35 Best NPR Podcasts

1. Fresh Air

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Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries. Subscribe to Fresh Air Plus! You'll enjoy bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening - all while you support NPR's mission. Learn more at plus.npr...MORE Hosts Terry Gross, Tonya Mosley
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.3/5Apple Reviews 37.6KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8M Avg Length 46 min Format Long form Get Email Contact Get Influential Podcasters ContactsGet access to 500k active Podcasts in 1500 niche categories.Get targeted podcast contact list in your niche at your fingertips so you can focus on running your campaign.Email us the categories of Podcasters you want to reach out for your marketing campaign at anuj@feedspot.com Copy email. We'll share active Podcasters list with verified email contacts in an Excel or CSV format.Email us

2. Up First from NPR

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NPR's Up First is the news you need to start your day. The three biggest stories of the day, with reporting and analysis from NPR News — in 10 minutes. Available weekdays at 6:30 a.m. ET, with hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin and A Martinez. Also available on Saturdays at 9 a.m. ET, with Ayesha Rascoe and Scott Simon. On Sundays, hear a longer exploration behind the headlines with Ayesha Rascoe on 'The Sunday Story,' available by 8 a.m. ET. Subscribe and listen, then support your local NPR station at donate.npr.org...MORE Hosts Steve Inskeep, Leila Fadel, Michel Martin, A Martinez, Ayesha Rascoe, Scott Simon, Rachel Martin
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 54.5KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 48.1KInstagram 8M Avg Length 18 min Format Short form Get Email Contact

3. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

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NPR's weekly news quiz hosted by Peter Sagal. Have a laugh and test your knowledge with today's funniest comedians and a celebrity guest.Hate free content? Try a subscription to Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! . Your subscription supports public radio and unlocks fun bonus episodes along with sponsor-free listening. Learn more at https://plus.npr.org/waitwaitMORE Host Peter Sagal
Producer/Network Wait Wait Don't Tell Me!
Email ****@gmail.com
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 37.2KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8M Avg Length 38 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

4. How I Built This with Guy Raz

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Guy Raz interviews the world's best-known entrepreneurs to learn how they built their iconic brands. In each episode, founders reveal deep, intimate moments of doubt and failure, and share insights on their eventual success. How I Built This is a master-class on innovation, creativity, leadership and how to navigate challenges of all kinds.New episodes release on Mondays and Thursdays. Listen to How I Built This on the Wondery App or wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery . Join Wondery in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify...MORE Host Guy Raz
Producer/Network Wondery
Email ****@unitedtalent.com
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 35.2KFacebook 20.3KTwitter 109.3KInstagram 104.3K Avg Length 60 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

5. Planet Money

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Wanna see a trick? Give us any topic and we can tie it back to the economy. At Planet Money, we explore the forces that shape our lives and bring you along for the ride. Don't just understand the economy understand the world.Wanna go deeper? Subscribe to Planet Money and get sponsor-free episodes of Planet Money, The Indicator, and Planet Money Summer School. Plus access to bonus content. It's a new way to support the show you love. Learn more at plus.npr.org/planetmoneyMORE Producer/Network Planet Money
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 37KFacebook 94.1KTwitter 348KInstagram 203.7K Avg Length 28 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

6. It's Been a Minute

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Has it been a minute since you heard a thought-provoking conversation about culture? Brittany Luse wants to help. Each week, she takes the things everyone's talking about and, in conversation with her favorite creators, tastemakers, and experts, gives you new ways to think about them. Beyond the obvious takes. Because culture doesn't happen by accident.If you can't get enough, try It's Been a Minute Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/itsbeenaminuteMORE Host Brittany Luse
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 9.3KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8M Avg Length 22 min Format Medium form Since Jun 2017 Get Email Contact

7. The Indicator from Planet Money

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A bite-sized show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening in today's economy. It's a quick hit of insight into money, work, and business. Monday through Friday, in 10 minutes or less.MORE Hosts Adrian Ma, Darian Woods, Wailin Wong
Producer/Network Planet Money
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 10.4KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8M Avg Length 10 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact

