Originally an outlet for Nick van der Kolk’s audio experiments, Love and Radio was one of the earliest episodic narrative podcasts. The show pushed the boundaries of what podcasts could be—and whose stories could be told. Each episode features a single voice telling a story that often rides the line between comfort and discomfort. The stories range from a sadist to a funeral director to a woman fixated on a couple who never shut their blinds; each one embraces our base emotions, exploring the nuances that make us all human. We rarely hear a narrator, but van der Kolk’s scoring and sound design build a sonic landscape that propels the storytelling forward. Every episode is unexpected and addictively gripping, laying the groundwork for podcasting’s acceptance of the niche, the weird, and the taboo.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of Love and Radio here.

From its origin as a radio show through its evolution as a podcast, This American Life has told seemingly ordinary stories of everyday life, grouped together on a single theme. It’s a simple premise, but something magical happens when it all comes together: Stories of people from all walks of life have the power to surprise, delight, and change minds. The interviews and accounts are never what you expect, and they map back to the central theme in unexpected ways. Sometimes they’re funny enough to make us laugh out loud, or intense enough to make us shed tears. But the stories are always layered with an inherent humanity, unafraid to delve into difficult emotional and cultural topics. The blueprint Ira Glass created with this show continues to define and influence narrative podcasting to this day.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of This American Life here.

Some of our favorite podcasts bring to light the stories behind the ordinary elements of life, and Roman Mars’ 99% Invisible is one of the best. What started as a radio project exploring architecture and urban design has expanded over the years to encompass the often-overlooked design of everyday things, from fashion trends to parking lots. Each episode uses that as a jumping-off point to unpack something larger—with fashion, the industry of trends and consumerism that rules our lives; with parking lots, how zoning codes impact the housing crisis. It’s a show that has consistently helped us feel smarter.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of 99% Invisible here.

Fiction podcasts invite us into new worlds, mixing the pleasure of a great novel with the sound design of a blockbuster film. None do it quite like The Truth, which sets short stories in worlds parallel to our own, uncannily close to realism. Its true genius lies in subverting reality to create uncomfortable yet incredibly human stories that explore moral questions. What does it mean to be a good partner? How do we live a satisfying life? Like an episode of The Twilight Zone or Black Mirror, each episode leads you through a modern fairy tale, and you never know what you’ll get until you hit play.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of The Truth here.

Listening to The Read feels like sitting back and chatting with two friends. In loosely formatted conversations, Kid Fury and Crissle offer their unvarnished perspectives on culture, current events, and their own changing lives. We feel pulled in because of the clear friendship between the hosts—this podcast has been a source of connection for so many since its launch over 10 years ago. This type of conversational podcast has been endlessly iterated upon in the years since the show was first released; we’re so accustomed now to shows with hot takes and a personal tone that it’s easy to forget how The Read did it first and continues to do it so incredibly well.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of The Read here.

From composers to indie artists to pop stars, Song Exploder brings on musicians from all genres to sit down and talk through a single song of theirs. Listeners get a peek behind the curtain (or inside the recording studio) to hear the standalone story of a song’s production, lyrics, and the artist’s life behind it all. Even for the non-music-obsessed, there’s delight in learning the creative influences and hidden intentions behind songs from artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Pharrell Williams, and Hans Zimmer. Host Hrishikesh Hirway appears only sparingly, often editing out his own voice entirely for an artist-centered interview layered with elements of each song as sound design. It demonstrates a deep reverence of music mixed with the expansive production of podcasting, giving stories of creation and artistry a chance to shine.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of Song Exploder here.

Looking back at the past 20 years, few shows have changed podcasting more fundamentally than Serial. Upon its release, it became pure zeitgeist, spreading rapidly through word of mouth and reaching over 5 million downloads in its first six weeks. Listeners followed along to unravel the story of Adnan Syed and Hae Min Lee, a case that Sarah Koenig and her team reported in real time, not knowing the ending even as they were making it. Hundreds of series have emulated Serial’s approach to long-form storytelling, but its first season still stands alone for its innovative approach and dedication to craft. Since then, the show has evolved into a home for high-quality long-form audio investigative reporting, with seasons covering everything from the criminal justice system to Guantanamo Bay. Serial took true-crime series mainstream, and within the genre it inspired, it still is among the best ever made.

