The Ambies Awards 2021: Winners for Excellence in Podcasting

According to Grand View Research, "the size of the global podcasting market was valued at $9.28 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.5% from 2020 to 2027".
The Clubhouse app can also be included as an example of the tremendous growth of the audio content industry. The app is currently valued at $4 billion after being on the market for less than a year. Where people have less time and more need for consuming information, podcasts rule the world.
As a company disrupting the audio content production market, we can't help but be interested in the advancement of the podcast industry.
We love to help with podcast creation and love to participate in shows ourselves. Check out our latest Code[ish] podcast, where we discuss The Ethical and Technical Side of Deepfakes. And while the podcasts we’ve hosted have not yet collected millions of plays, we are happy to tell you about the ones that have. Leveraging the power of generative AI, we continue to explore new frontiers in podcasting and audio content creation.
In May, the Podcast Academy hosted the Ambies Awards as part of an Oscars-level honors program for audio programming. The awards were presented in 23 categories.
Each of which is of particular interest to listeners and has the most impact on the industry. Let's go through the best podcasts of 2021 with a brief summary of each production.
The Left-Right Game
Best Performer in Audio Fiction and Best Production and Sound Design winner
Tessa Thompson stars as a journalist trying to follow a group of paranormal explorers, obsessed with a seemingly harmless pastime known as the Left-Right Game. The journey ends up in a mysterious world full of unexpected dangers.
Rise of New Jack Sound
Best Original Score and Music Supervision winner
The series centers on the complicated bonds of a group of teenagers from Harlem who would create New Jack Swing. This novel sound caught the music world by storm.
Wind of Change
Best Scriptwriting (Nonfiction), Best Reporting, and Best Podcast Host winner.
The series tracks an inquiry into whether the CIA could have composed the Scorpions' "Wind of Change," a song that eventually had a massive impact on an eastern block of the communist party during the Cold War.
Dirty Diana
Best Scriptwriting (Fiction) winner
Starring and executive produced by Demi Moore, Dirty Diana tells the story of a woman who runs an erotic website where ladies share their secret intimate fantasies.
Therapy for Black Girls
Best Wellness or Relationships Podcast winner
In a series of conversations with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, listeners learn about mental health, personal development, and the right attitude to become their best possible selves.
On Being With Krista Tippett
Best Personal Growth / Spirituality Podcast winner
Hosted by Krista Tippett, this show examines the big questions of meaning — spiritual inquiry, science, social healing, and the arts.
Even the Rich
Best Entertainment Podcast winner
Hosted by Brooke Siffrinn and Aricia Skidmore-Williams, this show reveals the life stories of the rich and famous Gianni Versace, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Princess Diana, and in its latest season, Britney Spears.
Gaining Ground: The New Georgia
Best Politics or Opinion Podcast winner
Hosted by Rembert Browne and Jewel Wicker, the series examines the unstable political positions of the state of Georgia in light of people's growing interests in the Democratic party.
Code Switch
Best Society and Culture Podcast winner
Hosted by journalists of color, this uncompromisable podcast looks at race issues from politics and pop culture to history, sports, and other social relationships.
Short Wave
Best Knowledge, Science, or Tech Podcast winner
Everything you need to know about the latest developments in science every week in the form of a 10-minute audio production. Never a boring show that surprises with its creativity.
Driving the Green Book
Best History Podcast
Driving from Detroit to New Orleans, the show's hosts tell powerful stories of how Black Americans used The Negro Motorist's Green Book travel guide to find safety in times of segregation.
Blood Ties - Season 2
Best Fiction Podcast winner
This fictional true-crime-like podcast tells the story of siblings Eleonore and Michael Richland, who are investigating the mysterious disappearance of their wealthy parents' plane en route to a family Christmas leave.
The Heist
Best Business Podcast winner
Reporters explore the economic legacy of the Trump presidency. The famous Tax cut and Job Act "funneled hundreds of millions into the pockets of the rich and ballooned the national debt." The Heist reveals the shady side of big politics.
Dr. Death Season 2: Dr. Fata
Best True Crime Podcast winner
This is the true story of a Michigan doctor who went to great lengths to abuse the power of his position and the desperate plight of the relatives of his cancer patients.
Whistleblower
Best Sports Podcast winner
Sports journalist Tim Livingston tells the story of NBA referees and high-profile executive corruption. Learn more on the biggest scandal of American sports history.
Today, Explained
Best News Podcast winner
The best everyday news explainer features the finest reporters from the Vox Media Podcast Network and beyond.
Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend
Best Comedy Podcast winner
Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend is a weekly show where Conan hangs out with famous people to find some genuine companionship along the way.
Death, Sex & Money
Best Interview Podcast winner
A traditional public radio news reporter, Anna Sale, turns the interview into a frank talk about... death, sex and money. Sale's guests listen to her most intimate stories, which makes the show a huge success.
I'm Not a Monster
Best Documentary Podcast winner
After Rukmini Callimachi's Caliphate story, the I'm Not a Monster podcast is the next big story on the topic of ISIS. It tells the story of an American family who ends up in the heart of the ISIS caliphate.
Dying for Sex
Podcast of The Year winner
Molly has been diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. Leaving her family behind, Molly embarks on a series of romantic adventures that she talks about in this podcast. This is not just a story about sex and relationships but also an in-depth look at the problems of recovery, friendship, forgiveness, and rethinking the past.
And if you are a podcast producer…
You should check the latest developments in AI and machine learning tech. Voice cloning software like Respeecher can now replicate any human voice in a matter of days. In short, this means:
- You can co-opt celebrities into your project.
- Bring back any historical voices from the past.
- Use children's voices without going through all related production and post-production difficulties.
- Dub your show in dozens of foreign languages, keeping the original actors' voices and saving tons of money.
Leveraging ethical voice cloning practices ensures responsible and respectful use of this groundbreaking technology in various audio content production scenarios.
If you want to learn more about our technology or see how we can partner up on a project, drop us a line. We'd be happy to guide you through the process.
FAQ
The podcast industry is growing rapidly, with global market growth driven by increasing demand for audio content. The AI voice cloning in podcasts and generative AI for audio technologies are accelerating podcast production and reaching wider audiences worldwide, especially through emerging platforms like Clubhouse.
AI voice cloning in podcasting enables the replication of voices quickly, reducing production time. It allows the use of synthetic media for podcasts, making it easier to localize content in multiple languages and create unique audio experiences without additional voice talent, enhancing AI-powered podcast production.
Synthetic media for podcasts can be used to create AI-generated audio content, enabling easy localization for global audiences. AI voice cloning allows podcast creators to adapt audio to different languages while maintaining the original tone, making localization more efficient and cost-effective for diverse audiences.
Ethical AI for audio content raises concerns such as voice cloning without consent, misuse of synthetic media for podcasts, and potential manipulation of content. Addressing these challenges ensures AI-generated podcast tools are used responsibly, respecting creators' rights and listener trust.
Some of the best podcasts of 2021 include The Left-Right Game, Wind of Change, and Dirty Diana. These shows won multiple Ambies for production, writing, and storytelling. They represent the cutting edge of AI-enhanced storytelling and innovative audio tech in the podcasting industry.
Generative AI for audio allows for the creation of more dynamic and engaging content, enhancing podcast episodes with personalized voiceovers, sound design, and music. AI-driven storytelling can adapt to listener preferences, making audio content more immersive and appealing through innovative audio tech.
Podcasts are reshaping global media consumption by offering on-demand, accessible audio content. With the growth of the audio content market, podcasts provide an alternative to traditional media, giving listeners a personalized experience and allowing brands to engage more directly with audiences worldwide.
Ethical AI ensures responsible use of technologies like AI voice cloning in podcasts. It promotes transparency, respects intellectual property, and protects against misuse of synthetic media for podcasts. Ethical guidelines are crucial to prevent manipulation, ensuring trust in AI-powered podcast production.
Glossary
Podcasting market trends
The podcast industry growth is fueled by AI-powered podcast production, AI voice cloning, and synthetic media for podcasts, with innovative audio tech enhancing global reach and AI-generated podcast tools improving efficiency.
AI voice cloning applications
AI voice cloning enhances podcast production with synthetic media, enabling AI-generated content, AI-enhanced storytelling, and innovative audio tech for efficient, scalable audio content creation.
Synthetic media ethics
As AI voice cloning and synthetic media for podcasts grow, ethical AI for audio content ensures responsible use of generative AI and innovative audio tech.
Localization in podcasting
Generative AI for audio
AI-powered podcast tools and AI voice cloning enable synthetic media for podcasts, driving podcast industry growth and innovative audio tech.
Ethical AI in podcasts
Focuses on responsible use of AI voice cloning, generative AI for audio, and synthetic media for podcasts, ensuring innovative audio tech aligns with audio content market trends.
