Top 10 Best Educational Podcasts

Podcasts are a great source of knowledge and entertainment. Are you looking for your next favorite podcast, but aren’t sure which to choose?

Listening to podcasts can transform an unbearable commute, make your nightly jogs fly by, or liven up a quiet Sunday morning. There are thousands of podcasts out there – some aim to educate, while others aim to inspire. With so many choices, finding the right podcast can be tricky. Start your search by thinking about the kind of person you are and what you’re looking to gain.

Be in the Know

Due to the nature of our fast-paced lives, we often don’t have time to think about things like how things came about, or how stuff works. If you do have time to Google your questions, you usually end up going down a rabbit hole or not having your actual questions answered.

If you find yourself thinking about life's unanswered questions, check out one of the many podcasts that aim to answer your queries. Have you ever been in the doctor’s office waiting room and wondered why the person that came in after you got seen first? Or how the secret service works? Stuff You Should Know explores these questions and others, like how things such as global warming happen. If this sounds up your alley, and you’re a history buff, give Revisionist History, or Hardcore History a listen. Revisionist History is a podcast by speaker and best-selling author, Malcolm Gladwell. Every episode examines something from the past – an event, person, idea – and asks whether we got it right the first time. It looks at events that are often “overlooked and misunderstood” with a fresh, modern-day lense. Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History does a similar thing by examining historical events and putting a unique spin on them. These podcasts will not only educate you, but get your mind thinking.

Are you a CEO or entrepreneur starting a company?

Anybody “successful” will tell you that a lot of time and energy went into getting to where they are. They will likely stress the importance of maximizing every minute of every day, whether it’s waking up early, staying up late, or maximizing time between meetings.

If there’s anyone that knows about time management and business motivations, it’s Tim Ferriss. He’s an entrepreneur, public speaker, and best selling author whose most famous for writing The 4-hour Workweek. In his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, Ferriss interviews and examines professionals from different fields, including NFL players and world renowned meditation gurus. He speaks to the professionals and allows his listeners to learn from the best of the best. Whether you’re in a leadership role or desire to be in one, staying current is another key factor to success. National Public Radio, best known by its acronym NPR, hosts many podcasts to keep people informed at all times. One of its most popular shows, Planet Money, speaks to listeners about economic and financial concepts, while making them easy to understand.

Let Your Creative Energies Flow

Creativity is often seen as something limited to those who are blessed with artistic talents such as photographers, writers, or comediens. But out-of-the-box, creative thinking can be learned, and is often times useful when tackling work-related or family issues.

If you’re looking for inspiration, 99% Invisible is a great way to get your creative juices flowing. Sometimes we take certain things for granted. Take a sports bra for example, which is a practical item and has become the norm for female athletes today. Have you ever thought about how sports bras were created? The story of the item’s history and importance of design and comfort will fascinate you and get you thinking creatively and differently. Radiolab is another great podcast that brings to light some unconventional problems with intriguing and creative conclusions.

Think Differently

For those unconventional thinkers looking for some educational entertainment, look no further than Freakonomics Radio. Hosted by co-author of the best selling book Freakonomics, Steven Dubner, Freakonomics Radio is an award-winning podcast with 8 million downloads per month. It explores the nuances of everyday life and the eccentricities of human nature. Additionally, Invisibilia and StarTalk Radio are two other podcasts that provide an appealing fusion of pop-culture, comedy, and science. They’re both well-rounded and eye-opening, and will provide you with a worldly perspective on life.

The Right Podcast for You

Listening to podcasts is a wonderful way of infusing knowledge, creativity, and humor into your daily life. Whether you’re a history buff, science fanatic, or you want to bolster your leadership skills, there’s a podcast out there waiting for you!