The Greatest Podcast Episodes Ever: 24 Shows That Defined the Medium
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
Here Be Monsters
Here Be Monsters
An independent podcast about fear, beauty and the unknown. Since 2012. Hosted by Jeff Emtman and others.
the memory palace
Nate DiMeo
Nate DiMeo tells short historical stories with original music and vivid storytelling.
State of the Re:Union
State of the Re:Union
Hosted by Al Letson, exploring American stories and social issues.
The Ricky Gervais Podcast
Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington's legendary comedy podcast.
The Read
Loud Speakers Network
Join bloggers Kid Fury and Crissle for their weekly podcast covering hip-hop and pop culture's most trying stars. Throwing shade and spilling tea with a flippant and humorous attitude, no star is safe from Fury and Crissle unless their name is Beyoncé. (Or Blue Ivy.) As transplants to New York City (Kid Fury from Miami and Crissle from Oklahoma City), The Read also serves as an on-air therapy session for two friends trying to adjust to life (and rats) in the big city.
Seven Second Delay with Andy and Ken | WFMU
Andy and Ken and WFMU
Live radio stunts and comedy with Ken Freedman and Andy Breckman on WFMU.
The Flop House
MaximumFun, Dan McCoy, Stuart Wellington, Elliott Kalan
Three friends critique bad movies with witty, goofy commentary.
Strangers
Lea Thau
Producer and host Lea Thau explores personal stories and relationships.
Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast
Earwolf and Scott Aukerman
Scott Aukerman's improv comedy podcast featuring character work and absurd humor.
Filmspotting
Filmspotting
Weekly film reviews, classic scene recitations, and top-five lists since 2005.
Savage Lovecast
Dan Savage
Dan Savage provides weekly guidance on sex, relationships, and LGBTQ+ issues.
Soul Music
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 explores the emotional resonance of famous music.
Love and Radio: Blood Memory
Love and Radio | Daylight Media
Nick van der Kolk's Love and Radio features in-depth, otherworldly-produced interviews with an eclectic range of subjects, from the seedy to the sublime. Get inside the mind of a rogue taxidermist. Find out what it's like to experience a stroke firsthand. Or spend time with an artist who gives away her life savings every night. You've never heard anything like it before.
The Best Show with Tom Scharpling
Forever Dog
Tom Scharpling's legendary call-in show from WFMU.
Welcome to Night Vale
Night Vale Presents
A fictional podcast about a small desert town where every conspiracy theory is true.
The Moth
The Moth
True stories told live on stage without notes.
The Dead Authors Podcast
Paul F. Tompkins and Ben Zelevansky
Paul F. Tompkins as H.G. Wells interviews deceased authors played by comedians.
Radiolab
WNYC Studios
Science, philosophy, and human experience explored through rich production and storytelling.
99% Invisible
Roman Mars
Design and architecture stories you didn't know you needed to hear.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin
Dan Carlin's epic, multi-hour deep dives into historical events.
Serial
Serial Productions & The New York Times
Investigative journalism, one story told over multiple episodes.
Radio Diaries
Radio Diaries & Radiotopia
First-person documentary storytelling using historical audio and personal recordings.
This American Life
This American Life
The groundbreaking storytelling podcast from WBEZ Chicago.
WTF with Marc Maron Podcast
Marc Maron
Marc Maron's intimate, in-depth conversations with comedians, actors, directors, writers, authors, musicians, and misfits.