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Table of contents:
15 Most popular podcasts right now
Most popular comedy podcast: The Joe Rogan Experience
Most popular health podcast: Huberman Lab
Most popular tech podcast: Lex Fridman Podcast
Most popular true crime podcast: Rotten Mango
Most popular self-help podcast: On Purpose with Jay Shetty
If you’re looking for the freshest and most promising podcasts in any category -from politics to sports and from business to comedy- you're in the right place.
Let's dive into the most popular podcasts of 2026!
15 Most popular podcasts right now
In this guide, we've handpicked the most engaging YouTube, Spotify, and Apple podcasts from 2025 going into 2026. We broke them down into 15 different categories. From toe-curling relationship stories to enthralling serial killer tales, you’re bound to find a good listen.
Our choice of popular podcasts isn’t necessarily the overall most listened to in their category. For this, you can check our updated chart of the top podcasts across all major distributors.
Instead, in this article we chose these podcasts based on their growing potential. These podcasts are getting high ratings, they’re fresh on the charts, and they’re on everyone’s minds at the moment.
Disclaimer: We strive to provide you with a list of the most popular, current, and fastest-growing podcasts. We don't endorse any of these podcasts, nor do we necessarily share or align with their views on politics, religion, sexuality, or cultural matters. We encourage you to engage at your own discretion!
So, let’s have a look at the most listened-to podcasts out right now and why everyone’s listening to them:
Most popular comedy podcast: The Joe Rogan Experience
- Host(s): Joe Rogan
- Categories: Comedy, Entertainment, Interviews
- Ratings: Apple (4.6), Spotify (4.7), YouTube (20.6M subscribers)
In 2009, Joe Rogan launched The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. It’s now one of the most popular podcasts in the world, getting around 11 million listeners each episode. It holds the #1 spot on Spotify's Top Podcasts and is clawing its way up the charts on Apple Podcasts.
Anyone interested in 3-hour-long conversations on topics like politics, UFOs, stand-up comedy, history, psychology, and psychedelics should check this out.
Joe Rogan is a controversial figure and tends to be very, very open-minded, to the point of treading into conspiracy theory territory from time to time.
However, Joe Rogan is all about free speech, so you can be sure he will always listen to anyone, as long as they have something interesting to share.
If you want to get a taste of The Joe Rogan Experience, here are the episodes to watch:
- JRE #1368, Edward Snowden — The episode has got 32 million views on YouTube for good reason. The famous whistleblower reveals how the NSA has been spying on people, and how his revelation had the US intelligence community come after him.
- JRE #1315, Bob Lazar & Jeremy Corbell — This one goes into UFO territory, with a fascinating narration by Bob Lazar on Area 51 and the alien tech he came across in the facility.
Check out our full guide on the best Joe Rogan episodes!
Most popular health podcast: Huberman Lab
- Host(s): Andrew D. Huberman
- Categories: Health, Science, Self-help
- Ratings: Apple (4.8), Spotify (4.9), YouTube (7.23M subscribers)
The most popular Health & Fitness podcast on both Apple and Spotify, Huberman Lab is your top choice to dive deeper into neuroscience. Host Dr. Andrew Huberman is an award-winning scientist and neurobiology professor at Stanford School of Medicine.
While you may think this show caters to health professionals, this podcast has become popular all round because there’s a lot to learn from Huberman. His show covers mental health, optimizing performance, improving sleep, and more. You’ll also understand how our brain develops and affects our perceptions, behaviors, and mental health.
This podcast is frequently in the top 10 worldwide. And you won’t be disappointed with Huberman’s guests, either. Guests include Lex Fridman, Tim Ferris, and Mark Zuckerberg:
Here are some of the best Huberman Lab episodes to check out:
- Dr. Sam Harris: Using Meditation to Focus, View Consciousness & Expand Your Mind — From meditation benefits to full-on techniques, this episode covers how meditation can change your life.
