2026 WINNERS
Podcast of the Year:
PathBreakers
Content Awards
Content of the Year: PathBreakers
U.S. Civil Rights Trail Marketing Alliance
The U.S. Civil Rights Trail podcast is a narrative series that explores some of the most significant events of the Civil Rights movement through the perspectives of historians and experts. It features the real stories of real people who were there and who made a difference. And it explains why what took place then is still so relevant to all of us today.
Best Narrative Podcast: The U.S. Civil Rights Trail
Best Educational/Informative Podcast: Democracy Decoded
The Campaign Legal Center
Why does American democracy look the way it does today, and how can we make it more responsive to the people it was formed to serve? Democracy Decoded examines the underlying challenges our democracy faces and the innovative solutions to address them. Host Simone Leeper speaks with experts from across the political spectrum to explore how we can fight for every American’s rights to responsive government and a fair opportunity to participate in and affect the democratic process.
Best Interview Podcast: PathBreakers
The Kresge Foundation
PathBreakers is a video podcast featuring community leaders who are reimagining what's possible in American cities. Hosted by Tracey Pearson and Jamie Bennett, each episode is an intimate conversation about the passion, vision, and determination it takes to create change. Season 2 goes deeper — into four cities, four arcs, one central question: Who has the power to shape what happens in their city? Detroit. New Orleans. Memphis. Fresno. Sixteen conversations with the community leaders and mayors, building the future of their cities block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood.
Best Limited Series: People of Agency: Postage Parables
People of Agency
The Post Office is older than the United States, and that's not a coincidence. From the American Revolution to Rural Free Delivery, the Post Office has been a silent, foundational institution that literally built the roads and airways of modern America.
Impact & Mission Awards
Most Impactful: Reimagine Rural
The Campaign Legal Center
Why does American democracy look the way it does today, and how can we make it more responsive to the people it was formed to serve? Democracy Decoded examines the underlying challenges our democracy faces and the innovative solutions to address them. Host Simone Leeper speaks with experts from across the political spectrum to explore how we can fight for every American’s rights to responsive government and a fair opportunity to participate in and affect the democratic process.
Best Advocacy Podcast: Democracy Decoded
Best Member Engagement Podcast: Feminism NOW
The National Organization for Women
A podcast dedicated to intersectional feminist discussions in American society with leaders in entertainment, sports, politics, and science. From conversations on constitutional equality to economic justice and reproductive rights, listeners will find new ways to learn, engage, and get empowered.
Most Impactful Episode: Feminism NOW, The Men are Not All Right
The National Organization for Women
Extremist, violent actions and ideologies are front and center in the news. But this week’s guest, Cynthia Miller-Idriss, noticed that no one ever seems to mention how most of those extremist and violent actions are done by men. In this episode, Kim and Rose sit down with Miller-Idriss to talk about the connections between men, patriarchy, and ideological extremism, how patriarchy harms men, and what all of us can do about it.
Best Public Policy Podcast: Reimagine Rural
The Brookings Institution
Host Tony Pipa, a scholar in the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution and a product of rural America himself, visits rural places across the United States to hear local people tell the story of how they are enacting positive change in their communities and learning how public investment in rural people and places can lead to increased and equitable prosperity.
Best Nonprofit Podcast: Roadmap for Change
The Center for Trauma Recovery and Juvenile Justice
This podcast dives into the pressing need for transformation within the juvenile justice system—a system that often falls short in meeting the needs of youth. It examines historical and cultural roadblocks that challenge reform efforts and celebrates stories of progress from communities and jurisdictions working to make a difference. Through the voices of youth and their families, we explore the changes they believe would truly support healing and growth. Experts share the latest insights on trauma-informed practices, along with actionable strategies and resources for bringing these ideas to life.
Leadership in Communications Awards
Best Narrator & Host of the Year
Simone Leeper, Democracy Decoded
Senior Legal Counsel, Redistricting at Campaign Legal Center
Why does American democracy look the way it does today, and how can we make it more responsive to the people it was formed to serve? Democracy Decoded examines the underlying challenges our democracy faces and the innovative solutions to address them. Host Simone Leeper speaks with experts from across the political spectrum to explore how we can fight for every American’s rights to responsive government and a fair opportunity to participate in and affect the democratic process.