I think it’s safe to say we are all on the same page when it comes to our obsession with podcasts. Kelley and I are both huge podcast fans and we rounded up our top picks if you’re looking for a new binge-worthy listen. Perfect for car rides, commutes, cleaning the house or whenever else you’re in the mood for a podcast. I also asked for your favorites and picked the top recommendations to share down below. Whether you’re looking for a laugh, true crime, some history or a little inspiration we’ve got you covered with the best podcasts to binge right now. Have a podcast you love that’s not on the list? Let us know in the comments!
The Best Podcasts To Binge Right Now
Jess’s Podcast Recommendations
This is Reality- The Reality Winner Podcast
Craig told me about this podcast a few nights ago so I just started listening, and I’m already hooked. Reality Winner (yes that’s her name) was a 25-year-old highly decorated Air Force linguist when she was charged with leaking proof of Russian interference in the 2016 election to the media. She received the longest sentence ever imposed for unauthorized release of government information, 5 years and 3 months. This podcast reveals the story behind Reality Winner and her current pursuit for clemency.
Lost Hills: Season 2
This true-crime podcast follows the mysterious drowning of a Malibu woman and her son. Her husband Fred was convicted of their murders, but he continues to claim his innocence along with the victim’s family. However, there’s more to the story, and Fred’s first wife died under suspicious circumstances too. Was it an awful coincidence or something far more sinister?
Fiasco: Benghazi
Full disclosure this podcast is only available to subscribers (you can preview the first episode). If you want to understand more about what happened in Benghazi and the events leading up to it, the host does a phenomenal job of making a complex topic easier to follow and understand. I learned so much listening to this well researched story.
The MLK Tapes
How much do you know about the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr? Chances are, you’ll learn something new from The MLK Tapes. With new interviews from people who were there and rare recordings of eye-witness testimony, this podcast digs for the truth behind the plot to kill Dr. King. New episodes drop weekly.
Smartless
If you want something a little silly and fun, look no further than Smartless. Hosted by Will Arnett, Jason Batemen, and Sean Hayes, it’s full of great interviews, comedy, and interesting stories. Not sure where to start? A few of my favorite episodes include: Awkwafina, Tina Fey, Martin Short, and Ricky Gervais.
American Radical
How did a shy woman from Georgia who hated politics end up dying in the middle of a crowd trying to force its way past the police at the Capitol on January 6, 2021? This podcast follows the story of Rosanne Boyland, and how she went from being someone who had never shown interest in politics to becoming a Trump supporter fueled by conspiracy theories. It’s a tragic story that left me wondering how many other Rosanne’s are out there.
Kelley’s Podcast Recommendations
We Can Do Hard Things
Glennon Doyle is one of my favorites. She truly tackles all the hard things in the most humble of ways through conversations with her sister, wife, Abby Wambach, guest experts and her podsquaders. She digs into topics from “How to Say No” to “Addiction” and “Beauty”. These conversations are so real and relevant. Have a listen.
Sex with Emily
Dr. Emily Morse is a sexpert who shares all the dirty on sex and relationships. She’s brave enough to dive into the topics that we are all curious about, but too scared to bring up and has conversations with real people with really relatable stories and questions.
Armchair Expert Umbrella
If you are looking to hear from some of the world’s most diverse and equally interesting females, check out the mini series from Armchair Expert called We Are Supported By… You will hear from influentials such as Oprah, Reese Witherspoon and Kim Kardashian– and maybe, just maybe it might change your mind about her, even just a little bit.
Storytime with Seth Rogan
A fun, easy listen for the new year with Rogan, who interviews celebrities about everything from run ins with Paul Rudd to a terrifying bear encounter.
Invisibilia-The Friendship Season
This is so incredibly fascinating. Why is it that we treat friendships unlike any other relationships in our lives? Get ready for a deep dive into all things friendships including nuns, ghosts, friends with benefits and poop? Yes, now I’ve got your attention!
Up and Vanished
My husband and I listened to season 2 of Up and Vanished on a recent road trip and we were riveted. Host Payne Lindsey has a great radio voice, incorporates some epic music, sound effects and interviews that really bring the stories to life with a significant amount of suspense along the way. A podcast that inspired the reopening of a cold case is always worth a listen.
