What if learning something new and interesting could be as easy as playing music? Wouldn’t it make learning and education more accessible and fun?
Just think about it, learning neuroscience while folding laundry, brushing up on world history during a traffic jam, or getting teaching tips while walking the dog. It would be fascinating if your daily commute, morning jog, or coffee break could secretly double as a classroom.
Welcome to the world of the best educational podcasts, where knowledge is at your fingertips and learning becomes a vital part of your life, not just your schedule. Everything that triggers your curiosity to learn about is just one click away inside your earbuds.
In this article, we will explore a curated collection of the best educational podcasts that are a must-listen to, which cater to both students and teachers.
How Educational Podcasts Are Changing the Way We Learn?
Educational podcasts are modernising the way we learn in so many ways. First, they offer incredible flexibility and accessibility.
Podcasts help to create active learning opportunities from more passive moments, for example, travelling, or doing toddler-related chores. This allows listeners to engage with an array of topics at their own pace, and whenever and wherever they want.
In this way, educational podcasts provide an on-demand and audio-rich experience that caters to many learner’s preferences, especially audio learners. And provide a powerful supplementary learning resource that readers can apply and make sense of, while improving critical thinking and nurturing a lifelong love for learning, often at no cost.
20 Best Educational Podcasts that are Must-Listen to in 2025:
Best Educational Podcasts For Students:
These best educational podcasts are perfect for students as they help teach them how to grasp the concept quickly and provide some hacks on improving their learning methods.
1. Stuff You Should Know:
A wildly popular podcast that deep dives into the origins and mechanics of everyday topics, obscure facts, historical events, and scientific phenomena. It’s incredibly broad and always fascinating.
Covered Topics: In-depth studies of a huge range of subjects, from the history of everyday objects like ketchup and denim to complex phenomena, such as black holes and the brain, historical events, scientific concepts, and pop culture oddities.
Hosted by: Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6P7P7G8CXxamlCvpfECU4N?si=vDEfM7Z7TDW7RdNzXHOpDQ
2. TED Radio Hour:
Hosted by Guy Raz (formerly), this podcast takes a thematic approach, weaving together excerpts from multiple TED Talks around a single idea, offering diverse perspectives on significant global issues.
Covered Topics: Explores overarching themes and big ideas, e.g., awe, purpose, artificial intelligence, and climate change by curating and weaving together excerpts from various TED Talks and conducting new interviews.
Hosted by: Manoush Zomorodi
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vfOw64nKjQ8LzZDPCfRaO?si=f2b5c930201b45b4
3. Radiolab:
Known for its innovative sound design and storytelling, Radiolab explores scientific and philosophical questions, often blending interviews, music, and sound effects to create an immersive learning experience.
Covered Topics: Scientific and philosophical questions, often exploring complex concepts related to human behavior, physics, biology, and the natural world through innovative soundscapes and storytelling.
Hosted by: Jad Abumrad and Latif Nasser
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/2hmkzUtix0qTqvtpPcMzEL?si=7b2e149ee3d04f94
4. Freakonomics Radio:
Hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, this podcast explores “the hidden side of everything,” using economic principles to explain various social, cultural, and political phenomena in surprising ways.
Covered Topics: The hidden side of everything, applying economic principles to understand and explain human behavior, social trends, cultural phenomena, and policy decisions.
Hosted by: Stephen J. Dubner
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/6z4NLXyHPga1UmSJsPK7G1?si=ef31c70a4df94c86
5. 99% Invisible:
A podcast about design and architecture, but it’s really about the unnoticed elements that shape our world, from the history of highway signs to the design of flags, revealing the thought behind everyday objects.
Covered Topics: Design, architecture, and the unnoticed elements that shape our built environment and daily lives. Topics range from urban planning and infrastructure to the history of everyday objects and sounds.
Hosted by: Roman Mars
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/69mDNfJAC5iWNqsTvs7ysg?si=SL8jGCnZSUS5COhAHlZe5w
6. Hardcore History:
Hosted by Dan Carlin, this podcast offers incredibly in-depth, long-form explorations of historical events and figures, presented with dramatic storytelling that brings history to life.
Covered Topics: In-depth, narrative-driven explorations of specific historical events, eras, and figures, often focusing on conflicts, political shifts, and major societal transformations.
