‘Wisecrack’ Wins Podcast Of The Year At Sixth Annual Ambies.

Comedian Edd Hedges’ return to his hometown, captured in the six-episode podcast “Wisecrack,” has been honored as Podcast of the Year by The Podcast Academy. The series, from Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts, was among the 33 podcasts that were honored during Tuesday’s sixth Annual Awards for Excellence in Audio, or The Ambies.

“We were turned down from every streamer and broadcaster in the business, so it would not have happened if it weren’t for the vision of this industry and people willing to take a risk,” producer and host Jodi Tova said during the ceremony in Brooklyn, NY. “Edd says in his set, it’s the stories that heal us and help bind us together. It’s the way that it healed him and pulled him out. And we think that ‘Wisecrack’ is ultimately just about how lightness and happiness can’t live without darkness. And we hope that the success of the story and the message of the story calls us all forward.”

TPA also selected Pablo Torre as the recipient of the first-ever Vanguard Podcaster of the Year, selected by a special jury that looked for someone not just making successful podcasts, but expanding their influence way beyond audio. Torre said his goal has been to do more than produce the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast, but also develop a full-fledged newsroom. “I do it with people who really care about journalism, even if sports feels like the cheese you melt on the broccoli of journalism,” he added.

Christy Mirabal, Chair of The Podcast Academy, presented the Governors Award to Kara Swisher, host of Vox Media’s “On with Kara Swisher” and co-host of the “Pivot” podcast, recognizing her contributions to the growth of the podcasting industry.

“Kara Swisher has never just covered power. She’s confronted it,” said Mirabal. “Kara Swisher has proven you can hold power accountable, build a fiercely loyal audience, and talk about it all to The New York Times while wearing her iconic shades. She helped elevate podcasting from an emerging format to a central arena for cultural and political conversation.”

In her acceptance speech, Swisher shared her advice for fellow podcasters. “Be really useful to your listeners and have great respect for them,” she said. “Whether it’s figuring out something smart to say at work, or something with their spouse or partner or their kids. Be useful to them in life.” She went on to add, “Be unique so that you can’t get it anywhere else.”

New York radio personality Angela Yee presented the late Reggie Ossé with the Impact Award for his significant and lasting effect on listeners. In 2010, Ossé created “The Combat Jack Show,” one of the most influential early hip-hop podcasts. His wife, Akim Vann, accepted the award on his behalf.

“Reggie didn’t just create a successful show — he shifted the culture of podcasting,” said Ye. “He helped define how hip-hop stories are told in audio, expanded space for Black creators, and built a legacy that continues to resonate across the industry.”

The Ambies honored 227 nominees across 33 categories this year. “When The Podcast Academy created The Ambies, it wasn’t just to hand out trophies, it was to honor the medium and the people who move it forward — the storytellers, journalists, comedians, documentarians, producers, and teams who are shaping culture through audio,” Mirabel said.

See the full list of the 2026 Ambie winners HERE.