THE SCENE

3rd – ECONOMICS IN TEN

The ‘Oh My Pod’ Independent Podcast poll is open to literally every independent podcast. Shows that win this category are hitting the all the right marks with their listeners and creating communities that can’t stop talking about their show. It is fiercely contested each year and seeing a podcast that focuses on mental health get to top of this list is testament to the way it resonates with listeners. We featured Tom’s show way back in June last year, and would like to think that helped its growth!

Once again, HUNDREDS of podcasts were put forward for this category to a massive thank you and congratulations to every podcast mentioned!

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Congratulations to all our winners, runners up and nominees and thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for their favourite shows. We’re sure 2023 will be another incredible year for podcasting and look forward to celebrating it with another set of Pod Bible Poll’s at the end of the year!

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HOW DID THE IDEA FOR STACKED COME ABOUT?

We met up in a park during the pandemic and had a really good conversation about the books we were reading and just felt people could benefit from it because we did. This was at the point when Mostly Lit had ended and we felt a very palpable absence of a Black British perspective on books that we didn’t notice or know we needed before they started. We felt there was a need within the industry for lesser-represented voices such as ours to share our thoughts, opinions and experiences. It has been amazing to witness the industry’s endeavours to highlight and promote black marginalised voices through publishing more black authors. But it is equally important to have black critics as conversations around art are elevated and enriched by perspectives that pick up the different ways it speaks to us – so we started Stacked.

SINCE YOU FOUND OUT THAT YOU WON ACAST AMPLIFIER, WHAT HAS THE PODCAST CREATION JOURNEY BEEN LIKE?

Fast and furious. In less than a year we’ve applied, found out we won, created Stacked and launched. It feels a bit like an episode of ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ (90s babies will understand). We are total amateurs so everything has been new and foreign, and we’ve had to learn quickly. It’s also (fortunately) been a collaborative journey and we’re so grateful to Acast, CC co and all the creatives they’ve partnered us with.

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE CHALLENGES WITH LAUNCHING STACKED?

Definitely the technical and business elements of launching a podcast, and having to manage everything with our day jobs – reading the books and recording the episodes on the other hand have been a breeze!

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR?

We’re looking forward to wrapping our first season and hearing what people think. Community is one of the founding pillars of our podcast, so it’ll be great to hand the mic over to our listeners and get a sense of their thoughts and feelings about the books we discuss in the first season. Funnily enough, more than anything, we really want to hear people’s feedback on our book recommendations. We pride ourselves on those.

WHAT’S THE PLAN WITH STACKED?

We’d say that the plan is to build and strengthen an inclusive literary community where we can continue to share ideas with our audience and have interesting conversations about the books we’ve read and how they’ve impacted our lives. We want to change the face of what a ‘reader’ is or can be. We want to continue to platform writers that we believe have been underappreciated and overlooked, while insuring that the same doesn’t happen to their contemporaries. And most of all, we want to have fun while we do it.

Listen to Stacked on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

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Want to join the UK’s BIGGEST podcast network, alongside Dane Baptiste, Jessie Ware and Adam Buxton? Start podcasting with Acast today! Use the code ACAST-POD-BIBLE for three months of their “Influencer” plan free at acast.com/start-podcasting. 

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Acast: What was the original inspiration to start the VIBE With FIVE podcast?

VWF: FIVE was created by Rio Ferdinand in 2009 as a digital magazine and over the last few years, the channel has become a football channel and a media brand.

FIVE is the destination for football fans outside the 90 minutes and we want to bring fans closer to the beautiful game. It’s the blending of football fans, pundits & players. VIBE with FIVE is the perfect round up of the weekend, where Rio Ferdinand, Stephen Howson & Joel Beya discuss the biggest talking points.

The show is dedicated to those who want a player & fan perspective, with special guests throughout the season.

What do you find your listeners enjoy about being able to reach you through this medium?

The listeners enjoy that the VW5 team provide football conversations without barriers, where no subject is out of bounds and we take the fans behind the curtain of professional football.

Every Monday the VIBE with FIVE team covers all the big stories around football every week and it’s not just focused on one team. Also, when we have any special guests on the show, Rio can help the players open up and discuss any funny stories.

