Top 100 Podcasts People Are Loving Right Now 🎧

Published 2025-09-14 • 27 views
audio stories comedy creativity culture discovery education entertainment fun podcasts history podcasts learning mindfulness news podcasts podcast recommendations podcasts science podcasts sleep podcasts storytelling top podcasts wellness youth podcasts

Podcasts aren’t just background noise—they’re where curiosity, stories, and new ideas live. This list highlights shows that come up again and again in recommendations, group chats, and discovery threads. It focuses on energy, creativity, and learning without ever talking down to the listener.

Storytelling & Fiction (1–20)

  1. Story Pirates — Listener-written tales turned into comedy and songs; pure imagination fuel.
  2. Stories Podcast — Originals, classics, and fairy tales with cinematic narration.
  3. Circle Round — Folktales from around the world adapted into immersive audio dramas.
  4. Storynory — Myths, legends, and original stories with a warm, timeless vibe.
  5. The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian — Serialized sci-fi questing through space and friendship.
  6. Six Minutes — Fast-paced mystery about identity, family, and secret experiments.
  7. Mars Patel — A suspenseful adventure led by clever friends searching for answers.
  8. Eleanor Amplified — An intrepid reporter versus larger-than-life villains; snappy, witty fun.
  9. Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest — Classic Grimm tales retold with modern twists (and goosebumps).
  10. Girl Tales — Fairytales flipped for today—bold, empowering, and inventive.
  11. Welcome to Night Vale — Surreal small-town radio from an alternate reality; cult-favorite weirdness.
  12. The Bright Sessions — Therapy sessions for people with unusual abilities—empathetic, smart sci-fi.
  13. Treasure Island 2020 — A modern re-imagining of a classic adventure with high stakes.
  14. The Truth — “Movies for your ears” — original short fiction with immersive sound design.
  15. Camp Monsters — Outdoor folklore and campfire chills told like you’re there.
  16. Myths and Legends — Global lore retold with humor and modern relevance.
  17. LeVar Burton Reads — Powerful short stories, masterfully read; a gateway to reading more.
  18. Greeking Out — Ancient myths meet modern storytelling; big laughs, bigger gods.
  19. Bedtime History — Bite-size, calming stories rooted in real people and events.
  20. Little Stories for Tiny People — Gentle originals perfect for quiet, cozy listening.

Science & Curiosity (21–35)

  1. Wow in the World — Big ideas in science and tech delivered with humor and wonder.
  2. Brains On! — Listener questions meet expert answers; curiosity leads every episode.
  3. Tumble — Behind-the-scenes science stories that explain how discovery happens.
  4. But Why — Genuine questions explored clearly, from nature to everyday mysteries.
  5. Short & Curly — Ethics for everyday life—thought-provoking and fun.
  6. Tai Asks Why — Big philosophical and scientific questions from a sharp young host.
  7. Radiolab — Sound-rich deep dives into curiosity across science, culture, and life.
  8. Ologies — Passionate experts nerd out on every “-ology” you didn’t know you loved.
  9. Science Vs — Tests fads and fears against facts; myth-busting with receipts.
  10. Curiosity Daily — Quick, snackable science and tech updates.
  11. 60-Second Science — One minute, one idea—Scientific American’s rapid hits.
  12. Sidedoor — Smithsonian stories that connect artifacts to wild ideas.
  13. Unexplainable — The questions science hasn’t answered—yet.
  14. Stuff To Blow Your Mind — Mind-bending concepts, from cosmology to cognition.
  15. Quirks & Quarks — Wide-angle science from the microscopic to the cosmic.

History & Culture (36–47)

  1. The Past and The Curious — History told with humor, music, and memorable storytelling.
  2. Forever Ago — Where everyday things come from; origin stories that stick.
  3. Throughline — How the past shapes the present; richly produced context.
  4. Ridiculous History — The bizarre, the overlooked, the “wait, really?” of history.
  5. Stuff You Missed in History Class — Deep research with accessible, friendly hosts.
  6. Lore — True tales behind legends; atmospheric and unforgettable.
  7. The Memory Palace — Poetic, short historical vignettes that linger.
  8. Revisionist History — Re-examining things we thought we understood.
  9. Not Past It — The headlines we forgot and why they still matter.
  10. You’re Wrong About — Re-thinking cultural narratives with empathy and receipts.
  11. Atlas Obscura Podcast — Curious places, hidden histories, everyday wonder.
  12. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls — Real life role models told like adventures.