Hosted by: Dan Carlin
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/72qiPaoDRf8HkGKEChvG5q?si=104d60b3ae814db2
7. The College Info Geek Podcast:
Personalised for students, this podcast provides practical advice on study strategies, productivity hacks, personal development, and career planning to help navigate academic and early professional life.
Covered Topics: Practical advice and strategies for students on productivity, study techniques, personal development, career planning, effective learning, and navigating college life.
Hosted by: Thomas Frank
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/53TsTEHBmnGHUNTf5PIuSg?si=b75c2e2397d34677
8. Brains On:
A science podcast for curious kids and adults, co-hosted by a different child each week, it answers listener questions about the world using interviews with experts, sound effects, and engaging segments.
Covered Topics: Science and curiosity-driven questions about the world, ranging from how the brain works to the science behind everyday phenomena, featuring interviews with experts.
Hosted by: Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez, Sanden Totten, and Anna Weggel (with a different kid co-host each week).
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EaTaVeNXR4QSFAArpyZyd?si=899c9a8419884a8b
9. The Past and The Curious:
This podcast tells fun, lesser-known stories from history, designed to entertain and educate kids and families about fascinating historical events and figures beyond the textbook.
Covered Topics: Engaging and often little-known stories from history, designed to entertain and educate children and families about historical events, inventions, and famous (and not-so-famous) figures.
Hosted by: Mick Sullivan
Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KiA7W0CibLWmD5AxhH89k?si=ce70723e03d746ec
10. Smash Boom Best:
A debate show for kids and families, where two cool things are “smashed” together and debated by experts, encouraging critical thinking and persuasive argumentation in a fun, engaging format.
Covered Topics: Debates between two seemingly unrelated topics or concepts, e.g., “Pancakes vs. Waffles,” “Dragons vs. Unicorns”. This encourages critical thinking, persuasive argumentation, and fun facts.
Hosted by: Molly Bloom, with a panel of judges and debaters.
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/3tOJdo0LrOrYPMPf7wIB9w?si=6fdc66356c2045e2
Best Educational Podcasts For Teachers:
These podcasts are ideal for educators, as they cover a range of topic that talks about teaching and inspiring.
11. The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast:
Hosted by Jennifer Gonzalez, this podcast is a treasure chest of information on teaching strategies, classroom management, education reform, and educational technology. It’s consistently celebrated for its practical, research-backed advice.
Covered Topics: Teaching strategies, classroom management, education reform, educational technology, psychological and social dynamics of school, and practical tips for teachers.
Hosted by: Jennifer Gonzalez
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tqAQKltFrAi05Rc4Js5hb?si=60bffaaadbe04688
12. Angela Watson’s Truth for Teachers:
Angela Watson provides honest, relatable, and empowering advice on various aspects of teaching, including work-life balance, self-care, and classroom effectiveness. It’s known for helping teachers avoid burnout and find joy in their profession.
Covered Topics: Work-life balance for teachers, self-care, classroom effectiveness, avoiding burnout, finding joy in teaching, and practical strategies for educators.
Hosted by: Angela Watson
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KICZW01ohDN9jlkclrQew?si=a5a70273da3446f2
Also Read : Striking the Elusive Work-Life Balance: Strategies for Thriving in Both Spheres
13. The EdTech Podcast:
Hosted by Sophie Bailey, this podcast connects education and technology, exploring how new tools and trends can be combined into the classroom to improve learning experiences.
Covered Topics: Connecting education and technology, integrating new tools and trends into the classroom, enhancing learning experiences with technology, future of education and tech.
Hosted by: Sophie Bailey (Founder and Presenter), with various guests and occasional guest hosts.
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/5oOBPrlO68dNZXen9Kxg0e?si=6a83f8cbdcc347d0
14. 10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher (Vicki Davis):
For busy educators, this podcast delivers brief, actionable insights and strategies in short, digestible episodes, often featuring interviews with other educators and experts.
Covered Topics: Crisp, actionable insights and strategies for teachers, educational technology integration, classroom management tips, and interviews with educators
Hosted by: Vicki Davis
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/1CbwslaXSlpgIsAvtmNWtw?si=9a4eedc8cdd348cb
15. The Creative Classroom with John Spencer:
John Spencer’s podcast is dedicated to sparking creativity in teaching and learning, offering innovative ideas for lesson planning, project-based learning, and fostering student engagement.
Covered Topics: Nurturing creativity in teaching and learning, design thinking, innovative lesson planning, project-based learning, student engagement.
