Top podcasts to listen to right now

Podcasts have grown in popularity over the years, and now there are hundreds, even thousands of podcasts on wide-ranging topics and varying lengths. In curating this list of top podcasts, we ensured we covered as many genres as possible such as crime, comedy, film, dating, and even self-help.

25 Top Podcasts that are a Must-Listen for 2021

Podcasts are becoming more popular than ever, so you’re going to want to be in the know. Here is a rundown of the best ones you should be listening to in 2021.

Song Exploder

• On Apple
• On Spotify

Before it became a Netflix show, Song Exploder was a podcast first. If you are a music lover interested in knowing the story and process behind your favorite song/songs, this is the podcast for you.

The Daily

Photo Credit: nytimes.com

• On Apple
• On Spotify

The Daily is one of the top podcasts on streaming platforms. News can be a drag for many listeners, but Michael Barbaro gives this podcast a whole new spin. He presents the news in a captivating yet informative way that leaves you faithfully waiting for the next episode.

Griefcast With Cariad Lloyd

• Listen on Spotify

Loss and grief are explored in a practical yet heartwarming way in this podcast hosted by Cariad Lloyd. His guests are comedians and funny people who openly discuss how losing someone can be sad, strange, and scary all at once.

Becoming Wise

Photo Credit: open.spotify.com

• Listen on Apple
• Listen on Spotify

If you are interested in advice on life and discussions about morality, Becoming Wise will is right up your alley. It is short and insightful. Krista Tippets host the podcast.

Some of the guests that have been featured include the late John Lewis. It is the perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee or tea.

The Lazy Genius

• On Apple
• On Spotify

Navigating daily life as an adult is challenging and even more so these days. This podcast offers life hacks, encouragement, and support for people who need it.

Listeners get to receive advice ranging from basic life organization to handling religious differences.

WTF With Marc Maron

Photo credit: Wikipedia

• Apple
• Spotify

In this podcast interview show, Marc Maron talks to comedians, celebrities, and even past presidents. The podcast is thought-provoking, hilarious, and provides a generally great audio experience.

Nice White Parents

• Listen on Apple
• Listen on Spotify

Hosted by Chana Jaffe-Walt, this podcast consists of five parts. It is an in-depth look into what is wrong with the public school system and what led to its problems. This five-part series is among the top podcasts available for listening to on the internet.

Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out

Photo Credit: Amazon

• On Apple
• Listen on Spotify

On this podcast, Mike Birbigilia teams up with guest comedians to experiment with new material. This audio show is a glimpse into what goes into the making of jokes. Occasionally, the jokes get a little intense, but it’s a top podcast regardless.

Sports Wars

• Listen on Apple
• Listen on Spotify

Sports go beyond the court, the field, and the stadium. The sports industry is full of drama, intrigue, mystery, and even scandal. Sports Wars Podcast digs into notorious beefs and famed rivalries in sports.

It is presented in a riveting way that grabs both sports fans and non-fans, making it one of the best sporting podcasts ever.

Dare to Lead with Brené Brown

Photo Credit: open.spotify.com

• Spotify

Brené Brown, author of Dare to Lead, hosts this podcast named after her New York Times bestselling book. She discusses with figureheads and leaders from all walks of life on the podcast. She also offers her remarkable wisdom on various matters.

Reply All

• Listen on Apple
• Listen on Spotify

Alex Goldman and PJ Vogt are the hosts of this long-running brilliant podcast. They discuss technology and the internet. They receive calls from people sharing the impact technology has had on their lives. The hosts also explore internet-related happenings in an educative yet fun way.

This American Life

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

• Listen on Apple

Apart from being one of the top podcasts, The American Life was the first podcast to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize. This amazing podcast has a large backlog of episodes for people who enjoy back-to-back listening sessions.

Every Little Thing

• Listen on Spotify

Do you find yourself wondering about little things like who invented ties or who invented ice cream? Every little thing podcast answers all your little questions. Listening to this top podcast is a great way to start your day or entertain yourself during lunch.