Dark House
Who doesn’t love a haunted house story? What’s even better is on this show, the story of beautiful historic homes weaves together with the ghosts they left behind. Be careful this one might keep you up at night!
Community Podcast Recommendations
Strict Scrutiny
This podcast sounds so interesting. It’s hosted by three women who talk about the Supreme Court and the legal culture surrounding it. Apparently there’s some humor thrown in too.
Maintenance Phase
I keep seeing this podcast pop up and it sounds like it’s an excellent listen based on all of your recommendations. Maintenance Phase takes on the diet industry and “debunks the science behind health fads, wellness scams and nonsensical nutrition advice.”
Bad On Paper
Not surprised how many of you love my friend Grace’s podcast Bad on Paper. Grace hosts this weekly podcast with Becca, where they talk about books, careers, dating and so much more.
The Dream: Season One
In season one of The Dream, the hosts explore the predatory nature of MLMS or Multi-level marketing schemes. I have this one queued up on my list of podcasts. I’ve heard from a few friends that recommended the podcast that it draws thoughtful parallels between MLMS and social justice, politics and the legal system.
Be There In Five
Kate Kennedy is a bit of a millennial podcast icon. Her episodes are typically longer and usually done in monologue format. She does deep dives on everything from Mormon bloggers and TikTok trends to 90’s purity culture and influencer scandals.
I haven’t found a good podcast to listen to in awhile, so thank you for putting this list together! I can’t wait to listen to some of these
Hope you find a few you enjoy!
Love this list! I’ve added a few I was not aware of and moved up a couple on my to listen list! Thank you for putting this together!
Other great podcasts for anyone looking:
Motherhood meets Medicine: Lynzy Coughlin who recently left SM all together hosts this show and it is so informative and the subjects are all fascinating.
To Live and die in LA season 1 & season 2: Hosted by Neil Strauss a Rolling Stone (and others) reporter. Super fascinating – they help search/investigate 2 missing women in the LA area.
In the Dark Season 1 & 2: AMAZING show! Season 2 helped free a man wrongfully convicted of murders 6 times! The case went all the way up to the Supreme Court where it was heard! It’s a phenomenal case! Highly recommend!
Thank you Fawne. Totally agree on Motherhood Meets Medicine. Great podcast! And I’ve listened to both seasons of To Live and Die in LA and season 2 of In The Dark, the Curtis Flowers case was unbelievable. Great recs!
This is a great list—I’ve added a bunch to my library, thank you. I’m currently loving Chinae Alexander’s podcast, Press Send—the current episode features an interview with the author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, Dr. Lindsay Gibson, an absolutely life-changing book. Chinae is so raw and real—I just adore her. I also like How to Fail with Elizabeth Day, and the Rich Roll Podcast.
I absolutely LOVE Work in Progress with Sophia Bush. She is a fantastic interviewer and I appreciate that she brings in celebrity types, but also less well-known individuals (to me!) that are experts in their field. Really fascinating stuff!
Can’t wait to dive into some of these ! Still love listening to the OGs, this American like and Radio Lab. Also into Snap Judgement and It’s Been a Minute with Sam Sanders.
If you liked “To Live and Die in LA” and “Lost Hills” – HIGHLY recommend “Your Own Backyard.” Also set in California, investigates a cold case from the mid-90s of a missing college freshman. To avoid spoilers, the podcast had huge influence bringing the case back to light of day, and has had real time updates.
Thanks for this post – I was just looking for a new podcast yesterday!
Thanks for sharing these! Last year I made a point to add more business, news and women leadership podcasts to my queue and have found myself gravitating towards Adam Grant’s Work Life, Robinhood Snacks, Women at Work from HBR, AXIOS Daily.
Looking forward to bingeing some more!
Have you ever listened to Jasmine Bradshaw on First Name Basis? She is amazing and brakes down social and political issues. She is also a wealth of knowledge about how to talk to you kids about race and important days and topics surrounding race. Her podcast is great.
This is a great list. Another one that has such good interviews is Paternal with Nick Firchau!
Heavyweight! The host is a fantastic storyteller and you will laugh and feel better about humanity after listening.
If you enjoy science and health topics, check out Huberman Lab! He’s a professor dedicated to sharing accurate and actionable information based on well researched science. He’ll cover the basics of the underlying research and then give tips and tricks you can use in your own life. I really enjoyed the episodes on improving focus and better understanding intermittent fasting.