Podcasts are to radio as streaming companies are to tv, and we’re fortunate sufficient to be residing by means of the golden age of both. You can discover a podcast about nearly something lately, however with nice selection comes nice mediocrity—you would possibly want a serving to hand to seek out the very best podcasts worthy of your ear. Our expertly curated checklist will entertain and educate you, whether or not you’re doing the dishes, understanding, commuting, or lazing within the bathtub.
For extra recommendation, try our information on how to listen to more podcasts, the best podcasts for kids, and for those who’re feeling entrepreneurial, learn our suggestions on the gear you need to start a podcast.
Table of Contents
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The Dropout
Sneak a peek behind the scenes, as this podcast follows the trials and tribulations of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, the tech startup that promised to disrupt blood testing however disintegrated within the face of whistleblowers, inaccurate outcomes, and fraudulent claims. John Carreyrou’s reporting broke the scandal, and his e-book Bad Blood additionally spawned one other interesting podcast. But The Dropout is a refreshingly clear recounting of the sordid story, with season two tackling the trial.
Reply All
Beautifully paced and all the time convivial, Reply All drags you down web rabbit holes to research long-forgotten songs, telephone scammers, hacked Snapchat accounts, and Team Fortress 2 bots. The present suffered something of a scandal and accusations of hypocrisy for reporting on a poisonous and racist office, which led to long-term host PJ Vogt and producer Sruthi Pinnamaneni leaving. Luckily, Emmanuel Dzotsi stepped in and Alex Goldman remained—it is nonetheless an expertly crafted and endlessly creative podcast with one thing to say.
Twenty Thousand Hertz
Painstakingly researched, this podcast dives deep into the world of sound to clarify every little thing from these sounds you all the time hear in film trailers to automotive engines, choral music to the Netflix intro, and means past. Learn how iconic sounds have been created, why sure sounds make us really feel the way in which they do, and the way sound enriches our lives in myriad methods.
Other Great Tech Podcasts:
- WIRED’s Gadget Lab: Want to make amends for the week’s high tech information? Listen to our very personal podcast hosted by senior author Lauren Goode and senior editor Michael Calore.
- The Lazarus Heist: This fascinating investigation begins with the Sony hacks, digging into the involvement of North Korean hackers, and strikes on to a billion-dollar cyber theft.
The Last Days of August
Jon Ronson is a grasp storyteller who brings an inquisitive, empathetic, and barely neurotic intelligence to bear on fascinating tales nobody has advised. Following on from The Butterfly Effect (only on Audible), which delves into the collision of tech with the pornography trade, The Last Days of August investigates the premature dying of porn performer August Ames. All of Ronson’s different podcasts are equally glorious (we suggest Things Fell Apart and So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed), however this can be a great spot to begin.
Day X
It’s a testomony to the tumultuous occasions we dwell in that the prospect of a wide-reaching far-right plot intent on bringing down the democratic authorities is an outline that would match many countries proper now. But Day X is a sobering take a look at the neo-Nazi specter in modern-day Germany, its potential infiltration of police and authorities, and a plan involving a navy officer and a faked refugee identification.
Revisionist History
This eclectic mixture of quirky tales sees Malcolm Gladwell deal with misunderstood occasions and barely mentioned concepts, veering from topics like Toyota’s automotive recall to underhand throwing basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain, and even the firebombing of Tokyo on the finish of World War II. Gladwell freely mixes analysis and opinion and enjoys difficult typical views, however each episode comprises fascinating details and fascinating tales you seemingly have by no means heard earlier than.
Other Great Society Podcasts:
- Missing Richard Simmons: Ebullient health guru Richard Simmons was in every single place, and this podcast charts an investigative reporter’s makes an attempt to seek out out why he disappeared.
- The Moth: This podcast provides random people the prospect to inform deeply private tales to a crowd of strangers and reinforces simply how bizarre people are.
- The Trojan Horse Affair: This story unpacks the British scandal over an alleged try by Islamist extremists to take over a Birmingham faculty and radicalize the scholars.
