(2015-2016 edition, see also 2019 edition. Updated August 2016.)
In 2014, I switched from devouring the best TV shows to the best podcasts. Here are a list of the best podcasts currently produced.
Each one is consistently:
- entertaining
- informative
- binge-worthy (if you are so inclined)
Exploration and Storytelling PodcastsIt turns out, a story-based format is remarkably compelling for audio. |
|
Non-Fiction |
|
| Note To Self | A playful look at how technology impacts our daily lives (from information overload to addictive games, etc), encouraging you to question everything. Led by a refreshingly positive female host, Manoush Zomorodi. Short, digestible episodes [15-30 minutes]. |
| 99% Invisible | Mesmerizing clips exploring fascinating topics you never thought to question. Wrapped in beautiful audio effects and Roman Mars’s soothing narration, this is an immersive media experience. [~20 minutes] |
| Invisibilia | Mini documentaries on awe-inspiring topics; came out of Radiolab so just as beautifully crafted but not as annoyingly artsy. [1 hour] |
| Reply All | 2 hipster-y guys finding interesting trends and stories happening in the digital world, cracking themselves up in the process. These always put me in a good mood. [~30 minutes] |
| Hidden Brain | An NPR podcast exploring how our brain impacts our world in unexpected ways. Fans of pop psychology, self-improvement, and behavioral economics will love this, led by the very relatable Shankar Vedantam. Dan Pink is a frequent guest. [~25 minutes] |
| Revisionist History | Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast. Nuff said. [~45 minutes] |
| The Memory Palace | History retold in 5-7 minute stories that bring them vividly to life and put you at the scene; rich sound effects and a narrator whose voice you just know would tell the best bedtime stories. [5-10 minutes] |
| Criminal | Fascinating stories involving true crime from an unusual perspective, each episode stands alone. [~45 minutes] |
| Serial | True crime podcast sensation that pretty much mainstreamed binge-podcasting as a thing. Season 1 questioned the conviction of a promising Muslim teen for his girlfriend’s murder, Season 2 examined Bowe Bergdahl’s experience as Taliban POW survivor and potential traitor. [~1 hour] |
| Unfictional | Short true stories or live storytelling events compiled around an episode theme; short, fun & compelling; KCRW-produced. [~30 minutes] |
| The Moth | Award-winning live storytelling events that will make you laugh, cry, and feel things you don’t expect. Great with a glass of wine on Saturday night. [~1 hour] |
Comedy |
|
| 2 Dope Queens | 2 hip, young comediennes introduce us to a lineup of up-and-coming comedy stars. Hosts Jessica Williams (from the Daily Show) & Phoebe Robinson are the closest we’ll get to having friends this street-smart & hilarious. [~1 hour] |
Fiction |
|
| The Truth Podcast | Creative short fictional works written, produced, and acted out for radio, on topics ranging from sci fi to popular culture (think Amazing Stories or The Twilight Zone); it’s like watching a movie with your ears. [~15-20 minutes] |
Informational Podcasts |
|
News / Research |
|
| Planet Money | For the economically minded, business stories with a twist. Plenty of humor, fresh perspectives, and some unusual-for-radio American dialects make this stand out. [~20-30 minutes] |
| Marketplace | Kai Ryssdal’s voice is like butter as he examines the day’s top business & market stories with wit and a bit of skepticism. [~35 minutes] |
| Too Embarrassed to Ask | Timely, insightful reviews of technology stories and gadgets, hosted by 2 outstanding female journalists, Kara Swisher & Lauren Goode. I just don’t love the Kara-hates-Lauren banter. [15-30 minutes]. |
| On the Media | Insightful stories relating to media & politics – not only what’s trending but how the media covers it. Excellent journalism. [~45 minutes] |
| As It Happens | Canadian daily radio news hour, with cute accents and endearingly bad puns. Different perspective on U.S. & global topics, plus insights into our northern neighbor. [60-80 minutes] |
| Science Friday | For the scientifically curious, fun exploration and coverage of science topics broken into small, easily digestible clips. [~10-60 minutes] |
| Freakonomics | Unusual and humorous economic conclusions on all sorts of pop culture topics – based on the bestselling book [~45 minutes] |
| Inquiring Minds | 2 scientists interview guests (from astronauts to climate watchers), discussing and analyzing thought-provoking scientific and brain-related topics. [~1-2 hours] |
Interviews & Influencers |
|
| Fresh Air | Probably the finest interviewer of our generation, the inimitable Terry Gross. [1 hour] |
| Star Talk Radio | Your personal cosmologist, Neil Degrasse Tyson, talks about the universe, but also interviews celebs & fascinating people, then hosts a live show with comedians and scientists to intersperse commentary around the interviews. [1-2 hours] |
| Here’s the Thing | Alec Baldwin’s surprisingly excellent interview series with all sorts of great minds. They open up to him in unusually candid ways because, well, he’s Alec Baldwin. [~45 minutes] |
| Tim Ferris Podcast | Self-experimenter and author of the 4-Hour (Work Week/Chef/Body)- interviews people that are the best in the world to deconstruct what they do, on topics ranging from productivity to headspace, enterpreneurship to self-experimentation. [1.5-3 hours] |
| Good Life Project | A long-running show where Jonathan Fields (author of Uncertainty) interviews artists, movers, entrepreneurs, and thinkers exploring topics of happiness and meaning. Browse the impressive episode archives to pick a few standouts as a starting point. [1-2 hours] |
Entrepreneurial PodcastsThere are so many in this category, but finding consistently good ones is tricky, and time is precious. |
|
| Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders | A Stanford lecture series where top business thinkers, influencers, and writers come to share their insights. [1-2 hours] |
| Online Marketing Made Easy | Queen of Social Media marketing, Amy Porterfield, gives strategic, actionable tips on online marketing. |
| This Week in Startups | A great primer on what’s hot in Silicon Valley, Venture Capital, and tech media. The journalist-turned-Internet-millionaire host can be a jerk, but he’s incredibly sharp and conducts a great interview. [1-2 hours] |
Cheers!
