10 Podcasts That Make You Smarter (and Keep You Interested)

In the modern era, there are podcasts for everything. Podcasts to help you de-stress, episodes for self-improvement, and any other niche you can imagine. But what about podcasts that make you smarter? Yes, they exist—and they’re one of the EASIEST ways to stay informed, educated, and entertained all at once. 

No matter what kind of knowledge you’re in the mood for, there’s a podcast out there covering the topic in depth. From learning how to needlepoint from House Guest to regaining your confidence with Mimi Bouchard on Real Pod, podcasts offer endless opportunities to learn—without it feeling like school’s back in session. 

And the best part? You can listen (and learn) on your own terms! Whether running errands, working out, or doing a little R&R, these podcasts fit seamlessly into your routine. To help you build your “Must-Listen” list, we’re rounding up the best podcasts that make you smarter. Grab your fancy C’est Le Point Mug and pull out your headphones—we’re expanding our brains today.

10 Best Podcasts That Make You Smarter and More Informed

When people think of being “smarter,” they generally have some idea in their mind. Maybe they wish they were smarter about entrepreneurship. Or, maybe they hope to learn more about cultivating inner peace and achieving happiness. Two TOTALLY different sides of the spectrum—but that’s our point. 

Wanting to be “smarter” doesn’t require guidelines or rules about the kind of information you’re curious about. And that’s why there are so many podcasts you can learn from—the niches are truly endless.

That said, in this post, we’re diving into all of the best podcasts that make you smarter. And no, you won’t be falling asleep while listening or counting the seconds until your run’s over so you can turn the episode off. Each recommendation is insightful, entertaining, and totally worth every second.

Can Listening to Podcasts Make You Smarter?

Asking “Can podcasts make you smarter?” is like asking “Will going to school give more knowledge?” Of COURSE! Consider podcasts like mini classes, except they’re about things you’re actually interested in—and taught by a teacher you actually enjoy. You’re stimulating your brain, expanding what you know, and, conveniently, enhancing your memory.

In fact, let’s break it down before we move on. A research study tested whether participants retained information better after reading a textbook or listening to a podcast. And guess who scored higher? Those who listened to the podcast about the same information. The point is, there’s a world of knowledge out there waiting for you to put on your headphones and discover it.

Look, the proof is in the data, and the numbers speak for themselves! So now that you know listening to podcasts can actually make you smarter, the next question is: how does it work?

How Does Listening to Podcasts Make You Smarter?

Exposes New Ideas and Perspectives

Every time you tune into a podcast episode, you’re naturally learning something new. It’s not like a TV show, where, for the most part, storylines are fictional, and characters are over the top. These are real people, real perspectives, and real ideas. 

Each long-form conversation is intimate, it’s passionate, and it explores perspectives you probably haven’t ever considered. Perfect example: “Khloé, Jen Atkin & the Stories You’ve Never Heard” from Khloé in Wonder Land. They talk hangovers, hair trauma, and motherhood—with fresh ideas and a unique lens. 

Turns Passive Time Into Learning Time

One of the biggest benefits of podcasts is how seamlessly they blend into your routine—no dedicating an hour a day to reading a chapter or sitting down to watch a TED Talk. Now, don’t get us wrong, we love doing both! But there’s a time and place. 

When it comes to podcasts, you learn just as much, if not more, on your time. Routines, commutes, exercising, cooking, working—podcasts fill moments of silence with growth and knowledge. And honestly? There’s no better way to prioritize or invest in yourself.

Need a reminder on why this is so important? Listen to “Time to Own Your Narrative. This Is How You Do It ft. Hannah Bronfman” from She’s So Lucky.

Improves Focus and Active Listening Skills

It’s not just the kind of content you listen to that matters—it’s how you listen to it. This is why podcasts are notorious for making people smarter and more efficient. Watch an informative YouTube video, and you’re focused on visuals while also trying to absorb the discussion.

Turn on a podcast, and you’re training your brain to filter distractions, strengthen concentration, and retain key points. And what comes from that? Better communication skills and better mental engagement. For more about healthy communication, listen to “Keep Your Love On with Stevie Hendrix” from I’m Fun Now! Seriously, there are benefits on top of benefits. 

