NPR goes back to 1970, when approximately 90 public radio stations came together to form NPR, Inc. Over the next ten years, shows like All Things Considered and Morning Edition debuted, broadcasting nationally over the first nationwide radio satellite distribution network. In 2000, NPR debuted All Songs Considered, their first digital program, and just five years later entered the growing podcasting space with 17 NPR original podcasts and a broader directory of about 150 additional shows from member stations. 

Read more: Over 200 Audio Professionals Sign Anti-Racist Open Letter to Public Media

The influence NPR has had on podcasting (not to mention radio as a whole) has been instrumental. Going back to the early 2000s and the beginning of podcasting, it was NPR affiliate station WGBH that became the first station to release its daily radio programming as podcasts. Today, NPR is the most popular podcast publisher with over 175 million downloads and streams every month according to Podtrac. While this guide will only focus on programs produced by NPR, we also encourage you to explore the full NPR Podcast Directory where you can find additional shows distributed by NPR.

Fresh Air

Hosted by Terry Gross, Fresh Air is one of NPR’s most popular podcasts and consistently is one of the most downloaded podcasts globally. The show began in 1975 at WHYY-FM in Philadelphia, and most episodes consist of an interview for about thirty minutes, followed by shorter segments such as film or music reviews. Guests range from presidents and Hollywood stars to authors, historians, and scientists, all of whom are greeted with the same curiosity, persistence, and analytical questioning. 

Where To Begin:

In 2004, Gross published All I Did Was Ask, where she highlighted several of her favorite interviews with guests such as Johnny Cash, James Baldwin, Chris Rock, and many more. Many interviews from before Fresh Air became a podcast have also been re-released, such as an interview with legendary musician Ray Charles (originally broadcast in 1998) and one with the prolific cooking teacher and author Julia Child (originally broadcast in 1989). With over 40 years of interviews, it is hard to pick a selection of “the best,” but Gross’ selections from the book will serve as a good initial guide. Another great resource is the Fresh Air archive, where interviews are categorized and searchable by name, topic, or year. 

In the past decade, notable interviews include a 2016 discussion with Anthony Bourdain two years before his death, and career-spanning interviews with author Toni Morrison in 2015 or actor Meryl Streep in 2012. In addition to famous guests, Fresh Air’s podcast feed is also filled with less recognizable authors, academics, and scientists discussing their work and expertise.

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Planet Money

Planet Money is NPR’s economics podcast, but don’t be scared off if you are not a fan of the subject. While some episodes do go deep into the nuts and bolts of things like the Federal Reserve or how mints work, many of the shows 1,000+ episodes are more anecdotal and less wonky. 

Several producers and hosts work on the show, with the two best known being Robert Smith and Stacey Vanek Smith, and most episodes have an entertaining, witty, and sometimes humorous flair to them. Planet Money episodes are on the shorter side, usually in the range of 15 to 30 minutes, so it is a great podcast to squeeze into a quick commute or turn on while out on an evening walk. For a complete list of our favorite episodes, read this list from 2019. 

Where To Begin: 

The Planet Money T-Shirt Project (multiple episodes from 2013) was an in-depth look at the journey of a t-shirt from start to finish, including episodes about Indonesian yarn factories, discarded clothes that get sent to Sub-Saharan Africa, and the shipping containers that bring clothing to the United States. A similar series, Planet Money Buys Oil (multiple episodes in 2016), involved buying 100 barrels of oil and following the production process from the ground to a refinery, and finally into a gas tank. Both are incredibly informative and great binge listens. 

Planet Money also does a great job analyzing and explaining pricing, such as in Why The Price of Coke Didn’t Change For 70 Years (May 19, 2019) or Why A Dead Shark Costs $12 Million (March 20, 2019). These two episodes put a fun spin on the concept of supply and demand and would be great episodes to listen to with children, or just to refuel your own curiosity in the economy. 

Another one of Planet Money’s best-known episodes is Peanuts and Cracker Jack (May 6, 2016), which is a character-filled narrative about the micro-economy of baseball stadiums. It gives a new angle to look at sports stadiums with and will make you rethink everything you know about concessions. 

