MBTA’s Spilling the T Podcast Wins First Place 2025 APTA AdWheel Award for Best Electronic Media Educational Marketing and Communications Initiative

The MBTA is pleased to announce its Spilling the T podcast has won the first place 2025 AdWheel Award in the Best Marketing and Communications Initiative (Educational Initiative - Electronic Media) category from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), an international nonprofit association in North America that represents all modes of public transportation, including bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail.

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has prioritized expanding engagement with community members, advocates, business leaders, and public transportation users,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “The Spilling the T podcast has been an invaluable tool in educating the public about MBTA services, projects, and initiatives. We are grateful to the dedicated team behind the podcast, whose work helps inform riders and highlights the improvements happening across the organization.”

“I’m very proud that our Customer and Employee Experience team has been recognized by APTA for their efforts as the number 1 initiative across the country to restore public confidence through innovative transparency efforts like the Spilling the T podcast,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made communication a priority, and Spilling the T helps us connect with our riders and employees with an open and transparent manner, providing insight into the MBTA and transit industry. We look forward to producing even more episodes for the public to enjoy and hope everyone tunes in!”

First place in the Best Marketing and Communications Initiative (Educational Initiative - Electronic Media) category is awarded to an Agency that exemplifies exceptional strategies in educational transit communications that better inform the riding public. Award winners are leaders in strengthening connections between the Agency and its communities through innovative public communication.

Produced completely in-house by the Customer and Employee Experience team, Spilling the T is the MBTA’s monthly, interview-style podcast that takes listeners behind the scenes with MBTA leadership, staff, and transit advocates, strengthening the T’s connection with its community through storytelling and direct communication with riders and the public. With a focus on transparency and rebuilding public trust with riders, Spilling the T offers a firsthand look at transit operations and more, detailing the work underway to enhance reliability, safety, and the rider experience while sharing candid updates on the MBTA’s improvements and future aspirations. Featured guests have included MassDOT Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt and General Manager Phillip Eng among many others.

Spilling the T is available where you get your podcasts:

The MBTA’s Customer and Employee Experience team also previously won APTA AdWheel Awards for its HR on the GO/Hiring on the Spot initiative (Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development) and “Wally Takes the T” video campaign (Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales).