12 Podcasts That Will Make Anyone Fall in Love With Podcasts

I’m always trying to get people to listen to more podcasts. If you listen to five, I want you to listen to eight. If you’re listening to eight, I want that number to be 13. This is my literal job, folks . If someone is already a podcast lover, it’s pretty easy to convince them to add a new one to their library. But what about people who don’t listen? These nuts are harder to crack. You may only have one chance to convince them of the wonders the world of audio has to offer. My advice? Don’t send them anything too narrow. Send them the best of the best. Here is my list of popular shows that are powerful enough to turn a non-listener into someone who listens to at least one show. And if you don’t listen to podcasts, I’ve put together this list for you. Give any of these shows a chance and I hope you get an idea of ​​how good a medium can be and then add a few more in your turn.

This American life

New vibrant shows come and go, but This American Life has produced some of the best audio stories in decades (it started in 1995 as Your Radio Play) and never misses a beat. The episodes, always based on a theme, are narrated by Ira Glass, who not only invented the genre, but also a style of narration that many storytellers would later emulate. The stories cover funny, sad and downright moving tales of everything from amusement parks to gruesome crime, parenting, loss, embarrassing moments and everything in between. Browse through the huge archive (not all episodes are available on podcast apps… you may have to dig through the website) and I guarantee you’ll find an episode that feels like it was made for you. Start with ” Switched at Birth “.

RISK!

RISK! is a storytelling show where people share their most dangerous or humiliating stories, and often the topics are taboo or embarrassing. Host Kevin Ellison once told me that anything that might seem inappropriate to NPR viewers would feel right at home pouring their guts out on his show. The storytellers are trained, so every story is top notch. RISK is home to many famous narrators who often return for recurring episodes. Kevin has his own treasure trove of stories and serves as the perfect ringmaster in this chaotic circus of human disasters and triumphs. Many stories are both. Listening will make you feel like you’re sitting in a dark bar with a friend who’s had a few drinks and wants to tell you a story that will change your life. Start with ” Whammy!” ”

99% invisible

Using a combination of storytelling, interviews, soundscapes and archival recordings, each issue of 99% Invisible covers a specific design-related topic, from iconic buildings and urban planning to street signs, technology, and even intangibles like sound and language. But it’s not just for people who love design. The essence of the show is that the smallest details of how our world works have a huge impact on how we live. From vuvuzelas to flight safety cards to street curbs, host Roman Mars delivers the best audio stories that resonate with everyone. This will surprise anyone who loves a beautifully told story. Start with ” Built on Sand “.

Ologi

On Ologies, Eli Ward chats with the Logs (experts in any field of science that ends in -ology) to provide fact-filled episodes for everyone from the huge science nerd to the fascinated by the world around them. With a quirky sense of humor, she serves as your trusted host in the world of reptiles, voiceboxes, bats and dreams, but she’s also a friend bringing these adorable logs to you because she knows they have something useful to share. Ellie never interviews people because they are famous, she interviews people who are just as obsessed with their topic as she is. Their obsession will be transferred to you. Begin with ” Thanatology (DEATH AND DYING )”.

Welcome to Night Vale

Since 2012, Welcome to Night Vale has been bringing us community news from the small (fictional) desert town of Night Vale, setting the stage for countless sci-fi audio dramas to follow . It’s like “A Prairie Home Companion” narrated by David Lynch. Featuring stories about Cecil Gershwin Palmer (Night Vale’s regular radio host), Dana Cardinal (radio intern and former mayor of Night Vale), the literal five-headed dragon (also a former mayoral candidate) and more, this show explodes. with humor and horror, a satire on the absurdities of American life. Its playful format has yet to be replicated (which is why it has survived), and 10 years later it has never been repeated. And because Night Vale feels so real, it probably never will. You can listen in any order, but start with this single piece, ” The Story of You “.

