Independent podcasts including The Diary of a CEO and The Tim Ferriss Show were among the first winners at a new awards event in Austin.
The Indie PaC Awards, launched by Oxford Road, are to recognise independent creators across podcasting, with the inaugural ceremony taking place during SXSW 2026.
The awards highlight podcasts operating outside traditional media structures, with winners also including MeidasTouch, Kill Tony and This Week in Startups. Brand advertisers BetterHelp and Shopify were also recognised.
The event was hosted by Killer Mike and supported by Libsyn, with winners chosen using a combination of Oxford Road’s ORBIT data and an independent judging panel.
Judges included Ashley Flowers, James Cridland, Hernan Lopez and Gladwell Mwangi.
Bryan Barletta, Partner at Sounds Profitable and President of Podcast Movement, said the awards reflect the role of independent creators across the industry. He noted that publishers, networks, creators and advertisers all play a part in supporting podcasting’s continued growth.
Dan Granger, CEO of Oxford Road, described the event as a celebration of the people behind the medium, pointing to moments where creators recognised each other’s influence and shared personal experiences from their careers.
He said the awards highlight individuals who are often overlooked, adding that the event could become an ongoing part of the podcast industry calendar.
The Results
The Jury Awards Winners
- Best Independent Interview Show: The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
- Best Independent Narrative/Storytelling: True Crime with Kendall Rae
- Best Independent Comedy: Kill Tony
- Best Independent Specialty Show: Any Austin
- Best Independent Business & Entrepreneurship: This Week in Startups
- Best Independent Health & Wellness: Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
- Best Independent Sports & Recreation: JxmyHighroller
- Best Independent News & Politics: The Philip DeFranco Show
- Breakthrough Independent: Crime, Conspiracy, Cults and Murder
- Independent Creator of the Year: The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
The ORBIT Influence Awards Winners
- Highest Impact: Critical Role
- Highest Volume: The Tim Ferriss Show
- Breakout Performer: Crime, Conspiracy, Cults And Murder
- The Perfect Score: Young and Profiting with Hala Taha
- The Advertiser’s Choice: The MeidasTouch Podcast
The Patron Awards Winners
- Patron of Independent Podcasts – Scale: BetterHelp
- Patron of Independent Podcasts – Commitment: Shopify
The Oxford Prize in Podcasting Winner
- The Tim Ferriss Show
For a full list of winners, methodology, and ceremony details, visit indiepac.com.
