Podcasts by Doja Cat, Snoop Dogg & More Honored at 2023 Signal Awards

Podcasts by or about Doja Cat, Snoop Dogg, Björk, Meghan Trainor, Jill Scott, Questlove, Tobe Nwigwe and the late rapper Mac Dre are among the winners at the second annual Signal Awards. The winners were announced on Tuesday (Oct. 10) and will be celebrated with a reception at The Bowery NYC on Oct. 23.

Origins: Doja Cat won for music – individual episode. Snoop Dogg W + M won for music – limited series.  Both were released by Audible, which won the inaugural award for company of the year. With 32 total wins, Audible also received nods for such podcasts as Origins – Tobe Nwigwe, Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast and The Sesame Street Podcast.

“2023 was a huge year for podcasts, as worldwide listenership continued to skyrocket and new trends emerged,” Signal Awards managing director Deondric Royster said in a statement. “The winners of the second annual Signal Awards represent the best of the industry: those who are pushing boundaries, telling important stories, encouraging laughter, and reaffirming the overall power of podcasting and its ability to connect to listeners all over the world.”

During the public voting stage, fans cast more than 130,000 votes for the Signal Listener’s Choice award. Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, HBO’s The Last of Us Podcast, Mobituaries with Mo Rocca, Small Town Dicks, Barely Famous, And That’s Why We Drink and Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls were among the podcasts receiving the most public votes.

Signal Awards reports receiving nearly 2,000 entries this year. Winners were selected by the Signal Academy. To see the full list of winners, visit www.SignalAwards.com.

Here’s a selective list of winners from the 2023 Signal Awards, with a focus on music and comedy personalities.

Best host (current events) – shows: The Problem with Jon Stewart: The Official Podcast – Apple TV Podcast

Popular culture & variety – shows: Jill Scott Presents: J.ill the Podcast – Jill Scott Presents: J.ill the Podcast

Interview or talk show – shows: Gold Minds with Kevin Hart – Hartbeat (co-winner)     

Comedy – shows: Gold Mind with Kevin Hart – Hartbeat

History – shows (listener’s choice): Mobituaries with Mo Rocca – Paramount

Best video podcast – branded shows & advertising (listener’s choice): Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend – Samsung Electronics – SXM Media

Best guest – individual episode: Questlove Supreme – The Oriel Co. (co-winner)       

Arts & culture – individual episode: Origins – Tobe Nwigwe – Audible (co-winner)

Best conversation starter – individual episode: Did Mac Dre Really Go to Prison Because of His Lyrics – KQED (co-winner)

Interview or talk show – individual episode: Milk Drunk: The Podcast – Meghan Trainor & Emily Oster: Redefining “Best” Parenting – Bobbie (co-winner)

Music – individual episode: Origins: Doja Cat – Audible

Most innovative audio experience – limited series & specials: Björk: Sonic Symbolism – Archetype

Best original score or music – limited series & specials: Lake Song – Make Believe Association

Best writing – limited series & specials: Can You Dig It? – A Hip Hop Origin Story – PB & J Productions (co-winner)

Music – limited series & specials: Snoop Dogg W+M – Audible