Sounds Like a Cult
Fanatical fringe teams have by no means been so prevalent, and there’s one thing greater than slightly cultish about superstar stans, multilevel advertising, and marathon runners—simply three of the topics this lighthearted podcast unpacks. The hosts—author and linguist Amanda Montell and documentary filmmaker and comic Isabela Medina-Maté—are witty and irreverent, so that is all the time a enjoyable hear.
The Read
Brutally trustworthy comedians with chemistry, Kid Fury and Crissle West recap and evaluation all the newest popular culture information and provides their harsh opinions on every little thing. Insightful, humorous, difficult, and refreshingly completely different from the podcast pack, these sprawling conversations run for a few hours, masking latest occasions and ceaselessly relating social justice, psychological well being, race, and sexual identification.
Forever35
Like eavesdropping on conversations between relatable besties, Forever35 began as a bodily self-care podcast however expanded to debate psychological well being, relationships, and some other matter that appeals to LA-based writers Doree Shafrir and Kate Spencer. They go from chatting about serums and lotions to seasonal affective dysfunction and the right way to take care of a brand new stepmother as an grownup—however all the time in a enjoyable, inclusive, and down-to-earth means.
Other Great Culture Podcasts:
- Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard: Now a Spotify unique, this typically humorous and all the time insightful podcast seeks out human truths and generally finds them.
- Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy: Ably hosted by writer David Barr Kirtley, this sci-fi fantasy extravaganza digs into fascinating subjects with the assistance of achieved company like Neil Gaiman, Brent Spiner, and Steven Pinker.
- Welcome to Our Show: A warming dose of nostalgia and luxury for New Girl followers as Zooey Deschanel, Hannah Simone, and Lamorne Morris rewatch the present collectively.
- The Allusionist: If you have an interest in phrases, this witty however accessible present will delight you because it unpacks the evolution of slang, explains euphemisms, and customarily celebrates language.
Criminal
Soothing and soporific host Phoebe Judge unravels fascinating tales with reverence on this polished manufacturing in regards to the spectrum of crime. Criminals, victims, attorneys, police, historians, and others whose lives have been altered by crime voice their tales as Judge rigorously avoids the sensational and exploitative by respectfully teasing out the guts of every topic.
S-Town
Give this compelling thriller 5 minutes and you will be hooked. The gifted host, Brian Reed, investigates a small city in Alabama on the behest of eccentric horologist John B. McLemore, who claims the son of a rich household has gotten away with homicide. The script, pacing, enhancing, music—principally every little thing about this manufacturing is ideal.
Chameleon: Hollywood Con Queen
Murder could dominate this style, however there are different fascinating tales value telling on the planet of crime, like this one, which is a few scammer posing as a Hollywood mogul. This bizarre, compelling, investigative podcast unwinds a deeply satisfying twisty story that’s mercifully freed from blood and violence. The second season, Wild Boys, tells a totally new story.
Other Great True Crime Podcasts:
- The Clearing: The households of serial killers typically search obscurity (understandably), however which means we by no means hear their tales. That’s one thing this podcast about April Balascio, daughter of American serial killer Edward Wayne Edwards, rectifies.
- The Trials of Frank Carson: Police and prosecutors go after the protection lawyer who has been beating them in courtroom for years, sparking accusations of conspiracy and one of many longest trials in US historical past.
- Sweet Bobby: This British catfishing story charts profitable radio presenter Kirat’s relationship with good-looking heart specialist Bobby, and issues get impossibly bizarre.
- Dr. Death: This gripping podcast focuses on incompetent or psychopathic (perhaps each) ex-surgeon Christopher Duntsch and exposes terrifying institutional failures.
- Crimetown: A forensic examination of organized crime in American cities, this slick podcast comes from the supremely gifted makers of The Jinx.
- Hunting Warhead: A journalist, a hacker, and a few detectives go after a chilling baby abuse ring led by a prison generally known as Warhead on this tactfully advised and thorough podcast.
Maintenance Phase
The worlds of wellness and weight reduction are awash with questionable merchandise and recommendation, so a podcast to debunk fads and junk science with reasoned argument and analysis is welcome. It’s extra enjoyable than it sounds, because of the entertaining hosts, and there’s even a captivating episode on the favored idiom “snake oil” that recounts the historical past of well being scams.