Lets You Learn From Experts and Thought Leaders

Because podcasts are essentially an audio search engine, many feature expert guests and world-class leaders. AKA, you get to hear from people that you typically wouldn’t. And if there’s anyone you want to learn from, it’s the experts and the world-class leaders.

Take “Hormone Myths: The Truth About Weight Gain, Hair Loss, Acne, Peptides + More with Dr. Jordan Geller” from Well with Arielle Lorre, for example. Is Dr. Geller someone you’d look up on socials before listening to the episode? Maybe not. But will you learn a hell of a lot from what he says and continue tuning in? Absolutely.

Makes Learning Feel Engaging and Enjoyable

You could pick up a textbook, tune into a virtual lecture, or sit in on a class to learn. Sooo… why don’t you? Because it’s boring! We get distracted, and our brains go on autopilot without us even realizing it. No shame here, it happens to the best of us. 

However, that’s exactly why listening to podcasts makes you smarter. It approaches educational topics in a way that feels fun, interesting, and engaging. Ultimately, this increases the chances that you’ll stay curious—and actually remember what you listened to. 

10 Best Podcasts to Make You Smarter—Without the Lectures

The Bossticks

Hosted by husband-and-wife duo Lauryn Bosstick and Michael Bosstick, The Bossticks is a long-running podcast that blends business, personal growth, and modern culture into smart, engaging conversations. Each episode features doctors, celebrities, executives, bestselling authors, and experts who share practical advice you can apply to your life. 

However, the info these guests share isn’t overly technical or hard to follow. Instead, they break down every topic into easy-to-digest segments. What makes this podcast especially educational is its ability to balance detail with accessibility. You’ll seriously walk away feeling informed without feeling overwhelmed. 

Start with: How to Build a Life That Feels Fulfilling – Even When Things Are Hard

Stuff You Should Know

With more than 1500 episodes, countless tours, and a handful of awards, Stuff You Should Know is a must-listen. Hosts Josh Clarke and Chuck Bryant dive into every topic you could imagine—from true crime to the Stonewall Uprising. 

They’re not experts on these topics, but curious people who want to learn as much as they possibly can. AKA, you right now. They take a very laid-back, conversational approach, which makes the content feel both easy to understand and super engaging. Plus, because their material is so versatile, they feature topics every listener can enjoy.

Start with: Selects: BPD: The Worst Disorder or Not a Disorder at All?

Dear Gabby

If you’ve ever really wanted to tap into your spirituality and personal growth, do it alongside Dear Gabby. New York bestselling author, international speaker, and Dear Gabby host, Gabby Bernstein is our go-to girl for all things transformation. This weekly podcast essentially serves as a virtual spiritual coach, offering practical, applicable tips to everyday life. 

Think: healing trauma, managing anxiety, manifestation techniques, and radical honesty. This isn’t just a show about counting to ten and taking deep breaths. Gabby blends evidence-based techniques and spiritual practices with a level of authenticity you can’t help but fall in love with—and grow from.

Start with: You’ll See It When You Believe It (Why Proof Is Blocking Your Manifestation)

Hidden Brain

Hosted by Shankar Vedantam, Hidden Brain is like a psychological deep dive into everything you’d ever want to know about human behavior. He explores the unconscious patterns and hidden forces that shape how people act. Think: “Why did my ex text me this?” “Why did my friend say what she said with this tone?” He answers questions exactly like this—and more.

Although Shankar uses social sciences and neuroscience to support his points, his conversations still feel equally engaging and insightful. Essentially, he makes hard-to-understand topics feel relatable and relevant. Trust us, it’s not like you’re back in your college psych class. It’s conversational, encouraging, and literally designed to make you smarter. 

Start with: You 2.0: How to Get Out of a Rut

Raising Good Humans

Parenting is HARD—but that “any advice is good advice” cliché? Not cutting it here. Dr. Aliza Pressman, developmental psychologist, parent educator, and host of Raising Good Humans, is the only one we’re listening to. Through solo episodes and guest appearances, Dr. Pressman has one goal: to help parents raise good humans. 

Every episode covers the tools, techniques, and approaches that make parenting less overwhelming. Did we mention everything is science-backed? Super important when you’re specifically trying to listen to podcasts that make you smarter.

Start with: Mattering: The Secret to Building a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose w/ Jennifer Wallace

The Tim Ferriss Show

The Tim Ferriss Show, hosted by none other than Tim Ferriss, is a long-form podcast that interviews world-class performers. His goal is to totally deconstruct the tools, techniques, and tactics that made them so successful. And with over one billion downloads and 800 interviewed guests, you can guarantee there’s tons to learn from. 

From Jamie Foxx to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tim wants to know every single tiny thing about their routine. We’re talking questions about books they’ve read, what their time management skills look like, and the mindsets they follow. When it comes to podcasts that make you smarter, The Tim Ferriss Show is the place to be. 

Start with: The Story Behind EpiPen, The Rise of Food Allergies, and What Doctors Got Wrong

The Art of Being Well

Dr. Will Cole is a leading functional medicine expert, best-selling author, and host of The Art of Being Well. In every episode, he explores holistic wellness by focusing on what matters most—nurturing your mind, body, and spirit with grace and lightness. Most importantly, he also considers self-care as a form of self-respect, which is essential here.

He doesn’t just want to talk about conventional medicine, though. He explores these topics in depth, discussing the root causes of health issues and why it’s important to find personal paths to recovery. With both solo episodes and guest appearances featuring doctors, nutritionists, and artists, learning about health has never been easier—or more interesting.

Start with: Heavily Meditated: Biohacking the Nervous System & Consciousness | Dave Asprey 

In Our Time

Hosted by Mevlyn Bragg, In Our Time is a long-running podcast that explores history, philosophy, science, literature, and culture through expert-led discussions. Yeah, nothing is off the table here. Each episode features expert-led discussions that combine leading data to unpack super complex topics—from ancient civilizations to scientific theories. 

But don’t get overwhelmed just yet. In Our Time makes these topics surprisingly easy to understand—and even easier to enjoy. The show is rich, thoughtful, and ideal for listeners who genuinely enjoy learning for the sake of learning.

Start with: The Death of Reading (from The Global Story)

SHE MD

It’s no secret that women’s health is severely underdiscussed. And at Dear Media, a platform to address the lack of female representation, that’s NOT something we’re here for. And neither are SHE MD hosts, world-renowned OB-GYN Dr. Thais Aliabadi, and women’s advocate and influencer, Mary Alice Haney.

SHE MD is all about candid conversations with leading experts and celebrities about women’s health topics. And they don’t always cover surface-level subjects, either. They discuss things like endometriosis, PCOS, perimenopause, and misdiagnosis. It’s a powerful listen for anyone else who wants the knowledge to become their own advocate. 

Start with: PCOS, Anxiety, & Fertility: What Nikki Reed Wants Every Woman to Know

Revisionist History

Calling all of our history buffs, this one’s for you. Revisionist History, hosted by Malcom Gladwell, is a show that takes a second look at overlooked historical events, people, and ideas. What did we get wrong? What was misinterpreted? Did we actually get things right the first time around? He answers all of these questions and more. 

It’s not just a deep dive into history, as much as it sounds like it is. It’s a second chance to understand things, re-analyze events with what we know now, and possibly scrutinize hot topics. It’s as juicy as it is educational—exactly what we want. The show is insightful, mentally engaging, and narrative-driven, making every second exciting. 

Start with: The Alabama Murders – Part 1: The True Church

Podcasts that make you smarter are the BEST tools for learning, growing, and expanding your knowledge—without boring yourself to death.

As we mentioned before, there’s a podcast for everything. Best podcasts for men? Got it. Best podcasts for women in their 30s? Super niche, but been there, done that. So, naturally, there’s a plethora of podcasts that make you smarter out there just waiting for you to click play. From women’s health to historical events, there’s no shortage of interesting topics and thorough deep dives. 
Want more where this came from? Head to the Dear Media blog, where we cover everything from pop culture updates to relationship advice you’ll wish you heard 18-unread-texts-to-your-ex ago. And, of course, don’t forget to stay updated with our incredible lineup of Dear Media podcast hosts. From niche knowledge to broad dating advice, they seriously cover it all.