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Interested in getting into the world of podcasts but don’t know where to start? Or have you taken a hiatus from podcasts and want to know the most popular ones currently?
In either case, let’s look at the most popular podcasts of 2024 (all of them are either available on Spotify, Apple, or both).
16 Most Popular Podcasts for 2024
While there are millions of podcasts, these are the most popular ones you should be listening to right now. No matter if you enjoy a crime series or just some good comedy, try one of these podcasts out.
1. The Joe Rogan Experience
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In 2009, Joe Rogan launched The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, which became one of the most popular podcasts in the world.
While the podcast is mostly followed by men, anyone interested in 3-hour long conversations on politics, UFOs, stand-up comedy, history, psychology, psychedelics, and any topic under the sun, should check this out.
Joe Rogan can be a bit of a controversial figure: He’s been on the news for all the wrong reasons, notably for hosting guests that spread Covid misinformation. Joe tends to be a little too open-minded which leads him to host conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones from time to time.
However, Joe Rogan has also hosted reliable science figures like Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Professor Brian Cox, Steven Pinker, and Sir Roger Penrose. It goes to show that Joe will to listen to anyone, as long as they have something interesting to share.
The podcast gets around 11 million listeners each episode.
If you want to get a taste of The Joe Rogan Experience, here are the episodes to watch.
- JRE #1368, Edward Snowden— The episode has got 32 million views on YouTube for good reason. In it, the famous whistleblower reveals how the NSA has been spying on people, and how his revelation had the US intelligence community come after him.
- JRE #1315, Bob Lazar & Jeremy Corbell— This one goes into UFO territory, with a fascinating narration by Bob Lazar on Area 51 and the alien tech he came across in the facility.
- JRE #1169, Elon Musk— Want to see Elon Musk high on pot? In this episode, Joe and Elon talk about Tesla, space, and the future of AI.
2. Huberman Lab
The Huberman Lab podcast is for you if you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of neuroscience. Host Andrew Huberman is an award-winning scientist and neurobiology professor at Stanford School of Medicine.
While you may think this show caters to health professionals, this podcast has become popular all-round because there’s a lot to learn from Huberman. His show covers mental health, optimizing performance, improving sleep, and more. You’ll also gain valuable tools to implement and improve your overall brain function and development.
This podcast is frequently in the top 5 worldwide, and you won’t be disappointed with Huberman’s guests. Guests include Lex Fridman, Tim Ferris and Mark Zuckerburg:
Here are some of the best Huberman Lab episodes to check out:
- Dr. Sam Harris: Using Meditation to Focus, View Consciousness & Expand Your Mind — From meditation benefits to full-on techniques, this episode covers how meditation can change your life.
- Leverage Dopamine to Overcome Procrastination & Optimize Effort— Gain a better understanding of how your dopamine levels work and what tools you can use to keep yourself motivated.
- Dr. Elissa Epel: Control Stress for Healthy Eating, Metabolism & Aging — Huberman and Epel share various techniques, including breathing, meditations, and body scans, that can help you fix unhealthy stress patterns.
3. The Daily
Interested in listening to a podcast that dives deep into the latest, most relevant news stories? Then check out The Daily, the second most popular podcast in the world after the Joe Rogan Experience.
Think of The Daily as the New York Times — but in podcast form. Each episode is 25-45 minutes long.
Hosted by Michael Barbaro, it features interviews with New York Times journalists who covered the day's hottest stories. What enhances the production value and storytelling is the great music and relevant audio clips played during the podcast.
The podcast started in 2017 and covers domestic and international politics as well as major news events. By 2020, it got 2 million downloads per episode.
Did you know that The New York Times uses Riverside for recording in high quality? Find out more about Riverside or sign up today.
4. This American Life
This American Life, popularly called TAL, is hosted by radio personality Ira Glass. In 2020, it won the Pulitzer Prize for best audio journalism.
TAL has fantastic storytelling. It uses field recordings, unusual music, essays, and radio monologues to talk about true stories of everyday people in America. The stories are intimate, funny, bittersweet, and surprising.
Even though it’s one of the oldest podcasts on this list, TAL continues to be extremely popular among podcast listeners.
To get a taste of TAL, here are the best episodes:
- Ep 589, No Coincidence, No Story — In this episode, listeners were asked to share memorable coincidences that happened in their life.
- Ep 109, Notes on Camp — Notes on Camp is all about summer camps. Some people hate them; others love them. The episode tries to bridge the gap between the two groups.
- Ep 487 and 488, Harper High School — This was a two-part episode on the series of gun-related incidents in Harper High School, Chicago. The investigative journalism in this episode won it a Peabody Award.