- Leverage Dopamine to Overcome Procrastination & Optimize Effort — Gain a better understanding of how your dopamine levels work and what tools you can use to keep yourself motivated.
- Dr. Elissa Epel: Control Stress for Healthy Eating, Metabolism & Aging — Huberman and Epel share various techniques, including breathing, meditations, and body scans, to help you fix unhealthy stress patterns.
Most popular tech podcast: Lex Fridman Podcast
- Host(s): Lex Fridman
- Categories: Technology, History, Interviews
- Ratings: Apple (4.7), Spotify (4.8), YouTube (4.9M subscribers)
Lex Fridman is an AI researcher and professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a true expert in technology. His podcast dives into artificial intelligence, quantum mechanics, and hidden brain functions. He sparks deep intellectual discussions on life, consciousness, history, and philosophy.
His podcast features influential tech giants, such as Sam Altman, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk. If a subject is relevant to the future of mankind, you can count on Lex to tackle it with his signature somber and thoughtful approach.
The Lex Fridman Podcast is the most popular technology podcast on Spotify in the U.S. and on Apple Podcasts in the U.K.
Looking for the best episodes? The list would be too long, but have a look a these:
- #393 – Andrew Huberman: Relationships, Drama, Betrayal, Sex, and Love — We’ve already talked about Dr. A. Huberman in this post, but aren’t you curious to know more about his personal life? Get ready for some juicy insights!
- #367 – Sam Altman: OpenAI CEO on GPT-4, ChatGPT, and the Future of AI — In this episode, Lex Fridman sits down with Sam Altman, one of the leading minds in the Artificial Intelligence industry. If you have even the slightest interest in AI and how it could shape our future, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Most popular true crime podcast: Rotten Mango
- Host(s): Stephanie Soo
- Categories: True crime, Mysteries, Comedy
- Ratings: Apple (4.8), Spotify (4.9), YouTube (6.13M subscribers)
Rotten Mango is currently the most popular true crime podcast on YouTube and is quickly climbing the global charts. What sets this show apart is Stephanie Soo's cute, spicy, and often entertaining approach to covering "all things spooky."
Rotten Mango deep dives into the most twisted criminal minds, cold cases, and serial killers. It covers a lot of stories from Korea, China and Japan that are rarely found in similar shows. If you don't mind Stephanie occasionally dramatizing already horrific events in her typical K-Drama fashion, her natural storytelling talent will certainly keep you enthralled.
Here are two of her best episodes:
- #15- The REAL Silence of the Lambs Killer *he wears skin (seriously) Case of Serial Killer Ed Gein — Remember Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs? Did his horrifying habit of wearing his victims’ flayed skin as clothing scared the life out of you? This episode is about the real-life story of Ed Gein, the serial killer who inspired the movie.
- #2- 44 Days Of Hell – The Murder of Junko Furuta — This disturbing episode dives into the gut-wrenching case of Junko Furuta, a Japanese schoolgirl who endured 44 days of the sickest, most brutal torture at the hands of a group of teenagers.
Most popular self-help podcast: On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Host(s): Jay Shetty
Categories: Self-help, Self-love, Mental Health, Relationships
Ratings: Apple (4.8), Spotify (4.8), YouTube (5.17M subscribers)
Jay Shetty is famous for his wisdom, which he delves into deeply with each episode of his podcast, On Purpose. This podcast has gained massive traction as one of the most popular self-development podcasts. As of September 2024, it is #1 most popular Mental Health podcast on Apple Podcasts, and #2 most popular Health & Fitness podcast on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
You can expect to learn about all areas of life from a wide array of renowned guests by watching On Purpose with Jay Shetty.
He’s interviewed personalities such as Oprah Winfrey, Gary Vaynerchuk, and John Legend. The topics he’s covered range from strategies on work efficiency and productivity, all the way through to relationships and personality types.
If you’re looking to improve your life, this is a great podcast to begin with.