What do you think makes sports, and football podcasts more specifically so popular with listeners?

It’s the access to the players and being able to have the podcast available immediately from your phone or laptop anywhere in the world. What conversations are you able to discuss on the podcast that you wouldn’t usually on TV/Radio platforms? On the podcast the FIVE team have more freedom to discuss certain topics and can go into more depth as there isn’t as many limitations to the conversations. Plus, when we have special guests on the show we can talk about their playing career and any interesting stories in more detail.

What do you love about making a podcast?

Being able to have football conversations about key moments from the weekend with your mates every Monday and having fun while creating it. You can see the banter between Rio, Ste and Joel, particularly when Man United are doing well and Arsenal losing.

Listen to VIBE with FIVE on Apple Podcasts,Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

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Want to join the UK’s BIGGEST podcast network, alongside Dane Baptiste, Jessie Ware and Adam Buxton? Start podcasting with Acast today! Use the code ACAST-POD-BIBLE for three months of their “Influencer” plan free at acast.com/start-podcasting. 

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Acast: With gal-dem being such a successful online publication, what was the allure to start a podcast?

gal-dem: gal-dem publishes both online and in print, and when we first started we were known for our events as well – for us, being accessible in as many ways as possible is so important, not just for creating content and community spaces that can be accessed by a wide range of people, but also for selecting the most appropriate medium for stories. Both Growing up with gal-dem and Reclaimed & Rewritten can deal with difficult but important themes. Audio is such an intimate medium that it allows for the sort of storytelling we need, that is engaging and detailed and informative, but also delivers on emotive impact and connection.

What do you find your listeners enjoy about being able to reach you through this medium?

Podcasting allows for a humanising style of content that is not always achievable in other mediums. You get a feel for the host, who they are, their sense of humour and what makes them tick. While we only have two podcasts out at the moment, our audience can get a feel for who we are as a publication through our amazing hosts and the ways that they interact with guests and sources. It’s also a type of engaging you can do wherever – you don’t need to be sat at a screen, or dedicate time away for print. With podcasting the conversation comes with you, whether you’re commuting, working, or resting.

Do you think there needs to be more women in the podcasting space?

Yes, but representation and inclusion in the space needs to be expanded beyond making more room for just cis-gendered women. We need to create space recognising incredible voices from a wide range of marginalised voices, be they disabled, queer, trans, POC, working class, migrants… Quite often we can look at one specific audience and try to tick boxes, but that approach is reductive and means further marginalisation can occur. What would be more fruitful is considering what barriers to access and audience exist across a wide range of intersecting identities, and start to consider as an industry, how can we begin dismantling them ourselves to improve the space overall. The more voices that are heard, the more stories that are told, the better this is for all podcasters.

What is one of the most important stories that have been told on Growing up with gal-dem?

Hard to pick! The first season of Reclaimed & Rewritten covered state sanctioned antiblack violence both in the US and in the UK and draws parallels between the ways in which policing specifically targets and affects Black communities on both sides of the Atlantic. It was a hugely important series and remains an incredibly important topic. Every season of Growing up with gal-dem brings the most beautiful vulnerability from both our guests and our hosts, but I think one of my favourite episodes has to be from the latest season when Nie and Natty met with and spoke to Paapa Essiedu. It was warm, funny, sweet, and open, and you really got a feel for how much shared empathy there was in the conversation. Give it a listen!!

What do you love about making a podcast?

The ability to have conversations, unfiltered, and publish them for audiences to listen in on in a way that isn’t always possible via print or digital mediums. With a podcast, you have an audience who are plugged in and actively listening. For 20-30 minutes you can sit in with incredible hosts, speakers, interviewees, guests, and just be part of their world, sit in on a conversation, and feel connected. Knowing that is how the episodes are received and enjoyed makes the production process so rich and exciting. We’ve also got an incredible team around us. We work really closely with our producers Ai Ai Studios, and have formed the sort of creative relationship you often dream of – they just get what we’re trying to achieve, and drive us to do bigger and better each season.

How do you think podcasting can change to highlight more voices?

