Pop culture podcasts are the ultimate way to stay tuned into everything happening in the entertainment world, from the juiciest celebrity drama to deep dives on classic TV shows, music trends, fashion moments, and the internet’s most chaotic memes. Whether you’re obsessed with Bravo, love a nostalgic rewatch series, or just want to laugh while someone else explains TikTok trends, there’s a podcast out there that totally gets you.
The beauty of pop culture podcasts is that they’re more than just updates; they’re commentary, connection, and community. These hosts break down what’s happening and why it matters (or doesn’t), reminding us that caring deeply about pop culture doesn’t make you shallow; it makes you fun. Some are laugh-out-loud funny, others are nostalgic and reflective, and many are the perfect blend of humor, insight, and obsession.
So whether you're commuting, cleaning, or doom-scrolling, let these shows keep you company. From smart critics to chaotic besties, each podcast on this list brings something unique to the table. Ready to fall in love with your next favorite listen.
Here are 20 pop culture podcasts that you need to check out today.
20 Top Pop Culture Podcasts Right Now
1. Keep It
Hosted by Ira Madison III, Louis Virtel, and friends, Keep It is where biting pop culture meets brilliant political commentary. These hosts don’t just talk trends, they break them down with humor, intellect, and zero chill. From Oscar snubs to Britney’s freedom, nothing is off-limits. One hilarious must-listen dives into Beyoncé’s Renaissance film and how fandom fuels cultural legacies. Expect laugh-out-loud moments, fierce debates, and a masterclass in cultural criticism from people who love the mess just as much as they love the meaning behind it.
2. Las Culturistas
Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers deliver Las Culturistas with the energy of two theatre kids who know everything about everything. Each episode is a joyful, chaotic celebration of the things that define pop culture from The Real Housewives to Broadway classics. Their “Culture Awards 2023” episode is a campy, clever highlight reel of the year’s best moments. Plus, their interviews with stars like Cate Blanchett and Ariana Grande? Iconic. If you want smart observations delivered with drag queen-level flair, this is the cultural canon you need.
3. The Read
The Read is where pop culture meets personal therapy, hosted by the iconic duo Kid Fury and Crissle. They serve unfiltered opinions, sharp cultural critiques, and deep dives into everything from Nicki Minaj drama to self-love. Their live NYC shows are especially fun, filled with fan love and unforgettable one-liners. One legendary episode features a passionate breakdown of Kanye’s antics mixed with heartfelt listener letters. Come for the rants, stay for the deep friendship and healing vibes. It’s loud, it’s real, and it’s beautifully Black.
4. Pop Culture Happy Hour
If you want pop talk with NPR polish, Pop Culture Happy Hour is your jam. Hosted by a rotating crew of critics like Linda Holmes and Aisha Harris, it covers movies, TV, music, and trends with warmth and wit. Their Barbie review is a must-listen, smart, funny, and surprisingly emotional. Whether they’re discussing awards season or the rise of K-pop, every episode feels like brunch with your cleverest friends. It’s cozy, thoughtful, and packed with recs you’ll want to check out immediately.
5. Every Outfit
Chelsea Fairless and Lauren Garroni started Every Outfit as a Sex and the City meme page, but it has evolved into a brilliant feminist pop culture pod. They mix high fashion critiques with hilarious celeb commentary and a healthy dose of Kardashian discourse. Their episode on Kim Cattrall’s return to And Just Like That is pure SATC gold, equal parts messy and celebratory. If you love fashion, feminism, and flawless shade, this pod delivers it all with unapologetic style.
6. Who? Weekly
Ever Googled a celeb and thought, “Wait… who is this?” Lindsey Weber and Bobby Finger have you covered. Who? Weekly is the podcast for keeping up with all the “Whos” of Hollywood, those influencers, reality stars, and B-listers you kind of know. Their “Who Dat?” lightning rounds are chaotic brilliance, and deep dives into things like Rita Ora’s career trajectory are surprisingly enlightening. It’s weird, hilarious, and somehow essential to understanding the modern fame machine.
7. Still Watching
From Euphoria to The Crown, Still Watching by Vanity Fair is your go-to for thoughtful, episode-by-episode recaps of prestige TV. Hosted by Joanna Robinson and Richard Lawson, the show blends fan energy with insider insight. Their coverage of Succession’s final season is a standout, every twist unpacked with care and sharp analysis. With special guest interviews and rich context, it’s the ideal companion pod for your favorite series binges.
8. Ringer Dish
From The Ringer network, Ringer Dish offers a mix of celeb gossip, reality TV breakdowns, and pop culture deep dives. Hosted by a smart, rotating crew, it’s home to segments like Tea Time and Jam Session, both packed with sharp commentary and playful energy. One episode diving into Meghan Markle’s media image versus royal protocol is especially thought-provoking. It’s fast, funny, and perfect for when you want to feel like you're in a group chat with the most clued-in friends.
9. Celebrity Memoir Book Club
Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton do the Lord’s work: reading celebrity memoirs and spilling all the tea so you don’t have to. From Paris Hilton’s party girl past to Jamie Lynn Spears' chaotic family drama, Celebrity Memoir Book Club is part roast, part masterclass in fame. Their episode on Jessica Simpson’s book is surprisingly heartfelt, unpacking everything from body image to pop stardom. Equal parts hilarious and revealing, this pod makes you think while laughing your face off.
10. Decoder Ring
Slate’s Decoder Ring dives into the quirkiest mysteries of pop culture. Hosted by Willa Paskin, this podcast has unpacked things like why we hate laugh tracks and how the Karen meme took over. The “Sideways Effect” episode, exploring how a movie changed wine culture forever, is an absolute gem. With journalistic flair and storytelling magic, every topic becomes fascinating. If you love cultural rabbit holes that make you smarter and weirder, this is your next binge.
