Looking for great interview podcasts to listen to in 2023? 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 11 multi-award-winning shows for you to check out below!
1. Song Exploder
Play on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
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
Play on: Spotify | Play on Apple Podcasts | Play on Google Podcasts
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 sat 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
Play on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
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
Play on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
"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
Play on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
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
Play on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
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
Play on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
"Serial" is an award-winning investigative journalism podcast hosted by journalist and producer Sarah Koenig. 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
Play on: Spotify |Apple Podcasts| Google Podcasts
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
Play on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
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
Play on: | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
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: The Unexpected Paths To Success From The World’s Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs - offering readers yet another opportunity to explore these inspiring success stories firsthand.
11. Table Manners with Jessie Ware
Play on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
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.
Summary of Top Interview Podcasts
This was our list of top interview podcasts: we hope you found it helpful and enjoyed exploring the best interview podcasts. Perhaps we even inspired you to create your own interview podcast show!
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Let's make it happen together and start sharing your extraordinary stories with the world! Start Free to create your studio-quality podcast, make your voice heard, and someday, who knows, we will include your podcast among our reviews of best interview podcasts. See you there!)
