The PennZone

LOS ANGELES - PennZone -- The Ten News, a podcast produced by Small But Mighty Media and Next Chapter Podcasts, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Ambie Award for Best News Podcast. This standout achievement is made more special by the fact that The Ten News was the only children's news podcast nominated in a category dominated by media giants such as NPR, WSJ, CBC, Vox, and Slate.

Hosted by Pamela Kirkland and Ryan Willard and created by Tracy Leeds Kaplan, The Ten News has revolutionized how young listeners engage with current events, offering insightful and accessible news stories in a way that sparks curiosity and critical thinking among children. As the only children's podcast nominated in the Best News Podcast category, The Ten News has paved the way for a new generation of young listeners to engage with the world around them.

"The Ambie Award win was a tremendous moment for the show and our team. It showed that the Podcast Academy members recognize the need at this moment for shows that aren't afraid to tell the truth and that young listeners deserve to be part of the conversation and not left out," said Tracy Leeds Kaplan.

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"I love working on the show because even though I've been in journalism for nearly 20 years, I learn so much trying to find a way to explain some of these complex topics like the economy and foreign affairs to kids. When you break things down into these little digestible pieces, it really opens up a whole new part of the story. And I absolutely love hearing from the kids who say they enjoy it and like spending time learning with us," said Pamela Kirkland. "Working at the Ten News has been one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs I've ever had. We have a lot of responsibility; journalism is never easy, but we get to make it fun. And at the end of the day, we get to help young minds grow by presenting facts in creative ways to keep kids cool, kind and informed," said Ryan Willard.

The Ten News stood out for its exceptional ability to communicate news stories in an engaging yet thoughtful manner, keeping the attention of young listeners while tackling serious topics like climate change, social justice, and world events. The podcast's unique format, combining storytelling with current affairs, has been praised by parents, educators, and critics alike for fostering a more informed and empathetic next generation.

The Ambies, presented by the Podcast Academy, are recognized as the premier awards in the podcasting industry, celebrating the excellence of creators and innovators in the podcasting world. The Ten News's win further solidifies its reputation as a trailblazer in children's content and news programming.