40 Best Podcasts to Listen to Right Now in 2024

Finding a podcast that precisely matches your interests and needs is now easier than ever because of the explosion in popularity of podcasts over the past 10 years. As a result, there are now thousands of options on any possible topic. We have compiled a list of the best podcasts to listen to right now.

There is everything on this list for everyone, whether you enjoy comedy, true crime, or educational reporting. We can also promise you will find at least some shows to keep you delighted and enlightened during your daily commute. So without any more delay, let us start.

Contents

Top Podcasts to Listen to Right Now

These podcasts cover many topics and will keep you interested and entertained, from the best true crime podcasts to personal finance, science, and storytelling. So therefore, grab your headphones and get ready to explore the world of podcasting with these top choices.

1. Start With This

Absolutely, “Start with This.” The terrifying US podcast “Welcome to Night Vale” by Jeffrey Cranor is an interactive experience.

After listening to an episode, you make something from what you learned, whether it be a writing project or another piece of schoolwork. This has episodes on topics like “Present Tense” and “Non-Lovecraftian Horror” to foster your creativity.

2. The Trojan Horse Affair

You will adore this complicated podcast from the best podcasts on Spotify about a political scandal that raised Birmingham in the early 2010s and inflamed anti-Muslim sentiment across the whole country. Come for the plot that unfolds like a spy book; stay for the hosts Brian Reed and Hamza Syed’s cerebral trip.

3. Serial

The Serial podcast is a must-listen podcasts all time for everyone who enjoys a good mystery. Serial’s first season covers the real life of Adnan Syed, who was found guilty of killing Hae Min Lee and his ex-girlfriend in 1999. The audio begins with Adnan giving investigative journalist Sarah Koenig his version of events while imprisoned.

You will find it hard to stop listening to Serial, making you reevaluate everything you believed you knew about justice. You would adore this episode if you enjoyed Trojan Horse Affair.

4. Darknet Diaries

Anyone interested in hacking and cybercrime would appreciate this investigative podcast from Jack Rhysider. The show is precisely cut and densely filled with information on issues like Xbox hacking, a Vodafone incident involving Greek wiretapping, and the NotPetya malware’s effects.

Though it may occasionally become too technical for some readers, Rhysider skillfully weaves educational narratives that clarify some complex issues while maintaining high accessibility.

5. This American Life

A weekly public radio show called This American Life is the most listened to podcast by 2.2 million listeners on over 500 stations. Another 2.5 million individuals download the weekly podcast.

It is presented by Ira Glass, created in association with Chicago Public Media, and distributed to stations participating in PRX The Public Radio Exchange. It won every significant broadcasting prize.

6. Twin Flames

Twin Flames, hosted by Stephanie Beatriz, demonstrates how the blissful sense of meeting your soulmate can transform into a dangerous fascination with alarming results.

The ‘Twin Flames’ phenomenon is taught by a young married couple on YouTube, Jeff and Shaleia, who show that finding true love is not always easy. Some people who have found love are convinced to cut connections with friends and relatives who are destroying their happiness.

7. American Radical

MSNBC investigates what led one lady to the riot on January 6, 2017, more than a year after the uprising at the Capitol. Ayman Mohyeldin, the host and a friend of the family, discusses how the late Rosanne Boyland became involved in the conspiracies that resulted in that terrible day.

8. Crime Show

Crime Show, which started in 2021, fulfills its promise to provide “stories about people.” With each episode delivering a stand-alone story that does not only rely on the dreadfully overused “women getting murdered” theme (though murder is a common topic), “And sometimes crime,” the show is a success.

Other shows feature scammers and identity thieves, while others feature ghosts. We also encounter a singer whose voice was appropriated by a successful imposter in one particularly bizarre episode. Not your regular true-crime podcast, this one.

9. Black Girls, 1 Rose

Black Girls, 1 Rose, Bachelor, and Bachelorette, fans Natasha Scott and Justine Kay are not afraid to point out the sexist and racist errors of the frequently problematic show. But, of course, anyone who tunes into America’s favorite guilty pleasure will laugh at the sarcastic weekly awards (“Becky of the Week,” “Invitation to the Cookout”) and hilarious commentary.