Read more: Best Planet Money episodes

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Code Switch

Although it is significantly newer than some other NPR podcasts, Code Switch has developed a massive audience since its inception in 2016 and quickly became one of NPR’s most popular podcasts. The weekly episodes cover topics such as race, ethnicity, immigration, and other social issues. Produced by a team of journalists of color, including reporters Shereen Marisol Meraji and Gene Demby who host the show, Code Switch excels at answering sometimes complicated or difficult questions in an approachable and comprehensible way. 

Where To Begin: 

Many Code Switch episodes are inspired by current events, including some that continue to be especially relevant. On The Shoulders Of Giants (February 27, 2019) is presented by Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei of the podcast Throughline and tells a history of Black athletes using their position and power to protest injustice throughout American history. Rather than examine more commonly discussed narratives, it focuses on three equally relevant but lesser-known narratives. The Black Table In The Big Tent (September 18, 2019) focused on the fact that just 2% of the Republican Party is black, interviewing experts and Black Republicans alike.

Other Code Switch stories take on unexplored topics relating to race in pop culture, current events, or history. One especially fascinating episode was is Dora’s Lasting Magic (August 14, 2019), which looks at how children’s cartoon character Dora The Explorer helped lead to a new wave of multicultural television programming for kids in the United States. Code Switch also has interviews with a long list of diverse talents, such as Master of None creator Alan Yang and Blackish star Yara Shahidi. The Ask Code Switch episodes are another entertaining series, tackling listener questions and providing thoughtful answers in a way that is both educational and judgment-free. 

Read more: Podcasts to Prepare Your Kids and Teens for the Future

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Hidden Brain

Essentially the Planet Money of psychology, Hidden Brain is a quick, quirky, and sometimes humorous show hosted by journalist Shankar Vedantam. In Vedantam’s own words, in the show, he “reveals the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, the biases that shape our choices, and the triggers that direct the course of our relationships.” The podcast consists of interviews, quizzes and games, and narrative story-telling on a wide range of topics that typically evolve out of a single, simple question. 

Like many other NPR podcasts, the information presented is incredibly well-researched and answers big questions, but is presented in a way that is approachable and appropriate for a wide range of audiences. 

Where To Begin: 

Many of the best Hidden Brain episodes are those where Vedantam and his guests aim to tackle common psychology questions with a new lens. For example, The Ostrich Effect (August 6, 2018) looks at a concept some listeners may already be familiar with but introduces new anecdotes and examples to keep the discussion fresh. Another episode, What’s Not On The Test (May 13, 2019), does the same thing with the concept of school testing, going in-depth to provide concrete examples proving and disproving common theories about academic testing. 

An episode that steers a bit away from the usual format is Lonely Hearts (November 3, 2015), where Vedantam takes a more narrative approach to the psychology of love. The episode originally aired on This American Life, in a show called “The Heart Wants What it Wants,” which gives a bit of insight into the style and mood. Vedantam weaves psychology and science into the flow of the episode, but it ultimately feels more like a personal essay than academic research. 

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Invisibilia

Perhaps NPR’s most out-of-the-box podcast in its subject matter and structure, Invisibilia premiered in 2015 to explore “the invisible forces that shape human behavior.” The show’s first season quickly gained attention, largely in part to excerpts occasionally being included within other NPR podcasts, such as All Things Considered and Morning Edition. Invisibilia and it’s hosts Alix Spiegel and Hanna Rosin were hugely influential on a new wave of podcasts that emerged in the late 2010s in tone and style, and the show remains one of NPR podcasts’ most engaging listens. 

Where To Begin: 

Invisibilia’s typical structure is to start with a narrative story and then let it lead into a broader discussion of the key question, which keeps the complex topics relatable and easier to grasp. For example, one newer episode from Season Six (White v. White?, April 3, 2020) addresses the concept of race as a social construct by opening the story of a man running for City Council who’s opponent alleges he is a white man pretending to be black. 

With about 30 episodes released, listening to Invisibilia from the beginning is very possible and although it is not serialized, starting with Season One may be a good idea. If you start from the beginning, Invisibilia’s debut was The Secret History of Thoughts (January 9, 2015), which examines negative thought, authenticity, and the subconscious mind. The second episode of the first season, Fearless (January 16, 2015) begins with the story of a woman who cannot feel fear before diving into the science of common fears such as snakes and roller coasters. 

