Top 10 Podcasts in the World Right Now (2025–2026)

If you love stories, learning new things, or just having fun while you work or travel, then you are in the right place. In our lives today we are having fun in the world of podcasts. Imagine podcasts as radio shows that one can listen to at any time any subject that can possibly be imagined.

There has never been more popular podcasts. Indeed research indicates that over fifty percent of Americans listen to podcasts on a monthly basis. Individuals are listening to know, laugh and feel connected.

Top 10 podcasts in the world today? This list examines the programs that millions of individuals watch on weekly basis. They are the podcast that one should listen to the best stories, the best conversation and the brilliant ideas.

Why Podcasts Are Everyone's Favorite Audio Entertainment?

We are about to list down the list, but before doing so, I would like to discuss why podcasts are so special. A podcast is a stream of audio recordings in the form of conversation. And you can listen to it with your phone, your computer, or your tablet. The good thing is you can play it when you do other things, such as cleaning your room, riding in a car or running.

The podcast industry is never dying. True crime and business news, comedy, and personal development the shows are released every minute. The podcasts on any interest are very real. This diversity is one of the main reasons why their global listeners are enormous.

The Definitive List of the Top 10 Podcasts in the World

There are numerous good shows and it is difficult to choose ten. Ranking may vary, yet there are so popular podcasts that they remain on the top. This is a list that is founded on the likes of the millions of listeners, as well as what experts review.

Headfirst into your next favorite show!

1: Crime Junkie – For Gripping Mystery Stories

Essentials: The show is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat.

Why It’s Great: This is the podcast to listen to in case you are fond of mystery and suspense. Each episode the hosts recount the tale of some real life crime or weird mystery. They narrate their stories well and directly into the investigation. It is not in vain that it is one of the most popular true crime podcasts. The listeners get the impression that they are engaging in a case together with the hosts.

You may also read :- Top Life Lessons Podcast Stories to Inspire Growth and Success

2: The Daily – Your Daily News Deep Dive

Important Facts: The New York Times production.

Why It Is Great: It is important to be informed. The Daily simplifies it and makes it interesting. Rather than providing you with a large number of headlines, the show selects one significant piece of news a day of the week. Reporters then delve into that story further. It does not only make you know what is happening, but why it is happening.

3: Call Her Daddy – Honest Talks About Life

The Important Information: hosted by Alex Cooper.

What Makes It Great Once a podcast, it is characterized by candid and humorous discussions. It discusses relationships, coming of age and mental health. Solo episodes are intertwined with the interviews by the host and he creates an atmosphere of a talk with a close friend. It is an excellent illustration of a series that creates a strong, loyal fanbase.

4: SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma – Quick, Fun Opinions

Important Information: Organized by the creator of social media Kareem Rahma.

Why It’s Great: This show puts the liveliness of the short online videos on your ears. The host writes terse and short comments about pop culture, social trends, and human behavior. The episodes are energetic in an offbeat manner and spontaneous. It is ideal to listen to in short and light-hearted.

5: Your World Within Podcast – A Boost of Motivation

Important Information: Episodes of daily motivation by Eddie Pinero.

Why It’s Great: Sometimes we all need something to cheer us up. Eddie Pinero gives exactly that. His podcast is a blend of personal narrations with thoughtful and motivational ideas. It is created to make you think in a positive way, become resilient and to be in control of your own mind.

6: The Jefferson Fisher Podcast – Learn to Communicate Better

Prominent Notes: Dwelling on realistic communication tips.

Reasons why it is great: This is because talking and listening may be easy but doing it right is an art. This podcast gives easy, practical techniques of daily communication. Regardless of the person you are conversing to or just talk to friends, your classmates, the host will have some tips that would help you talk better and listen better.

7: Good Hang with Amy Poehler – Relaxed and Funny Chats

Other Important Information: Hosted by a renowned comedian, Amy Poehler.

How to Have a Good Time: Just because of the name of this show, it is like being in the company of a good crowd. Amy Poehler has diverse guests, and they discuss their lives and their interests. It is light, spontaneous and full of curiosity. It is everything about the happiness of togetherness and laughing.

8: This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von – Comedy and Storytelling

Starring: comedian Theo Von.

What Makes It Great: Theo Von is one of those people who can combine jokes with touching tales. He frequently discusses his personal history, tells stories to listeners, and interviews guests. The show is cheerful, humorous and tends to give wise words of surprise. It is nostalgic, funny and real altogether.

