Top 10 Best Podcasts

Top 10 Best Podcasts

Strap on your cans or pop in those buds. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Podcasts.

For this list, we’ve chosen the podcasts, whether serious or hilarious, that have flooded into the ears and minds of the population and rated them based on appeal, popularity and personal preference.

#10: “Welcome to Night Vale”
Debuted: 2012

Sit back, relax and enter the world of Night Vale. Set in a fictional town somewhere in the Southwestern United States, listeners are treated to a series of broadcasts by local radio host Cecil Gershwin Palmer, whose day to day job mostly consists of reporting on the strange and supernatural events that seem to plague the whole town. Think of every conspiracy theory you know and chances are Night Vale has probably covered it.

#9: “FriendsLikeUs”
Debuted: 2014

Marina Franklin takes on all comers in this socially-relevant comedy podcast. Every week, Franklin sits down with different guests to get to the bottom of society’s trending issues – think of it as “The View” but only with women of color. From sex to racial awareness, “FriendsLikeUs” provides an insightful weekly look at the things we just aren’t used to openly talking about. Striking a balance between depth and comedy and giving us a podcast that anyone can listen to.

#8: “The Adam Carolla Show”
Debuted: 2009

Surely one of the titans in the wide world of podcasts, this former radio show host broke a world record of episode downloads over a period of 2 years, with almost 60 million. Carolla starts every episode with a nice relaxing rant about any number of subjects, including but not limited to driving stupidities, idiots and the people he hates. What follows is an interview with a daily guest, which is usually pretty funny, or at the very least controversial. You never know with Carolla.

#7: “The Nerdist Podcast”
Debuted: 2010

Chris Hardwick began his mini media empire with this weekly podcast along with his buddies Jonah Ray and Matt Mira. The three tackle all things comedy and nerd related while taking time to interview various guests. While the guested podcasts are quite popular, die-hard fans wait with bated breath for their Hostful episodes where the three comedians get together and just talk it out. That’s when the laughs start a’ flowin.

#6: “The Rooster Teeth Podcast”
Debuted: 2008

Once known as “The Drunk Tank,” this extremely popular comedy-based podcast got its start as a quaint little weekly show about gaming where the hosts got plastered and attempted to discuss the latest news. It quickly grew into its current form as a loosely formatted show with a cast of fan-familiar hosts. Subjects include pop-culture news and maybe every now and then a reference to the gaming world. Worth a listen for any fan of the company website and its contents!

#5: “The Ricky Gervais Show”
Debuted: 2005

As early as 2005, the now rapidly growing world of podcasts got what many consider to be its very first successful show. Another Guinness World Record holder for most downloaded podcast as of 2007, this one was so successful, it moved from radio to podcast and eventually to TV in 2010. As with many things, Ricky Gervais was at the forefront of this audio show with collaborators Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington. The trio would get together and discuss a whole variety of topics...most of which involved making fun of Pilkington.

#4: “Radiolab”
Debuted: 2005

Hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich take us down a funky rabbit hole of interesting subjects. From philosophy to science, we’re treated to a delightful and sometimes psychedelic 60-minute experience featuring odd musical stings and sound effects which, according to the hosts, are meant to imitate real life and the chaos of talking in a realistic environment. Whatever the reasoning, we’re sold on this informative slice of audio goodness.

#3: “This American Life”
Debuted: 2006

This radio show/podcast focuses on a variety of topics concerning the human condition. Host Ira Glass and his team of producers set out to cover as much as possible on a specific topic and come together to present a really in depth first person account. While the show doesn’t have a single viewpoint, as it often ranges from sad to comedic, each episode has that special This American Life flare which makes it engaging.

#2: “Serial”
Debuted: 2014

Considered by many to be the best gateway podcast out there, “Serial” broke listenership records and engrossed millions with its procedural efficiency and mysterious subject matter. The premise for season 1 was: in 1999, Adnan Syed, a Baltimore Maryland teen was accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend and he has been in prison ever since. Now Sarah Koenig and her team of investigators/producers sift through decade old evidence and shaky testimonies to uncover what really happened. The podcast has proven to be so effective and pervasive it’s even got its own spoofs.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “Comedy Bang! Bang!”
Debuted: 2009
- “Freakonomics Radio”
Debuted: 2009
- “Hardcore History”
Debuted: 2006
- “The YoGPoD”
Debuted: 2009
- “Judge John Hodgman”
Debuted: 2010

#1: “WTF with Marc Maron”
Debuted: 2009

Podcast’s grumpiest, and maybe most popular host, Marc Maron releases this bi-weekly show, which focuses primarily on comedians and actors. Maron talks openly with guests about wide ranging topics such as personal struggles and life in the entertainment business. Maron is notable for not shying away from hot-button topics and has a handful of more dramatically charged podcast episodes. And it’s that poignancy that lands him right at the top of our list.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite podcast? For more easy listening Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com