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Tiny Desk Concerts – Audio 

Music fans looking for an in-depth discussion should certainly check out All Songs Considered, but if you just want the tunes without the talk, look no further than the Tiny Desk Concerts audio podcast. While you may have seen some of these live shows on the NPR website or YouTube, listening to the podcast version is a real treat and allows you to explore back through over 300 past performances. 

Where To Begin:

Everyone from Taylor Swift, Lizzo, and Coldplay to The Roots, Mac Miller, and The Blue Man Group have stopped by NPR’s studios to play a Tiny Desk Concert. We highly recommend a subscription to the audio feed to relive your favorite performances of the past or discover a new favorite act. 

Music fans will all advocate for their own personal favorites, but a few Tiny Desk Concerts have stood out over the past few years. T-Pain’s 2014 appearance at the Tiny Desk not only established him as an incredibly talented musician and vocalist, but also ushered in a new wave of hip hop, rap, and R&B acts visiting the NPR studios. The most popular Tiny Desk Concert on YouTube is with Anderson .Paak and his cool, charismatic performance without a doubt won him more than a few new fans. Of course, you miss the visuals with the audio podcast version, but with these two artists and several others, simply taking in the sounds is just as sweet.  

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

How I Built This with Guy Raz

Fans of NPR podcasts already knew Guy Raz as the host of the TED Radio Hour, and it was no surprise that his second podcast in the network quickly exploded in popularity as well. Unlike TED Radio Hour, which has complex sound design and is elaborately stylized, How I Built This is a classic interview show that keeps fans engaged simply by having interesting guests. 

The concept is very straightforward, with Raz interviewing CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs about their backgrounds, keys to success, and ultimately, how they started the companies they are best known for. Since 2016, there have been over 300 episodes of the podcast. 

Where To Begin: 

How I Built This, like Fresh Air, has a massive library of episodes and the best ones for you are likely going to be those with guests you already are curious to learn more about. However, it is sometimes the lesser-known names that prove to have the most interesting stories. For example, Beyond Meat: Ethan Brown (February 16, 2017) tells a story of environmentalism, innovation, and fierce competition in an industry that most people probably know little about. Southwest Airlines: Herb Kelleher (January 4, 2019) is an engaging listen because the late Kelleher made fewer media appearances towards the end of his life and was incredibly open with Raz about his airline’s initial struggles and key innovations. 

How I Built This does a good job of finding guests from all industries, so you’ll hear interviews with tech entrepreneurs, fashion moguls, media moguls, and more. 

Read more: the best How I Built This episodes, The Traits The Best Podcast Hosts Share

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Bonus – Up First

Clocking in at just 15 minutes per episode, the daily news NPR podcast Up First may not be comparable to some other full-length podcasts, but it certainly deserves a mention. Similar to The Daily or Crooked Media’s What A Day, Up First aims to quickly recap news you need to know and provide an overview of the three biggest stories you need to know each day. The reporting comes from award-winning journalists and unlike Morning Edition, which is significantly longer, Up First gives you a bite-sized portion of news from the same reputable team. Start Up First with the newest episode. As it is a news show, you most likely would not need to go back into the archives.

Editor’s note: An edit was made to the Code Switch section of this article on 2/22/2021 to provide more context for the “On the Shoulders of Giants” episode.

The post The Best NPR Podcasts (The Complete Collection) appeared first on Discover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods.

1. Gastropod

Put on your bibs because we are starting this science journey through your stomach. Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley celebrated their podversary recently and it is easy to see (and virtually taste) why their podcast has stood the test of podtime. Like many Pod CoHosting duos, one person had an idea for a podcast (Cynthia) and their friend said “not without me you’re not” (Nicola). Their idea of combining food, science and history into an audio experience was born and has flourished for five years. In this time they have covered aspects of this trifecta like how gold spoons make food taste creamier, a visit to a sourdough museum of over 100 samples and the history of Jack Daniels. Their September 2019 five year anniversary episode is the perfect way to start your trip to this science-food-history podtriangle of yumminess.  

