Are you looking for podcast hosts to be inspired by in 2024? Whether you’re an experienced podcaster or just starting to explore audio storytelling, now’s the time to get some inspiration for your future podcast.
With so many great shows available, it can be tough to know which typical true crime podcast, comedy podcast, or sports podcast to listen to for inspiration. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top podcasts to listen to or be inspired by in 2024.
9 Best Podcasts of 2024
It’s a good idea to learn from the best. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of the top podcasts 2024 below:
- New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce,
- The Bible Recap,
- Dataline NBC,
- The Daily,
- Crime Junkie,
- The Joe Rogan Experience,
- Radiolab,
- Bill Simmons Podcast,
- You’re Wrong About,
If you’re looking for a persona to take lessons from, or if you’re thinking about the topics you want to cover in your own podcast, then these nine top podcasts are definitely the ones to tune into. Let’s find out some more about them.
New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce
‘New Heights’ provides an exclusive look at professional football through the eyes of Jason and Travis Kelce.
Jason, a key player for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Travis, a star with the Kansas City Chiefs, bring their unique perspectives as NFL icons to the show.
The podcast explores a variety of themes, not just limited to sports, but also delving into life experiences and other diverse topics.
Listeners are treated to a mix of personal anecdotes and in-depth discussions about life in the NFL, providing an intimate look at the professional and personal journeys of these celebrated athletes, both on the field and beyond.
Get inspiration from this episode, which is all about football and the future of the Eagles.
Podcast Host: Jason and Travis Kelce
The Bible Recap
In the podcast ‘The Bible Recap,’ host takes listeners on a spiritual journey with the aim of deepening their understanding of the Bible.
Each episode is crafted to distill the key ideas of the scriptures, offering summaries and emphasizing the critical points to consider.
The format is intentionally user-friendly and engaging, ensuring that the teachings of the Bible are more approachable and comprehensible to a broad audience.
This approach not only simplifies the process of connecting with the biblical text but also makes it more relatable and meaningful for listeners seeking spiritual growth and insight.
Take notes from the episode Genesis 27-29.
Podcast host: Tara Leigh Cobble
Dateline NBC
Originating from the acclaimed NBC television series, the ‘Dateline NBC’ podcast dives into the intriguing world of true crime.
This podcast stands out for its focus on real-life mysteries, gripping true crime tales, and meticulously conducted investigations.
Each episode is a showcase of detailed storytelling, enriched with insightful interviews and expert commentary. Renowned for its exceptional investigative journalism, ‘Dateline NBC’ captivates its audience with a compelling narrative approach.
The podcast’s ability to weave complex stories with journalistic integrity distinguishes this podcast from other true-crime podcasting, offering listeners a deep and thought-provoking exploration of some of the most baffling and intriguing cases.
Check out this report by Andrea Cannings, in the episode — Ghosts can’t talk.
Podcast host: Keith Morrison
Crime Junkie
“Crime Junkie” stands out in the podcasting world as a highly acclaimed true-crime series.
It delves deeply into a range of crime stories, from unsolved mysteries to high-profile murders and missing persons cases.
The hosts of “Crime Junkie” have a unique approach to storytelling, infusing each episode with a conversational and engaging tone that includes their personal commentary and insights.
This style not only makes the content more relatable, but also adds depth to the narrative. The show is meticulously researched, demonstrating a commitment to shedding light on both lesser-known and widely recognized cases.
This balanced approach ensures that “Crime Junkie” not only captivates its audience with intriguing and often chilling tales but also serves as a platform for bringing lesser-known stories to the forefront, thereby contributing to a broader public awareness of various criminal cases.
The podcast episode about Christie Mullins is a good episode to get inspired by.
Podcast host: Ashley Flowers
The Daily
If you’re looking for a daily news podcast that will keep you up-to-date on current events, look no further than The Daily produced by The New York Times.
Featured as one of the top news podcasts, The Daily delivers a deep dive into one top news story each weekday. With its thoughtful analysis and engaging storytelling, The Daily is a must-listen for everyone.
As far as great episodes go, The Daily gave everyone a treat by producing an episode titled: Why Would Anybody Claim That Birds Aren’t Real? The episode covers a conspiracy theory about, you guessed it, birds not actually existing.
Podcast host: Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise
The Joe Rogan Experience
The Joe Rogan Experience is a long-form interview podcast that covers a wide range of fascinating topics, from politics and philosophy to science and technology.
With over 2089 episodes and 13 years of existence, everyone is able to find something for themselves in the valuable insights that Joe and his celebrity guests provide.
The podcast episode that has taken the world by a storm is called JRE #1169, Elon Musk.
In this episode, Joe and Elon talk about Tesla, AI and the future of the world. The laid-back interview style episode is somewhat controversial, but the number of views speaks for itself.
Podcast host: Joe Rogan
Radiolab
Radiolab is a long-running podcast that combines science, philosophy, and storytelling to explore the mysteries of the world around us.
The show is a must-listen, especially for those of us who enjoy a mix of sound design and information.
In terms of fantastic episodes, Patient Zero appears to be one of the all-time favorites. The episode dives deep into the origins of outbreaks, from Typhoid Mary and Aids, all the way to the recent pandemic.
Podcast host: Latif Nasser
Bill Simmons Podcast
Hosting one of the top sports podcasts of all time, Bill Simmons is definitely one of the nation’s favorites.
