There are thousands of podcasts available, with more people becoming endlessly fascinated with the world of audio podcasts.
Whether you’re interested in creating a podcast or if you need a new series to sink your teeth into, you’re probably on the lookout for some of the best podcasts out there.
Of course, hundreds of podcasts are created every year, so it’s hard to say which ones are the best. It also comes down to personal preference and your favorite genre of podcast to determine which ones are the best.
Here is our guide to the 14 best podcasts in 2023!
Best True-Crime Podcasts 2023
#1 Serial
Serial first aired in 2014 and arguably paved the way for audio storytelling to become more mainstream. This podcast is hosted by Sarah Koenig and is produced by a New York Times Company, Serial Productions.
Each season unfolds the truth of a true-crime story, with each episode focusing on various parts of the story.
As the true-crime story spans over the course of an entire season, Serial is ideal for those who want to sink their teeth into some fantastic storytelling.
Sarah Koenig has been consistently praised for her in-depth research and investigation to look for the answers of such crimes.
#2 My Favorite Murder
My Favorite Murder has been a favorite amongst true-crime fans since its premiere in early 2016, hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark.
This podcast became a catalyst for the fantasists of true-crime podcasts thanks to its retellings of serial killers and dark crimes.
However, it’s not all darkness, as this podcast blurs the genres of comedy and true-crime with candid conversations about pets, therapy, and more.
Several spinoffs have been made as a result of the hosts’ success.
#3 Missing And Murdered
Missing And Murdered is hosted by journalist Connie Walker, who has spent more than a decade investigating the stories of missing and murdered indigenous women.
The podcast first aired in 2016, with each season telling the story of a single indigenous woman who has gone missing or been murdered.
As an indigenous woman, Connie Walker uses her podcast platform to not only tell the complex stories of such crimes and pay homage to the victims, but also to highlight the issues that fellow indigenous women face.
#4 Introducing Dirty John
Introducing Dirty John is a true-crime podcast hosted by LA Times journalist Christopher Goffard, following the life and story of John Meehan.
What started as a discovery of a murder soon became a complex and intricate story of deceit, which ultimately became a nail-biter of a podcast.
Best Comedy Podcasts 2023
#5 Why Won’t You Date Me?
Hosted by comedian Nicole Byer, Why Won’t You Date Me? is a hilarious podcast following the thrills of her love life – from the raunchy and jaw-dropping to the heartfelt and meaningful.
Each episode brings in a guest to chat about anything and everything, from therapy and grief, to existing as a Black woman in a society that rejects her.
#6 Off Menu
Off Menu is a food fanatic’s dream. Hosted by comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster, this podcast invites guests to chat through their dream menu.
Listeners are bound to have a painful stomach after listening to these episodes – both from belly laughs and those pesky hunger pains.
#7 How Did This Get Made?
How Did This Get Made? by Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzouka has been a long-running and popular podcast since 2010.
This podcast offers weekly episodes wherein the trio watches a notoriously bad movie, before ripping it apart and trying to make sense of whatever they’ve just seen.
Best Society And Culture Podcasts 2023
#8 Feeling Asian
Feeling Asian, as the name suggests, is “a podcast where two Asians talk about their feelings”. Hosted by Brian Park and Youngmi Mayer, this is an interesting podcast to listen to their experiences as Asian-Americans in the modern world.
While funny, this is an education podcast that opens up conversations about race, mental health, and more.
#9 Getting Curious
Hosted by Queer Eye’s Johnathan Van Ness, Getting Curious is a podcast about virtually any topic.
Each episode introducers a random guest depending on the topic, allowing insights into topics such as racism, the Green New Deal, queer relationships, and even owning a cat.
#10 Stuff You Should Know
If you want a podcast that’ll teach you about LSD, satanism, true-crime, Rosa Parks, the Stonewall Uprising, and chaos theory, then you need to listen to Stuff You Should Know.
Hosted by Josh Clark and Charles W. Bryant, the weekly podcast offers episodes on a wide variety of topics, doused in a healthy amount of comedic value.
#11 Dark House
Dark House is hosted by Alyssa Fiorentino and Hadley Mendelsohn, following four infamously haunted homes.
Each episode features a guest, including authors and paranormal investigators, to look into why such houses are believed to be haunted. It’s not one for the faint of heart, that’s for sure!
Best Audio Drama Podcasts 2023
#12 Dem Times
Dem Times is a drama following Samuel Adjei, a troublemaker who has been sent to a Ghanaian boarding school by his parents. Samuel then has to navigate his life as an outsider forced to grow up very quickly.
This funny coming of age story is created by Rhys Reed-Johnson and Jacob Roberts-Mensah.
#13 The Sandman
The Sandman is an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s graphic novel of the same name, following the story of The Sandman, who has been imprisoned on Earth for decades.
The cast alone is enough to listen to this podcast, featuring the likes of James McAvoy, Miriam Margolyes, Michael Sheen, Taron Egerton, Riz Ahmed, and Andy Serkis.
#14 Welcome To Night Vale
A critically acclaimed radio comedy-drama, Welcome To Night Vale is a popular podcast about a fictional town called Night Vale. This podcast is reminiscent of old-school radio dramas, and features intricate stories and updates from the townspeople.
Related Posts
Conclusion
So, there you have it! There are countless brilliant podcasts spanning across a myriad of genres, so hopefully these 14 will have given you something to sink your teeth into – at least until the next podcast binge!
