Podcasts have exploded into our culture and are an excellent way to entertain yourself while commuting, traveling, or working out. This crop of podcasts covers a range of topics, including sports, pop culture, news, identity, and everyday life.
Best Big Apple Take on Pop Culture: The Read
New York City transplants Kid Fury and Crissle chat about hip-hop and pop culture while bonding over adapting to life in the city that never sleeps. Their biting commentary on The Read is highly entertaining with targets including reality show stars and Oprah, but never Beyoncé. Tune into the “Wakanda Forever” episode to get their insights about Marvel’s Black Panther and recent theater releases.
Engage with others in the comments.
Weekly episodes.
Easy listening with the queue.
Few places to listen.
User account required to download episodes.
Ads at the beginning of each episode.
Best for a Quick Take on the Story of the Day: The Daily
Hosted by journalist Michael Barbaro and powered by The New York Times, The Daily covers one story each weekday in about 20 minutes. Guests include journalists Maggie Haberman and Glenn Thrush, as well as story subjects. Notable episodes include a “fake news” story that transformed the small town of Twin Falls, Idaho and a deep dive into the Andrew Cuomo sexual harassment scandal.
New episode every weekday.
A few ways to listen.
Sort by oldest or newest episodes.
Doesn’t highlight the most popular episodes.
Several website ads.
Best Exploration of Race and Ethnicity in Our Lives: Code Switch
Code Switch from NPR explores race and ethnicity and how it all weaves into different parts of our lives, from places of worship and the business of selling marijuana legally to the terrible events that happened in Charlottesville, Virginia, in the summer of 2017. Hosted by five journalists, Code Switch dissects the complicated news and events happening all over the country and illuminates the lives and voices that we don’t always hear as loudly as others.
Queue up several episodes at once.
Includes transcripts.
Download any episode as MP3.
No sorting or filtering options.
Text posts are mixed in the list of podcasts.
Best for Dealing With Pain and Loss: Terrible, Thanks for Asking
Have you ever wanted to tell the truth when someone asks, “How are you?” Unless you’re truly doing “fine,” this question usually leads to an empty exchange. This podcast features guests who open up about their pain and loss. Host and author Nora McInerny describes herself as a “notable widow.” In one episode of Terrible, Thanks for Asking, Nora, suffering from insomnia, goes to Twitter to poll listeners about what keeps them up at night. Newer episodes include one about being on the edge of an emotional breakdown and another about the desire for a “good death.”
All episodes are under an hour.
New episode alerts over email.
Download or listen online.
No sorting or filtering abilities.
Can’t search for an old episode.
Best Collection of Personal Stories From the Internet: Reply All
If you’re obsessed with internet culture and find yourself getting lost in Reddit forums and social media threads, Reply All will feed your need. The creators mine the web for personal stories, such as a man who wants to turn his family’s struggle with cancer into a video game, and dig deep into mundane-sounding topics, such as domain names, that are anything but dull. Robert Downey Jr. announced he planned to star in a movie based on episode #86 Man of the People.
Listen from a wide variety of podcasting platforms.
Access episodes from 2014.
Follow along with the included transcript.
Inconsistent releases.
Can’t search through or filter the episodes.
Best for the Intersection of Sports and Pop Culture: The Bill Simmons Podcast
Bill Simmons is a sports columnist, founder, and CEO of The Ringer, a blog and podcast network, and the former host of HBO’s Any Given Wednesday. His self-named podcast covers sports and pop culture and where it converges, such as the Rocky movies. The podcast features interviews with celebrities, athletes, and journalists. Recent episodes focus on the NBA draft and Team USA basketball.
Listen on a few different websites and apps.
Can download episodes.
More than one new episode a week.
Most episodes are well over an hour.
Can’t sort by popularity or date.
Several ads on the site.
Best for People Who Love Terrible Movies: How Did This Get Made?
There’s something magical about movies that are so, so terrible but so much fun to watch. We’ve all asked the question posed by this podcast’s title, “How Did This Get Made?” The podcasters screen and tear apart the movies that are so bad they’re good (think would-be horror flick Lake Placid) both in-studio and occasionally live. For example, learn more about The Garbage Pail Kids movie (we previously didn’t know of its existence) in a live episode featuring Jon Lovett from Pod Save America. In one episode, the hosts talk about Freejack, a 1992 science fiction movie; in another, they review Tammy and the T-Rex from 1994.
Updates once a week.
Download any of the 200+ episodes.
Available on few podcasting platforms.
No search or sort function.
Episodes older than six months require Stitcher Premium.
Best for Old Radio Stories With Modern Actors: Homecoming
- Available through few apps.
- Limited number of episodes.
Best Tips for Dealing With Depression: The Hilarious World of Depression
Supported in part by the Make It OK campaign, The Hilarious World of Depression talks to comedians who suffer from the disease with the goal of removing the stigma of mental illness. It also serves to help people who have depression know that they are not alone. In addition to interviews, the podcast offers support, including how to get help when you need it and coping skills to get you through each day. Dip your toe in with the episode “How to Get Help” or with the episode where Rachel Bloom of the TV show “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” talks about that character, her history with depression, and being inspired by Rebecca Black, singer of the infamous song “Friday.”
Listen with several apps or websites.
Most episodes are under an hour.
Download any episode.
Unable to filter or sort the podcast episodes.
Best for Modern Career Advice: Ctrl Alt Delete
London-based Emma Gannon talks to a vast array of actors, writers, and other creatives about how social media and the web infiltrate their lives and careers. Named after her first book, which has the tagline “How I Grew Up Online,” the Ctrl Alt Delete podcast benefits from Emma’s high energy and enthusiasm as she gets guests to share their best stories and advice. Check out the “Your Personal Brand vs. Reality” episode or the “Masculinity & Mental Health” episode.
A few new episodes each week.
Search for podcast episodes.
Not your typical career podcast.
Can’t easily locate older podcasts.
Best for True Crime: Crimetown
If you loved the first season of Serial and were disappointed that the second season didn’t have the same level of suspense, Crimetown could be just the podcast for you. One of the hosts produced and co-wrote the series “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst.” Crimetown takes place in Providence and is one of the best crime and corruption podcasts—it goes all the way up to the mayor.
Show notes for all episodes.
Written transcript is available.
New episode every seven days.
Works only from the website or Spotify.
Can’t download episodes for offline use.
Best Look at One Man’s Racism in a Small Town: S-Town
What starts as exploring the dark side of a small town in Alabama at the request of a listener turns into a look into one man’s life and how it affected so many others. (The podcast also continues to reveal more disturbing details about the town, including the blatant racism that the podcast’s subject John D. had warned the host about from the start.) This podcast was a one-off, but the team behind it also produces Serial and This American Life, so you can expect to see more engaging podcasts down the road.
Unique book-like presentation, including transcripts.
Several ways to listen.
Episodes are around an hour long.
Includes few episodes.
Playback controls are hard to use.
Best Take on all Types of Love: Modern Love
The Modern Love column from the New York Times explores all sorts of love—romantic, family, heartbreak, friendship, and more. The podcast brings personal essays to life with readings by famous people from Peter Gallagher to Cynthia Nixon to John Cho. Hosts Miya Lee and Daniel Jones sometimes even get updates from the essay writers.
30-minute, weekly episodes.
Download the audio clips to your computer.
Stream from a variety of apps.
No way to sort the episodes or filter by criteria.
Best for First-Time Podcast Listeners: Serial
Serial transformed the podcast world with its concept of telling a single story over the course of a dozen or so episodes. In its first season, released in 2014, host Sarah Koenig dove into the arrest and subsequent trials of Adnan Syed, who was charged with the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. The podcast remains one of the most popular of all time and has since released two other seasons.
Option to make a playlist.
Ability to download each episode.
Seasons and episodes are periodically posted.
Unable to search or filter episodes.
Best for People Obsessed With Mysteries: Crime Junkie
Ashley Flowers and her co-host Brit dissect everything from kidnappings and disappearances to gruesome murders in this popular true-crime podcast. Their fun dynamic makes each episode seem like you’re hanging out with a friend, listening as they recount a mystery in pain-staking detail. For fans of all things crime-related, this is the podcast for you. Flowers keeps listeners guessing as she winds her way through the story, pulling together mounds of research to give you all the information available about each crime.
Weekly episodes.
Robust website with extra features and merch.
Searchable episode guide.
Some episodes are locked under a “Fan Club” subscription option.
Best for People Who Miss The Office: Office Ladies
Actresses Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey co-starred in the beloved television series The Office and later decided to create an entire podcast devoted to breaking down each episode. They give listeners and super fans an inside look at how the show was written and filmed, with behind-the-scenes stories and interviews with former co-stars. This funny, upbeat podcast is perfect for anyone who misses the show.
Show website features even more behind-the-scenes content.
Weekly episodes.
Unable to search or filter websites.
Best for Blending Reportage and Storytelling: Heavyweight
Host Jonathan Goldstein interviews random people about distinct moments in their lives, often helping them work through and even resolve the leftover emotions. Heavyweight blends reportage and storytelling into sweet, sentimental episodes that often tell universal truths about the human experience.
Award-winning show.
Episodes are under an hour.
Inconsistent episode uploads.
Best for Listening to Other People’s Drama: Normal Gossip
This relatively new show, hosted by Kelsey McKinney, breaks down an inevitable fact of human nature: our urge to gossip and swap stories, even about people we’ve never met. McKinney invites a guest on each episode to tell them a piece of second-hand gossip. They also chat before diving into each story about gossip habits, breaking down the “why” behind the urge.
New episodes each week.
Written component available online.
Unable to search or filter episodes.
Best for Learning About an Obscure News Story: The Trojan Horse Affair
Reporters Brian Reed and Hamza Syed make an unlikely pair for this podcast project with The New York Times. The Trojan Horse Affair begins with Reed and Syed exploring the origins of a mysterious British letter in 2014 that quickly led to national implications. In addition to telling a mesmerizing story, the duo—who have fun, engaging chemistry—also discusses different aspects of the reporting process.
Engaging hosts.
Multiple ways to listen.
Singular, limited series with an ending.
Best for Young Adults: Anything Goes
Even listeners who don’t consider themselves fans of internet superstar Emma Chamberlain will find something to love about her podcast, Anything Goes. The YouTuber records the podcast each week from her bed, giving the show a comfy and casual feel. Chamberlain effortlessly speaks about whatever is on her mind. Recent topics include plastic surgery, parties, and female friendships.
Available anywhere you listen to podcasts.
New episodes every week.
No show website.
Best for Getting Great Advice: Dear Sugars
The “Sugars”—Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond—spend each episode answering listeners’ questions about everything from grief and loneliness to privilege and complicated family dynamics. The hosts’ soothing voices make this advice podcast all the more enticing.
Hundreds of episodes.
Searchable archive by episode date.
New episodes every other week.
Best for Listening to Celebrities Interview Each Other: Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
Late-night television host Conan O’Brien has never made a lasting friendship with one of the thousands of celebrities he’s interviewed over his two-decade career, or so he claims. O’Brien created his podcast in 2018 to do just that. He’s invited actors, musicians, comedians, and more onto the interview-style podcast to chat about anything from s’mores to their careers.
New episodes twice a week.
Celebrity guests.
Unable to search and filter episodes.
Best Podcast About Writing: Well-Read Black Girl
Writer Glory Edim founded the Well-Read Black Girl book club to celebrate “the uniqueness of Black literature and sisterhood,” according to its website. She recently created the podcast in continuation of that mission. Each episode features a different writer who talks about their career path and writing process. Recent guests include actress and author Viola Davis and journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones.
Downloadable episodes.
Several ways to listen.
Inconsistent uploads.
Website isn’t updated.
Best for People Who Love Talking About Food: Desert Island Dishes
Host and chef Margie Nomura interviews a guest each episode about the dishes, foods, and meals most important to them. Guests vary from restaurateurs and authors to television hosts, but all share a passion for cooking. Nomura’s calming voice and knowledge about all things food will get you excited for your next meal!
Website features recipes.
Inconsistent upload schedule.
Unable to search or filter episodes.
Best for People Who Love to Deep Dive an Album: Dissect
Music fans will love this podcast. The hosts take an entire album and painstakingly break down each track, analyzing all the elements. The show most recently featured episodes devoted to Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.”
Website includes visual guides for two albums.
Available only on Spotify.
No search or sort function.
Best for People Who Love Fitness and Wellness: Fitness Flipped
You don’t have to be a Peloton user to appreciate this fitness-inspired podcast. One of the company’s favorite instructors, Tunde Oyeneyin, hosts the show, which released episodes twice per week during its first season. She speaks with featured guests about all things concerning health, strength, and mental wellness. Listeners will also hear from Peloton members about their own experiences.
Episode transcripts are available.
New episodes released twice per week during the season.
Short season.
Best Interview-Format: Longform
If you love reading books, magazine articles, or any other long-form journalism, this is the podcast for you. The hosts invite a new guest each week to discuss their recent long-form work. Conversations often involve the guest’s reflections on how they got started in their career.
In-depth show notes.
Access first episodes from 2012.
Unable to sort or filter episodes.
Best for People Who Want to Go Deep With One Story: Embedded
Embedded takes a news story and goes deep with it, spending the entire season examining a different facet of the issue. Past seasons include explorations into the opioid epidemic, the Trump administration’s past, and the stories behind police shootings caught on camera. Host Kelly McEvers and NPR’s affiliate network highlight important stories from around the world, giving listeners a better understanding of each complex topic.
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