At some point in the recent past, podcasting made the jump from DIY tech for radio wannabes into reputable mainstream medium. You may recall when podcasts first popped into the public consciousness a little over a decade ago along with the newly ubiquitous iPod. Podcasting's shiny-new-thing-ness didn't last, but it never really went away—it was just experiencing a bumpy transition into maturity.
Like any free-to-broadcast platform, podcasting was flooded with content that varied wildly in quality. While there were indeed a few notable standouts in the beginning, there was also a lot of crap. (Mostly, there was a lot of crap.) Eventually, much of the crap fell away, leaving a few talented pioneers as well as a new crop of series that built on the podcast formats that actually worked.
Skip ahead a decade: iPods are nearing extinction, but the podcast format lives on. In fact, it could even be said to be thriving.
The term "podcast" is—and always was—a misnomer. Podcasts don't depend on iPods—or any one particular device. A better term would be on-demand radio. And like any other on-demand content, it can be listened to on any device with a connection to the Internet.
As all segments of our lives come online, the ability to access interesting audio content tailored just for you becomes more attractive. Besides the fact that the recordings work around your schedule, podcasts offer a versatility and room for experimentation that would never be viable on traditional radio, be it terrestrial, public, or even satellite.
If you have ears, there's a podcast out there that you will enjoy.
If you're new to the format—or are just looking for some new listens—we put together a list of podcasts that are definitely worth checking out. We reached out to the extended PCMag family for their listening recommendations. We've included each pod's website as well as a link to its iTunes page, but the content can be accessed just about anywhere (personally, I do most of my listening on my Android phone via the excellent Pocket Casts app).
This is just a small sampling of all the content available—there's no way we could have included it all. If you have a favorite that you'd recommend, drop it in the comments. Happy listening!
Comedy
Comedy Bang Bang (Web, iTunes)
This long-running improv pod has caused me to embarrass myself—on numerous occasions—by making me laugh out loud on my daily subway commute. The show is a combination of straight interviews with celebrity guests followed by one or two kooky characters. Even host Scott Aukerman's sponsored commercials offer hilarious bouts of surreal anti-humor.—Evan Dashevsky
Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast (Web, iTunes)
Gilbert Gottfried can be a divisive figure (personally, I love his over-the-top, nasal delivery of often-tasteless jokes; my wife, not so much). His podcast Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast brings on assorted celebrity guests to talk about the entertainment industry in general, and old movies and TV shows in particular. Most of the cultural references are way before my time (much time is spent discussing The Honeymooners, for example), but the pure joy that Gottfried takes in talking show business is a draw in and of itself. (Note: The show often takes particularly un-PC turns—if all you know of Gilbert is his cartoon work from Aladdin, maybe do some YouTubing first.)—E.D.
The Mental Illness Happy Hour (Web, iTunes)
A podcast about mental illness isn't going to appeal to everyone. But former Dinner and a Movie co-host Paul Gilmartin brings plenty of charm (and own issues) to earnest conversations with comedians, clinicians, and regular people living and coping with a gamut of mental struggles and diagnosed disorders. The tone often bounces from lighthearted to dark and back again, but you'll be hard-pressed to find more deeply human and heartfelt conversations anywhere.—Matt Safford
The Adam Carolla Show (Web, iTunes)
While he is undoubtedly one of the godfathers of the format, Carolla's podcast can come off like a local morning terrestrial radio show (that may or may not be a plus for you). If you're already familiar with (and enjoy) Carolla's unique brand of witty frat-boy-isms, then this is a podcast for you.—E.D.
Stop Podcasting Yourself (Web, iTunes)
Comedy delights from our neighbors to the north. Two hosts, one guest, lots of Canadian accents and laughs. Highlight: Overheards, where the hosts and listeners share the weird-ass things they've heard and seen out in the world.—W.R.
Last Podcast on the Left (Web, iTunes)
It's kinda like if Coast to Coast AM were hosted by funny skeptics, not paranoids coocoos.—Eric Griffith
My Brother My Brother and Me (Web, iTunes)
Three brothers—Justin, Griffin, and Travis McElroy—provide absurd "advice" in a way only their unique senses of humor allow. Always hilarious and usually ridiculous, the brothers respond to listener-submitted questions and comb the depths of Yahoo Answers for some of the funniest off-the-cuff discussions and tangents in podcasting. It always makes me smile or laugh on my commute, and their good-natured riffing is a consistently reliable mood-lifter in these trying times.—Matthew Buzzi
My Favorite Murder (Web, iTunes)
It takes a certain type of person to seek out what is effectively a comedy podcast about graphic murders and true crime horrors. But those fascinated by the subject, or just casually interested, will find plenty to like here. Veteran comedy writer and performer Karen Kilgariff and TV host Georgia Hardstark bring the indomitable, rambling charm of their friendship to balance out the darkness. Stay sexy and don't get murdered.—M.S.
