This is a blog about the best books. But we book lovers can’t always be reading. We’d like to. But sometimes we need to do household chores, drive, or do other activities that occupy our arms and eyes, but not our full headspace. Yes, there are audiobooks for that. But I swore I’d never again listen to an audiobook while driving when I nearly flipped my car on the Indianapolis beltway while trying to solve a murder mystery.* And when I listen to audiobooks while doing chores, I end up tuning out either the chore or the book. The leisurely banter of podcasts is a better fit for my personal brain. So today, I bring you this blog post on the top 10 best podcasts 2025 for readers, writers, and thinkers.

(According to whom? you ask. Well, according to me. You’re reading a blog post with my name on it. Were you hoping I would consult Miley Cyrus?)

* True story—my car’s left wheels lifted to a perfect diagonal and it was very, very scary.

Top 10 Best Podcasts 2025 for Readers, Writers, & Thinkers: An Annual Blog Post

I’ve decided to make this an annual thing: to rank what I think are the top 10 best podcasts 2025, or whatever the year is. This will be a ranking specifically for readers, writers, and thinkers. Some of the podcasts on this list are mainly for writers; those might not interest you if you’re not a writer. But the rest should be of interest to anyone who’s a reader and thinker.

Last year, I released a blog post about the best podcasts 2024. I listed four podcasts hosted by men, which I’d been listening to for a long time. I had specifically set out to find some great podcasts hosted by women; I listed four of these.

Sadly, I’m still listening to three of the four male-hosted podcasts, but none of the female-hosted podcasts I spotlighted in 2024.

Top 10 Best Podcasts 2025 for Readers, Writers, & Thinkers: My Genuine Listening List

However, serendipitously, without me striving to balance out the genders of my podcast hosts, the genders have balanced out on their own.

I wasn’t thinking about gender. I was simply listening to what I liked. Within my podcast app (Pocket Casts), I have arranged my podcasts according to how much I like them. The ones at the top I love and can’t miss. The ones further down I like very much, but it’s okay if I skip episodes. I just glanced at my app, and I’m pleased to report that I regularly listen to many fabulous female hosts.

One more thing before we get to the ranked list of the top 10 best podcasts 2025. Naturally, this is a biased list. I don’t expect that you will have exactly the same tastes as me. And maybe you’ve discovered something amazing that I’ve never heard of. But I think all of these are worth a listen, and I share them in case you’re looking to discover something new that’s both entertaining and thought provoking.

Top 10 Best Podcasts 2025 for Readers, Writers, & Thinkers: The Ranked List

These podcasts are all fabulous. I’ve ranked them here in order from my least favorite (but still fabulous) to my most favorite (can’t miss).

#10 Serial & The New York Times: The Good Whale

A six-episode series about the whale who played Willy in Free Willy, this podcast describes what happened when people tried to set him free for real.

#9 Am I Doing It Wrong?

Raj and Noah invite guests to share advice about ordinary life activities such as watering plants and keeping your bathroom clean. (This podcast hasn’t published any episodes since February 13, and I haven’t been able to discover whether it will continue.)

#8 Write-minded: Weekly Inspiration for Writers

Brooke and Grant—professional writers, publishers, and founders of numerous successful literary endeavors—offer essential insights to writers and interview guests in the writing and publishing world.

#7 Book Riot – The Podcast

Jeff and Rebecca—professional readers with immense intelligence, insight, and wit—discuss the best modern books and the hottest book news, with an emphasis on literary fiction, as well as big hit books of all kinds.

#6 Media Storm

British journalists Mathilda and Helena cover U.K. and worldwide news, with an emphasis on the sides of the story the mainstream media missed and the people whose voices are least heard from.

#5 Pod Save America

Former Obama aides Jon, Jon, Dan, and Tommy cover modern politics with never-ending humor and wit, focusing on how Democrats can resist and fight back.

#4 Search Engine

PJ—always entertaining, always NYC cool—attempts to answer all of the most puzzling questions about life in the modern world.

#3 Print Run

Erik and Laura, literary agents based in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, talk insightfully and intelligently about the publishing industry.

#2 If Books Could Kill

Michael (a literal savant of intelligence, memory, quickness, and wit) and Peter (a lawyer who must be the smartest, sharpest, and most sarcastic podcaster alive) destroy crappy books—and even a few not-too-bad books—with fair criticism, along with a healthy dose of unfair snarkiness. (I subscribe to their Patreon to get bonus episodes that focus less on books and more on politics.)

#1 This Paranormal Life

When I’m feeling down, I turn to Rory and Kit’s silly comedy show based in Northern Ireland and London, which never fails to make me laugh and cheer me up. (I subscribe to their Patreon to get monthly bonus episodes and weekly behind-the-scenes episodes, which are somehow even funnier and sillier than the main episodes.)

Top 10 Best Podcasts 2025 for Readers, Writers, & Thinkers: What Are Yours?

What are your favorite, can’t-miss podcasts? I’m always looking for good ones. (I have a lot of chores to do. . . .) Drop your faves in the comments!