Below is the first episode of Serial. You can find more episodes here.

On its face, Mystery Show has a simple premise: investigate mysteries that can’t be solved by searching the internet. The mysteries range from uncovering why Britney Spears was photographed holding a niche book to the story behind a strange image on a lunchbox. The magic behind the series comes from This American Life alum and host Starlee Kine. Each episode is as much a boots-on-the-ground investigation as it is meandering commentary and delightful tangents. This standalone series has a foundational whimsy and joy that many shows have sought to capture. A decade after its release, Kine’s pure curiosity still teaches us that, even in an era when most answers are just a few clicks away, stories can be found in both the journey and the destination.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of Mystery Show here.

Everyone has an obsession. For David Rosenthal and Ben Gilbert, the hosts of Acquired, that obsession is dissecting the origin stories of the world’s biggest companies. From household names (Nike, Costco) to international brands (IKEA, Rolex) to of-the-moment sensations (Bitcoin, TikTok), the show covers entrepreneurial success with both enthusiasm and passion. Through well-researched storytelling, Rosenthal and Gilbert present information for a business- and technology-minded person in an exceptional format, giving each company its own narrative journey.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of Acquired here.

Las Culturistas is first and foremost a podcast hosted by fans. Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang began the show as burgeoning comedians and, with the show, have ballooned into massive stars. They are the most well-informed duo on the latest in pop culture, with a seemingly endless supply of new obsessions to gush over. Their dynamic brings us back week over week, whether they’re discussing a superstar’s new album or a recent vacation gone wrong. Their true love of contemporary trends has helped attract the biggest celebrities—Lady Gaga, Cate Blanchett, Chappell Roan, and Amy Poehler have all joined in 2025 alone. They are dedicated fans in the truest form, making Las Culturistas not just a pop-culture podcast, but the pop-culture podcast.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of Las Culturistas here.

The Daily is part of the everyday routine for millions of people seeking to make sense of the world—and their place within it. As both journalists and hosts, Michael Barbaro, Rachel Abrams, and Natalie Kitroeff guide listeners through the facts, nuances, consequences, and varied perspectives at the heart of a single topic every day, often in conversation with the reporter behind the story. This focus on one story each day stands in stark contrast to the rapid-fire news cycle of social media, and the daily news format that The Daily pioneered has influenced organizations around the world to recognize podcasting’s potential as a new way to cover the headlines. Beyond its undeniable impact on the medium, the thoughtful conversations among journalists and deep dives that go beyond what fits in print continue to draw listeners after all these years.

Below is a great episode to start with.

Alex Cooper started Call Her Daddy as a chat show with her former co-host Sofia Franklyn, adapting YouTube editing styles to an audio-first format. The salacious, sex-positive show was catapulted into the headlines following the split with Franklyn, and Cooper took Call Her Daddy in a new direction, shifting from relationship conversations to intimate interviews. With guests like Simone Biles and Jane Fonda, celebrities dress down in comfortable clothes and settle into a plush armchair to speak candidly about the most personal aspects of their lives. Cooper is an incredibly compelling interviewer, disarming her guests with her effusive charisma and embracing taboos and touchy subjects in her questioning. Her chameleon-like ability to sense the next big cultural shift put her at the forefront of podcasting for a huge new audience, and by redefining high-profile interviews as intimate affairs, she redefined how an entire generation perceives celebrity.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of Call Her Daddy here.

The semi-autobiographical approach of James Kim’s MOONFACE creates a unique intimacy, forging a connection with listeners that is reminiscent of the emotional depth we more commonly associate with novels and independent films. Kim was a nonfiction audio reporter before branching into fiction, and his background lends the series a sense of realism. The story focuses on a queer Korean American son, his relationship with his mother, and a communication barrier that runs throughout the series. It’s a show about familial relationships, identity, and our connection to heritage. The sound design adds authenticity, heightening the emotional stakes. It’s one that will stay with you long after listening because, through the character of Paul Moon, we find a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Below is the first episode of MOONFACE. You can find more episodes here.