However, the two’s conversations also offer a crucial context for the reality TV universe, encompassing an intriguing and occasionally harmful aspect of the cultural environment.

10. Your Undivided Attention

Tristan Harris, an ex-Googler you might recognize from the Netflix film The Social Dilemma, discusses the risks of leading an online existence with Aza Raskin. Co-founders of the Centre for Humane Technology explore the morality of Big Tech, outline the dangers, and consider how technology might be used for the benefit of humanity.

11. Crimetown

Listen to Martin Scorsese’s film, Crimetown, would sound similar. Starting with Providence, each season examines the background of mafia-related crime in a different American city.

The investigation by hosts Marc Smerling and Zac Stuart-Pontier into the mob in the state’s capital has revealed some genuinely great ties between the infamous Patriarca family and several prominent state officials, including former mayor Buddy Cianci.

12. Dolly Parton’s America

One of the few things everyone still seems to agree on in this strongly divided time is Dolly Parton, but why? Due to that simple query, one of America’s greatest icons is rethought in deeply personal, historical, and artistic terms. So come along on our nine-episode voyage into the Dollyverse. Jad Abumrad is the host.

13. The Daily

Check out The Daily, which is, after the Joe Rogan Experience, the second most popular podcast worldwide. Consider The Daily to be a podcast version of the New York Times. Each episode lasts 25 to 45 minutes.

Michael Barbaro is the host, including interviews with New York Times reporters covering the day’s most popular stories. The excellent music and relevant audio samples played throughout the podcast improve the production value and storytelling.

14. Stolen: Surviving St. Michael's

The tragic story of cruelty, bias, and suffering surrounding her family is revealed by investigative journalist Connie Walker in the second season of Stolen. We discovered the story regarding her deceased father, a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in May 2021.

He stopped a suspected drunk driver in the 1970s, and as a result, he ran into a priest from his past who had assaulted him while he was an inmate of a residential school.

In the book Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s, Walker learns how her family’s history relates to the worst aspects of the residential school system in Canada.

15. Radiolab

You should listen to Radiolab if you enjoy both science and stories. This distinguished podcast explores some of the most fascinating scientific subjects by combining podcast interviews, field recordings, and original music.

Radiolab takes on significant issues with curiosity and intelligence, exploring anything from the mysterious world of quantum mechanics to the startling relationship between economics and empathy. Additionally, you can be sure that it has excellent audio because WNYC produces it.

16. Stuff You Should Know

Check out Stuff You Should Know if you’re searching for an entertaining and educational podcast. Josh and Chuck, the hosts, explore different topics in each episode, ranging from the science of laughing to the history of tea.

They are excellent at simplifying complex subjects so that everyone can comprehend them, and their banter is always entertaining to listen to. So be sure to give Stuff You Should Know a listen if you are a podcast newcomer intrigued about the world around you and want to have some fun while doing it.

17. Princess of South Beach

With this bilingual audio soap opera, telenovela fans will hold onto their pearls. The main characters are Mara del Carmen and Gloria, identical twin sisters developed in two distinct worlds, one in a convent and the other on a wealthy island. Because they were split up at birth, things go deliciously awry when Gloria dies suddenly, and Mara del Carmen assumes her identity.

18. My Perfect Console

Simon Parkin is one of a select group of writers who can write about video games with the breadth, wit, and intellect that are (sadly) typically reserved for writing about art and film.

In this short series, he interviews famous people with ties to the gaming industry and asks them to choose five games for the ideal console. So it is Desert Island Discs but with Metal Gear Solid instead of Elgar’s “Enigma Variations.”

19. American Fiasco

Roger Bennett, co-host of Men in Blazers, looks back on the disastrous 1998 World Cup bid by the United States Men’s Soccer team. Bennett, a British immigrant who developed an obsession with American football, introduces irreverence into the comedy.

Bennett constructs a story about a squad that failed to meet high expectations through interviews with the players, coaches, and management. This podcast will be a fun diversion if you enjoy football.

20. Twenty Thousand Hertz

This painstakingly researched podcast explores the world of sound in great detail to explain everything from the familiar sounds you hear in movie trailers to car engines, choir music, the Netflix opener, and much more.

