Best Podcasts to Listen to Right Now – A Detailed 2022 Guide

Podcasts are not that new, but they are still gaining traction all over the globe. Podcasts have everything your good old radio has, but they come in a different type of media that makes it much more convenient to listen to.

Podcasts have everything – from educational conversations to interviews with interesting people, investigative journalism, entertaining facts you should know, etc. However, what truly makes podcasts worth listening to is that podcasts are so easy to reach.

You can listen to podcasts using various podcast apps, and you even have the option to download them for later or listen to them right now, if you can. You can listen to many episodes consecutively, stop and rewind whenever you want, or go back when you have time to relax by listening to short episodes about complex ideas or modern dating, for example.

The best podcast can make your adventures throughout the day far more interesting – if you are doing errands, cleaning up, or driving to work, listening to a weekly podcast can make it more bearable or even enjoyable. However, podcasts aren’t all about being fun and talking about pop culture.

The point of podcasts can be to educate listeners about something; they can spark public imagination and get the creative process started for the listeners – it’s not just easy listening to the public radio. Podcasts have developed a way to deliver fascinating facts or your favorite murder story.

That being said, there are so many different types of podcasts and so many podcasts to choose from. The topics vary – from current events and celebrity gossip to mental health talk and conspiracy theories. It can be a real challenge to pick a podcast that delivers quality content with a fascinating story and is still a fun listen.

Maybe you’re looking for something related to your hobbies or something entirely new to try. Whatever your need for a new podcast may be, it’s time to listen to something new, but it can be tricky to find that new thing.

That is precisely where AudioBuzz comes in – with our helpful guide with the best podcasts to listen to right now. We have listened to hundreds or even thousands of various podcasts, and these are our top-rated, favorite podcasts to listen to. Continue reading to see our top picks for you!

Top 33 Best Podcasts of 2022

1. 1619

The New York Times launched the 1619 Project a few years ago, on the anniversary of the first slave ship coming to the US. This podcast series covers a wide range of topics, mainly about the legacy of slavery delivered in a fresh way, intended to give people a new point of view.

Many New York Times writers participate in this podcast project with their valuable insights into the effects of slavery on American pop culture. One of the best listens in the 1619 Project is the podcast hosted by Nikole-Hannah Jones, which is a well-researched great hear about American history.

2. Crime Show

One of the best podcasts to listen to pass the time would be a true-crime podcast. The Crime Show was launched last year, and every episode is focused on the people and less on the crime itself. The episodes don’t solely rely on the murder part, but it is often mentioned.

Each episode has a new story about scams, identity theft, and other types of hometown crime stories designed to grab your attention. One of the most bizarre stories would have to be about the singer whose voice was stolen, so the Crime Show delivers something fresh and exciting to the podcast universe.

3. What a Day

If you are looking for a daily news podcast, What a Day would have to be the best podcast for that exact purpose. Every podcast episode lasts for 20 minutes, and its hosts are a comedian and a reporter.

Their goal is to go over the daily news, leave out all the clickbait, and only serve the information that serves some purpose – from sports to politics. The episodes come out every day from Monday to Friday at 5 in the morning, making it the perfect listen on your way to work.

4. Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know is a podcast with a title that explains precisely the theme. The hosts, Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark talk about various topics and get deep into the subjects to get you all the information you should know about them.

Each episode has its topic – from stuttering to bottled water, abandoned mines, ants, and cookies. It is a fantastic podcast to listen to when you need new topics for entertaining guests at dinner, as it delivers various fun facts and issues to talk about.

5. I’m Not a Monster

I’m Not a Monster is one of the most compelling stories today, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best podcasts focusing on the investigation in recent years. Josh Baker, a journalist, has been investigating the story of Sam Sally for years and trying to find out the real story behind her.

Sam Sally is an American woman that finds herself on ISIS territory alongside with children. Having traveled to Syria with her husband in 2015, Moussa Elhassani, the podcast, tries to determine whether Sam Sally knew that her husband’s idea was to join ISIS and if she supported that idea. The storytelling is fantastic, and the listeners are immersed in one of the most captivating stories of modern time.

