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Hannah Berner and her co-host Paige DeSorbo just claimed the ultimate prize: Podcast of the Year at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards. Their show, Giggly Squad, beat out heavyweight competitors including Good Hang With Amy Poehler, Call Her Daddy, and The Daily. The victory, announced at SXSW in Austin, Texas on March 16, marks a stunning achievement for the beloved comedy podcast.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Award Winner: Giggly Squad’s top prize is Podcast of the Year, a fan-voted category
- Hosts: Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo from Bravo’s Summer House
- Downloads: The podcast achieved 44 million downloads last year
- Event Location: The ceremony was held at ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin
Two Reality Stars Dominate the Podcast World
Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo first connected through Bravo’s Summer House. Their friendship sparked a conversation that became Giggly Squad in 2020. The podcast, structured as unfiltered chat between two pals, immediately resonated. Listeners loved their authenticity, humor, and willingness to discuss everything from dating to mental health. What started as a secondary project has now become their most significant professional achievement.
The win proves that authentic friendship chemistry translates powerfully in audio format. Berner, known for her Netflix comedy special We Ride at Dawn released in July 2024, has successfully expanded her entertainment empire. DeSorbo, similarly, has carved out her own media presence. Together, they’ve created something larger than themselves: a community of devoted fans called Gigglers.
Hannah Berner’s Giggly Squad wins Podcast of the Year at iHeartPodcast Awards
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Beating Out Major Competitors for the Crown
The Podcast of the Year category at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards featured some of audio’s biggest names. Good Hang With Amy Poehler claimed the Best Comedy award, but ultimately couldn’t overtake Giggly Squad for the top honor. Call Her Daddy, one of the most commercially successful podcasts globally, landed the Best Pop Culture trophy instead. The Daily, known for its serious journalism, couldn’t score the fan-voted top prize either.
This victory highlights a shift in podcast culture toward celebrating intimate, conversational shows. Fan voting played the decisive role. Over 10 nominees competed for the award, including The Breakfast Club, The Mel Robbins Podcast, Pablo Torre Finds Out, The Rest Is History, This Past Weekend With Theo Von, and Heavyweight. None could match Giggly Squad‘s grassroots support.
The Rise of Giggly Squad: Numbers and Impact
| Metric | Figure |
| Annual Downloads | 44 million (last year) |
| Fan Base Name | Gigglers |
| Launch Year | 2020 |
| Streaming Platforms | Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, YouTube, Audible |
Giggly Squad has grown into one of Apple Podcasts‘ top-ranking shows. The podcast’s 44 million downloads annually demonstrate its cultural penetration. YouTube subscribers have reached over 200,000, and the show consistently trends on social media. The Giggly Squad fan community is known for its devotion, with listeners calling themselves Gigglers with pride. Episodes cover everything from pop culture analysis to personal dating struggles to horoscopes.
What sets Giggly Squad apart is its zero-filter approach. Berner and DeSorbo discuss topics many celebrities avoid publicly. Their willingness to be vulnerable builds parasocial connections. Fans feel they know these hosts intimately. This authenticity, critics say, is why they won while more polished, produced shows fell short at the voting booth.
The 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards Celebration
The ceremony on March 16, 2026, was hosted by comedian Ego Nwodim at ACL Live at the Moody Theater during SXSW. The event, streamed exclusively on VEEPS and broadcast on select iHeartMedia radio stations, celebrated 30+ podcast categories. Notable presenters included Will Ferrell, Eric Andre, Iliza Shlesinger, and Jennie Garth. The night recognized excellence across comedy, business, crime, sports, wellness, and more.
‘Giggly Squad’ won podcast of the year at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards. The podcast, hosted by Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo from Bravo’s Summer House, took home the big prize at the ceremony Monday night at SXSW, beating out other top shows.
— The Hollywood Reporter
What’s Next for Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo?
The Podcast of the Year trophy proves Giggly Squad has transcended niche status. Industry observers expect the award to attract major sponsorship deals and media partnerships. Berner also hosts Berner Phone With Des Bishop, a podcast with her husband, an Irish-American comedian. This success positions both women as multimedia entertainers controlling their own content. The fan-voting mechanism of the award demonstrates that parasocial loyalty and community engagement matter more than production budgets or celebrity names.
Looking ahead, the pair will likely leverage this prestigious recognition to expand beyond podcasting. Tour announcements, merchandise launches, and streaming projects often follow major award wins. The podcast industry is watching closely. Can Giggly Squad maintain cultural momentum with this validation, or does the award represent the peak of their popularity? For now, Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo are savoring their moment as America’s favorite podcast hosts.
Sources
- Billboard – 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards full winners list and ceremony coverage
- The Hollywood Reporter – Giggly Squad podcast year award analysis at 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards
- Forbes – iHeartPodcast Awards 2026 winners announced at SXSW in Austin, Texas
