International Governor’s & Impact Awards
In 2025, The Podcast Academy announced the introduction of two new international honors: the International Impact Award–which recognizes a podcast or individual based outside of the United States whose work has had a significant, positive effect on its listeners and the global podcasting; and the International Governor’s Award–which recognizes a podcast or individual based outside of the United States for their compelling and influential impact on the industry.
Recipient of the 2025 Impact Award
James Cridland is a radio futurologist, consultant, and the editor of Podnews, a daily podcast industry newsletter with a worldwide following. With a career spanning over 35 years, he has worked across radio and online media, including launching the world’s first streaming radio app at the UK’s Virgin Radio, and improving online sound quality at the BBC. Now living in Australia, his consultancy work has supported broadcasters and platforms globally, and he is a sought-after speaker at audio conferences around the world. A passionate advocate for open podcasting and technical innovation, Cridland has helped shape industry standards and foster best practices across the field.
Recipient of the 2025 Governor’s Award
Steven Bartlett is a globally recognized entrepreneur, investor, author, and media innovator. He is the creator and host of The Diary of a CEO, the second-biggest interview podcast in the world and the fastest-growing podcast globally. As the youngest-ever Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, he has redefined modern leadership and storytelling. Steven is the founder of FlightStory, a media and investment company with a portfolio that includes SpaceX, Huel, and Whoop, and the co-founder of Thirdweb, a software platform backed by Shopify and Mark Cuban. His bestselling book 33 Laws for Business and Life has broken UK records and has sold more than 1 million worldwide. With over 25 million followers across social media, Steven continues to shape the future of business and audio.