Hosted by: John Spencer
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wh1nnySvlulNI6OMFLvcE?si=8afce93e6afb4487
16. MindShift Podcast (KQED):
This podcast delves into the future of learning, exploring innovative education methods, how we raise children, and the broader trends shaping educational landscapes.
Covered Topics: Innovations in education, how children learn, trends shaping educational landscapes, new approaches to teaching, and deeper dives into specific educational issues.
Hosted by: Ki Sung and Nimah Gobir (from KQED) often host, with various guests
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MxSpNYZKNprFLCl7eEtyx?si=caba9e39385d40c6
17. The Learning Scientists Podcast:
Produced by intellectual psychologists, this podcast translates scientific research on learning into accessible and actionable strategies for teachers, helping them understand how students learn best.
Covered Topics: Science of learning, research-backed study and teaching strategies, cognitive psychology principles applied to education, effective learning techniques
Hosted by: Dr. Megan Sumeracki and Dr. Yana Weinstein
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/3uA0quRZZtW75VAu001NZJ?si=4b4f658967674f6f
18. Teachers on Fire:
Hosted by Tim Cavey, this podcast features interviews with passionate educators who are innovating, experimenting, and inspiring in their classrooms, sharing their insights and experiences.
Covered Topics: Inspiring interviews with innovative and passionate educators, professional development, maintaining passion for teaching, and education leadership.
Hosted by: Tim Cavey
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/2yWsoDPJU2m3CTvCsArShB?si=4e95697af2484208
19. Teach Me, Teacher:
This podcast offers authentic conversations with fellow educators, administrators, and thought leaders, providing practical advice and inspiring ideas for teachers.
Covered Topics: Improving teaching craft, ideas and contributions from other teachers, discussions on classroom challenges and successes, insights from education leaders.
Hosted by: Jacob Chastain
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ItuFIErNUv7jpNVeeWMAX?si=12482d8d231b4425
20. The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast:
Hosted by Betsy Potash, The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast provides ELA teachers with practical, innovative strategies to make lessons more engaging.
Covered Topics: Creative teaching strategies, project-based learning, one-pagers, hexagonal thinking, choice reading, student podcasting, genius hour, engaging ELA classroom ideas, and integrating creative projects.
Hosted by: Betsy Potash.
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PLLGS3bsZKJmluqndmJSW?si=dd59db27a34a42a9
Here are some of the best educational podcasts catering to both teacher’s and student’s needs. They have become a new way of learn and teaching, which is turning every moment into a productive lecture.
Case Study of Best Educational Podcasts – Podcasting’s Real Impact on Student Learning:
A fascinating study conducted at the University of Cape Town explored how students in two engineering courses used lecture podcasts to support their academic success. Contrary to common fears, the availability of podcasts did not reduce lecture attendance. Instead, students viewed podcasts as a valuable supplementary resource, especially during exam preparation.
Most students preferred using podcasts in quiet study environments rather than in a movable context, and many reported deeper engagement with course material thanks to the ability to pause, rewind, and rewatch difficult concepts. Notably, non-native English speakers found podcasts especially helpful, as they could review lectures at their own pace for better understanding.
This study highlights a key takeaway for those looking for the best educational podcasts: value lies not just in content quality but in how it improves understanding and supports flexible learning. Whether you’re a student or a lifelong learner, the right podcast can serve as a powerful tool for deep, self-directed education.
Conclusion:
Whether you’re discovering historical secrets while you commute or learning new academic practices as you walk, educational podcasts have changed the way we learn. They take every moment and turn it into a learning opportunity, offering evidence that learning is no longer confined to the classroom or dictated schedules.
Explore the best educational podcasts and see just how easy and enjoyable it can be to engage in lifelong learning!
FAQ:
1. Are podcasts good to listen to while studying?
Studying doesn’t have to feel chaotic or overwhelming. The right playlists and podcasts can turn studying into something productive, motivating, and maybe even a little enjoyable. Spotify has been a lifesaver for helping me stay focused and calm when everything feels a bit too much,
2. What is the most listened to podcast ever?
The most listened-to podcast ever is The Joe Rogan Experience. It consistently ranks as the top podcast globally, with millions of downloads and streams,
3. How effective are podcasts for learning?
Best Educational Podcasts are a powerful learning tool that supports comprehension and curiosity. Research shows that listening activates the same parts of the brain as reading, and for many students, podcasts can improve focus, strengthen listening skills, and help absorb information in an engaging way!
