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The 30 Best Podcasts of 2022

The best podcasts about true crime, fantasy football, comedy, news, and more

By Molly McLaughlin Molly McLaughlin Senior Editor & Content Strategist Molly K. McLaughlin has been a technology editor and writer for over a dozen years. She runs product reviews for Lifewire, overseeing the process from hands-on testing to publishing. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 16, 2022 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Music, Podcasts, & Audio Podcasts Music For Your Life Audio Streaming Radio CDs, MP3s, & Other Media Podcasts have exploded into our culture and are an excellent way to entertain yourself while commuting, traveling, or working out. This crop of podcasts covers a range of topics, including sports, pop culture, news, identity, and everyday life. 01 of 30

Best for a Quick Take on the Story of the Day The Daily

What We Like New episode every weekday. A few ways to listen. Sort by oldest or newest episodes. What We Don't Like Doesn't highlight the most popular episodes. Several website ads. Hosted by journalist Michael Barbaro and powered by The New York Times, The Daily covers one story each weekday in about 20 minutes. Guests include journalists Maggie Haberman and Glenn Thrush, as well as story subjects. Notable episodes include a "fake news" story that transformed the small town of Twin Falls, Idaho and a deep dive into the Andrew Cuomo sexual harassment scandal. Listen to "The Daily" 02 of 30

Best Exploration of Race and Ethnicity in Our Lives Code Switch

What We Like Queue up several episodes at once. Includes transcripts. Download any episode as MP3. What We Don't Like No sorting or filtering options. Text posts are mixed in the list of podcasts. Code Switch from NPR explores race and ethnicity and how it all weaves into different parts of our lives, from places of worship and the business of selling marijuana legally to the terrible events that happened in Charlottesville, Virginia, in the summer of 2017. Hosted by five journalists, Code Switch dissects the complicated news and events happening all over the country and illuminates the lives and voices that we don't always hear as loudly as others. Listen to "Code Switch" 03 of 30

Best Big Apple Take on Pop Culture The Read

PC Screenshot What We Like Engage with others in the comments. Weekly episodes. Easy listening with the queue. What We Don't Like Few places to listen. User account required to download episodes. Ads at the beginning of each episode. New York City transplants Kid Fury and Crissle chat about hip-hop and pop culture while bonding over adapting to life in the city that never sleeps. Their biting commentary on The Read is highly entertaining with targets including reality show stars and Oprah, but never Beyoncé. Tune into the "Wakanda Forever" episode to get their insights about Marvel's Black Panther and recent theater releases. Listen to "The Read" 04 of 30

Best for Dealing With Pain and Loss Terrible Thanks for Asking

What We Like All episodes are under an hour. New episode alerts over email. Download or listen online. What We Don't Like No sorting or filtering abilities. Can't search for an old episode. Have you ever wanted to tell the truth when someone asks, "How are you?" Unless you're truly doing "fine," this question usually leads to an empty exchange. This podcast features guests who open up about their pain and loss. Host and author Nora McInerny describes herself as a "notable widow." In one episode of Terrible, Thanks for Asking, Nora, suffering from insomnia, goes to Twitter to poll listeners about what keeps them up at night. Newer episodes include one about being on the edge of an emotional breakdown and another about the desire for a "good death." Listen to "Terrible, Thanks for Asking" 05 of 30

Best Collection of Personal Stories From the Internet Reply All

What We Like Listen from a wide variety of podcasting platforms. Access episodes from 2014. Follow along with the included transcript. What We Don't Like Inconsistent releases. Can't search through or filter the episodes. If you're obsessed with internet culture and find yourself getting lost in Reddit forums and social media threads, Reply All will feed your need. The creators mine the web for personal stories, such as a man who wants to turn his family's struggle with cancer into a video game, and dig deep into mundane-sounding topics, such as domain names, that are anything but dull. Robert Downey Jr. announced he planned to star in a movie based on episode #86 Man of the People. Listen to "Reply All" 06 of 30

Best for the Intersection of Sports and Pop Culture The Bill Simmons Podcast

What We Like Listen on a few different websites and apps. Can download episodes. More than one new episode a week. What We Don't Like Most episodes are well over an hour. Can't sort by popularity or date. Several ads on the site. Bill Simmons is a sports columnist, founder, and CEO of The Ringer, a blog and podcast network, and the former host of HBO's Any Given Wednesday. His self-named podcast covers sports and pop culture and where it converges, such as the Rocky movies. The podcast features interviews with celebrities, athletes, and journalists. Recent episodes focus on the NBA draft and Team USA basketball. Listen to "The Bill Simmons Podcast" 07 of 30

