Ah, the great <insert country you’re reading from here> road trip – where the endless stretch of highway ahead is matched only by your desperate need to hear something other than your passenger’s tone-deaf rendition of “Sweet Home Alabama” for the 47th time.
Sure, you could stick to radio stations that fade in and out faster than your will to live during hour six of driving through some insanely flat portion of the country, or you could level up your journey with some actually entertaining podcasts. Well, you’re in luck. I’ve rounded up the best podcasts that’ll make those miles or kilometres fly by – or at least make them slightly more bearable than your aunt’s unsolicited relationship advice from the backseat.
Sounds like A Cult
Exploring the thin line between passion and obsession… Ever wondered if SoulCycle’s spin classes are more than just exercise, or if the Royal Family’s mystique borders on mass delusion? What about those adults who treat Disney theme parks like a religious pilgrimage, or wellness influencers who seem to command near-supernatural devotion? Is social media itself creating modern-day tribes?
Otherworld
Diving into the shadows between reality and the unexplained, Otherworld explores firsthand accounts of encounters that defy logical explanation. Host Jack Wagner approaches these extraordinary narratives with the careful curiosity of an investigative journalist, going deep into personal experiences that challenge our understanding of the world.
Desert Island Discs
A musical memoir meets desert island fantasy: Join us as we invite fascinating guests to curate the ultimate personal playlist that tells the story of their life. Each episode is an intimate journey through eight transformative tracks, a meaningful book, and one luxurious item that reveals the soul behind the selections.
Astonishing Legends
Lurking beyond the veil of everyday perception, mysterious phenomena await those brave enough to look closer. Astonishing Legends delves into the enigmatic corners of our world, where co-hosts Scott Philbrook and Forrest Burgess, alongside co-executive producer Tess Pfeifle, fearlessly investigate the unexplained.
National Park After Dark
Listen to National Park After Dark
Where wilderness meets mortality, National Park After Dark explores the shadowy underbelly of America’s most beloved landscapes. Hosted by outdoor enthusiasts with a taste for the macabre, the podcast unravels the dark histories and tragic tales hidden within national parks. Beyond the gruesome details lies a deeper narrative of human resilience, survival, and the raw beauty of nature’s most unforgiving spaces.
Hidden Brain
Hidden Brain explores the intricate landscape of human psychology, offering listeners insights into the complex machinery of thought, emotion, and behavior. Hosted by acclaimed science journalist Shankar Vedantam, the podcast tackles universal questions about personal growth, relationships, and self-understanding. By unpacking the subtle mechanisms that drive human experience, Hidden Brain has earned its reputation as a leading science podcast, providing listeners with profound understanding of the mind’s hidden depths.
If Books Could Kill
If Books Could Kill is a podcast where comedic media professionals Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri ruthlessly deconstruct popular non-fiction books that dominate bestseller lists. With razor-sharp wit and extensive research, they expose the pseudoscience, half-baked theories, and questionable logic behind pop psychology and trend-setting books. Part literary criticism, part comedy, the show gleefully tears apart intellectual pretensions while offering genuine insights into why these books capture public imagination.
13 Minutes to the Moon
Listen to 13 Minutes to the Moon
13 Minutes to the Moon is a BBC podcast that transforms the Apollo moon landing from a technical achievement into a riveting human story. Hosted by Kevin Fong, the series explores the critical moments between lunar module descent and Armstrong’s first step, revealing the personal stories of NASA engineers and astronauts who made the impossible possible. With stunning audio production and archival recordings, the podcast turns a scientific milestone into a narrative of human courage and innovation.
British Scandal
British Scandal explores the hidden narratives behind the United Kingdom’s most explosive controversies, where power, intrigue, and human complexity collide. Hosts Alice Levine and Matt Forde unravel the shocking stories that have shaped British history, from political downfalls to media meltdowns. Each episode digs beneath the surface of headline-grabbing scandals, revealing the personal stories and power dynamics that transformed nations and toppled reputations.
Stuff You Should Know
Listen to Stuff You Should Know
Prepare for an intellectual rollercoaster where no topic is too bizarre, too serious, or too obscure. Hosts Josh and Chuck dive into a wild spectrum of subjects, from scientific phenomena and social movements to cultural oddities and historical turning points. Their podcast is a fearless exploration of human knowledge, blending the profound, the peculiar, and everything in between. Read our review of the Stuff You Should Know podcast.
Valley Heat
In the seemingly tranquil Rancho Equestrian District of Burbank, insurance adjuster Doug Duguay transforms his professional investigative skills into a hyper-local exploration of neighborhood intrigue. Armed with keen observation and a backdrop of music from local band Cephalopods Are People, Duguay uncovers the subtle mysteries lurking beneath the suburban surface.
Sold a Story
Sold a Story exposes the critical gap between scientific reading research and educational practice. Investigative journalist Emily Hanford meticulously unravels how unproven literacy methods have dominated schools, despite decades of contradictory scientific evidence. By examining four influential authors and a powerful publishing company, the podcast reveals how misinformation about reading instruction has been systematically marketed and implemented, ultimately failing millions of children.
Song Exploder
This podcast gives musicians the stage to deconstruct their own songs, unraveling them layer by layer to reveal the creative process behind the music. In each episode, an artist dissects one of their tracks, sharing the inspirations, sounds, and decisions that shaped its composition and production. Hosted and produced by Hrishikesh Hirway, this show offers a fascinating glimpse into the art of songwriting.
