Toni and Ryan
| Toni and Ryan | |
|---|---|
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | Toni Lodge Ryan Jon Dunn |
| Genre | Comedy, conversational |
| Language | English |
| Production | |
| No. of episodes | 1,000+ (as of 2025) |
| Publication | |
| Website | toniandryan |
Search Toni and Ryan on Amazon.
Toni and Ryan is an Australian comedy podcast hosted by Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon Dunn (known professionally as Ryan Jon). Based in Melbourne, the show launched on 22 August 2021 and features daily episodes covering humour, dating stories, pop culture commentary, and audience-submitted segments. The podcast consistently attracts over three million monthly downloads and has a global fanbase known as TARPers (Toni And Ryan Podcast-ers).[1]
Both hosts had prior careers in Australian commercial radio before transitioning to independent podcasting full-time. The show gained international recognition in 2025 when it won the People's Voice Award for Best Comedy Podcast Episode at the 29th Annual Webby Awards, and won the Listener's Choice Award at the Australian Podcast Awards in 2024.[2][3]
History
Origins and launch
Lodge and Dunn met while both working in the Australian commercial radio industry. Lodge was employed as an audio and imaging producer, having worked on the Jase & PJ breakfast show on KIIS 101.1 in Melbourne and previously as an imaging and commercial producer with Southern Cross Austereo (SCA).[4] Dunn was a presenter on KIIS Melbourne's Workdays program, and had earlier worked in radio in Perth at hit92.9.[5]
After creating short comedy videos together that went viral on TikTok and Instagram Reels — accumulating over 20 million views — the pair recorded a demo episode and decided to launch a podcast.[6] The first episode of Toni and Ryan was released on 22 August 2021.[7] Both hosts subsequently left their radio positions to focus on the podcast full-time, describing the show as a project that began as a side-hustle during the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]
Growth and hosting changes
The podcast was initially distributed via Megaphone, before entering an arrangement with Spotify from approximately 2022 to 2024. In August 2024, coinciding with the podcast's third anniversary, Lodge and Dunn announced a new multi-year partnership with Acast, joining the Acast Creator Network. As part of this move, full-length video episodes became available on YouTube for the first time.[9]
Despite receiving offers from Spotify and major Australian radio networks, the hosts chose to remain independent creators. Dunn commented at the time that they preferred having their own team and studio, stating he would continue to focus on making content while Acast managed advertising and sponsorships.[9]
By 2025, the podcast had released over 1,000 episodes and reported more than three million monthly downloads, with audiences primarily in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. The show's combined social media following exceeded 4.2 million across platforms.[2]
Hosts
Toni Lodge
Toni Lodge is an Australian comedian, author, and podcast host. She grew up in Perth, Western Australia, and studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). She has a background in sound engineering across live production, broadcast, and the arts.[4] Before co-founding Toni and Ryan, she worked as the imaging producer on the Jase & PJ show on KIIS 101.1 and later served as executive producer of the She's On The Money podcast suite.[6] She also hosted a solo podcast called One Trick Toni.
In 2023, Lodge published a memoir titled I Don't Need Therapy: (and other lies I've told myself) through Allen & Unwin. The book discusses her experiences with grief following the death of her mother, mental health, and personal identity, told through a comedic lens.[10] Lodge lives in Melbourne with her fiancé and French Bulldog named Pippa.
Ryan Jon Dunn
Ryan Jon Dunn, known professionally as Ryan Jon, is an Australian radio personality, content creator, and podcast host. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne and later completed an MBA at Melbourne Business School.[11] His radio career included presenting roles at hit92.9 in Perth and on the Workdays program at KIIS 101.1 Melbourne.[5]
Dunn was adopted and has publicly spoken about his experience searching for his birth mother.[5] He lives in Melbourne with his wife, Brigitte.
Format and segments
Toni and Ryan follows a conversational, unscripted format. The hosts have noted that they do not tell each other what topics they plan to discuss before recording, in order to preserve natural reactions.[11] Episodes typically run around 33 minutes in length and are released daily on weekdays.
The show features several recurring audience-interactive segments, including:
- "Normal or Nah" — listeners submit everyday scenarios and the hosts debate whether the behaviour is normal or unusual.
- "Confessions" — anonymous listener submissions read aloud on the show.
- "Things You Can Say" — a comedic word-association game pairing two contrasting locations (e.g., "Things you can say on the golf course and in the bedroom").
The show also includes pop culture discussions, dating stories, and comedic recommendations. A recurring cast member known as Charles (a producer) contributes live reactions and research during episodes, and has become a fan favourite.[12]
Community and live events
The podcast's listener community is known as TARPers, an acronym for "Toni And Ryan Podcast-ers". The community is active across a dedicated Facebook group and on social media, and played a significant role in the show's Webby Award win, where the People's Voice Award is determined entirely by public vote — with Toni and Ryan securing over 50 per cent of votes in their category.[2]
Lodge and Dunn have hosted in-person listener meet-ups and events across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.[13] In early 2023, the pair organised a stunt at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the Ashes series, convincing thousands of fans to attend Day 3 dressed as Toni, which attracted widespread media attention.[14]
In late 2025, the show launched Podcastaway, a competition offering a TARPer and guest a trip to Fiji to watch a live podcast recording, meet the hosts, and participate in podcast content creation.[15]
Publications
Lodge's memoir, I Don't Need Therapy: (and other lies I've told myself), was published in 2023 by Allen & Unwin. The book covers themes of grief, mental health, identity, and humour, drawing from Lodge's personal life including the loss of her mother to cancer. It received positive reception from the podcast's fanbase, with over 9,000 ratings on Goodreads.[10] The audiobook edition was narrated by Lodge herself and published by Wavesound from W. F. Howes.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Australian Podcast Awards | Listener's Choice Award | Won |
| 2025 | Webby Awards (29th Annual) | People's Voice Award — Best Comedy Podcast Episode | Won |
At the Webby Awards ceremony, held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City and hosted by Ilana Glazer, Lodge and Dunn delivered a five-word acceptance speech in keeping with the event's tradition. Other nominees in the category included Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, SmartLess, Armchair Expert, and The Oprah Podcast.[3][2]
See also
References
- ↑ "Toni and Ryan Podcast". Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Edwards, Aimee (14 May 2025). "Fans Drive Webby Win For Aussie Podcasters Toni & Ryan". B&T Magazine. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Aussies Toni and Ryan scoop coveted award at Webby Awards". Mediaweek. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Toni Lodge – Guest Profile". The Daily Talk Show. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Ryan Jon – Guest Profile". The Daily Talk Show. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Toni Lodge & Ryan Jon launch new podcast". Radio Today. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ "Toni and Ryan Podcast – 10 Best Episodes". Goodpods. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ Disalvo, Tom (16 January 2026). "Toni Lodge & Ryan Jon Spill On Quitting Their Day Jobs & Launching Their 'Yuge Podcast". Pedestrian.TV. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Toni and Ryan to move to Acast on 3 year anniversary". Podnews. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lodge, Toni (2023). I Don't Need Therapy: (and other lies I've told myself). Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-1-76106-769-3. Search this book on
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Swinburne commerce alum turned Webby Award-winning podcast star". Swinburne University of Technology. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ Apple Podcasts — Toni and Ryan user reviews. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ "Toni Lodge". Radiodays Europe. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ "Toni Lodge – Top podcast episodes". Listen Notes. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ "Podcastaway – Terms & Conditions". toniandryan.com.au. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
External links
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