Bottom Line Up Front: These are the podcasts I listen to for information and/or entertainment. I keep this post updated so it always reflects my current listening habits.
This post was originally written in 2014 and has been updated as of February 2025.
Pro Tip: Some good apps have the ability to listen at an increased rate. I listen now at 1.5x speed. At that rate, you can listen to 30 minutes of audio in 20 minutes. It may sound funny to you at first, but slowly increase it until it is easy to understand. 1x speed sounds very slow to me now. Even at 1.2x or 1.3x you are able to listen to a lot more over time.
Pro Tip 2: In addition to the below, I find a lot of interesting podcast through https://podcastnotes.org/ for podcasts to which I do not directly subscribe. They also provide actual podcast notes for free and offer a premium tier which summarizes key points so you can skip listening to a podcast but actually get to the key information.
I listen to every episode of these
Jocko Podcast: Leadership, military stories/history, getting after it from a retired SEAL. You can absolutely listen to back episodes, which I did when I got into it.
Animal Spirits: Markets, life, and investing. Arguably my favorite right now. It’s mostly about investing with pop culture mixed in, so if you are into that, you will love it.
The Compound and Friends: Same type of podcast as Animal Spirits. Markets mostly, very fun and informative.
Joe DeFranco’s Industrial Strength Show: One of the best strength and conditioning podcasts out there. Mostly about training for performance with some health and fitness mixed in.
All-In Podcast: Group of four friends who are famous/semi-famous in Silicon Valley and investing with a lot of interesting takes on markets, politics, etc.
I listen to these as I have time/if one interests me
Joe Rogan Experience: Most popular podcast in the world for a reason. Highly entertaining with a lot of information coming down at the same time. Joe Rogan is surprisingly into health and fitness, way more than you would believe if you didn’t know him. A lot of this is pure comedy, but Joe gets into a wide range of real subjects in addition to just being entertaining.
Huberman Lab: Andrew Huberman does an amazing job bringing relevant scientific information to make you healthier and happier all for free.
MeatEater Podcast: If you are into hunting or interesting in hunting or the outdoors, Steve Rinella and guests are a treasure trove of information and entertainment.
Ben Greenfield Life Podcast: Ben probably puts out the most and best free content you can find. He is extraordinarily informed. This podcast is a gold mine. I listen to the Q&A every time and then occasional ones with guests based on who it is.
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast: Dr. Peterson is famous for a lot of reasons. I find his podcast very interesting, covering a wide array of topics. His perspective is very unique, well-informed, and usually very smart.
Lex Friedman Podcast: Long form interviews like Rogan does. Very interesting and diverse topics. I love the depth he gets into each time. Due to length, I have to be selective which I listen to. These are great for long trips in the car or on an airplane when you can devote 2-3 hours to one uninterrupted. Almost like an audio book.
Found My Fitness: Dr. Rhonda Patrick goes super deep into the science in these episodes, so buckle up if you get into one. When she does one in particular that interests me, I always listen.
The Healthy Rebellion Radio: Robb Wolf of the Paleo Solution’s new podcast. Excellent nutrition, health and wellness information each episode.
Honestly with Bari Weiss: Politics/current events from the Free Press.
The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show: Dr. Lyon gets good guests and deep dives into health, fitness, performance, and nutrition.
Modern Wisdom: Chris Williamson has a diverse interest and it comes through in this podcast. It’s a lot like a lite Joe Rogan Experience.
Black Rifle Coffee: CEO Evan Hafer and sometimes guests mostly talk veterans-related issues, which gets into government, politics, and health.
The Rest is History: Very enjoyable history podcast to get smart on a variety of things you should probably know about.
The Ready State: Hosts Dr. Kelly Starrett and Juliet Starrett get some interest guests in the health, fitness, performance space.
Mark Bell’s Power Project: Variety of guests and topics related to aspects of performance, healthy, and fitness.
QUESTION: Do you have a good podcast we need to check out? Post thoughts to comments.
The Skeptics Guide to the Universe. Well thought-out, science-based approach to headline-grabbing stories.
On the Media. An NPR show, a look at how major media outlets cover stories in the news.
The Week Ahead. The Economist’s 8-10 minute look at events coming up in the next seven days, and their implications.
Diane Rehm. Also an NPR product, daily panel of experts on a wide range of topics. The Friday News Roundup is a weekly two-hour wrap-up of domestic and international news.
The BJ Shea Morning Experience. Morning drive-time radio from Seattle. Basically, guys being guys for two hours.
Skeptoid. 10-20 minute skeptical look at topics from pop-culture.
Scott, awesome feedback! I will check them all out. Thanks for the recommendations.
The Jocko Podcast
Rusty, you are absolutely right! I love Jocko on Tim Ferriss and Joe Rogan. I should be listening to this one. Subscribing now. Thanks!