11. You Must Remember This
Created and hosted by Karina Longworth, You Must Remember This is a beautifully narrated journey through the secret history of Hollywood. Each season unpacks a different era, like the “Erotic 80s,” which explores the rise of sexy thrillers and tabloid icons. Karina’s voice, research, and cinematic storytelling make you feel like you're in a smoky theater with a martini. It’s haunting, nostalgic, and ideal for classic movie lovers or anyone obsessed with fame’s darker corners.
12. Normal Gossip
If messy drama is your guilty pleasure, Normal Gossip is the comforting chaos you crave. Hosted by Kelsey McKinney, it retells anonymous, real-life stories submitted by listeners, from ruined weddings to backstabbing book clubs. One wild tale involves a feud over pasta salad that escalates into roommate warfare. It’s petty, dramatic, and often surprisingly emotional. Guests like Sam Sanders and Avery Trufelman add extra spice. Basically, it’s like reading Reddit’s juiciest threads, but funnier and way less stressful.
13. Even the Rich
Hosts Brooke Siffrinn and Aricia Skidmore-Williams bring the drama of dynasties and celebrity scandals to life in Even the Rich. Each season dives into a rich and famous saga, from Britney Spears’ conservatorship to the wild lives of the Kardashians. Their take on the Royals is particularly juicy, filled with emotional insight and a touch of camp. It’s storytelling that feels like a bedtime story if your fairy godmother was obsessed with TMZ.
14. Higher Learning
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay tackle pop culture with a powerful twist, blending it with race, politics, and real talk. Their episode on the Will Smith Oscar slap is both nuanced and fiery, reflecting their unmatched ability to dissect the bigger picture. Rachel brings her law background, Van brings the heat, and together they create space for tough conversations with humor and honesty. If you want your celebrity gossip with substance, this one hits hard in the best way.
15. Switched on Pop
Pop music meets academic nerdiness in Switched on Pop, hosted by musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding. They explain what makes a hook catchy, why Beyoncé’s harmonies slap, and how trends shape sound. The episode on Taylor Swift’s bridges is a standout, deep, passionate, and technical in the most fun way. This is the pod for people who want to understand the pop hits they love.
16. Table Manners
Singer Jessie Ware and her mom Lennie invite celebs into their kitchen for food, family talk, and fame. Table Manners is part dinner party, part therapy session. When Ed Sheeran popped by, he opened up about grief, creativity, and childhood food habits, unexpectedly touching stuff. From Paul McCartney to Kacey Musgraves, each guest brings a little soul to the table. It’s warm, British, and delightfully nosy in the best way.
17. Comments by Celebs
Hosts Emma Diamond and Julie Kramer turned their Instagram account into a wildly entertaining podcast that dissects celeb social media behavior. They notice who liked what, who unfollowed whom, and how those subtle moves reflect deeper drama. Their takes on the Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber saga are refreshingly kind yet observant. It’s the perfect show for anyone who refreshes Instagram stories like it's breaking news.
18. The Watch
Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald from The Ringer geek out over TV, movies, and music with infectious energy. They balance sharp, critical takes with genuine fandom. Their coverage of The White Lotus was everything: fun, deep, and filled with insane theories. You get the sense they really love what they’re talking about, and that makes listening feel like hanging with two passionate, TV-literate friends.
19. Sentimental Garbage
Hosted by Caroline O’Donoghue, Sentimental Garbage reclaims so-called “guilty pleasures” as worthy pop culture treasures. With episodes covering The Holiday, SATC, and Fleabag, Caroline and her guests explore why these beloved works hit so hard. Her interview with Dolly Alderton on dating shows is a great entry point, funny, nostalgic, and surprisingly deep. It’s smart, validating, and perfect for anyone tired of pretending they’re above the rom-com.
20. Drama Queens
Former One Tree Hill stars Hilarie Burton, Sophia Bush, and Bethany Joy Lenz rewatch the series while reflecting on fame, friendship, and growing up on camera. Their bond is electric, and the behind-the-scenes stories are gold. Their first episode is full of nostalgia and surprisingly emotional insight into what it was like to be young women in early 2000s Hollywood. Whether you're a fan or just love rewatch culture, it’s a cozy, heartfelt ride.
Summing Up
Pop culture isn't just entertainment; it's the language we all speak. From memes to movies, reality shows to red carpets, the way we consume and talk about culture shapes how we see the world (and ourselves). That’s what makes pop culture podcasts so addictive: they don’t just report the news, they explore why we care.
Whether it's talking about the latest drama, revisiting your favorite teen drama from the 2000s, or analyzing why a certain song is everywhere on TikTok, these shows turn scrolling into something smarter and a lot more fun. They’re part gossip, part therapy, and part cultural critique, wrapped up in voices that feel like your best friends or your coolest older siblings.
So if you're craving a deeper dive into your favorite cultural moments or just need a new addictive series to laugh and learn with, this list has your back. From chaotic comedy to seriously smart commentary, these 20 pop culture podcasts will keep you entertained, informed, and emotionally invested in the drama, just how we like it.
Add to the List: Top 20 Best Pop Culture Podcasts to Listen to in 2025
- Keep It
- Las Culturistas
- The Read
- Pop Culture Happy Hour
- Every Outfit
- Who? Weekly
- Still Watching
- Ringer Dish
- Celebrity Memoir Book Club
- Decoder Ring
- You Must Remember This
- Normal Gossip
- Even the Rich
- Higher Learning
- Switched on Pop
- Table Manners
- Comments by Celebs
- The Watch
- Sentimental Garbage
- Drama Queens
