Esther Manito returns as host for Independent Podcast Awards

British Lebanese comic and podcaster, Esther Manito is returning to host the Independent Podcast Awards for a second year.

Manito is co-host of Ghastly Women and her TV appearances include Live At The Apollo, The Stand Up Sketch Show, and Hypothetical. She has also been a guest on the Off Menu, Parenting Hell and Drunk Women Solving Crime podcasts.

Taking place on 23 October at Kings Place in London, the Independent Podcast Awards were co-founded by whynow and Verbal Diorama in 2023, to celebrate the independent talent of UK-based podcasters that don’t have the financial backing of big brands to support them.

The shortlist for the awards was revealed on 16 September, and recognises 137 podcasts across 27 categories, chosen from almost 450 entries that were received. An overall Podcast of the Year will be chosen from the winners of each of the genre-based categories.

Esther Manito said: “I was thrilled to host the first ever independent podcast awards last year and am delighted to return as host this year. It’s amazing how many truly creative and brilliant podcasts there are out there, I can’t wait to see who wins!”

The shortlist can be found at: independentpodcastawards.com. Tickets for the event can be purchased from the Kings Place box office.