My 35 Favorite Podcasts of the Decade
“But first, Pearl Jam.”
Podcasting, podcasting, podcasting. It is a medium I am undeniably obsessed with. I adore how any interest I have is covered somewhere by a podcast. (There is a podcast dedicated to Universal Orlando Resort!) You can’t get that from any other type of art. There is something for everyone here, so long as you can figure out how to download a podcasting app.
Some podcasts, like the Book of Basketball 2.0 and Office Ladies, debuted too late to be considered for this list, but I have a good feeling they will pop up again sooner (January) and later (2029). Additionally, there are some podcasts that I enjoy, but have a personal connection to and felt weird about ranking or even including them with the rest. But I still want to give them a shoutout here. I used to co-host Three Angry Nerds. I once appeared on the Disney-themed X-S Press. My friend Cal hosts Calvin’s Canadian Cave of Cool. And my friend Jac once appeared on MuggleCast. They’re all worth checking out, for sure!
Additionally, I have my own podcast and I will shamelessly plug it here! It’s called Goodbye Mello Brick Road and every week, I talk to a different person about a top five list surrounding some topic. I did a five-hour episode with over twenty people about our top five Marvel characters back in April. It remains one of my favorite accomplishments.
Since this piece is already long enough as it is, let’s get right into the countdown!
35. Awards Chatter
From Scott Feinberg and The Hollywood Reporter, Awards Chatter is a podcast that features interviews with talent across each year’s crop of Oscar and Emmy hopefuls. For the most part, the interviews take listeners through the history of someone’s career, but every now and then, he deviates from the formula. Sometimes, this results in a success like a terrific Tom Hanks return interview or in a failure like a David Crosby temper tantrum.
34. The Halloween Haunt
There were no new episodes of The Halloween Haunt in 2019, but for many years, this was my go-to podcast to feel spooky during October. They were bite-sized episodes about a fun aspect of Halloween lore and tradition and, if it has truly parted us for good, then I will sure miss checking in with the Halloween Haunter.
33. StarTalk Radio
StarTalk Radio definitely took a dip in the past couple years by going all in on the science of sports, but there is still a lot of merit, if you want to go through the back catalog. For me, StarTalk is always most effective to listen to in the evening, when the stars are at their brightest and Neil deGrasse Tyson makes the most sense.
32. Filmspotting
One of the weekly podcasts that mainly covers the latest film releases, Filmspotting has set itself apart from the competition by also allowing its hosts, Josh Larsen and Adam Kempenaar, to delve into their personal histories with movies. A bit drier than some other movie podcasts, these two are still nowhere near pretentious and always make for engaging, edifying listens. The best part of Filmspotting is their annual Filmspotting Madness tournaments, which make for a fun way to spend March!
31. Be Our Guest
I listen to a ton of Disney podcasts and Be Our Guest is definitely one of the best. Every Monday, Mike Rahlmann interviews someone about their recent trip to a Disney park. Every Wednesday, Mike, Rikki, and Pam open up the floor to questions from their listeners. And every Friday, it’s a grab bag topic. But they are such kind, pure people who make listening about the latest happenings at Disney an undeniable treat. Over a thousand episodes into their run, they show no signs of slowing down. My personal favorite episodes they record are their live call-in shows which feature people from all over the world.
30. Pod Save America
At a certain point, there are only so many things you can podcast about politically, right? Not according to the team behind Pod Save America. Beginning as Keepin’ It 1600 on The Ringer, the show eventually evolved into its own separate animal that took on increased relevance in the era of Donald Trump. Granted, the pontificating nature of the show has lost a lot of steam as of late, but back in 2016 and 2017, there was no better source for all things politics.
29. The Director’s Cut
One of my more recent discoveries on this list, The Director’s Cut is a podcast from the Directors Guild of America and each episode provides a treat of a conversation between filmmakers. Greta Gerwig and Rian Johnson, Paul Thomas Anderson and Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee. The list goes on and on and on. It’s a nice change of pace from the typical review podcasts that come out after the release of a movie.
28. The Christmas Stocking
The Christmas Stocking, like The Halloween Haunt, has waned as of late. As such, I’ve found myself more and more drawn to the Can’t Wait for Christmas podcast. It’s still a bit too late in the decade to include it, though. The Christmas Stocking was around for so many years and brought me so much joy, that it had to be on this list, even if a return in 2019 seems rather unlikely.
