Welcome to This Week in Podcasting, where we recap some of the latest updates and news from the world of podcasting – from local podcasts to global partnerships – let’s get into it!
1. Black Podcasting Awards 2025: A Night of Recognition
The Black Podcasting Awards 2025 honoured a massive 45 wins across 43 categories, celebrating 29 podcasts, 5 individual podcasters and 1 network! Highlights include the “Legend Award” awarded to Anna DeShawn, Bernard P. Achampong and Wize Grazette, and “Podcast of the Year” going to We Sound Crazy Podcast – you can find the full list of winners here!
2. Michelle Obama’s New Podcast Series: Style Meets Storytelling
Michelle Obama is launching a six-part limited series titled IMO: The Look – a companion to her upcoming book, The Look. The show, produced by her media company Higher Ground, will explore her wardrobe, hair, and public-image journey through candid conversations with fashion insiders like Jane Fonda and Elaine Welteroth. Keep an eye out for the podcast series launching along with the book on 04 November 2025.
3. The International Podcast Alliance Launches: Global Podcasters Unite
The newly-formed International Podcast Alliance (IPA) has officially launched, with its first virtual meeting scheduled for 17 November 2025. The Alliance aims to foster an international forum of podcast and audio-producers, publishers and organisations to share best practices, data and advocacy across markets, signaling a major shift toward global co-operation in the podcast ecosystem. Read more about it here!
4. Bold New Podcast Launch: “African Renaissance Podcast” by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation is debuting a new weekly podcast titled African Renaissance Podcast, set to launch on 27 October 2025. Hosted by Mbuyiseni Ndlozi — known for his activism and political commentary — the series aims to ignite bold conversations about Africa’s past, present and future, tackling topics from self-sufficiency and dignity to continental renewal and leadership.
And that’s it for this week in podcasting! While you’re here, don’t forget to download all our past issues of The Podcast Sessions Magazine – happy reading!
