Looking for great interview podcasts to listen to in 2024? You've come to the right place! Finding something worth listening to can be overwhelming among more than 2.4mn podcasts. But don't worry – we cherry-picked 15 of the best interview podcasts for you to check out below!
1. Song Exploder
Song Exploder features musicians deconstructing and reinterpreting their songs: they divide the songs into fragments and reveal each component's history. This is a beautiful podcast showing how an artist gives life to a piece of art or how the song brings the artist back to life.
Hrishikesh Hirway is the show's host and creator who introduces the featured musician or band, providing a quick overview and the career highlights of featured musicians. They then dive deep into creative processes like songwriting, recording, and production, talking about insights and stories worth remembering. Sometimes they concentrate on an individual musical instrument's sound or a particular beat that changes the entire mood of a song. In 2020 Netflix premiered a television series based on the podcast.
2. Armchair Expert
Armchair Expert is a weekly podcast in which actor, director, and writer Dax Shepard interviews celebrities, journalists, and academics about human "truths." Co-host Emmy-nominated Monica Padman "fact-checks" him from a different perspective at the end of each episode.
Dax describes an "Armchair expert" as someone who makes statements like a 16th-century scientist sitting in an armchair, making deductions on life without conducting any research, clinical trials, or data collection. Dax Shepard opens up the guests' hearts, inviting them to face their vulnerabilities and be honest about their struggles. He encourages people to celebrate their challenges and setbacks because they are signs of growth and progress.
3. Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend
Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend is a weekly podcast hosted by comedian and former talk show host Conan O'Brien. Conan realized that after 25 years on the Late Night Show, the only people attending his parties were his colleagues and employees. Despite conducting countless interviews over the years, Conan has never genuinely bonded with any of his famous guests. So he started a podcast to fill that gap, get to know his former guests better, and find lasting friendships. The show is co-hosted by O'Brien's assistant, Sona Movsesian, and producer Matt Gourley.
At the beginning of the podcast, the guests say, "I feel _____ about being Conan O'Brien's friend," expressing their feelings about their friendship with Conan. Then the rest is a casual interview between O'Brien and his famous guests, discussing numerous interesting topics or messages from the audience.
4. On Being
"On Being" is a podcast that used to be a radio show hosted by journalist, author, and entrepreneur Krista Tippett. The show is about the "animating questions at the center of human life: What does it mean to be human, and how do we want to live?"
If you are in the mood for immersing yourself in philosophical questions or listening to heartwarming poetic and existential discoveries about human life and spirituality, you are on the right track. Krista's guests range from famous and acclaimed poets to physicists, doctors to historians, artists to activists.
President Barack Obama awarded Tippett the National Humanities Medal for:
"thoughtfully delving into the mysteries of human existence. On the air and in print, Ms. Tippett avoids easy answers, embracing complexity and inviting people of every background to join her conversation about faith, ethics, and moral wisdom." Read more here.
5. SmartLess
SmartLess is an intelligent and joyful podcast hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett. The unique angle of the podcast is its "Surprising Element": only one of the three hosts knows the guest’s identity, and the other two attempt to identify the guests based on a list of their accomplishments and interests. It gives the listeners the feeling of participation and interactivity and fosters a spontaneous environment that causes much laughter and many thought-provoking conversations.
The hosts bring people and listeners together into a space of organic humor and education on a broad range of issues. They manage to balance fun and education together, diving into serious topics but keeping the content digestible.
6. Sporkful
Have you ever wondered why some sandwiches taste better than others? Host Dan Pashman asks this and many other food-related questions in his multiple-award-winning podcast "The Sporkful."
Fortunately, after being laid off from six radio jobs eight years ago, he chose not to go to law school. Dan knew it was a make-or-break moment for his dream project: exploring how we eat with a scientific eye but a humorous heart! The podcast approaches cuisine from all angles – science, history, economics, culture; you name it. As the host says, it's not for foodies; it’s for eaters. In 2021, Dan introduced cascatelli - his revolutionary new pasta shape to the culinary world. This inventive creation was later spotlighted by NY Times, NPR, and more.
7. Serial
"Serial" is an award-winning investigative journalism podcast hosted by journalist and producer Sarah Koenig, and perhaps one of the best interview podcasts ever made. Each season delves into a single documentary crime, story and unravels its secrets over multiple episodes throughout one season.
Season 1 explores the mysterious death of 18-year-old Hae Min Lee from Baltimore County. Season 2 delves into Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl's tumultuous five years as a hostage to the Taliban and the desertion charges he faces afterward. Season 3 uncovers injustices inside Cleveland's Justice Center Complex.
These gripping stories have captivated millions with their unique approach to long-form nonfiction storytelling that uncovers lingering mysteries.
