Sometimes the state of political affairs or just your own mental state will not let you catch a break. That’s where the right kind of podcast comes in handy as a true lifeline for desperate times.
Podcasts can be incredible tools for coping. Whether they serve as your friends to get you through bouts of depression or as the voices who can lull you to sleep when all else fails, your favorite podcast is there for you — rain or shine. They help us feel connected to one another, even when the divisive social climate makes us feel completely disconnected and alienated. As an audio medium, they’re also a great way to immerse yourself in distracting media without the need to look at a screen. That’s ideal for when your eyes are ready to pop out of your head from too much doomscrolling.
Whatever the situation causing that inescapable stress or sadness is, everyone needs the occasional fun distraction or engrossing escape from reality. Now, that doesn’t mean we’re advocating for wholesale disengagement from important current affairs altogether. Distractions are temporary escapes, meant to provide the necessary mental break we need to regain our strength so we can then continue to care about the crucial but exhausting issues all around us.
But for now, do yourself a favor. Give yourself the gift of tuning out the world for an hour or so. You can do that with everything from deep dives into our favorite imaginary worlds, improv comedy from an alternate dimension, immersive fictional audio narratives, binge-worthy investigations, or just simply vibing with fun people.
Here are our picks for some of the best podcasts that are perfect for taking a life-affirming break from the hell zone.
Deep dives into the worlds we love
Because sometimes escape means going down deep rabbit holes of analysis into the fiction and art that help restore our faith in humanity and bond over shared joy.
Binge Mode
Binge Mode changed the game for podcasting and fan discourse alike, elevating both with serious analysis, DEEP (deep) research, and silly headcanon. The wildly popular Ringer podcast hosted by Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion first began as a deep dive into every episode and chapter of Game of Thrones, only to then tackle the entire Harry Potter and Star Wars universes. Now they’re exploring the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, right before Concepcion departs to start a new adventure with the Pod Save America team. You come to Binge Mode first for its perfect balance of critique and fandom, but you stay for the unmatched chemistry, banter, and friendship. Like Rubin is want to do, you might even find yourself shedding a tear at the thought of this heartfelt formula changing, but we’re sure whatever comes next for Binge Mode and its maesters won’t disappoint.
The Lonely Palette
Art is meant to “fill the well,” so to speak, breathing some life back into our exhausted souls. The Lonely Palette certainly delivers on that, thanks to host Tamar Avishai’s commitment to returning “art history to the masses.” Each episode delves into a famous painting, weaving together social and historical context alongside illuminating interpretations and meaning-making. Unlike most art history analysis, though, you won’t need a college degree to appreciate Lonely Palette. At a time when museums are closed, Avishai’s public service is two-fold, helping more folks connect with some of humanity’s greatest creative achievements without the usual ivory tower or glass barriers.
Imaginary Worlds
Ironically, Eric Molinsky’s Imaginary Worlds — exploring fantasy and science fiction storytelling across all mediums — is one of the podcasts most firmly grounded in our real world. But that’s exactly what makes it so great. By diving into the real-world forces that underpin our most beloved fictional universes, Molinsky helps us grapple with crucial social issues ranging from fascism to racism. But it’s all done from the safe distance of make-believe. Escapism, he proves, is hardly ever about turning away from our harsh realities. If anything, it’s about seeing them from a different perspective, so we can learn something about our world, ourselves, and each other in the process.
The Rewatchables
Another great Ringer pop culture deep dive, The Rewatchables takes more of the roundtable approach to hilarious yet insightful discussions around staff-favorite films. Spearheaded by founder Bill Simmons, other series regulars include critics Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan, and Juliet Litman dissecting exactly what makes each pick so damn rewatchable. While the archive includes over 150 movies, my biggest gripe is that the catalog is overwhelmingly skewed to the tastes of its dude-bro contributors. Other regulars like Litman, Amanda Dobbins, and Mallory Rubin add some much-needed balance, though, not only by offering their often differing perspectives but also giving more underrepresented genres like the rom-com the Rewatchable’s treatment they deserve.