Here’s a few episodes that are worth listening:
- The 1 Habit All Highly Effective People Live By & How To Implement It In Your Life — Curiosity is the strongest driver toward living a healthy and fulfilling life. In this episode, Jay explains why curiosity can improve your creativity and increase your chances of success in life.
- 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Turning Your Life Around & How to Break Free From the Noise — In Jay's first interview with his friend Tom Bilyeu, they explore the power of self-awareness, how to overcome self-imposed limits, and how to break free from societal expectations.
Just like Jay Shetty, you can record your own podcast in top-quality on Riverside.
More popular podcasts (and why you should listen to them)
Most popular Politics podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
- Host(s): Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
- Categories: News, Politics, Society, Culture
- Ratings: Apple (4.9), Spotify (4.8), YouTube (5.78M subscribers)
Growing incredibly quickly, The MeidasTouch Podcast is currently one of the most-listened-to politics podcasts on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It even managed to dethrone The Joe Rogan Experience as the most popular podcast in America in 2025 (even if for just a single week).
The 3 hosts, Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas, originally launched MeidasTouch as a political action committee in March 2020 to oppose Trump’s reelection. Today, their daily commentary offers sharp takes on current events. It’s openly partisan and unapologetic, with a heavy focus on Trump and his politics.
In other words, there’s no middle ground: you either enjoy opinionated, progressive commentary or you’ll hate this show.
Here are some of 2 popular episodes you don’t want to miss:
- Trump FUNNELS MILLIONS into Personal Military SCHEME?!?! — An episode claiming that Trump is using ICE to recruit an armed force of ideologically-driven soldiers for his own personal purposes.
- These MAGA Women FREAK ME OUT!!! — An exploration of right-wing women and pro-natalist propaganda.
Most popular education podcast: The Mel Robbins Podcast
- Host(s): Mel Robbins
- Categories: Education, Self-help, Health
- Ratings: Apple (4.8), Spotify (4.8), YouTube (5.07M subscribers)
The Mel Robbins Podcast is the #1 most popular education podcast in the U.S. on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and for good reason. Her talks offer some of the simplest, most effective ways to take control of your life and change it for the better.
Mel Robbins is a New York Times bestselling author leading a female-led media company. She advises major corporations like JP Morgan Chase, Spotify, Starbucks, and LinkedIn. Her science-backed episodes give practical advice on personal development, career advancement, and how to improve your physical and mental health.
What sets Mel apart is her personal approach. She doesn't shy away from sharing how she learned everything she teaches through her own mistakes. By sharing her own struggles, Mel’s advice feels authentic and deeply relatable.
Here is a short list of episodes you might want to check out:
- How to Deal With Difficult People: One Trick to Live a More Peaceful & Fulfilled Life — Mel teaches us the importance of distinguishing between a toxic person and toxic behavior, and how to set boundaries to keep negativity out of our lives.
- How to Read Body Language to Get What You Want: 6 Simple Psychological Tricks to Be More Confident — Understanding body language helps you build confidence, improve your charisma, and feel better about yourself.
- The Secret to Stopping Fear & Anxiety (That Actually Works) — Knowing how to overcome your worst fears and tame your anxiety is a skill that everyone should learn.
Most popular sports podcast: New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce
- Host(s): Jason and Travis Kelce
- Categories: Sports, Entertainment
- Ratings: Apple (4.8), Spotify (4.9), YouTube (3.15M subscribers)
Travis and Jason Kelce are well-known American National Football League (NFL) brothers. With their combined experience, there are no better hosts to share insight into the world of footballing.
They cover everything from trending NFL news all the way to sharing personal stories and giving viewers a better look into their lives.
Besides Travis and Jason, you’ll also hear from A-list athletes, including LeBron James and Tyreek Hill.
If you’re a Swiftie, you might even catch an endearing comment about Taylor from Travis! Travis’s romantic relationship with Taylor Swift brings a whole new audience to their podcast.
