The presenter and broadcaster Mari Grug took three of the prizes at the Welsh Podcast Awards 2026 – a historic event to celebrate the creativity and influence of the Welsh podcast world.
In a special awards ceremony in the Literary Pavilion hosted by Lisa Gwilym and Llyr Evans at the 2026 National Eisteddfod on Saturday afternoon Mari’s Podcast ‘Lleisiau Cymru – 1 Mewn 2 gyda Mari Grug’ (Wales’ Voices 1 in 2 with Mari Grug) was named Podcast of the Year. She was also named Presenter of the Year and the award for the best Health, Wellbeing and Lifestyle podcast of the year.
For some years Mari has battled cancer. In July 2023 she revealed she was receiving treatment for metastatic breast cancer when she was only 38 years old. She is now living with the cancer which has spread and over the past two years she has shared her personal experience living with cancer in her podcast ‘1 in 2’, and on a documentary shown on S4C.
“The intention of the programme was to show that life can carry on even though I have metastatic breast cancer, and to prove that I can be a mother, a wife, a friend, a presenter while living with stage 4 cancer.
“I want people to know that if you are diagnosed with metastatic cancer, don’t lose hope. Be realistic, yes, but don’t think ‘that’s it’. Treatments are developing all the time. You can live a full life with the condition.
“I just want to see my children reach the milestones of their lives, and make the most of the time I have with them,” she said.
Three prizes were awarded to Francesca Sciarrillo for her podcasts for Welsh language learners. She won one jointly with Stephen Rule, the Welsh Doctor.
Aled Jones, the organiser of the awards, said that a panel of independent judges had searched for the best in the podcast industry.
“Podcasts are thriving, both as creative media and as a commercial channel, and they are shaping the national conversation.
“The Wales Podcast Awards celebrate the people behind and in front of the microphone, giving recognition to creative people, producers and presenters.
“Whether they are part of a large organization or an individual podcaster, the Cymru Podcast Awards provided an opportunity to show their skills.”
Winners
- Podcast of the Year: Lleisiau Cymru – 1 Mewn 2 gyda Mari Grug
- Presenter: Mari Grug – pod Lleisiau Cymru – 1 Mewn 2
- Health Podcast: Lleisiau Cymru – 1 Mewn 2 gyda Mari Grug
- New Podcast: Dim Ond Geiriau – Francesca Sciarrillo a Stephen Rule (Doctor Cymraeg)
- New Talent: Francesca Sciarrillo
- Podcast for Welsh Learners: Sgwrsio
- Sports Podcast: ‘Di’r Helmed Yn Ffitio gan Cynan Anwy
- Factual Podcast: Hanes Mawr Cymru
- Community Podcast: Sgwrsio
- Arts Podcast: Sut i Ddarllen (gan Cyngor Llyfrau)
- Entertainment Podcast: Hanes Mawr Cymru
- Listeners Choice: Siarad Siop gyda Mari a Meilir