Thirst Aid Kit
[From our Best Sex, Relationship, and Dating Podcasts roundup] “Thirst Aid Kit is a beacon of love, light, and (of course) unquenchable thirst. Through in-depth discussions on romance in pop culture, hosts Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins dive into the bottomless pool of women’s desires. While the conversation stays light and humorous, they also get to the heart of underlying issues surrounding representations of romance, from why it awakens our thirst to who it excludes. Adewunmi and Perkins create a beautiful space for normalizing the desire of women (particularly women of color), questioning social scripts while envisioning a world of healthier love with more unbridled passion.” [Note: At the time of publication, Thirst Aid Kit recently announced its end as a weekly podcast. But it’s backlog offers hours upon hours of timeless enjoyment.]
The Connect
The newest addition to the Ringer’s oeuvre, The Connect has a simple yet offbeat conceit: Hosts Jason Concepcion and Shea Serrano each pick a movie to debate an unexpected connection they share. Take the theme of asshole boyfriends, for example, which set off a lively discussion on the shared commonalities between 10 Things I Hate About You and Wedding Crashers. Basically the Epic Handshake meme of podcasts, though, The Connect‘s greatest triumph isn’t so much any serious analysis, but rather the unbeatable repartee. It’s like listening to two of your friends gleefully argue over a hill that doesn’t matter but both are willing to die on. Ultimately, the real connection isn’t in the films, but the friendships made along the way to winning a meaningless competition.
Soul Music
Like The Lonely Palette, BBC Radio’s Soul Music fills the well of your wearied spirit through potently human art. Spotlighting a classic soul song each week, the series delves not only into its historical context and significance, but also interviews everyday people with emotional stories about the song’s impact on their lives. A fair warning: Some of those stories are heavy on potentially triggering subject matters. But the end result is a beautiful catharsis of both creator and listener healing through the power of one of America’s greatest, most influential genres of music.
Just hangin’ out
It’s a terrible time to be alone while dealing with the stress of the world. So let these podcasts keep you company, whether it’s through casual chats, compelling mysteries, or scientific explorations.
Why Won’t You Date Me?
If hanging out with Nicole Byer, comedian and host of Nailed It!, doesn’t send you instantly to a better mental space — we don’t know what will. Her new podcast launched in 2020 was intended to be more wholesale focused on her dating life. But then the pandemic hit. That didn’t stop her from still having one of the best Just Vibing style podcasts with various other hilarious guests. At the end of each episode, Byer asks said guest if they would date her and our answer is YES GOD PLEASE YES!
Table Manners with Jessie Ware
[From our Best Chatty, Cheerful Podcasts for Social Distancing roundup] “Each episode, singer Jessie Ware and her mum Lennie cook up a storm and host a dinner party with a celebrity special guest, including the likes of Sam Smith, Nigella Lawson, Emilia Clarke, and HAIM. The format makes for absolutely delightful listening. It’s basically like being a fly on the wall at an A-list dinner party where the food is absolutely top-notch as is the intimate conversation. If you love food and a good natter, then this is right up your street. My fave episode features Alan Carr chatting about Adele hosting his wedding.”
The Receipts Podcast
[From our Best Chatty, Cheerful Podcasts for Social Distancing roundup] “Are you feeling a bit lonely for your friends? Then The Receipts Podcast will make you feel like you’re sitting with your mates. The Receipts is hosted by three women — Tolani (Tolly) Shoneye, Audrey Indome, and Milena Sanchez — who chat about relationship dilemmas and dramas in a hilarious, unfiltered way. As Indome once put it, the podcast is ‘an unfiltered girl chat, it’s a WhatsApp group chat come to life.'”
Ologies with Alie Ward
[From our Best Science Podcasts roundup] “If you want to dig into the niches of study that professionals choose to dedicate their lives to, check out Ologies with science correspondent and humorist Alie Ward. Each episode, Ward takes on a different “ology,” from conventional ones like palaeontology and molecular neurobiology, to more niche ones like philematology (the study of kissing).”
The Mystery Show
[From our Best Podcasts to Binge roundup] “Mystery Show is a delightfully alternative way of seeing the world’s (seemingly) unanswerable questions. The antithesis of your typical unsolved mystery or conspiracy podcast, The Mystery Show turns mundane cases of the unexplained into riveting, hilarious, and deeply human radio. This American Life veteran Starlee Kine is a fearless mystery-solver unlike any other, with evidently endless amounts of curiosity and dedication to figuring out the most innocuous unexplained phenomenons that keep her up at night.