6. Judge John Hodgman

Judge John Hodgeman is a podcast that brings something interesting to the table. The episodes are based on arguments between best friends, family, or partners, where they seek advice from someone impartial – Judge John Hodgeman.

The guests on the podcast talk about their arguments and disputes with the host. Then, the host determines their next step, and sometimes – who is in the right and who’s in the wrong. The podcasts are filled with funny moments, and they can be a great way to pass the time.

7. Dead Eyes

Getting fired is sad, not unfamiliar to most of us – but how many of us can say that we have been fired by Tom Hanks, one of the greatest guys in all of Hollywood, for one particular reason, because we have ‘dead eyes’?

Well, comedian Connor Ratliff can say that he has. Ratliff starts the podcast called ‘Dead Eyes‘ to find out the answer he has been looking for for over 20 years – why Tom Hanks fired the guy from the show Band Of Brothers. In the podcast, Connor finds out the pitfalls of the Hollywood business in this ‘stupid quest for the truth’.

8. The Michelle Obama Podcast

The Michelle Obama podcast is hosted by no other but the former First Lady. Michelle Obama talks and interviews her family and friends and has deep conversations with them on the show.

In a few episodes, the special guest is her husband, former President of the United States, Barack Obama. The host reflects on the personal relationships in the guest’s and her own lives and how they shape our character.

The beautiful conversations are worth a listen, and the insightful First Lady and her close friends have been an instant hit ever since the first episode.

9. You’re Wrong About

One of the great podcasts to watch to pass the time would be You’re Wrong About. This show is incredibly entertaining, but it’s also educational about the media and how the information about specific events is presented to us.

Each episode focuses on certain significant events that have been covered heavily by the media, such as Y2K, the O.J. Simpson trial, and so on. The hosts reveal information that has been withheld at the time or wrongly interpreted – allowing you to now see each event for what it was.

10. Switched on Pop

Switched on Pop is one of the best podcasts about the music industry. However, the podcast focuses on something entirely different – it’s about how the song is recorded and why some songs stay in our heads for days while others don’t.

Every episode has its theme – genre or artist, but you can search the website to find something particular – like that one song you can’t get out of your head. Either way, it’s impossible not to find something that sparks your interest, and every episode is worth a listen when you don’t have much to do.

11. This American Life

This American Life is one of the most-listened podcasts in the entire world, with over 2.5 million listeners that listen to it on various platforms. It simply had to have its spot on the list of the best podcasts.

It’s one of the storytelling podcasts, and each week has a specific theme. Each episode is a collection of insightful or exciting stories set in that theme, varying from investigative journalism or straight-out comedy. This American Life is a great listen, so check it out!

12. How Did This Get Made?

Sometimes, you will watch a movie and think: how did someone film something this bad? The hosts, Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael, are there to determine that as they love movies and love to talk about them. Each episode focuses on a selected film and deconstructs what is good and bad in it.

They invite guests such as a famous critic or a creative director and discuss some of the worst movies ever made. The discussions vary, from comedy to actual arguments about a film – so if you’re a movie fan, make sure to check it out!

13. Where Should We Begin?

Couples needing an internal mediator of their relationship issues is a story as old as time. In the podcast hosted by Esther Perel, real couples talk about their problems in the relationship with the relationship expert.

Many couples find the answers to their marital troubles when listening to the podcast, which is why the show gained traction. The expert offers her impartial opinion and helps couples better understand their partner.

14. Reply All

Reply All is a podcast devoted to all things internet. The podcast digs deep into the weirdness of the Internet, how absurd the online experience can be, and how much we rely on modern technology during our day.

Despite being a tech show, the host Alex Goldman makes it easier to understand and explain everything. The most compelling episodes dive into the Internet scams, and they provide the technical background of the scam and how it’s being carried out while keeping it real when talking about the actual scammers.

15. Griefcast

Dealing with grief is awful, and anyone who has ever dealt with their fair share of grief knows this. However, when going through a tough time, it might be the perfect time to listen to a podcast that talks about the reality of grief and losing someone.