News & Politics
Waking Up: Sam Harris (Web, iTunes)
Controversial public intellectual Sam Harris could never be described as being too animated. His (somewhat ironically titled) Waking Up podcast values logic above all else. If you are looking for high-brow deconstructions of everything from global jihadism (a favorite topic of Sam's) to the benefits of meditation, Waking Up is worth adding to your queue.—E.D.
Pod Save America (Web, iTunes) Former Obama staffers Jon Favreau and Dan Pfeiffer had a must-listen podcast during the 2016 campaign, Keepin it 1600. When the results didn't exactly go as planned in November, the duo—as well as fellow White House alums Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor—regrouped with Pod Save America to discuss "challenges posed by the Trump administration" and more. Vietor also hosts a foreign policy-focused podcast, Pod Save the World. - Chloe Albanesius
The Gist with Mike Pesca (Web, iTunes)
If you ever see me doubled over laughing on the streets of New York, look for headphones before you call Bellevue. I'm probably just listening to The Gist with Mike Pesca. This 30-minute daily show from the former NPR sports reporter is all about rhetoric and word play, even if the premise is that it's about news and current events. His thick Brooklyn accent is almost as irresistible as the thick skin he shows when reading his own hate mail. This show is an absolute joy.—J.D.
The Morning Stream (Web, iTunes)
Free form conversation every Monday through Thursday.—Jesse Hannah
The Bugle (Web, iTunes)
Long before building a viral video factory with his weekly HBO show, John Oliver was (and still is) half of the weekly trans-pond podcast, The Bugle. Along with U.K.-based co-host Andy Zaltzman, the pair humorously take on the week's happening with wall-to-wall zings delivered in an envelope of particularly British linguistic agility.—several PCMag staffers
Real Time Podcast (Web, iTunes)
Bill Maher's live political-culture chat show Real Time on HBO is one of the premium channel's strongest remaining raison d'etres. But here's a little secret—you don't actually don't have to pay for HBO to get it! If you can wait a bit. It's not exactly a podcast, but around three days after the live Friday broadcast, HBO makes an audio version of the episode available for free—as well as jokes that didn't make the monologue cut (known as "2 Minutes Maher" – skippable IMHO) and an audio version of the Web extra ("Overtime" – always worth a listen even if you've watched the episode).—E.D.
One-on-On
WTF with Marc Maron (Web, iTunes)
One of the pioneers of the genre, comedian Marc Maron has helped define what podcasting can be. Each show opens with a humorous—and often exceedingly personal—monologue followed by an in-depth conversation with a guest (most of whom are fellow comedians, but the roster has really opened recently). Even if you're not a fan of Maron's self-obsessed brand of misanthropy, he is a hell of a captivating interviewer.—E.D.
The Joe Rogan Experience (Web, iTunes)
Comedian and UFC color man Joe Rogan hosts a variety of thought-provoking guests who appear to discuss topics as varied as martial arts, astrophysics, and consciousness-expanding medicinals.—Jeffrey Wilson
You Made It Weird (Web, iTunes)
If you like to go deeeep and have two hours to kill, then comedian Pete Holmes's very in-depth one-on-one interview series is for you. Not only do Holmes and guest go into biography and career, they usually veer into philosophy and nature of existence (every episode usually features the question "what do you think happens after you die?")—E.D.
Bret Easton Ellis Podcast (Web, iTunes)
This is a lot like WTF, but with Bret Easton Ellis instead of Marc Maron. The guests tend to be from all parts of the showbiz industry, rather than a focus on comedians. And it's more like a conversation than an interview. You learn just as much about Bret Easton Ellis each show as you do his guests.—Alex Colon
The Moment with Brian Koppelman (Web, iTunes)
Formerly part of Grantland, it's since moved to Slate, The Moment with Brian Koppelman is an interview podcast that explores the world of entertainment and celebrity, usually taking an introspective turn. Koppelman, also known for his Vine series "Six Second Screenwriting Lessons," digs into what makes people tick and what drives them to continue their creative work. At times, Koppelman seems to enjoy the sound of his own voice and thoughts a little too much, but he has enough personality to keep the conversation interesting.—J.D.
Fresh Air (Web, iTunes)
Terry Gross is one of the best interviewers in the business. And like most (all?) NPR shows, her one-on-one broadcast Fresh Air is available as a podcast.—E.D.