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

2. Generic Drift

Moving up the food chain, it’s time to talk dinosaurs with British Biologists Harvey Broadhurst & Adam Bakewell. They also cover astrobiology, neanderthals and whatever other sciencey type topics come into their inquisitive periphery. Although this dynamic duo is serious about their research, they are down to earth and rather silly in their discussions. Their episodes include science news like the fungus that was introduced into concrete to organically plug future cracks in the material, personal moments like when Harvey’s niece was born (and named Thea), meta updates on how their podcasting experience is going and much, much more. Harvey and Adam are two intelligent, quirky Researchers with a passion for sharing and learning. There is nothing generic about that. Note: the “generic” podcast name and the last sentence “generic” have totally different meanings.     

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

3. Spark Science

Like Generic Drift, Spark Science casts a wide science net but there is definitely an influence from Host Dr. Regina Barber DeGraaf’s areas of expertise of Astronomy, Physics and Science Communication. Episodes on the Mars Rover, The Difficulties and Triumphs of Space Travel and Life on Other Worlds are some prime examples. Regina is a no nonsense, intellectually interested person who asks intriguing questions and not only listens but engages with her guests on a deeper level than expected. Our starting episode recommendation demonstrates this connectivity perfectly, in fact. It is the Ken Liu: Talking Science & Fiction episode. During their conversation we can feel the gravitational and emotional pull already existing between them. 

Listen: Apple Podcasts

4. Climactic Podcast

But not all planetary bodies are experiencing joy. “We live in Climactic times” as Mark Spencer and Rich Bowden of the Climactic Podcast warn. Although Mark, a podcast listener since the age of 13, and Rich, his frequent Co-Host cover needed Australia and globally serious climate related topics, the overall tone of this science podcast is informative, caring, nurturing and friendly. From early episodes they have advocated for many people to share their climate stories and the response has been strong. The array of topics and guests are varied and impressive like NASA Geobiologist Dr. Darlene Lim and Director of New York City’s Climate Museum Miranda Massie and members of the international movement Extinction Rebellion. Essentially, they will have conversations with anyone, anywhere about any and all aspects of climate change, how it affects us and how we can change things. Mark and his climate crew are not defeatists. They are hopeful, practical and inviting. In fact, a great first episode to listen to is the Sci-Fight-Are Humans Worth Saving? Science Comedy Debates where Science Comedy Debates were held in the Science Gallery Melbourne to explore our hilarious but needing changing addiction to disposable things. 

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

5. Brain Science Podcasts

Let’s move on now from tickling your climate funny bone to scratching your brain. There is no one better for this task than the Host of the Brain Science Podcast, Dr. Ginger Campbell, an emergency physician with a strong mind-body connection interest. Campbell started this science podcast in 2006 and as such you can imagine how many topics she has covered in that time period. To name a few: neurobiology, exercise and the brain, animal emotions, and vaccines. If this list of topics seems too nerdy for you then be assured that Campbell takes a very big picture approach to interviewing her guests. Although some of the science jargon they use is unavoidable, the explanations that come after them is extremely easy to follow. So much so that there are numerous reviews of the podcast from students, teachers and health practitioners who claim that this science podcast is what keeps them up to date in neuroscience, even though it is not their specialty. And if that isn’t reassuring enough, Campbell’s voice should be. Her soothing southern drawl adds an extra softening to the brainy content. There really isn’t an area of neuroscience that she hasn’t covered but thanks to our changing technological world, new areas have arisen organically, such as artificial intelligence (AI). In fact, episode 155 on AI is a good place to start your brain science podcast listening since this a blazing hot topic these days.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

6. AI Australia

Speaking of AI, this newer podcast from Australia with James Wilson and Nigel Dalton is also a must listen. It is tempting with new technology to focus solely on the business potential and shy away from the tough ethical questions that need addressing but James and Nigel face them head on. What’s refreshing about this podcast is that there is a strong ethical thread through all of the episodes and it feels like James and Nigel have our best interests and futures in mind when they talk to their guests. This is an interview podcast with global experts in many aspects of Artificial Intelligence helping us understand exactly what AI is, how it is currently affecting us and how it will continue to shape our lives in the future. Automation, privacy, healthcare, chatbots, crispr, and biohacking are some of the topics they have covered so far in the podcast. As with previous science podcasts AI Australia conversations are informative and understandable for the layman. A good listening starting point is the More Than Chatbots episode because chatbots are already a large part of our daily lives. 

