Navid MoazzezNavid Moazzez

12 best society & culture podcasts to listen to

What makes people tick? These podcasts explore the stories, ideas, and beliefs that shape how we live and how we see the world around us.

Navid Moazzezby Navid Moazzez·Updated Sept 30, 2026·3 min read

Find podcasts worth your time by topic, where you listen and how often new episodes come out. Navid's picks come first.

This is a list of the best society & culture podcasts.

In fact, it has 12 of them, with Navid's picks first.

So if you want society & culture podcasts worth your time, you'll love this list.

What makes people tick? These podcasts explore the stories, ideas, and beliefs that shape how we live and how we see the world around us.

Here's what's inside:

Each one comes with what it covers and who it's for.

What are the best society & culture podcasts?

Here's the list at a glance.

Host
Chris Williamson
Episodes
1100+
Host
Apple TV+
Episodes
Weekly
Host
Ira Glass
Episodes
Weekly
Host
Dr. Laurie Santos
Episodes
Weekly
Host
Slate
Episodes
Weekly
Host
iHeart
Episodes
Weekly
Host
Ezra Klein
Episodes
Weekly
Host
WNYC Studios
Episodes
Weekly
Host
Bari Weiss
Episodes
Weekly
Host
Stephen Dubner
Episodes
Weekly
Host
Wondery
Episodes
Weekly
Host
Joe Rogan
Episodes
Weekly

Top 12 society & culture podcasts

1. Modern Wisdom by Chris Williamson

Modern Wisdom is Chris Williamson's interview show, running since 2018 with over 1,100 episodes. Guests have included David Goggins, Jordan Peterson, Naval Ravikant, Andrew Huberman and Ryan Holiday, and the conversations cover self-improvement, mindset, productivity and fitness.

Episodes: 1100+

Since: 2018

How often: 3 times a week

Listen to Modern Wisdom · More about Modern Wisdom

2. Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy by Apple TV+

Apple TV+ investigates the untold story behind Siegfried & Roy's famous tiger attack.

How often: Weekly

Listen to Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy · More about Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy

3. This American Life by Ira Glass

Ira Glass and team produce deeply reported stories on the extraordinary lives of ordinary Americans.

How often: Weekly

Listen to This American Life · More about This American Life

4. The Happiness Lab by Dr. Laurie Santos

Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos explores the science of happiness and what actually makes us feel better.

How often: Weekly

Listen to The Happiness Lab · More about The Happiness Lab

5. Decoder Ring by Slate

Slate investigates cultural mysteries and phenomena, from viral trends to forgotten histories.

How often: Weekly

Listen to Decoder Ring · More about Decoder Ring

6. Stuff You Should Know by iHeart

Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant explain how everything works, from everyday things to mind-bending topics.

How often: Weekly

Listen to Stuff You Should Know · More about Stuff You Should Know

7. The Ezra Klein Show by Ezra Klein

Ezra Klein has in-depth conversations about politics, policy, and ideas with leading thinkers.

How often: Weekly

Listen to The Ezra Klein Show · More about The Ezra Klein Show

8. Radiolab by WNYC Studios

WNYC's iconic podcast blends science, philosophy, and storytelling to explore the wonder of the world.

How often: Weekly

Listen to Radiolab · More about Radiolab

9. Honesty with Bari Weiss by Bari Weiss

Bari Weiss hosts honest conversations about the ideas and controversies shaping our culture.

How often: Weekly

Listen to Honesty with Bari Weiss · More about Honesty with Bari Weiss

10. Freakonomics Radio by Stephen Dubner

Stephen Dubner explores the hidden side of everything through economics, psychology, and surprising data.

How often: Weekly

Listen to Freakonomics Radio · More about Freakonomics Radio

11. Against The Odds by Wondery

Wondery tells gripping true stories of people who survived impossible situations against all odds.

How often: Weekly

Listen to Against The Odds · More about Against The Odds

12. The Joe Rogan Experience by Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan has long-form conversations with comedians, athletes, scientists, and cultural icons.

Since: 2009

How often: Weekly

Listen to The Joe Rogan Experience · More about The Joe Rogan Experience

Final thoughts on society & culture podcasts

The best society & culture podcast is the one you come back to. Pick 2 or 3 from this list, give them a month, and keep the ones you look forward to.

Navid Moazzez

AI business strategist & AI OS builder

Navid Moazzez helps creators and founders master AI and build their own AI Operating System (AI OS) to automate their business and life.

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