Podcasts have gone from a niche hobby to a full-blown phenomenon. There are over 5 million podcasts globally, with 70 million episodes between them.
This article spotlights the 15 best podcasts among these millions that most resonated with audiences in 2023. These podcasts, ranging across categories from true crime and health to business and comedy, consistently delivered high-quality content that kept fans engaged throughout the year.
Read on for a curated list of the best podcasts of 2023!
Best podcasts of 2023
Here’s the list of the best podcasts of 2023:
- Strike Force Five
- Critics at Large
- You Didn't See Nothin
- 10 Minute MBA — Daily Actionable Business Lessons with Scott D. Clary
- The BizChix Podcast
- Business Accelerator
- My Favorite Murder
- Ear Hustle
- Blind Plea
- Huberman Lab
- Found My Fitness
- The Doctor’s Farmacy
- WTF with Marc Maron
- Office Ladies
- Comedy Bang! Bang!
The US podcast ad revenue hit a record-breaking $2 billion in 2022. Industry studies predict this revenue will grow and reach $4 billion by 2024.
Best new podcast 2023
Here are the 3 best podcasts that started in 2023:
- Strike Force Five
- Critics at Large
- You Didn't See Nothin
Strike Force Five
Following the Hollywood writers' strike, five well-known late-night TV hosts—Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers came together to create the podcast Strike Force Five to support the hosts' writing staff who were impacted by the strike.
The hosts get into discussions and entertain the audience by playfully mocking one another's public personas, sharing amusing celebrity anecdotes, and participating in good-natured pranks.
While Strike Force Five provided financial assistance for struggling writers, it gave us a new way to enjoy the hosts' humor and rapport.
Available on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Average episode duration: 60 minutes
Hosted by: Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers
Critics at Large
Critics at Large is a weekly culture podcast hosted by three New Yorker writers: Naomi Fry, Vinson Cunningham, and Alexandra Schwartz.
Every Thursday, the hosts convene to discuss and debate the latest buzz-worthy topics across the arts, entertainment, and pop culture landscapes.
In 2023, the hosts analyzed trending stories ranging from Taylor Swift's outsized influence to how Elon Musk is transforming the social media landscape.
Leveraging their inside access at The New Yorker, the hosts provide added context and behind-the-scenes insight to help you deeply understand the cultural events and phenomena of the moment—how they came to be, what they mean, and where they could lead.
Available on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Average episode duration: 45 minutes
Hosted by: Naomi Fry, Vinson Cunningham, and Alexandra Schwartz
You Didn't See Nothin
The podcast You Didn't See Nothin provides a deeply personal perspective on a 1997 hate crime in Chicago. Host Yohance Lacour revisits an incident from his youth when a group of privileged, white teenagers brutally beat a black boy to death in Lacour's neighborhood.
As media coverage transformed the story into a misleading narrative of racial reconciliation, Lacour conducted his investigation of the event. He reflects on how the crime and its aftermath shaped his path into investigative journalism.
Rather than treating this as a typical true crime story, Lacour places himself within the story, connecting his own experiences to the community affected by hate and violence.
His intimate involvement and reflections turn this from an account of a crime into a thought-provoking memoir and social commentary.
Available on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Average episode duration: 30 minutes
Hosted by: Yohance Lacour
Best business podcast 2023
Here are the 3 best podcasts in 2023 that kept us clued in on leadership, innovation, career growth, and the future of business:
- 10 Minute MBA
- The BizChix Podcast
- Business Accelerator
10 Minute MBA — Daily Actionable Business Lessons with Scott D. Clary
10 Minute MBA — Daily Actionable Business Lessons with Scott D. Clary is a daily business podcast that provides practical advice to improve business. The podcast is hosted by the Founder and CEO of The Social Club, an exclusive community of high-net-worth entrepreneurs, investors, and executives.
Each episode lasts 10-12 minutes and covers topics ranging from how to create a business plan to sales strategies and email marketing tips.
Available on: Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Average episode duration: 10 minutes
Hosted by: Scott D. Clary
The BizChix Podcast
The BizChix Podcast, hosted by Natalie Eckdahl, is a women-centric weekly podcast that offers business coaching and advice to empower female entrepreneurs.
Drawing from her MBA training and real-world experience launching ventures, Eckdahl actively engages listeners through expert interviews and direct on-air coaching calls. She confronts the array of roles women business owners must play, from building leadership skills to mastering inner confidence to balancing work and personal life.
Available on: Apple Podcasts.
Average episode duration: 30 minutes
Hosted by: Natalie Eckdahl
Ayush Kudesia
Business Accelerator
Business Accelerator, hosted by New York Times bestselling author Michael Hyatt and CEO Megan Hyatt Miller, discusses the tips and tools you need to win at work and succeed in life.
In 2023, they went deep into topics such as goal-setting, feedback, self-improvement, leadership, and business influence.
Follow this podcast if you want tips on becoming a more productive and impactful leader.
Available on: Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts.
Average episode duration: 20 minutes
Hosted by: Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt-Miller
Fireflies
Best true crime podcast 2023
The best podcast 2023 in the true crime genre includes:
- My Favorite Murder
- Ear Hustle
- Blind Plea
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark is one of the best podcasts of 2023 that discusses true crimes. Unlike most shows in the genre that take a serious tone, this podcast injects comedy into its coverage of terrifying stories.