8. TED Radio Hour

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Exploring the biggest questions of our time with the help of the world's greatest thinkers. Host Manoush Zomorodi inspires us to learn more about the world, our communities, and most importantly, ourselves.Get more brainy miscellany with TED Radio Hour . Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/tedMORE Host Manoush Zomorodi
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@wnyc.org
Apple Rating 4.3/5Apple Reviews 27.6KFacebook 53.8KTwitter 50.8KInstagram 8M Avg Length 46 min Format Long form Since Jun 2018 Get Email Contact

9. Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

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Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture. Bullseye has been featured in Time, The New York Times, GQ and McSweeney's, which called it 'the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world.'MORE Host Jesse Thorn
Producer/Network Jesse Thorn
Email ****@maximumfun.org
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 3KFacebook 36.1KTwitter 44.6KInstagram 30.7K Avg Length 51 min Format Long form Since Jul 2013 Get Email Contact

10. Short Wave

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New discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines — in just under 15 minutes. It's science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber for science on a different wavelength.If you're hooked, try Short Wave Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/shortwaveMORE Hosts Regina G. Barber, Emily Kwong
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 6.5KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8M Avg Length 14 min Format Short form Get Email Contact

11. Throughline

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Throughline is a time machine. Each episode, we travel beyond the headlines to answer the question, 'How did we get here?' We use sound and stories to bring history to life and put you into the middle of it. From ancient civilizations to forgotten figures, we take you directly to the moments that shaped our world. Throughline is hosted by Peabody Award-winning journalists Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei.Subscribe to Throughline ...MORE Hosts Ramtin Arablouei, Rund Abdelfatah
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 16.3KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 20.9K Avg Length 46 min Format Long form Since Jan 2019 Video Podcast YouTube
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12. Here & Now Anytime

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The news you need to know today — and the stories that will stick with you tomorrow. Plus, special series and behind-the-scenes extras from Here & Now hosts Robin Young, Scott Tong and Deepa Fernandes with help from Producer Chris Bentley and the team at NPR and WBUR.MORE Hosts Robin Young, Scott Tong, Deepa Fernandes
Producer/Network WBUR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.1/5Apple Reviews 970Facebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8M Avg Length 21 min Format Medium form Since Dec 2020 Get Email Contact

13. All Songs Considered

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Since launching in 2000, All Songs Considered has been NPR's flagship program for music discovery, artist interviews and conversations with friends and fellow music lovers about the really big questions, like what was the best decade for music, are there albums everyone can agree on, and what do you put on when you need a good cry? Weekly, with host Robin Hilton and the NPR Music family.MORE Hosts Robin Hilton, Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre, Stephen Thompson
Producer/Network NPR Music
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.3/5Apple Reviews 4.2KTwitter 361.8K Avg Length 32 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

14. Code Switch

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What's CODE SWITCH? It's the fearless conversations about race that you've been waiting for. Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race with empathy and humor. We explore how race affects every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, food and everything in between. This podcast makes all of us part of the conversation — because we're all part of the story. Code Switch was named Apple Podcasts' first-ever Show of the Year in 2020.Want to level up your Code Switch game? Try Code Switch Plus...MORE Hosts Lori Lizarraga, B. A. Parker, Gene Demby, Shereen Marisol Meraji
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 15.6KFacebook 49.3KTwitter 131.8K Avg Length 33 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

15. Pop Culture Happy Hour

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Get obsessed with us. Four days a week, Pop Culture Happy Hour serves you recommendations and commentary on the buzziest movies, TV, music, books, videogames and more. Join arts journalists Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris - plus a rotating cast of guest pop culture aficionados. The Happy Hour team leaves room at the table for exploring a range of reactions and opinions on every bit of the pop universe. From lowbrow to highbrow to the stuff in between, they take it all with a shot of cheer...MORE Hosts Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, Aisha Harris
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@thisislindaholmes.com
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 12.4KFacebook 51.5KTwitter 45.9K Avg Length 21 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

