15 Addictive New Podcasts Worthy of Binge-Listening to in 2021
Binge-watching the latest TV series is all fun and games until you’ve realised you’ve spent the entire weekend sitting on the couch eating popcorn and drinking wine. That’s where the humble podcast comes in.
The beauty of podcasts is that they can be listened to anywhere - while commuting to and from work, cooking, working, exercising and even showering. In addition to providing you with non-stop entertainment, most actually end up teaching you a thing or two about relationships, politics, health, history and more.
But with an overwhelming amount of podcasts now available, the difficult question is: which one do you invest your time binge-listening to?
Well, we’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up the very best new podcasts to tune into right now.
15 best new podcasts to listen to in 2021
1. The Lazy Genius
What is it about?
Adulthood is hard. There are so many things we’re still clueless about, some days we wake up with zero enthusiasm and navigating life in general is just complicated, right? Which is where host Kendra Adachi comes in. Think of her as the big sister you thought you didn’t want, but really (really) needed.
Her podcast is full of rational advice (without being boring or annoying) to help make your life easier. Regardless if she’s talking about politics, to-do lists or dealing with awkward dinner ruts, each episode is full of wisdom on how to embrace change and move forward in life. It’s something we all need living in these uncertain times.
Frequency: Weekly, every Monday
Average episode duration: Varies between 9 minutes to over an hour.
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify
2. Why Won’t You Date Me?
What is it about?
We’ve all asked ourselves this question before, but only a handful of people can talk about it as hilariously as host Nicole Byer.
Chuck your headphones on or listen in your own privacy (yes, some parts get a bit raunchy), to Byers discuss everything there is to know about the struggles of modern dating, apps, open relationships, matchmakers and much more. Oh, it’s juicy.
Frequency: Weekly, every Friday
Average episode duration: 50 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
3. The Clown and the Candyman
What is it about?
If you’re a fan of Casefile, Serial, Dirty John or any crime podcast, then this one is right up your alley. The Clown and the Candyman delves into the case of two serial killers Dean Corll and John Wayne Gacy, who brutally murdered over 60 teenage boys. Let us repeat that again: 60 teenage boys.
The police said Corll and Gacy were the two sole killers, but the podcast reveals that they were actually connected by a network of pedophiles, which was partially financed by eminent members of American society. Need we say more?
Frequency: Weekly, every Tuesday
Average episode duration: 40 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
4. Bad and Busy
What is it about?
Beauty Editor Kelsey Ferencak and Graphic Designer Stephanie Carpenter, are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to producing content that is the perfect balance of exciting and insightful.
The two best friends delve into a broad range of topics from gut health to Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop-y trends, hormones and fertility, and all things natural wine. Plus, they share plenty of beauty advice, tips and tricks so you can say hello to healthy skin, too.
Frequency: Varies
Average episode duration: Varies between 15 minutes to over an hour.
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
5. Crazy Biatch Asians
What is it about?
What’s life like as an Asian living in the Western world? That’s what Digital Marketer Sharon Jiang and Journalist Juna Xu (yes, subtle self-promotion), discuss in their informative, yet entertaining podcast.
Each episode delves into a different issue (from Asian dating stereotypes to K-Pop, superstitions and even the cringe-worthy problem of Asian fetish) with a critical mind, a bit of healthy debate and lots of spilt tea. Through their candid conversations (backed by plenty of research), the two best friends provide you with a podcast that’ll really get you thinking - even if you’re not Asian. They're the Crazy Rich Asians, minus the 'rich'.
Frequency: Fortnightly, every Wednesday
Average episode duration: 30 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify
6. Jeans and a Nice Top
What is it about?
Who doesn’t like a juicy dating podcast? However, Jeans and a Nice Top takes it one step further and really delivers the juiciest juice. Hosts and Journalists Ashleigh Austen and Melissa Mason, dig deep into the wild world of modern dating, as they share their very own personal stories of navigating the (terrifying) swipe game. Plus, whether you’re single or in a relationship, you can never be short of knowing too much about the dating realm.
Frequency: Weekly, every Friday
Average episode duration: 40 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
7. WE Well-Being Podcast
What is it about?
Not only is this podcast making it to the top of everyone’s lists because it’s hosted by Canada’s first lady Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, but also because it encourages you to face mental health stigma and taboos via candid and soul-lifting conversations and interviews.
Trudeau is no stranger to talking openly about her own experiences with anxiety and an eating disorder, and her podcast is here to take it a step further so you can foster wellbeing in all areas of your life.