Over the years, the hosts have shared their lifelong fascination with crimes ranging from notorious serial killers to mysteries, deadly cults, incredible survival tales, and significant historical events like the 1921 Tulsa race massacre.
Available on: Spotify.
Average episode duration: 60 minutes
Hosted by: Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Ear Hustle
Ear Hustle is a groundbreaking podcast that sheds light on the little-known realities of life behind bars. Created and produced by Nigel Poor along with formerly incarcerated co-hosts Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams, the show shares first-hand stories from prisoners past and present.
Unlike most portrayals of prison life filtered through media lenses, Ear Hustle gives listeners direct access to the candid voices of those living within the system.
Available on: Ear Hustle.
Average episode duration: 45 minutes
Hosted by: Nigel Poor, Earlonne Woods, and Antwan Williams
Blind Plea
Blind Plea is a true crime podcast that narrates one woman’s harrowing journey through the criminal justice system after an act of self-defense.
Devin Gray, a Black woman, killed her abusive white partner in Alabama. Instead of going through an unpredictable trial, she opted for a risky blind plea—an option to take an unknown sentence in exchange for pleading guilty.
The show follows her case intimately from that fateful night through her time in prison and eventual release, spotlighting flaws and inequities endemic to the legal system along the way.
Available on: Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and Apple Podcasts.
Average episode duration: 45 minutes
Hosted by: Liz Flock
Guest User
Best health podcast 2023
Here are 3 best health and wellness podcasts in 2023:
- Huberman Lab
- Found My Fitness
- The Doctor’s Farmacy
Huberman Lab
The Huberman Lab podcast is hosted by Dr. Andrew Huberman, a Stanford neurobiology professor and neuroscientist.
On the show, Dr. Huberman discusses the latest research on the brain and nervous system, explaining how they control human perception, behavior, health, and performance.
New episodes are released every Monday.
Available on: Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.
Average episode duration: 120 minutes
Hosted by: Dr. Andrew Huberman
Found My Fitness
In the podcast Found My Fitness, host Rhonda Patrick shares tips to improve your overall health and well-being based on the latest research on nutrition, aging, and disease prevention.
Available on: YouTube and Apple Podcasts.
Average episode duration: 60 minutes
Hosted by: Rhonda Patrick, PhD
The Doctor’s Farmacy
The Doctor's Farmacy podcast, hosted by Dr. Mark Hyman critically examines how the food and healthcare industries impact public health. He examines how Big Food and Big Pharma profit from poor nutrition and widespread chronic illnesses rather than preventing them.
Unlike conventional medical approaches, Dr. Hyman goes beyond treating symptoms to explore how diet, lifestyle, environment, and social factors intersect. His goal is to get to the root causes of disease.
By contextualizing health issues systemically, The Doctor's Farmacy helps listeners understand the political dimensions behind suboptimal wellness.
Available on: Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts.
Average episode duration: 20 minutes
Hosted by: Mark Hyman M D
Soorya Radhakrishnan
Best comedy podcast 2023
Here are 3 best podcasts that turned frowns upside down in 2023:
- WTF with Marc Maron
- Office Ladies
- Comedy Bang! Bang!
WTF with Marc Maron
WTF with Marc Maron offers a rare backstage pass into the personal lives of celebrities.
Veteran standup comedian Marc Maron brings his candid, thoughtful interview style to long-form conversations with a staggering roster of performers. His willingness to explore sensitive topics allows guests to open up emotionally and professionally in ways other hosts can't match.
Available on: Spotify, WTF with Marc Maron, and Apple Podcasts.
Average episode duration: 60 minutes
Hosted by: Marc Maron
Office Ladies
Office Ladies is a rewatch podcast of the sitcom—The Office.
Hosted by actual Office stars Jenna Fischer (Pam) and Angela Kinsey (Angela), the podcast revisits each episode in turn. As they recap plotlines and key scenes, Fischer and Kinsey also reveal little-known trivia, on-set memories, and the tremendous effort invested into this seminal comedy series by the talented cast and crew.
Both funny and heartfelt, Office Ladies lets us reminisce about the emotional finales, fan-favorite romances, and coworker bonds that made the sitcom relatable.
Available on: Office Ladies.
Average episode duration: 40 minutes
Hosted by: Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
Comedy Bang! Bang!
Comedy Bang! Bang! offers an unpredictable and hilarious weekly comedy podcast.
Host Scott Aukerman talks and jokes with different guests and performers in a very loose, casual setting. The conversations often deviate into funny improvised bits, made-up characters, and absurd jokes. Both the host and guests follow their comedy instincts wherever they lead.
With no rules or limits guiding the comedy, Comedy Bang! Bang! is perfect for fans of more experimental, playful humor.
Available on: Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Average episode duration: 60 minutes
Hosted by: Scott Aukerman
Soorya Radhakrishnan
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On average, a podcast episode can go up to 41 minutes in duration. Even most of the above podcasts have episodes lasting between 40 to 120 minutes.
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Fireflies lets you easily snip out parts of a podcast and share them with your peers or save them into a playlist folder?
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