After tens of thousands of nominations, thousands of finalist votes, and a final judging round led by some of the industry’s best, the winners of the 2025 Quill Podcast Awards have officially been announced!

Now in its fifth year, the Quill Podcast Awards continue to recognize the most innovative, impactful, and inspiring voices in podcasting. With 14 categories, this year’s winners represent the best the industry has to offer — from breakout new shows to branded podcasts.

Without further ado, please join us in celebrating this year’s winners:

Best Podcast of the Year

Well, I Laughed

Show description:

Semi-educational and organically funny, “Well, I Laughed” is a podcast for listeners who find themselves in search of a good laugh and their next strange story to tell at parties. Each week one of our hosts shares what they have learned on topics ranging from the Unabomber to Frankenstein. Join Grant, a public school teacher, and Maia, an engineer, as they find the humor in the mundane. Well, I Laughed, and we think you will too. 

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Best New Podcast

Executive Wins

Show description:

The Executive Wins Podcast helps senior leaders get more wins in business and life. Each week accomplished Executives share rich stories about their biggest wins including improving profitability, streamlining processes, communicating more effectively with their teams, innovating and more. The show is hosted by Gordon Sheppard, an experienced Executive Coach, Business Advisor and Podcaster. Gord bases each interview on a proven 5-part framework called the Anatomy of a Win, which means that you will learn the important details about the Strategy, Work Plan, People, Operations and Results that went into each win. The result? Each episode is Masterclass in real business achievements that you can learn from so you can grow your leadership skills and your business!

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Branded Podcast of the Year

Just Good Business 

Show description:

An award-winning monthly podcast with a focus on helping Canadian entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate the ever-changing business landscape. The podcast delivers interviews with business leaders and industry experts offering advice and commentary on current events and business trends, with a focus on informing and educating Canadian businesses.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Best B2C Branded Podcast

Exness: Born to Trade

Show description:

Born To Trade is a podcast that delves into the age-old debate of whether traders are born or made. Hosted by Nima Siar, Head of Partner Communications at exness, the show features in-depth discussions with ETP Ambassadors like Kojo Forex and Dennis Okari.  Each episode explores personal trading journeys, the role of innate abilities versus education and experience, and provides valuable takeaways for both novice and experienced traders.  The podcast aims to spark engaging debates within the trading community, offering a blend of short personal anecdotes to humanize the podcast, expert insights, and practical advice.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Best B2B Branded Podcast

Yes, We Are Open

Show description:

Yes, We Are Open tells the inspiring stories of Canadian small business owners who have faced challenges, adapted, and found success. Hosted by Al Grego, the show takes listeners on a journey across Canada, uncovering the resilience, innovation, and passion that keep local business thriving.

From family-run shops to cutting-edge start-ups, each episode dives into the struggles and triumphs of entrepreneurs who refuse to give up. Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur or just love a good success story, 'Yes, We Are Open' is your go-to podcast for motivation and insight in to the heart of Canada's small business community.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Most Creative Branded Podcast

Jenny Says So

Show description:

Welcome to Jenny Says So—the podcast where modern etiquette meets real life. I’m Jenny, a modern-day etiquette expert, former wedding officiant & professional, and co-founder of the first registry platform for divorce support. With 20 years of studying religion and communities under my belt, and as the creator of the VASE Method of communication I have a lot of opinions about what etiquette is and what it should be. I’ve been featured in Time Magazine, The New York Times, Real Simple, and more talking about everything from the least worst way to cancel your wedding to gifting in awkward circumstances.

My superpower? Knowing when to leave the party—and I’m here to answer all your questions about boundaries, manners, and navigating life as a human in this wild world. Each week, I’ll tackle one of your questions and break it down in a way that’s approachable, not stressful, because etiquette doesn’t have to be archaic or stuffy. Let’s leave the outdated rules behind and redefine how we connect. Follow Jenny Says So on your favorite podcast platform, and head to FreshStartsRegistry.com/JennySaysSo to send your questions (they can be anonymous!) —I can’t wait to hear from you!

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Best Video Podcast

Crafty Brewers

Show description:

Increase your enjoyment of craft beer by learning about the stories, techniques, and inspiration behind the best craft breweries. In every episode, we visit a different brewery to showcase its unique atmosphere and hear brewers share how they got started, what they’ve learned, and what keeps them brewing. Crafty Brewers is perfect for beer lovers who want to discover new beer styles, explore brewing techniques, and get to know the people behind the pints.