5. Stuff You Should Know
Are you curious about the world and how things work in general? Then check out Stuff You Should Know, popularly known by fans as SYSK.
The podcast has 1400+ episodes. The episode titles alone make you want to grab your headphones and listen to them right away. Here are a few examples — How Police Interrogation Works, How Money Laundering Works, How Schizophrenia Works.
The show is grounded in science and truth. The producers wanted to make a show that would explain everything. Episodes are an hour-long, and the two hosts have great banter and rapport, making listening to the podcast interesting.
Some of their best episodes are:
- Ep 454, How Electoral Colleges Work — Want to understand how the Electoral Colleges works? Then check out ep 454, which goes into the history of the electoral college in the United States and why it was set up.
- Ep 412, How Diamonds Work — Check out this episode if you want to learn about the origin of the diamond industry. It also goes into the history of diamond advertising and how they became the wedding standard in the modern era.
- Ep 197, What is facism? —What exactly is fascism? Stuff You Should Know discusses the core tenants of fascism and the common misconceptions around it.
6. Pod Save America
Those interested in a more left-leaning political podcast that discusses the week's political news should listen to this podcast.
The show was started by three Obama staffers after Donald Trump became president and early episodes focused on the Trump presidency.
Among the big names interviewed on the show include Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Joe Biden.
Pod Save America mainly focuses on American politics, but you can check out Pod Save The World if you're looking for international coverage.
7. New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce
Travis and Jason Kelce are well-known American NFL football brothers. With their combined experience, there are no better hosts to share insight into the world of footballing.
They cover everything from trending NFL news all the way to sharing personal stories and giving viewers a better look into their lives. Besides Travis and Jason, you’ll also hear from A-list athletes, including LeBron James and Tyreek Hill. (And if you’re a Swiftie, you might even catch an endearing comment about Taylor from Travis.)
Episodes worth listening to include:
- Kylie Kelce on life as an NFL spouse, Jason’s Tinder Bio, and Setting Up Travis | Ep 52 — This is a fan favorite! Kylie shares more about her relationship with Jason, including how they met and how she almost gave birth at the Super Bowl.
- Chris Jones on Missing Training Camp, Tyreek Hill’s Trash Talk and His NSFW Combine Moment | Ep 52 — Besides the usual banter, you’ll hear about Jones's experience playing for Kansas City Chiefs, including his draft story and his impression of Travis.
8. The Ben Shapiro Show
The Ben Shapiro Show is the best podcast on the opposite side of the political spectrum.
Shapiro became famous after his debate on gun control with Piers Morgan. He is known for his fast-talking way of speaking and is popular among conservative intellectuals.
The show covers American political events, news, and culture from a conservative perspective.
9. Call Her Daddy
Call Her Daddy is a sex-positive dating and relationship podcast that’s popular among women. The content is explicit, raunchy, and features stories, sex advice, girl talk, and millennial culture.
Nothing encapsulates the show better than this New York Post statement:
“Virtually nothing is off-limits for the two roommates (except Cooper’s former relationship with Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard) on their weekly show — which spans the conversational gamut from sex acts like the “gluck gluck 9000” to them listening to each other get it on from the next room. The content went wildfire within two months from 12000 to 2 million listeners.”
The podcast started in 2018 and was acquired by Spotify in 2021 for $60 million.
Episodes to look out for are:
- Ep 1, Sext Me So I Know It’s Real — This is a great introduction to the podcast and an ideal gateway episode for new listeners.
- Ep 3, The Gluck Gluck 9000 — This episode has one of the most iconic moments in Call Her Daddy history. It has over-the-top raunchy storytelling and sex advice. References to this episode can be found in dating apps even today.
- Ep 92, Miley Cyrus — The episode is an interview with Miley Cyrus where the musician talks about her sex life and past relationships.
10. Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie is another true-crime podcast hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat.
Every Monday, a new episode is released covering a different crime. The hosts have a great vibe together, and listening to the show feels like you’re listening in on two friends discussing their favorite topic.
In Crime Junkie, both solved and unsolved cases are discussed. Expect the usual true crime themes like murder, serial killers, and missing persons. Episodes can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
Some of the best episodes are:
- MISSING: Niqui McCown — This is the first episode of Crime Junkie and is a great starting point for newcomers as it sets up a consistent tone for the rest of Crime Junkie episodes. The podcast goes into the case of a missing single mother whose wedding was three weeks away. It’s clear from the narration of the case how much effort the hosts put into research.
- SERIAL KILLER: Herb Baumeister — Businessman Herb Baumeister murdered more than a dozen men, most of whom were seen at gay bars. He buried his victims on his estate. Baumeister wasn’t caught or questioned as he committed suicide before then.
