The Best Podcasts of 2023: What You Should Be Listening to Now

It‘s official: we‘re in the golden age of podcasting. Over the past decade, this once-niche audio medium has exploded into the mainstream, with more than 2 million shows and 48 million episodes now available.[^1] Whether you‘re into true crime or tech news, there‘s a podcast for every taste – and more are launching every day.

The numbers speak for themselves. In 2022, an estimated 62% of the U.S. 12+ population, around 177 million people, were weekly online audio listeners.[^2] Podcast ad spend is set to exceed $2 billion this year, a whopping 47% increase from 2021.[^3] And the industry shows no signs of slowing down.

As someone who‘s built a career in digital content, I‘ve had a front-row seat to the podcast boom. I‘ve binged hundreds of shows across every genre and witnessed firsthand how the medium has evolved. Today, Hollywood stars and top journalists are clamoring to launch their own podcasts. Spotify and Amazon are throwing billions into original shows and exclusive deals. Major media outlets like The New York Times and NPR are investing heavily in audio. It‘s a podcasting arms race.

But with so many shows out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start – or what to listen to next. That‘s where this guide comes in. I‘ve done the hard work of sorting through the sea of podcasts to uncover the true gems that are worth your time. My recommendations run the gamut from gripping storytelling to thought-provoking conversations to sheer entertainment. These are the podcasts that have captivated me, taught me something new, and kept me company on long walks and road trips.

Consider this your definitive guide to the podcast universe in 2023. Whether you‘re a true crime junkie, a comedy nerd, or a total podcast newbie, I guarantee you‘ll find a new audio obsession on this list. Trust me – your ears will thank you.

Why Podcasts Are a Game-Changer

Before we dive into my top picks, let‘s take a step back to appreciate just how revolutionary podcasts really are. For starters, they‘ve made information and storytelling radically more accessible. You can listen to a podcast anytime, anywhere – in the car, at the gym, while doing dishes. Unlike other media that demand your full attention (looking at you, Netflix), podcasts fit seamlessly into your existing routines.

That convenience factor is huge. But it‘s the intimate nature of audio that really sets podcasts apart. There‘s something profoundly personal about having a voice piped directly into your ears. It fosters a sense of closeness and connection that can‘t be replicated by the written word or even video. When I settle into a meaty podcast interview or a gripping story, it‘s like the rest of the world falls away and I‘m right there in the room with the host and guests.

But podcasts aren‘t just easy entertainment. When done well, they have the power to expose you to different worldviews and change how you think. Some of my biggest "aha" moments have come from podcast episodes, whether it‘s a new perspective on creativity, a surprising insight about history, or a scientific discovery that blows my mind. The best podcasts leave you feeling energized, curious, and excited to learn more.

Perhaps most exciting are the unique voices and niche subject areas that podcasting has brought to the fore. In what other medium could you find an entire show dedicated to dissecting the Real Housewives franchise? Or an experimental fictional podcast about gay elves falling in love? Podcasting has democratized who gets to tell stories and given platform to perspectives that were long shut out of traditional media. It‘s glorious – and we‘re all better off for it.

With all that in mind, let‘s get to the recommendations. I‘ve broken things down by category to help you navigate. Whatever you‘re in the mood for, there‘s a show here that will hit the spot.

News & Current Events

In a world of information overload and questionable sources, these podcasts cut through the noise to bring you the stories and issues that matter:

1. The Daily (New York Times): 20ish minutes of essential news, skillfully told. Host Michael Barbaro‘s empathetic interview style grounds huge headlines in everyday lives.
2. Post Reports (Washington Post): Taking you inside America‘s most talked-about stories via top-notch reporting and immersive storytelling.
3. Today, Explained (Vox): Need to get up to speed on a complex topic fast? Sean Rameswaram unpacks one big news story each weekday, talking with Vox reporters and newsmakers. Perfect for your evening commute.

Comedy & Entertainment

For when you need a laugh break:

1. Conan O‘Brien Needs a Friend: The late-night legend brings his quick wit to long-form convos with celebs like Michelle Obama, Bill Burr and Rashida Jones.
2. Scam Goddess: Comedian Laci Mosley gleefully digs into epic scams and cons, exposing the schemes with deep research and savage humor.
3. Doughboys: Comedians Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger banter as they review fast food/chain restaurants. The in-jokes and recurring bits become funnier the more eps you listen to.