Dolly Parton elicits almost religious fervor from her fans—she’s as close as America has to a universally beloved figure. In this gem, Radiolab’s Jad Abumrad spoke with Parton in candid interviews, building a portrait of her life and legacy accompanied by her original music. It’s a show that felt of the moment in 2019, with discussions of what we owe those who have harmed us, but also feels uncannily relevant in 2025 as we see patterns reemerge in our culture. Biography podcasts often feel like histories, but Dolly Parton’s America stands out by making the story of Parton’s life as timeless and universal as her music. Through this serialized master class, the real “Tennessee Mountain Home” where she grew up becomes the conceptual home we all yearn for, and the series gives us a place to reflect, scored by her joyous, heartbreaking, and singular hits.

Below is the first episode of Dolly Parton's America. You can find more episodes here.

With multi-part deep dives into the most famous and long-forgotten moments in history, Dominic Sandbrook and (non-Spider-Man) Tom Holland explore all sorts of stories, from the French Revolution to the Titanic to rock ’n’ roll. Sandbrook and Holland bring both information and levity in a conversational tone. While they talk with one another, this show is really a conversation with (or interrogation of) the past: The hosts consult primary sources, oral histories, archives, and artifacts to create an accurate picture of the period they’re covering. Listening is like having 10,000 textbooks in your pocket. There are crossovers, too—they size up the worst Roman emperor against modern politicians, or consider what Jane Austen’s experience was like during the Napoleonic Wars. The beauty of this show is that history doesn’t feel stuck in the past—rather, the hosts find ways to tie themes to the modern-day moment.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of The Rest Is History here.

Huberman Lab’s interviews with experts are designed to help you live better. Host Andrew Huberman gets to the heart of health-based research and translates it for his listeners, with a long-form format that allows for insightful questions and in-depth answers. He covers mental, physical, and even interpersonal health, untangling topics from finding purpose to building muscle to parenting effectively. Huberman vocalizes the thoughts we may not even realize we have, asking questions that help us unlock the mystery and science behind health and wellness.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of Huberman Lab here.

Suave starts as a story of a wrongful conviction, a premise popularized by Serial, but it quickly upends those expectations. Luis “Suave” Gonzalez develops a friendship with journalist Maria Hinojosa while he’s behind bars for a crime we are unsure he really committed. From there on, the show becomes more than a story of injustice; through the production team’s mastery of craft, Suave’s humanity shines front and center. Maria Hinojosa’s friendship with Suave also adds a layer of tension, and the show lets us experience that tension in all its complexity. This series is a reflection on the criminal justice system, true crime podcasts, and journalism as a vehicle for storytelling.

Below is the first episode of Suave. You can find more episodes here.

Sweet Bobby is a true crime series unlike any other, centered on a catfishing scam. Host Alexi Mostrous uses snippets of voice notes, messages, and first-person interviews to recreate the nearly decade-long relationship Kirat Assai developed with a man she never met. To the listener, it might seem maddening what Assai was willing to believe, but as the series progresses, we come to understand her motivations and her humanity in the face of a person who completely fabricated an intricate life. We won’t reveal too much, but it’s an absolutely addicting listen from start to finish.

Below is the first episode of Sweet Bobby. You can find more episodes here.

Outside of podcasting, Keke Palmer is commonly the interviewee, but on her show, she flips the script and takes on the role of interviewer. Her understanding of what her guests are going through adds accessibility to the conversation, offering a grounded rendition of the celebrity interview format. The Palmer family makes guest appearances, reminding us that we have more in common with the multi-talented host than it may seem at first. The show’s appeal lies in its refreshing blend of superstar insight and relatable, down-to-earth conversations. Palmer doesn’t shy away from her roots—she wears her authenticity on her sleeve and her genuine enthusiasm shines in every episode.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of Baby, This is Keke Palmer here.

Having soared to stardom on TikTok, host Jake Shane’s superpowers are his relatability and vulnerability. His comedy is both self-effacing and tender, and he upends the conversational podcast format by bringing on celebrity guests to answer listener questions as a therapist might. This format gives guests an entry point into spilling their secrets in the safe environment created by Shane, and offers a salve for the anxiety-ridden, overstimulated hardships of life today (as Shane calls them, Tell Me What’s Wrongs). What makes this show stand out among this next generation is the way that Shane balances exchanging deeply personal details with nonchalance, offering guests a place to connect and make fun of themselves rather than a platform for self-promotion.

Below is a great episode to start with. You can find more of our favorite episodes of Therapuss here.