As a matter of fact, the August 2025 episode where she joined the Kelce brothers raked in 24 million views to date. You could say that Taylor brought in an entire new audience not just to the show, but to the podcast medium as a whole.
Episodes worth listening include:
- Kylie Kelce on life as an NFL spouse, Jason’s Tinder Bio, and Setting Up Travis | Ep 52 — This is a fan favorite! Kylie shares more about her relationship with Jason, including how they met and how she almost gave birth at the Super Bowl.
- The Taylor Swift Episode (August 13, 2025) — One of the most talked-about podcast moments of the year, the episode featuring Taylor Swift pulled in 15 million views in its first 24 hours, instantly breaking podcast viewership records. And, it was recorded with Riverside!
Most popular religion podcast: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
- Host(s): Fr. Mike Schmitz
- Categories: Religion, Education
- Ratings: Apple (4.8), Spotify (5.0), YouTube (282K subscribers)
It is rare for a religious podcast to compete with true crime and celebrity chat shows. But, The Bible in a Year is taking the world of spiritual podcasts by storm. Hosted by the charismatic Fr. Mike Schmitz, this podcast is a daily ritual for millions. And, at the time of publication, it’s the #1 trending podcast on Spotify and holding a steady rank in Apple's top 5.
The format is simple but incredibly effective: Fr. Mike walks listeners through the entire Bible in 365 daily episodes. It follows The Great Adventure Bible Timeline format developed by Catholic Bible scholar Jeff Cavins, making every episode fit a captivating narrative.
Whether you are a devout believer or not, this guided journey will make scripture accessible and surprisingly binge-able.
Just have a look at these episodes:
- Day 1: In the Beginning — Fr. Mike reads Genesis 1-2 and Psalm 19, setting the stage for the entire year by exploring the meaning of the story of creation.
- Day 365: The Beginning and the End — The conclusion of a journey that profoundly reflects on Revelation and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Most popular podcast for women: Good Hang with Amy Poehler
- Host(s): Amy Poehler
- Categories: Comedy, Interviews, Society
- Ratings: Apple (4.7), Spotify (4.8), YouTube (581K subscribers)
In 2025, Good Hang with Amy Poehler made history by winning a Golden Globe, marking the first time the awards recognized podcasting.
Listening to Good Hang feels exactly like the title suggests. You’ve been invited into Amy Poehler's living room for a drink and a laugh. Amy and her famous friends chat on literally every topic that comes to their mind with no scripts or filters. Their relaxing conversations are candid and playful, showing the human side of popular creators, actors, writers, and entertainers.
If you want to chill with an upbeat, sometimes genuinely hilarious show that feels like a warm hug from the funniest person you know, this is it.
Episodes to look out for include:
- Dakota Johnson — This episode goes off the rails countless times, like when Dakota tells us of how Matty Healy escaped the police by turning into an asparagus. In one of her wildest dreams, obviously.
- Kathryn Hahn — Are you ready to watch Kathryn Hahn burp midway through the interview? We weren’t either, but it is hilarious.
Most popular history podcast: The Rest Is History
- Host(s): Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook
- Categories: History
- Ratings: Apple (4.7), Spotify (4.9), YouTube (401K subscribers)
Consistently ranking in the top 2 spots of the most popular history podcasts in the U.S. and U.K. on Apple Podcasts, The Rest is History is a favorite among history enthusiasts and casual listeners. More importantly, it's here to remind us that hardcore history doesn't need to be boring.
Tom Holland and co-host Dominic Sandbrook make the podcast a pleasure to listen to with their witty banter and deadpan British humor.
From exposing the horrors of World War II to unveiling the tale of the mysterious ape man, The Rest is History will keep you glued to your seat as you binge-listen to all their podcast episodes.
Make sure to have a look at these episodes:
- Is Trump Caesar or Nixon? — While the comparison might seem far-fetched, don’t miss this episode recorded just hours after Joe Biden was declared President of the United States.
