The podcasting landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, yet women continue to be underrepresented in discussions about the medium’s most compelling voices. While the industry celebrates certain gatekeepers and established formats, exceptional podcasts created, hosted, and produced by women remain disproportionately overlooked, despite consistently delivering investigative journalism, nuanced cultural commentary, cutting-edge science communication, and intimate storytelling that rivals any program in the medium.
This collection aims to rectify that imbalance by spotlighting podcasts and female podcasters that demonstrate the depth, rigor, and innovation that women bring to audio storytelling. Whether you’re seeking to expand your listening habits or simply curious about where some of the most intelligent and important conversations are actually taking place, these shows represent the caliber of work that deserves far greater recognition and audience reach.
The Guilty Feminist
Have listeners ever experienced the sensation that their understanding of feminism could be more developed? Deborah Frances-White, a comedian, invites audiences to join her alongside various guests for this humorous show, captured before live crowds. During each episode, they explore the admirable aspirations held by modern-day feminists living in the twenty-first century, while also examining the contradictions and self-doubts that compromise these ideals.
Everything Happens with Kate Bowler
Struggling to live your ideal existence? Duke Professor Kate Bowler survived Stage IV cancer and now explores life’s uncertainties with insightful and humorous guests.
Unladylike
Struggling to live your ideal existence? Duke Professor Kate Bowler survived Stage IV cancer and now explores life’s uncertainties with insightful and humorous guests. Cristen Conger examines the cultural forces influencing contemporary womanhood, tackling topics from identity struggles to societal pressures through thorough investigation, compelling conversations, and humor that clarifies modern gender dynamics without despair.
RedHanded
RedHanded the podcast plunges directly into every variety of dark and sinister subject matter. The show explores topics ranging from notorious serial killers (along with obscure ones listeners might be unfamiliar with), to supernatural hauntings, demonic possessions, unsettling enigmas, strange murder mysteries and essentially whatever captures their eerie interest. Therefore, listeners are invited to tune in, get comfortable and brace themselves for frightening content.
Womanica
Reflecting on their educational experiences during their formative years, the creators had a single inquiry: Where were the female historical figures? This is where Womanica comes in. Through brief 5-minute daily episodes, audiences discover various remarkable women from across the ages.
Sex With Emily
Dr. Emily Morse offers guidance on intimacy, romance and related topics. Send questions to sexwithemily.com/ask-emily or explore sexwithemily.com and shop.sexwithemily.com. Become a SmartSX member for workshops, conversations and enhanced pleasure resources.
She Makes Money Moves
Young women gain strength by discussing finances openly: earnings, spending, and money’s influence on identity and relationships. She Makes Money Moves, a podcast from Glamour and Condé Nast Entertainment, invites listeners into this dialogue. Hosted by Glamour editor-in-chief Samantha Barry, the show features candid stories from women nationwide plus expert financial guidance. Subscribe to amplify women’s voices and financial empowerment.
Therapy for Black Girls
The Therapy for Black Girls podcast features weekly discussions with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist based in Atlanta, Georgia, covering mental wellness, self-improvement, and the everyday choices that help individuals reach their fullest potential.
Dear Chelsea
Comedian and author Chelsea Handler tackles listener questions on this weekly advice show with her signature humor. Alongside co-host Catherine Law and celebrity guests, Chelsea delivers candid takes on love, family, loss and more. Each episode blends comedy, insight, inspiration and emotion.
Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware
Jessie Ware presents a podcast exploring cuisine, kinship and all topics in between, broadcast straight from her personal dining table. With assistance from her exceptionally talented chef mother Lennie, weekly visitors from music, culture and politics join them for meals and conversation. Intimate revelations are assured.
LOVERS by shan
Lovers by Shan provides an education-focused platform where audiences gain deeper insight into their personal intimate experiences through the wisdom and knowledge of others. Shan Boodram’s goal is to enable everyone to become their own intimacy authority both in and outside the bedroom by regarding podcast guests as valuable teachers in their own regard.