Like we’ve said above – it’s not a one-step solution. Highlighting the barriers to entry for both listeners and creators is the first step, and then having buy-in across the industry (from the publishers to the indies to the hosts to the tech platforms) to address these barriers, dismantle them, and create continually expanding and inclusive spaces that welcome and learn from new voices and new perspectives.

Listen to Growing Up with gal-dem on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

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Want to join the UK’s BIGGEST podcast network, alongside Dane Baptiste, Jessie Ware and Adam Buxton? Start podcasting with Acast today! Use the code ACAST-POD-BIBLE for three months of their “Influencer” plan free at acast.com/start-podcasting. 

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Acast: What about podcasting made you want to start one of your own?

SITC: We love how podcasts are an authentic and natural way for podcasters to express their thoughts and experiences and connect with their audience on a more personal level. We have always felt like we had so much more to us than pictures and posing on visual social media platforms and are so passionate about our Sisters in the a City podcast, which is a place we can truly be our crazy controversial selves!

What are some of the weirdest topics you’ve spoken about on the podcast?

We’ve opened up on so many topics and coughed up secrets we thought we’d take to the GRAVE!! From spending the night in jail to unwanted pregnancies and cosmetic surgery, there’s definitely no box left unopened! It’s been hilarious but also sometimes emotional touching on some of these topics and digging out some memories we just wish we never had! But we know so many people will be able to relate to even the strangest topics and we want Sisters in the City to be a comfortable no judgment zone for us and our listeners.

What are the key items a girl has to have when living in the city?

Oooo this one is interesting! Ok, so we don’t leave for a night out without the original airwaves chewing gum! It’s the most refreshing and you just never know when you might see a cutie (if you’re single of course) and need that fresh breath for a kiss. Secondly, I’d probably say a lipliner and lipgloss to fix up your pout once you’ve messed up your makeup from kissing the lucky frog! Finally, I would say hairbrush! Can’t have that party hair in the middle of the night and look like you’ve been dragged through a bush! Got to keep the mane tamed!

In comparison to visual-based platforms like Instagram and YouTube, what do you think podcasting offers that they don’t?

It’s so nice for podcasters and ourselves to just relax and not be self-conscious of how we look while we’re having a chat and not worry about what other people will comment or say about our appearance. Women are definitely more prone to this. Female presenters or YouTubers for example get way more stick about their appearance and outfits than men do. I think it’s refreshing how podcasts don’t have this visual element and as a result podcasters have way more of a genuine connection with their audience.

What’s one hot tip for the budding podcaster out there?

I think the best advice has to be to completely and utterly be yourself. That’s the only way of guaranteeing your podcast will be completely unique, because there is only one you. Also, don’t hesitate to explore topics you’re passionate about on your podcast. I think listeners can tell and engage way more when a podcaster is diving into topics and conversations that really interest them.

Do you think they’ll be growth in influencers into podcasting, and if so why?

I think there definitely will be 100%, well, especially with the influencers who have a big personality. There must be influencers out there like us, who struggle with solely using visual social media platforms to connect with their followers. Those influencers I think will be drawn to podcasts. It’s so much more mentally stimulating as well, to actually listen to thoughts and opinions on topics rather than mindlessly scrolling through pictures and videos all the time!

What have been your stand out moments on the podcast so far?

It’s been such a laugh! We’ve had moments where we are genuinely in stitches laughing out loud and times where we get into little bickering arguments, and it’s all such a memorable journey. I think the times that stand out to us the most, is the moments where, we have no idea what the other person is actually going to say because it’s all so natural and freestyle, and then suddenly one of us will just drop this massive emotional bomb or memory. At that moment the podcast feels so raw and real because the other person didn’t know it was coming, so the reaction and response going back and forth is so precious I think.

Listen to Sisters In The City on Acast, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other popular podcast players.

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Want to join the UK’s BIGGEST podcast network, alongside Dane Baptiste, Jessie Ware and Adam Buxton? Start podcasting with Acast today! Use the code ACAST-POD-BIBLE for three months of their “Influencer” plan free at acast.com/start-podcasting. 

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Regardless of what your ‘new year, new goal’ was, it’s okay to not have achieved it or fallen off the wagon sooner than you thought. Hence why I’ve put together some of my favourite podcasts that help me to remain inspired, entertained and remind me I’m human as I attempt to get back on the horse.