True Crime & Investigative

Prepare for jaw-on-the-floor moments:

1. Dr. Death (Wondery): The harrowing stories of a neurosurgeon‘s horrendous malpractice and the flawed medical systems that failed to stop him. It will forever change how you view the medical establishment.
2. Up and Vanished: Documentarian Payne Lindsay blends investigative journalism and first-person narrative to dive deep into perplexing cold cases of missing persons.
3. Someone Knows Something (CBC): Empathetic host David Ridgen probes unsolved cases of missing or murdered individuals, searching for answers while keeping victims‘ humanity in focus.

Business & Tech

Go behind the scenes of the biggest brands and emerging trends:

1. How I Built This (NPR): Intimate conversations with innovators and entrepreneurs about the companies and movements they‘ve built. Always riveting, often inspiring.
2. Pivot (Vox/New York Magazine): Ultra-smart takes on the biggest stories in tech, business and politics from journalist Kara Swisher and business prof Scott Galloway. It‘s like a mini-MBA in under an hour.
3. Acquired: Hosts Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal do incredibly thorough research and analysis of the most important business acquisitions and IPOs in tech and media. Listen to up your strategy game.

Science & Learning

Expand your mind on the go:

1. Ologies: Utterly delightful interviews with experts (ologists) on niche topics, from volcanoes to Animal Crossing to the history of invented languages. Host Alie Ward makes complex concepts fun and accessible.
2. Radiolab: Endlessly curious hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich craft stunning audio explorations of big ideas in science and philosophy. Sound-rich and deeply moving.
3. Science Friday: The OG science podcast, now a public radio staple. Host Ira Flatow and guests cover the latest findings across scientific disciplines in a way that feels like a lively conversation rather than a lecture.

Culture & Society

Go deeper than surface-level hot-takes:

1. Still Processing (New York Times): Culture critics Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham banter about TV, movies, music and art while grappling with society‘s thorniest issues around race, sex, and power.
2. Throughline (NPR): The past is never really past. Hosts Ramtin Arablouei and Rund Abdelfatah tell absorbing, well-researched stories about history and how it shapes our world today.
3. On Being with Krista Tippett: Profound yet down-to-earth conversations about the biggest questions facing humanity. From spiritual leaders and social activists to poets and physicists, Tippett draws extraordinary wisdom from each guest.

Food

For those who live to eat:

1. Home Cooking: Samin Nosrat (Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat) and Hrishikesh Hirway offer recipes and culinary problem-solving with charm, humor, and tons of fascinating food science tidbits.
2. The Sporkful: Deeply reported narratives and engaging guest interviews that reveal fascinating truths about food and culture. Not your typical cooking show.
3. Gastropod: A delectable buffet of food history, science, and culture in every episode. Hosts Nicola Twilley and Cynthia Graber make each topic a satisfying auditory feast.

How to Become a Podcast Aficionado

I hope these suggestions have your podcast appetite sufficiently whetted! While this guide highlights some of the very best shows, the beauty of podcasting is that there‘s an endless supply of top-quality content to discover. The key is knowing where to look and how to identify shows that match your taste. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Use your go-to podcast app to browse popular and trending shows. Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Google Podcasts all have robust libraries and algorithm-powered recommendations based on your listening history.

2. Get social! Many great podcast recommendations come via word of mouth. Ask friends what shows they‘re loving or search Twitter and Reddit to see what episodes are getting buzz. Podcast communities are passionate and very willing to share their faves.

3. Sample outside your comfort zone. It‘s easy to gravitate toward the same categories, but some of my best podcast finds have come from venturing into an unfamiliar genre. Trying out a new show is low-risk – if you‘re not hooked after 20 minutes, move on to something else.

4. Follow your favorite hosts. Many beloved podcasters host or frequently appear on multiple shows. If you like a host‘s interview style or storytelling approach, seek out their other projects and guest appearances. Rabbit holes are encouraged!

5. Check out year-end "best of" lists. Major publications like Time, The Atlantic and even your pals here at HubSpot compile annual roundups of the year‘s most outstanding podcasts. They‘re great resources for unearthing hidden gems and buzzy new launches.

Most importantly, remember that building your perfect podcast rotation is an ongoing process. Subscribe to shows that grab you, sample lots of first episodes, and don‘t be afraid to ditch a podcast that‘s lost its luster. Over time, you‘ll develop a collection of go-to shows that consistently inform, delight, and inspire you.

That, my friends, is the magic of podcasting – having an endless supply of great stories and conversations right at your fingertips. So pop in those earbuds, fire up your podcast player of choice, and let‘s get listening. I have a feeling your next audio obsession is just a few scrolls away.

[^1]: Edison Research, The Infinite Dial 2021
[^2]: Edison Research, The Infinite Dial 2022
[^3]: Interactive Advertising Bureau, U.S. Podcast Advertising Revenue Study