12 Best News Podcasts of All Time
Knowing what’s going on around the world is an essential part of our information diet. But with the deluge of news every day, staying on top of it all isn’t easy. Luckily, there are plenty of news podcasts to help us figure out what’s important to know right now.
You’re probably familiar with top news podcasts like The Daily, the Bloomberg Businessweek podcast, and the NPR news podcast, but there are many more to explore.
Are you an early riser who likes your coffee with a side of morning news podcasts? Perhaps you’re a busy bee looking for short daily news podcasts to recap headlines? Or maybe you prefer to wind down the week with weekly or weekend news podcasts. With recommendations from Podyssey’s community of podcast lovers, we curated a playlist of the best news podcasts perfect for any routine and interest.
mmLast Updated: Jan 15th, 2021
1. The Daily
The New York Times The Daily podcast is hands down one of the top news podcasts of all time diving deep into the biggest stories of the moment. Whether they’re reporting on the latest political news, tech ethics or even baseball, The Daily’s team of journalists never fails to deliver the most insightful look into the latest headlines, and exclusive interviews with some of the most powerful and controversial figures of our time.
Most Recommended Episode
Why Would Anybody Claim That Birds Aren’t Real?
28:22 | Feb 9th, 2022
19 RECOMMENDATIONS
Birds Aren’t Real, a conspiracy theory with an apparently absurd premise, has become surprisingly popular in the past few years. But its followers were in on the joke: The movement’s aim was to poke ...Show More
2. Up First
Start your day with the best morning news podcast from NPR. Get informed in just 10 minutes with this NPR daily news podcast focused on US and global news. Delivered each morning at 6 am EST, it quickly summarizes the most important headlines of the day from politics to culture.
Most Recommended Episode
1:03:20 | Aug 2nd, 2020
1 RECOMMENDATION
This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which is considered to be the most important civil rights act since the 1960s. This bonus episode of Up First is brought t...Show More
3. Today, Explained
Vox explains the news at the end of the day every weekday in their best daily podcast aptly named Today, Explained. Not sure what’s exactly going on in the Middle East? Should we burn our recycling? Confused by the terms “Karen” and “BIPOC”? This non-judgemental explainer-style daily news podcast will be your life saviour. Host Sean Rameswaram will unravel the latest news stories to help you understand what’s going on in an informative yet entertaining way.
Most Recommended Episode
28:09 | Feb 13th, 2021
11 RECOMMENDATIONS
The movement to liberate Britney Spears from her conservatorship may not succeed, but it’s revealing a lot about how we treat young women. Vox’s Constance Grady explains. Transcript at vox.com/todayex...Show More
4. BBC Minute
If you’re a news junkie who wants to stay informed to the minute and thinks one daily morning news podcast is simply not enough, then BBC Minute is for you. Every half hour, BBC releases a new 60-second episode with the latest headlines in politics, sports, health, science and more. Stop pulling refresh on Twitter and get briefed on breaking news and developing stories minute-by-minute right in your ears with this quick daily news podcast instead.
5. The Takeaway
For smart critical analysis of the news, WNYC’s The Takeaway podcast has everything you’ll want. It’s one of the best news analysis and current affairs podcasts featuring thoughtful conversations with top experts and policy analysts. Whether the news cycle is focusing on police brutality, the housing crisis or the Supreme Court, get behind the meaning of the week’s headlines and understand how it will impact the future.
Most Recommended Episode
How Hollywood Harms the Dwarfism Community
15:21 | Feb 3rd, 2022
3 RECOMMENDATIONS
Last week, actor Peter Dinklage—best known for his role on Game of Thrones—appeared on the podcast WTF with Marc Maron. Dinklage talked about a lot: the evolution of his career, mainstream success, a...Show More
6. Global News Podcast
True to its name, one of the best world news podcasts is BBC Global News Podcast. It features top-notch reporting featuring the day’s top global stories from Russia to Japan -- consistently making it one of the best international news podcasts there is.