Directionally Challenged

Hosted by Candice King and Kayla Ewell. A podcast about realigning your internal compass. This podcast has 30-something women asking life’s questions and learning from the people who just might have the answers. LISTEN NOW on Acast or other podcast players >>

The Shift On Life After 40 with Sam Baker

The Shift is a podcast that aims to tell the truth about being a woman post-40, created and hosted by journalist and author Sam Baker. In this week’s episode, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon joins Sam to talk about what it means to be a 50-something woman in the corridors of power. From having to work twice as hard to be taken half as seriously, to why a little self-doubt is good for you. LISTEN NOW on Acast or other podcast players >>

The Lazy Genius

Being a person can be challenging, so be a genius about the things that matter — and lazy about the things that don’t. The Lazy Genius welcomes you into an easier way of living, from cooking to making friends, and Barbara Brown Taylor coined the phrase “what’s saving my life right now,” and I love the idea of thinking beyond favourites and splurges to find what’s grounding us and making us feel like ourselves. LISTEN NOW on Acast or other podcast players >> 

The Angry Therapist podcast

John Kim delivers self-help and therapy in 10 minutes or less in The Angry Therapist. John’s path has led him to become a pioneer in self-help, humanising the therapist by showing himself and practising transparency. LISTEN NOW on Acast or other podcast players >>

Life Lessons from Sport and Beyond with Simon Mundie

Each week Simon Mundie sits down with an expert, from the biggest sporting names in the world to former Buddhist monks, neuroscientists, psychologists and philosophers. They discuss a theme that tells us something insightful about life and how best to live it, from the importance of self-acceptance, to facing addiction and developing resilience. LISTEN NOW on Acast or other podcast players >>

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This article was produced as part of our partnership with Acast. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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To be considered, budding podcasters based in the UK — and who don’t already have a podcast — need to apply via an online application. Applicants should introduce themselves and their podcast idea, alongside a 60-second audio statement explaining why they should be picked for the Acast Amplifier incubator.

Acast and a panel of ambassadors — featuring fan-favourite podcasters from the Acast Creator Network alongside other industry experts — will judge the entries and choose three winning creators. Applications are open from today, January 25, and closing at 00:00 GMT on March 14.

Panellists include Adam Buxton (The Adam Buxton Podcast), Chanté Joseph (writer, creator of How Not To Be Racist), Pete Donaldson (Football Ramble), Dane Baptiste (comedian, host of Dane Baptiste Questions Everything), Niellah Arboine (Growing Up With gal-dem), Tash Walker and Shivani Dave (The Log Books), Leanne Levers & Roshan Roberts (Dope Black Women), Scroobius Pip, Stu Whiffen and Adam Richardson (Pod Bible), Imriel Morgan (Content is Queen), Chal Ravens (Novara Media, Crack Magazine), and Sophie MacAskill (Curtis Brown)

Winning applicants will have their first three episodes fully produced, along with their podcast’s branding including artwork and music. They’ll also receive a £2,500 grant each, to continue to fund their show, plus a free lifetime subscription to Acast’s top hosting plan, and bespoke support and free equipment from Acast and its partners – including Shure, Pirate Studios, and Crack Magazine’s creative agency CC Co. To cover all bases, from production to branding and monetisation, winners will also receive mentoring from Acast.

Sam Shetabi, UK Content Director from Acast, said: “This really is the opportunity of a lifetime for three people with a story to tell. They’ll get unparalleled support and advice from industry big-hitters, including mentorship from some top podcasters who’ve been there and done it.

“We want to provide tomorrow’s podcast creators with everything they could possibly need to get their ideas out into the world, and I can’t wait to hear their applications. We’re about to uncover the next great British podcast.”

Adam Buxton, host of The Adam Buxton Podcast, said: “Hello Adam Buxton here. Podcasting is a great way to make genuine connections with an audience whether you’re recording a chat on your phone or creating intricate soundscapes, dealing with serious subjects or providing relief from everyday stress by being silly, and I’m very happy to encourage new voices and new ideas to emerge with the help of Acast’s Amplifier programme. I’m excited to hear who’s out there.”

