The Groove Radio, an independent mixtape podcast created and hosted by New York City-based DJ Suzy Chase, has been named one of The Best Independent Podcasts of 2026 in the Best Music Podcasts category by Ear Worthy. This recognition comes as the show marks its 20th anniversary, having launched in 2005 as the first mixtape podcast, years before playlists, algorithms, and optimization reshaped music discovery.
The importance of this recognition lies in its validation of human curation in an increasingly algorithm-driven media landscape. Over two decades, The Groove Radio has quietly established itself as a podcasting pioneer, surpassing 8 million lifetime downloads while maintaining its original mission. Ear Worthy highlighted the show's distinctive approach, noting its focus on curating soul, R&B, and yacht rock playlists that offer themed mixtapes and deeper dives into music scoring life's moments.
The show's longevity and recent accolade underscore a growing counter-movement to algorithm-based content delivery. In an era where listening has become "something optimized rather than felt," as Ear Worthy described, The Groove Radio represents an alternative model that prioritizes personal connection and discovery. The podcast features guest artists and personal stories, aiming to provide good soul music often missed on mainstream radio.
For the industry, this recognition signals that there remains significant audience appetite for human-curated content despite the dominance of algorithmic recommendations. The Groove Radio's success demonstrates that niche programming with consistent quality can build a sustainable audience over time, reaching milestones like 8 million downloads without relying on the optimization tools that define modern digital media.
Listeners can access the podcast through multiple platforms including TheGrooveRadio.com, Apple Podcasts, and TuneIn. The show is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary with "TGR Unplugged," a limited series of nine songs and nine stories that reflects on how music found audiences before algorithms dominated discovery. This anniversary series serves as both a retrospective and a statement about the value of human-led curation in digital media.
