12 Interview Podcasts Way Better Than Joe Rogan
The Joe Rogan Experience is technically one of the biggest podcasts in the world , but that doesn’t mean it’s the best. Here are 12 interview podcasts hosted by people with magical Q&A flair—shows that will stretch your mind, make you laugh, and ignite your curiosity about the world, and usually without resorting to the lure of rage to do so.
Bullseye with Jesse Thorne
Bullseye host Jesse Thorne has a charming mind and an unusual way of looking at the world, and his interviews always get to the heart of the matter in a way that others rarely do. He interviews people not because they are mentioned in the media, but because he respects them and knows their work inside and out. He speaks to them with open curiosity and infinite generosity. He seems to be one of the nicest people on the mic, and with every look at his personal life (as son, father, friend and founder of Maximum Fun ) you like him more and more. I never miss an episode – each one is a delightful surprise, deepening my appreciation for something I knew very little about, or introducing me to something completely new. I trust Jesse and will go wherever he takes me.
With Kara Swisher
If there is one person in the media who is brave enough to ask technology leaders the hard questions , it is Kara Swisher , who has been covering online business since 1994 . Kara Swisher . Throughout it all, she has hosted confessions for the likes of Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Rupert Murdoch, Stacey Abrams, Kim Kardashian, and President Barack Obama. Cara knows the tech world like a native, and her confidence has gotten her through tough interviews, earning her a reputation as “Silicon Valley’s most feared and beloved journalist.” She doesn’t kiss anyone’s ass and has a sly sense of humor that is both snarky and self-deprecating.
WTF with Marc Maron
Comedian, actor and writer Marc Maron also hosts WTF with Marc Maron , a show that features interviews with comedians, actors, musicians and other cultural figures at the forefront. He has become one of the most influential and famous podcasts, and Maron has helped expand the podcast market in general, for which I am grateful. (It was a big moment in podcasting when Barack Obama made it to Maron’s famous garage for an interview.) Many of Maron’s interviews were seismic moments for the media in their own right—comedian Gallagher famously took off and Sam Elliot lambasted Year of the Year. The dog and triggered a backlash on Twitter. As host, Maron remains vulnerable throughout his interviews; each one feels like the same therapy session for him and the person he is talking to. Whether you’re a fan of the man in the hot seat or not, the show is always entertaining.
Ologi with Eli Ward
On Ologies, Eli Ward talks to scientists who study very specific topics such as scotohylology (dark matter), laryngology (voice boxes), enigmatology (word puzzles), and bryology (moss). She doesn’t just accept offers from PR people ( like me ), she talks to the right people, they are all weird, nerdy, cool experts in their fields. Eli isn’t afraid to admit she doesn’t understand something or ask funny questions like, “What’s the worst thing about your job?” and she always brings great questions from her Patreon fans. If you want a taste of her unbridled enthusiasm (if Ali appeared on Ologies , I’d call her an “enthusiologist”), check out the episode Field Trip: An Airport Full of Neuroscientists . One day at the airport, Ellie stumbles upon a crowd of neuroscientists returning home from a conference, pulls out a microphone and starts asking questions, because she can’t help it.
Curiosity with Jonathan Van Ness
No one seems to be more delighted with his guests than the irreparable Jonathan Van Ness, who is not afraid to cry out in joy when a guest takes him by surprise, or in horror when something is said that crushes him. Every minute of Get Curious is fueled by his enthusiasm for niche topics and empathy for others. It gives us a cross-sectional view of the world, endless opportunities to learn something new or relearn something old, and enough laughter and positivity to make you feel good about being human.
Song Exploder with Hrishikesh Hirway
Hrishikesh Hirvey has created and hosted or co-hosted many projects (including The West Wing Weekly , Partners , Home Cooking , etc.), but is perhaps best known for the Song Exploder , in which he sits across from the musician as they deconstruct a song in order to tell the story of how it was created. (Now the tape is also home to Book Exploder , which takes a similar approach to engaging writers.) Song Exploder is nominally about music , but it’s really about creative experience, and while the word “intimacy” is overused in podcasting, Song Exploder is deeply intimate. Hrishikesh, himself a musician, is a master of sound and speech and always finds an interesting angle to help us see and understand the creators and their art.
The Ezra Klein Show
I bought about $30,000 worth of books thanks to The Ezra Klein Show . Klein has academic conversations with people on thoughtful topics, from parenting to inflation, climate change, and human consciousness, and in each case, he comes across as the most well-trained presenter on the block. He chooses topics that he is interested in, which means that his interviews are much more sincere and awaken his personality and intelligence. And it’s not for nothing that his notes for the series seem like handwritten love notes for the episode – I always read them and have to listen right away. If there is an author, I will definitely buy his book later.
Death, sex and money with Anna Sale
Anna Sale couldn’t find a smart talk podcast on the toughest topics, so in 2014 she launched Death, Sex and Money. The show covers everything from marital estrangement to colonoscopy with grace and candor. A podcast is like a confessional; there is no condemnation, only sympathy. Anna’s helping hand (and soothing voice) is enough to pull her guest (and everyone listening) out of the dark and into the light. Her interviews are nuanced, soothing, and soft-spoken, even though the content is often shocking, infuriating, or kicking in the gut. The subject matter may seem obscene, violent, or intimidating when someone is sitting at the microphone. You are safe with Anna.
Sex Reveal with Tuck Woodstock
In Gender Reveal, journalist and educator Tak Woodstock talks to transgender, transgender, non-binary and bi-spiritual people to help us understand what gender really is. Woodstock offers interviews with artists and activists, answers audience questions, and helps sort out (or just helps us process) the news. Some of his questions are difficult, but Woodstock handles them all, addressing his guest with kindness and respect, and being a patient listener more than anything. This is one of the few truly trans safe places on the internet. (If you’re interested, there’s a good starter pack here .)
Stacks with Tracey Thomas
At The Stacks, Tracy Thomas interviews movie and TV stars, public figures, professional publishers, best-selling authors, and more. The show consists of two-part talks: the first part is devoted to books and what, how and why we read; in the second part, Tracy and her guest discuss The Stacks book club’s latest selection. These conversations go beyond what’s written on the page and are about race, politics, and how it all fits into the culture we consume. The Short Stacks is a mini-series that lives on in a feed in which Tracey has short conversations with the writers about the writing process.
Black on Air with Larry Wilmore
No wonder Larry Wilmore is one of the best podcasting hosts. The Emmy Award-winning producer, writer, comedian, actor, and former host of Comedy Central’s The Tonight Show with Larry Wilmore was already a celebrity interviewer and was recently invited by the Podcast Academy to host The Ambies (Oscar podcast space). He may just be the host of Black on the Air , where he interviews guests from the worlds of politics, entertainment, culture, sports and more. Larry can extract people’s stories and opinions elegantly while adding his own, and the results always contribute to a balanced, intelligent, and funny conversation.
On how to be with Christa Tippett
On Being by Christa Tippett, a Peabody Award-winning program about human spirituality, well worth listening to if you want to hear excellent interviews with politicians, scientists, artists, theologians, and more. To do this, you can sit down, relax and enjoy the show. But if you want to be a better interviewer or conversationalist, start taking notes. Krista Tippett understands the power of perfect questions and does enough research to get to them. Questions are funny because the other person wants to answer them. So guests shine, and listeners are entertained. In On Being, Krista has created what appears to be a sacred space for reflection and learning.