Best for People Who Love Terrible Movies How Did This Get Made

What We Like Updates once a week. Download any of the 200+ episodes. What We Don't Like Available on few podcasting platforms. No search or sort function. Episodes older than six months require Stitcher Premium. There's something magical about movies that are so, so terrible but so much fun to watch. We've all asked the question posed by this podcast's title, "How Did This Get Made?" The podcasters screen and tear apart the movies that are so bad they're good (think would-be horror flick Lake Placid) both in-studio and occasionally live. For example, learn more about The Garbage Pail Kids movie (we previously didn't know of its existence) in a live episode featuring Jon Lovett from Pod Save America. In one episode, the hosts talk about Freejack, a 1992 science fiction movie; in another, they review Tammy and the T-Rex from 1994. Listen to "How Did This Get Made?" 08 of 30

Best for Old Radio Stories With Modern Actors Homecoming

What We Like Very simple, attractive design. Easy to listen to the whole podcast. An Amazon Prime Original TV series. What We Don't Like Available through few apps. Limited number of episodes. We typically associate podcasts with stories, like Serial, or conversations, like Marc Maron's WTF podcast. But Homecoming harkens back to old radio stories, with its fictional thriller starring actors Catherine Keener, Oscar Isaac, David Schwimmer, Amy Sedaris, and David Cross. The experience of listening to the podcast is less about the plot than it is about enjoying the performances, chemistry, and character development. You can binge all 12 episodes, and once you've finished, check out the Amazon Original Series, starring Julia Roberts, based on the podcast. Listen to "Homecoming" 09 of 30

Best Tips for Dealing With Depression The Hilarious World of Depression

What We Like Listen with several apps or websites. Most episodes are under an hour. Download any episode. What We Don't Like Unable to filter or sort the podcast episodes. Supported in part by the Make It OK campaign, The Hilarious World of Depression talks to comedians who suffer from the disease with the goal of removing the stigma of mental illness. It also serves to help people who have depression know that they are not alone. In addition to interviews, the podcast offers support, including how to get help when you need it and coping skills to get you through each day. Dip your toe in with the ​episode "How to Get Help" or with the episode where Rachel Bloom of the TV show "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" talks about that character, her history with depression, and being inspired by Rebecca Black, singer of the infamous song "Friday." Listen to "The Hilarious World of Depression" 10 of 30

Best for Modern Career Advice Ctrl Alt Delete

What We Like A few new episodes each week. Search for podcast episodes. Not your typical career podcast. What We Don't Like Can't easily locate older podcasts. London-based Emma Gannon talks to a vast array of actors, writers, and other creatives about how social media and the web infiltrate their lives and careers. Named after her first book, which has the tagline "How I Grew Up Online," the Ctrl Alt Delete podcast benefits from Emma's high energy and enthusiasm as she gets guests to share their best stories and advice. Check out the "Your Personal Brand vs. Reality" episode or the "Masculinity & Mental Health" episode. Listen to "Ctrl Alt Delete" 11 of 30

Best for True Crime Crimetown

What We Like Show notes for all episodes. Written transcript is available. New episode every seven days. What We Don't Like Works only from the website or Spotify. Can't download episodes for offline use. If you loved the first season of Serial and were disappointed that the second season didn't have the same level of suspense, Crimetown could be just the podcast for you. One of the hosts produced and co-wrote the series "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst." Crimetown takes place in Providence and is one of the best crime and corruption podcasts—it goes all the way up to the mayor. Listen to "Crimetown" 12 of 30

Best Look at One Man' s Racism in a Small Town S-Town

What We Like Unique book-like presentation, including transcripts. Several ways to listen. Episodes are around an hour long. What We Don't Like Includes few episodes. Playback controls are hard to use. What starts as exploring the dark side of a small town in Alabama at the request of a listener turns into a look into one man's life and how it affected so many others. (The podcast also continues to reveal more disturbing details about the town, including the blatant racism that the podcast's subject John D. had warned the host about from the start.) This podcast was a one-off, but the team behind it also produces Serial and This American Life, so you can expect to see more engaging podcasts down the road. Listen to "S-Town" 13 of 30

Best Take on all Types of Love Modern Love

What We Like 30-minute, weekly episodes. Download the audio clips to your computer. Stream from a variety of apps. What We Don't Like No way to sort the episodes or filter by criteria. The Modern Love column from the New York Times explores all sorts of love—romantic, family, heartbreak, friendship, and more. The podcast brings personal essays to life with readings by famous people from Peter Gallagher to Cynthia Nixon to John Cho. Hosts Miya Lee and Daniel Jones sometimes even get updates from the essay writers. Listen to "Modern Love" 14 of 30

