The Popular Podcasts

Posted byJoe Posted onJanuary 26, 2025 Comments0

Over the years, podcasts have become an important part of the media globally, and several of them have reached global popularity, attracting millions of listeners worldwide in 2025. Slingo has their own version of their top influencers from different fields, but here’s our own list of the most influential and popular podcasts globally.

  1. The Joe Rogan Experience

The podcast is hosted by Joe Rogan, who is a comedian and a commentator. They have long interviews with different guests, like celebrities, academics, scientists, politicians, and thought leaders. The show’s concept is unfiltered and in conversational style. 

He can discuss a variety of topics, from politics and philosophy to fitness and psychedelics, making his podcast enjoyable. In 2020, they made an exclusive deal with Spotify, which brought in more listeners. They also gained over 11 million downloads per episode.

  1. Serial

This true crime podcast that Sarah Koenig and hosted was released in 2014. The first season investigates the 1999 murder case of Hae Min Lee and her convicted ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed, which attracted millions of listeners. 

Since its initial success, the podcast has expanded with multiple seasons focusing on different true crime stories or investigative journalism projects. It set the standard for narrative podcasts. 

  1. The Daily

This was released in 2017, and it’s produced by The New York Times. The listeners are given a 20-minute rundown of the most important news stories of the day. The podcast is hosted by Michael Barbaro. The show’s format and complete coverage make it the go-to source for many listeners looking for news in real time.

Since its release, it has become one of the most successful news podcasts globally, and it’s also ranked on top of the popularity charts. The podcast gained millions of loyal subscribers in 2025, making it one of the most influential news outlets in podcast history.

  1. My Favorite Murder

This is a podcast that focuses on true crime as well. It’s hosted by comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Even if they’re talking about true crime, they tell it with a mix of humor as they talk about infamous murder cases and strange events.

The podcast is enjoyable for listeners who enjoy a mix of dark humor and compelling storytelling, which became popular as well. Over the years their community has grown, and fans began sharing their own “hometown murders” and connecting with each other online. This podcast has become a cultural phenomenon thanks to their millions of listeners and is part of the top true crime podcasts of all time.

  1. Call Her Daddy

A podcast that focused on topics about sex and relationships changed into a major pop culture podcast later on. The podcast is hosted by Alexandra Cooper, and because of the way she talks about it, it earned her a lot of following. 

Spotify offered her an exclusive deal in 2021, and since then, she has expanded her topics into lifestyle, celebrity interviews, and even about female empowerment. The podcast made a place as one of the top entertainment shows for younger audiences, specifically for those interested in relationships and personal growth.

  1. Armchair Expert

A long-form interview podcast that’s hosted by actor Dax Shepard and his co-hot, Monica Padman. They have candid conversations with celebrities, experts, and everyday people. The main focus of the podcast is on human behavior, personal stories, and mental health, sometimes diving into topics such as addiction, therapy, and personal growth.

His self-deprecating humor and openness about his own struggles create an atmosphere that encourages vulnerability. The podcast became popular and gained a loyal fan base as well. As of 2025, the podcast became a favorite for those interested in interesting discussions. 

  1. The Michelle Obama Podcast

Her podcast is an intimate and empowering series where she has one-on-one conversations with guests from different backgrounds. From her own experiences growing up to navigating the complicated public life, she uses the podcast to talk about issues about family, relationships, health, and social justice.

The podcast focuses on authenticity, personal connection, and social change, which resonates with listeners, especially given her global influence. This is for anyone interested in changing personal development and social impact; it also attracts millions of listeners worldwide.

  1. Stuff You Should Know

Launched in 2018, and it focuses on learning about random topics. It’s hosted by Josh Clark and Charles W. “Chuck” Bryant, and their topics range from history and science to pop culture and the bizarre. It has earned millions of listeners since it launched, and it became one of the longest-running and most loved educational podcasts. Each episode explains complicated topics in a clear, and sometimes humorous, way, making it both educational and entertaining.

The hosts’ chemistry and ability to make complicated subjects interesting have solidified the show’s place among the top podcasts in the world.

The popularity of these podcasts is proof of how powerful the audio format has become globally, depending on the content they produce. Podcasts will keep shaping the media landscape, giving new voices, perspectives, and insights to improve our daily lives as technology and the preferences of their listeners change.

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