Imriel Morgan, CEO of Content is Queen: “I believe podcast incubators are the future of talent development in the podcasting industry. We need to create risk-free environments for creators from all backgrounds to innovate and pivot. It’s been core to my work for the last seven years so I’m very excited to join the Acast Amplifier judging panel and hear all of the niche and wonderful ideas that come from the applicants.”

Pete Donaldson, host of Football Ramble: “I’m really excited to hear pitches from fresh voices in the space through the Acast Amplifier.  It’s often said that podcasts have a very low bar of entry, but great ideas can often get buried under poor production, planning and the like. I’m honoured to be able to help Acast give new podcasts the very best start.”

Chanté Joseph, writer and creator of How Not To Be Racist: “I’m a huge fan of podcasts, I probably listen to more podcasts than music. Every week I try to find a new series to listen to that will help me to discover a new idea and expand my worldview. I’m so excited to sit on this panel and be a part of aiding the next generation of talented podcasters. I can’t wait to listen to all of the ideas and get lost in their stories.”

Acast Amplifier follows the launch of Aclass Essentials, a free online resource to equip anyone who wants to start their own podcast with the knowledge they need to produce great, original audio content from home.

Visit www.acastamplifier.com for more information and to apply today.

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Developed with agency partner Weirdo — and running across paid social and Acast’s own inventory of 300 million monthly podcast listens — the campaign features the first words from across Acast’s portfolio of podcasts globally, including Off Menu, The Adam Buxton Podcast, Forever35, Dope Black Mums, The Little Dum Dum Club, and many more.

The campaign will also feature amusing videos with top podcasters being challenged to try and remember their own first words — as well as sharing insight into how they themselves took those first steps.

The launch of “First Words” follows research by Acast suggesting that more than 1 in 10 people in the UK plan to start their own podcast this year.

Lizzy Pollott, SVP Marketing Communications and Brand at Acast, said: “Even the longest podcasting journeys start with just one step. Every podcaster — from Adam Buxton to your friend down the road — has had to start somewhere, and take that leap. Our new campaign hopes to inspire people to get started with their show and find their voice and audience.

“By rewinding hundreds of Acast podcasts we’ve found the humble first words of shows that have ended up being listened to millions of times around the world. Some are funny, some shocking, some a little bit silly, but they all prove that — however, you want to start telling your story — Acast will help get it heard.”

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At the start of December we asked listeners to vote for their favourite podcasts of the year within a number of categories. All nominees had featured in Pod Bible Magazine, on the Pod Bible Podcast or on this very website in 2021, but the final Independent Podcast category was open to all. 2021 also saw the introduction of the ‘Informative’ category, which allowed us to celebrate the podcasts that have educated us the most over the past year.

The polls were open for the whole of December and we received a record number of votes. The independent podcast category received the widest range of suggestions yet and we’re excited to check out a number of shows we hadn’t been aware of!

Voting in the polls closed at midnight on the 31st of December and all votes have now been counted and verified.

Pod disciples, we present to you, your Pod Bible Poll Winners for 2021!

COMEDY

WINNER: HAVE A WORD

2nd – OFF MENU

3rd – ROB BECKETT AND JOSH WIDDICOMBE’S PARENTING HELL

After back to back wins in 2019 and 2020,  Off Menu have been knocked off the top spot and there’s a new Comedy Poll Winner in town! Congratulations to Adam Rowe and Dan Nightingale, the two men behind the wildly popular Have A Word.

Each week Adam and Dan, alongside a plethora of special guests, chat about anything and everything, and they have a bloody good laugh while doing it. Check out their YouTube channel for full episodes and highlight clips (and to instantly become jealous of their lovely studio set up).

Visit the Have A Word website for the best ways to listen.

INTERVIEW & CONVERSATION

WINNER: JAACKMAATES HAPPY HOUR

2nd – THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST

3rd – RICHARD HERRING’S LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE PODCAST

Like Have A Word, JaackMaate’s Happy Hour is the second podcast to win their category after their first nomination and let us tell you, they received A LOT of votes. On each episode Jaack and co-ost Stevie are joined by an array of the internet’s best celebrities for full and frank conversations about the lives they lead and how they found themselves where they are today.

