The Podcast Hall of Fame is proud to announce its 2025 class of inductees, recognizing eleven outstanding individuals who have made significant and lasting contribution to the podcasting industry.

This year’s honorees represent diverse talents and achievements, from pioneering podcast creators to leader founders and digital media innovation.

The induction ceremony will occur on Jan. 17th, 2025, at 7:00 PM EST in the main keynote ballroom at the Podfest Expo Conference in Orlando, Florida. libsyn.com is the Lead Sponsor of the event.

Tickets to the ceremony will be available, and detail on the master of ceremonies will be announced soon. The entire event will be recorded and released as a video online on Monday, January 20, 2025, allowing the podcast community worldwide to celebrate this momentous occasion.

2025 Podcast Hall of Fame Inductees

Chris Christensen

Chris Christensen hosts The Amateur Traveler Podcast, one of the longest-running travel podcasts. Chris has inspired countless travelers and creators by showcasing engaging travel stories, practical tips, and his passion for exploring the world.

Lance Anderson

A pioneer in personal storytelling, Lance Anderson is the creator of The Verge of the Fringe, a podcast that explores his life and experiences. Lance’s raw and authentic narratives have influenced the storytelling podcast genre and inspired creators to share their truths.

George Hrab

George Hrab, host of the Geologic Podcast, has brought music, humor, and critical thinking to podcasting for over a decade. His unique blend of entertainment and intellectual content has made him a standout voice.

Lou Mongello

Lou Mongello, host of WDW Radio is a leading figure in Disney-focused podcasting. Lou has built a passionate community of Disney enthusiasts throughout his work, blending expert insights with engaging storytelling.

Jessica Kupferman

Jesica Kupferman, co-founder/CEO of She Podcasts, has championed diversity and inclusion in her podcasting. Her efforts to support women podcasters through events, education, and community-building have transformed the medium’s landscape.

Twila Dang

Twila Dang, founder of Matriarch Digital Media, has created a platform dedicated to women-centered podcasts, amplifying diverse voices and narratives. Her work has empowered creators and listeners, fostering an inclusive podcasting community.

Dave Mansueto

As co-founder of Libsyn and BOSSJOCK App, Dave Mansueto helped shape the podcast hosting industry by providing creators with tools to distribute and grow their shows. Dave’s contributions have been instrumental in the evolution and accessibility of podcasting.

Maria Thomas

As NPR’s first digital GM, Maria Thomas was a trailblazer who helped establish public radio as a key player in the podcasting landscape. Her leadership helped build NPR’s podcasting presence between 2005 and 2008.

Chris Krimitsos

Chris Krimitsos, founder of Podfest Expo, has built a global community of podcasters through his dedication and collaboration. His work has fostered a supportive environment for creators to connect, learn, and thrive.

Tom Webster

Tom Webster, a partner at Sounds Profitable and former VP at Edison Research has been a driving force in podcast analytics and audience insights. His contributions have helped the industry understand listener behavior, enabling creators to make informed decisions.

Tim Street

A pioneer in video podcasting, Tim Street is best known for his work on French Maid TV. His innovative approach to content and early adoption of the medium helped lay the foundation for video in podcasting.

The Podcast Hall of Fame, started in 2015, is excited to welcome eight distinguished podcasting and digital media leaders as its new board of governor members.

This new board of governor group includes Todd Cochrane, Dave Jackson, Luria Petucci, Rob Greenlee, Glynn Washington, Danny Peña, Nick Pavlidis, and Gautam Raj Anand, each brining a unique perspective and wealth of experience to the organization.

Their appointments signify a bold step forward for the Podcast Hall of Fame (PodcastHall.com) in partnership with PodfestExpo.com, which continues to honor excellence and creator success stories in podcasting. The Hall of Fame supports sharing valuable success experiences and inspiration with newer creators to fuel the industry’s future growth and expand its global reach.

Most board members are Podcast Hall of Fame inductees, recognizing their remarkable contributions to the media, Rob Greenlee, Chairperson of Podcast Hall of Fame, PodcastHall.com, a 20-year/podcast/radio creator and executive in the podcasting medium, leader the new board, guiding this accomplished team in fostering innovation, supporting creators, and building a solid foundation for the next generation of podcasters.

With an increased focus on international expansion and including, the Hall of Fame is committed to recognizing podcasters worldwide, spotlighting diverse voices, and welcoming inductees who bring unique cultural perspectives to the medium.

The including of global representatives such as as Gautam Raj Anand, a leader in podcasting at Hubhopper.crom across South Asia, emphasizes the Podcast Hall of Fame’s dedication to reaching new audiences and celebrating the global impact of podcasting.

Hall of Fame Eligibility and Induction Criteria

The Podcast Hall of Fame seeks to recognize individuals who have profoundly impacted the podcasting industry. The criteria for entry into the Hall of Fame combine 1) mainstream popularity and peer recognition as 2) excellent podcaster or industry contributor and 3) excellence in the medium, which is positively coupled with historical significance.