- SURVIVED: Elizabeth Smart — 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her bedroom at knifepoint. What follows is a 9-month hunt for Elizabeth as the Salt Lake City community try to find her.
11. Office Ladies
Missing the good ole days of The Office and want to rekindle the nostalgia? Then check out Office Ladies hosted by Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly) and Angela Kinsey (Angela Martin).
The two offer their commentary on episodes from The Office and respond to fan questions. Guests include The Office co-stars, producers, and writers, the most notable one being Rainn Wilson.
The podcast carries the same lighthearted vibe as the TV show and the hosts have great chemistry — they tease each other and share amusing stories about their lives as well as the making of the TV episodes.
Every podcast starts with a quick The Office episode summary, followed by a scene-by-scene analysis and fun facts about filming, props, and scripts.
12. Smartless
We all know Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett as the successful comedians that they are. But did you know that they also have a wildly popular podcast?
Smartless is such a success that in 2021, Amazon bought exclusive rights to the show for an estimated 80 million dollars. The podcast is still available on other platforms, but new releases will show up first on Amazon.
If you’re looking for a genuine laugh, you’ll want to give this show a listen. In each episode, one of the hosts chooses a mystery guest that the other two hosts only discover as they record. These guests come from a variety of backgrounds, but some famous appearances include Natalie Portman, Selena Gomez, Bill Simons, and James Cameron.
For a good giggle, check out these podcast episodes:
- Ryan Reynolds — Reynolds is always a laugh! You’ll, of course, hear about his wife, Blake, but Reynolds also talks about his life before fame, business ventures, and superhero films.
- Adam Sandler — The Smartless trio talk to Sandler about family, ambition, and comedy.
George Clooney — This is one of the all-time best Smartless episodes. Besides acting, you’ll hear about Clooney’s philanthropy and relationship with his wife Amal.
13. My Favorite Murder
Do you want to be a Murderino? Well, that’s what fans of the popular true crime podcast My Favorite Murder call themselves.
Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark not only talk about true crime, but also address deeper issues in the genre like sexual abuse, mental health, women's rights, and sex work. The two hosts also discuss their personal lives and struggles with mental health, addiction, and religion.
The podcast got around 35 million downloads a month in 2020. Episodes are held bi-weekly and each show runs around 60-120 minutes.
The best episodes to check out are:
- Ep 183, Here We Back Are — The episode goes into the urban legend of the Mothman, a black 10-foot creature with wings and red eyes that was sighted in Virginia around the ‘60s . According to legend, the creature was responsible for the collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967.
- Ep 116, Robot Grandma — Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark talk about Issei Sagawa, a Japanese man who mutilated, cannibalized, and murdered Renee Hartvelt in Paris in 1981. Issei was later released due to a legal technicality.
- Ep 185, 400 Peeled Potatoes — Moving away from gruesome violence, this episode doesn’t feature murder. Instead, it features the story of Malachi Love-Robinson, a Florida teenager who posed as a doctor without a medical license and scammed a lot of people.
14. On Purpose
Jay Shetty is famous for his wisdom, which he delves into deeply with each episode of his podcast, On Purpose. This podcast, which is actually created on Riverside, has gained massive traction as one of the most popular self-development podcasts out there. You can expect to learn about all areas of life from a wide array of renowned guests.
He’s interviewed personalities such as Oprah Winfrey, Gary Vaynerchuk, and John Legend. While topics he’s covered range from strategies on work efficiency and productivity, all the way through to relationships and personality types.
If you’re looking to improve your life, this is a great podcast to begin with.
Just like Jay Shetty, you can record your own podcast in top-quality on Riverside.
15. Why Won’t You Date Me?
Ever wondered why you’re single? That’s the same question that Nicole Byer asked herself. And that’s why she started the podcast Why Won’t You Date Me?
Nicole (who is hilarious) and her guests discuss topics like love, sex, dating, and relationships. Some of her guests include her former partners and childhood friends.
The main theme of the podcast is Nicole's attempt to figure out why she's single. To solve this puzzle, she invites guests and asks them the same question. The guests and her also talk about their own sex and dating lives.
Listening to this podcast may have you contemplate your own dating experience. But don’t worry — it’s fun and lighthearted, so you won't feel miserable.
To get a feel for the podcast, check out the below episodes.
- Having Tandem Sex — Nicole and her best friend Sasheer Zamata shares the time when she and Nicole had sex at the same time but in different places (and how the experience was horrible for them). Sasheer also shares her first kiss story.
- A Nightmare Wedding Experience — Diona Reasonover from NCIS discusses her horrible wedding experience fraught with a broken wrist, a typhoon, and multiple wedding crashers.