Most Recommended Episode
US overtakes China with most coronavirus cases
29:08 | Mar 27th, 2020
3 RECOMMENDATIONS
According to John Hopkins University, the United States has more than eighty-two thousand positive tests. Also: a nationwide three-week lockdown has begun in South Africa, and Russia has grounded all ...Show More
7. 60 Minutes
Tick-tock, tick-tock. This weekly news podcast needs no introduction. With the TV version being a staple in living rooms across America for decades, you can now listen to 60 Minutes as a free news podcast. Every week, you’ll be captivated by the same storytelling and the biggest scoops from the 80-time Emmy award-winning show we’ve all learned to love. There’s a reason why they boast they’re the only show (now podcast) that’s been able to interview every American president!
Most Recommended Episode
The Forgotten Queen of Romance Novels | 60 Minutes: A Second Look
39:14 | Dec 17th, 2024
1 RECOMMENDATION
In 2024, romance – a genre once relegated to the back corners of bookstores – might just be saving the publishing industry. But while more and more readers are looking for love between their covers, f...Show More
8. MarketSnacks Daily
News doesn’t have to be serious and dry, especially when it comes to business and financial news podcasts. MarketSnacks Daily brings fun into the daily news podcast format for finance and tech. Originating from a newsletter with the motto “Digestible Financial News”, the hosts don’t just read out the news in bite-sized format, but also provide refreshing commentary and fun banter on what’s happening in the business world.
Most Recommended Episode
20:09 | Oct 30th, 2018
1 RECOMMENDATION
Aggressively local salad chain Sweetgreen snagged $200M in funding to hit a $1B valuation -- and it thinks it’s a tech company. Goldman and JPMorgan decided to end sophomore winter internship intervie...Show More
10. Pivot
Ask for the best tech news podcast and Pivot is guaranteed to be one of the top suggestions. This tech podcast with a big following is hosted by even bigger personalities. Tech journalist veteran Kara Swisher and NYU strategy prof Scott Galloway offer critical takes on the latest in technology news. With a splash of dry humour, they’ll help you make sense of what’s happening in this top technology podcast, examining subjects like Big Tech, startups, tech regulations and more.
Most Recommended Episode
1:08:01 | Mar 24th, 2020
2 RECOMMENDATIONS
Kara and Scott talk about the stimulus package in limbo and the Defense Production Act. They break down how tech companies like Lyft, Airbnb and Tesla are pivoting in the COVID-19 crisis. They think A...Show More
11. The Brilliant Idiots
This comedic cultural news podcast will have you rolling on the floor howlin’. “Hip hop’s Howard Stern” Charlamagne Tha God, and his co-host comedian Andrew Schulz, peel apart the leading and obscure cultural news headlines of the week. These two brilliant idiots might start talking about latest on movies or music, but will somehow end up venturing into hilarious digressions about dinosaur bones and polyamorous relationships. This rowdy news podcast that counts Joe Rogan as a listener is the wisecrack news pod you never knew you needed.
Most Recommended Episode
2:08:02 | Dec 6th, 2018
1 RECOMMENDATION
This week Charlamange and Andrew and discuss Meek Mill's new album, Cardi B and Offset breakup, Charlamange talks about his trip to South Africa, and more!!
12. The Topical from The Onion
Lighten up your day with a short but funny daily news podcast offering parody news from the infamous satire website, The Onion. With their not-so-serious headlines and convincing so-called “podcast reporter”, you’ll probably pause and play a few times just to make sure the reporting is actually satire. Published every day at 5 pm EST, end your workday with quirky real fake news for a hearty laugh.
Most Recommended Episode
Anti-Cyberbullying Campaign Encourages Kids To Get Out There And Do It In Person
10:46 | Feb 21st, 2020
1 RECOMMENDATION
It’s the latest attempt to cut down on online abuse among middle and high schoolers. But will it work? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