Hidden Brain
An absorbing deep dive into human conduct with the assistance of psychologists, sociologists, and different consultants, Hidden Brain is densely filled with informative nuggets. The host, NPR’s achieved science correspondent Shankar Vedantam, skillfully renders advanced concepts accessible and provides us all extra perception into the interior workings of our minds.
The Infinite Monkey Cage
This whimsical present, hosted by physicist Brian Cox and comic Robin Ince, poses questions like “Does time exist?”—that are then debated by a various panel of three company, often a mixture of consultants and entertainers. Definitive solutions are briefly provide, nevertheless it’s all the time articulate, enthusiastic, and thought-provoking.
Other Great Science Podcasts:
- Science Rules!: Bill Nye, the science man, groups up with science author Corey Powell to query consultants on all types of fascinating science-related subjects.
- Stuff You Should Know: Prizing data for its personal sake and scary wholesome curiosity, this podcast is comical, charming, and stuffed with fascinating conversational nuggets.
The Indicator
This Planet Money spin-off delivers digestible, fast-paced, well-told tales on enterprise and the financial system that deal with disparate subjects like TikTook advertising, opioid nasal sprays, and ticket scalpers. Each enlightening episode is available in underneath 10 minutes and serves as a fast primer that may depart you feeling nicely knowledgeable.
Freakonomics Radio
Promising to delve into the “hidden side of everything,” this long-running, data-driven present is hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, coauthor of the Freakonomics books, and it frequently options economist Steven Levitt. It’s a intelligent mixture of economics and popular culture that flows simply and balances leisure with training, presenting each side of debates whereas consulting related company.
Macro Musings
If you lengthy to grasp the financial system higher, this topical present, hosted by David Beckworth of the Mercatus Center, interrogates a various subject of economists, professionals, and lecturers to convey you invaluable insights. It is critical stuff on macroeconomics and financial coverage, however the conversations do a strong job unpacking advanced subjects.
Other Great Economics Podcasts:
- Planet Money: This top-notch podcast has entertaining, digestible, and relatable tales in regards to the financial system, unraveling every little thing from well being care to revenue taxes.
- EconTalk: This no-frills present sees economist Russ Roberts have interaction in sprawling conversations with writers and lecturers on a spread of economics subjects.
Best Celebrity Interview Podcasts
The Adam Buxton Podcast
Consummate conversationalist Adam Buxton is all the time witty and nicely ready, and he has interviewed so many fascinating folks in his long-running present, from Charlie Brooker to Jeff Goldblum. Ostensibly rambling, Buxton skillfully pulls fascinating insights from his interview topics, bouncing between private lives, work, and standard tradition with seeming ease.
Life Is Short With Justin Long
Likable actor Justin Long and his brother Christian host this enthusiastic, sprawling, light interview present the place they chat with company like Zack Snyder, Kristen Bell, and Billy Crudup. The siblings get sidetracked by nostalgic reminiscences and occasional bickering, which type of makes the present, however they’re all the time beneficiant and type to their company.
SmartLess
Charming and goofy, this conversational present stars Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes, and so they all the time have a shock superstar visitor, like Ryan Reynolds or Reese Witherspoon. It is heat, light, simple listening, and sometimes laugh-out-loud humorous, however don’t anticipate difficult questions or bared souls.
Other Great Celebrity Interview Podcasts:
- WTF With Marc Maron: Self-deprecating, sardonic, supremely expert interviewer Marc Maron interviews a few of the world’s most well-known folks, from Barack Obama to Paul McCartney.
- Grounded With Louis Theroux: A soothingly light facade belies Louis Theroux’s capacity to attract fascinating insights from his topics with tact and humor.
Sports Wars
Epic rivalries and long-anticipated showdowns are an enormous a part of the enduring attraction of sports activities, so this slick manufacturing focuses on them. Rivalries like Federer vs. Nadal in tennis and Tyson vs. Holyfield in boxing are defined in a couple of episodes apiece by host Dan Rubenstein, who digs into their backgrounds to grasp why some face-offs get so extremely charged.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
This massively standard sports activities podcast options fast-paced roundtable conversations with athletes and celebrities that often concentrate on the NFL or NBA. Unfiltered opinions, witty remarks, and encyclopedic sports activities data collide, however that is enthusiastic and accessible sufficient for informal sports activities followers to get pleasure from.
