Tag: podcasts

Spotify Launches the Amplifika Creators Initiative to Empower Black Podcasters in Brazil

July 28, 2025

In 2021, Spotify launched Amplifika in Brazil as a dedicated program to foster the growth of Black artists and support new voices in music. Through a hub on Spotify, Spotify Singles, educational events, and special collaborations, the program has supported the careers of key figures in the Brazilian music scene including Duquesa, Mc Kadu, Milthinho, Cryzin, Maru2D, and Sued Nunes.

Now we’re building on this legacy. At Spotify, we believe that every creator should have the chance to share their story, and we’re focused on making that possible with the right tools and support. That’s why we’re expanding the program with Amplifika Creators, a new initiative designed to empower the next generation of Black podcasters in Brazil.

A studio—and then some

At the heart of Amplifika Creators is a new podcast studio at Embaixada Preta in São Paulo. Developed in partnership with Feira Preta, an organization that supports Black culture and entrepreneurship in Latin America, this space offers free access to professional-grade audio and video equipment for emerging Black creators, with microphones and headphones donated by Shure.

But the technology is only the beginning. This initiative also includes a mentorship program with established creators like Sofi Oliveira (Colo de amiga por @sofidisse) and Guto Barbosa (Don Podcast); a tailored newsletter with best practices for production and growth; and ongoing support to help build a more inclusive podcasting ecosystem from the ground up.

“Today, video is one of the main entry points for discovering podcasts in Brazil—and Spotify is committed to increasing the presence of Black creators in this space, ensuring they have both the technical resources and visibility they deserve,” said Camila Justo, Spotify’s Head of Podcast in Brazil. “Amplifika Creators is a response to this, offering professional structure and continuous support to transform good ideas into real impact.”

Adriana Barbosa, founder and CEO of the Feira Preta Institute, echoed this sentiment. “It’s not just about recording, it’s about belonging,” she said. “This studio at Embaixada Preta is a territory of creativity, expression, memory, and future-building. Here, technology meets collective affection, and the result is important stories being told by those who live and transform the present.”

Continued commitment

Amplifika Creators joins our portfolio of equity-driven programs including EQUAL and GLOW in music, and Sound Up and our Seu Espaço initiative in podcasting. Seu Espaço is a fully equipped podcast studio in São Paulo that offers free access and professional-grade resources to underrepresented creators. Together, these global initiatives are central to our mission of amplifying diverse creators with more-inclusive narratives. Since 2018, Sound Up has supported creators in more than 12 countries, including Brazil, helping to launch impactful shows like Pavulagem – Contos da Floresta, ZUMBIR, and Calunguinha.

By providing tools, visibility, and a network of support, we’re working to ensure that new voices not only get heard but have the opportunity to thrive.

Spotify’s Editors Pick Their Best Podcasts of the Year (So Far)

July 16, 2025

Spotify’s podcast editorial team is always on the hunt for shows and episodes that spark conversation, push boundaries, and keep us coming back for more. As 2025 hits its halfway mark, our editors have curated their picks for the year’s standout podcasts so far—spanning celebrity-driven interviews, deep-dive investigations, true crime, comedy, and the best in film and TV commentary.

“It would be impossible to overlook all the famous faces on our ‘Best New Podcasts of 2025 (So Far)’ list. From Michelle Obama’s heartfelt real talk on IMO to Amy Poehler’s star-studded hangouts (did we mention Kylie Kelce and the Living Single ladies also made the cut?), shows hosted by megawatt talent have definitely stepped up their game this year,” said Rachel Selvin, Editorial and Audience Development Manager, Spotify. “But even with all the buzz around viral celebrity moments, the old rules of podcasting still hold true: A great investigation usually equals a great show. That’s why half of our picks focus on a single issue, unspooling it in all its complexity through a compassionate lens.”

From breakout new series to unforgettable episodes, here’s what topped our editors’ lists for 2025 (so far):

Best New Podcasts of 2025 (So Far)

Best Episodes of 2025 (So Far)

Best True Crime of 2025 (So Far)

Funniest Episodes of 2025 (So Far)

Best Movies of 2025 (So Far)

Best TV of 2025 (So Far)

Explore the Best of the Year (So Far) hub on Spotify to find your next favorite show or episode.

Fans Vote Mexico’s Top Podcasting Stars at Spotify Mexico’s Inaugural Podcast Awards

June 5, 2025

On Wednesday, Spotify brought together Mexico’s vibrant podcast community for a night to remember: the first-ever Spotify Podcast Awards. The ceremony gathered more than 300 industry guests and nearly 200 top fans of nominated shows, making it a milestone moment for creators, listeners, and the country’s booming audio scene.

Lupita Villalobos and Kass Quezada, the fan-favorite duo behind Las Alucines, served as hosts, keeping the crowd entertained with their signature wit and spontaneous style.

Lupita Villalobos and Kass Quezada

Throughout the evening, several Mexican creators—including Miss Diamond, Eduardo Videgaray, José Ramón Sancristóbal “El Estaca,” Kikis, Ana Julia, Toño Cervantes, Mario Huerta, Mau Nieto, Román Torres, Janis and Maldo from Las Morras Malditas, Romina Sacre, Grecia Castillo, Conder, and Bastian—took the stage to present awards across 10 categories.

But it wasn’t just about the creators—this was a celebration of the listeners, too. Nearly 8 million votes were cast by fans in the lead-up to the show, and hundreds were there in person to cheer on their favorites, proving once again that podcasts are all about community.

The fans have spoken: Meet your winners

Fans showed strong engagement across categories, with nominees representing the breadth and diversity of Mexico’s podcasting landscape. Without further ado, here are the winners of the inaugural Spotify Podcast Awards:

Top of the Top Podcast

Breakthrough Podcast 

Favorite Comedy Podcast 

Favorite Horror Podcast 

Favorite Interview Podcast 

Favorite Gossip Podcast

Favorite Wellness Podcast

Favorite “Love Stuff” Podcast

Favorite True Crime Podcast 

Favorite Documentary Podcast  

Spotify Introduces Plays, a New Way To See What Content Is Resonating With Podcast Fans

May 6, 2025

Updated May 16, 2025: We always aim to provide the best Spotify experience, and sometimes that means learning and adjusting as we go. Based on early signals, we’re evolving how play counts show up across Spotify. To help celebrate growth, plays will be presented as incremental milestones instead of precise figures, beginning once an episode hits 50K plays. Creators will still see their precise numbers in their private dashboards. While plays are already available to all creators and publishers in Spotify for Creator and Megaphone, this experience continues to be a gradual rollout across the Spotify app. For more on the latest, read here.

At Spotify, we always seek ways to connect users with their next favorite podcast episode. We also work to give creators a deeper understanding of how content resonates with audiences. That’s why we’re introducing plays, a new podcast metric designed to help users see, directly within the app, which podcast episodes are most popular with fans.

For creators, plays are a helpful addition to their existing metrics and offer a more comprehensive view of the scale of all episodes on our platform. This will be another invaluable source of insight as they look to optimize their content for success, so they can continue to build a loyal fan base that comes back week after week.

Plays will capture engagement across audio and video content on Spotify, reflecting the number of times people have actively listened to or watched any episode. 

Starting this week, plays will be reflected across the Spotify app and in the Spotify for Creators and Megaphone dashboards.

A closer look at plays for creators

For creators, plays will be a key metric on the home dashboard, show overview, and individual episode analytics pages, offering a near-immediate snapshot of how content is performing based on active engagement. And because we want to give creators more comprehensive insight into the scale and depth of their audience, we’re also making consumption hour metrics available to all creators in Spotify for Creators, no matter where they’re hosted.

Existing monetization eligibility criteria and payout calculations for creators and publishers will remain unchanged. They will continue to be determined by streams and the podcast advertising industry standard of at least 60 seconds of engagement. For more details about how plays will work for creators and publishers, check out the latest on the Spotify for Creators blog.

Ultimately, plays will offer creators and their fans a clear way to measure which podcast episodes capture the most attention on Spotify. We’re always working to bring better insights to creators, foster greater discovery for people, and help content reach even wider audiences. Stay tuned for more.

Spotify Celebrates Mexico’s Booming Podcast Scene With First-Ever Podcast Awards

April 30, 2025

Mexico’s love for podcasts is no longer a trend—it’s a lifestyle. With more than 27 million people in Mexico tuning into podcasts on Spotify in 2024 alone, a 19% increase from the previous year, we’re thrilled to celebrate the country’s vibrant podcasting community with the first-ever Spotify Podcast Awards.

“The Spotify Podcast Awards seek to become a recognition worthy of the talent and creativity of podcasters in Mexico,” said Thais Tavara, Head of Podcasts, Spotify Mexico. “Our goal is to celebrate the cultural impact of podcasts in the country, while offering fans a creative way to recognize their favorite creators voting through the app.”

