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21 best podcasts to binge right now

Including a new podcast featuring Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen.

Daniel Van Boom Senior Writer
Daniel Van Boom is an award-winning Senior Writer based in Sydney, Australia. Daniel Van Boom covers cryptocurrency, NFTs, culture and global issues. When not writing, Daniel Van Boom practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, reads as much as he can, and speaks about himself in the third person.
Expertise Cryptocurrency, Culture, International News
Nicole Archer Associate Social Producer
Nicole is a Social Media Producer based in Sydney, Australia. She has a background in history and is happy to talk about the Great Fire of London at length. When not writing about video games, the internet, or television, she's probably looking at cool rocks.
Daniel Van Boom
Nicole Archer
7 min read
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Cuddle up with Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman's podcast. 

Earwolf

Say what you will about 2020 -- and between the pandemic, political unrest and various environmental disasters, there's a lot to say -- but it was a strong year for podcasts. As 2021 rolls on, there's a whole lot of good 'casts for your ear holes that you may have missed from the last timultuous year. Plus, there are new podcats constantly turning up, like a surprise collaboration between former President Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen.

Whether you're into political scandal, celebrity chit chat or deep dives into history, here's a list of excellent podcasts for you. 

Renegades: Born in the USA

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Spotify

Following his presidency and the release of Promised Land, the first of two presidential memoirs, former President Barack Obama is doing the obvious thing: Starting a podcast. And he's doing it with the most obvious host: Bruce Springsteen. The two have already released two episodes, one on their friendship and another a discussion on race, with six to go, coming out weekly. Obama and The Boss are teaming up with Spotify for the project, so it's exclusive to that platform for the time being. 

Listen on Spotify.

Bunga Bunga

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Wondery

If you thought a certain leader of the free world was wild and wacky, wait'll you hear this. Bunga Bunga is an eight-episode podcast that follows the insane tumult of Italy's Silvio Berlusconi era. Berlusconi, a TV exec, real estate magnate and former prime minister of Italy, is one of the most unusual, scandal-prone world leaders of recent times. This podcast, hosted by comedian Whitney Cummings, illuminates that -- all without getting too depressing. 

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.  

The Rabbit Hole

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New York Times

As far as podcasts go, The New York Times is most known for The Daily. But it also produces several podcast series, including the excellent Rabbit Hole. Launched in April, it begins as a case study in how YouTube algorithms polarize people around extreme politics on both the right and the left. But it ends up going deeper, speaking to the broad schism pervading broader online discourse.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Blind Spot: The Road to 9/11

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WNYC/History

The two hijacked planes that took down the Twin Towers didn't emerge out of nowhere; they were the consequence of conflict that had been going on for over 10 years before Sept. 11, 2001. This six-part podcast tells the story of that preceding 10 years. Including interviews with FBI agents, people who knew the 9/11 terrorists, journalists and more, this is a heavy but worthwhile podcast series from History and WNYC. 

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Wind of Change

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Pineapple Studios

Wind of Change centers on a conspiracy theory: Did the CIA write Wind of Change, a song by German band The Scorpions? A song so powerful it helped bring down the Berlin Wall? 

The conspiracy theory itself sounds hokey, but the journey that follows isn't. This is a deep dive into the techniques agencies like the CIA use, and -- ultimately -- a story about the power of music to elicit change. 

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Slow Burn

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Slate

Do people living through insane times realize just how insane that time is? That's the vague theme of Slow Burn, a podcast from Slate. The first season looks at the presidency of Richard Nixon and the reaction of politicians, the media and the public to the Watergate scandal. Subsequent seasons look at President Bill Clinton's impeachment and slain rappers Biggie Smalls and Tupac. This year's season focuses on KKK leader David Duke and his rise to prominence.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

In Bed with Megan and Nick

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Earwolf

And now, something lighter for your 2020.

Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally are known for playing the tempestuously divorced husband-and-wife combo of Ron Swanson and Tammy in Parks and Recreation. They're also actually husband and wife in real life, and this year they started a podcast. They're joined -- in bed -- by the likes of Alec Baldwin, Rob Lowe, Aubrey Plaza and more. If you're after something breezy to chill out to, this is a great place to start. 

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Making Space: The Female Frontier

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CNET

Hey! CNET does podcasts too

From the early days of the space race to the greatest scientific breakthroughs of our generation, women have always played a vital role in the history of space discovery. Sometimes front and center, more often than not invisible, these women helped build our understanding of space from the ground up.