Listen to JaackMaates Happy Hour exclusively on Spotify.

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

WINNER: THE GUILTY FEMINIST

2nd – TAN FRANCE’S QUEER ICONS

3rd – TALK ART

The first podcast to bag a hat trick of wins in the Pod Bible Poll Winners, Deborah Frances-White and The Guilty Feminist have won best Lifestyle & Culture podcast in 2019, 2020 and now 2021! In each episode Deborah and her guests discuss topics ‘all 21st century feminists agree on’ whilst confessing the insecurities, hypocrisies and fears that underlie their principles. Can they make it four in a row next year….?

Deborah was our cover star for Issue #013 of Pod Bible Magazine which you can read here.

Listen to The Guilty Feminist on Acast or visit the show’s website.

FILM & TV

WINNER: FILMS TO BE BURIED WITH

2nd – OBSESSED WITH…

3rd – CLASH OF THE TITLES

What’s better, winning an Emmy or securing top spot in the Film & TV Category of the Pod Bible Polls for the second year in a row? We’ll let Brett Goldstein be the judge of that, but what a year he’s had! With award winning TV shows, guest appearances on American chat shows and a return to live stand up, Brett has been a busy man over the past 12 months, so keeping up a consistent release schedule on Films To Be Buried With has been a real achievement. On each episode Brett asks his guests to discuss their lives via the films that mean most to them with his 2021 lineup including an amazing variety of film fanatics including Jimmy Carr, Teri Hatcher, Barry Jenkins and Brene Brown.

You can listen to Brett discuss the show on episode #033 of Pod Bible Podcast before checking out his extensive back catalogue on Acast. 

MUSIC

WINNER: JAMES ACASTER’S PERFECT SOUNDS

2nd – YOUR OWN PERSONAL BEATLES

3rd – THE LINE-UP WITH SHAUN KEAVENY

Is it time we all agreed that 2016 is the greatest year for music, ever? James Acaster certainly thinks so and given the popularity of his BBC Sounds show it may just be time to join him. Perfect Sounds launched last year and features James trying to convince comedians that 2016 is the greatest year is musical history. Each episode gives the opportunity to discover a new artist to add to your playlist and James does a fantastic job of getting across why he loves each one.

Listen to James Acaster’s Perfect Sounds on Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.

SOCIAL CONSCIENCE

WINNER: RUSSELL KANE’S MAN BAGGAGE

2nd – GRIEFCAST

3rd – THE F WORD

On Man Baggage, Russell Kane and his celebrity panel unpack the emotional baggage that men spend their lives avoiding. With no topic off the table, Russell and his guests explore all the uncomfortable and anxiety inducing conversations that usually make men run for the door by doing what blokes do best – make daft jokes about them. You can read our chat with Russell in Issue #016 of Pod Bible magazine.

Congratulations also to Cariad Lloyd’s Griefcast on finishing in the top 3 for the third year running and continuing to make such an important and sensitively produced show!

Listen to Russell Kane’s Man Baggage on Acast or wherever you listen to podcasts.

SPORT & LEISURE

WINNER: WRIGHTY’S HOUSE

2nd – FOOTBALL RAMBLE

3rd – TAILENDERS

A trophy in your debut season isn’t a bad way to start is it? But what else would you expect from Ian Wright, ex footballer and one of the nations favourite pundits who’s enthusiasm and passion for the game shines in every episode. Each week on Wrighty’s House, Ian is joined by a rotating cast to dissect the latest results and news stories from both the men’s and women’s game. Already a fan? Keep a close eye on Pod Bible this year…

Listen to Wrighty’s House on Spotify.

INFORMATIVE

WINNER: NO SUCH THING AS A FISH

2nd – DAN SNOW’S HISTORY HIT

3rd – DERREN BROWN’S BOOT CAMP FOR THE BRAIN

As recent Pod Bible cover stars it feels fitting that No Such Thing As A Fish have topped the first ever Informative poll, a new category created to celebrate the many podcasts that educated us throughout 2021. Each week the gang discuss a new set of facts and although largely comedy based, you never finish an episode without learning something new to keep in your back pocket for the next family meal / trip to the pub / zoom catchup.