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

7. Tiny Vampires

Another pervasive part of our daily lives are blood sucking insects and Science Communicator Raven Forrest Fruscalzo wants to make sure we have all the information on these potentially dangerous creatures. We and Nosotros because Raven publishes this science podcast in English and Spanish. Get ready for your skin to crawl because here is a list of some of the creatures she shares research about: fleas, ticks, mosquitos, carpenter ants, parasitic worms, and kissing bugs. Raven explains academic research on these creatures, diseases or harm they may inflict and the populations that are most affected by them. In fact, she spends quite a bit of time making us aware that many diseases that we do not know about transmitted by these creatures are not widely shared precisely because the population they effect are in poor regions of the world.And she wants that to change. The tsetse fly in Africa and the kissing bug in Latin America being two prime examples. But Raven is anything but pushy or judgemental, she is 100% intelligent, articulate and informed. A good starter episode is episode 7, where she explores if the situation that happened in the movie Outbreak could actually happen in real life. Be afraid or be informed, it’s your choice. 

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

8. ZSL Wild Science Podcast

ZSL, with “z” pronounced “zed”, from the Zoological Society of London moves us onto larger creatures in this podcast list. Research Fellow Dr. Monni Böhm helps us explore the Conservation Science side of the animal kingdom. Topics such as plastic’s impact on the animal kingdom, how electric animal tracking can help us protect endangered species, the impact of the urban environment on animals and what we can learn from indiginous communities are explored when Böhm interviews many other Researchers in varying parts of the Conservation Science space. This may sound terribly serious but the pangolins episode displays Böhm’s sense of humor by pairing a chat about pangolins with international wine day festivities. What’s a pangolin? Her guest describes it as an animal that looks like a combination of a dinosaur and a pine cone. When you Google pangolin you will understand why this is a great episode to start listening to ZSL Wild Science Podcast. 

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

9. A Life in Ruins

We have spent quite a bit of time above ground so far in this list so let’s go underground with the help of this archeological trio. Former classmates from the University of Wyoming: Carlton Gover, Connor Johnen, and David Howe dig into this topic with vigor and humor. In fact, this science podcast almost deserves a comedy category it’s that funny. They are all clearly confident, intelligent and very good friends, as their archeological jargon and friendly but teasing banter suggests. And yet we can easily learn heaps about the field through their, as they say, ‘ridiculous stories’. A perfect starting episode is episode 6- Eat, Dig, Love: A Summer in the Ukraine. It will ruin you.   

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

10. Dope Labs

Science classes in high school should be like Dope Labs. Scientists and best friends Titi and Zakiya are so comfortable in their science skin that they move from playful to deeply thought provoking and intelligent without batting an eyelash. “Science is for errybody” is their tagline and they mean it. They take viral conversations from the Internet and connect them to science. That’s it. It’s so simple, so beautifully simple. They have guests, ask interesting questions and keep the conversation flowing and funny. Lab 005: Wakanda Forever (they call episodes “labs”) is where they chat with Dr. James Kakilos about science for superheroes. The movie Black Panther and the element of power in it, vibranium, is extensively discussed in this episode, among other aspects of science and super heroes. Start listening here but be warned, don’t listen on the metro because you will be laughing too hard and people will look at you weird. 

Listen: Spotify

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The post 10 Science Podcasts You Haven’t Heard of (Yet)! appeared first on Discover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods.

Hidden Brain evolved out of Shankar Vedantam’s Slate column of the same name and in the past four years has become a go-to for approachable, smart and unique looks into human behavior and psychology. In Vedantam’s own words, in the show he “reveals the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, the biases that shape our choices, and the triggers that direct the course of our relationships,” typically in the form of shorter episodes with plenty of guests and sometimes games and quizzes. 

