Best Podcast
An ongoing list of podcasts doing something genuinely distinct — in reporting, interviewing, or format — not just consistent output.
What this offers
A real listen-informed feature
We write about specific episodes and what makes the show distinct, not a generic description.
Any size welcome
An independent show with a few hundred listeners is read the same way as a major network production.
No cost to nominate
Free, whether nominating your own show or someone else's.
Discovery value
A permanent feature that helps a smaller show actually get found.
Who this is for
Podcast hosts and producers, independent or networked, with a specific episode or format choice that stands out.
How it works
- Nominate a podcast. The show and a specific episode worth pointing to.
- An editor listens. We evaluate the actual content, not the download numbers.
- Strong nominees are featured. Added to the current list.
- You're notified when it's live. If you submitted the nomination.
Rules & eligibility
- This is free to enter, and always will be — we never charge a submission fee.
- No age, location, industry, or follower-count requirement. Selection is about the work itself, not who you are.
- Submitting doesn't guarantee publication or a reply beyond the automatic confirmation — we get more submissions than we can feature, and we'd rather say that upfront than overpromise.
- One submission per person or company at a time. If it isn't selected, you're welcome to submit again later with something new.
- Selection is editorial, not a queue — we're not obligated to publish every submission, and we won't pad the list with entries that aren't ready.
How do I actually apply?
I point to a specific episode and explain what made it stand out — a question the host asked, a structural choice, reporting that clearly took real work — rather than general praise for the show.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost anything to submit?
No. It's free to submit to Best Podcast, and free to be featured if selected. We don't charge for consideration, and we never will.
How long does it take to hear back?
If your submission is selected, you'll hear from an editor directly. If it isn't, we don't send a rejection notice — the volume we receive makes that impractical.
Can I submit on behalf of someone else?
Only with their knowledge and involvement — we want the real details, and that usually means hearing from the person or team directly.
What happens if I'm not selected?
Nothing gets published without being selected first. Unselected submissions simply aren't used, and you're welcome to submit again later.
Does this run every year?
Yes — Best Podcast is evergreen. It runs all year, every year, with no deadline to catch.
Selection is editorial and unpaid on both sides — no one is charged to submit, and no one is paid for work we publish. Talmyn's editorial standards apply the same way here as everywhere else on the site. See can companies pay to appear in Talmyn's rankings or awards for the full answer.
Submit
The current list
The first entries are being reviewed now — check back soon, or be one of the first to submit yours below.