What happens when a voice in your ear gives you the words you didn’t know you needed—or the courage to see your world differently? The Chime Award honors creators who have mastered that intimate, transformative power of audio. From raw conversations about grief that help listeners articulate the unspeakable, to candid lessons in entrepreneurship, to poetic reflections on culture and resilience, these storytellers remind us that sound alone can carry extraordinary weight. Here’s how they—and those inspired by them—see storytelling that doesn’t just inform, but lingers.

Raw Storytelling Helps Listeners Articulate Grief

“Terrible, Thanks for Asking” by Nora McInerny is one that comes to mind. The stories Nora tells combine raw, unflinching storytelling with humor that also allows people to confront things like grief, transformation and resilience WITHOUT becoming overwhelming or burdening to he readers. I have witnessed how episodes reverberate across generations — listeners frequently say it gives them language to describe things they were previously unable to articulate. That’s what a narrative does: It doesn’t just tell a story; it furnishes its readers with a larger perspective and words that they can carry with them for good. When an audio creator can pull that off, they’re not just telling stories — they’re helping people live through their own.

Audio storytelling has a particular heft to it, pulling one into an intimate space in which experiences that would otherwise be abstract become understandable. The finest podcasters and spoken-word artists don’t just inform; they PROMPT REFLECTION & EMPATHY — and often a sense of healing. That’s why I believe it’s worth celebrating a creator who doesn’t shy away from vulnerability and who uses her craft to assist audiences with one of life’s most profound transitions. In a fast-moving world, allowing yourself to slow down and believe in a story told honestly and passionately can be a gift.

LINK: https://feelingsand.co/podcasts/terrible-thanks-for-asking/

Aleksa Marjanovic, Chief Marketing Officer | Founder, Eternal Urns

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Hormozi Transforms Business Growth Through Practical Insights

One audio creator whose storytelling and insights have had a profound impact on my perspective is Alex Hormozi, particularly through his podcast “The Game with Alex Hormozi”. In this podcast, Alex shares his experiences and lessons learned from building and scaling businesses, offering candid and actionable advice for entrepreneurs and professionals alike.

A standout episode is Ep 898: “The Funnel We Use to Make $250M+”, where Alex delves into the strategies and frameworks that have driven significant growth in his ventures. His ability to break down complex concepts into practical steps makes this episode especially valuable for anyone looking to understand the mechanics of business scaling.

What sets Alex apart is his blend of humility and expertise. He doesn’t just share successes but also discusses failures and the lessons they’ve imparted, providing a balanced and realistic view of entrepreneurship. His storytelling is engaging, and his insights are grounded in real-world experience, making his content both relatable and inspiring.

Daria Turanska, Legal Manager, Faster Draft

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Star Connects Women Founders Through Personal Challenges

Jasmine Star, Host of the Jasmine Star show recently did an episode titled ‘What happens when you’re the only woman in the room.’ I was moved by her account of her experience as a woman founder. Filled with nostalgia as she talked about her childhood with resourceful parents with limited resources. Inspired by her stories of business moves and high level mastermind groups. But what had me completely enraptured was her response to a mean spirited comment from another woman who denigrated her for working so much instead of ‘caring’ for her adopted daughter.

Her words touched me deeply and reminded me of why I love podcasts so much. I may never meet Jasmine but she has created something that deeply resonated with another woman founder thousand of miles away. I highly recommend her show.

Remi Roy Osi, Founder, PodGround

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George the Poet Blends Art With Cultural Reality

One creator I really think deserves recognition for their narrative power is George the Poet. His podcast “Have You Heard George’s Podcast?” is more than just audio — it’s an experience. The way he blends spoken word, music, and real-life commentary is genius. As an artist myself, I respect how he uses storytelling to highlight cultural and social realities while still keeping it relatable and inspiring. That type of authenticity is what pushes our industry forward. You can check him out here: George the Poet.

Keldamuzik Diva, Music Artist, Digz Media Group

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Lee Reveals Human Side Behind Sustainable Entrepreneurship

I recently listened to Hanah Lee’s “The Wild Party Podcast”, and her storytelling stands out for its depth and relatability. Hanah features founders and creators in the vegan, ethical, and sustainable space, but what makes her episodes truly impactful is how she uncovers the human side of entrepreneurship—the doubts, the failures, and the creative breakthroughs. One episode with a plant-based fashion brand founder particularly resonated with me; it showed the intersection of passion and strategy in a way that felt both raw and instructive. The narrative structure, combined with her thoughtful questions, makes listeners feel like they’re part of the journey, not just observers. I often refer back to these episodes for inspiration on brand storytelling and communication strategy in my own work. Her platform consistently delivers stories that educate and motivate without being preachy, which is rare in podcasting.

Podcast link: https://www.boomtownmarketing.com/podcast

Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen

Spotlyts Awards

At Spotlyts Magazine, we believe that every story—whether written, visual, or digital—has the power to move, inspire, and connect us. The Spotlyts Awards honor outstanding storytelling across diverse formats and genres, recognizing the creators and voices behind impactful narratives that deserve to shine.

Request for a review of your book and have it nominated for the award here.

To nominate for a non-book category of the award or to know more about the award, click here.

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