The show relies heavily on research, often taking new academic studies or papers as inspiration for episodes, but does not go as in depth as Radiolab or Science Friday. Rather, fans of podcasts like Invisibilia, Planet Money or Freakonomics will enjoy Hidden Brain for its ability to provide real life context to broader, more academic concepts. Episodes often start with a single question that Vedantam and his team of reporters work to answer with scientific, pop culture and historical approaches. 

1. The Power and Problem Of Grit

In this episode University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth discusses her research on the concept of grit, which she defines as passion and perseverance for long-term goals. From grades in school to success in sports, business or entertainment, Duckworth essentially presents and measures a new way to understand why some people are successful and others are not that goes beyond the typical idea of perseverance and practice. Her research suggests that to truly be successful and stand out in a field, hard work will only get you so far. The other half of the equation is a deeper drive that comes from purpose, meaning and dedication to the work you are doing. 

2. The Edge of Gender

The complicated topic of gender is questioned in this episode from 2017, approaching it from a purely scientific approach. Lise Eliot, a professor of neuroscience at Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago, is the primary guest on this episode and shares insight from her two decades of researching the topic. The episode delves into the debate over gender and the role of nature and nurture, as well as considering the differences between boys’ brains and girls’ brains. 

3. Why No One Feels Rich

Keith Payne, a social psychologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, wrote The Broken Ladder: How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die and discusses insights from the book and other research about wealth and poverty on this episode. The big takeaway of his research is that we have a bias toward comparing ourselves to people who have more than us, rather than those who have less, thus creating a paradox where even the richest people often don’t feel like they have enough. 

4. Lonely Hearts 

In addition to his background in science and journalism, Shankar Vedantam is also an accomplished fiction writer and it is in episodes like this one from 2015 where his storytelling abilities shine. This episode of Hidden Brain originally aired on This American Life, in an episode called “The Heart Wants What it Wants,” which gives a bit of insight into how the episode and story are told. The topic is of course love, specifically the act of conning lovers and why we sometimes prefer to believe lies than accept reality when it comes to love. The is science woven into this episode, but it feels more like a longform journalism piece or personal essay. 

5. When Did Marriage Become So Hard? 

We all know that divorce rates are higher than ever and the concept of marriage has changed dramatically in the past 50 years or so, but what is actually causing the transformation? Are people changing or is there something about the expectations of marriage that is different now? Eli Finkel, a social psychologist at Northwestern University, thinks it is some mix of the two. The episode is about married couples but aspects of it can certainly be applied to any sort of romantic relationship and help explain why dating as a whole seems to be getting so much harder, or at least so much more frustrating. 

6. Getting Unstuck

From relationships to professional growth, it is not uncommon to feel “stuck” at times, but there may be more in common with the various ways we feel stuck than expected. In fact, it turns out that the challenges engineers and designers face when designing new products is a very similar feeling and has similar causes to the sense of stuckness that comes from being in a dead-end job without room for growth. How do we learn to accept feeling stuck and more importantly, what can science teach us about getting past it? The episode looks at a series of personal anecdotes and stories to provide examples of feeling stuck and ultimately brings them all together for a series of science-driven ideas that may help. 

7. Creating God

This episode features researchers who study religion through the lens of evolution and see religion as a cultural innovation, similar to fire, tools or agriculture. The concept of religion and God as we think of it today has not always existed, and some historians and scientists place the starting point at around 12,000 years ago when human groups began to expand and a greater force was needed to explain new phenomena. One of the key sources in the episode is social psychologist Azim Shariff, who says that the concept of God, specifically as a “great punisher,” emerged and evolved to help us survive as a species and explain the unexplainable in a way. 

8. The Ostrich Effect

The ostrich effect is the concept of intentionally tuning out any information that may include painful news or information you don’t want to hear, whether it be distressing current events or TV spoilers. The concept also applies to finance, where the ostrich effect is the idea that some investors intentionally avoid negative financial information. The name is inspired by the common legend that ostriches bury their heads in the sand to avoid danger. In this episode, Vedantam looks into why we do this, and if it is as negative of a human trait as we tend to think. 