Outside Podcast
“Outside” brings its rich tradition of literary storytelling to life through audio, delivering captivating narratives that both entertain and inform. Since launching in March 2016 with *Science of Survival*, the podcast has grown to include a variety of storytelling styles—from on-the-ground reports by correspondents to in-depth interviews with some of the biggest names in sports, adventure, and the outdoor world.
Ologies Podcast
Volcanoes. Ancient trees. Boozy butterflies. Space exploration. Slug romance. Life and death. Beauty norms. Stress hacks. The science of beer. The secret lives of bees. Each episode is packed with fascinating facts and delightfully weird stories about the passions that drive expert -ologists. Science correspondent and humorist Alie Ward sits down with brilliant minds, asking the silliest questions to uncover answers that just might blow your mind. Read our Ologies review.
Wooden Overcoats
Rudyard Funn and his perpetually gloomy sister Antigone are struggling to keep their family’s failing funeral parlor afloat, ensuring the dearly departed make it to their final resting place on schedule. But their already grim situation takes a turn for the worse when a charming new rival, the infuriatingly perfect Eric Chapman, starts stealing their customers—turning funerals into lively celebrations!
Radiolab
The infamous Radiolab podcast is driven by an insatiable curiosity, diving deep into big questions and uncovering answers through investigative storytelling. Each episode is an unpredictable journey, weaving through science, legal history, and personal stories from across the globe. Known for its groundbreaking sound design, the show blends information with music in a way that’s as immersive as it is enlightening. Read our review of Radiolab.
Maintenance Phase
Exposing the flawed science behind trendy health fads, wellness gimmicks, and misleading nutrition claims. Read our review of Maintenance Phase.
Normal Gossip
*Normal Gossip* serves up hilariously bizarre, oddly relatable, and delightfully mundane stories about people you’ll never meet. Host Kelsey McKinney unpacks listener-submitted gossip with guests, dissecting the wild choices and everyday dramas of complete strangers. Because sometimes, secondhand stories are even stranger than fiction.
Citation Needed
The podcast where the hosts pick a topic, skim one Wikipedia page, and act like they’re authorities on it. Welcome to the internet age—where a quick read makes you an expert! At least they know how ludicrous this, and that’s what makes this a great podcast.
The Secret History of Flight 149
Listen to The Secret History of Flight 149
In August 1990, passengers aboard BA Flight 149 found themselves used as human shields by Saddam Hussein’s regime. Journalist Stephen Davis has spent decades reporting on this incredible story, featuring firsthand accounts from the hostages and insights from political and intelligence figures. At the core of the series: why was the plane allowed to land, putting so many lives in danger? This gripping tale unearths a story that has remained hidden for years, giving the human shields a long-overdue chance to share their experiences.
My Brother, My Brother & Me
Listen to My Brother, My Brother & Me
Unsolicited guidance from three of the globe’s most knowledgeable and relevant authorities: Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy. Each Monday, for about 30 to 45 minutes, we offer life advice to others, because clearly, we’ve been excelling at managing our own lives. Read our review of My Brother, My Brother & Me.
The Moth
Every Tuesday and Friday, The Moth’s podcast feed delivers episodes of the Peabody-Award-winning *Moth Radio Hour* along with exclusive installments of *The Moth Podcast*. Since its inception in 1997, The Moth has showcased thousands of authentic stories, shared live and without scripts, captivating packed audiences around the globe.
Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People
Listen to Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People
One call. Sixty minutes. No identities revealed. No filters applied. That’s the concept driving “Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People”, hosted by comedian Chris Gethard. Each week, Chris connects with a single anonymous caller, and he’s bound to stay on the line no matter what unfolds. Expect raw confessions, hidden family truths, deep philosophical musings, or even unabashed self-promotion—anything goes in this unpredictable exchange!
Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks
Listen to Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks
Discover the most harrowing and intense wild animal attacks ever recorded, narrated and analyzed by Wes Larson, a wildlife biologist and animal behavior specialist. Alongside his brother Jeff and their close friend Mike, Wes delves into the gripping details of these encounters in every episode. Together, they break down the events, offering insights on how to steer clear of such perilous situations while fostering a deeper respect and understanding for the untamed creatures of our planet.
Search Engine
No query is too grand, no curiosity too trivial. On *Search Engine*, PJ Vogt tackles the questions you might type into the internet during those restless late-night hours. If the world often leaves you puzzled, yet you occasionally find wonder in that confusion, this show is here to guide and entertain you.
The Secret History of Antarctica: Death On The Ice
Listen to The Secret History of Antarctica: Death On The Ice
Journalist Stephen Davis delves into the enigmatic death of a scientist at the South Pole in the year 2000. Davis explores the baffling circumstances surrounding the incident and scrutinizes the flawed investigation that left critical questions unanswered, shedding light on the mysteries buried beneath the ice.
The Story Seeds Podcast
Listen to The Story Seeds Podcast
This Webby Award-nominated podcast pairs children aged 6-12 with their imaginative story ideas and connects them with a variety of beloved children’s authors. Each episode captures the enchanting process of collaboration between the young minds and the authors, culminating in a captivating story time where the author reads the tale aloud.
Heavyweight
Perhaps you’ve spent sleepless nights wondering how things could have turned out differently, or how they still might change, but the perfect moment to take action never seemed to arrive. That moment is now, and “Heavyweight” is the podcast turning those possibilities into reality. Follow Jonathan Goldstein as he embarks on road trips, navigates awkward reunions, and tackles tough conversations, rewinding into the past like a time-traveling therapist helping to set things right.
Do you know of another podcast that you think should be on this list? Let me know.
You might also like these lists of podcasts to discover: