40 Best Podcasts to Listen To

My AirPods are basically a part of my body at this point. Between my commute, my “hot girl” walks, and just trying to drown out my loud neighbors, I’m plugged in 24/7. And my obsession of choice? Podcasts. All day, every day.

But let’s be real, there’s a lot of trash out there. You have to kiss a lot of boring, badly-produced frogs to find your prince. So I did the work for you. I listened to hours upon hours of content to find the absolute best podcasts to listen to right now.

These are the shows that will make you laugh, gasp, and maybe even learn something. Trust me, your podcast queue is about to get a major glow-up. These are the top podcasts 2026 has to offer, hands down.

 

 

True Crime That Won’t Give You Nightmares (Unless You Want It To)

The Influencer Who Vanished

Okay, I was fully hooked from the first five minutes. It follows the disappearance of a mega-popular wellness influencer and uncovers a world of scams, cults, and green juice conspiracies. It’s twisty, addictive, and the host is a total pro at building suspense.

 

 

Suburban Gothic

If you like your true crime with a side of atmospheric dread, this is for you. Each season focuses on a different bizarre crime that happened in a seemingly perfect, cookie-cutter suburb. The sound design is next-level and so, so creepy.

 

 

Scam Likely

This one is less murder-y and more “how did they get away with that?!” Each episode is a deep dive into a different unbelievable scam, from fake heiresses to tech startup founders who promised the world and delivered… nothing. It’s fascinating and will make you feel way better about your own spending habits.

 

 

The Cold Case Club

What I love about this one is that the host works with retired detectives to re-examine unsolved cases. They bring a fresh perspective and sometimes uncover new leads right on the air. It feels like you’re part of the investigation.

 

 

Verified: The Deepfake Detective

This podcast is straight out of 2026. It’s all about crimes involving AI, deepfakes, and virtual reality. It’s terrifying, yes, but also a super smart look at how technology is changing the crime landscape.

 

 

Death by a Thousand Likes

A pop-culture-meets-true-crime dream. The hosts dissect cases where social media played a huge role, from crimes broadcast on TikTok to killers caught because of a dumb Instagram post. They have a dark sense of humor that just works.

 

 

My Favorite Murder

An oldie but a goodie for a reason. Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark feel like your hilarious best friends who just happen to be obsessed with murder. If you haven’t listened yet, what are you even doing? SSDGM.

 

 

Pop Culture & Celeb Gossip Fix

Spill Session

This is my go-to for my Monday morning commute. The hosts have the best chemistry and they cover everything from Real Housewives drama to the latest A-list breakup. It’s like having a brunch gossip sesh, but in your ears.

 

 

DeuxMoi: The Podcast

You follow the Insta, now you have to listen to the pod. DeuxMoi spills even more tea and has on anonymous guests with inside info. It’s messy, unverified, and I cannot get enough of it.

 

 

The Rewatch: Euphoria

This pod breaks down every single glittery, chaotic episode of *Euphoria*. The hosts analyze the cinematography, the fashion, the music… everything. It makes you appreciate the show on a whole new level.

 

 

Screen Time with Sasha

Sasha is my queen of film and TV takes. She’s hilarious, brutally honest, and her recommendations for what to watch (and what to skip) have never steered me wrong. Her interview episodes with actors and directors are also top-tier.

 

 

Who? Weekly

The podcast that answers the question you didn’t know you had: “Who is that?” It’s a hilarious deep dive into the lives of D-list celebrities and internet personalities. Once you start listening, you’ll see “Whos” everywhere.

 

 

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

An absolute essential for anyone who lives and breathes pop culture. Their “I Don’t Think So, Honey!” segment is iconic for a reason. They’re laugh-out-loud funny and their passion for the culture is just infectious.

 

 

Pop Culture Happy Hour

A roundtable discussion from NPR that’s both smart and fun. They talk about movies, books, TV, and music with a kindness and intelligence that’s honestly refreshing. It’s a great palate cleanser from the messier gossip pods.

 

 

For When You Need a Laugh

My Therapist Ghosted Me

Vogue Williams and Joanne McNally are two of the funniest people on the planet. They give outrageously funny advice and share the most unhinged stories from their lives. I’ve literally had to stop walking because I was laughing so hard.

 

 

Dating is a Dumpster Fire

The title says it all. Each week, the host invites a guest to share their absolute worst dating story. It’s a glorious train wreck that will make you feel infinitely better about your own love life. Or, you know, just as bad. Either way, it’s funny.

 

 

The Read

Kid Fury and Crissle are legends. They spend two hours each week dissecting pop culture and dragging anyone who deserves it with the sharpest, funniest commentary out there. An absolute must-listen.

 

 

SmartLess

Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett are legit best friends who just happen to be recording their conversations. Each episode, one of them brings a mystery guest that the other two know nothing about. It’s pure, chaotic fun.

 

 

Comedy Bang! Bang!

The OG comedy podcast. Scott Aukerman presides over a totally improvised and absurd world of characters, games, and interviews. You never know what you’re gonna get, but you know it’s going to be weird and hilarious.

 

 

How Did This Get Made?

Have you ever watched a movie and thought, “how on earth did this get made?” Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas feel the same way. They hilariously roast the most bonkers movies in cinematic history.

 

 

Handsome

Three hilarious comedians—Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin—get together weekly to talk about… well, whatever they want. Their chemistry is amazing and listening feels like you’re just hanging out with the coolest, funniest friends.

 

 

Self-Help That Doesn’t Suck

Main Character Energy

This is your weekly pep talk to romanticize your life. The host gives practical tips on building confidence, setting boundaries, and just generally feeling like the star of your own show. It’s less cheesy than it sounds, I promise.

 

 

We Can Do Hard Things

Glennon Doyle, her wife Abby Wambach, and her sister Amanda Doyle get vulnerable about all the hard parts of life. It’s like a therapy session with the wisest, kindest women you know. I cry at least once an episode, but in a good way.

 

 

Unf*ck Your Finances

Finally, a money podcast that speaks my language. The host is a no-BS financial expert who breaks down everything from investing to budgeting without making you feel dumb or broke. She makes managing money feel actually empowering.

 

 

Maintenance Phase

This podcast debunks all the wellness and diet industry nonsense we’ve been fed our whole lives. Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes use actual science and reporting to take down fad diets and health scams. It’s liberating.

 

 

How to Fail with Elizabeth Day

A podcast that celebrates the stuff we usually try to hide. Elizabeth Day interviews successful people about their biggest failures. It’s a beautiful reminder that failure is just a part of life and not the end of the world.

 

 

Therapy for Black Girls

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford created this space to talk about mental health in a way that’s accessible and relevant for Black women. She covers everything from relationship issues to workplace microaggressions. It’s such a needed resource.

 

 

Storytelling to Get Lost In

The Midnight Signal

A spooky, serialized horror fiction podcast that feels like a prestige TV show. The voice acting and sound design are incredible. Do not listen to this one alone in the dark, you’ve been warned.

 

 

Normal Gossip

This podcast delivers juicy, anonymous gossip stories from real people. There are no celebrities, just normal people’s messy, hilarious, and low-stakes drama. It’s pure, unadulterated fun and one of the best podcasts out there right now.

 

 

This American Life

You can’t have a list of best podcasts without this one. It’s the gold standard of storytelling. Each week has a theme, and they bring together a collection of stories that are funny, moving, and always surprising. A classic for a reason.

 

 

LeVar Burton Reads

The man, the myth, the legend. LeVar Burton’s voice is like a warm hug, and he reads a different short story in every episode. It’s mostly sci-fi and fantasy, and it’s the perfect way to unwind and escape.

 

 

Heavyweight

Host Jonathan Goldstein helps people try to resolve a moment from their past they wish they could change. It’s a beautiful, funny, and deeply human show about regret and relationships. I’m obsessed.

 

 

Welcome to Night Vale

A twice-monthly podcast in the style of a community radio show for a small desert town where every conspiracy theory is true. It’s surreal, hilarious, and has been running for over a decade. Jump in anywhere.

 

 

For Your Big Brain Energy

Today, Explained

Need to understand the news but don’t have time to read a million articles? This podcast from Vox breaks down the biggest story of the day in about 20 minutes. The hosts make complex topics super easy to understand.

 

 

You’re Wrong About

This show goes back and re-examines historical events or people that we’ve all misunderstood. The hosts are whip-smart and do a ton of research to debunk the myths we all thought were true. It will totally change how you see the past.

 

 

Planet Money

Don’t let the name scare you! This isn’t a boring economics podcast. The NPR team finds creative, entertaining stories to explain the economy. They make things like inflation and supply chains genuinely interesting.

 

 

Ologies with Alie Ward

Alie Ward interviews a different “-ologist” every week—think experts on bats (Chiropterology) or fear (Phobology). She asks all the smart and silly questions you’d want to ask, and her enthusiasm is completely contagious.

 

 

Decoder

If you want to understand the business of tech, this is your pod. The Verge’s editor-in-chief interviews CEOs and policymakers about big decisions and how they affect all of us. He’s a tough interviewer and gets real answers.

 

 

How to Find Your Next Fave Podcast

Okay, so 40 is a lot, I get it. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, my best advice is to just pick one from a category that vibes with you and hit play. Don’t be afraid to bail after 15 minutes if you’re not feeling it. There are way too many good shows to waste time on something that bores you.

Another hot tip? Ask your friends what they’re listening to! The best recommendations always come from people who know you. Or, check out the “You Might Also Like” section on your podcast app after listening to a show you loved. It’s surprisingly good at finding similar stuff.

Ultimately, the best podcast is the one you can’t wait to listen to. Whether it’s making your commute bearable or your workout fly by, the right show can be a total mood-booster. Happy listening!