9. What’s Not On The Test 

James Heckman, an economics professor at the University of Chicago and a Nobel laureate, was surprised to learn that people with a GED typically received the same test scores as people with a high school diploma, suggesting that they should have similar levels of success after completing their programs. However, research has found that GED recipients do not in fact stay on par with high school grads, typically not staying employed at the same rates as high school employees and being more likely to be involved in crime. Heckman was curious what the tests used to compare high school graduates and GED recipients were missing, and if there was any way to put a number of someone’s actual potential for career success. Furthermore, Heckman discusses the impact his research has had on public policy and education as a whole.

The post The 9 Best Hidden Brain Episodes appeared first on Discover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods.

(related reading: 11 Podcasts Guaranteed to Make You Think)

6. How To Do Everything

Having embarrassing questions or matters that should be discussed under a veil of anonymity is normal. How To Do Everything is a podcast that addresses these types of questions as well as any other topic that listeners want to hear. It was created by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag who are the speakers addressing all inquiries made by the public. For example, some listeners ask about issues like freedom and justice while others want their curiosity about french fries to be satisfied. Importantly, whenever there is a serious question, experts will be invited to state their opinions. This way, Danforth and Chillag do not have to be knowledgeable about everything they are asked.

5. The Tim Ferriss Show

Ranked at the very top of all business podcasts available on iTunes, the Tim Ferris Show has been downloaded over 100 million times. It is an interview-based podcast that hosts celebrities like Jamie Foxx, Mike Shinoda, Jon Favreau, and hundreds of others. Once there, they answer questions about the success in their areas of expertise. One of the most useful aspects of this show is that people can use the tips provided for their everyday lives. Since important issues like difficulties with time management, health habits, business models, and technology tools are always up for debate, listeners can get some high-quality life lessons!

4. Hidden Brain

Unlike the previous two, this podcast is less user-question-based. It is a show that explains underlying patterns and concepts that often drive how someone behaves. Furthermore, Hidden Brain explains some of the most complicated psychology problems through storytelling. Users who tune in to listen to this podcast are often looking for innovative ideas that may explain how the brain analyzes situations and makes decisions. The fact that the creator of this show has prompted people to ask questions like “What does the way I park say about me?” is a testament to its power.

3. Invisibilia

Much like the aforementioned podcast, Invisibilia deals with psychology and the world of dreams, unconscious behavior, and beliefs. Its primary goal is to educate people about things that come from within and are not visible to the naked eye. With thousands of followers, this show gets into some topics that can teach one how to live life in a new, more profound way.

2. Planet Money

Talking business and economy is not for everyone. The group of people who appreciates Planet Money the most, however, are usually those who swim in these waters. After being around for a decade, the show has built quite the reputation with its talks on the supply chain, profits, outsourcing, and almost anything business-related. With many prominent awards in its corner, Planet Money tries to explain some simple matters like how t-shirts are made to more complex topics like how the 2008 economy downfall happened. The team of hosts includes over half-a-dozen educated professionals with experience.

1. Jocko Podcast

As a United States Navy SEAL, Jocko Willink delivers motivational speeches that are unmatched in intensity and quality. Having spent over 20 years on one of the world’s most powerful special forces, Willink learned what it takes to be a leader. Presently, besides being a successful businessman and public speaker, he also has a podcast where he teaches others about ownership and dedication. With a few books under his belt, he mostly attempts to motivate people to go after their goals relentlessly. Also, as a highly decorated combat veteran, he uses many battlefield stories to relate to real-life examples of discipline.

Luckily, these are just some of the podcasts available in the market. With such a large offering, it is safe to say that people can find something to help them get through monotonous driving, jogging, resting, or any other not-so-fun activity.

The post  6 Podcasts That Will Make You Smarter in 2018 appeared first on Discover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods.

Though these are listed one through 11, these are in no way a ranking. Each podcast has quality episodes that will appeal to different people.

1. 99 Percent Invisible

Any list in this fashion has to start with 99PI. Being an avid listener for a few years, there are certain everyday objects I’ll never look at the same way again like park benches, cul-de-sacs, and retain spaces just to name a few.