Here Be Monsters
[From our Best Podcasts to Fall Asleep To roundup] “Hosts Jeff Emtman and Bethany Denton immerse you in the strange and unseen parts of our unknowable world. While most episodes are grounded in reality, each is a sumptuous soundscape of auditory hallucinations exploring the thin line between what’s real and imagined.”
On Being
[From our Best Podcasts to Fall Asleep To roundup] “Krista Tippett wants to get to the bottom of everything human, from the spiritual to the scientific. Every week she interviews a new person who can speak to vastly different aspects of life’s biggest questions. The podcast and interview style Is best suited to people who enjoy something conversational rather than a crafted narrative.”
The salve of a spooky tale
For some of us, anxiety over one horrifying uncertainty is only cured by engrossing ourselves in a different chilling unknown. Whether it’s the paranormal, mysterious, mythic, or bloody, these storytelling podcasts are sure to keep your mind occupied.
Noble Blood
Every other week, Dana Schwartz’s Noble Blood tells a true story of murder, betrayal, and blood to come out of noble classes from all around the world and across history. It’s not always the rich who wind up bloodied, since they’re often the ones with the power to act brutally without impunity. Regardless, each 30-minute tale is a piece of well-crafted storytelling.
Snap Judgment Presents: Spooked
[From our Best Podcasts for Horror Fans roundup] “Host Glynn Washington is one of the best storytellers in podcasting, which is why the regular Snap Judgment podcast is also well worth a listen. Spooked originally ran as a limited series throughout October on Snap Judgment, with tales of the paranormal told by those who experienced it themselves. The limited-run horror podcast was so popular that it became its own full-blown spin-off, delighting horror and oral storytelling fans alike.”
The Hidden Djinn
American audiences rarely hear about the djinn, which is our loss since they’re one of the most fascinating creatures of ancient mythologies still believed in to this day. As host Rabia Chaudry tells it, to the many billions of people from Islamic cultures around the world, the djinn are a powerful race of beings we’ve been living alongside for centuries. Our closest American equivalent would be ghosts, but that comparison fails to capture the magnitude of the djinn, who are as diverse in character and type as human beings and an ever-present element of day-to-day life. By delving into the lore, Chaudry teaches listeners not only about their history but of the people and cultures they’re inextricably connected to.
The Last Podcast on the Left
[From our Best True Crime Podcasts of All Time roundup] “Let this rag-tag team of true crime podcasting legends take you on heavily researched deep dives into all things serial killers, cults, conspiracies, and the ‘spooky gooky.’ The very popular Last Podcast on the Left covers true crime with cavalier and often flat out revolting gross-out humor, which either is or is not for you. Admittedly an acquired taste, there’s no denying that Last Podcast on the Left goes places few other true crime podcasts would touch with a 10-foot pole (maybe for good reason)… While you shouldn’t take anything hosts Henry Zebrowski, Ben Kissel, or Marcus Parks say too seriously, they take their jobs very seriously with their own brand of rigor. Always thoroughly entertaining and researched, every topic covered gets the full Last Podcast on the Left treatment, whether it’s L. Ron Hubbard, JonBenét Ramsey, or the cryptozoological search for bigfoot.”
Supernatural
[From our Best Podcasts of 2020 roundup] “True crime fans will recognize host Ashley Flowers from her wildly popular podcast Crime Junkie. Supernatural mimics that format almost to a T, but allows Flowers to investigate the more surreal and out-of-this-world cases and events that don’t fit the Crime Junkie oeuvre. There are no neat answers here, but you’ll be enthralled by her storytelling on everything from the inexplicable deaths of nine young Russian teens on a hiking trail (aka the Dyatloz Pass case) and allegedly leaked documents from the U.S. government’s top-secret task force on the 1947 Roswell crash. The FBI has called out documents related to the so-called Majestic 12 task force as fake.”