8. WTF with Marc Maron
WTF with Marc Maron is a top interview podcast hosted by stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and musician Marc Maron. This podcast has been around since 2009 and features interviews with some of the most exciting and influential people in the world: from actors, musicians, politicians, wrestlers, and comedians to authors and academics; this podcast has something for everyone. The episodes are long, but they are highly entertaining and insightful.
Marc Maron has a unique interviewing style that focuses on his guests' personal stories, making for an engaging experience. Marc's immersive style allows listeners to hear their favorite celebs talk unlike ever before. If you're looking for a podcast with deep conversations, then WTF is worth checking out.
9. The Joe Rogan Experience
The Joe Rogan Experience is an audio and video podcast hosted by comedian, actor, sports commentator, and television host Joe Rogan. It is one of the world's best interview podcasts, with millions of views per episode. Joe Rogan is an incredibly engaging and entertaining host and a master interviewer who knows how to draw out the best in his guests from different backgrounds: from celebrities, comedians, scientists, and athletes to experts in various fields.
Joe and his guests share insightful conversations on current events, politics, and philosophy to sports, science, and the paranormal. He asks thought-provoking questions and encourages open dialogue, creating a unique story folding each time. Plus, its long running time makes the conversations deeper and more thought-provoking. Whether you're looking for entertainment or education, The Joe Rogan Experience will satisfy you.
10. How I Built This with Guy Raz
Ever wondered how your favorite entrepreneurs rose to success? ‘How I Built This’ offers a unique insight into the inspirational stories of innovators hosted by journalist Guy Raz.
The podcast features stories from the world’s most successful entrepreneurs about how they created their iconic brands and overcame challenges.
From insights into business development and moments of doubt to tips on navigating difficulties. The podcast is a master class in innovation, creativity, and leadership – plus plenty of motivation!
Each episode covers profound moments of doubt, failure, and hard-fought lessons on innovation, creativity, and leadership – steering listeners through an epic masterclass in rising above challenge after challenge.
In 2020 Guy Raz released the insights of the podcast in a book "How I Built This" offering readers yet another opportunity to explore these inspiring success stories firsthand.
11. Table Manners with Jessie Ware
Table Manners is a dynamic food and fun podcast where singer, songwriter, and broadcaster Jessie Ware and her mother, chef extraordinaire Lennie, cook with their weekly guests while inviting everyone around the table for enlightening conversation with celebrity and non-celebrity guests.
The hosts ignite discussions on various topics, from politics and culture to love and dating, work-life balance, and more. Oversharing is guaranteed.
The podcast also includes fun bits of trivia and other games that make the listening experience even more enjoyable. In 2020 the pair published "The Cookbook" on recipes of easy and delicious dishes they made with podcast guests.
12. Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
Diary of a CEO, hosted by entrepreneur and "Dragons' Den" star Steven Bartlett, offers an unvarnished look into the minds of business leaders, cultural icons, and innovators. Bartlett's direct interviewing style strips away pretense, diving straight into the core of his guests' experiences, challenges, and insights.
Bartlett's roster of guests spans from global CEOs and celebrities to athletes and authors, each sharing frank insights into their decision-making processes and guiding philosophies. The best part? Difficult topics are not off-limits here. Mental health struggles, failures, and the pressures accompanying high achievement are recurring themes, fostering an honest dialogue about the often-unseen challenges of ambition.
13. Lex Fridman
Lex Fridman's podcast is a deep dive into the minds shaping our future. As an AI researcher at MIT, Lex brings a unique perspective to conversations with tech titans, scientists, and thought leaders. His calm demeanor belies a knack for asking probing questions that reveal the human side of cutting-edge research.
From AI ethics to space exploration, Lex and his guests tackle complex topics with clarity. The long-form format allows for nuanced discussions, whether it's Elon Musk outlining plans for Mars or a philosopher contemplating consciousness. Lex's genuine curiosity and technical background make for enlightening listening, offering a glimpse into the ideas that will shape our world.
14. Peter Bet David
Patrick Bet-David's PBD Podcast cuts through the noise of typical business advice. As a successful entrepreneur himself, Patrick brings a no-nonsense approach to interviews with titans of industry, sports legends, and cultural influencers.
The show dissects the mechanics of success, diving into topics like wealth creation, leadership, and overcoming adversity. Patrick's direct questioning style draws out practical insights and strategies from his guests. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, the PBD Podcast offers a masterclass in ambition and execution.
15. George Janko
YouTuber and comedian George Janko brings his infectious energy to the podcast world. The George Janko Show features a diverse array of guests, from fellow content creators to musicians, athletes, and unexpected personalities.
George's natural charisma and humor create a relaxed atmosphere where guests open up about their journeys, challenges, and triumphs. While the tone is often light-hearted, the show doesn't shy away from deeper topics like mental health, religion, and personal growth. It's a perfect blend of entertainment and authenticity, giving listeners both laughs and food for thought.