Candidates for inclusion should demonstrate contributions in all three categories or be outstanding in one or two categories in such a way that they merit inclusion.

To be eligible, a nominee must have at least five years since their first involvement in podcasting. While longevity is necessary, it is not a qualification in itself; candidates are celebrated for the depth of their influence and contributions to the industry, not merely for the time served.

The induction selection process involves an extensive list of nominations, and all board members and past inductees vote from a comprehensive list of nominees who meet the eligibility criteria. Nominees fall into two groups: 1) primarily podcasters and 2) those wo contribute to building the podcasting medium as a podcaster or not.

New HOF Board of Governor Members

Todd Cochrane, CEO of Blubrry Podcasting and host of Geek News Central podcast, was inducted into the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2015. A long-time advocate for podcaster rights, Todd has been instrumental in developing industry standards. With a passion for building tools that empower creators, Todd brings invaluable insights to the board on the technical and community-driven aspects of podcasting.

Dave Jackson, Head of Podcasting at the School of Podcasting and PodPage, was inducted into the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2018. Known for his expertise in education and mentorship, Dave has guided countless aspiring creators and is a respected voice in podcast training. His deep understanding of audience engagement and content creation will be invaluable to the board.

Luria Petrucci, co-founder of Live Streaming Pros, is a respected live streaming and video podcasting future who was inducted into the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2022 for her time as host of GeekBriefTV. With over a decade of experience, her expertise in audience building and engaging with communities in real-time brings an essential dimension to the board’s vision of expanding podcasting’s reach across multiple media.

Rob Greenlee, Chairperson of the Podcast Hall of Fame (PodcastHall.com), co-host of the New Media Show, Host of Podcast Tips Show, and 20-year veteran in radio/podcasting, has been a pioneering force in he podcasting space since its earlier days when he started podcasting in Sept. 2004. Former Founding Chairperson/Board Member of The Podcast Academy (Ambies Awards). Inducted into the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2017, Rob’s experience spans multiple facets of the industry, from content creation to distribution, audience growth, and monetization. His industry knowledge and thought leadership are assets to the Hall of Fame’s mission.

Glynn Washington, creator and host of the critically acclaimed Snap Judgment podcast, brings a fresh perspective to the board. Inducted into the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2022, he is known for his narrative storytelling and focus on diverse perspectives. Glynn’s creative vision and dedication to storytelling add an essential dimension to the Hall of Fame’s mission to amplify diverse voices in podcasting.

Danny Peña, host of Gamertag Radio, was inducted into the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2015. As a pioneer in gaming podcasts, Danny has built a large, engaged community and is known for his dedication to fostering positive podcasting experiences. His community-centric approach and understanding of audience dynamics make him a valuable addition to the board.

Nick Pavlidis, CEO of Podfest, is known for his community-building and event management expertise. He has been instrumental in fostering a collaborative environment for podcasters through Podfest. His leadership has helped podcasters connect, learn, and grow, making him a valuable advocate of creators and a respected leader. His commitment to supporting the industry’s development and encouraging new voices will be invaluable to the board.

Gautam Raj Anand, founder of HubHopper, one of India’s leading podcasting platforms, represents the growing global impact of podcasting. As a pioneer in podcasting across South Asia, Gautam’s experience in reaching new audiences internationally will help the Hall of Fame champion podcasting as a global medium.

The 2022 Podcast Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on March 25, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. The 2022 inductees have not yet been announced.

The host of the 2022 Podcast Hall of Fame is Damona Hoffman, a dating coach and on-air personality who starred in two A+E Networks’ TV series #BlackLove and A Question of Love. She’s a regular contributor to The LA Times, The Washington Post, The Drew Barrymore Show, NPR, CNN Headline News (HLN), BET, and more. Plus, she is the OKCupid Official Dating Expert.

Damona’s weekly podcast Dates & Mates consistently charts in the top 50 in the Dating and Relationships category. She is also the host and producer of Freshbooks’ I Make A Living Podcast, which features her advice for new entrepreneurs and interviews with expert entrepreneurs.

The 2022 Podcast Hall of Fame Awards will take place on March 25, 6pm PT. It can be attended in two ways: in person, or virtually.

The in person event is open to the public, and free to attend. You’re invited to support your favorite inductee(s)! The ceremony takes place at the JW Marriott in Downtown Los Angeles, as part of Podcast Movement: Evolutions. Those who attend in person can book a room at the JW Marriott @ L.A. Live. Enjoy the on-site parties, local attractions, or fun that Downtown Los Angeles has to offer.

The Virtual event will enable you to see the entire ceremony that will be live streamed to the world, so no matter where you’re at, you can take part in the special evening for your favorite inductee(s). Keep an eye on the Podcast Hall of Fame website for more information on joining them virtually this March.

Visit the Podcast Hall of Fame website to find out who the inductees will be when they are revealed.