16. Planet Money
Planet Money was created by Alex Blumberg and Adam Davidson. The show was launched on September 6th, 2008, to cover the financial crisis of 2007-08. For those without an economic background, this podcast is a great way to learn about the economy and how it works.
Planet Money is also a great podcast to listen to if you have limited time or if you want to listen to one while doing chores. The episodes are short and last between 6-30 minutes.
The interviewees are academic experts, business professionals, and the general public. Topics include classic monetary theories, international trade, current events, taxes, insider trading, and more.
Check out the most popular episodes:
- Ep 650, The Business Genius Behind Get Out —The podcast discusses how Blumhouse productions, run by Jason Blum, makes highly successful movies on a tiny budget. One of the movies made by Blumhouse was Get Out, which cost only $4.5 million.
- Eps 496-502 —The Planet Money team follows the journey of a T-shirt, from its birth in cotton fields, through its production in the factory, and lastly to its destination in container ships. In these episodes, you’ll also learn about the garment industry in Bangladesh and Columbia, the workings of the container ships industry, and what happens to used T-shirts in the US.
Most Popular Podcasts on Spotify
As of last year’s Spotify wrapped, here are the most popular podcasts available on Spotify. Some podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience and Call Me Daddy are Spotify exclusives and cannot be found on any other platform.
- Host(s): Joe Rogan
- Genre: Interview
- Host(s): Alex Cooper
- Genre: Sex, dating, and relationships
3. Huberman Lab
- Host(s): Andrew Huberman
- Genre: Neuroscience and health
4. Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain
- Host(s): Emma Chamberlain
- Genre: Society and culture
- Host(s): Jay Shetty
- Genre: Self-help and psychology
6. Crime Junkie
- Host(s): Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat
- Genre: True crime
7. This past weekend w/ Theo Von
- Host(s): Theo Von
- Genre: Comedy
- Host: Thomas Dillon
- Genre: True crime
9. The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
- Host(s): Steven Bartlett
- Genre: Educational, business and health
10. Ted Talks Daily
- Host(s): Elise Hu
- Genre: Education and technology
11. Relatos de la noche (Spanish)
- Host(s): Uriel Reyes
- Genre: Horror and paranormal
12. Caso 63 (Various Languages)
- Host(s): Ana Valeria Becerril among others
- Genre: Fiction
13. Psicologia Al Desnudo (Spanish)
- Host(s): Marina Mammoliti
- Genre: Health
14. The Daily
- Host: Michael Barbaro
- Genre: Long-form journalism
- Host: Lex Fridman
- Genre: Technology
Most Popular Podcasts on Apple
According to Apple’s 2023 summary, here are the most popular podcasts available on Apple.
1. Crime Junkie
- Host(s): Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat
- Genre: True crime
2. The Daily
- Host: Michael Barbaro
- Genre: Long-form journalism
3. Dateline NBC
- Host: Keith Morrison
- Genre: True crime
4. Smartless
- Host(s): Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes
- Genre: Comedy, interview
- Host(s): Ira Glass
- Genre: Society and culture
6. Morbid: A True Crime Podcast
- Host(s): Alaina Urquhart and Ashleigh Kelley
- Genre: True crime
7. Up First
- Host(s): Rachel Martin, Steve Inskeep, A Martinez, Leila Fadel, Scott Simon, Ayesha Rascoe
- Genre: Long-form journalism
8. Huberman Lab
- Host(s): Andrew Huberman
- Genre: Neuroscience and health
9. Hidden Brain
- Host(s): Shankar Vedantam
- Genre: Science
- Host(s): Josh Clark and Charles Wayne Bryant
- Genre: Society and culture
What is the number 1 podcast in the world?
The Joe Rogan Experience is the number 1 podcast in the world today. The podcast is exclusive to Spotify and has about 11 million listeners per episode.
What is the most listened-to podcast?
The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) is the most listened-to podcast in the world with about 11 million listeners per episode.
What podcast gets the most downloads?
The Daily is the most downloaded podcast in the world. It gets 2 million downloads per episode (JRE cannot be downloaded, that’s why it isn’t the most downloaded podcast). It consistently shows up in the top 10 of most podcast charts out there, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts charts.
Start listening to the most popular podcasts
Now, you’re all covered and set to start listening to some binge-worthy podcast shows.
Not sure where to start listening?
Our guide on how to listen to podcasts should give you all the details you need.
Want to switch from a listener to becoming a podcast host?
We suggest you try Riverside which makes recording as simple as listening to a podcast show. You can sign up on Riverside for free to start podcasting like a professional the easy way.
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