The 2013 LLVLC Paleo Podcast Awards

Being a part of the ever-expanding low-carb, Paleo and real foods-based health podcasting community (which has dominated the iTunes podcast charts) is one of the most gratifying parts of what I have the honor and privilege of doing as part of my work with “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb.” I have enjoyed watching this movement grow exponentially year after year thanks to the hard-working efforts of so many incredible people who are fully dedicated to getting the message out over the airwaves through the magic of iTunes podcasts. A decade ago, nobody had ever heard of podcasts–but now they’re everywhere! It’s one of the best ways to stay connected through your computer or smart device to the latest developments and leaders of alternative health information today.

And because there has been such a huge influx of incredible health podcasts that have come along in the past couple of years or so, I’ve decided to honor those low-carb, Paleo and real foods-based podcasters who have served their listeners well and represented Paleo in a positive light to the masses in 2013. To that end, let me share with you The 2013 LLVLC Paleo Podcast Awards in three primary categories: best Paleo podcasts, breakthrough Paleo podcasts, and (just for fun!) the best Paleo podcasts nobody has heard of (but they should be listening to!). Customized microphone trophies were created and shipped out to each of the winners this week as my personal show of thanks to them for making us all proud in the world of Paleo podcasting. Additionally, I wanted to give some recognition to the Top 10 in each category in this post as well as a few brand spankin’ new health podcasts you’ll want to keep an eye on in 2014:

BEST PALEO PODCAST OF 2013

1. The Fat-Burning Man Show with Abel James
When I grow up someday, I want to have a deep, rich voice that sound like Abel James. But beyond those vocal cords, Abel is genuinely one of kindest, most humble human beings you’ll ever meet with talent coming out the wazoo for interviewing people and getting the best out of them. He’s definitely found his niche and is perfecting his craft week after week on this well-produced podcast. His infectious smile and warm on-air demeanor shines through loud and clear and this just can’t be taught–he was born to be doing what he’s doing right now. Watching his podcast rise to the top of the iTunes Health podcast charts earlier this year (kicking that obnoxious Jillian Michaels out of the #1 position) was a pivotal moment in this massive shift that is taking place regarding the public discussion of health. I see Abel being a critical element in helping Paleo continue to penetrate our culture even more in the years to come.

2. The Paleo Solution with Robb Wolf
3. Underground Wellness Radio with Sean Croxton
4. Balanced Bites Podcast with Diane Sanfilippo and Liz Wolfe
5. Latest In Paleo with Angelo Coppola
6. Paleo Lifestyle And Fitness Podcast with Sarah Fragoso and Jason Seib
7. Not Just Paleo Podcast with Evan Brand
8. The Paleohacks Podcast with Clark Danger
9. Revolution Health Radio with Chris Kresser
10. Dishing Up Nutrition with Darlene Kvist

BREAKTHROUGH PALEO PODCAST OF 2013

1. Bulletproof Executive Radio with Dave Asprey
What else can you say about Dave Asprey (check out his lecture from the 2013 Low-Carb Cruise) but “WOW!” While he’s best known for his very famous Bulletproof Coffee concept, his engaging podcast took a meteoric rise up the iTunes health charts in 2013 catapulting him to the very top of the list where he has remained for the most part of the past six months and counting. Dave is a thinking man’s podcaster putting out alternative health information that quite frankly is some of the most compelling audio you’ll ever hear on this subject. Yes, he can get pretty technical at times and gets his geek on about things like mycotoxins. But there’s no denying he’s now a major force to be reckoned with in the health debate. I’m so glad he’s gonna be one of our featured guest speakers on the 2014 Low-Carb Cruise in May.

2. The Smarter Science Of Slim with Jonathan Bailor
3. Ben Greenfield Fitness with Ben Greenfield
4. Relentless Roger & The Caveman Doctor with Roger Dickerman & Dr. Colin Champ
5. Paleo Magazine Radio with Tony Federico
6. The Angriest Trainer with Vinnie Tortorich and Anna Vocino
7. The Paleo View with Sarah Ballantyne and Stacy Toth
8. The Dr. Axe Show with Dr. Josh Axe
9. Amy Myers, MD Functional Medicine
10. The Fit, Fat, Fast Podcast with Jon Smith & Debbie Potts

BEST PALEO PODCAST NOBODY HAS HEARD OF

1. Dan French Healthy Comedian
I had to have some fun with this category because there are some truly remarkable Paleo podcasts that for one reason or another may not have as many listeners as the quality of their show merits. Paleo weight loss success Dan French is one such example of this. He’s a stand-up comic trying to impact his fellow comedians with the Paleo message. In fact, his comedian co-host Lawrence Thomas (who you may have seen in the latest “Pig In A Blanket” Geico TV commercial) is openly following a low-carb Paleo diet with great success so far. Add in various voices of health experts with a side of funny and you’ve got the recipe for a uniquely hilarious podcast on a serious subject. If you’re not already listening to this podcast, then you owe it to yourself to give it a try and kick yourself for not finding it sooner. Dan would kick you himself if he could.

2. Dr. Lo Radio Show with Dr. Lauren Noel
3. That Paleo Show with Dr. Brett Hill, Dr. Janah James & Stephanie Wasylyk
4. Smash The Fat with Sam Feltham
5. Live To 110 with Dr. Wendy Myers
6. The Optimal Health Show with Ameer Rosic
7. Born Primal with Kendall Kendrick
8. Primal Diet – Modern Health with Beverly Meyer
9. The Primal Shift with Crystal Fieldhouse, Jo Fitton, and Charby Ibrahim
10. The Wellness Guys with Dr. Laurence Tham, Dr. Brett Hill, and Dr. Damian Kristof

And here are 10 up-and-coming Paleo podcasts to keep an eye on in 2014:
1. Paleo, Love & Transformation with Camille Macres
2. Ask The RD with Kelsey Marksteiner & Laura Schoenfeld
3. The Rebooted Body Podcast with Kevin Geary
4. EcoFit Health Radio with Kevin Davis
5. Keep Health Alive Podcast with Justin Manning
6. bFitandLive with Phil Ferrante
7. The Paleo Roundtable Podcast with Nick Chester & Chris Nabzdyk
8. The Good Doctors with Dr. Ron Ehrlich & Dr. Michelle Woolhouse
9. Dean Grimshawe Radio
10. Freda Mooncotch

CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners in each of these categories and let’s keep it going in 2014! Are there any low-carb, Paleo or real foods-based podcasts that I neglected to mention that you feel should have been included in any of these categories? Feel free to share YOUR favorites in the comments section below. It’s so awesome to have such a plethora of resources at our fingertips now to become educated, encouraged and inspired in nutrition and health. May this continue to be the trend as we move the message forward in the coming years.