Strange Health Wins Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Best Health and Wellbeing - The Conversation UK

Strange Health, a video podcast from The Conversation UK, has won the Best Health and Wellbeing award at Publisher Podcast Awards 2026. Judges praised it as an entertaining show that blends host discussion with specialist academic insights. The program is hosted by Katie Edwards, health and medicine editor at The Conversation, and Dan Baumgardt, a practising GP and lecturer at the University of Bristol. Each episode examines a health trend going viral on social media and features an interview with an active researcher in the field. Examples include discussions on the vagus nerve, period scooping, and the potential mind altering effects of flashing light. All episodes are available on YouTube and Spotify, with RSS delivery and other listening options. A season two is planned for autumn, and listeners can submit questions via email.

• Combines host discussion with expert researchers to explain viral health trends
• Topics include vagus nerve, period scooping, flashing light and mind effects
• Available on YouTube and Spotify, plus RSS and other listening options
• Season 2 planned for autumn; audience questions welcome by email

Introduction

Strange Health, a video podcast produced by The Conversation UK, has earned recognition at Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 by winning the best health and wellbeing category. The award underscores the show’s appeal as a science communication product that blends accessible discussion with expert input. This medium-length overview summarizes the article’s key points, focusing on what Strange Health is, who presents it, what it covers, and how audiences can engage with it.

About Strange Health

The podcast is hosted by Katie Edwards, who serves as health and medicine editor for The Conversation, and Dan Baumgardt, a practising GP and lecturer in health and life sciences at the University of Bristol. Each episode investigates a health trend going viral on social media and features an interview with an active researcher studying the issue. This format aims to pair host-led dialogue with cutting-edge research to illuminate popular health topics for a broad audience.

Award and Reception

The judges described Strange Health as an entertaining podcast with a winning combination of host discussion and academic specialists. This accolade from Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 highlights the show’s balance of engaging conversation and scientific credibility, aligning with The Conversation’s broader aim of making expert knowledge more accessible to the public.

Hosts and Format

Katie Edwards brings editorial expertise in health and medicine, while Dan Baumgardt contributes clinical practice experience and academic insight. The episodes typically explore a viral health trend, followed by an in-depth interview with a researcher actively investigating the topic. This structure provides both context and evidence, helping listeners understand the science behind popular health narratives.

Topics Highlighted

The article notes several discussed topics, including the vagus nerve and the idea of resetting it, the concept of period scooping, and the question of whether flashing light can influence mental processes. While these examples illustrate the show’s range, they also reflect its focus on current viral health trends and the science driving ongoing research in these areas.

Availability and Season 2

Strange Health is available for viewing on YouTube and listening on platforms like Spotify, with additional options to listen via an RSS feed. The show’s producers are planning a second season to air in the autumn, and they invite audience questions about viral health trends for future episodes by emailing strangehealth@theconversation.com.

Context and Engagement

The piece emphasizes audience engagement beyond episode publication, inviting listeners to contribute questions that can guide future explorations of viral health trends. This approach aligns with a broader trend in science communication that seeks participatory dialogue between researchers and the public.

Conclusion

Winning the Publisher Podcast Award demonstrates Strange Health’s effective combination of accessible host-led discussion and specialist interview-based insight. With season two on the horizon and multiple platforms for access, the show offers a model for presenting health science in a way that is both engaging and scientifically rigorous.