As podcasting continues to rise in popularity, it’s no wonder that there are now well over 3 million podcasts in publication serving a market that’s estimated as close to 500 million people. Additionally, eMarketer’s February 2024 forecast said that podcast listeners in the U.S. will spend an average of 54 minutes per day tuned into programming this year.
If you’re looking for your next favorite podcast, or maybe you’re ready to give listening to podcasts a try for the first time, I’ve compiled a list of the podcasts that our team here at AAE Speakers Bureau recommends. From news and pop culture to true crime and comedy, there’s a little something here for everyone.
- The Toast
Welcoming listeners with their signature upbeat greeting, “Good Morning Millennials,” Jackie and Claudia Oshry cover the “Fast 5” – entertainment news and stories that you need to know on every weekday. The duo are not just co-hosts and co-producers; they also co-founded the podcast network, Toast News Network, which features predominately female voices across entertainment, lifestyle, wellness, and business.
Why Mandy Lubrano, Vice President, and Katie Carson, Senior Sales Executive, both rave about this podcast: “This pop culture podcast is right up our alley as we work with celebrities every day. We both listen to stay informed and for the entertainment of the podcast itself. Each episode is fun, flirty and informative, and the hosts are amazing and hilarious!” - Pivot
Hosted by journalist Kara Swisher and NYU professor Scott Galloway, this news podcast focuses on the biggest stories in tech, business, and politics, offering unfiltered insights and scrutiny with a healthy dose of debate and banter.
Evan Grote, Software Engineer at AAE, said this about Pivot: “This podcast provides great coverage and commentary on current events with a focus on the tech industry and US politics. Kara Swisher’s record reporting on the tech industry speaks for itself and Scott Galloway serves as both a thought provoking and entertaining co host to Kara. I don’t always agree with their opinions, but I appreciate their generally well-informed and reasoned thoughts on current events.” - Good Inside with Dr. Becky
The top-rated podcast from Dr. Becky Kennedy called Good Inside is a modern-day interactive parenting resource and community built during the pandemic. Dr. Becky is a clinical psychologist and a mom of three, and she is on a mission to heal families and bring out the good inside all of us.
AAE’s Chief Operations Officer, Margo Dunnigan, is a big fan of this podcast and said: “As a parent, I can and do listen to episodes multiple times because of how much amazing content she provides on navigating parenthood. I’ve also found that her lessons can be applied to adults and have been beneficial in my workplace and personal relationships. One of my favorite lessons that has stuck with me is around MGI – Most Generous Interpretation. This has been a game changer for me personally and professionally.” - Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie debuted in December 2017 and has since been downloaded over 1 billion times, showcasing the dominance of true crime podcasts in the space. Hosts Ashley and Brit walk through real cases, some well known and others less so, and they do so with compassion and empathy while raising awareness of the real dangers that exist in our world today.
Why Taylor DuBois, AAE Contracts Specialist, loves this podcast: “They (Ashley and Brit) are really interesting to listen to, but also donate to many causes including domestic violence and human trafficking. They also help bring awareness to lesser known cases and started a non-profit to donate funds to help families and law enforcement solve cold cases.” - My Favorite Murder
Another recommended podcast in the true crime genre, My Favorite Murder, is hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. It brings a more light-hearted approach to the true crime genre. Their mantra “Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered” is also the title of their co-written bestselling memoir. In 2022, they received iHeartRadio’s Audible Audio Pioneer Award and were named the People’s Voice Winner for Best Co-Hosts from The Webby Awards.
What AAE’s Project Analyst, Adrianne Holocker, said about this podcast: “I love how candid the hosts, Karen and Georgia, are. They encourage confidence while also sharing true crime stories in a lighthearted way and using the lessons we can learn to stay safe from those stories. They advocate heavily for mental health and even have mini episodes where they share stories from listeners of the podcast, also called “murderinos.” They make every listener feel like a part of their podcast and have created a space where everyone is welcome. Karen and Georgia have become the voices that ride in my car with me every time.” - Smartless
A fan favorite at AAE, this comedy podcast was born during the pandemic from celebrity friends Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett. The hosts take turns bringing in a surprise guest and have included Matthew McConaughey, Greta Gerwig, Selena Gomez, Stephen Curry, Steven Spielberg, Peyton Manning, Bono, and even President Joe Biden. Guests are award-winning actors and celebrities, chefs, athletes, scientists, directors, and musicians. What ensues in every episode is often hilarious, enlightening, and unforgettable.
Why Lee Phillips, Digital Marketing Manager, recommends this podcast: “This is my go-to comedy podcast and I’ve been listening to it for years. It makes me feel like I’m sitting in a room with a group of friends talking about movies, music, and pop culture in a way that feels totally authentic. If you want to learn more about the happenings of Hollywood in a way that feels like getting a backstage pass, check out this podcast.” - Greeking Out
At AAE, we appreciate a good story, and so do both Nova Coker, Business Affairs Manager, and her tween daughter. Greeking Out is made by National Geographic Kids and is narrated by Kenny Curtis, a 30-year radio veteran.
Nova adds: “My daughter and I absolutely love this podcast. It is great for kids who love a good story. They do a really great job of telling these classic Greek myths, being as true to the original as possible but keeping it kid friendly, and doing it in a hilarious way that’s funny for kids and adults alike. It’s educational and entertaining.”
- Books, Beach, & Beyond
Launched less than a year ago in May of 2023, this podcast is hosted by “Queen of the Beach Read” and New York Times Bestselling Author, Elin Hilderbrand, and Tim Ehrenberg, creator of the Tim Talks Books community. In each episode, Elin and Tim interview a bestselling author and talk shop, asking questions about their unique writing process, success story, and challenges they faced along their career. Hosting other bestselling authors including Colleen Hoover, Kristin Hannah, Ann Patchett, Taylor Jenkins-Reid, Fredrik Backman, and Jodi Picoult, anyone with a passion for reading great fiction will want to tune into this new podcast.
This podcast was recommended to me by my neighborhood book club, and as someone who typically reads multiple books at the same time, I love hearing straight from the authors themselves about how some of my favorite stories were created. If you are a year-long fan of the summer beach read like I am, this podcast is a fun look inside the process of authoring a book with a bonus nod to the Nantucket area.
Some additional podcast recommendations from the AAE team include:
- Radio Rental with Rainn Wilson
- The Vergecast hosted by Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz
- You’re Wrong About with Sarah Marshall
- Pop Culture Happy Hour on NPR
- How I Built This with Guy Raz on NPR
- On Purpose with Jay Shetty
- The Silt Verses (fantasy/horror serial drama)
- Serial hosted by Sarah Koenig
- S-Town hosted by Brian Reed
- Wolverine: The Long Night (an original story for Marvel fans)
- Scishow Tangents with Hank Green
I hope you found your next favorite podcast in this list above. As we always keep track of entertainment trends, we’re watching to see what new podcasts, series, and hosts emerge this year. Whatever comes our way, we can’t wait to tune in.