Astonishing Legends
[From our Best Podcasts to Fall Asleep To roundup] “Covering everything from the paranormal to the historic, Astonishing Legends‘ Scott Philbrook and Forest Burgess feel like listening to your dad excitedly babble about some weird new thing he just got into. Long-winded and heart-warmingly earnest, their multi-part deep dives create a safe space for your mind to half-listen to thoroughly researched topics you’d never bother learning about on your own.”
Lore
[From our Best Podcasts to Fall Asleep To roundup] From the first tinkling piano chords of this podcast’s intro music, you know you’re in good hands. Andrew Menke built a career around reviving and revisiting fables and legends, reminding listeners about the power of the oral storytelling tradition.
Crime Junkie
[From our Best True Crime Podcasts of All Time roundup] “Crime Junkie tells captivating, binge-worthy, often undercovered true crime stories with weekly episodes on different murders, missing persons, mysterious deaths, and serial killers. It is exactly what it sounds like, and can turn even those who don’t think true crime is their thing into bonafide obsessives. What I appreciate most about the show is that, rather than focus on the killers, it often tells the story from the victims’ or loved ones’ points-of-view. They are careful to portray the person they were before becoming a victim, addressing what so often feels morally unsettling about loving true crime while also bringing new outlooks to infamous cases. Where Crime Junkie shines most though is in covering cases beyond your usual Missing White Girl. Shedding light on victims too often overlooked — with episodes on women in the military, the women of Juarez, Mexico, victims of color, and sex workers — hosts Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat ask their audience to be active in seeking justice for the forgotten.”
Immerse yourself in other people’s stories
Distractions from your current reality don’t need to ignore the tough parts of being human altogether. These podcasts will take your mind off of current affairs through intimate explorations of other folks’ realities.
Heavyweight
We all have that one regret — that one chance, moment, or act — that might’ve changed everything. But we just didn’t take it. Gimlet’s Jonathan Goldstein is on a mission to chase down those “what if’s” in peoples lives, to help them get some closure if not definitive answers. From estranged family reunions to bumpy roads less traveled, each episode of Heavyweight follows one person’s journey in looking back with the hopes of moving forward.
The Habitat
[From our Best Podcasts to Binge roundup] “This is for those who want to escape to a different planet without getting too far away from home. At its essence, The Habitat is like if NASA did a season of Big Brother. Six contestants (aka volunteers) elect to participate in an experiment where they play the part of a crew of astronauts living on Mars. For a full year, these six strangers share very close quarters while simulating a space mission that’s actually stationed on a remote mountain in Hawaii. Host Lynn Levy takes us through their experiences using the audio diaries each had to log daily. It’s a mix of existential contemplations and some good-old-fashioned reality TV human drama.”
Root of Evil
[From our Best Podcasts to Binge roundup] “This jaw-dropping and uniquely personal podcast investigates one of the most infamous murders in American history. Despite being a connoisseur of grisly true-crime, I’ve never encountered anything like Root of Evil before. It left this murder aficionado both audibly gasping and uncontrollably weeping. Root of Evil is as much a first-hand account of devastating generational family trauma as it is a riveting investigation into the infamous Black Dahlia murder that rocked Los Angeles in 1947. Sisters Rasha Pecoraro and Yvette Gentile take us along on their journey to unravel the web of fatal lies and horrifying abuses that has haunted their family for decades. At the center of it all is George Hodel, with questions of not only his own evil but what being born into evil means for the innocent people raised by him. Don’t worry if you find the first couple episodes hard to follow, because it’s all part of experiencing this disorienting family saga.”
The Dream
If podcasts about money stuff aren’t your vibe, do not hold that against the amazing The Dream podcasts. This riveting investigation into the growing trend (and long history) of multi-level marketing schemes manages to be both critically informative and deeply personal. Host Jane Marie grounds her dive into the insidiousness of how these “pyramid-like” (if you will) business models work by reporting on its stronghold over her hometown near Flint, Michigan. She interviews friends and family, providing an intimate understanding of the predatory psychology behind why these companies target women in economically struggling communities today.