- Empires — Where does the term "imperialism" come from? Which empires were the most significant in human history, and what did they accomplish? This episode dives into these questions and many more.
Most popular science podcast: Radiolab
Host(s): Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser
Categories: Science, History
Ratings: Apple (4.6), Spotify (4.8), YouTube (107K subscribers)
A staple on both Apple and Spotify charts, Radiolab has been one of the most popular science podcasts for over 20 years. A true trailblazer in podcasting, it launched in 2002 and continually amazes its audience with thought-provoking content.
Radiolab is a deeply researched show written by a team of talented producers. It's known for its cutting-edge sound design. Each episode is a deep dive into a fascinating scientific discovery, an intriguing historical mystery, or a provocative philosophical question.
If you’ve never heard of Radiolab, take a seat and listen. Its carefully crafted narratives will guide you through the most complex scientific concepts, pushing the boundaries of your curiosity.
- Colors — Despite being over a decade old, this 2012 episode remains one of Radiolab’s most fascinating. It explores the science of color perception, how humans experience hues, and how some animals live in a world of colors we might not even know exist.
- Playing God — What happens when humans are forced to make impossible choices in life-and-death situations? New York Times reporter Sheri Fink explores ethical dilemmas arising during crises like natural disasters and wars, where split-second decisions can determine who lives and who dies.
Most popular celebrity podcast: ill-advised by Bill Nighy
- Host(s): Bill Nighy
- Categories: Comedy, Self-help, Arts
- Ratings: Apple (4.9), Spotify (5), YouTube (2.2K subscribers)
A brand-new entry into the celebrity podcast world, ill-Advised by Bill Nighy launched on October 9, 2025, and is already a cult favorite among many. Mentioned in The Guardian’s list of "Best Podcasts of 2025," this podcast shows immense potential.
Episodes sometimes feel surreal and nonsensical. Nighy offers whimsical, self-aware life guidance and reflections delivered through his dry humor. Expect a lot of expert (and often useless) advice from someone with decades of experience making perfectly imperfect decisions.
Episodes to look out for:
- Groovemelikeout — Learn how to recharge your social batteries with Bill’s best tricks, like drifting out of a party unnoticed or staying away from people with views that you find unpleasant.
- Pocket Squares Make Me Uneasy — Bill tackles the existential dread of forgetting someone's name or when an uninvited guest joins you at lunch.
Most popular relationships podcast: Two Hot Takes
- Host(s): Morgan Absher
- Categories: Relationships, Dating, Sexuality
- Ratings: Apple (5.0), Spotify (4.7), YouTube (891K subscribers)
Hosted by Morgan Absher, Two Hot Takes has turned reading Reddit threads into an art form. Started as a fun experiment, Morgan and her guests dismantle the wildest listener-submitted stories and threads from the internet.
And, Absher and her guest co-hosts go far beyond just reading the drama. They dissect it with empathy, humor, and occasional brutal honesty. It’s like a gossip session with your best friends, but the stories are crazier than anything happening in your actual life.
- AITA for Telling My Niece the Family Secret? — A couple tries to erase a deceased mom from her child’s memory, but her surviving sister wants to tell her the truth.
- Festive Fiascos — A holiday special that dives into the chaos and drama of family gatherings.
Most popular business & finance podcast: Financial Audit with Caleb Hammer
- Host(s): Caleb Hammer
- Categories: Business, Personal Finance, Economics
- Ratings: Apple (4.4), Spotify (3.6), YouTube (2.81M subscribers)
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If you spend any time on YouTube, you have likely seen Caleb Hammer’s face in a thumbnail, looking absolutely horrified. His show Financial Audit is a viral sensation, racking up billions of views overall and consistently pulling in millions per episode.
