The Golden Globes introduced its first-ever Best Podcast award at the 2026 ceremony, with comedian and actor Amy Poehler winning for her interview show Good Hang with Amy Poehler.
Joe Rogan addressed why his massively popular The Joe Rogan Experience—which has dominated listenership charts for years—was not among the nominees or contenders.
On a recent episode of his podcast, Rogan explained that he was contacted about submitting for consideration but declined because it required a $500 entry fee (described as covering "paperwork or whatever").
He stated bluntly: “I said, ‘No.’ ... I don’t want to be a part of that. I don’t care.”
The inaugural category drew from eligible shows based on metrics like listenership, with Rogan among the top 25 considered. However, nominees ultimately included mainstream titles such as Call Her Daddy, SmartLess, Armchair Expert, The Mel Robbins Podcast, and NPR’s Up First—none of which aligned with more politically oriented or independently dominant formats like Rogan’s.
Rogan appeared unfazed by Poehler’s win, saying he hadn’t listened to her show but assumed it must have appeal in “that world,” and that he had no issue if others preferred it. His comments came during a discussion with guest Bert Kreischer, who noted the nominees seemed more “corporate” in nature.
This development highlights ongoing debates about awards in the podcasting space—where listenership metrics often clash with Hollywood-style recognition processes that involve fees and submissions. Rogan’s refusal underscores his stance against participating in what he sees as unnecessary gatekeeping for an already proven audience favorite.