This is Love
[From our Best Sex, Relationship, and Dating Podcasts roundup] “Phoebe Judge’s dulcet tones are probably best known for hosting Criminal, a true-crime interview podcast that tells unexpected and personal stories around criminality (which we covered in our Best True Crime Podcasts of All Time roundup). Judge takes a similar approach with This is Love, unraveling the mysteries of strong connection by examining all the idiosyncratic forms it can take. She’s one of the best storytellers in the game, covering everything from the more traditional tales of romantic hardship, to a lifelong friendship sparked by an NYC woman’s love for birds, or even an Italian town that loves only ugly things.”
Modern Love
[From our Best Sex, Relationship, and Dating Podcasts roundup] “The Modern Love New York Times column featuring true stories of ‘love, loss, and redemption’ has become so popular that it has inspired both a podcast and an Amazon Prime show spin-off. The weekly podcast is simply a reading of their best stories, with regular performances from celebrities like Kate Winslet, Uma Thurman, Angela Bassett, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Sterling K. Brown.”
Fictional escapes from reality
Realism can be so overrated. This variety of fictional podcasts range from low-stakes improv to full-fledged docudramas. They may not be true stories — but there’s something very human in each. Plus, there may be a perfect podcast among them to provide you a well-needed break from reality.
Everything is Alive
As the title suggests, in this podcast everything — literally every thing — leads a fascinating life. In each 15-20 minute episode, host Ian Chillag interviews a different inanimate object about their existence. You’d think there wouldn’t be much to learn from a grain of sand or Sharpie. But with the help of talented guests improvising the sentience of said inanimate items, you leave every interview with a deep sense of the simultaneous absurdity and beauty of being alive in this world.
Hello From the Magic Tavern
Similar in structure to Comedy Bang Bang, since 2015 this spin-off of improvised comedy has been telling the serialized adventures of a growing cast of creatures getting loaded at a tavern. Oh, and they’re in an alternate dimension fantasy land called Foon. Host Arnie Niekamp quite literally fell into the world through a black hole, but luckily had his microphone and still gets WiFi (for some reason). Filled with wizards and monsters just going about their business, series regulars include Usidore (Matt Young), Chunt the badger (Adal Rifai), and Craig (Ryan DiGiorgi), who are often joined by special guests from the comedy and gaming world like Justin McElroy. You don’t have to start from the beginning by any means, but it might benefit from starting from the current season’s premiere.
Limetown
[From our Best Podcasts for Horror Fans roundup] “Limetown nails the true crime investigative podcast vibe so thoroughly it’s easy to get so immersed that you actually start believing this audio drama is real. Fictional reporter Lia Haddock takes you on her perilous journey to get to the bottom of what happened in a small Tennessee town, after a mysterious incident years ago caused the sudden disappearance of all 300 of its residents. We won’t spoil any more of this horror podcast’s gripping plot. But trust us when we say this bit of horror fiction is perfect for those who love true crime but usually struggle to get into fictional podcasts.”
Tanis
Tanis is for the fans of other fictional podcasts like The Black Tapes and Welcome to Nightvale, as it threads the needle of magical realism, blurring the line between truth, make-believe, and the fun kind of conspiracy. Another serialized story that began in 2015, you definitely need to start from the beginning because this is a sprawling, intricate, evolving puzzle box of a story that combines real-life incidents of the unexplained with the fictionalized narrative of host Nic Silver hunting down a mysterious legend known as Tanis.
Borrasca
[From our Best Podcasts of 2020 roundup] “Even if you’re not usually a fan of fictional storytelling podcasts, you need to give Borrasca a try. This magical realism-like scary story revolves around a string of disappearances in a small Missouri town with dark secrets and traditions. You follow the journey of Sam Walker across two different timelines. After his sister Whitney goes missing, he and his teen friends try to solve the mystery of various disappearances and their potential connection to local legends. But that story is framed as a story he’s telling his parole officer after what he uncovered led to severe drug addiction and prison time.”
Phoebe Reads a Mystery
[From our Best Podcasts of 2020 roundup] “We here at Mashable are unapologetic Phoebe Judge stans. If, like us, you fell in love with her ASMR-esque voice that inspires calm even while she’s describing violent crimes in her podcast Criminal, you’ll love this new one too. Throw Agatha Christie into the mix, and you’ve got one of the best new podcasts to fall asleep to or enjoy while otherwise relaxing. Phoebe Reads a Mystery is exactly what it sounds like,” and she’s taken readers through stories ranging from Agatha Christie to Dracula and Jane Eyre.
