The world of podcasts has exploded in recent years, with millions of people tuning in to listen to everything from educational lectures to entertaining banter. Whether you want something for your morning dog walk, your commute, or before bed, podcasts are an excellent format to add a little entertainment or education to the mix. I went through the podcasts I’ve been listening to the most over the last few years, and I’ve shortlisted six of the most entertaining or informative that I would recommend.
Huberman Lab
Huberman Lab is arguably one of the best health-focused educational podcasts out there. Dr. Andrew Huberman is a Stanford professor of neurobiology, and his podcasts really do make it feel like you’re getting a university education. In a lecture-like format, Dr. Huberman doesn’t hold back from expressing the complex details of our brain and body, and how these control our perceptions, behaviors, and health. He always takes the time to unpack his terminology and break things down in a way a layman can understand. He digs deep into the science of our health – from our sleep, our hormones, how we learn, and the effects that different substances have on our bodies. After extensively describing the mechanics, he always goes on to provide actionable procedures making use of these mechanics. Huberman Lab easily gets top-billing on my list of recommendations for the sheer amount of practical advice he’s provided to improve my life, in many domains – particularly sleep, focus, and learning.
Lex Fridman Podcast
Dr. Lex Fridman is an AI researcher – his podcast started with an extensive focus on Artificial Intelligence, but over time Lex has branched out into interviews with a vast number of experts in countless fields. He describes his podcast as “conversations about the nature of intelligence, consciousness, love, and power.” He has a gift for getting high-profile figures to come in for interviews – from Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to Roger Gracie and Kanye West. Lex asks excellent and sometimes unorthodox questions – always willing to inquire on personal or deeply philosophical matters, regardless of his guest or their expertise. He makes excellent use of a long-form interview style, and you always conclude feeling like you learned something.
The Joe Rogan Experience
On the air since 2009, the Joe Rogan experience is the most popular podcast in the world for good reason. Joe has mastered the art of putting his guests at ease, with a personable but confident style. Always open to ideas and new topics, Joe has a massive range of guests from celebrities, athletes, comedians, and scientists. Rogan is readily willing to take controversial guests on his show, and engage in conversations on contentious issues. With hours-long episodes put out several times a week, Joe Rogan is a ready source of entertaining – and often fascinating – content. Joe Rogan feels like the perennial bro – easygoing, cavalier, and sometimes crude, but also remarkably insightful and inquisitive. Joe’s podcast has a magical way of really helping you get to know a person, not just on their subject matter, but their personality too.
Philosophize This!
Stephen West is the philosophy teacher I wish I had in school. For philosophy lovers and people dubious about the subject alike, this is an excellent podcast to dip your feet – then take the plunge – into philosophy. With hundreds of episodes from Plato, to Marx, and into the modern day, West explores philosophy in an unpretentious, accessible way, and he shows great enthusiasm and curiosity for each thinker he engages with. Each episode is usually 30 minutes to an hour, providing an excellent educational commentary for a walk or commute. If he can make Immanuel Kant easily digestible, he can do anything.
No Such Thing as a Fish
No Such Thing as a Fish has been my go-to comedy podcast for years now. I’ve listened to their whole catalog from beginning to end, and I’ve even started again from the top! Hosted by a panel of four charismatic researchers for the British comedy quiz show “Qi”, each of the hosts Dan, James, Anna, and Andy provide their favorite fact they learned that week. Filled with countess obscure, silly, and interesting morsels of trivia and excellent banter, there’s a backlog of 450 episodes to enjoy – and really, they’re timeless.
Art of Manliness
Don’t let the name mislead you – despite its goal of exploring topics pertaining to masculinity, the Art of Manliness podcast offers a wealth of knowledge for both men and women. The host, Brett McKay, invites guests for a usually 1-hour interview on a range of topics – fitness, philosophy, relationships, productivity, and countless others. The focus of the podcast is normally on practical tips from experts in various fields, with Brett’s own insights from his vast reading, writing, and interviewing experience. Brett has a knack for getting to the meat of any topic and pulling out useful, actionable advice, and his podcast is often my first stop when looking for ideas on my next book to read, too.
The History of Rome
The History of Rome podcast by Mike Duncan finished airing over a decade ago now, and it remains one of the best history podcasts out there. For any lover of Roman history, Duncan goes from the founding of Rome to the fall of the western empire – 73 hours of excellent, detailed history. Duncan, once he finds his stride, often injects the subject with a wry sense of humor that makes it a pleasure to listen to. Episodes range from 10 to 45 minutes, Duncan’s history will give you an intimate knowledge of one of the greatest empires of antiquity.