9: The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett – Real Business Stories

Main Information: Interviews with the leading businesspeople and executives.

Why It is Great: You do not have to be interested in starting a business to listen to this podcast. Steven Bartlett sits down and the successful people and does not merely enquire about their wins. He examines their battles, anxieties and the life lessons they had to endure. These candid and straightforward talks are a great motivating factor to anyone.

10: The Joe Rogan Experience – The World's Most Popular Podcast

Notes: Long, broad based interviews with Joe Rogan.

Why It’s Great: This show is a phenomenon that it has been dubbed the number one podcast in the world. Joe Rogan has a wide array of intriguing guests as scientists, athletes, comedians, and thinkers. The discussions are lengthy, rough, and may deal with anything, including fitness and philosophy. It is never predictable and it makes you think.

What Makes a Podcast Successful?

Having viewed this list of top 10 podcasts, one may ask what they all share in common. Scholars of podcasts indicate a handful of things:

• Real Talks: Authentic talks are beloved by listeners. They desire to have a personal relation to the host.
• Powerful Community: The highest quality shows cause the audience to feel that they belong to a group. They could have social media networks or live shows.
• Video and Audio: Most of the best podcasts also publish on video on YouTube and similar sites. This will enable them to reach even a greater number of people.
• Great Discovery: Applications such as Spotify are smart-powered and advise shows that you can enjoy, which helps popular podcasts to increase.

Finding More Great Shows by Category

top 10 podcasts in the world  discuss numerous genres. There are other fantastic shows that are the leaders in their categories. These are the best podcasts to listen to in case you have a particular interest.

Top Choices for Business and Money Minds

In case you are wondering how firms operate or you wish to spend your money wiser, check these some of the shows suggested by experts:

• How I Built This: Host Guy Raz interviews the founders of famous companies such as Airbnb and Dyson on how they were built.
• The Indicator from Planet Money: This is a show that explains business and economic news in brief and entertaining short (10 minutes) episodes.
• We Study Billionaires: As the title of the podcast indicates, it is a show that researches the investment strategies of the most successful individuals in the world.

Must-Listens for True Crime Fans

In case you like mystery and detective, the following purely-reviewed series are to your taste:

• Crime Junkie: It was in our top 10 because of its addictive narrations.
• Wisecrack: This is a 2025 show that features a comedian who is a fact-checker of his own stand-up show of a real-life crime.
• Scam Factory: An investigative series of individuals who have been duped into a scam call center.

Leading Podcasts for Understanding AI

In the world, artificial intelligence is transforming our world. The podcasts simplify the subject matter:

• Looking at the NVIDIA AI Podcast: Developing the use of AI to address real issues in healthcare, science, and others.
• Practical AI: Concentrates on the usability and comprehensibility of AI by all people, not only professionals.
• Last Week in AI: A weekly newsletter that will keep you informed about all the latest news in AI.

How to Start Your Podcast Journey

Starting is easy! It only requires a computer or smartphone.

• Select an App: Search the podcast platform such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. They are free.
• Search or Browse: Enter a subject that you adore or browsing the Top Charts.
• Subscribe:Click on a show you like, subscribe. This saves it in order to have an access to new episodes at all times.
• Press Play: This is either downloading an episode or streaming it. You can listen anywhere!

The best thing is to discover shows that you like. Of the thousands of podcasts out there, your next favorite is there to be discovered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which types of podcasts are the most popular?

True Crime, News, Comedy, Business and Society and Culture are the most popular types of podcasts. Categories of Technology and Health are also very big.

What makes podcasts ranked to the "top" or the best?

The ranking of pods in such applications as Spotify and Apple Podcasts is determined by a combination of factors. These are the number of listening people, the rate at which the show acquires new listeners and the percentage of each episode people complete (known as engagement). Such lists also include the popular as well as the opinion of professional reviewers.

Are the podcasts free-to-air?

Yes, the huge majority of podcasts are absolutely free. Free listening is possible on a lot of different apps. Other podcasts can be accessed with a minimal fee to get additional material or early access to an episode, however, the regular version can be listened to free of charge.

Is it possible to listen to podcasts without the internet?

Yes! The majority of podcast applications allow you to download the episodes in case of a Wi-Fi connection. Once they are downloaded, you can listen to them anywhere you are even without using your mobile data such as in the plane or in your car.

How is a podcast different to an audiobook?

A podcast is a show that is typically aired in a sequential manner (similar to a TV show). It may be anything and may include a host. An audiobook is one, book-length recording of a published book, performed by an audiobook reader.