Nowadays, it's more important than ever to stay informed about what's happening around us, especially when it comes to politics. Now, we know what you might be thinking - politics can be a real drag sometimes, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the news out there. But here's the thing: whether we like it or not, political decisions have a big impact on our daily lives, so completely ignoring them isn't the best idea.
Of course, that doesn't mean you need to be glued to the news 24/7! Consuming too much political content can definitely take a toll on your mental health. The good news is that there's a way to stay informed without getting sucked into the doom and gloom: political podcasts!
Listening to podcasts is a great way to keep up with the latest political developments in a balanced, digestible way. The only problem? With so many podcasts out there, it can be tough to know which ones to trust. Some shows have a clear political bias, while others claim to be unbiased but still end up leaning one way or the other.
That's where we come in! We've compiled a list of the 12 best political podcasts that offer multiple viewpoints and fact-based analysis. These shows look at the issues from different angles, giving you the context you need to make up your own mind.
1) The Run-Up by the New York Times
Astead Herndon, a national politics reporter for The New York Times, hosts "The Run-Up," a podcast that explores the key ideas and issues shaping the US elections. Through thought-provoking conversations with colleagues, newsmakers, and voters across the country, Herndon provides insightful analysis on how we reached this pivotal moment in American politics.
2) The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller
"The Bulwark Podcast" is considered the flagship show of the Never Trump movement and delivers insightful analysis, political hot-takes, and an unwavering defense of liberal democracy. Hosted by Tim Miller and featuring a diverse array of guests, the podcast offers long-form interviews that cut through the "both sides" phenomenon, providing listeners with a daily dose of sanity and a few laughs along the way. With over 267,000 subscribers, "The Bulwark Podcast" is a must-listen for anyone seeking thoughtful, engaging political commentary.
3) Slate Political Gabfest Podcast
Imagine eavesdropping on a fun and feisty conversation between three Washington insiders after work. That's the vibe of Slate's Political Gabfest! Hosted by Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz, this podcast is like a boozy political discussion (minus the hangovers) where journalists shoot the breeze about the latest headlines. No wonder it won "Favorite Political Podcast" and Stephen Colbert himself recommends it!
4) Stay Tuned with Preet
Stay Tuned with Preet, one of Cafe Insider's political podcasts, cuts through the legal jargon of the news. Hosted by former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, this podcast explains legal issues in the headlines. He also interviews thought leaders to discuss power, policy, and justice. It's a great way to stay informed on the legal side of current events.
5) Pod Save America
"Pod Save America" is a no-nonsense show hosted by none other than former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor. Each week, they break down the latest news, helping listeners understand what matters and how they can make a difference. Featuring a diverse array of guests, including journalists, activists, politicians, entertainers, and world leaders, "Pod Save America" offers insightful analysis and engaging discussions. Tune in every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.
6) The 538 Podcast (FiveThirtyEight)
The FiveThirtyEight podcast dives into the latest political news and trends each week. Guided by their core values of empiricism, accuracy, transparency, inclusivity, and humility, the team uses evidence-based analysis to advance public knowledge and challenge prevailing narratives. With such a commitment to making their work accessible to a diverse audience, it's clear that the FiveThirtyEight podcast offers insightful, personality-driven discussions that help listeners navigate the world of politics.
7) Breaking Points Podcast with Krystal and Saagar
Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti host "Breaking Points," a fearless anti-establishment YouTube and podcast series that holds the powerful accountable. Krystal and Saagar aren't afraid to challenge the status quo, tackling current events with sharp analysis and insightful interviews. They chat with journalists, politicians, and experts to give you a well-rounded view of the news. New episodes typically air Mondays, Tuesdays,and Thursdays, with hosts diving deep on important topics. Plus, they sometimes feature "Counter Points" hosted by journalist Ryan Grim and culture writer Emily Jashinsky, bringing even more diverse perspectives to the table.
8) Left, Right & Center by KCRW
KCRW's "Left, Right & Center" show is a weekly confrontation over politics, policy, and pop culture hosted by Josh Barro and Rich Lowry. Josh Barro is a senior editor and columnist at Insider. The show is refreshing, honest, and truly balanced and is one of the few where there is legitimate disagreement, plus issues are generally framed in enough neutral way that disagreement is supported. Each episode's length is around an hour.
If you are looking for a political podcast, KCRW's Left, Right & Center is a good place to start.
9) The Argument by The New York Times
"The Argument," with strongly-held opinions and open-minded debates, is a weekly show that is hosted by Jane Coaston. She was the senior politics reporter at "Vox" focusing on conservatism and the GOP. At "The ARgument," she covers topics on identity politics, immigration issues, America's housing crisis, nuclear power, and much more. Each episode's length is 40 min.
10) The NPR Politics Podcast
If you want to keep up with daily political news, then "The NPR Politics Podcast" is there to give you the best political reporters' explanations and analysis every weekday on the big news coming out. Asma Khalid, a White House correspondent for NPR, hosts The NPR Politics Podcast. The good thing about this show is leaving opinions and speculation to the podcast listeners. Episodes' length varies from 15 to 30 mins.
11) Throughline by NPR
"Throughline" is a weekly historical political podcast from American public radio NPR. Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei host the show. As they say, the past is never past, and every headline has a history behind it. They go back in time to explore a particular historical event to understand and contextualize the present that is contributed by those. Recent topics were drone wars, Afghanistan, the rise of the Taliban, and more. If this catches your attention, then add Throughline to your podcast list. Each episode is an hour-long.
12) Pantsuit Politics
The "Pantsuit Politics" biweekly podcast is hosted by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers since November 2015. These two may not agree on politics, but they bring a relevant discussion to the table. They want to listen to each other's opinions and understand points of view while treating each other with respect and keeping everything nuanced. They discuss topics like elections results, cybersecurity, chaos in Congress and stability in Germany, and a lot more. Tune in to listen to around an hour-long Pantsuit Politics every Tuesday and Friday with Sarah and Beth.
Final Thoughts
Interested in these recommendations? Join our Discord and discover more suggestions from our vast content creator community!