27. This Is Branchburg
If it’s absurdist humor you’re after, then look no further than This Is Branchburg, a show helmed by Cory Snearowski and Brendan O’Hare. Modeled after a public access radio station that provides news, police scanner material, narrative stories, and interviews, This Is Branchburg gives an insight into a small town in New Jersey like no other podcast could. My personal favorite episode was “Everybody Wants to See My Teeth.”
26. Origins
James Andrew Miller made a name for himself by crafting oral histories of ESPN, CAA, and Saturday Night Live with Tom Shales. Then, Miller moved into the podcasting realm to delve further into SNL and ESPN, as well as explore Curb Your Enthusiasm and Sex in the City. While they all make for great listens, his interest in Curb and Sex has led to the announcement that his next oral history book will be about HBO. What this means for the attention paid to his podcast remains to be seen, but he is such a talent that I’m not even upset about the absence!
25. The Empire Film Podcast
You come to The Empire Film Podcast for the news, reviews, and director interviews. But you stay for the ideal television schedules, the “who would win” battles, and the top five list rankings. But above it all is the crew’s series of spoiler podcasts for big blockbuster movies like Star Wars: The Last Jedi and It: Chapter Two. In fact, Avengers: Endgame received five separate spoiler discussions. That’s how dedicated they are.
24. The Good Place: The Podcast
Many podcasts themed to television shows during the decade were fans of the show celebrating each episode or critics discussing the latest entries in the programs. For The Good Place, NBC really took things to the next level. They enlisted Marc Evan Jackson, who plays Shawn, to host a podcast about every episode of the show, featuring talent from it, as well. This ranged from the showrunner, Michael Schur, to the actors, including Ted Danson and Kristen Bell, to set directors, art designers, script supervisors, and more. It’s a wonderful, in-depth look at one of TV’s best shows.
23. Lore
In its infancy, Lore was brilliant. Spooky storytelling about fables and true tales, it provided a sense of mythology to podcasting. It could be a highly-stylized medium with real art and effort behind it. Aaron Mahnke proved this, even if the show’s massive success led to a bit of repetition in the show and a lack of focus going forward.
22. Pop Culture Happy Hour
NPR’s preeminent podcast for all things movies, music, books, and more is always delightful. While many review podcasts take an hour or more to get through their thoughts, PCHH rarely extends past thirty minutes. That’s how effective and economical the hosts are at delivering their thoughts on the various subjects. With a rotating fourth chair, fresh perspectives are always guaranteed on the show, too.
21. StoryCorps
Similarly, bite-sized in length, NPR’s StoryCorps podcast never fails to make me well up whenever a new episode pops into my Overcast feed. Blending stories from public figures with average citizens around one theme, StoryCorps gives you a better lens into what it means to be human and to feel for one another. If you’re looking for an episode to start with, I recommend the one with Francois Clemmons from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.
20. The /Filmcast
What elevates The /Filmcast above the other movie review podcasts is the general sense of camaraderie between Dave Chen, Jeff Cannata, Devindra Hardawar, and Peter Sciretta. You can tell their friendship is genuine and it makes their discussions much more entertaining because of it. My favorite tradition of theirs is the Summer Movie Wager, where they compete to predict the outcome of the summer box office. It has become a cherished, annual podcast!
19. You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes
Of all the comedians who turned to podcasting to bolster their profiles and talk to their comedian friends, Pete Holmes’ podcast is one of my favorites. He’s a genuinely funny and self-effacing guy and his comments could seem like a bit much in the hands of a less able interviewer. But he always seems very sincere and endearing. Whether he’s talking to Colin Hay, John Mulaney, Adam Scott, or Paula Poundstone, he always makes for a great listen. I can’t recommend his podcast enough and I appreciate that he tries to dive deeper into religion and the afterlife with every guest. It results in amazing discussions. Keep it crispy.
18. A Very Fatal Murder
A harrowing true crime podcast that will leave you feeling a number of emotions. I included it on my list of the best podcasts of 2018 and still, I hesitate to say more about it. You have to go into it blind.
17. Invisibilia
Invisibilia is an incredible podcast, which also comes from NPR. Few podcasts go as deep into psychology and the phenomenon of events that rock your world like Invisibilia does. Alix Spiegel and Hanna Rosin are also masters of the craft and it makes for an engaging listen every time. I think Invisibilia is the podcast I most consistently come away from having learned something new. Credit where it’s due, they knock it out of the park every time.