The women who fought to carve out a place at NASA, the scientists who were overlooked by the establishment all the way up to the trailblazers leading the charge in the next age of discovery -- we hear from six women, over six episodes, who represent six important eras in space discovery.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

We Crashed

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Wondery

At one point, WeWork was valued at $47 billion. A year and a failed IPO later and the workspace company is reportedly worth about 11% of that. This six-part series examines the rise and fall of WeWork and the pitfalls of the dynamic/chaotic world of tech startups. 

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Fiasco: Bush v. Gore

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Luminary

In the event that you're not sick of hearing about contested elections, Luminary has a great podcast on the 2000 race between George W. Bush and Al Gore. Fiasco is a six-episode series that focuses on the famously contested result -- it came down to Bush's 537 vote lead in Florida -- and it's hosted by Leon Neyfakh, of Slow Burn fame. 

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Crossfire

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Telegraph

With the chaotic pace of 2020, the accusations that President Donald Trump colluded with Russia to bolster his 2016 presidential campaign seem like decades ago. But the scandal that triggered a special council probe and, eventually, an impeachment, is one worth revisiting in depth -- and that's what the Telegraph's six-piece Crossfire series does.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Nice White Parents

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New York Times/Serial

Nice White Parents is a five-part series on the US' education system, brought to you by the New York Times and Serial-creator This American Life. It examines the different educational opportunities given to minorities and focuses on the unintended consequences of a powerful bloc: Nice White Parents.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Phoebe Reads a Mystery

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For those of us who have always had classic mystery books on the to-read list. In each episode of Phoebe Reads a Mystery, Criminal host Phoebe Judge reads a chapter from a mystery book. It started in March with The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie's first published novel, and has since gone through some big titles, including two Sherlock Holmes books. 

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Fake Doctors, Real Friends

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iHeart Radio

If you've been meaning to rewatch Scrubs, this podcast gives you an extra reason. Zach Braff and Donald Faison, who play the best-bud duo of JD and Turk on the show, host Fake Doctors, Real Friends. Each episode of the podcast goes over an episode of the show -- in chronological order, thankfully. Perfect if you wistfully remember the 2001-10 medical comedy.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Office Ladies

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Earwolf

And speaking of real-life best friends doing a watch-along podcast for a show they formerly starred in, Jenna Fischer (Pam) and Angela Kinsey (Angela) join forces for Office Ladies. Most episodes are around 60 minutes long, and the two go over their memories and fun details from shooting The Office. They also occasionally bring special guests in, like John Krasinski and Greg Daniels, who adapted the show from its UK original.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Oh, Hello: The P'dcast

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Gil Faizon, George St. Geegland

You may be familiar with George St. Geegland and Gil Faizon, the aging alter egos of comedians John Mulaney and Nick Kroll. They've conquered Broadway and now they're taking on podcasts. Specifically, a Serial-esque run about the death of Princess Diana -- until the show nearly tears their decades-long friendship apart. It's silly, delightful and full of tuna. 

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

We need to talk about the British Empire

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Audible

The history of the British Empire and its legacy is complex. It's also a history that many people don't really learn about -- and if they do, they rarely learn about it properly. Enter We Need To Talk About The British Empire, a six-part Audible podcast that explore the lasting impact of the Empire through the personal stories of those who lived through it. To use a cliche, it's history come to life in a truly fascinating way.

Listen on Audible.

Stuff The British Stole

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ABC

Oh no, British Empire, you're not getting off with just one podcast. This thoughtful five-part podcast out of Australia takes a look at some of the loot the Brits took from their colonies throughout the years, a journey that'll take you through India, Nigeria, New Zealand and more. It's hosted by Marc Fennel, who you may have heard on the excellent Nut Job and It Burns Audible Originals. 

Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Floodlines

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The Atlantic

When we think about Hurricane Katrina, we think about New Orleans being brought to its knees by powerful floods. But did it need to be that way? This eight-episode series from The Atlantic looks at the government's response to the crisis and how much of the chaos could have been avoided.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Bill Gates and Rashida Jones Ask Big Questions

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A strange duo for a strange time: Bill Gates, of Microsoft fame, is teaming up with Rashida Jones, of Parks and Recreation fame, for a podcast. Adding it to this list is a little premature, since there are only five episodes so far. But, come on. It's Bill Gates and Rashida Jones. Aasking big questions!

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Staying In with Emily and Kumail

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Three Uncanny Four/HyperObject Industries

Struggling with quarantine? Feeling a bit alone? Emily and Kumail are here with their guide to surviving the pandemic. They're both writers who work from home and just kind of like staying in anyway. They give you entertainment recommendations and advice on how to avoid cabin fever. But, perhaps best of all, it's just a really nice distraction from the world featuring two people you would really want to be friends with. 

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.