The awards recognize podcasts across 10 categories, from comedy and true crime to wellness and gossip, celebrating the diverse range of content that resonates with Mexican listeners. The nominees were selected by Spotify based on a combination of listener data and critical acclaim from 2024.

From May 7 to May 21, fans will be able to vote for their favorite podcasts directly through the Spotify app. Free users will have one vote per category per day, while Premium users will have three votes per category each day. The winners will be announced live on Spotify Mexico’s TikTok account on June 4.

Without further ado, check out the full list of nominees below.

Top of the Top Podcast

Breakthrough Podcast 

Favorite Horror Podcast 

Favorite Interview Podcast 

Favorite Comedy Podcast 

Favorite Wellness Podcast

Favorite Gossip Podcast

Favorite Documentary Podcast  

Favorite True Crime Podcast 

Favorite “Love Stuff” Podcast

From Audio to Video, Spotify’s $100 Million Payout Fuels Creator Success Stories

April 28, 2025

Podcasts have become a cornerstone of the Spotify experience, evolving from a niche interest to a cultural phenomenon. As the format continues to grow, we’re seeing an exciting trend emerge: the rise of video podcasts. At Spotify, we’re committed to supporting creators across all formats, and we’re thrilled to announce a significant milestone in that journey.

For the first time, we’re revealing that Spotify paid out more than $100 million to podcast publishers and podcasters worldwide in the first quarter of 2025 alone. This figure reflects our deep commitment to the creator economy and underscores Spotify’s position as a leading platform for audio and video creators alike.

We’re expanding creators’ reach to a global audience, providing flexible earning options regardless of format, and offering tools to capture and engage a loyal fanbase. Whether a creator is just starting out or looking to scale an existing show, Spotify provides the resources and opportunities to thrive.

For fans, this translates to an even richer library of diverse content and the unique ability to seamlessly switch between listening and watching their favorite podcasts on Spotify.

A platform for growth and innovation

This payout encompasses both ad-based revenue and revenue generated through the Spotify Partner Program, which launched earlier this year in select markets. The program is designed to provide creators with more ways to monetize their content, offering audience-driven payouts from Spotify Premium video engagement and the ability to monetize via ads in Spotify Free and on all other podcast listening platforms.

We’re seeing positive signals that this approach is resonating with creators. The Spotify Partner Program is driving growth, with total earnings for participating creators up 23% month-over-month from January to February, and 29% month-over-month from February to March. We’ve also seen a significant increase in video podcast adoption, with active monthly video podcasts up 28% since the program launched.

Recognizing the power of podcasts to reach valuable consumers, some of the world’s largest advertisers are booking campaigns through the Spotify Audience Network as part of the Spotify Partner Program, including McDonald’s, Google, and Chelsea FC, providing creators with even more monetization opportunities.

The creator perspective

The real impact of these opportunities is best illustrated by the success of individual creators. Shows like Your Mom’s House with Christina P. and Tom Segura and The Rest Is Politics: US have experienced a remarkable surge in engagement since joining the Spotify Partner Program, with weekly consumption up more than 45%. Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast has also seen significant gains, with weekly consumption up 12% since joining the program and total consumption time up 30% from January to March. Similarly, Two Hot Takes has seen weekly consumption grow by 12% since introducing video on Spotify. But these numbers only scratch the surface. Here’s what participants are saying about the program:

  • Tony Pastor, co-founder of Goalhanger: “Since we added video to our shows on Spotify, we’ve been delighted by the growth we’ve seen across the Goalhanger network. It’s clear that our audiences love watching their favourite hosts and we’re really encouraged by the engagement levels we’ve seen so far.”
  • Christiana Brenton, Chief Revenue Officer at FlightStory and Co-Founder of FlightStory Studio: “Since joining the Spotify Partner Program, we’ve seen weekly consumption grow by over 45%. That kind of trajectory is exceptional, and it speaks to the power of a global platform that is committed to creator success. Spotify has opened up a new competitive revenue stream and allows us to tap into a deeply engaged audience.”

Ultimately, Spotify is committed to building a sustainable ecosystem where creators can thrive. This $100 million payout is just one step in that journey. We’ll continue to invest in new tools, resources, and programs to support creators in all formats, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for podcasting on Spotify.

Uncover a Cult Conspiracy in New Scripted Thriller ‘DIAL’ From Spotify Argentina and Kuarzo

April 11, 2025

Latin America’s love for scripted audio is about to get a thrilling new chapter. Following the success of series like Caso 63 and Número Oculto, Spotify has teamed up with leading Argentinian production company Kuarzo to bring even more captivating audio fiction to listeners.