The hosts make it a bit cheery than it initially sounds. Each week, the host talks to comedians about grief and losing someone close – their personal experiences and how everything shifts upon someone’s death.

16. Lore

Lore’s award-winning podcast defines creepy, yet is absolutely impossible to stop listening to. The episodes come out once every two weeks, and each episode has a true tale from the past.

The stories make the listeners’ skin crawl, and the theme varies – from weird creatures to tragedies and mysteries. The stories are incredibly captivating, and the description “sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction” is enough to spark anyone’s interest. The stories are delivered as if you are sitting by the campfire and sharing historical stories or old creepy tales from your hometown.

17. Wheel of Misfortune

Dealing with misfortune or, simply said, bad luck in our life can be much easier on us if we just laugh about the series of unfortunate events. That was the idea between the two friends, Fern Brady and Alison Spittle when they formed the podcast – Wheel of Misfortune.

Each weekly podcast explores a different topic, from dates gone wrong, and family issues, to funerals and daily life. The two hosts then share their adventures on the same theme and invite the listeners to join the radio show and talk about their unfortunate events, resulting in a good laugh.

18. My Favorite Murder

My Favorite Murder is the best true-crime podcast out there. It consists of two hosts, Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, who select a single story – whether it’s a true crime, organized crime, survivor, or murder story, which they then discuss. The hosts came at the idea to start this great podcast when Kilgariff was telling a violent true crime story at a party.

The podcast explores the story, with one host telling the entire story while the other host reacts and comments on the story. This true-crime podcast comes out twice a month, and it’s a reasonably long-running podcast – it was originally started in 2016.

19. Science VS

The Science VS podcast tries to answer all questions related to science. The hosts break down what are actual facts and what is completely made up – but in the end, the favourite game of the show is to let you decide for yourself.

Is astrology real or not? Is processed food a load of baloney or what? To find out the answers to things like these, make sure to check out Science VS – the show is very down to earth and simply explains everything!

20. The Sporkful

If you are someone who loves to cook and eat – the Sporkful is undoubtedly a podcast to try out. This podcast is a winner of the James Beard Award, and it’s filled with conversations about food.

The show is filled with interviews with special guests, who discuss all the hot topics about food – and they are usually the celebrity chefs. It’s easy to become hungry while listening to this podcast, so make sure to listen to this monthly podcast with a snack nearby!

21. The Daily

Some people are looking for a podcast that provides insight into daily life and the news. That is precisely what ‘The Daily’ is – and it’s about to give you all the pertinent info for this day on your drive to work.

The host Michael Barbaro talks about the most important news of the day, but he narrates the story in such a way that you remember all the information and enjoy the storytelling. If you like to listen to the news, The Daily is worth checking out.

22. Criminal

We have discussed a few true crime podcasts in this list, but ‘Criminal‘ is yet another one of the fascinating crime stories you should check out. The host, Phoebe Judge, has the most intriguing voice – it’s super-smooth and soothing.

So, even if she is telling a cold case or a horrific murder story, it still feels rather soothing. The podcast is one of the best-researched true crime podcasts, and the stories are entirely captivating, making it worth listening to, even if you only have time for the first season.

23. WTF with Marc Maron

Marc Maron’s podcast is so famous that it’s genuinely one of the most popular podcasts in the entire world. It’s long-running, and the podcast consists of Marc Maron doing interviews.

The interviews are done with celebrity guests, film critics, comedians, and even several former presidents. The show provides insight, inspiring listening, and without a doubt, a good laugh.

24. How to Fail

It can be easy to think that everyone has it better than you in the challenging times of your life. However, that is as far from the truth as possible, and the journalist Elizabeth Day is here to determine that.

In the show, Elizabeth Day interviews very successful people about the times they failed and how they got back on the right track. The conversations are honest and inspiring, and they make it feel much easier to get back up and start over when you fall.

25. Becoming Wise

Becoming Wise is an excellent podcast on the big stuff – it’s short, but it goes straight to the point, making it an inspiring listen to while you make a cup of tea. In the podcast, Krista Tippett, the host, talks about life and what’s it like being human.