You can watch a conversation with Dan, James, Andrew and Anna here or listen to the podcast now on Acast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

OH. MY. POD.

INDEPENDENT PODCAST

WINNER: THE CINEMILE

2nd – ECONOMICS IN 10

3rd – PICTURE THE SCENE: A TRUE CRIME PODCAST

The ‘Oh My Pod’ Independent Podcast poll is fiercely contested each year and is arguably the hardest to win. It’s open to literally every independent podcast out there so to top the charts you not only need to be a good show, you also need your listeners to mobilise and get their votes in! This years winner is The Cinemile, a podcast married couple Dave and Cathy podcast their walk home from the movies. Simple huh? Over the years the show has built a loyal following and their back catalogue is ready and waiting for you to get stuck in. So go listen to The Cinemile on Acast, or listen to their appearance on the Pod Bible Podcast back in March 2020.

You voted for over 500 different podcasts in this category so a massive thank you and congratulations to every podcast mentioned! 

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Congratulations to all our winners, runners up and nominees and thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for their favourite shows. We’re sure 2022 will be another incredible year for podcasting and look forward to celebrating it with another set of Pod Bible Poll’s at the end of the year!

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How did you come up with the concept of the podcast?

Kieran: The concept of the podcast came around quite organically. Even before the mics were turned on for Episode 001, we were already having the types of conversations that are on record now. The idea was to give ourselves a platform and a space to come together and share our perspectives on different experiences we’ve had in our lives. We’re also four individuals who care a lot about community and seeing people flourish. Coming from the UK and relocating to The Netherlands there was an opportunity to bridge the gap between the cultures and so Out of Home was born -giving a little flavour for people in Amsterdam what it was like being a Londoner but on the flip-side also giving Londoners an insight to what life was like living abroad. Through sharing stories of our own but also of people who inspired us.

What are some of your favourite podcast moments so far?

Group: There’s a few moments that stick out in the period that we’ve been a collective but if we were to name a few:

• Pivoting during lockdown to deliver In House Sessions: Covid put a stop to in-person link-ups but instead of letting that hinder our consistency, we were able to use it to our advantage. We understood that people were going to be staying in their houses, and in need of entertainment. It also meant that the people who we wanted to speak with were also going to have more time on their hands, so in this period we interviewed individuals who were crushing it in their field such as Premier League players, Olympians, fashion stylists, and DJs.
• Winning a British Podcast Award- winning in the Bullseye category which honours excellent podcasts for under-represented audiences. This was amazing because we had no idea of what we could achieve when we started this, but to be recognised by experts in our field and to win something by us just getting together and shooting the breeze totally floored us!
• Being flown to Barcelona back in June and playing at the world-famous Camp-Nou stadium for a football tournament. This is the stuff dreams are made of, also our football teams (Man United & Arsenal supporters here) aren’t doing the best to be honest, so to play at FC Barca before some of our beloved club players have was quite a touch!

How has Out Of Home helped you connect with your audience?

Yaf: Quite simply, stories, everyone connects with stories! We see ourselves as a community platform rather than a podcast. We don’t want people to just consume our content, we love to have two-way discussions and listen to other stories and perspectives on things that we talk about. Everything begins with a conversation, so what I find is that the discussions we have on the podcast are starting points to wider interactions with people, whether that’s doing physical events and partying with them, or having a chat in our DM’s, we see our podcast as a gateway to all of these things.

What do you love about making a podcast?

Steven: Love linking up with the mandem, connecting on a weekly basis, and the support we are able to provide each other. Also, we bring the vibes so there’s always laughter, they say laughter is the best medicine and I’ve been in great health. One other thing I love is the people that listen and give their feedback. It’s mad that we have become a staple of people’s lives. Out of Home to the world!

What have you learned from the guests who have appeared on the podcast?

Kwame: That a lot of our guests learn best when figuring it out, making mistakes, or just being inexperienced. I think a lot of times in life we are expected to have these super detailed plans and objectives, which is fine but there’s also a beauty in the process, learning by doing and sometimes learning more whilst losing.

Listen to Out Of Home on ACAST, SPOTIFY and other popular apps. Follow the podcast on Twitter @outofhome_ams

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