Best for Fantasy Football Fans NFL Talking Heads

What We Like A must listen for any fantasy football addict. Light-hearted but knowledgeable fantasy football info. The hosts know their stuff. What We Don't Like Sounds a little amateurish. If your love of football extends off the field into fantasy leagues, the NFL Talking Heads fantasy football podcast will help you up your game. Hosts Jeff Carrier and Seth Lull offer the tips and information you need to win, including statistics, draft strategies, and their unfiltered opinions. Listen to "NFL Talking Heads" 15 of 30

Best for Budding Entrepreneurs How I Built This

What We Like New episodes twice per week. Subscription option for early and ad-free listening. What We Don't Like Unable to search or filter episodes. Host Guy Raz spends each episode interviewing innovators and entrepreneurs about how they started their companies. He has a knack for finding both obscure and well-known business leaders. Recent guests include television host Jimmy Fallon and the co-founders of Goodreads, Otis and Elizabeth Chandler. Even people who aren’t part of the business world will enjoy this inspiring podcast. Listen to "How I Built This" 16 of 30

Best for First-Time Podcast Listeners Serial

What We Like Option to make a playlist. Ability to download each episode. What We Don't Like Seasons and episodes are periodically posted. Unable to search or filter episodes. Serial transformed the podcast world with its concept of telling a single story over the course of a dozen or so episodes. In its first season, released in 2014, host Sarah Koenig dove into the arrest and subsequent trials of Adnan Syed, who was charged with the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. The podcast remains one of the most popular of all time and has since released two other seasons. Listen to "Serial" 17 of 30

Best for People Obsessed With Mysteries Crime Junkie

What We Like Weekly episodes. Robust website with extra features and merch. Searchable episode guide. What We Don't Like Some episodes are locked under a “Fan Club” subscription option. Ashley Flowers and her co-host Brit dissect everything from kidnappings and disappearances to gruesome murders in this popular true-crime podcast. Their fun dynamic makes each episode seem like you’re hanging out with a friend, listening as they recount a mystery in pain-staking detail. For fans of all things crime-related, this is the podcast for you. Flowers keeps listeners guessing as she winds her way through the story, pulling together mounds of research to give you all the information available about each crime. Listen to "Crime Junkie" 18 of 30

Best for People Who Miss The Office Office Ladies

What We Like Show website features even more behind-the-scenes content. Weekly episodes. What We Don't Like Unable to search or filter websites. Actresses Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey co-starred in the beloved television series The Office and later decided to create an entire podcast devoted to breaking down each episode. They give listeners and super fans an inside look at how the show was written and filmed, with behind-the-scenes stories and interviews with former co-stars. This funny, upbeat podcast is perfect for anyone who misses the show. Listen to "Office Ladies" 19 of 30

Best for Blending Reportage and Storytelling Heavyweight

What We Like Award-winning show. Episodes are under an hour. What We Don't Like Inconsistent episode uploads. Host Jonathan Goldstein interviews random people about distinct moments in their lives, often helping them work through and even resolve the leftover emotions. Heavyweight blends reportage and storytelling into sweet, sentimental episodes that often tell universal truths about the human experience. Listen to "Heavyweight" 20 of 30

Best for Listening to Other People' s Drama Normal Gossip

What We Like New episodes each week. Written component available online. What We Don't Like Unable to search or filter episodes. This relatively new show, hosted by Kelsey McKinney, breaks down an inevitable fact of human nature: our urge to gossip and swap stories, even about people we’ve never met. McKinney invites a guest on each episode to tell them a piece of second-hand gossip. They also chat before diving into each story about gossip habits, breaking down the “why” behind the urge. Listen to "Normal Gossip" 21 of 30

Best for Learning About an Obscure News Story The Trojan Horse Affair

What We Like Engaging hosts. Multiple ways to listen. What We Don't Like Singular, limited series with an ending. Reporters Brian Reed and Hamza Syed make an unlikely pair for this podcast project with The New York Times. The Trojan Horse Affair begins with Reed and Syed exploring the origins of a mysterious British letter in 2014 that quickly led to national implications. In addition to telling a mesmerizing story, the duo—who have fun, engaging chemistry—also discusses different aspects of the reporting process. Listen to "The Trojan Horse Affair" 22 of 30

Best for Young Adults Anything Goes

What We Like Available anywhere you listen to podcasts. New episodes every week. What We Don't Like No show website. Even listeners who don’t consider themselves fans of internet superstar Emma Chamberlain will find something to love about her podcast, Anything Goes. The YouTuber records the podcast each week from her bed, giving the show a comfy and casual feel. Chamberlain effortlessly speaks about whatever is on her mind. Recent topics include plastic surgery, parties, and female friendships. Listen to "Anything Goes" 23 of 30