The podcast focuses on conversations with celebrities, athletes and other media staples. You can tune in to listen to the celebrity gossip and, of course, important sports news.
And what better episode to listen to, than the one with a nation’s favorite – Andy Samberg. This comedian needs no introductions from us.
Podcast host: Bill Simmons
You’re Wrong About
You’re Wrong About is a podcast hosted by two journalists who are obsessed with the past. Sarah and Mike host a weekly podcast exploring miscast events in the public imagination.
The hosts cover some controversial topics and always come up with something new. From prison sentences and abortion to CSI and cancel culture, there is something for everyone. Tune in to find out more about topics that affect everyone (in a way).
Check out this inspiring episode about Princess Diana.
Podcast host: Sarah Marshall
MORE: How to write the best podcast script
Popular Podcasts By Genre
Best True Crime Podcasts
True crime stories have a devoted following from all over the globe, and it’s no wonder that the true crime genre is amongst the favorites for 2024.
If true crime is the type of podcast you’d like to start, then we suggest doing some research about the following:
- Serial,
- RedHanded,
- Tortoise Investigates,
- In The Dark,
- My Favorite Murder,
- Dr. Death,
- 90s Crime Time.
Best Comedy Podcasts
True crime podcasts, however, are not everyone’s cup of tea, and if you’re in the mood to provide your audience with a good laugh instead, you can’t go wrong with taking inspiration from these top comedy podcasts:
- Comedy Bang! Bang!,
- My Brother, My Brother and Me,
- How Did This Get Made?,
- SmartLess,
- The Tim Dillon Show.
Best Science and Technology Podcasts
Would you prefer to teach your audience instead? If you’re interested in the latest developments in science and technology, then these top science podcasts need to be on your list of essential listening before creating your own show:
- Science Vs,
- Stuff You Should Know,
- Dr Karl Podcast,
- Alan Watts Podcast,
- In Defense of Plants Podcast,
- This Week in Tech.
Best Politics Podcasts
For a deep dive into politics, check out podcasts like:
- Pod Save America,
- The Weeds,
- The Ezra Klein Show.
Best Fiction Podcasts
The best fiction podcasts are the ones that go above and beyond with the storyline. If you’re up for creating a rollercoaster of emotions for your audience, then you’ll enjoy getting inspired by these fascinating podcasts:
- Limetown,
- Homecoming,
- Alice Isn’t Dead.
MORE: Podcast formats
Popular Podcasts on Spotify
Spotify has become a major player in the world of podcasting, with a wide selection of shows available on its platform.
Whether it’s an investigative podcast you want to get inspiration from, or you’re looking for the best comedy podcasts to imitate, Spotify will satisfy all your needs.
Some of the most popular podcasts on Spotify include:
- The Joe Rogan Experience,
- Crime Junkie,
- My Favorite Murder,
- Reply All,
- Stuff You Should Know,
- Call Her Daddy,
- On Purpose with Jay Shetty,
- Bad Friends,
- Ear Hustle,
- Huberman Lab,
- The High Performance Podcast,
- +44 Podcast.
Popular Podcasts on Apple
If you’re an Apple user, chances are you’ve already explored the podcasts on the company’s dedicated podcast app.
Find inspiration from this year’s top podcasts, which offer anything from stand-up comedy to practical life advice. Here are some of the most popular Apple podcasts:
- I’ve Had It,
- The Megyn Kelly Show,
- This American Life,
- The Mel Robbins Podcast,
- The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling,
- The Ezra Klein Show,
- Dateline NBC,
- Hidden Brain,
- Parenting Hell.
Popular Podcasts on Amazon Music
If you’re not a fan of Spotify or Apple for podcasts, then why don’t you give Amazon Music a go? Amazon Music has a lot to offer, from music podcasts (as the name suggests), to true crime podcasts, therapy podcasts, and many others.
Check out some of the most popular podcasts on Amazon Music below:
- The Therapy Crouch,
- Closet Confessions,
- Ghost Story,
- Political Currency,
- Dr. Death,
- Feel Better, Live More,
- Dua Lipa: At Your Service,
- Woman’s Hour,
- Uncanny.
MORE: Learn about podcast’s business category.
Most Popular News Podcasts in the US
As of February 2023, some of the top podcasts in the US include: The Daily, Pod Save America, Up First, and many more.
What do audiences expect from a podcast?
So what makes these podcasts so good? They may all be different, but some of the key addicting features of the best podcasts include:
- Celebrity guests, business leaders or simply interesting people,
- Elements of a true story (such as a true crime podcast),
- Practical tips and modern life,
- Pop culture,
- Regularity (a weekly podcast hosted by the audience’s favorite speaker),
- Coverage of mental health and personal growth,
- Diverse perspectives,
- Internet culture,
- Personal anecdotes (and the podcasts should be held in a conversational tone to attract more listeners).
MORE: How much do podcasters make
Check out our free podcast name generator and create the perfect podcast name. Start your podcasting journey today!
MORE: How to promote a podcast
Key Takeaways
As we head into 2024, the world of podcasting continues to evolve and grow. From true crime to science and technology to comedy, there’s a podcast for everyone.
But don’t let that piece of news scare you off, because there’s never been a better time to explore the wide world of audio storytelling.
Whether you’re looking to provide entertainment, education, or a little bit of both, there’s an audience out there that’s bound to love your work. It’s time to fire up your skills and create a podcast this world hasn’t yet seen.