Aussie indie crashes US podcast charts, takes on NYT and NPR
What I Survived also reached number one in the Documentary Podcasts chart and number four in the Society and Culture chart.
Mashed Pumpkin Productions has broken into the highly competitive US podcast market, with its latest series – What I Survived – charting inside the top tier of Apple Podcasts.
The Queensland-based independent network reached number 31 in the overall US chart, alongside major players including The New York Times, iHeartMedia and NPR.
Rapid rise in the US market
Launched on February 18, 2026, What I Survived also reached number one in the Documentary Podcasts chart and number four in the Society and Culture chart within its first 47 days.
Hosted and produced by founder Jack Laurence, the show has generated more than 440,000 downloads since launch.
At its peak, the series recorded over 200,000 downloads in a single week, including a daily high of 61,000 downloads following an editorial feature on the Apple Podcasts US homepage.
Competing with global giants
The achievement is notable given that Mashed Pumpkin Productions operates independently in Queensland and competes against major US podcast networks, including Wondery and Barstool Sports.
Laurence said the breakthrough into the US market had been a long-term goal.
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“It’s honestly wild to see my show sitting amongst some serious heavy hitters… it’s a market I’ve been trying to crack for the last four years,” he said.
Survival stories resonate
The series focuses on first-hand accounts of extreme survival and psychological recovery, covering events such as plane hijackings, hostage situations, shipwrecks and life-threatening accidents.
The show has built a strong US audience, which now accounts for approximately 74% of total listenership, with New York, Los Angeles and Chicago among its top markets.
Network growth continues
The milestone comes as Mashed Pumpkin Productions surpasses 15 million all-time downloads across its network, including One Minute Remaining, Crime at Bedtime, and Mysteries at Bedtime.
The network recorded 868,000 downloads in the past 30 days, marking 18% year-on-year growth.
Laurence credited his commercial radio background for helping drive success in podcasting.
“Having worked in radio for 15 years definitely gave me an advantage… but there’s also an element of luck,” he said.
“Landing that feature on the US Apple platform was totally unexpected, but I’m extremely grateful.”
Main image: Mashed Pumpkin Productions