The partnership’s first offering is DIAL, a gripping Spanish-language podcast created by Número Oculto author Charly Wasserman. DIAL explores the limits of reality and the unknown, following Renzo (Luciano Rosso), an electrician who lives life trapped between routine and the ghosts of his past. When an enticing economic offer comes his way, Renzo accepts a late-night job to repair an old radio, only to discover that he has been summoned by a mysterious cult.

The six-episode series is now available exclusively on Spotify, featuring immersive sound design and first-class performances by renowned Argentine actors Maite Lanata, Cristina Banegas, Paula Grinzspan, Ariel Pérez De María, and Ernesto Claudio.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Kuarzo to boost fiction podcasts in Argentina,” said Nacho Gil, Spotify’s Head of Podcast & Marketing in Latin America. “Working hand in hand with local creators reinforces our commitment to offer quality content to our users leveraging Argentina’s great storytelling talent.”

This collaboration marks an exciting entrance into the audio realm for Kuarzo, known for producing popular entertainment programs and fiction series for television.

“This partnership with Spotify represents an opportunity to produce high-quality fiction with global impact,” said Matías Kweller, Kuarzo’s Innovation Director. “We’re very excited to be able to enter this new format that we find attractive and organic for our company.”

Dare to challenge your destiny? Start streaming DIAL on Spotify.

The Spotify Partner Program Expands To Nine New Markets, Giving More Creators New Ways To Monetize Their Content

March 27, 2025

Since announcing the Spotify Partner Program last fall, we’ve heard from creators who are optimistic about the flexibility, control, and opportunity that our new monetization program provides. And following the successful January launch in the US, U.K., Canada and Australia, we’re expanding the Spotify Partner Program to nine new markets. 

Starting April 29, eligible creators in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are able to enroll. 

The Spotify Partner Program offers audience-driven payouts to creators from Spotify Premium video engagement and the ability to monetize via ads in Spotify Free and on all other podcast listening platforms. This can help creators navigate seasonality shifts and shifts in brand/advertiser interest and give them a more consistent, reliable way to earn. 

As a brand-new revenue stream for enrolled shows, Spotify Partner Program delivered impressive results immediately. Hundreds of podcast creators surpassed $10,000 in monthly revenue, with the top earners crossing well into six figures in the first month alone. 

Additionally, Spotify Partner Program creators in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia will have more opportunities to earn Premium video revenue for listeners in new markets starting on April 29. 

Video podcasts are on the rise, and the number of creators actively publishing videos monthly on Spotify has grown by more than 50% year over year. Listeners are responding in kind, with over 250 million users having watched a podcast on Spotify, and nearly two-thirds of podcast listeners saying they prefer podcasts with video.

With more creators able to enroll in Spotify Partner Program, listeners will have access to a bigger and better catalog of video podcasts, as well as seamless background and foreground toggling. Premium users will also have the ability to watch videos with fewer ads. While a creator’s baked-in sponsorships will remain in the episode, traditional dynamic ads will not interrupt the video for Premium users, creating a seamless experience on any device.

“Spotify is committed to providing creators with more options to grow their audience and engage with fans on the format that best suits their style and show—either audio, video or both,” said Roman Wasenmüller, Head of Podcast Business at Spotify. “As we continue to evolve and expand the Spotify Partner Program, we are focusing on increased revenue and consumption for creators.”

Spotify has led audio streaming worldwide for nearly two decades. As video accelerates, we’re investing to make Spotify the video and audio destination for creators and listeners. With the Spotify Partner Program, we’re helping creators build and retain loyal audiences by delivering the best possible version of their content.

Find out more about the Spotify Partner Program by visiting the Spotify for Creators website.

Podcasts Take Center Stage at SXSW as Top Creators Discuss Video’s Impact

March 18, 2025

From morning commutes to late-night listening sessions, Spotify is the essential daily companion for millions of listeners globally. Podcasts, in particular, have become a cultural conversation driver among listeners, with video continuing to grow in popularity. 

There are few better places to celebrate the power of the format and its evolution than at SXSW, where culture, content, and business collide. That’s why we brought Spotify House to Austin and invited guests to relax and enjoy a day of conversations featuring some of today’s most influential voices. 