Host Roman Mars and team produce excellent, and relatively short (25-40 minutes), podcasts that often tell of flawed designs and origins with interesting stories and accompanying guests.

Listen: iTunes | Stitcher

2. Twenty Thousand Hertz

A couple weeks ago I wrote if you enjoy 99PI, then you’ll like Twenty Thousand Hertz, and thus it’s only fitting I follow with it. Where 99PI focuses a lot on the design and function of everyday objects, Twenty Thousand Hertz focuses on the sound and sound design behind them.

Recent episodes have focused on Foley artists — the people who create sound effects for movies using random objects — Space, and talking dolls. Some of my favorites include the story behind the NBC Chimes, manufactured car engine sounds, and Siri.

Listen: iTunes | Stitcher

3. Revisionist History

Revisionist History, currently on hiatus, is a project of Malcom Gladwell’s that analyzes some errors of the past. Though that’s an incredibly vague tagline of my own invention, it’s really more than that. It looks at why we perceive some things in certain ways.

One of my favorite episodes talks about NBA legends, Wilt Chamberlain and Rick Barry, and wonders why — despite being a proven advantage — underhand free throws never took off. Another episode explores the imbalances between university donations and the value they create.

Listen: iTunes | Stitcher

4. Criminal

Criminal defines itself as “a podcast about crime. Stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.” However, this isn’t your typical true crime podcast. Each episodes tells a new story (as opposed to the more recent narrative storylines), and examines the motives and psychological reasons behind some people’s actions.

Listen: iTunes | Stitcher

5. The Memory Palace

The Memory Palace is hosted by Nate DiMeo and each episode looks into an event that happened in the past to teach you something new and/or revisit something through a different analysis. The episodic nature of the podcast lends itself easily to listeners looking to pick up something new or only listen to topics of particular interest. Nate has also done the great job of hand selecting some of his favorite episodes if you’re unsure where to start.

Listen: iTunes | Stitcher

6. Reply All

Reply All is a podcast that typically looks into a specific topic in technology and/or pop culture. If you have even the slightest interest in tech and odd ball internet topics like memes, conversations, and standards and want to understand why the internet is the way it is now, this is a podcast for you. Like others on this list, each episode is standalone and can be listened in any order.

Listen: iTunes | Stitcher

7. Invisibilia

Invisibilia features the invisible forces around us that influence in certain ways. Whether these are ideas, emotions, thoughts, assumptions, etc., Invisibilia looks at each of these with a unique blend of scientific research and storytelling that is extremely unique and well done. Another podcast under the NPR machine, Invisibilia should be on everyone’s subscribed list.

Listen: iTunes | Stitcher

8. Ungeniused

If you’re in the mood to simply learn something extremely random or up your trivia game knowledge, it’s time to tune in to Ungeniused. The podcast has a simple premise: deep dives on random Wikipedia articles with added insight and analysis. What’s unique about this podcast is how snack’able it is — most episodes are around 10 minutes long. So if you’re looking to kill time, and don’t want to commit to a longer podcast, this one’s for you.

Listen: iTunes

9. Hidden Brain

Hidden Brain follows a similar vein as Invisibilia. Both are excellently produced NPR podcasts focus on unconscious motives that drive human behavior. However, Hidden Brain looks at the biases and triggers inherent in humans and how they’re shaped by the world around us. Hosted by Shankar Vedantam, this podcast is constantly near the top of the Top Podcasts charts every week.

Listen: iTunes | Stitcher

10. Liftoff

Interested the expanse of the universe and all that comes with it? Perfect, Liftoff is for you. Some of the podcasts on this list have a niche theme, and Liftoff is no different. What’s excellent about liftoff is how the co-hosts are able to take these insanely complicated subjects and explain them in a layman’s way and help the audience understand the importance of each topic.

Listen: iTunes

11. Science Vs

Science Vs probably has my favorite concept of any podcast on this list. Host, Wendy Zuckerman, looks at the current fads, trends, and the latest opinions and uses science to carefully dissect them. Could ghosts be real? If not, why do so many people believe in them? What about the effects of fracking on the environment?

Science Vs tackles a variety of topics and clears out the noise to analyze the truth.

Listen: iTunes | Stitcher

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