16. Embedded

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NPR's home for audio documentaries brings untold stories to light through deeply reported narrative series. We go to hidden corners of the headlines to explore what's been sealed off, undisclosed, or overlooked and the people at the heart of those stories. Support in-depth storytelling that matters by subscribing to Embedded and unlock early access to new episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/embeddedMORE Host Kelly McEvers
Producer/Network Embedded
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 12.9KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8M Avg Length 30 min Format Medium form Since Mar 2016 Get Email Contact

17. Consider This from NPR

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The hosts of NPR's All Things Considered help you make sense of a major news story and what it means for you, in 15 minutes. New episodes six days a week, Sunday through Friday.Support NPR and get your news sponsor-free with Consider This . Learn more at plus.npr.org/considerthisMORE Hosts Ailsa Chang, Mary Louise Kelly, Ari Shapiro, Juana Summers, Scott Detrow
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@gmail.com
Apple Rating 4.1/5Apple Reviews 5.6KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2M Avg Length 11 min Format Short form Since Mar 2020 Get Email Contact

18. World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

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WXPN's live performance and interview program featuring music and conversation from a variety of important musicians
Host Raina Douris
Producer/Network WXPN Listener Supported Radio
Email ****@indie88.com
Apple Rating 4.2/5Apple Reviews 400Facebook 49.5KTwitter 31.5KInstagram 23.4K Avg Length 28 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

19. Invisibilia

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Unseeable forces control human behavior and shape our ideas, beliefs, and assumptions. Invisibilia—Latin for invisible things—fuses narrative storytelling with science that will make you see your own life differently.MORE Hosts Yowei Shaw, Kia Miakka Natisse
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@gmail.com
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 28.5K Avg Length 39 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

20. 1A

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Listening to the news can feel like a journey. But 1A guides you beyond the headlines and cuts through the noise. Let's get to the heart of the story, together on 1A.Support NPR and get your news sponsor-free with 1A . Learn more at plus.npr.org/the1aMORE Host Jennifer White
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@wamu.org
Apple Rating 4.3/5Apple Reviews 4.4KFacebook 67.6KTwitter 71.7KInstagram 22.6K Avg Length 44 min Format Long form Since Jan 2020 Get Email Contact

21. The NPR Politics Podcast

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Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon.Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast . Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politicsMORE Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.4/5Apple Reviews 26.6KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8M Avg Length 21 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

22. From the Top

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NPR's From the Top showcases the music, stories, and unique humor of America's best young classical musicians.
Host Peter Dugan
Producer/Network From the Top
Email ****@gmail.com
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 205Facebook 73.7KTwitter 3.3KInstagram 11.3K Avg Length 42 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

23. Alt.Latino

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The global Latinx community is evolving and growing fast. Alt.Latino is here to celebrate it and all of its nuances through music. Each episode, NPR Music's Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with a different living legend or rising star to discuss Latinx culture, heritage, and the shared borders of our experiences. Let the chisme begin!Support NPR and get your music exploration sponsor-free with Alt.Latino . Learn more at plus.npr.org/nprmusicMORE Hosts Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre
Producer/Network NPR Music
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 757Facebook 33.6KTwitter 17.9KInstagram 8M Avg Length 30 min Format Medium form Since Mar 2016 Get Email Contact

24. StoryCorps

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Stories of the human heart. A candid, unscripted conversation between two people about what's really important in life: love, loss, family, friendship. When the world seems out of hand, tune in to StoryCorps and be reminded of the things that matter most.MORE Host Kamilah Kashanie
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@storycorps.org
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 4.3KFacebook 6.3KTwitter 4.6KInstagram 2.5K Avg Length 18 min Format Short form Since Jan 2019 Get Email Contact