The first session of the day served up hot takes, modern wisdom, and plenty of laughs from Ira Madison III, cohost of the Crooked Media award-winning podcast Keep It, Chris Williamson, host of the popular show Modern Wisdom, and Sara Foster, actress and cohost of The World’s First Podcast, in a conversation about how podcasts have helped evolve commentary in the digital age. 

The next session turned its focus to video, with panelists Morgan Absher, host of the comedy podcast Two Hot Takes, and Rachel Lindsay, attorney, media personality, and cohost of the NAACP-nominated show Higher Learning as well as Morally Corrupt on Spotify’s The Ringer.

Both creators broke down how the format has changed their approach to podcasting. For Rachel, video has offered a level of intimacy for the audience in a way that audio alone could not. 

“Video has been a game changer for us. At first, it was a bit intimidating, but soon you forget the camera is there and just get comfortable,” she told the crowd. “My facial expressions almost become another character on the show, like an extra cohost. It unlocks a whole new level of podcasting, making our audience feel like family.”

Morgan, who recently added video episodes to Spotify, agreed with this sentiment, adding that video has the ability to capture the unspoken moments, adding an additional layer of dynamism to the conversation. 

“Sometimes there are no words and you need that reaction. Bringing video on Spotify is a ‘have your cake and eat it too’ experience,” she said. 

Discover why fans can’t get enough of Morgan Absher on Two Hot Takes, now featuring video episodes: 

Bill Simmons Reflects on Five Years of The Ringer

March 13, 2025

Time flies when you’re having fun and we can confidently say that Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer and Spotify’s Head of Talk Strategy, is having nothing but fun. Nearly a decade since its inception and five years into Spotify’s acquisition, the Ringer—now a website, a podcast network, and a video production house—is renowned for its innovative and energetic blend of sports, pop culture, politics, and tech content.

“I’m excited to be sticking around as we continue to make great podcasts and work with all the great people at Spotify,” Bill said, following news that he’ll continue on in his current role. “I think we have some exciting things coming ahead!”

Today, the Ringer Podcast Network boasts more than 50 popular pods, including chart-toppers like The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, and The Ryen Russillo Podcast. Ringer Films, which launched in 2018, produces long- and short-form non-scripted programming including Celtics City, Mr. McMahon, André the Giant, Showbiz Kids, and Music Box.

On Spotify, The Ringer continues to roll out video across its podcast portfolio, now with the majority of shows featuring video episodes. The Ringer produces more than 100 hours of content weekly and video is quickly becoming integral to the network.

“Spotify is one of the best content companies in the world,” explained Bill. “I’ve been in enough work situations at this point that you just kinda know when you’re in the right spot. I think all of us are motivated to do something pretty special in the talk and video space.”

Discover Argentina’s Most-Streamed Songs of Summer 2025

February 28, 2025

As summer in Argentina comes to a close, the music coming out of the South American country has been a vibrant reflection of its rich cultural diversity. From beginning to end, Spotify has been the go-to platform for discovering and enjoying the hottest hits of the season, whether it’s the infectious beats of reggaeton to the catchy rhythms of cumbia to the enduring energy of the local rock scene. 

“Amor de Vago” takes top honors

While Emilia and Luck Ra landed a pair of hits during the summer season, including “Alegría” and “QUE ME FALTE TODO, it was La T y La M who had the most-streamed song of the summer with the Malandro-assisted “Amor de Vago.” 

And though the track generated more than 10 million streams over the past three months, competition for the song of summer crown was fierce. “Parte & Choke” by Alex Krack, Jombriel, and Jøtta, and “Olvidarte” by Emilia and  Gordo, followed closely in second and third places with more than 9.3 million and 9 million streams, respectively. 

Our Wrapped 2024 data from Argentina in 2024 revealed that the most-streamed artists of last summer ended up being the most-streamed of the entire year. With “Amor de Vago” emerging as Argentina’s song of summer in 2025, could it also become one of the country’s biggest hits this year?

Tropical beats on full blast

While Argentina’s most-streamed songs of summer 2025 showcase the popularity of reggaeton, cumbia, RKT, and national rock on Spotify, streaming trends also highlighted emerging local genres.

Unlike 2024, when cuarteto dominated as the most-listened-to genre, the biggest trend in early 2025 has been guaracha. The electronic genre—which fuses Latin, electronic, and urban influences—has seen a 47% increase in streams compared to last summer. 

Tracks like “FASHONISTA” by Martinwhite and “El Mundo es Tuyo” by NEMJ—featured in our Guaracha 2025 playlist—have helped elevate this genre to mainstream levels of popularity, particularly among Gen Z listeners—their searches for the genre increased by an astonishing 300%.

