When we opened submissions for the inaugural Health Podcast Awards, the response told us something.

More than 200 shows put their work forward, and the range and quality made one thing clear: recognizing credible health podcasting deserves to be done carefully.

As we began, creators started sharing valuable feedback, and it surfaced questions worth thinking through with the broader health and podcasting community. For example:

• How should shows qualify?

• How should voting work, and who should be eligible to vote?

• Should recognition be limited to shows that submit, or open to any credible show doing exceptional work?

• How do we weigh credibility and accuracy alongside storytelling and reach?

• How do we make sure smaller and newer shows are seen next to established ones?

• What does a meaningful award actually look like for the people who earn it?

These are not questions that we should answer unilaterally. We believe they are best answered alongside the people who understand this work. So we are postponing the inaugural awards while we shape the program in consultation with the creators, producers, and health experts doing this work every day. An award that recognizes credible health podcasting has to be credible itself, and the surest way to earn that is to build it alongside the field it honors. Those conversations are underway.

Some things we are committed to, whatever shape the program takes:

• No application fee, so cost never deters an important show from being recognized.

• No winners or losers. Every honored show is recognized on its own merit, not ranked against the others.

• Independent review, so recognition is never something a sponsor can buy.

If you care about this work and want to help shape it, I would genuinely like to hear from you. Message me on LinkedIn.

This is a pause. The awards will return, and the time we take now will make them stronger. Our intention is to announce the inaugural honorees in early 2027.

To everyone who submitted, thank you. Your work is the reason this program exists. We are holding your submissions with care, and we will be in touch directly as the new shape of the program becomes clear.

To stay updated, subscribe to our newsletter and we will share more as it takes shape.

Dan Kendall

Founder, HealthPodcastLibrary.com

Because sources matter.