Blank check with Griffin and David

Blank Check , hosted by Griffin Newman and David Sims, analyzes and discusses the filmographies of directors who have been given a “blanch check” by studios to create their passionate projects after achieving previous success. (“Blank check” refers to the trust and creative freedom a filmmaker receives when they have established themselves in the industry, allowing them to execute their vision without much interference from studios.) Griffin and David delve into storytelling, filmmaking techniques, themes, performances and cultural context surrounding all your favorite films. They will invite comedians, actors, directors, critics and industry representatives to take you behind the scenes of pure Hollywood gold. There are so many movie podcasts out there, but this one is easy to digest for people who aren’t movie experts. This is for people obsessed with movies. Start with their only episode in The Book of Henry .

song explosion

Song Exploder covers songs from all genres, including pop music. Host Rishikesh Hirvey sits down with the artists to break down their work note by note so we can understand the song to its core – how it went from the spark in the artist’s mind to the final track. Huge stars like Madonna (“Hung Up”), Rick Astley (“Never Gonna Give You Up”) and Franz Ferdinand (“Take Me Out”) become vulnerable with Hrishikesh regarding their process, revealing never-before-heard details about about what inspired them to create their biggest hits, sharing the ups and downs of a musician and admitting that sometimes even they are surprised when a song unexpectedly resonates with listeners. The episodes are beautifully done and will change you as a music consumer. (Hrishikesh also launched a spin-off Book Exploder , in which he also gives writers a treatment of the Song Exploder —I’m looking forward to the day he launches the Podcast Exploder.) Start with Semisonic’s Closing Time .

midnight burger

If you’re looking for a TARDIS twist, come toMidnight Burger , a completely ordinary diner, except for the fact that the universe is trying to kill her and she has to jump through time and space to avoid being killed. In this scripted series, Midnight Burger appears just when people need a friend and a cup of coffee and are greeted by a ragtag staff of galactic drifter, rogue theoretical physicist, sensible old-fashioned radio, and some guy named Caspar. Once you visit Midnight Burger, you are guaranteed to become a regular visitor, if only to spend more time with the characters. The dialogue is so penetrating and almost philosophical that I often find myself skipping it to listen to a particularly insightful revelation again, or just pause to think. Start with ” Transspatial Khabub “.

Radiolab

Radiolab , which debuted in 2002, is a science and philosophy podcast that uses a distinctive storytelling style to make complex topics more accessible and appealing to a wider audience. The show’s creators, Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, are known for using sound effects, music, and other sound elements to create atmosphere and immersion. They also often use multiple opinions and points of view to explore a single topic, which can help make the material more understandable and engaging. Readiolab’s episodes are rich in sound and content, and broad enough to garner widespread sympathy. Start literally anywhere.

instant judgment

At Snap Judgment , Glynn Washington is your storytelling poetry slam host, starting each episode with his own, told with energy you can feel it pulsing through your body. He then passes the microphone to his narrator – you hear the story from their point of view, expertly pieced together with killer beats. Result? Movies for your ears. These stories – a foreign negotiator tries to free a captive American journalist, someone experiences a glitch in the matrix, a harp seal rescues an underwater photographer – will stay with you forever. Join the huge community of Snappers who sit at the altar of storytelling master Glynn Washington, waiting for him to release new beats. Start with ” Frontier Hacker “.

Planet Money

NPR’s Planet of Money uses storytelling to make complex economic concepts accessible and entertaining to audiences ranging from people working in finance to those who are mostly financially illiterate. The episodes explain how our daily lives are affected by economics, finance and business. If you think the housing market, international trade, labor markets, stock market, cryptocurrencies, inflation, taxes and economic policy are boring, Planet Money will change your mind. They also make some of the most entertaining TikTok ever : super educational yet downright weird and hilarious. Start with Why a Dead Shark Is Worth $12 Million .

SmartLess

SmartLess is an interview podcast hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett. The uniqueness lies in the fact that only one of the hosts knows in advance who will be the guest, and the other two enter the conversation without any prior knowledge or preparation. And the guests are wonderful. Jason, Sean and Will create a comfortable environment that allows people like Barack Obama, Jennifer Aniston, Bono, Keanu Reeves and Tracy Ellis Ross to talk openly about their careers and personal lives and share their funny stories. Conversations seem organic and spontaneous, sincere and unexpected. SmartLess is one way to meet the big stars in a whole new way and feel like you’re hanging out with three fun electrochem friends. Start with George Clooney.