The Trend Reporter

Photo Credit: iheart.com

• Listen on iHeart Radio
• Listen on Stitcher

Mara Schiavocampo, Emmy Award-winning TV personality, and journalist talk about style, beauty, health, and lots more in this entertaining podcast.

We love this podcast because it goes straight to the point. It is also easy to listen to, and the episodes are not cumbersome. Maria shows why she won and deserved her Emmy.

WE Well-Being Podcast

• Apple

The first lady of Canada, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, has been vocal about her eating disorder and anxiety struggles. In this podcast, she unpacks the stigma around mental health with guests, including experts, mental health advocates, and celebrities.

Beautiful Anonymous

Photo Credit: Medium.com

• EarWolf

Comedian Chris Gethard hosts this anonymous call-in show, where callers share stories from their life that often show the core of the human experience. The stories on the podcast typically range from utterly hilarious to absolutely intriguing.

Call Your Girlfriend

• Listen on Apple
• Listen on Spotify

Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow are the hosts of this show. They discuss all things books, pop culture, and current news in this funny, honest podcast.

It is great for listening while commuting or doing chores around the house. The hosts do a great job of giving the podcast a friendly feel, exactly why it is on our top podcasts list.

Dolly Parton’s America

Credit: Wikipedia

• Listen on Spotify

Jad Abumrad takes listeners on a unique journey to find out why America is in love with Dolly. This audio show is an intimate audio tour of the star’s childhood home, the making of her songs, and even the dolly theme pack.

It is a stunning personal look at the famous singer. The podcast also provides insight into the impact Dolly has had on society.

Keep It

• On Apple
• Spotify

Culture, politics, entertainment, and society are all entangled in our modern-day world. Louis Virtel, Madison III, and Aida Osman come together to make sense of the entanglement as hosts of this podcast. They discuss the latest trends and offer their opinion while being entertaining.

Dope Labs

• Listen on Apple
• Listen on Spotify

Titi Shodiya and Zakiya Whatley are scientists and best friends who illustrate how social media trends and events interconnect with science. Both nerds and non-nerds will find this podcast worth a listen.

Serial

Photo Credit: Twitter

• Listen on Apple
• Listen on Spotify

The first season of this podcast followed journalist Sarah Koenig’s investigation into a murder case; Adnan Syed, the teenager who killed his ex-girlfriend. The presently running season explores the ins and outs of public schools within New York.

Spooked

• On Apple

Imagine listening to scary stories at the top of your screen? That is Spooked for you. People share their creepy stories from far and wide. If you love a good scare and enjoy being thrilled, grab your headphones and tune in to one of the top podcasts on the interweb.

How Did This Get Made?

Photo Credit: EarWolf

• Listen on EarWolf

Film lovers are going to enjoy the How Did This Get Made podcast. It is hosted by Jason Mantzoukas, June Diane Raphael and Paul Scheer, and occasional special guests.
The three hosts dig into the good, bad, and ugly of movies and film culture in general.
Even if you haven’t watched the movie being discussed in the episode, the podcast is still great entertainment.

The Alarmist

• Listen on Apple
• Listen on Spotify

Think of the biggest failed events in the past years; failed events like The Titanic Sink and handled situations like The Flint water crisis.

The Alarmist takes a deep dive into the who, what, when, where, why, and how of these events. The podcast also offers insight into the preventive measures that could have been taken regarding these failures.

Why Won’t You Date Me?

Photo Credit: Amazon

• Apple and Spotify

As adults, dating and relationships, particularly in this present day, are exhausting. Nicole Byer tackles modern dating and its many struggles in this hilarious podcast. Heads up, though, it gets quite raunchy sometimes! The listener’s discretion is advised.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can I listen to podcasts?

You can listen to them on streaming platforms like Spotify, Google, Apple, Anchor, and Audible.

Are Podcasts Free?

Yes, most podcasts are free to stream from whatever platform you choose to use.

Conclusion

Podcasts are a great way to be entertained and informed all at once. All you have to do is select an episode from one of the tops of our list, press play, and voila! Happy listening!