Nothing Much Happens
[From our Best Podcasts to Fall Asleep To roundup] “Described as a ‘soft landing spot for your mind,’ Kathryn Nicolai tells much shorter and more meditative stories. As the title suggests, not a lot happens. And when she’s done, she reads it again, but slower. So there’s no danger here of staving off sleep because you’re too interested.”
Forget everything with some funnies
Nothing melts away stress like a good laugh. Or, as they say, you gotta laugh to keep from crying, right?!
Scam Goddess
[From our Excellent Podcasts with Black Hosts roundup] “The greatest scam Laci Mosley’s ever pulled is stealing my heart right out of my chest with her hysterical podcast on frauds. As the never-ending season of the scam has shown, there’s nothing more American than a grift. Making the best out of the worst behavior, this comedian and actress is reigning queen of her own sub-genre: ‘true fun crime.'”
A Very Fatal Murder
[From our Best Podcasts to Binge roundup] “Jumping on the true-crime podcast success bandwagon (some of which we’ve covered here), A Very Fatal Murder is a pitch-perfect satire of the phenomenon. This Onion podcast goes after everyone — from self-aggrandizing cold-case solvers like Up and Vanished‘s Payne Lindsey, to the sometimes overwrought Bigger Picture Cultural Analysis popularized by Serial and S-Town, and above all the deeply uncomfortable question of victim exploitation embedded in our obsession with true crime. Like an audio version of Netflix’s similarly brilliant American Vandal, A Very Fatal Murder is a hilarious yet necessarily harsh look in the mirror.”
Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast
[From our Best Comedy Podcasts roundup] “If you’re looking for a classic comedy podcast with good improv, Comedy Bang Bang is the podcast for you. It began airing in 2009 and the podcast remains one of today’s great hubs where improv comedians can come and flex their skills. Host Scott Aukerman talks with an ever-rotating cast of talented improv comedians doing ridiculous characters, so you never know what might happen in any given episode. And Comedy Bang Bang is also a great way to learn about other amusing podcasts, so it might help you find your next listen.”
Doughboys
[From our Best Comedy Podcasts roundup] “If you love talking about food, thinking about food, learning about food, and can often be found watching The Food Network, you need the Doughboys podcast in your life. Since 2015, comedians and co-hosts Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger have been reviewing chain restaurants — from your favorite fast food spots to sit-down dining. In addition to delightful food banter and hilarious recurring segments, each episode also features a comedy or celebrity guest. Past guests have included D’Arcy Carden, Gillian Jacobs, Ike Barinholtz, Lauren Lapkus, Jason Mantzoukas, and more. The only thing better than enjoying some good food is enjoying some good food and some good company.”
This Is Branchburg
[From our Best Podcasts to Binge roundup] “This is Branchburg is an experiment into sketch comedy podcasting from Brendan O’Hare and Cory Snearowski, co-produced by Tim Heidecker (of Tim & Eric fame). Each 15-20 minute episode offers various windows into the lives of fictional citizens from a small New Jersey town — like an existential milkman contemplating being the last of his kind and pining for the good old days when people used to respect the government recommended eight glasses of milk a day. In the same way podcasts like Comedy Bang Bang paved a path for improv in comedy podcasting, This is Branchburg feels like it could do the same for scripted sketch shows.”
Oh, Hello: the P’dcast
[From our Best Podcasts of 2020 roundup] “Dear celebrities: Instead of “helping” through video montages showing solidarity from within your mansions, do what John Mulaney and Nick Kroll did instead. Cure your boredom by making a podcast that’s actually useful and brings some much-needed laughter into our lives. Oh, Hello forgoes any sponsorship to instead encourage listeners to donate to COVID-19 relief charities. If you’re unfamiliar, the comedy podcast is based on a running bit the two comedians brought to Broadway and then Netflix. In the podcast version, their elderly New Yorker alter egos Gil Faizon and George St. Geegland “investigate” Princess Di’s death by asking famous people who have nothing to do with the event to speak to it. Guests range from podcasting legends Ira Glass and Sarah Koening to Actual British Person John Oliver.”