2023 Most Popular Podcasts
Are you looking for podcast hosts to get inspired by in 2023? Whether you’re a podcast aficionado or just starting to explore the world of 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 get inspiration. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top podcasts to listen to or be inspired by in 2023.
5 Best Podcasts of 2023
It’s a good idea to learn from the best. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of the top podcasts 2023 below:
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- The Daily
- 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 five are definitely the ones to tune into. Let’s find out some more about them.
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 2192 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 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.
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, and hosted by Michael Barbaro, 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.
Radiolab
Radiolab is a long-running podcast that combines science, philosophy, and storytelling to explore the mysteries of the world around us. Hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser, 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.
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 on Apple podcasts 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.
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).
It’s hard to choose just one episode, so here’s 5 top episodes – from OJ Simpson to Jeffrey Dahmer – you know these are going to be very interesting, and probably quite sad.
Popular Podcasts By Genre
True Crime
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 2023. If true crime is the type of podcast you’d like to start, then we suggest doing some research about the following:
- Serial,
- In The Dark,
- My Favorite Murder,
- Dr. Death,
- 90s Crime Time.
Comedy
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.
Science and Technology
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.
Politics
For a deep dive into the world of politics, check out podcasts like:
- Pod Save America,
- The Weeds,
- The Ezra Klein Show.
Fiction
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.
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
Popular Podcasts on Apple
If you’re an Apple user, chances are you’ve already explored the world of podcasts on the company’s dedicated podcast app. Get inspired by the amazing stand-up comedy, practical advice, or simply by the creative process of some of the best podcast hosts out there.
Here are some of the most popular Apple podcasts:
- I’ve Had It
- The Daily
- The Megyn Kelly Show
- Radiolab
- This American Life
- The Mel Robbins Podcast
- The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
- The Ezra Klein Show
- Dateline NBC
- Ologies
What podcast gets the most downloads?
The Joe Rogan Experience is not only the number one podcast that gets the most downloads, it’s also the number one listened-to podcast of all time. In 2023, Joe Rogan has reached the top of all charts with insightful interviews and deeply personal stories that he and his weekly celebrity guest share.
Podcast interviews are amongst the most interesting forms of podcasts, and each week’s fascinating story attracts millions of people from all across the globe.
Where Are Podcasts the Most Popular?
According to a Statista Global Customer Survey, the most popular countries and regions in the world that listen to podcasts are:
| Country/Region | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Sweden | 47% |
| Brazil | Over 40% |
| Australia | 30 to 39% |
| Spain | 30 to 39% |
| Norway | 30 to 39% |
| North America | 34% |
| UK | 31% |
| Russia | 20 to 29% |
| Argentina | 20 to 29% |
| Peru | 20 to 29% |
| Poland | 20 to 29% |
| Germany | 20 to 29% |
| Nigeria | 20 to 29% |
| South Africa | 20 to 29% |
| Saudi Arabia | 20 to 29% |
| China | 19% |
| Pakistan | 10 to 19% |
| Morocco | 10 to 19% |
| Malaysia | 10 to 19% |
| Japan | 5% |
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: Learn everything there is to know about podcaster profits
With all this talk about great podcasts, you might be thinking about creating one yourself. Why not check out our free podcast name generator and grab the perfect name for your podcast today?
Key Takeaways
As we head into 2023, 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.
Keep in mind some of the most popular shows, including Serial, The Joe Rogan Experience, The Daily, Reply All, and Radiolab. And don’t forget to check out some of the up-and-coming shows that will make a splash in 2023 and beyond — they are amazing to get inspiration from.
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!