In Her Element
Authentic narratives. Empowered women. Collective strength. In Her Element celebrates women thriving in their careers, creativity and daily lives. Hosted by Swati Upadhyay, the podcast features genuine dialogue and meaningful exchanges with scientists, artists, coders, caregivers and more, women embracing their purpose on their own terms. Unfiltered, substantive conversations and mutual support.
Wrong Turns with Jameela Jamil
For those whose lives feel chaotic: you’re not alone. Jameela Jamil (The Good Place, She-Hulk) and her hilarious friends share their most mortifying moments, no lessons, no redemption, just pure schadenfreude. Wrong Turns: where dignity goes to die.
Highest Self Podcast
Highest Self Podcast has ranked #1 in spirituality for seven years because Sahara Rose makes it modern, relatable and engaging. She’s the spiritual confidante exploring soul purpose, sacred sensuality, transformation and personal evolution. For those ready to reach their fullest potential, this podcast delivers.
Side Hustle Pro
Side Hustle Pro highlights ambitious Black women entrepreneurs who transformed side hustles into thriving businesses. Host Nicaila Matthews Okome shares actionable strategies for getting started.
Stuff Mom Never Told You
Hosts Anney and Samantha explore science, history and culture through an intersectional feminist lens to examine challenges facing women and marginalized communities worldwide, and the tools to address them.
The Daily Beans
The Daily Beans is a women-owned progressive news podcast designed for morning commutes, delivered by Webby award-winning Mueller, She Wrote host Allison Gill and comedian/fundraiser/activist Dana Goldberg. The show provides social justice and political news with a sharp, witty edge.
After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings
Modern parenting feels overwhelming and isolating. Consider After Bedtime your village. Hosted by Kristin and Deena, founders of Big Little Feelings, the largest online parenting community. The show tackles imperfect marriages, loss, toddler chaos and more with honesty and humor. Listeners gain practical tips and reassurance: they’re not alone, not failing, they’re crushing it.
Latina to Latina
In this interview series, host Alicia Menendez converses with extraordinary Latinas about success, struggles and everything in between. Through humorous and candid episodes, Alicia and her guests address the realities of navigating life and flourishing as women of color.
Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Clinical psychologist and mother Dr. Becky Kennedy tackles parenting challenges in weekly, bite-sized episodes. Her approach helps thousands handle discomfort, repair mistakes and recognize inherent goodness. Listeners gain tools to strengthen parent-child connections while fostering their child’s life skills and becoming the parent they aspire to be.
The Goal Digger Podcast
The Goal Digger Podcast delivers clear marketing strategies and honest conversations to grow your business without burnout. Hosted by New York Times bestselling author and entrepreneur Jenna Kutcher, the show answers critical questions about online growth, social media, audience building, monetization and launching with confidence.
On Being with Krista Tippett
Insight to restore and guide during challenging times. The podcast explores spiritual questions, science, collective healing and poetry through meaningful dialogues. Featuring a 20-year archive with luminaries like Mary Oliver, Thich Nhat Hanh and Desmond Tutu, each episode offers fresh revelations about life’s profound depths. Discover the best episodes of On Being with Krista Tippett.
Office Ladies
The Office co-stars and close friends Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey present the ultimate rewatch podcast for fans. Each week, they analyze an episode and share exclusive behind-the-scenes stories that only insiders who experienced it firsthand can reveal.
Feminist Survival Project
A podcast for feminists feeling drained by endless responsibilities while fearing they’re falling short, hosted by Emily and Amelia Nagoski, authors of BURNOUT: the secret to unlocking the stress cycle.
This Podcast Will Kill You
This Podcast Will Kill You explores diseases and medical mysteries through biology, history and epidemiology. Hosts Erin Welsh (Ph.D., disease ecologist) and Erin Allmann Updyke (MD, Ph.D., epidemiologist and family medicine resident) have covered plague, Zika, COVID-19, lupus, endometriosis and more since 2017. Each episode includes creative cocktail and mocktail recipes.