News & Explainers (48–59)

  1. KidNuz — Clear, concise news roundups tailored for younger listeners.
  2. The Daily — One big story explained with reporting and narrative.
  3. Up First — The three stories to start your day—fast and focused.
  4. Consider This — Regional perspectives on national stories; more context, less noise.
  5. Today, Explained — Smart explainers with creative formats.
  6. Start Here — Straight-ahead daily news brief with strong pacing.
  7. Marketplace — Money, culture, and the economy—what it means day to day.
  8. Make Me Smart — Explained simply, with personality and wit.
  9. Million Bazillion — Money and markets demystified for younger audiences.
  10. WSJ What’s News — Global and business headlines with reporting.
  11. Global News Podcast — World news essentials from the BBC.
  12. The Week Junior Show — News, explainers, and lively discussion.

Fun, Comedy & Variety (60–72)

  1. The Big Fib — Two guests, one’s a liar—can you spot the fake?
  2. Smash Boom Best — Debate-style “which is better?” show—fun & persuasive.
  3. Pants on Fire — Fast-paced fact vs. fiction with big laughs.
  4. Ear Snacks — Music, art, and playful interviews; creative and colorful.
  5. No Such Thing As A Fish — Rapid-fire fascinating facts from the QI team.
  6. Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! — News quiz chaos with comedians and callers.
  7. Pop Culture Happy Hour — TV, movies, music—what’s worth your time.
  8. My Brother, My Brother and Me — Absurd advice, earnest chaos, big heart.
  9. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend — Celebrity chats that actually get weird and human.
  10. Answer in Progress — Internet-fueled curiosity tackled with humor.
  11. Dear Hank & John — Life advice and tangents from the Green brothers.
  12. Stuff You Should Know — Deep dives into how things work—fun first, facts second.

Mindfulness, Wellness & Growth (73–84)

  1. Peace Out — Short mindfulness and breathing breaks for calmer days.
  2. Radio Headspace — Daily reflections on focus, calm, and being present.
  3. The Happiness Lab — Science-backed habits for a happier life.
  4. 10% Happier — Practical meditation and real-world mindfulness.
  5. Meditative Story — Personal stories paired with gentle prompts.
  6. On Purpose with Jay Shetty — Purpose, relationships, and growth chats.
  7. Good Life Project — Conversations about meaning, creativity, and joy.
  8. Mindset Mentor — Motivation and habits for showing up every day.
  9. Tiny Leaps, Big Changes — Small, practical steps for self-improvement.
  10. Therapy for Black Girls — Mental health and wellness in an accessible voice.
  11. The Science of Happiness — Research-driven practices you can actually try.
  12. The Mindful Minute — Guided practices you can slot into any schedule.

Creativity, Making & Learning (85–93)

  1. Song Exploder — Artists break down how a track came to life.
  2. 99% Invisible — Design and the hidden architecture of everyday life.
  3. Design Matters — In-depth conversations about creative practice.
  4. How I Built This — Founders share what it took to build things that last.
  5. TED Talks Daily — Bite-size talks on ideas worth spreading.
  6. Grammar Girl — Quick tips for clearer, sharper writing.
  7. CodeNewbie — Friendly chats for people learning to code.
  8. Creative Pep Talk — Motivation and strategy for making your best work.
  9. The Allusionist — Language, etymology, and the stories words tell.

Sleep, Chill & Wind-Down (94–100)

  1. Sleep Tight Stories — Gentle storytelling to settle down the day.
  2. Get Sleepy — Calm narratives for easing into rest.
  3. Sleep With Me — Stream-of-consciousness rambles designed to bore you to sleep (in a good way).
  4. Tracks To Relax — Guided sleep meditations with soft pacing.
  5. Sleepy — Public-domain stories read slowly and softly.
  6. Nothing much happens — Cozy slices of life told with soothing repetition.
  7. Classical Kids Storytime — Classic tales with a musical touch.
  8. Drift Off — Softly narrated bedtime stories to unwind.

How we chose

This curation blends storytelling, learning, creativity, wellness, and low-pressure fun for young people.

Want to recommend a show we missed? Drop it in our recommendations or email sean@companylister.com and we’ll keep this list fresh.

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