Discover the history of iconic sounds, the reasons behind the emotions they evoke in us, and how sound enhances our lives.

21. Room 20

Six-Six Garage, a patient in a San Diego nursing home, is a Mexican immigrant who was only identified by the authorities as “undocumented” and suffered a near-fatal vehicle accident.

Reporter Joanne Faryon dedicates herself to learning the truth about his identity and the people he left behind fifteen years after his first crash. This marks the start of a stunning inquiry into the case’s background. Engaging, relevant, and significant.

22. Reply All

The Guardian describes a podcast about the internet as “an invariably original exploration of modern life and how to survive it.” hosted by Gimlet’s Alex Goldman and Emmanuel Dzotsi.

This popular show about internet culture covers a broad range of topics that go beyond technology. With their challenging research methods and constant searching, the producers will investigate anything intriguing or unusual. In addition, the hosts’ warm and entertaining exchanges make the show incredibly listenable.

23. Pod Save America

This podcast is recommended for anyone looking for a more left-leaning political discussion that covers the week’s political happenings. After Donald Trump was elected president, three Obama staff members started a show, with the first few episodes focusing on his administration.

Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Joe Biden are just a few famous individuals interviewed on the show. Although Pod Save The World offers more global coverage, Pod Save America primarily focuses on American politics.

24. Sympathy Pains

A six-part series from Neon Hum Media and iHeartRadio is hosted by Laura Beil (Dr. Death, Bad Batch) and details how one woman deceived others into believing she had a variety of illnesses. Over 20 years, Sarah Delashmit convinced friends, family, and coworkers that she had muscular dystrophy, cancer, and other conditions. She disclosed that she was in an abusive relationship, used a wheelchair, snapped pictures while lying in a hospital bed, and was the mother of children who had passed away. Unlike many recent fraud cases, she wanted something more valuable than people’s money.

25. The Tim Ferriss Show

Tim Ferriss is one of the best podcasts to listen to for self improvement. His groundbreaking book The 4-Hour Work Week made waves when it was released, and his subsequent work has only strengthened his standing as a productivity expert.

The Tim Ferriss Show is worth a listen, whether you’re an entrepreneur searching for motivation or simply curious about how successful people think.

26. Dark House

The editors of House Beautiful, Hadley Mendelsohn and Alyssa Fiorentino’s fascinating podcast sit at the confluence of real crime, the paranormal, and interior design. Join them as they explore the exciting histories of some of America’s most famous homes with the help of special guests who include paranormal investigators, authors, and other professionals.

27. Hoaxed

The documentary “Hoaxed” goes into a story that started in 2014 when two young children from a wealthy Hampstead neighborhood reported to authorities that a Satanic cult mistreated them.

When it turns out this is a lie, Mostrous investigates further to find that the problem has much deeper roots than you might think. It is a masterclass in investigative journalism: Monstrous faces actual danger in his quest to understand the root of the current Satanic fear in Britain, but his tenacity is astonishing.

28. The Argument

Numerous outstanding political podcasts to listen to, including a network devoted to the resistance, have emerged in the Trump era. The New York Times, however, makes a strong argument for listening in a world where perspectives are becoming increasingly divided.

Each week, David Leonhardt, Michelle Goldberg, and Ross Douthat of the opinion pages debate a current issue. As a result, everyone will gain an understanding of how the opposing viewpoint thinks, even though some positions will undoubtedly enrage viewers.

29. The Last Days of August

On fascinating and frequently unexpected tales, Jon Ronson gives an intelligent, curious, sympathetic, and slightly neurotic perspective. The Butterfly Effect (only on Audible), which explores how technology and the pornographic industry interact, is followed by The Last Days of August, which looks into the untimely demise of porn star August Ames. Although Things Fell Apart and So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed are two of Ronson’s other best podcasts to listen to, this is a great place to start.

30. In The Dark

In The Dark, an American Public Media production blends outstanding investigative journalism with a superb narrative. Each season focuses on a case of national importance, such as the murder of African-American Curtis Flowers in Mississippi in 2010, when he was found guilty by a white-only jury and given the death penalty despite maintaining his innocence.

