Truthfully, it’s hard to remember what life was like before podcasts. Whether you’re tidying up the house, getting some work done, or just need to take a break from Netflix, podcasts have become the perfect accompaniment to keep us entertained and informed.
With topics spanning just about every genre, you’re sure to find a show that will pique your interest. Interested in diving into a juicy true-crime mystery or the latest political debates? There are podcasts for that. Need your daily pop culture fix or a review on the latest health and wellness craze? There are podcasts for that too.
From long-standing popular picks to the buzzworthy new kids on the block, here are some of the best podcasts that’ll have you hitting subscribe and reaching for your AirPods ASAP.
The Lazy Genius
Listen if: You’re in need of helpful tips to conquer some of life’s biggest hurdles, like folding that 2-week-old pile of clean laundry.
The Lazy Genius creator and New York Times Best Selling author, Kendra Adachi, brings you a new episode each week filled with practical advice you’ll actually need. From how to get stuff done when you have zero motivation, to a simplified guide on understanding football, Adachi equips you with all the tools you need to face life head-on.
The Second Life
Listen if: You love fashion, pop culture and style, and are inspired by fierce personalities and stories of success.
Hosted by Who What Wear and MyDomaine co-founder Hillary Kerr, Second Life provides listeners with a weekly dose of inspiration. Kerr spotlights successful women who have fearlessly mastered a major career shift or new venture. We’re talking recognizable names like Reese Witherspoon, Cindy Crawford and Jenifer Lopez.
How to Fail
Listen if: You love a good comeback story.
This podcast is a great place to find motivation to get started when you need it most. Writer and journalist, Elizabeth Day, sits down each week with seemingly successful individuals to discuss the not-so-glamorous moments of their lives. Each guest details the times they failed or suffered hardships, and how they picked themselves back up to try again. These honest conversations and refreshing discussions will inspire you to keep going even when it seems like there’s no hope.
The Daily
Listen if: You don’t have time to read the newspaper each morning but want to stay up-to-date on current events.
With an almost cult-like following, any news junkie will proudly share that this is the podcast you need in your life. Host Michael Barbaro interviews New York Times journalists about the top stories of the day and why they matter. Bonus: each episode is only about 20 minutes, which makes it super easy and quick to keep up to date with what’s going on in the world.
Comments by Celebs
Listen if: Pop culture and reality TV are your guilty (or not-so-guilty) pleasure.
Having a hard time keeping up with the Kardashians? Add this podcast to your playlist. From the creators of the viral Instagram account @commentsbycelebs, self-proclaimed “celebrity experts” Julie Kramer and Emma Diamond chat all things new and noteworthy in the world of pop culture. Each episode, the girls deep dive into the celebrity comments they chronicle on their Instagram page and discuss how it translates into real-life drama and scandal in Hollywood.
Armchair Expert
Listen if: You thrive on real, honest and raw conversation.
Equal parts honest, authentic and funny, host and actor Dax Shepard along with co-host Monica Padman set out to interview guests about the “messiness of being human.” You’ll love Shepard and Padman’s quick banter and peppy chemistry along with the slew of recognizable celebrities, journalists and academics that frequent the show.
Ear Hustle
Listen if: Orange Is The New Black was your favourite show and you’ve been trying to fill the void ever since.
Ever wondered what happens inside the walls of a maximum-security prison? Look no further than Ear Hustle, a podcast that explores what life in San Quentin State Prison is really like. From how inmates keep themselves entertained to how they handle romantic relationships, Ear Hustle covers it all. Throughout the podcast, we also follow the lives of former inmates as they navigate their way back into society.
The Murder Squad
Listen if: The launch of a new true crime doc or series on Netflix sends you into fits of excitement.
If you’ve always dreamed of being a detective, then this is the podcast for you. The Murder Squad is a unique take on your typical true crime podcast as retired investigator Paul Holes and investigative journalist Billy Jensen invite you to help them solve cold cases in real-time. Listeners are encouraged to send in their own theories and research, creating a uniquely interactive experience for all amateur sleuths.
Spittin’ Chiclets
Listen if: You’re running out of people who will tolerate your incessant sports talk, and Will Ferrell is your brand of comedy.
For hockey lovers who don’t mind a little bit of crass, Spittin’ Chiclets is the brainchild of the highly popular media company Barstool Sports. Hosted by two former NHL players and a Barstool employee, each episode features past and present hockey players who share their experiences and discuss current happenings in the world of sports and pop culture.
Food Heaven
Listen if: You’re always looking for the next health trend, self-care craze and superfood obsession.
Hosted by two registered dietitian nutritionists, the Food Heaven podcast deep dives into topics like health at every size, food and culture, intuitive eating, mental health and body acceptance. Grounded in the belief of a sustainable and inclusive path to wellness, the girls discuss the ways in which we can live healthier, more balanced lives by taking care of ourselves from the inside out.
How Did This Get Made?
Listen if: You’re a fan of movies that are so bad, they’re good.
Comedic geniuses, Jason Mantzoukas, Paul Scheer and June Diane Raphael, are on a mission to understand how some of the worst movies get pushed into production. Each week the trio is joined by a special guest as they tear apart a film that should’ve never left the writers room. Grab some popcorn and tune in each week to episodes that are sure to rile up even the most seasoned of cinephiles.