25. The Best of Car Talk

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America's funniest auto mechanics take calls from weary car owners all over the country, and crack wise while they diagnose Dodges and dismiss Diahatsus. You don't have to know anything about cars to love this one hour weekly laugh fest.MORE Hosts Ray Magliozzi, Tom Magliozzi
Producer/Network Car Talk
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 17.6KFacebook 500.4KTwitter 42.4K Avg Length 34 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

26. Ask Me Another

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Packed with trivia, comedy and celebrity guests, Ask Me Another is like an amusement park for your brain. Host Ophira Eisenberg and musician Jonathan Coulton take brilliant contestants on a roller coaster that'll make you laugh and scream (out the answers)—and barely anyone throws up in a trash can.MORE Hosts Ophira Eisenberg, Jonathan Coulton
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 5.3KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8M Avg Length 51 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

27. Louder Than A Riot

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Hip-hop emerged from the voices of the unheard. But freedom doesn't ring the same for everyone. Inside all corners of the culture, Black women and queer folk have dealt with the same oppression the music was built to escape. Season 2 of Louder Than A Riot examines who hip-hop marginalizes, and how misogynoir — the specific racist misogyny against Black women — is embedded into the fabric of the culture that we love...MORE Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.3/5Apple Reviews 3.3KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8M Avg Length 45 min Format Long form Since Sep 2020 Get Email Contact

28. Believed

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How did Larry Nassar, an Olympic gymnastics doctor, get away with abusing hundreds of women and girls for two decades? Believed is an inside look at how a team of women won a conviction in one of the largest serial sexual abuse cases in U.S. history. It's a story of survivors finding their power in a cultural moment when people are coming to understand how important that is. It's also an unnerving exploration of how even well-meaning adults can fail to believe.MORE Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@umich.edu
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 15.1KFacebook 56.9KTwitter 1.8KInstagram 70 Avg Length 28 min Format Medium form Since Oct 2018 Get Email Contact

29. Rough Translation

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How are the things we're talking about being talked about somewhere else in the world? Gregory Warner tells stories that follow familiar conversations into unfamiliar territory. At a time when the world seems small but it's as hard as ever to escape our echo chambers, Rough Translation takes you places.MORE Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 8.8KFacebook 3KTwitter 7.8K Avg Length 31 min Format Medium form Since Aug 2017 Get Email Contact

30. No Compromise

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Winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Audio Reporting. Discover a social media empire with an unapologetic vision of gun rights—generating millions of likes, follows, and dollars. From WAMU's Guns & America, reporters Lisa Hagen of WABE and Chris Haxel of KCUR expose how three brothers from the most uncompromising corner of the gun debate are turning hot-button issues into donations and controversy.MORE Hosts Chris Haxel, Lisa Hagen
Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.3/5Apple Reviews 2.1KFacebook 34KTwitter 23.4K Avg Length 38 min Format Medium form Since Aug 2020 Get Email Contact

31. Tiny Desk Concerts - Audio

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Tiny Desk Concerts from NPR Music feature your favorite musicians performing at All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen's desk in the NPR office. Hear Wilco, Adele, Passion Pit, Tinariwen, Miguel, The xx and many more. This is the audio version of the podcast. A video version is also available.MORE Host Bob Boilen
Producer/Network NPR Music
Email ****@bobboilen.info
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 2.6KFacebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8M Avg Length 17 min Format Short form Get Email Contact

32. The Students' Podcast

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Teachers and students, got something to say? Put on your headphones and get ready to hit record! The folks behind NPR's Student Podcast Challenge made this handy guide on how to make a podcast in the classroom. We'll talk about how to gather good sound, ask great questions and conduct smart interviews. Plus, we'll hear from the contest's judges, last year's winners and feature some pretty inspiring stories of students and teachers. It's everything you need to make an amazing podcast!MORE Producer/Network NPR
Email ****@npr.org
Apple Rating 4.2/5Apple Reviews 32Facebook 7.8MTwitter 8.2MInstagram 8M Avg Length 11 min Format Short form Get Email Contact