Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon Dunn have received international recognition at the 29th Annual Webby Awards, held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, where their podcast Toni & Ryan was awarded the People’s Voice Award in the Podcasts category.
The Melbourne-based creators accepted the award in person at the ceremony, delivering one of the event’s signature five-word speeches: “Just start a f****** blog.”
The remark echoed the show’s independent origins, which began after both hosts transitioned from commercial radio into podcasting, and has now built a dedicated global following known as TARPers.
Following the ceremony, Dunn posted on Instagram: “WINNERS are GRINNERS! Thanks for listening, watching, sharing your stories and putting up with ours… TARPers are the greatest people in the world and we couldn’t do it with out you!”
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Established in 1996, the Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS) and honour excellence across the Internet, spanning podcasts, websites, video, advertising, and more.
This year’s event, themed “All Good,” was hosted by comedian and actor Ilana Glazer and featured appearances from internet and entertainment figures including Snoop Dogg, Walton Goggins, and The Rizzler.
Webby Executive Director Jesse Feister highlighted the role of digital platforms in elevating self-made creators, noting: “What I love most about the internet is that it gives talented, self-made, creative people a way in. And tonight’s winners are proof of that.”
Ryan Jon Dunn and Toni Lodge attend the 29th Annual Webby Awards.
Lodge and Dunn’s podcast’s win underlines the increasing global profile of Australian independent content in the podcasting space.