Love + Radio (Web, iTunes)
The show's official bio: "Nick van der Kolk's Love and Radio features intimate and otherworldly-produced interviews with an eclectic range of subjects, from the seedy to the sublime."—Sam Winstanley
Culture & Music
Giant Bombcast (Web, iTunes)
The Giant Bombcast is a hilarious ongoing observation on life, the Internet, and everything from dudes who happen to write about video games for a living. Also consider its East Coast spinoff the Giant Beastcast.—Jordan Minor
Ice-T: Final Level Podcast (Web, iTunes)
The rapper-cum-metal singer Ice-T happened a few years before my time. I grew up knowing Ice as the charismatic dude who plays cops and talking kangaroos on TV. And now, he has a podcast! Along with co-host Mike Benzo and special guests, Ice-T presents his (occasionally profane) take on current events and the state of the world. Even if you know nothing about his music, Final Level is a fun, spirited, and often insightful listen.—E.D.
Jalen & Jacoby (Web, iTunes)
A former Grantland flagship podcast, Jalen & Jacoby pairs an ex-NBA star (Jalen Rose) with a sports nut (David Jacoby) to form a potent mix of sports, hip hop, and general pop culture talk.—J.W.
Linoleum Knife (Web, iTunes)
This is my weekly go-to for learning about new movies. The criticism is on point, and the banter between hosts Alonso Duralde and Dave White is always entertaining.—A.C.
Who Charted? (Web, iTunes)
Each week co-hosts Howard Kremer and Kulap Vilaysack welcome a celebrity guest to count down that week's top pop tunes and movies (or "space make-em-ups," as Howard calls them). Most of the top-performing music and movies are—rightly—ridiculed as soulless cultural waste, however the show makes room for the occasional guilty pleasure.—E.D.
Drink Champs (Web, iTunes)
N.O.R.E. drinks constantly being pouring, and endless untold hip hop stories. What more do you want?—J.R.
Informative
99% Invisible (Web, iTunes)
Even if you've never given two thoughts about design or how the material world around us is put together, this weekly series will help you find the fascinating in the everyday.—E.D.
The Dollop Podcast (Web, iTunes)
The Dollop is a darkly funny (and often profane) history podcast where veteran podcaster and comedian Dave Anthony reads a twisted story of America's past to his friend, Gareth Reynolds, who has no idea what the story is about. Previous subjects include America's disability-shaming 'ugly laws' and San Francisco's 40-foot-tall 'spite fence.'—M.S.
Stuff You Should Know (Web, iTunes)
From the people at HowStuffWorks.com, every episode of this podcast tackles and takes apart a topic—like tornados or bitcoin or the sun—so you can come away with a good working knowledge. The hosts, with their southern accents and easy chummy chemistry, explain everything in layman's terms, with more than a few fun pop cultural tangents along the way.—W.R.
Radiolab Podcast (Web, iTunes)
David Krulwich and Jab Abumrad put together an amazing podcast that is both extremely scientifically informative, and symphonically lovely to listen to. Also, their downloadable app is one of the cutest things I've ever seen."—C.P.
Stuff You Missed in History Class (Web, iTunes)
A fun and in-depth look at notable past events that you probably don't know about.—Annika Celum
Star Talk Radio (Web, iTunes)
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson explores the world of science (with an emphasis on his area of expertise: cosmology). Neil can sometimes come off as a middle school science teacher desperately trying his best to get his class excited about science—and that's strangely comforting in a way. He also shares hosting duties each episode with a guest comedian—most of whom are kind of annoying, but you're usually in good hands when Eugene Mirman is around. (And check out PCMag's interview with NDT on our podcast, The Convo) —E.D.
Freakonomics (Web, iTunes)
Based on the best-selling book series, the fascinating Freakonomics podcast goes in-depth on various topics using purely empirical, number-driven evidence to uncover how the world really works.—E.D.
Fandom
How Did This Get Made? (Web, iTunes)
Comedians Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas watch terrible movies like Spider-Man 3, Barb Wire, and The Wicker Man and then pick them apart. They also read the unintentionally hilarious 5-star reviews by Amazon.com users about these bad movies.—Pete Haas
The Star Wars Minute (Web, iTunes)
Each and every minute of the original Star Wars movies dissected. Literally—each episode deconstructs one 60-second chunk (yep, including the opening title sequences).—Chris Radtke
Pop Culture Happy Hour (Web, iTunes)
NPR's weekly rundown of what's happening in pop culture. Episodes can be about books, comics, movies, music, television, or pretty much anything else that's worth talking about.—A.C.