The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO)
A Foreign Policy series hosted by Reena Ninan about women driving change through economic empowerment. This season examines the economics of girlhood, its hidden costs and transformative potential. Stories feature girls preventing child marriage in India, abortion advocates in Benin, LGBTQ+ activists in Kenya, education innovators and more.
Death, Sex & Money
Anna Sale examines profound questions and difficult decisions typically avoided in polite discourse.
Sounds Like A Cult
Examining the “cult” in culture… Could SoulCycle be a cult? The Royal Family? Disney Adults? Spiritual influencers? Instagram? Sounds Like A Cult, an iHeart Radio Award-winning podcast, analyzes a different fanatical group weekly to answer one big question: Does this just sound like a cult, or is it actually one?
What Makes Us Stronger
What builds resilience during crisis? How does hardship shape identity? What Makes Us Stronger shares stories of courageous women from Afghanistan, Syria, Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond who found strength and embraced new roles through unimaginable adversity.
Where Are You Going?
Catherine Carr approaches strangers with the question “Where Are You Going?” and discovers surprising stories about their lives.
Giggly Squad
Welcome to Giggly Squad. Each week, Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo humorously critique everything, especially themselves. They explore pop culture, fashion, television, astrology, mental wellness, relationships and share personal revelations. They’re also completely unmanageable. Discover the best episodes of Giggly Squad.
Big Careers, Small Children
Big Careers Small Children helps ambitious parents advance professionally while staying present with their kids. Host Verena Hefti MBE interviews senior leaders who share lessons from balancing demanding careers with young families. Expect inspiration, fresh ideas and practical guidance for moving forward on your terms.
Oversharing
Oversharing from Betches Media tackles relationship challenges, friendships, family, partnerships and beyond. Betches co-founder Jordana Abraham and her sister, licensed therapist Dr. Naomi Bernstein, answer listener questions with advice, games and honest conversations. They’re the BFF-therapist duo providing fresh perspective when your friends are tired of hearing about it.
Stuff You Missed in History Class
Holly and Tracy present the most fascinating and peculiar Stuff You Missed In History Class in this iHeartRadio podcast. Discover the best episodes of Stuff You Missed in History Class.
Back from the Borderline
This show delves into depth psychology, mythology, consciousness, critical psychiatry and trauma to address suffering’s root causes, freeing listeners from shame, limiting beliefs and past conditioning. This isn’t about quick fixes or cures. There’s no return to pre-trauma innocence, only continuous transformation. As a fellow seeker, the host walks alongside listeners like a parasocial big sister on their path toward wholeness.
The GIST of It
The GIST of It is a twice-weekly sports podcast where hosts Ellen Hyslop and Stephanie Rotz explore how sports intersect with pop culture and social issues, from season previews to calling out sexist BS. Expect hilarious, informative conversations with a fresh female perspective.
There Are No Girls on the Internet
Marginalized voices have consistently led online innovation, yet their stories frequently remain unrecognized. Bridget Todd documents these digital experiences and examines how marginalized communities have shaped the internet from its inception. These identities that define online culture deserve recognition and commemoration.
You’re Wrong About
Sarah is a journalist fascinated by history. Weekly, she reexamines people or events that have been misrepresented in public perception.
Absolutely Not
“Absolutely not” to everything. Comedian Heather McMahan creates a space to vent freely about life’s struggles: doing too much and too little simultaneously. No topic is off-limits. Call the “Absolutely NOT-Line” with complaints. It’s a joyful take on life’s chaotic moments.
Career Contessa
Accelerate workplace success with actionable expert insights. The show covers job searches, interviews, resumes, LinkedIn, salary negotiation, career advancement, leadership, interpersonal skills, wellness, work-life balance, confidence, career transitions, handling toxic workplaces and more.
