Podcasts

Curated from a Reddit thread seeking the smartest podcasts across all domains—science, philosophy, history, economics, and beyond. From theoretical physics to political theory, ancient civilizations to cutting-edge technology, these shows feature deep thinkers, meticulous researchers, and intellectuals who aren't afraid to tackle complex ideas. Perfect for anyone hungry for substantive, challenging content that pushes beyond surface-level discourse.

117 shows

From unsolved mysteries to political corruption, from corporate fraud to human trafficking, these investigative journalism podcasts dig deep into stories that matter. Multi-episode series that combine rigorous reporting with compelling narrative storytelling.

165 shows

When Hacker News discusses podcasts, you know the signal-to-noise ratio is going to be exceptional. This collection spans deep technical dives, policy wonkery, business analysis, and history—all curated from a community that values substance over hype. From AI ethics to ancient empires, these are the shows that HN's curious minds can't stop recommending.

92 shows

Tired of the same old recommendations? This collection surfaces the obscure, the underrated, and the rarely-mentioned podcasts that passionate listeners swear by. From niche history deep dives to chaotic comedy experiments, these shows prove that the best podcasts aren't always the most popular.

219 shows

Need a pick-me-up? These 101 comedy podcasts have listeners laughing out loud on buses, in cars, and at their desks. From absurdist improv to hilarious film reviews, witty interview shows to goofy banter — this collection spans every flavor of funny.

101 shows

From true crime deep dives to fiction masterpieces, these are the podcasts that gripped listeners so completely they dream of experiencing them fresh. Each one delivers revelations, twists, and unforgettable storytelling that stays with you long after the final episode.

85 shows

From surreal audio fiction that questions the nature of reality itself, to conspiracy deep-dives that make you wonder what's actually true, to bizarre experiments in storytelling that shouldn't work but somehow do. This collection celebrates the weirdest, most creative, and genuinely WTF podcasts that prove human imagination knows no bounds.

75 shows

From NPR's investigative deep dives to Higher Ground's musical explorations, this curated collection features the year's most compelling narrative podcasts as selected by industry expert Nicholas Quah. These are the shows that redefined audio storytelling in 2025.

10 shows

Whether you're an anxious adult or helping your child wind down for bedtime, these podcasts transform sleepless nights into peaceful slumber. From gentle bedtime stories to soothing historical narration, each show is specifically designed to calm racing minds and ease you into restful sleep.

76 shows

From cosmic horror to sci-fi comedy, this collection spans the audio drama universe. Curated from passionate recommendations in the r/audiodrama community, these shows represent the finest in immersive storytelling, featuring exceptional voice acting, sound design, and narratives that push the boundaries of the medium.

161 shows

TIME Magazine curated this definitive list of the most innovative, influential, and informative podcasts in the history of the medium. From groundbreaking journalism to unforgettable storytelling, these shows represent the pinnacle of audio excellence.

100 shows

The Atlantic's picks for the year's most compelling audio storytelling, from investigative journalism and cultural analysis to intimate personal narratives. These 20 podcasts represent the best in audio documentary, innovation, and reporting—ranging from Jad Abumrad's exploration of Fela Kuti's resistance music to intimate examinations of period pain, bathing in film, and Christian nationalism in America.

20 shows

From Serial's groundbreaking investigative journalism to WTF's intimate conversations and Welcome to Night Vale's surreal fiction, these podcasts represent the very best of a decade of audio storytelling. Each one pushed boundaries, defined genres, and proved what the medium could achieve.

24 shows

From the research trenches of DeepMind and NVIDIA to the builder-first conversations of Latent Space and the hype-free technical rigor of Machine Learning Street Talk, the AI podcast landscape has matured into something remarkable. This collection brings together the shows that engineers, researchers, and founders actually listen to -- the ones recommended again and again across Hacker News threads, Reddit communities, and practitioner circles. Whether you want daily AI news briefings, deep research paper dissections, or candid interviews with the people shipping frontier models, these shows will keep you genuinely informed as the field transforms everything around it.

13 shows

From deep policy dives to cultural criticism, these podcasts offer sharp left-wing analysis without the mainstream filter. Whether you're into Supreme Court breakdowns, historical deep dives, or just want to hear what's really happening behind the headlines, this collection has the voices the establishment doesn't want you to hear.

34 shows

These aren't just shows that survived—they're shows that thrived. From Criminal's masterful storytelling to Stuff You Should Know's encyclopedic charm, these podcasts have proven that longevity and quality aren't mutually exclusive. Whether you're catching up on a thousand episodes of comfort listening or discovering a show that's been perfecting its craft for over a decade, this collection celebrates the podcasts that remain essential listens year after year.

84 shows

From financial awakening to political consciousness, from grief processing to life-changing laughter—this collection captures the podcasts that Reddit's community credits with fundamentally shifting how they see the world. These aren't just recommendations; they're the shows that listeners say altered their trajectories.

101 shows

From investigative journalism to comedy gold, from true crime to fashion history—this collection celebrates the breadth and brilliance of women in podcasting. Every show here offers a unique perspective, expert storytelling, or simply a damn good conversation. No relationship advice, no affirmations, just podcasts that stand on their own merit.

154 shows