16. The Big Picture
When The Big Picture started, it was on the Channel 33 feed for The Ringer. There, The Ringer’s top film critic, Sean Fennessey, would interview filmmakers and actors from across the industry. Now, the show has definitely expanded beyond what I ever expected from it. The podcast has themed episodes around actors like Brad Pitt or directors like Martin Scorsese. Fennessey devoted the month of April in 2019 to Marvel movies. And the week always starts with him and Amanda Dobbins discussing the latest developments in the Oscar race. Every episode is a delight to listen to when you’re a bona fide movie fan!
15. Serial
Few things were as big a deal during the past decade as Serial was. Credited by Scott Aukerman as “the first podcast,” it became mainstream and a household name. Has any other podcast been able to do that? While the case of Adnan Syed remains in limbo, I’m sure none of us will forget how much we talked about Best Buy payphones back in the winter of 2014.
14. Radiolab
Radiolab is a great podcast that answers questions you never even knew you had. Educational, informative, and fun all the same, time spent listening to Radiolab is time spent becoming a more thoughtful person in this world.
13. Binge Mode
Binge Mode! Subscribe to Binge Mode and take a journey into some of the most imaginative worlds around. Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion have taken listeners into The Good Place, the Land of the Dead, and Asgard. But their deepest dives came when they brought us right into the hearts of Westeros, Hogwarts, and a galaxy far, far away. For comprehensive analysis about some of our favorite nerd-out stories, you cannot do better than Binge Mode.
12. The Weekly Planet
Speaking of all things nerd culture, The Weekly Planet offers you a regular helping of red hot comic book movie news. Over the years, they’ve evolved far beyond Marvel and DC movies, though. Now, every nerd topic under the sun is covered and some topics that have nothing to do with that culture and everything to do with being a populist movie fan in the modern era. They are always hilarious and irreverent and their Australian accents make it all better. Somehow, they make a reading and a discussion of weekly news extremely engaging and a must-listen.
11. WTF with Marc Maron
Marc Maron’s been doing this a while. He practically got in on the ground floor of podcasting and he has flourished ever since. Well over one thousand episodes now, Maron might not even have anyone left to interview. But it’s always good to check in on someone who is more emblematic of our current cultural climate than it might seem on the surface. And he always knows how to get some really compelling moments out of his guests. These aren’t boiler plate interviews or a simple “get to know ya” chat. These are real conversations and they represent the beauty of podcasting. It feels like we’re right in the garage with them. Like we’re their friends.
10. Ask Me Another
This is the highest ranking NPR podcast on my list. And for good reason, too! It takes a game show format while also featuring celebrity interviews. (Jason Mraz even popped up once!) In addition to playing at home, you can also just listen to the fun-loving atmosphere cultivated every week. What’s more, the contestants are never cringey! That’s so refreshing! Plus, Ophira Eisenberg is a very funny host and her sidekick, Jonathan Coulton, is also a dynamite singer.
9. The Watch
The Watch has undergone some changes in the past year or so. Back when Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald hosted Hollywood Prospectus for Grantland, it seemed like their rapport was too good to be true. In some ways, this was true, as Greenwald eventually landed a show on USA entitled Briarpatch. To make the show, it took him away from the podcast booth for months on end in 2019. Ryan held down the fort while Greenwald was away and fans’ fears that the show would end were quelled. Greenwald called in as much as possible and now he’s back on the podcast regularly. In a recent New York Times profile, he spoke about how the podcast allows him to talk to Chris twice a week and maintain that friendship. That’s what it’s all about, Baranskis.
8. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text kind of came out of nowhere and I don’t even remember how I heard about it. But now, it’s become a staple of my life. Two Harvard Divinity School professors, Vanessa Zoltan and Casper ter Kuile, break down a chapter of Harry Potter every week, treating it like it as a sacred text. It has made for an excellent template to conduct my own reread upon. But right now, they’re almost halfway through Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. With only a book and a half left to go, I’m not sure what I’ll do without them in my life every week anymore.
7. WDW Radio
Try to find a more genuine or kinder podcast host than Lou Mongello. I don’t believe you can. And that’s why his Walt Disney World (and more) specific podcast has resonated with so many, even beyond the Disney fan community. It’s become a top travel podcast because of how endearingly passionate Lou is about every subject he discusses, whether it’s a live food review, an interview with Kevin Feige, or a ranking of his ten favorite things about Epcot with Little Timmy Foster. Few podcasts make me as happy as Lou’s does and I always feel cheery when I hear the opening strands of “WDW Radio, your information station,” sung jauntily with an upbeat piano underscore. Just so lovely in every way.
