If you see me walking through a public place — an airport, Nordstrom, Starbucks— and I don’t respond when you call my name, it’s not you. It’s me.
I’m listening to a podcast.
While podcasts have grown in popularity, the best podcasts are the place to go for professional advice, to hear from leaders and doers, to get the lowdown on the ideas, books, science, data and news that sound-bite media leaves out.
Podcasts have evolved over the last few years. The former go-to pods that everyone talked about and recommended now feel old-school. I loved Serial and Scamanda, and for a while I was totally on team Smartless. I mean really, is there anything better than having Jason Bateman low-talking directly into your ear? But they’ve run their course … or perhaps again, it’s me. I need more.
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Evolve Your Playlist with the Best Podcasts to Make the Most of Your Year
So, here is a list of our favorites; we’ve listened to these, recommended them or had them recommended to us. Podcast fan or newbie, there’s never been a better time to update your playlist with the best podcasts—and to get in before podcasts peak and they’re blamed for humans losing personal connections or contributing to our social ADHD.
The best thing about a playlist of the best podcasts? It will prevent the algorithm from auto-serving a painful dude-not-funny pod just as your current listen ends. We all know that is no fun.
These are our favorites, the best podcasts to follow right now.
Networth and Chill — Vivian Tu
Vivian Tu, known on social media as your Rich BFF, not only dishes out solid financial advice, but interviews people who found success following their passions and discovers the habits, attitudes and hangups that helped or hindered their success. Get her podcast here.
Read: Best Road Trip Cars for Your Summer (Or Anytime) Getaways
Kylie Kelce — Not Gonna Lie
You gotta love this: Kylie Kelce, wife of football star Jason Kelce, mom of three daughters and now, the host of the No. 1 podcast having just knocked Joe Rogan out of the top spot. Go, girl! Kylie interviews celebrities and friends and dishes on life, motherhood and the life of a football wifey. Get her podcast here.
Brené Brown —Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead
This woman was simply born to podcast. Brené is a researcher, educator and communicator who gets to the heart of things with earnest honesty, looping in everyone in earshot and leaving us feeling better for the process of examination and understanding. Her courses, talks and books have long been top of the list, but of course, she leads the list of best podcasts. Listen here.
Alex Cooper — Call Her Daddy
The host of this raw and sometimes rough feminist show, Alex Cooper tackles tough topics with friends and celebrity guests to get at the heart of what makes us who we are, or prevents us from being who we should be. She’s provocative and smart, engaging and vulnerable, all elements of the best podcasts. Get her podcast here.
The New York — Times The Daily
Hosted by Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise, this has been my daily listen since it got its start in 2017. Michael and Sabrina, as well as a short list of other hosts, take you into the newsroom, behind the scenes and into the reporting journeys of New York Times reporters. They take a deeper dive on complicated topics and bring light and context to the increasingly murky world of news and information. Recent episodes are free on podcast platforms, older episodes require a NY Times subscription. Get the podcast here.
Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway — Pivot
Two of the world’s best minds on tech and business bring their intelligence and chemistry to this twice weekly chat about the business, politics, tech and culture stories of the day. Kara, a vaunted Silicon Valley reporter and Scott, professor of marketing and strategy at NY Stern School of Business, share their own expert insights, straight-from-the-source reporting and global context, as well insights and background from industry leaders and experts. If you want to hear the real deal about what’s going on in the world from people who are deep in the trenches, this is a must-listen. Get the podcast here.
Rachel Maddow — Ultra
If there is only one podcast you listen to, maybe ever, make it this one. It’s riveting. It’s shocking. It’s well researched, smartly crafted and entertaining. And it’s all true. Ultra, which first launched in July, 2022, is unlike anything else Rachel Maddow has done and may be her best work ever (and, it’s not just an extension of her cable show).
Here, she and her team tell the history of a desperate and dirty authoritarian plot that shaped the McCarthy era, Nazism and its infiltration in our government; murder, extortion, coverups and forces of divisiveness and criminality, and through it all you’ll hear the echos of plots and tactics that are still pervasive today. Get the podcast here.
Mel Robbins — The Mel Robbins Podcast
If you want to find out how to climb a mountain, or to climb out of a seemingly impossible valley, ask someone who’s been there. That’s Mel Robbins approach, sharing the knowledge, research and real-life experience that she’s harnessed to overcome obstacles and challenges. A teacher, researcher, author and thought leader—her most recent book “The Let Them Theory” was all the talk at holiday tables this year—her podcast balances motivation, parenting, social science and more to present plans and ideas for best-life living. Get her podcast here.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus — Wiser Than Me
The woman is one of the most-loved performers of our time. She speaks four languages, is the daughter of a billionaire, scion of a wealthy French family and an award-winning actress. But bringing her humor and vulnerability to the table for weekly chats with wise women who have seen and done it all is completely endearing. And then she calls her mom.
At first I was reticent about giving Julia Louis-Dreyfus (pronounced loo-ee dry-fuss in case you think otherwise) an hour of my precious time. But I was having my nails done, so, OK. Her surprisingly frank questions, casual and intimate tone and the revelations that follow leave her audience with a rich perspective. You’ll feel good just for having listened. Get her podcast here.
Jean Chatzky — Her Money
Jean will tell you what often no one else will because she understands the disconnect that so many of us have with money and the specific challenges women face when it comes to finances. One of the foremost experts on personal finance, covering the topic for Smart Money, Good Morning America and others since the ’90’s, Jean’s real-life perspective, humor and compassion help us all to find a path to financial security. Get her podcast here.
Kelly and Lizz — The Carpool
Our favorite Car Mom ladies, sisters Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John have six kids between them and yet find time to get together weekly to talk about all things mom: kids, parenting, playdates, school, meals, recipes and of course, family cars. Get their podcast here.
Scotty and Connie — What Drives Her
We have met so many inspiring women through our travels in the auto world we had to share. In the early days we sat down with many of these women because we had to know: How did they do it? What inspired them? What challenges stood in the way? How did they get past the obstacles?
In those days, we wrote a story. But a written piece isn’t the same as bringing you to the conversation, so we started our podcast. And nothing is off the table: we ask about their hopes, their hinderances, their kids and of course, their cars. For 2025 we have a great lineup of women (and some men) we’ll be talking with, and we hope you’ll be on the pod with us. Get our podcast here.
And then, put on those headphones, pop in your air pods and enjoy the ride—enhanced by a great podcast!