Girls Gotta Eat
Consider this a comedic education in dating, sex and relationships. Girls Gotta Eat is a leading podcast since 2018, co-hosted by Ashley Hesseltine and Rayna Greenberg, exploring everything from breakups to intimate acts, finances to fetishes.
Woman’s Hour
Female perspectives and experiences—timely discussions designed to inform, challenge and inspire.
Scamfluencers
You never truly know someone online. Influence can lead to quick money, fame, and ruin. Scamfluencers tells stories of notorious con artists across social media, fashion, finance, health and wellness. Co-hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi unpack epic deceptions from charismatic healers to financial fraudsters. Why do millions believe them? From fake influencers to Hollywood Ponzi schemes, each Wondery series explores the twists, victims and aftermath. Discover the best episodes of Scamfluencers.
UnF*ck Your Brain
UnF*ck Your Brain breaks down sexist socialization that fuels self-doubt, burnout and anxiety. Each episode teaches listeners to reject societal expectations, clarify their desires and rewire their thinking. Essential for anyone questioning their worth, relationships, parenting, body image, career advancement or people-pleasing habits.
On with Kara Swisher
Two times per week, decorated reporter Kara Swisher reaches the core of each narrative by conducting unfiltered conversations with influential figures spanning the worlds of commerce, technology, communications, government, and other sectors.
Betwixt The Sheets
Dr. Kate Lister, a historian of sexuality, explores scandalous historical tales on Betwixt the Sheets. She examines intimate practices across various eras, from ancient times through the medieval period, the Renaissance, and into modernity, revealing surprising truths about human behavior throughout history.
Maintenance Phase
Exposing the fraudulent research that underlies popular health trends, deceptive wellness schemes, and illogical dietary recommendations. Discover the best episodes of Maintenance Phase.
We Can Do Hard Things
Listeners are invited to experience life alongside Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle. Having accumulated over half a billion streams, We Can Do Hard Things offers a humorous, honest, and reassuring framework for navigating daily challenges.
The Bechdel Cast
The Bechdel Cast is a program examining how women are depicted in film, presented by hosts Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus.
Second Life
Presented by Who What Wear co-creator Hillary Kerr, Second Life highlights accomplished women who have undergone significant professional transformations. Participants discuss insights gained from boldly choosing to shift directions, and explain how they’ve applied expertise from their previous careers to manage their unpredictable professional paths.
Normal Gossip
Normal Gossip presents captivating, peculiar, amusing, and entirely mundane rumors about individuals the audience will never encounter. Host Rachelle Hampton explores listener-contributed humorous tales with her guests, delving into the experiences and choices of total strangers. Discover the best episodes of Normal Gossip.
Handsome
“Handsome” is an audio program featuring comedians Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin. Each episode, the charismatic hosts address an inquiry from a listener and work collaboratively to provide guidance, tackling a wide range of topics. Throughout their discussions, Tig, Fortune, and Mae share numerous anecdotes while enjoying an absurdly entertaining conversation.
The Clever Girls Know Podcast with Bola Sokunbi
The Clever Girls Know Podcast comes from Clever Girl Finance, a leading American personal finance platform for women focused on eliminating debt, increasing savings, and building wealth. Host and founder Bola Sokunbi features candid discussions with women at various financial stages to inspire listeners on their own journeys.
Call Her Daddy
The top-rated podcast among female audiences, Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy has been sparking dialogue since 2018. Through authentic, profound conversations and hilarious exchanges, Cooper navigates past superficiality with compelling guests and daring subject matter. Discover the best episodes of Call Her Daddy.
A Certain Age
A Certain Age is a midlife-affirming podcast designed to help listeners thrive through their evolving middle years. The show recognizes that transformation is inevitable, children mature, careers shift, and the requirements for wellness, vitality, contentment, and satisfaction differ vastly from earlier decades. The program enhances midlife experiences by offering professional guidance, practical strategies, and valuable information to address challenges while generating excitement about future possibilities.