6. Modern Love
Many podcasts predicate themselves on the idea that you know what you’re going to get from them every week. But not Modern Love. Some podcasts have me laughing, some have me crying, and some have me contemplating the meaning of life. If that’s not good listening material, then I don’t know what is. The conceit of the show is that celebrities come on the podcast to read acclaimed pieces from the Modern Love column of The New York Times. Then, Meghna Chakrabarti and Daniel Jones will discuss the column and reconnect with the person who wrote it. As good a twenty minutes as you’ll find anywhere, week in and week out.
5. The Rewatchables
Whenever Bill Simmons would talk about movies on his podcast with Chris Ryan or Sean Fennessey or Wesley Morris, it always left me craving more. I loved the way they talked about movies and I felt like it perfectly fit in with my own cinematic sensibilities. Fortunately, The Ringer eventually moved forward with The Rewatchables, which has become a must-listen for me whenever a new episode drops. The conceit of the podcast is that a panel of Ringer writers will discuss a rewatchable movie, evaluating it under the lens of categories with a conversational preface. It is a delight every time, even when they pick movies I’m not fond of, like Bloodsport. But when they bring out the big guns for something like The Shining or The Departed, it always makes for a delightful listen. Now, the podcast has expanded to include filmmakers like Bill Hader and Aaron Sorkin. The future is bright.
4. Comedy Bang! Bang!
Comedy Bang! Bang! is always so effortlessly great, even though it seems apparent that so much effort goes into every episode. I can’t imagine how challenging it is to maintain an improvisational podcast for an hour and a half or more every week, but Scott Aukerman is unbelievably gifted at doing so. Over the past decade, there have been many of classic episodes with big laughs and fun traditions and deliriously amazing inside jokes. Just to address some of my favorites, I love Neil Campbell’s Time Keeper, Mike Hanford’s John Lennon, Lauren Lapkus’ Ho Ho the Naughty Elf, and Jon Gabrus’ Gino. Additionally, Jason Mantzoukas always makes for a fun appearance on the show. Here’s to another ten years!
3. The Bill Simmons Podcast
I have written a great deal about my love of both Simmons and his podcast here. But I still had to include it in the ranking, of course. Between this and Inside the Magic, it’s how I got into podcasts in the first place. Simmons has a real knack for it and his three episodes per week are always compelling discussions that I can’t wait to listen to. He never gets old for me! That’s a testament to his ability in itself.
2. The Poscast
The Holiday Characters draft that took place on The Poscast last year might be the funniest and best podcast episode I have ever heard, let alone from the past decade. It featured creator of The Good Place Michael Schur, sportswriter Joe Posnanski, NPR critic Linda Holmes, Rolling Stone critic Alan Sepinwall, MLB pitcher Brandon McCarthy, star of Parks and Recreation Nick Offerman, and former showrunner of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Mike DiCenzo. And it is the most fun I’ve ever had in an hour and a half of podcasting. This is only one example of how great The Poscast can be. With drafts, Cleveland Browns check-ins, and general discussions about nonsense, The Poscast, which typically features just Schur and Posnanski, does not come around often. But when it does, it is an absolute treasure.
1. U Talkin’ U2 to Me? / R U Talkin’ R.E.M. Re: Me?
I went back and forth between this and The Poscast for my number one choice, but I ultimately leaned towards the talents of Adam Scott Aukerman because of their rapport not only being a hilarious one, but also an informative one. This blended education with music with comedy like no other podcast could ever hope to do. They are two of my favorite personalities and they have helped bolster U2 and R.E.M. as two of my favorite bands. Yes, die hard fans of these bands are often dismayed by the ninety minute riffing session that Scott and Aukerman have, but they always adore those final thirty minutes of genuine music discussion. This podcast accompanied me during a number of special times in my life and, for that, I am grateful, grateful, grateful.
Thank you podcasts for coming with me wherever I go. I’ve been to Australia with Pete Holmes and Dave Chen. I’ve been to California with Sean Fennessey. I’ve been to Florida with Andy Greenwald and Chris Ryan. It’s been special to have these hosts in my life during seminal outcomes and during the mundane everyday occurrences. I feel like I know you and I hope, through this list, everyone else can get to know you, too. So keep it crispy.
Check out my previous “Best of the Decade” lists!