Best for Getting Great Advice Dear Sugars

What We Like Hundreds of episodes. Searchable archive by episode date. What We Don't Like New episodes every other week. The “Sugars”—Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond—spend each episode answering listeners’ questions about everything from grief and loneliness to privilege and complicated family dynamics. The hosts’ soothing voices make this advice podcast all the more enticing. Listen to "Dear Sugars" 24 of 30

Best for Listening to Celebrities Interview Each Other Conan O' Brien Needs a Friend

What We Like New episodes twice a week. Celebrity guests. What We Don't Like Unable to search and filter episodes. Late-night television host Conan O’Brien has never made a lasting friendship with one of the thousands of celebrities he’s interviewed over his two-decade career, or so he claims. O’Brien created his podcast in 2018 to do just that. He’s invited actors, musicians, comedians, and more onto the interview-style podcast to chat about anything from s’mores to their careers. Listen to "Conan O'Brian Needs a Friend" 25 of 30

Best Podcast About Writing Well-Read Black Girl

What We Like Downloadable episodes. Several ways to listen. What We Don't Like Inconsistent uploads. Website isn't updated. Writer Glory Edim founded the Well-Read Black Girl book club to celebrate “the uniqueness of Black literature and sisterhood,” according to its website. She recently created the podcast in continuation of that mission. Each episode features a different writer who talks about their career path and writing process. Recent guests include actress and author Viola Davis and journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones. Listen to "Well-Read Black Girl" 26 of 30

Best for People Who Love Talking About Food Desert Island Dishes

What We Like Website features recipes. What We Don't Like Inconsistent upload schedule. Unable to search or filter episodes. Host and chef Margie Nomura interviews a guest each episode about the dishes, foods, and meals most important to them. Guests vary from restaurateurs and authors to television hosts, but all share a passion for cooking. Nomura’s calming voice and knowledge about all things food will get you excited for your next meal! Listen to "Desert Island Dishes" 27 of 30

Best for People Who Love to Deep Dive an Album Dissect

What We Like Website includes visual guides for two albums. What We Don't Like Available only on Spotify. No search or sort function. Music fans will love this podcast. The hosts take an entire album and painstakingly break down each track, analyzing all the elements. The show most recently featured episodes devoted to Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers." Listen to "Dissect" 28 of 30

Best for People Who Love Fitness and Wellness Fitness Flipped

What We Like Episode transcripts are available. New episodes released twice per week during the season. What We Don't Like Short season. You don’t have to be a Peloton user to appreciate this fitness-inspired podcast. One of the company’s favorite instructors, Tunde Oyeneyin, hosts the show, which released episodes twice per week during its first season. She speaks with featured guests about all things concerning health, strength, and mental wellness. Listeners will also hear from Peloton members about their own experiences. Listen to "Fitness Flipped" 29 of 30

Best Interview-Format Longform

What We Like In-depth show notes. Access first episodes from 2012. What We Don't Like Unable to sort or filter episodes. If you love reading books, magazine articles, or any other long-form journalism, this is the podcast for you. The hosts invite a new guest each week to discuss their recent long-form work. Conversations often involve the guest’s reflections on how they got started in their career. Listen to "Longform" 30 of 30

Best for People Who Want to Go Deep With One Story Embedded

What We Like Option to make a playlist. Ability to download each episode. What We Don't Like Seasons and episodes are periodically posted. Unable to search or filter episodes. Embedded takes a news story and goes deep with it, spending the entire season examining a different facet of the issue. Past seasons include explorations into the opioid epidemic, the Trump administration’s past, and the stories behind police shootings caught on camera. Host Kelly McEvers and NPR’s affiliate network highlight important stories from around the world, giving listeners a better understanding of each complex topic. Listen to "Embedded" Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The Best Mystery Podcasts of 2022 16 Best Free Audio Book Websites (October 2022) The 11 Best Spotify Podcasts of 2022 The 16 Funniest Podcasts of 2022 8 Best Podcasts for Young Adults of 2022 The 12 Best News Podcasts of 2022 14 Safe Podcasts for Kids and Schools in 2022 The 13 Best True Crime Podcasts of 2022 The 15 Best History Podcasts of 2022 The 9 Best LGBT Podcasts of 2022 How to Download Podcasts Best Fantasy Football Podcasts of 2022 The 10 Best Podcast Apps for Android of 2022 The 10 Best Road Trip Podcasts of 2022 How to Upload a Podcast to Spotify The 13 Best Sports Podcasts of 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies