If you haven’t jumped on the podcast wagon yet, you’re missing out on a lot of things.
I cannot speak with enough superlatives of them. My current subscription list is at 100. Yeah, it’s a tad too much, but what can I say? I’m always on the hunt for new ones.
I love podcasts, because they are the best combination of entertainment and education. You can literally find a podcast for every possible topic out there. And they’re highly efficient, because you can put them on basically anywhere and anytime – I love listening to them when I’m driving, cleaning, organizing, editing, or putting on makeup.
So, expect a couple of thematic podcast lists in the future (see my top 5 podcasts for beauty junkies here), but for now let’s start with the most addictive ones (for lack of a better word).
These are the podcasts I’m a faithful fan of. The podcasts whose episodes I binge listened to when I discovered them.
It’s a quite eclectic mix topic and vibe-wise, but I don’t really have strict niche interests and I doubt most of us do.
The more versatile, the better, right?
Best podcasts to binge listen to now
Gastropod
Gastropod will pretty much change the way you look at and think of food. Each episode looks at food through the lens of science and history, serving up fascinating stories on everything food-related: how the food fraud industry operates, the discovery of vitamins, the science of caffeine, the truth about calories, the first restaurants, the difference between natural and artificial flavors and foods, the story of coctails, Chinese restaurants, kale, mushrooms, meat and veganism, and many, many more. It’s full of fascinating information and is the perfect combination of science, fun facts, history, and humor.
Perfect for: food and health buffs
The Popcast with Knox and Jamie
The ultimate pop culture podcast, “educating the world on things that entertain, but do not matter”. Jamie and Knox offer a fresh perspective and hilarious, witty commentary on pop culture classics, TV shows, movies, discussing everything from the best and worst fake politicians and the right way to kill off major TV show characters, through twins and animals in pop culture, to celebrity feuds, famous people free passes, book adaptations, pop music, TV shows, celebrity news, and movies. This is what you must put on if you need some pop culture education and a good laugh.
Perfect for: pop culture fans
The GaryVee Audio Experience
I’ve already mentioned Gary Vee in my How to crush writer’s block post. If you’re in dire need of some virtual ass-kicking, he’s your man. He has a special ability to motivate, inspire, and fire up people. He’s also a social media mastermind, so it’s worth listening to his best tips on how to crush it on the Internet today. Whenever I’m a little down or I need an instant motivation boost, I put on his podcast, the GaryVee Audio Experience. It switches between short rants, interviews, keynote speeches, and thematic shows. His energy and hustle is so strong, it’s pretty hard to resist it.
Perfect for: a daily dose of motivation
The LadyGang
Just because we can’t listen to serious, educational podcasts all the time. Keltie Knight, entertainment journalist, Jac Vanek, clothing designer, and Becca Tobin, actress of Glee fame discuss Hollywood behind the scenes, celebrity encounters, female body issues, career highs and lows in The LadyGang podcast – basically no topic is off limits. Each week, there’s a celebrity guest, but the three ladies are the true driving forces behind this podcast. A right dose of cynicism, self-irony, raw honesty, bluntness, and practical life advice in every podcast.
Perfect for: a fix of dry humor, celebrity news, and interesting guest interviews
NPR Politics
There are a lot of politics podcasts out there, but this one is easily among the most addictives and is one of my go-to source for (mainly US) political news and commentary. The hosts (reporters covering the White House, Congress, and guest contributors) cover the most important political events, providing sharp, balanced, not sensationalist, in-depth, but frequently witty commentary and analysis. It’s like you’re listening to political correspondents chatting in a DC coffe shop, trading insider information and discussing the often crazy life in Washington.
Perfect for: anyone who would like to keep up with US politics and Trump’s tweets
S-Town
S-Town (aka Shit Town) is the biggest podcast success so far this year – it has been downloaded almost 20 million times in the week it was released. It’s an investigative journalism show, brought to you by the producers of two other chart-topping podcasts – Serial and This American Life. Though it may start out as another true crime investigation, it’s clear from the start that it’s so much more than that. It goes deep into the heart of a small town in Alabama (but I guess, it could be about similar towns all across the US) and the unique, genius, eccentric protagonist, John B. McLemore. What you get in the 7 episodes is a true rollercoaster of emotions, individual life choices, social issues, mysteries, twists, hidden relationships, a story of a community and a story of the people within that community. It’s definitely the type of story that leaves you thinking long after you listened to the final episode. A practical advice: do not google S-Town before you listen to it; it’s a story that shouldn’t be spoiled.
Perfect for: basically everyone
The Secret Room
The Secret Room is a podcast of the stories that no one ever tells. Each episode features guests who share a secret they’ve never told anyone, because it was too embarrassing, too painful, or too intimate. The stories include relationships, online personas, death, sex, teenage mistakes and adult missteps, addiction, religion, and love – you never know what type of story and secret you get. Some of them will make you laugh, some of them will punch you in the gut, and some of them will maybe remind you of your own life and own secrets.
Perfect for: fans of great storytelling
Stay tuned, because there are a lot more podcast lists coming: best podcasts for bloggers and entrepreneurs, best simple living and minimalism podcasts, lifestyle podcasts, and for sure a most addictive podcasts to binge listen to Part 2.
On that note, can I add some more to my subscription list? What are your fave podcasts?
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I am new to the world of podcasts. I started listening to them early this year but not religiously so i’m always looking for some to subscribe to. Thanks for the reccs. I definitely will subscribe to Gastropod.
I think you’ll love that one!!:)
Nice mix of big and indie podcasts. From S-Town to Secret Room, all notable. The latter a real find, thank you!
Thank you so much!I agree about The Secret Room, it’s a little bit under the radar, but a real gem!