The Nerdist (Web, iTunes)
Not just a podcast, but a new media empire. Chris Hardwick's hugely popular podcast attracts some big name stars (Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves, Jeff Bridges—just to name a few). The lighthearted conversation veers into the glorious minutia of all-things pop culture.—E.D.
Straight Shoot (Web, iTunes)
The smartest wrestling podcast.—C.R.
The Secret Cabal (Web, iTunes)
A bi-weekly show about gaming of all kinds. Board Games, Card Games, Miniatures Games, Role Playing Games and much more. The show will include geek topic discussions, board game walk through and reviews, gaming community and industry news and role playing game theory topics.—Matthew Downs
Ball Don't Lie (Web, iTunes)
When it comes to in-depth, uncensored, comedic sport banter, this podcast does it well. If you were to set up ESPN in the back of a Bronx bodega, a "Ball Don't Lie" is the beauty that is born.—J.R.
Miscellaneous
No Such Thing as a Fish (Web, iTunes)
You won't find facts presented like this anywhere else: Four QI researchers (a.k.a. "The QI Elves") present their favorite discoveries of the week. The Large Hadron Collider was once turned off for a short period of time because a piece of baguette was found in the machinery, for instance. The hilarious broadcasts range from 30 to 50 minutes, while the team riff off each other, expand on various facts, and lose themselves in fascinating tangents.—Stephanie Mlot
Serial (Web, iTunes)
A episodic investigation into a real-life crime. The first season was an engrossing investigation into a 15-year-old murder near Baltimore. The second season is a look into accused deserter Bowe Bergdahl (it's not as good, but season three might return to the show's roots.)—E.D.
Missing and Murdered: Who Killed Alberta Williams? (Web, iTunes)
In the wake of Serial's success, a number of true-crime podcasts have cropped up, with journalists investigating decades-old cold cases. A notable entry in this genre is CBC's investigation into Alberta Williams, a young Indigenous woman murdered in British Columbia in 1989. In this eight-part podcast, CBC's Connie Walker talks to law enforcement, Alberta's family and friends, and suspects in the case to try to get a handle on what really happened that night almost 30 years ago.—C.A.
In the Dark (Web, iTunes)
In the Dark is similar to Missing and Murdered in that it follows a 1989 cold case murder. But this particular case, that of 11-year-old Minnesota boy Jacob Wetterling, was solved as this podcast was coming together. If you think that will make for an anti-climactic listen, you're wrong. In the Dark is as much about how local authorities bungled the investigation into this high-profile case as it is about the crime itself.—C.A.
StartUp (Web, iTunes)
Another This American Life alum starts a new podcast, following his attempt to create a tech startup that will allow anyone in the world to easily make a podcast. It's a little meta, but very interesting, because Alex Blumberg comes off like a normal shlub with an idea, so it feels like something anyone could go through. If they worked for years at NPR, of course.—Eric Griffith
Risk (Web, iTunes)
Sort of like a cross between This American Life and The Moth, but usually a lot more risqué. It's people telling true stories, but the 'risk' element is that these are the sort of stories people usually wouldn't dare share in public.—A.C.
Welcome to Night Vale (Web, iTunes)
A fictional podcast about the desert town of Night Vale somewhere in the southwest. In the guise of a radio newscast, the narrator peppers banal local townie announcements with surreal, paranormal events that show that there's something not quite right here.—W.G.
Speculative Grammarian (Web, iTunes)
"The premier scholarly journal featuring research in the neglected field of satirical linguistics." Now in the form of an "arbitrarily irregular audio podcast."—Sam Winstanley
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History (Web, iTunes)
Official Bio: In Hardcore History the very unconventional Dan Carlin takes his 'Martian,' outside-the-box way of thinking and applies it to the past. Was Alexander the Great as bad a person as Adolf Hitler? What would Apaches with modern weapons be like? Will our modern civilization ever fall like civilizations from past eras?—S.C.
Nepotism
Fast-Forward with Dan Costa (Web, iTunes)
PCMag editor-in-chief, Dan Costa goes one-on-one with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, CEOs, experts, and analysts to discuss how technology will impact society, culture, and business as we accelerate into the future. This isn't about the daily news cycle, it's about previewing the future that awaits us all!—E.D.
The Convo with Evan Dashevsky (Web, iTunes)
PCMag features editor Evan Dashevsky talks with scientists, authors, and entrepreneurs about how science fiction is slowly transforming into science reality. Guests include Neil deGrasse Tyson, video game pioneer Richard Garriott, former astronaut Mike Massimino, World War Z author Max Brooks, and many more.—E.D.