The case was ultimately appealed to the Supreme Court due to In The Dark’s in-depth investigation into his trial revealing significant misconduct on the part of the District Attorney’s staff.

31. Office Ladies

Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, co-stars of The Office and best friends, have created the perfect The Office re-watch, one of the best podcast. Every week, Jenna and Angela will analyze a new episode of The Office and share insider information that only two people who were there can provide.

32. The Ben Shapiro Show

One of the best podcasts to listen to on the other side of the political spectrum is The Ben Shapiro Show. Following his discussion of gun control with Piers Morgan, Shapiro gained notoriety. He is well-liked by conservative thinkers and is well-known for his short speech. The show discusses news, culture, and political developments in America from a conservative viewpoint.

33. Chanel Connects

The French Maison brings together leading figures in entertainment, the arts, and culture to discuss the creative sector and plans in a manner inspired by Coco Chanel’s progressive philosophy. The final conversation with Karl Lagerfeld was featured in the previous episode of the fashion house’s podcast, Métier Class: 3.55. Keira Knightley, Tilda Swinton, and Pharrell Williams are just a few of the amazing stars. They appear in the new series of episodes discussing and providing innovative solutions for the cultural sector’s post-pandemic adjustment.

34. Freakonomics Radio

Host Stephen Dubner conducts weekly conversations with leading experts across various disciplines, including anthropology, psychology, and economics. Freakonomics Radio is fun in addition to offering listeners insightful information. The hosts have a talent for identifying amusing and informative stories and presenting them in a light and approachable way. As a result, Freakonomics Radio is worth a listen, whether seeking insightful discussions or just a good laugh.

35. 70 Over 70

This podcast features 70 fascinating persons over 70 who are being interviewed about their current projects with a touch at the namesake “30 Under 30” and related lists. However, host Max Linsky does not just focus on their history; he also asks the guests about their perspectives on their current lives, which makes the show both unique and inspiring.

36. The Rest is Politics

One for all the aspiring dads who lean towards the center. Former Downing Street director of communications Alastair Campbell and former Tory leadership aspirant Rory Stewart spar about the week’s main events in each edition of “The Rest is Politics.”

Although they may have very different upbringings and worldviews, they develop a back-slapping bromance as they argue about disparate subjects like depression, the Iraq War, and Burnley Football Club. You will be like this unusual couple regardless of your opinion of their politics.

37. Bear Brook

The 1985 discovery of four unidentified dead people in barrels in Bear Brook State Park in New Hampshire led to the investigation of a particularly unsettling cold case, which is the subject of Bear Brook. Listeners are taken on a serious journey throughout the United States searching for a serial killer by NHPR beat reporter Jason Moon.

38. Wild Things: Siegfried and Roy

Over five decades, the well-known German act Siegfried and Roy performed roughly 30,000 times, often accompanied by white lions and tigers. Roy was attacked live on stage, making international headlines.

39. Believed

This shocking NPR episode focuses on the story of Larry Nassar, a physician at Michigan State University who served as the team doctor for the USA Gymnastics team and is suspected of abusing more than 250 victims over several decades. Reporters Kate Wells and Lindsey Smith examine Nassar’s history to comprehend how his crimes went undetected for so long and why those who did come up about his behavior were silenced in the wake of his conviction for seven counts sexual abuse against kids.

40. Hot White Heist

Hot white heist is performed by a star-studded cast, including Bowen Yang, Cynthia Nixon, Jane Lynch, and others. It can only be compared to what would occur if James Bond was created for an audience of just adults. It is a hoot and a wild journey from the hilarious theme song to the climactic scene.

Conclusion

Podcasts have become ubiquitous in modern culture, with a wide variety of content to fit every interest and taste. As a result, there is a podcast for everyone, whether you enjoy real crime, personal finance, science, or story. The 40 best podcasts listed in this post are just a small selection of the many top shows now available to listeners.

Therefore, whether you have been a long time podcast fan or are just getting started, we encourage you to check out these top picks and learn about the variety of intriguing and engaging stories and conversations waiting for you in the podcasting world.