The PosCast
Primarily targeted on baseball, this long-running podcast generally covers different sports activities and sometimes meanders off into comical conversations. Guests supply amusing anecdotes, however the chemistry between hosts Joe Posnanski and Michael Schur, who can debate endlessly about any previous nonsense, is what makes this present so particular.
Other Great Sports Podcasts:
- Undr the Cosh: Open and trustworthy banter from ex-professional soccer (soccer) gamers, as they discuss to present execs and recount hilarious on- and off-pitch anecdotes.
- Around the NFL: This humorous, fast-paced take a look at the National Football League runs by means of all the newest soccer information, mixing anecdotes and evaluation.
- 32 Thoughts: A slickly produced, insightful dive into all the newest hockey information and controversy from knowledgable hosts who bounce off one another.
How Did This Get Made?
We have all requested this of a film in some unspecified time in the future, however hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas invite visitor creatives to have heated and hilarious chats about a few of the worst movies ever. Movies which are so dangerous they’re entertaining, from Face/Off to Junior to The Room, are dissected and completely ridiculed.
Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review
Respected movie critic Mark Kermode has an infectious love of films and an unimaginable depth of information in regards to the world of movie, and Simon Mayo is a extremely expert, veteran radio presenter. Together they focus on the newest films, interview top-tier administrators and actors, and invite views from their listeners.
You Must Remember This
Diving into Hollywood myths to research and uncover the reality about notorious secrets and techniques, scandals, and legends from Tinseltown is a compelling premise for a present, and gifted creator and host Karina Longworth makes essentially the most of it. The “Dead Blondes” sequence, which incorporates Marilyn Monroe, the run on Manson, and the “Frances Farmer” episode, are among the many greatest.
Other Great Movie Podcasts:
- The Rewatchables: Bill Simmons and a rotating solid of cohosts focus on and analyze beloved films and dig up fascinating nuggets of trivia.
- Lights Camera Barstool: Reviews, interviews, rankings, and accessible chats in regards to the films with popular culture debates on random questions thrown in.
- Black Men Can’t Jump [in Hollywood]: This comedic film evaluation podcast highlights movies that includes actors of shade and analyzes them in depth, with a watch on race and variety.
Darkest Night
Horror followers will get pleasure from reliving the final grotesque moments of assorted corpses which have landed on the mysterious Roth-Lobdow Institute on this deliciously creepy and sometimes gross chiller. Wonderful narration from Lee Pace, appearing from the likes of Denis O’Hare, Missi Pyle, and RuPaul, and intelligent sound design mix to make for a memorably thrilling experience that you simply simply know goes to finish badly.
Hello From the Magic Tavern
Thoroughly absurd, this fantasy improv-comedy present is the brainchild of Chicago comic Arnie Niekamp, who falls by means of a portal at a Burger King and results in the magical world of Foon. The role-playing recreation and fantasy references come thick and quick, company play weird characters of their very own creation, and dependable listeners are rewarded with foolish long-running gags and wealthy lore.
We Fix Space Junk
Short and candy episodes of this sci-fi comedy-drama match neatly into gaps in your day and whisk you away to a nightmare company dystopia in a galaxy fraught with evil synthetic intelligence and monstrous aliens. Struggling restore technician Kilner will get caught with a wealthy homicide suspect and her polar reverse, Samantha Trapp, after by chance smuggling her throughout the galaxy on this polished present with a definite Eighties really feel.
Other Great Fiction Podcasts:
- The Bright Sessions: The remedy classes of mysterious psychologist Dr. Bright, bookended by voice notes, type intriguing quick episodes, as all of her sufferers appear to have particular skills.
- Welcome to Night Vale: This pioneering creepy present is offered as a group radio broadcast from a desert city beset by paranormal and supernatural happenings.
Nice Try!
