Which of the Best Podcasts Should You Listen To?

Podcasts are all the rage these days. There seems to be a new podcast launching every week, which makes it tough to know which one is worth a listen. Should you check out the podcast that’s long-running? Or the new one with all the buzz? Do you want to hear discussions on topics like love, mental health, history, true crime, fashion, pop culture, social issues, or comedy?

Perhaps you want something truly niche like The Last Days of August, a podcast that takes a magnifying glass to the life of deceased porn star August Ames. Or, if you’re a Dolly Parton fan, maybe you want to explore her career in Dolly Parton’s America. Or, maybe you’d like a compelling and cinematic podcast with new, fascinating stories like This American Life? There are also many incredible investigative podcasts and news-oriented podcasts with hosts like Jon Ronson, Sarah Marshall, and Michael Hobbes. Plus, there are dozens of award-winning podcasts that tackle important real-life events like planning your retirement, relationships, parenting, schooling, travel, and dieting.

If you’re looking for a new podcast to listen to, where do you start? If you’re going to invest your time in a podcast, how do you know which one is worth those precious minutes in life? Let’s ask you some questions to see if we can find out which podcast you should listen to.

Best Podcasts

Podcasts are essentially radio programs without the radio. Some of the most popular podcasts have run for years while others are barely a year old. These recorded conversations can cover a wide range of topics, issues, and stories in nearly every genre you can imagine. Perhaps true crime, news, current events talk, and interviews have become the most widely popular forms of podcasting. But there's a podcast for every interest on the planet, from Dolly Parton's America for Dolly Parton fans to The Dropout for people curious about Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos.

Podcast episodes can range from 20 minutes to hours. Some podcasts have one host, some have many. Some podcasts talk to guests and some just talk. Hosts don't have to be trained or well-known. If you have a passion and a microphone, you can host a podcast!

Whatever subject, style, or genre you want, the great big world of podcasts has you covered. The best podcasts enjoy tens of millions of listeners on a weekly basis, and oftentimes, the stories these podcast series tell are simple real-life human stories. There aren't many bells and whistles. However, there are also podcasts filled with cinematic music, award-winning literature, and masterful storytelling. And the best podcasts reach audiences all around the world.