The Unfiltered Podcast That Just Won Big at the ASN Awards

Sarah Jenkins · 2026-08-25

You know that feeling when a show you've been following for years finally gets the recognition you always knew it deserved? That's exactly what happened this week for one of my all-time favorite listens. Matt Slayer, the creator and host of the wildly popular 'And Now We Drink' podcast, just announced some incredible news. His show took home the trophy for **Best Entertainment Podcast** at the 2026 ASN Awards. It's a huge win, not just for Matt, but for a style of raw, unfiltered conversation that doesn't always fit into a neat, polished box. ### What Makes This Podcast Stand Out? If you haven't tuned in before, let me paint you a picture. 'And Now We Drink' isn't your typical, heavily produced interview show. The best way I've heard it described—and it's a description that's stuck with me—is that it feels like "the conversation at the end of the bar." It's the kind of real, meandering, and brutally honest talk you have with friends after everything else has wound down. There's no script. No safe, pre-approved questions. It's just genuine curiosity and a willingness to go wherever the conversation leads, often into hilariously unexpected territory. That authenticity is its superpower, and clearly, the ASN judges agreed. ### Why This Award Matters in 2026 Let's be real, the podcast landscape is more crowded than ever. Standing out isn't easy. Winning an award like this isn't just a pat on the back; it's a signal. It tells listeners that in a world of algorithm-chasing content, there's still a massive audience hungry for something real. - **It validates authentic voices:** It proves you don't need a studio full of fancy equipment to create award-winning entertainment. You just need a compelling point of view and the courage to be yourself. - **It highlights listener trends:** Awards often reflect what audiences are actually connecting with, not just what networks are pushing. This win suggests a continued appetite for long-form, personality-driven content. - **It raises the bar:** Success like this inspires other creators to take risks and trust their unique voice instead of copying a formula. For fans like me, it feels like a win for the whole community. It's proof that supporting the shows you love, sharing episodes, and engaging with hosts can help lift them to new heights. Matt Slayer has built something special by simply committing to honest conversations, week after week, and now he's got the hardware to prove it. So, here's a toast to 'And Now We Drink.' If you're looking for a podcast that feels less like a performance and more like you're hanging out with the most interesting person in the room, you now have an award-winning place to start. Just be ready for a conversation that goes places you never saw coming.