The History Chicks: A Women’s History Podcast
Two hosts. Fifty percent of humanity. Millennia of the past. Approximately sixty minutes. Listeners are invited to join an acclaimed exploration of women’s historical narratives. The History Chicks honors extraordinary women spanning from antiquity to contemporary times, presenting women’s stories through captivating episodes filled with thorough investigation, cultural commentary, and unexpected tangents.
My Therapist Ghosted Me
Vogue Williams and Joanne McNally deliver brutally honest weekly conversations in “My Therapist Ghosted Me,” named after Joanne’s therapist literally avoiding her. The duo provides completely unqualified yet straightforward guidance on various life challenges, proving that friendship and humor can be therapeutic.
Ologies with Alie Ward
From volcanic eruptions to tree biology, intoxicated insects to Martian expeditions, gastropod reproduction to mortality, aesthetic ideals to stress relief techniques, brewing chemistry to insect conflicts, the podcast delivers a wealth of scientific insights and peculiar, captivating tales about what drives these expert researchers. Host Alie Ward, a humorist and science journalist, poses seemingly simple questions to brilliant minds, and their responses may transform listeners’ perspectives. Discover the best episodes of Ologies.
The Game Changers
This decorated podcast features host Sue Anstiss MBE in conversation with pioneering women from the athletic world. These groundbreaking figures are dismantling obstacles and questioning conventional norms for females across all spheres. Beyond candidly revealing their remarkable professional journeys, their motivations, and how they’ve overcome significant adversity, each installment examines crucial topics surrounding equity in athletics and society at large.
Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer
Romance and courtship can be complicated, so the podcast addresses it directly. In this multiple-award-winning show, comedian Nicole Byer examines the euphoric moments, disappointments, and everything interesting that happens in relationships, joined by fellow comedians, specialists, and occasionally former partners.
Crime Junkie
For those captivated by true crime mysteries, Crime Junkie delivers in-depth investigations every Monday. Host Ashley Flowers and co-host Brit Prawat explore both notorious and overlooked cases, from unsolved mysteries to missing individuals, offering unique theories and stories unavailable elsewhere. Discover the best episodes of Crime Junkie.
Financial Feminist
Financial specialist Tori Dunlap provides weekly guidance on earning more income, reducing expenses, and developing monetary confidence in a society dominated by wealthy white males. Through individual segments and featured conversations, listeners receive practical tools for acquiring, preserving, and expanding their finances to achieve economic independence while simultaneously dismantling patriarchal structures.
Be There in Five
Be There in Five is Kate Kennedy’s solo pop culture podcast examining millennial trends and entertainment through comedy and analysis. The show explores everything from 90s/00s nostalgia to social media and celebrity culture, blending lighthearted humor with unexpected depth and insight.
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
After two decades researching what creates meaningful lives, the host has learned that human connection requires courage and vulnerability. This authentic, unfiltered podcast features conversations with inspiring, challenging, and thought-provoking guests, alongside discussions of new research and listener questions, reinforcing that people aren’t meant to navigate life in isolation.
Pantsuit Politics
Presented by Kentucky natives Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, Pantsuit Politics is an independent podcast offering an alternative perspective on current events and culture.
My Favorite Murder
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, featuring compelling cases, listener stories, and coverage of notorious criminals, unsolved mysteries, cults, survivor accounts, and significant historical events since launching in 2016. Discover the best episodes of My Favorite Murder.
Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns for Season 4 of her celebrated podcast, Wiser Than Me, featuring candid, humorous conversations with remarkable older women, including her 91-year-old mother Judith, who share their hard-earned wisdom and unfiltered perspectives.
Forever 35
Forever35 explores questions about skincare effectiveness, caffeine elimination, decluttering benefits, and mindfulness practices. Co-hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu examine these topics with humour and introspection, joined by weekly guests to discuss self-care and personal growth through the aging process.
Do you know of another podcast with female hosts that you think should be on this list? Let me know
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