While it’s not necessarily a new podcast (the last episode was released in July 2020), it’s a goodie to listen back to when you need a dose of inspiration.
Frequency: Nine episodes, all released in 2020.
Average episode duration: 40 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts
8. Healthy-ish
What is it about?
Striving to live the “perfect” healthy life isn’t achievable or long-term. If you think about it, eating, thinking, acting and moving perfectly, 100 per cent of the time is not realistic, which is why host Felicity Harley (previously body+soul Digital Editor Alison Izzo) wants you to strive to be healthy...ish.
Every morning Harley interviews a different guest, from the likes of Turia Pitt to a large lineup of different health experts (think dietitians, dermatologists and doctors). Each episode is only around 10 minutes long, making it the perfect bite-sized piece of audio to help kickstart your day.
Frequency: Every morning
Average episode duration: 10 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
9. Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People
What is it about?
Sit down with comedian Chris Gethard, as he spends one hour on the phone with a completely anonymous caller - on air. While the concept may sound a little flat, it’s actually quite the opposite. No topics are off-limits, and some calls lead to the most surprising conversations - including one with a mass-shooting survivor who shares his experience. It’s refreshingly spontaneous and awe-inspiring.
Frequency: Weekly, every Tuesday with bonus shorter episode (30 minutes) every Friday fortnight.
Average episode duration: 1 hour
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Omny
10. The Michelle Obama Podcast
What is it about?
Yes, the former first lady has officially launched her own podcast. In a statement on her new series, Obama said: “My hope is that this series can be a place to explore meaningful topics together and sort through so many of the questions we’re all trying to answer in our own lives.”
The podcast features an astounding lineup of guests including her husband Barack Obama, her own mother and even American TV legend Conan O’Brien. You’ll walk away with more empathy and a greater understanding of difficult topics.
Frequency: Nine episodes with the last episode released on September 30, 2020.
Average episode duration: 45 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
11. Black Gals Livin’
What is it about?
Hosts Vic and Jas will instantly become your favourite podcast-friends as they bring the same level of energy and honesty to every episode. They chat through everything from body image to dealing with male-dominated environments, and all things pop culture.
Of course, they also look into the experience of Black women and use their successful platform to bring these issues to light. It’s the hilariously insightful podcast to wind down to at the end of a long, hard day.
Frequency: Weekly, every Monday
Average episode duration: 1 hour
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud
12. Getting Curious With Jonathan Van Ness
What is it about?
If you’re looking for ways to fill your JVN-shaped hole in your heart after binge-watching the latest series of Queer Eye, well, here you go.
In each episode, Jonathan chats to different experts about everything and anything spanning from LGBTQ laws to kittens. It’s the perfect podcast to learn something new in a conversational yet intelligent way.
Frequency: Weekly, every Wednesday
Average episode duration: 50 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
13. Holy Sh!t, I’m Pregnant
What is it about?
You take a pregnancy test and it comes back positive. Your first thought? Holy sh!t! The question is, now what? Join Journalist Lizza Gebigalin, as she chats to Australia’s leading health experts and a few of her own friends to help you navigate through every hurdle there is to know about your new life with your little human. It’s the podcast every parent (mum or dad) wished they had when they were pregnant with their first child.
Frequency: Fortnightly, every Wednesday
Average episode duration: 30 minutes
Where to listen: Spotify and Google Podcasts
14. My Millennial Health
What is it about?
With so many self-titled “health experts” sharing information on the internet, it can be difficult to differentiate between what’s correct and what’s not. Advanced Sports Dietitians and Accredited Practising Dietitians Jessica Spendlove and Chloe McLeod, help separate fact from fiction as they delve into everything there is to know about nutrition, exercise, mental health, mindset and more. It’s light-hearted and informative to help guide you to live your healthiest (and balanced) life.
Frequency: Weekly, every Thursday
Average episode duration: 45 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
15. Everyone Has An Ex
What is it about?
Last, but definitely not least, is one of the most talked-about podcasts of 2020: Everyone Has An Ex. The documentary-style podcast is narrated by Bachelorette favourite Georgia Love, who reads unconventional stories about relationship pasts, through the eyes and hearts of the people who lived them.
There are stories about public humiliation, family issues, forbidden love and funerals. It'll make you laugh, smile and cry, but most of all it'll help you understand that everyone has a story about an ex they'll never forget.
Frequency: Weekly, every Tuesday
Average episode duration: 45 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
To help lull you to sleep, we've rounded up the 7 very best relaxing podcasts to listen to at night.
