14 Best Podcasts for Women

1. Call Your Girlfriend

Hosted by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, who are based in New York and LA respectively, Call Your Girlfriend is known as a “podcast for long distance besties everywhere.” Proud feminists, these two aren’t afraid to venture into topics such as body hair, how to properly use pronouns, and inequality. This makes it possibly the best girl talk podcast, and leaves you feeling like you’re part of a more personal conversation. Naturally, a lot of content also revolves around female friendships, including the science behind them and how to navigate disagreements, something we all could learn more about.

2. Encyclopedia Womannica

Women have played a critical role throughout history, despite not always being given the spotlight. This podcast changes that, giving them their well-deserved time to shine! With over 400 episodes, you can expect to find some familiar names on their episode list, as well as some new ones. You’ll also quickly notice the breadth of notable women featured, including musicians, activists, leaders, and more. You may also be taken back to BCE times, or find yourself learning about an iconic lady making a difference in the present day. Overall, this is a great podcast for women who are history buffs, or those who are looking for a new role model.

3. Almost 30

This podcast will help you get in touch with your spiritual side and gain a larger appreciation for your overall well-being. Past topics include plant medicine, recovering from burnout, and morning mindfulness. Many of their episodes also include unique guests who are experts in their field, such as holistic nutritionists, psychologists, and even some goal-chasing entrepreneurs you’ll be eager to learn from. It’s also worth mentioning that you shouldn’t be fooled by this pod’s name — this is one of the best self help podcasts for women of all ages, particularly if you are wanting to grow and add more intention to your day.

4. Charged: Stories From the Women Leading Health Care

The STEM world is full of brilliant female leaders, and this podcast hones in on those within health care. Each episode brings on a new guest, who shares their expertise on different health concerns and diseases. The wide breadth of topics includes everything from neurosurgery to racism’s impact on medical treatments. They also provide tips on how to develop a personal path to success for those pursuing a career in health care, and touch on female-specific medical concerns. As one of the best women's health podcasts, we encourage you to give it a listen — both for inspiration and for developing a healthier lifestyle.

5. Anna Faris is Unqualified

You may recognize Anna Faris from her hit CBS show Mom or the pop-culture parody Scary Movie. Now, in addition to acting, she provides her large following of podcast listeners with the rare opportunity to gain dating advice from prominent celebrities. Leading each conversation with authenticity, she helps you see a real — and raw — side to each of her guests that you may not have expected, often followed by lots of laughs. Overall, this makes for a light listen, and is easily one of the best podcasts for females (and perhaps males too), to get some joyously unqualified advice.

6. Female Criminals

This is a particularly good podcast for women who are true crime fans. Female Criminals delves into the stories of some of the world’s wildest female felons, with each woman in question receiving two dedicated episodes. This includes well-known criminals like the infamous Bonnie Parker and Manson family, as well as lesser-known thugs, pirates, and terrorists with shocking backgrounds. Beyond describing how each crime unfolds, you’re also provided with a peek inside the motivations that led to each act.

7. The Guilty Feminist

Discussions about feminism may not always involve laughter, but funny feminist podcasts like this one bring some comedy to the topic. At the start of each episode, several humorously contradictory (and relatable) statements are made by feminists. These act as a welcome segue into the main show, which features special guests who discuss a feminism-related topic alongside host Deborah Frances-White.Typically recorded live, you’ll likely find yourself laughing along with the real-time listeners, and if you desire more from Deborah you can also check out her book by the same name.

8. I, Survivor

A physical attack during an afternoon jog and a traumatic plane crash are just two of the obstacles the women in this series have had to face. This inspirational podcast for women, will take you through the pains and triumphs of each survivor’s experience, either from themselves or via a recount of their past by hosts Jenna Brister and Wagatwe Wanjuki. Select episodes also feature a specialist's analysis of the situation, providing a more clinical understanding of the adversity overcome.

9. Motherhood Sessions

Mothers do amazing things, but their work doesn’t come without challenges. That’s why this mom podcast aims to assist mothers with less-discussed and more personal hurdles they may face along their motherhood journey. Whether it’s an undesirable living situation or an awkward co-parenting dilemma, host Dr. Alexandra Sacks walks each of the women on her show through their predicament, providing her expert advice and support, making this one of the best podcasts for moms.

10. Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations

Perhaps you grew up with Oprah on TV, or avidly read her magazine. Now, you can listen to her podcast. Most episodes are a selected conversation from her previously running SuperSoul Sunday television show, highlighting her top picks from throughout the years. On the list you’ll find public figures like Nelson Mandela, Rihanna, and Gayle King. There’s also the occasional never-heard-before conversation offering insight into current events. As Oprah uses her platform to dig deep into the minds of thought leaders, it comes as no surprise that this is one of the most inspiring podcasts for women.

11. Finding Cleo

Spanning two seasons, this podcast is repeatedly applauded for its storytelling. The focus of the series is Cleo, a young Cree girl who was adopted from Canada into an American family during the time of the Sixties Scoop – the shocking practice of removing Indigenous children from their homes and communities. Now as adults, Cleo’s siblings are trying to determine her whereabouts after her mysterious disappearance. A heart-aching true story, this is not only one of the great podcasts for women, but a phenomenal and important listen for everyone.

12. Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata

In one of the best funny podcasts for women, comedian Nicole Byer — of the popular podcast Why Won’t You Date Me — and actress Sasheer Zamata invite their listeners along for their intimate catch-ups. From tattoos to dating to current events, Byer and Zamata discuss their daily lives with the ease and banter of two best friends. They also answer their listener’s friendship questions, take quizzes, and even bring on special guests like Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness and Antoni Porowski. With its cozy and fun vibe, this is the perfect podcast to put on whenever you’re itching for some girl talk.

13. Radio Cherry Bombe

Whether cooking is your passion or you’re an avid foodie, Radio Cherry Bombe will introduce you to incredible women in the food world who you’ll want to hear from. Since its start in 2014, some of the best female chefs, food critics, and food industry founders have made their way onto the show. Beyond delicious meal ideas and hot kitchen tips, they also dive into their career paths, fav restaurants, and industry updates. So grab a snack and a comfy spot — you won’t want to listen to this one on an empty stomach!

14. Women at Work

Harvard Business Review is one of the most acclaimed publications in the business world, meaning that the guidance they provide in this podcast is both uplifting and effective. Each show focuses on a challenge that women commonly face in the workplace, such as the gender wage gap, finding their voice, and even the awkwardness that can arise while trying to network. Although most of the advice can be applied to a female at any stage of her career, it is a particularly relevant working mom podcast, with discussions also highlighting balancing motherhood with work, relationships, and money.