For the first time in its decades-long history, the Golden Globes is stepping into the world of podcasting. The announcement of the inaugural nominees for Best Podcast marks a cultural milestone — but it’s already drawing attention not only for who was included, but especially for who wasn’t.
On Monday, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association revealed six nominated podcasts: Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Call Her Daddy, Good Hang with Amy Poehler, The Mel Robbins Podcast, SmartLess, and Up First from NPR. These shows span genres from celebrity interviews to news, comedy, and self-help.
But glaringly absent? The undisputed titan of podcasting in 2025, The Joe Rogan Experience. Despite topping the charts on every major platform this year — Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and beyond — Rogan’s show was left off the list entirely.
And he’s not alone.
From The Megyn Kelly Show and The Ben Shapiro Show, to Candace and The Tucker Carlson Show, the shortlist of contenders had no shortage of conservative firepower. Yet none of these political heavyweights made the final cut. Even Pod Save America, the progressive juggernaut from former Obama aides, was shut out — as was The Daily from The New York Times, often considered the gold standard in mainstream daily podcasting.
The result? A nomination field almost entirely devoid of overt politics and completely absent of true crime — another powerhouse genre that includes chart-toppers like Crime Junkie, Morbid, and Rotten Mango, all shortlisted, none selected.
Instead, the Globes leaned heavily into personality-forward, lifestyle-driven content. Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert continues to thrive on its celebrity-fueled charm, while Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy — once known for its NSFW shock value — has matured into a full-fledged podcasting empire. Mel Robbins, in a heartfelt response to her nomination, reflected on launching her show in her 50s: “It is never too late to change your life,” she said. Her nomination — and her words — echo the broader message behind this year’s list: storytelling with warmth, relatability, and broad appeal.
Three of the nominated shows came from SiriusXM, one from Amazon, one from Spotify, and one from NPR, suggesting corporate footprint — and platform alignment — may have played a role in the final selection. The initial shortlist of 25 shows was based on popularity data provided by Luminate, but the final nominations were selected by Golden Globes voters.
Though the industry has welcomed podcasting to the awards circuit with cautious optimism, the omission of the genre’s biggest names — especially the most downloaded podcast of the year — raises questions about what the Globes consider “award-worthy.” Popularity alone clearly wasn’t enough.