Striving for utopia has led to the event of some fascinating communities over time, and season one in every of Nice Try! delves into their historical past, tries to grasp the idealism that drove them, and why these communities in the end failed. Season two strikes on to way of life expertise, from doorbells to vacuums, all designed to assist us understand a private utopia within the preferrred residence.
Revolutions
The trendy world was formed by a few of the concepts that drove revolutions, and this deeply researched sequence runs by means of the English Civil War, American, French, Haitian, and Russian revolutions, Simon Bolivar’s liberation of South America, and extra. The writing is concise, the narration is participating, and host Mike Duncan does a unbelievable job contextualizing revolutionary occasions and characters.
The Memory Palace
An ephemeral, dreamy, emotional high quality elevates these tales of seemingly random moments from the previous, expertly advised by the eloquent Nate DiMeo and backed by great sound design. These distilled tales function historic snapshots of not often mentioned occasions, and it’s arduous to think about one other podcast as clever and poignant as this one.
Other Great History Podcasts:
- Something True: Enjoy totally weird true tales, as each episode of this podcast explores a singular however seemingly forgotten historic footnote.
- Lore: Spooky and witty, this basic podcast plumbs historical past to uncover horrifying folklore, mythology, and pseudoscience.
- Medieval Death Trip: An enthusiastic and well-researched take a look at medieval occasions, this podcast provides a witty evaluation of the first texts left behind.
A Hotdog Is a Sandwich
Whatever aspect of the titular, age-old debate you stand on (I’m with the British Sandwich Association), this fast-paced, typically humorous present will suck you in because it poses robust food-related questions after which debates them. Chefs Josh Scherer and Nicole Enayati resolve whether or not American cheese is actually cheese, if Popeye’s and In-N-Out are overrated, and what the very best pasta form is.
Gastropod
If your love of meals extends to an curiosity within the historical past and science of every little thing from the common-or-garden potato to a soothing cup of tea to the ever polarizing licorice, then this podcast is for you. Knowledgeable cohosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley discuss to consultants and serve up a feast of scrumptious bite-sized details that shock and delight.
The Dave Chang Show
Celebrity chef Dave Chang, whom you might know from his Netflix present Ugly Delicious, talks principally about meals, responsible pleasures, and the inventive course of with different cooks and restaurateurs. There is lots right here to fulfill foodies, however a few of the funniest moments come when the present covers different random subjects, like the proper electronic mail sign-off or carrying sneakers indoors.
Other Great Food Podcasts:
- Out To Lunch With Jay Rayner: This podcast seats you at a high restaurant to listen in on consummate meals critic Jay Rayner with a star visitor on the subsequent desk.
- The Sporkful: You can be taught so much about folks and tradition by means of meals, and this podcast proves it by serving up delectable bite-sized insights.
Wolf and Owl
Comedians and associates Tom Davis (the Wolf) and Romesh Ranganathan (the Owl) chat aimlessly and expertly poke enjoyable at one another for round an hour. It’s typically nostalgic, generally provides first rate recommendation for listeners, and is all the time warmhearted and laugh-out-loud humorous.
Why Won’t You Date Me? With Nicole Byer
Perennially single slapstick comedian Nicole Byer is each bit as charming and humorous right here as in Netflix’s Nailed It baking present, however this podcast delves into some grownup topics. Byer is disarmingly open about her insecurities and struggles and seamlessly stirs in vulgar humor. She could be very charismatic and hosts hilarious conversations with visitor comedians.
Athletico Mince
Ostensibly a soccer (soccer) podcast, this surreal present is dropped at life by lovable British comedy legend Bob Mortimer, with assist from sidekick Andy Dawson. Tall tales about actual footballers, full with unusual voices and fictional personalities, are blended with songs, daft inside jokes, and rambling conversations. You don’t really want to know something about soccer to get pleasure from it.
Other Great Comedy Podcasts:
- Locked Together: Only on Audible, this present options lockdown chats between comic buddies like Simon Pegg and Nick Frost or Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan.
- Fake Doctors, Real Friends: Rewatching Scrubs with Zach Braff and Donald Faison is a joyous expertise that is each bit as entertaining, poignant, and foolish because the TV present.
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