Top 10 most-streamed songs of summer 2025 on Spotify Argentina

  1. “Amor de Vago” – La T y La M, Malandro
  2. “Parte & Choke” – Alex Krack, Jombriel, Jøtta 
  3. “Olvidarte (feat. Emilia)” – Emilia, Gordo
  4. “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” – KAROL G
  5. “Alegría” – Anitta, Emilia, Tiago PZK
  6. “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” – Bad Bunny
  7. “DEGENERE 👑” – Myke Towers, benny blanco
  8. “Piel” – Tiago PZK, Ke Personajes
  9. “DtMF” – Bad Bunny
  10. “Luck Ra: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 61” – Bizarrap, Luck Ra

Spotify’s top podcasts of the summer

For listeners in Argentina, summer was also the perfect time to dive into new podcasts, explore fascinating stories, engage in thought-provoking conversations, and enjoy endless entertainment. 

With a wide range of topics and styles available, Argentinian creators have undoubtedly added a special touch to sunny days and starry nights. From discussions on neuroscience, like the summer hit Creo lo que Creo, to stories about summer love such as Manual para sobrevivir a la solteria, and reflections on life itself like those in Almendrada Podcast, there was something for everyone.

Top 5 recommended podcasts of summer 2025 on Spotify Argentina

Discover even more hits coming out of Argentina with our playlist Éxitos Argentina.

Stories That Shine: Audiobooks and Podcasts To Enjoy This Awards Season

February 28, 2025

Awards season is a celebration of cinematic excellence, but the best stories often start on the page. From a beloved Wizard of Oz retelling to the captivating biopic of a music icon, many of this year’s most lauded films were inspired by books. On Spotify, enjoy the full experience: Immerse yourself in the original stories via audiobooks, then explore podcasts with insightful commentary and behind-the-scenes coverage of the season’s biggest films. Here are some editor-approved picks to begin your journey.

Audiobooks

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

By Gregory Maguire
Narrated by John McDonough
Inspired Best Picture nominee Wicked

As unforgettable as its green-skinned witch, this is the book that inspired the Tony Award–winning hit musical and major motion picture of the same name. Gregory Maguire’s Wicked reimagines the story of one of the most feared and hated characters in all of literature: the Wicked Witch of the West, who, as Maguire tells us, wasn’t nearly as Wicked as we imagined.

Dune: Book One in the Dune Chronicles

By Frank Herbert
Narrated by Scott Brick, Orlagh Cassidy, Euan Morton, Ilyana Kadushin, and Simon Vance
Inspired Best Picture nominee Dune: Part Two

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune: Book One in the Dune Chronicles follows Paul Atreides, the heir to a noble family caught in a web of treachery that sets him on a journey toward a greater destiny. The Frank Herbert masterpiece combines adventure, mysticism, environmentalism, and politics, making it one of the most influential works in science fiction.

Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties

By Elijah Wald
Narrated by Sean Runnette
Inspired Best Picture nominee A Complete Unknown

On July 25, 1965, Bob Dylan shocked the world at the Newport Folk Festival by playing electric guitar, marking the birth of rock as a cultural force. In Dylan Goes Electric, Elijah Wald offers fresh insights into the night that reshaped popular music, exploring the clash between folk and rock, Dylan’s artistic evolution, and his complex relationship with the folk movement and mentor Pete Seeger.

Discover more books that have sparked films and TV shows on Spotify’s “From book to screen” shelf.

Podcasts

Before Hollywood’s biggest night, catch up on preshow coverage to get the inside track on the season’s most anticipated moments.

The Big Picture

Episode: “The 2025 Alternative Oscars, a.k.a. the 5th Annual Big Picks!”

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins hand out alternative awards for the major categories, plus their own fun picks—the snubbed, the beloved, and more.

Episode: “Final 2025 Oscar Predictions: Who Will Win and Should Win”

Sean and Amanda dive into the latest news on the 2026 movie slate and make their final predictions for the 2025 winners, losers, and everything in between.

The Town with Matthew Belloni

Episode: “Inside Tips to Predict the 2025 Oscar Winners”

Matt Belloni is joined by top talent manager Michael Lasker to sift through the awards season buzz and share tips for finding a gambling edge on the big night.

For post-show coverage, tune back in to The Big Picture and The Town, as well as Ringer Dish for a special episode covering red-carpet reactions and viral surprises.