New to podcasts? Good news: there’s a show for every interest, mood, and spare 10–60 minutes in your day. This guide highlights top podcasts across key categories and gives you a simple way to discover what you’ll actually enjoy—and stick with.
How to find your first favorites
- Start with topics you already love (news, comedy, tech, sports, hobbies).
- Sample 2–3 episodes before you subscribe—hosts and formats vary a lot.
- Try different lengths: short daily shows for commutes, long-form on weekends.
- Use “similar shows” and charts in your app, but trust your own taste.
News and current affairs
- The Daily — Apple · Spotify
A 20–30 minute deep-dive into one big story each weekday. - BBC Global News Podcast — Apple · Spotify
World headlines in a brisk, BBC style. - Today, Explained — Apple · Spotify
Vox’s explainer journalism with approachable storytelling.
Tip: For news, subscribe to one daily show plus one weekly analysis show to avoid overload.
True crime and investigations
- Serial — Apple · Spotify
The modern classic that launched a million investigations. - Criminal — Apple · Spotify
Thoughtful, human stories around crime—often unexpected angles. - In the Dark — Apple · Spotify
Award-winning investigative reporting with real-world impact.
Try this: If you like serialized stories, follow a season from episode 1; if you prefer one-offs, pick an anthology format.
Comedy and culture
- Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend — Apple · Spotify
Celebrity interviews with surprising sincerity and big laughs. - SmartLess — Apple · Spotify
Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes with a mystery guest. - Off Menu — Apple · Spotify
Comedians talk dream meals; surprisingly cozy.
Technology and science
- The Vergecast — Apple · Spotify
Weekly tech news and industry trends. - Accidental Tech Podcast (ATP) — Apple · Overcast
Three developers discuss Apple, software, and hardware—deep but fun. - Radiolab — Apple · Spotify
Sound-rich storytelling about science, philosophy, and wonder.
Business, careers, and money
- How I Built This — Apple · Spotify
Founders share the real stories behind big brands. - Planet Money — Apple · Spotify
Economics for everyday life, richly explained. - Acquired — Apple · Spotify
Deep dives into business histories and big acquisitions.
Health and wellness
- Huberman Lab — Apple · Spotify
Neuroscience-backed tools for performance and wellbeing. - Ten Percent Happier — Apple · Spotify
Meditation and mindset, made practical.
Storytelling and documentary
- This American Life — Apple · Spotify
Narrative journalism with heart; a perfect entry point to the medium. - 99% Invisible — Apple · Spotify
Design and the hidden stories of the built world.
Sports, hobbies, and niche passions
- The Bill Simmons Podcast — Apple · Spotify
Sports discussions, interviews, and pop culture crossovers. - Choose niche shows around your hobbies (running, chess, woodworking, photography); search by topic in your app and sort by rating or popularity.
Kids and family
- Brains On! — Apple · Spotify
Curious, science-y fun for kids and parents. - Wow in the World — Apple · Spotify
Big, wow-worthy ideas—high-energy and educational.
A simple starter plan
- Pick 3 categories you care about.
- Subscribe to 1–2 shows in each.
- Try 2 episodes per show. Keep what clicks; unsubscribe from the rest.
- Re-balance: One daily, one weekly, one “treat” (storytelling/comedy).
You’ll have a great personal mix within a week.
Fewer interruptions, more joy—try PodcastAdBlock
Love the shows above but not the ads? PodcastAdBlock creates a personal, ad‑reduced feed you can paste into your existing player. You’ll:
- Keep your favorite app and subscriptions
- Save time every week
- Enjoy your new podcast routine without constant breaks
Set it up once and listen on autopilot—no new app required.
Leave a Reply