The episodes include discussions with thought leaders, and they can provide you with fresh insight about life, as they are taken from hundreds of Tippett’s deep conversations. If you feel it’s time to turn your life around and get a new perspective, check out Becoming Wise!

26. The Grand Tourist

The Grand Tourist is a podcast about traveling – one thing that makes life worth living. The podcast talks about architecture, food, museums, fashion – everything a tourist can and should see.

The host Dan Rubenstein, a journalist, talks to people worldwide about all things related to art and food. So, if you are big on having a virtual journey with the guests and becoming immersed in a podcast the way you’re immersed in a TV show, it’s worth checking out the Grand Tourist!

27. Ear Hustle

We have all loved Prison Break, Orange is the new Black, and other TV shows about the American prison system. The Ear Hustle podcast talks about the realities of living in the San Quentin prison and what people are faced with when they leave the prison system.

The podcast talks about cooking in prison, staying entertained despite the harsh conditions, and how romance is carried out inside the prison. Then, the podcast covers what it’s like to transition into regular society upon coming out – and it’s one of the best podcasts out there.

28. The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience is one of the longest-running podcasts now, as it was created in 2009. The podcast features Joe Rogan and various guests, from comedians to sports stars, talking about everything.

The podcast handles comedy in a classic way, and the humor is almost fascinating. Either way, it’s one of the most famous podcasts in the world, and it’s worth a listen if you need to relax and unwind from a hard day – or let it play while you’re hanging out with your best friends!

29. Sounds Like A Cult

Sounds Like A Cult is a podcast that talks about the cults we all know, and sometimes even follow. Hosted by Isa Medina and linguist Amanda Montell, the podcast dives into things some could mistake for pop culture.

Is following spiritual influencers similar to a cult? Or joining Instagram? Well, that is what this podcast is trying to determine – analyzing a different group every week, with the hosts going into great detail about what makes certain groups a cult.

30. The Trojan Horse Affair

The Trojan Horse Affair is a podcast about a strange letter that appears in Birmingham, containing information about the Islamic extremists’ plan to infiltrate themselves in schools, called Operation Trojan Horse. Everyone was worried about the school during the scandals, and nobody asked who wrote the letter?

That is where Hamza Syed and Brian Reed come in, with the podcast that is trying to solve the mystery. During their investigation, they find out that people from the top don’t want them to ask too many questions.

31. The Dropout

The Dropout is one o the hottest podcasts to listen to right now. It’s about the story of Elizabeth Holmes and her company, Theranos. Elizabeth was the youngest self-made female billionaire, and she lost everything in a second, and possibly put millions at risk.

Well, the Dropout is here to find out whether she was guilty or not. The listeners can hear exclusive interviews, her own testimony, and everything important or interesting that came along the way of the years-long investigation.

32. Start with This

Start with This is a fantastic podcast, and it’s designed to spark your creativity and make you use your brain. The creators and hosts of ‘Welcome to Night Vale’ give listeners something to do in every episode.

Each episode has a book or TV show the listeners need to consume and a writing assignment to complete later on. The idea was to make people more creative with what they already have, and every episode follows a certain theme, such as ‘Present Tense’. So, if you are looking for a new podcast that makes you more creative – this is the one!

33. Death, Sex & Money

There will be topics you are incredibly uncomfortable talking about at some point. Well, for all those topics – here is a podcast that takes them on and dives into everything you need to know.

It can be tricky talking about these things with friends and family, and the hosts recognized that. That is why this podcast exists – to give you a fresh perspective and the answers you have been looking for but never knew who to ask. Forget awkward conversations without making eye contact – here comes ‘Death, Sex & Money‘ to help with an educational chat!

Bottom Line

We did it – we found so many amazing podcasts to listen to! Some of them are hosted by celebrities, and some are about sports or telling a short story.

All in all, we truly are in the golden age of podcasts – and if you are thinking of starting your own, AudioBuzz can help!

you find the perfect tunes for your intro and outro on our huge music catalog  – so make sure to check out our one-time and annual subscription plan!