Hosted by beer enthusiast Brian Noonan and award-winning producer Cody Gough, this is the best craft beer podcast on tap. Cheers! 🍻

‍Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify

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Best Tech Podcast

Blueprint for Growth: Innovation in Housing

Show description:

British Columbia is experiencing an unprecedented housing crisis. While addressing various aspects of the housing supply chain is essential, no single approach can fully solve the challenges we face in scaling housing production. So, what's the blueprint for growth?

In November 2023, DIGITAL — Canada's Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies — launched its Housing Growth Innovation Program with support from the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs. The program brings together collaborative teams of industry leaders to accelerate technology-driven approaches that are driving real, tangible growth for British Columbia's housing production sector.

Amy Vilis, Director of Housing Growth Innovation at DIGITAL, chats with innovators doing groundbreaking work within DIGITAL's Housing Growth Innovation Program to develop and implement technology-based solutions within British Columbia's housing sector across the full scale of end-to-end production. These conversations showcase how ideas are making it into the real world where they can become comprehensive, viable and, best of all, achievable solutions to accelerate housing production for British Columbians.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Best Business Podcast

Shift

Show description:

Shift by Alberta Innovates is dedicated to interviewing the innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers who are leading the future of innovation in Alberta and globally. Alberta has many unsung heroes and many interesting and important technological advancements being made that will greatly impact our lives. Shift is a spotlight for listeners to get a sense of how Alberta innovation is leading the way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Best Comedy Podcast

The Neurotic Vaccine

Show description:

Author and former Seinfeld writer Andy Cowan deems YOU his listener/(human) therapist as he faces the daunting challenge of immunity to neurosis in mini-therapy sessions with (AI) Dr. K. Comedy and therapy—what could be more therapeutic than that? Along with comedy featurettes and unreal supporting players in a multidimensional comedy podcast like no other.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Best Health and Wellness Podcast

The Good Clean Nutrition Podcast

Show description:

Stay in-the-know on the hottest trending topics in health and nutrition with The Good Clean Nutrition Podcast, presented by Orgain. Join Dr. Ginger Hultin, DCN, RDN, CSO, an integrative dietitian nutritionist, as she speaks with some of the most inspiring and passionate subject-matter experts in nutrition, health, and wellness. Each episode explores the science behind popular trends in nutrition and health, debunks common myths, and provides healthcare professionals and health-minded consumers with practical insights from trusted experts.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Best Science and Medicine Podcast

The Good Clean Nutrition Podcast

Show description:

Stay in-the-know on the hottest trending topics in health and nutrition with The Good Clean Nutrition Podcast, presented by Orgain. Join Dr. Ginger Hultin, DCN, RDN, CSO, an integrative dietitian nutritionist, as she speaks with some of the most inspiring and passionate subject-matter experts in nutrition, health, and wellness. Each episode explores the science behind popular trends in nutrition and health, debunks common myths, and provides healthcare professionals and health-minded consumers with practical insights from trusted experts.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Best Society and Culture Podcast 

National Treasure Hunt

Show description: 

National Treasure Hunt is the biweekly podcast taking an ocular device to the National Treasure film franchise. Hosted by Aubrey Paris and Emily Black. Tune in for new episodes released on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Soundcloud every other Wednesday, and join the hunt on Twitter and Instagram using @NTHuntPodcast!

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Best True Crime Podcast

Crook County

Show description: 

Crook County is the shocking true-crime podcast about my father's rise through the ranks of the legendary organized crime syndicate, the Chicago Outfit. From whorehouse doorman at the age of 17, to ruthless assassin in his 20's, and the many years that followed covering up crimes for the mafia and crooked cops alike while working as a firefighter/paramedic for the Chicago Fire Department. To finally, moving to the suburbs with his new wife and kids and trying desperately to put it all behind him, until it all came crashing down. We explore in great depth and detail my father’s life of crime and its profound and lasting impact on my family to this very day.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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See you in 2026!

That’s a wrap on this year’s Quill Podcast Awards!

A big thank you to everyone who helped bring it to life — our judges, our voters, and of course, the incredible creators pushing the podcast industry forward.

We’ll be back in Spring 2026, but in the meantime, keep up to date with Quill on LinkedIn and in our bi-weekly newsletter, The Branded Podcaster, to be the first to know when next year’s awards kick