Caleb analyzes guests’ personal spending, bank statements, debts, and financial decisions. The best part is when he offers his honest advice without pulling his punches. Sure, he will roast guests for their $15 coffees and DoorDash habits, but ultimately offers them a lifeline to get out of crippling debt. It’s ‘tough love’ for the TikTok generation, and it’s impossible to look away.
You don’t want to miss these episodes:
- Most Entitled Person EVER — The episode that arguably launched Caleb into the viral stratosphere. He interviews a guest whose spending habits, sense of entitlement, and lack of accountability are truly infuriating.
- Should You be Quiet Quitting? — Caleb reviews a couple of guests who admit to going $300,000 in debt to "escape Trump's America," despite having zero savings or working prospects.
What are the trends in podcasting for 2026?
If anyone still has any doubts, in 2026, video is going to be king even for podcasting. YouTube rivals and often surpasses Spotify and Apple Podcasts for reach and discovery. And, the shows that are rising more quickly are those with a strong video presence.
Niche experts are also among the biggest movers. You can see this with Fr. Mike Schmitz guiding listeners through the Bible or Andrew Huberman teaching neuroscience.
For a deeper dive into where the industry is heading, read our full guide on podcast trends for 2026.
FAQs on Popular Podcasts
How do I start my own podcast?
Starting a podcast begins with choosing your topic and audience as well as defining a clear concept. For equipment, a simple setup consisting of an external USB mic, closed-back earphones, and reliable recording software like Riverside is enough to begin. Lastly, pick a podcast hosting platform to distribute your show to platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
For a complete step-by-step guide, read our guide on how to start a podcast.
How do podcast ratings compare across platforms?
Different platforms measure podcast ratings and chart positions in different ways:
Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts measures how the rate of new followers and engagement have improved in the last 24 to 72 hours. This is why a brand-new show can briefly hit #1 over a long-running giant if it has a massive launch day. Listener engagement considers the completion rate of listened episodes, but only within the Apple ecosystem.
Spotify
Spotify uses its own internal metrics, like unique listens on a given day and total number of followers, to rank podcasts. This way, old shows with sustained audience size still have an edge over new ones.
YouTube
YouTube ranks podcasts based on total watch time. A podcast with fewer clicks but higher retention (people watching the whole duration) will often outrank a video with more clicks but high drop-off.
What are the top 10 most listened to podcasts?
Podcasts are hosted across several platforms at the same time, and listener data isn't always publicly disclosed. Because of this, pinpointing the exact number of listeners for each is really hard.
Some marketing research companies build their own rankings by surveying representative listener samples. According to Edison Research, for example, arguably lists the following as the 10 most listened-to podcasts:
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- Crime Junkie
- The Daily by The New York Times
- Call Her Daddy
- SmartLess
- This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
- New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
- Dateline NBC
- Morbid
- Stuff You Should Know
What is the number one podcast in the USA?
As of 2025, The Joe Rogan Experience remains the most popular podcast in the USA. It regularly tops charts on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcast with millions of listeners per episode. However, earlier this year, The MeidasTouch Podcast briefly dethroned Joe Rogan on YouTube.
What is the number 1 podcast in the world right now?
Globally, The Joe Rogan Experience holds the title of number one podcast. It has 20.6 million subscribers.
How do I choose a good podcast to listen to?
To choose a good podcast, start by picking a niche that matches your interests, such as pop culture, true crime or comedians.
Check out the most popular shows in that category from our list, or look for highly rated podcasts with engaging hosts. If it’s a mini-series, make sure to start from the first episode, then give it a try.
Most podcast apps also have their own charts. You can check these to see what’s currently trending.
What are the top 5 podcasts on YouTube?
YouTube recently launched its own Weekly Top Podcast Shows chart in the United States, so you can always check what’s trending right now. If you’re interested in the top 5 podcasts on YouTube in 2025, they were:
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- KILL TONY
- Good Mythical Morning
- Rotten Mango
- The MeidasTouch Podcast
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